Chapter 56: Something Rotten on Berserker Island
It was a beautiful morning and the Dragon Riders were backing their way to Berserk Island after being invited by Dagur and Heather.
"'The Berserks cordially invite you to be their honored guests at the inaugural Berserker Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony.'" Fishlegs said, reading from a parchment. He then gasped and looked at the others. "Guys, Berserker Island. I'm so excited to see where Heather comes from." He said.
"And Dagur." Hiccup added. "You know, they say you can learn a lot about a people by tracing their place of origin."
"And get to know their traditions and heritage on their home island as well." Hicca added as well.
"Legend has it the old Nut family tree originated with the wild albino snow monkeys of the Northern Territories." Tuffnut said.
Ruffnut then began to make monkey sounds and scratched the top of her head. "Look, guys. I'm a monkey." She said, still making monkey noises.
"Case in point." Astrid said.
"Some things are better left unknown." Raeda ommented.
Ruffnut shrugged. "I'm just excited for the party. Nothing like a good graduation celebration." Tuffnut just stared at her. "I've crashed my fair share." She said,
Then the two of them began to make monkey noises and began to behave like them.
"If they begin to throw poo, I say we lock them in their hut until they evolve into something closer to humans/" Henry whispered to Hicca as she snickered.
Snotlout then flew over Fishlegs and snatched the parchment out of his hands. "You dragged us out of bed for this?" He asked rhetorically.
"You're just mad because Dagur doesn't like you." Fishlegs accused.
"He likes me, Fishface." Snotlout argued, smiling confidently.
"Yeah, Fishlegs," Astrid said, for once agreeing with Snotlout.
Snotlout smiled. "Thank you, Astrid." He thanked her.
"I mean you can't really dislike someone you don't know is alive." Astrid added with a smirk.
Snotlout glared at her. "Shut up, Astrid." He grumbled.
"Now, guys, this is the first time we've ever been asked to Berserker Island." Hiccup said.
"Yeah, even though they've 'visited' us so many times, we've never actually been on their island till now." Hicca added, doing air-quotes when she said 'visited', when she actually meant invaded.
"So?" Snotlout asked.
"So, no matter how weird or Berserk it gets, just try to stay calm." Hiccup said.
"And act like honor guests." Hicca finished.
"Why would anyone stay calm on Berserker Island?" Tuffnut asked. "Doesn't make any sense." He noted.
The Thorston Twins then laughed as they flew forward as Hicca just sighed.
"They're not wrong." Henry commented. "Seeing how we're gonna be on Berserker turf, I got a feeling things are gonna be very crazy."
"Doesn't mean literally sometimes." Hicca said as they kept flying.
(Linebreak)
An hour later, they reached Berserker Island and flew past the catapults that littered the sea stacks and landed on just opposite the bridge that connected to the island and port.
The Berserker guard there woke up when he saw them and looked at them. "Welcome to Berserker Island where dreams become realities," he said in a bored voice. He then held out a piece of parchment. "Name?"
"Haddock, Hiccup."
"Also Haddock, Hicca."
"Grimborn, Henry."
"And Hofferson, Astrid."
"Uh, we're here for the ceremony." Hiccup explained.
The Berserker just gave them a blank face. "Did not ask you that. Next?" He asked.
Fishlegs then stepped up. "Ingerman, Fishlegs-"
Snotlout interrupted him when he pushed him aside. "Move. Move." He then began to stroll past the Berserker. "Jorgenson, Snotlout Gary." He introduced, still walking.
Berserker then grabbed him and pulled him back. "Hold it. Not on the list." He said, placing Snotlout back.
Snotlout stared at him. "What?!" He retorted.
"Oh, no, it has to be on the list," Hiccup said. "Can you look again?"
"We're sure Dagur put all of us on the list." Hicca added.
The Berserker looked at the list again. "The only Jorgenson I see is a Snothat." He said.
Everyone then snickered, laughed and giggled, apart from Snotlout.
"That name never gets old." Raeda said in a snicker as she tried to keep her laughter in check.
Snotlout growled at the Berserker. "That's not my name!" Snotlout said in a dangerous tone as he raised his fist.
"Brother! Sister!" Dagur cried as they looked up and saw Heather and Dagur flying down towards them on Windshear and Sleuther, as Shattermaster was still badly injured during the Shellshocker attack.
"You all made it!" Heather smiled.
"Stand down, guard," Dagur ordered. "They're on my personal guest list."
"Yes, chief," the Berserker saluted.
They soon landed and approached the Riders.
Dagur smiled at Hiccup. "You hear that, H? 'Chief'!" He boasted before turning to Hicca. "Oh, and love the Circlet Other H." He complimented, gesturing to Hicca Betrothal Circlet.
"Thanks. Henry gave it to me." Hicca said with a smile as she smiled sweetly at Henry, who did the same in return.
Heather then hugged Astrid and Hicca.
Dagur placed his hands on Hiccup's shoulders. "Any problems getting here?" He asked.
"No. it was an easy trip." Astrid assured.
"A great flight and not long either from Dragon's Edge." Hicca added with a smile.
"Right up until the time that my name wasn't on the list!" Snotlout complained, gesturing to the Berserker with the list.
"It wasn't?" Dagur asked in surprise as he made his way to the Berserker. "Oh, heavens." He said.
"No, no, it was." Hiccup said awkwardly. "It was just a slight—"
"A slight misspelling of names." Hicca confessed with a grin.
Dagur looked through the list and the Berserker whispered, 'Snothat' into his ear.
Dagur then snorted with laughter, but upon seeing Snotlout's face cleared his throat. "I'm so sorry. I'm usually dead on with remembering names, Snotpocket." He apologized, getting Snotlout's name wrong again as Snotlout snarled at him.
Dagur then returned the list to the Berserker. "They are all more that welcome on our little slice of Berserkness." He said to the others as the rest of the Riders moved on as he then patted Snotlout on the back. "You too Snotlip." He said, knocking Snotlout's helmet off a bit.
"'Snotlip.'" Snotlout grumbled. "You too, Dagfart."
"Come on, Snotlout. Just don't let it get to you, he's just messing with you." Raeda assured.
"Still hate it." Snotlout grumbled as they caught up with the others.
(Linebreak)
Soon they were in the air and flew towards the village and on their way there Dagur gave them a tour.
"As you will undoubtedly see for yourselves, the Berserker landscape is only outdone in its majesty by the Berserker people," said Dagur gesturing to the ground.
When the Riders looked down they saw, to their surprise, Savage talking to a few Berserkers.
"Hey, Dagur. Is that Savage?" Hiccup asked.
"He rejoined the Berserkers?" Hicca asked in surprise.
"Yep, yep. Got the band back together." Dagur nodded. He then waved down at Savage. "Yo, Savage!" he called.
Savage looked up and waved. "Well, look who it is!" He laughed. "One big, happy…" When they disappeared from view his expression changed from joy to frustration.
(Linebreak)
They soon came into view of the Berserk village and then the dragons acted strange, uncontrollable.
"Whoa. Whoa!" Hiccup said trying to calm Toothless down. "Easy, bud. Easy, bud."
"Midnight, What's wrong girl?" Hicca asked as Midnight started flying all weirdly.
"Yeah, our dragons have been having a little trouble adjusting," Heather explained as she tried to calm Windshear down.
"Yeah. Had to build the stables high up over the village," Dagur nodded gesturing to a large hill top that overlooked the village.
They looked towards the hilltop and the stables and noticed that they looked very familiar.
"They look very familiar," Astrid noted.
"We may have stolen…" Dagur then quickly coughed. "Borrowed the plans from you. But having them way up there keeps the dragons much calmer."
"Huh, well considering you've only seen the stables once up close, I wonder who could've given you those plans?" Hicca asked, glancing at Heather.
"So consider this as an inspiration from me being with you guys." Heather said with a smile. "But, apparently up there is the only place our dragons seem to be calm."
Fishlegs frowned. "That's odd. Dragons are normally very adaptive creatures." He noted.
"Must be something in the village that is causing this reaction." Henry guessed.
"Maybe they're just reacting to living amongst all the crazy Berserkedness!" Tuffnut suggested.
(Linebreak)
They soon reached the stables and saw that while the structure was like they're stables, they had added a Skrill figurehead. Once the dragons landed the Riders noticed that they were back to their original selves.
"They seem fine now," Hicca noted as she checked over the dragons.
"Weird, right?" Fishlegs frowned.
"Definitely." Hiccup agreed.
"Maybe we can find the cause in the village." Henry suggested.
Snotlout then leaned against the stable door and looked at Dagur. "So, Dagster." He said, purposely misspelling Dagur's name.
Sleuther growled at him as Dagur gave him a firm look. "Dagur," he corrected. "It's Da-gur. No 'S,' no 'T.'" He stated
"Yeah, no, no, I know," Snotlout said calmly. "I was just, um…"
Sleuther growled again and raised his tail menacingly. 'Don't even try it.' He growled.
Raeda leaned over, "Snotlout, you're not gonna win this, so just give up." She told him.
Snotlout took her advice and quickly backed off. "Uh, so, Dagur. The Berserker Apprentice Program. What's up with that? Why would you want to be an apprentice? Answer all my questions." He asked.
Dagur sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Sleuther growled angrily, 'why you, Monstrous Nightmare breath-' He growled before Dagur raised his hand to calm him down and gestured his thumb into the stables. 'Hmph, buzzkill.' Sleuther snorted, walking inside.
He then turned to Snotlout. "It's not just an apprentice, Snothole. It's the apprentice. A Berserker apprentice," he explained dramatically. "We spent months combing the region for the baddest, smartest, craziest Viking in and out the archipelago." He continued.
"You did?" Snotlout blinked.
"Oh, yeah," Dagur nodded. "And who'd have thought the candidate would be right in our island neighbor's backyard the whole time?" He said
"Oh, so he's from Berk?" Raeda said, "Do we know him?" Raeda asked.
"Do you know him?" Dagur repeated amusedly before turning to the stables. "Come out, boy! Reveal yourself and your many skills and talents!" He called and faced the others. "The first Berserker apprentice to ever grace this crazy land. I present to you…"
Then emerging from the stables was a familiar young boy riding on top of his Monstrous Nightmare, Fanghook, and wearing Dagur's old helmet. "A Gustav." Gustav said.
"Gustav?" The Haddock twins, Astrid and Henry gasped.
'Gustav?' Toothless, Midnight and the other dragons roared.
"Gustav," Dagur nodded as Snotlout and Raeda stood behind him with their mouths hung wide open.
"The super Berserk apprentice." Gustav declared proudly.
Snotlout and Raeda were silent before they turned to each other "What?!" They yelled in bewilderment.
"This is gonna be a long day." Henry said, with a hand to his shaking head.
(Linebreak)
A few minutes later, they were standing next to the stables as they listened to Gustav.
"Turns out, some people truly understand the value of the Guster and relish the qualities he brings to an apprenticeship program." Gustav bragged. "It's like I was born to be Berserk."
"Up high." Dagur said, holding out his palm. Gustav then gave him a high five. "Down low." Dagur then lowered his hand and Gustav gave him a low five. They then spun around, high fived each other and fell backwards.
"Bam!" they said in unison before laughing and picked themselves up.
Snotlout and Raeda still looked confused. "Gustav is your apprentice?" Raeda asked in disbelief.
"I don't understand." Snotlout said in the same tone.
"I didn't either, Snotnose and Raeda." Dagur admitted. "I thought, 'Who could possibly live up to the high standards that I, in particular, would demand of an apprentice to call my own?'" He asked.
"And that guy is…" Raeda trailed off, pointing to Gustav.
"This guys?" Snotlout finished, also pointing at Gustav.
"This guy," Dagur nodded.
"But it's Gustav. He's just a fake me." Snotlout starred. "Why accept imitation when you can have the real thing?"
Dagur shook his head. "Silly, Snotface. He's been studying Berserk history, learning all the Berserker songs."
"And I've been practicing all the latest Berserker fighting techniques." Gustav added.
To demonstrate he grabbed a spear and began to spin it around and thrusting it all over the place.
Dagur quickly took the spear away from him and tossed it aside. "Can't wait to see that." He said nervously.
The Haddock twins, Astrid and Henry could tell instantly that something else was up, but said nothing.
Dagur then placed a hand on Gustav's shoulder. "My little super apprentice is even graduating two weeks early." He states.
Gustav smiled. "Oh, stop it, you." He told Dagur.
"No, you stop it."
"No, you stop it."
"You stop it."
"No, you stop it—" Gustav yelled.
"No, you stop it," Dagur cut across.
Gustav was taken aback. "Oh."
Dagnut then snickered and soon they were both laughing.
"Oh, I'm gonna be sick," Snotlout groaned, covering his mouth.
"I think I am feeling the same thing." Raeda said while holding her stomach as she tried not to puke.
Then they heard a rumbling sound and saw a rock falling from the mountain and heading for Dagur.
"Dagur! Dagur!" Snotlout yelled running towards him.
He quickly tackled Dagur and Gustav to the ground just in time as the rock landed where they stood five seconds ago.
"Boulder!" Gustav cried, a little too late.
Dagur laughed. "Good lookin' out, Gusterama!"
"Gusterama's on the spot, bro," said Gustav proudly.
Snotlout picked himself up and stared at them. "What?"
"Snotlout's the one who saved you guys, not Gustav." Raeda pointed out as she came to them.
Dagur then lifted himself and Gustav onto their feet. "Potato, Patoto Raeda," What do you say you lead these guys on a tour of my domain?"
"It would be my pleasure, oh, chiefly one." Gustav said and walked past him.
Dagur laughed and followed him.
"Everyone choose a buddy," Gustav instructed, gesturing to them to follow him. "Don't want anyone to get lost in the ol' tour de la Berserker."
"Is that French?" Dagur asked, looking at the Haddock twins, Henry and Astrid as they walked down. "I love French! Oui, oui." He said as they left.
Snotlout had his arms folded and was grumbling to himself. "French. He doesn't know French. What's French?" He asked.
"Gustav really needs to stop talking warrior and start acting one." Raeda added, knowing Gustav was more of a showboat and a pretender since he likes showing off.
The moment they left someone tossed a jar into the stables and a few seconds later purple gas emerged from it knocking the dragons out cold. Then the stable doors began to close, sealing the gas and the dragons inside.
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins and the others were making their way down the hillside towards the village and the twins were very excited.
"So, just how Berserky you think we're talking?" Tuffnut asked his sister. "Majestically speaking of course." He added.
"Mini boar toss?" Ruffnut offered.
"Mini berserker toss?" Tuffnut guessed.
"Mini berserker toss on a mini boar toss?" Ruffnut grinned eagerly.
"Don't toy with my emotions." Tuffnut said, not wanting to get his hops up.
"This is what we call phase one," Gustav said as they entered the village.
To the surprise of the Riders, the Berserkers, men and women were sweeping the ground with brooms and upon seeing them gave them forced smiles and waved.
"What is that, a smile?" Tuffnut starred. "Wait, you happy? That's the best you can do on Berserker Island?!" He demanded.
"Boring!" Ruffnut called.
The villagers just gave them blank looks and just continued sweeping.
"What's a Nut gotta do to see some action around here?" Tuffnut asked.
Ruffnut nodded. "I'm tellin' ya."
Tuffnut then yawned and his sister then immediately whacked him across the head with his own hand.
"Ow!" Tuffnut yelled before he shook himself and then smiled. "That's what I'm talking about." He said.
(Linebreak)
They made their way through the village and to the outskirts.
"And this will be phase two." Gustav said, gesturing down into the valley and all they saw were wooden cutouts of buildings and people as one of the cutout buildings collapsed onto the ground.
Hiccup looked at them. "And what will be the difference between phase one and two?"
"The number. Hello?" Gustav said, like it was obvious. He then turned and looked at Dagur. "Little slow on the uptake over on Dragon's Edge."
They both laughed and walked off.
"Yeah, right. It was a stupid question." Hiccup said as they followed them.
"They're Berserkers, hence the name. Should've seen that coming." Hicca sighs as Snotlout and Raeda groan.
(Linebreak)
They soon found themselves in another part of the village which was filled to the brim with weapons and targets.
"This will be our trading zone," Gustav explained. "You want it, we got it. You need it, we'll get it." He said proudly with hands on his hip.
"Tell them what you wanna call it, Gusmaster," said Dagur proudly.
"The Wall Market!" Gustav said, his face beaming as he gestured to a large cut out next to them. "Get it? Wall Market. Wall Mark-et. Get it?"
Hiccup just shook his head. "I don't. But okay." He said.
"Genius, this kid!" Dagur said, placing an arm around Gustav. "G-nius. Get it?" He laughed as Raeda gagged.
"Oh, oh!" Gustav said, dashing off. "And for la piece de resistance, le Skrill!" He was soon standing in front of a hedge that was shaped like a Skrill. "Oh. Yeah. Cue lighting sounds." He then began to try and mimic the sound of lightning, very poorly as everyone just stared blankly at the hedge.
"Wow, it actually looks a lot like the Skrill." Hicca commented.
"Yup, got a pretty good look during our reconciliation." Dagur said with a bit of chuckle.
Hicca raised a brow, "Really, I remember it going a bit differently." She said, remembering when she brought Dagur to apologize to the Skrill.
Flashback
Dagur was running and screaming as the Skrill chased after him, roaring angrily at him. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Dagur yelled before ducked under a lightning blast.
'Apology NOT accepted!' The Skrill roared, firing another blast, as the screaming Berserker fled from the vengeful dragon.
Close by, Hicca, Midnight and Sleuther watched Dagur flee for his life with the Skrill on his tail. "Actually, the Skrill's a lot calmer than I thought he'd be." Hicca commented as Midnight crooned in agreement.
Sleuther looked at Hicca and Midnight in surprise. 'This is the Skrill being calmer?' He roared to the two in surprise.
Hicca gave a small chuckle. "If you think he's mad, you should've seen him when he really gets angry. His lightning strikes could be more precise than that." She said as they watched Dagur still screaming and running from the angry Skrill.
End of Flashback
"He forgave me." Dagur defended, before coughing, "Eventually."
"After he blasts you with a thousand-volts worth of lightning." Hicca said with a slight chuckle as the others chuckled in agreement.
"Well if you ask me, I think I'm just like the Skrill." Gustav bragged.
Raeda however scoffed, "Gustav, I think out of all the dragons in the world, the Skrill is not the one I'd say is most like you." She said to him.
"What are you talking about Raeda? We're practically brothers," Gustav countered, "We're both fierce, fearless and true warriors." He listed, with a wink.
Raeda scrunched her face, "Ugh, trust me Gustav, you're anything but a true warrior." She said with her arms crossed, looking away.
"Oh really, well some people say that I'm actually a way better warrior than you even, Raeda." Gustav said boastly.
Raeda widened her eyes at him as she went silent as the other Riders, even Dagur, backed away from this as she slowly turned to Gustav. "Oh no." Dagur muttered.
"Oh, you shouldn't have said that." Fishlegs whimpered.
"Say. That. Again." Raeda growled through her teeth.
"I said, some people say that I'm actually a way better warrior than you even, Raeda." Gustav repeated boastly. "Maybe I'm even better at art than you." He added.
"Oh boy." Hiccup cringed.
"Now he's done it." Hicca facepalmed.
That was the last straw as Raeda then begins to growl loudly as she clenches her fist. "Oh really?" She questioned as she then grabbed Gustav by his collar shirt, which surprised him as she pulled him close to her face. "Then how about you show me how good of a warrior you are?" She suggested with venom in her voice.
"H-Hey. Raeda. W-Wait. I-I think we need to continue the tour." Gustav said nervously before Raeda gave a yell of fury and pounced on him and he screamed in pain.
The other riders winced as they watched Raeda give Gustav the beatdown of a lifetime, though Astrid, Snotlout and the Thorston twins watched with a smirk.
"Ooh, the Henderson Superlex." Tuffnut said as they watched Raeda throw Gustav over her shoulder.
"And here comes the Raeda Elbow of Destruction folks." Ruffnut said next as Raeda jumped and landed on Gustav with her elbow in his back.
"And Raeda is picking Gustav up, he is pleading and then…Oooh!" Astrid said with a cringe and smirk, while the other looked away, "He's gonna feel that tomorrow." She said with a smirk. Apparently Raeda lifted Gustav over her before bringing him down where his back met her knees, which earned a girlish scream from Gustav.
Hiccup leaned over to Dagur with an amused grin, "Guess you forgot to teach your apprentice a very important lesson." He said.
"Never ticked off another warrior unless you want a death wish?" Dagur guessed as he looked in shock and a little scared at what Raeda is doing to his apprentice.
"Close." Hiccup said before turning back to Raeda and Gustav's fight, or rather beatdown.
"And here comes the final move." Snotlout said with an excited smirk as Raeda picked up the terrified Gustav by his jacket with a devilish grin before throwing up into the air, and as he came back down, she jumped and gave him a powerful kick into a bush. "The most famous trick of all, the Henderson's Superkick." He said.
Raeda landed on the ground as she then gave a sigh and did a few stretches. "Oh. I feel so much better now." She said fondly, glad to have that out of her chest.
Hiccup gave a smile, "Never get on Raeda's bad side." He said smugly.
"Especially when it comes to art." Hicca added with a chuckle.
Dagur looked on with wide eyes. "Thanks for the advice and glad I'd never fought her when we were enemies." He said in shock, glad he never fought Raeda or got on her bad side when they were enemies.
Astrid approached Raeda with a proud smirk, "Nice job showing Gustav how the pros do it." She congratulated Raeda, giving her an arm-bump.
Raeda gave a chuckle. "Oh, he was asking for it. Plus, I kinda always wanted to do that." She said with a smirk.
"The feeling is mutual." Astrid said in agreement.
Gustav got up as he looked very painful as he walked wobbly to Dagur. "I had her. I just… let her win." He manages to say while also feeling scared and frightful from getting on Raeda's bad side.
Raeda turned to him with a raised brow, "Excuse me?" She asked.
Gustave flinched as Dagur went up to him with a smile. "Of course you did! Only a Berserker could survive such an onslaught from a member of the greatest warriors in the Archipelago!" Dagur declared as Gustav stood proud. "Anyway, isn't he amazing, Snot-rag?" He asked, placing a hand on Gustav's shoulder. Snotlout just grumbled furiously while Raeda just gave a glare. "Can't believe you let this gem of an apprentice getaway."
Gustav then began mimicking lightning again. "Shootin' 'em out!" He scattered before they heard the sound of a horn being blown in the distance and they both laughed excitedly.
(Linebreak)
They soon found themselves in an open stage, Hiccup and the others were sitting with the other villagers on some wooden seats as they looked at Dagur, sitting on his throne which was covered to the brim with weapons, and two Berserker guards.
Dagur got to his feet and made his way to the edge of the stage and looked at his people. He cleaned his throat again everyone's attention, but they were still busy talking.
Dagur then cleaned his throat even louder. "Shut up!" He yelled as everyone immediately stopped talking and looked at Dagur nervously.
Dagur cleaned his throat and began to begin. "It is times like these that I'm reminded of something my great-uncle Haggard used to say, 'There we were, three against a thousand. Toughest three we ever fought.'" He recounted
He then laughed hysterically and Gustav joined him, but they were the only ones.
Dagur then calmed himself down and turned back to the crowd. "Anyhoo, today is about one man. One man who I'm going to miss as an apprenticeship comes to a sad… but beautiful end. There will be a huge hole here and a bigger hole here."
He gestured to the entire island and to his heart and the crowd went 'Awww' and began to clap. Snotlout however was still grumbling to himself and that's when the Berserker guards on the stage made their way towards Dagur.
Hiccup was the first to notice this. "Hey, Astrid." He said, shoving her shoulder.
She looked at him and he gestured to the guards.
Dagur was unaware of this as he continued to preach to the crowd. "And that man is none other than—" Then the guards grabbed his arms and pulled him down onto one knee on the stage. "What the?"
"Uh, part of the ceremony?" Fishlegs asked hopefully.
"I don't think it's part of the ceremony, Fishlegs." Hicca said in a worried tone after seeing it as well.
They then saw Savage marching up onto the stage, with a sword in hand.
Dagur shoved one of the Berserkers holding him down and turned to Savage. "Savage?" He said in surprise before Savage then placed his sword next to his throat. "What in Thor's name do you think you're doing?" He asked.
"Something I should have done a long time ago," Savage snarled. "I'm takin' control." He then looked towards the crowd. "Seize them!" He ordered.
Immediately more the Berserker guards raised their weapons.
"It's a revolution!" Henry declared.
"Go! Move!" Heather yelled as the riders quickly made a break for the exit as Heather flipped on the benches straight at the guards knocking them to the ground before then making a run for it.
"Finally, something berserk!" Tuffnut cheered before Ruffnut quickly grabbed him and pulled him behind her as they ran.
(Linebreak)
The Riders and Gustav managed to get outside the village and were making their way through the forest as quickly as they could.
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled.
"Midnight!" Hicca yelled next.
"Meatlug! Meatlug!" Fishlegs cried.
Unfortunately the dragons were still locked in the stables and knocked out by the gas there was no doubt created by Savage.
Fishlegs looked at them confused. "I don't understand, guys. Why won't they come?" He asked the Haddock twins.
"They must be locked in the stables," Hiccup assumed.
"More of Savage's handiwork I bet." Hicca said.
"What about Dagur?!" Gustav asked.
Snotlout and Raeda stopped in front of him, "What's wrong, Gusto? Lost without your hero?" Snotlout mocked.
"We thought you were a warrior." Raeda mocked as well.
"Snotlout!" Hiccup scolded.
"Raeda!" Hicca scolded as well.
"We need our dragons." Astrid said.
Hiccup nodded. "Astrid's right, everybody. We have no chance on our own. We're outnumbered." He said.
"First things first, we need to find a place to lay low and come up with a plan of action," Hicca said.
Hiccup then saw Heather running towards them. "Heather! Do you know a place?!" He asked.
"I do. Follow me!" Heather gestured. They quickly followed her deep into the woods and reached the cave. "In here! Quickly!"
They quickly entered into the cave and hid just as some of Savage's men ran past.
"It's clear." Hiccup said to the others in relief.
Heather shook her head in disbelief. "A coup? Really? How did this happen?" she asked.
"Don't look at me, I had nothing to do with it." Gustav inisted.
"I wasn't looking at you." Heather said in confusion.
"Unless we should be looking at you," Ruffnut said, suspiciously.
Tuffnut quickly grasped Gustav. "Tell us what you know turncoat! Your coat is turned around. You're wearing it like a bib or a smock!" Gustav looked at him terrified, and a large smile appeared on his face. "Ha! You should have seen your face. It was all like…" He then screamed as Gustav scowled at him.
Ruffnut shook her head. "No, I'd say it was more like…" She then grunted.
"That's pretty convincing," Tuffnut said and turned to the Haddock twins. "Hiccup, Hicca, what do you two say?"
"I say that was as terrifying as you both could be, we need to act fast." Hiccup said.
"Apparently Savage still holds a grudge on Dagur for all the years of abuse he had to endure." Hicca said, "And if he's still holding grudges, he's probably planning to take over Outcast Island and Berk next." She stated.
"That does sound like what Savage would do if he wanted payback." Raeda commented.
"Agreed. So we have to stop him, before he gets the chance." Hiccup said as he then turned to Heather. "Heather, you, me, Hicca, Astrid, Henry and Fishlegs will go get the dragons." He then turned to Snotlout, Raeda and Gustav. "Snotlout, Raeda and Gustav, go see if you can get a bead on Savage and Dagur." He instructed as Raeda and Snotlout gave Gustav a look.
"He's probably in a cell." Heather told them. "Fastest way to the prison is through the maze of caves under the island."
Gustav frowned. "Hey, how come I don't know about those?" He asked.
"Oh, it's probably a need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know," Snotlout answered with a smirk.
"Or maybe you haven't studied clearly." Raeda added with a smirk.
Heather made her way towards the tunnel. "You can reach them if you continue through here." She gestured
They nodded and made their way down towards the tunnel.
"What about us?" Tuffnut gestured to him and his sister.
Behind them Snotlout and Raeda were looking at the Haddock twins with a pleading look, begging them not to put them in their team, not after the stunt they pulled on Darkdeep.
"Uh…" Both Hiccup and Hicca as he looked at his group, who were also shaking their heads.
"I know it's a hard decision." Ruffnut said.
"Because of our innate value." Tuffnut said.
"Inane, maybe." Snotlout quietly said as Raeda nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, insane maybe," Tuffnut agreed, misunderstanding him. "But we feel our skills can best be used with…"
Ruffnut then began to spin around very fast and when he finally came to a start they both saw that everyone was gone. A few seconds later, Tuffnut tumbled over and landed on the floor.
"Ba-boo!" Tuffnut said.
(Linebreak)
The prison was well guarded by Savage's men and Savage himself was watching as his men were dragging Dagur, whose hands were bound, to one of the cells.
"Savage! I'm the one who took you in when you had no one else would," Dagur reminded, looking hurt. "I accepted you as a Berserker. As my friend." Savage raised an eyebrow at his statement. "Okay, maybe not bosom buddies, but, over time, I believe it would have grown into something meaningful." Savage gestured to his men towards the cell and they shoved him inside.
"And the fun." Dagur continued laughing hysterically.
"Shut up!" Savage roared furiously. "You and that stupid laugh. I always hated that laugh."
Dagur was taken aback. "Well, that hurts." He said.
"I was willing to put up with you when you were deranged. But the minute you went willy-nilly and allied yourself with Hiccup, Hicca and the Dragon Riders just like Alvin did, ooh, that's when I knew I had to take over." Savage said as he looked at Dagur with a furious pace. "You're a disgrace to villainy, Dagur!" He yelled.
"Disgrace? Disgrace?!" Dagur roared before taking a deep breath and calmed down, looking hurt. "That's a bit harsh. Personally, I prefer terms like renegade, recreant. Even flip-floppers are more linguistically creative than disgrace." He offered with a smile
Savage then kicked him into the cell. "How about prisoner? I like the sound of that best," he said as he slammed the cell door shut.
(Linebreak)
Snotlout, Raeda and Gustav were making their way through the tunnels towards the prison. Snotlout was holding the torch as they walked down the dark tunnel.
"Okay, Gusteronimo, time to level with us." Snotlout said. "How did you really end up in this apprentice program?"
"Dagur obviously saw something in me that you guys didn't." Gustav answered with a smug grin. "Heroism. Loyalty." He said as Snotlout and Raeda kept walking.
"Or how about loud-mouthedness and destruction." Raeda guessed.
"I spent a lot of time with him when he captured me and Fanghook." Gustave told them.
Snotlout then looked at him. "Which is exactly why we don't get it. Anyone who spends time with you wants to kill you." He stated.
"Not to mention sometimes you get in way over your head when you think you are great at everything." Raeda added.
Gustav folded his arms. "I guess we'll have to agree to disagree."
"'I guess we'll have to agree to disagree,'" Snotlout said, mimicking Gustav's voice.
Gustav scoffed. "And I'm the annoying one? Please." He said as he kept on walking.
"You are impossible, Gustav." Raeda said as she and Snotlout narrowed their eyes as they walked after him.
Gustav then found himself in a large cavern and saw a large chunk of ice emerging from the ceiling. He also noticed the large gaping hole directly in front of him, so deep he couldn't see the bottom.
"Whoa," Gustav breathed as he looked around.
Snotlout and Raeda soon joined him and were equally stunned. "Wow." Raeda gasped. "That is one big piece of ice." She said in awed she then noticed Gustave as she smirked and nudged Snotlout.
Snotlout understood and smirked as well. Time for some fun.
"I wonder what kind of huge, nasty, venomous Dragon lives down here." Snotlout said with a smirk which made Gustav quibble slightly.
"With claws as sharp as a Screaming Death's teeth, and fire so hot, even a Berserker helmet is not enough to save any unlucky warrior who crosses its path." Raeda added ominously with a smirk as Gustav looked very scared now.
"Boo!" Both Raeda and Snotlout called out as Gustav was so surprised he nearly lost his footing and Snotlout and Raeda laughed at his fright.
"Haha! Gotcha!" Raeda laughed.
"Mutton-head. Let's go, Gust-egg." Snotlout said as he and Raeda made their way to the ledge and began to shimmy across it.
"We got the Berserker Chief to save." Raeda added.
Gustav on the other hand was terrified, but he took a deep breath and began to shimmy across the ledge. "You got it, man. Stay focused. Come on, Gustav." He mumbled.
Snotlout and Raeda both groaned and rolled their eyes. "Oh brother," Raeda groaned.
They continued to shimmy across the edge and Gustav was trying to keep himself calm as he did so. "Stay calm, just keep, keep going. Keep going." Gustav mumbled to himself until he finally reached the end of the ledge but he gasped, as directly in front of them was a large gap between the ledge they were on and the one opposite them.
He gulped and looked at Snotlout and Raeda, who weren't concerned in the slightest. He watched as Snotlout made a running jump and left across the gap with plenty of room to spare on the other ledge.
"Ha-ha!" Snotlout said triumphantly. "Snotlips! Snotlout!" He quickly corrected himself.
"Hehe. Dagur's nicknames are getting to you, huh?" Raeda asks with a chuckle.
Snotlout turned to her with a cocky grin, "Think you can do better Henderson?" He challenged.
Raeda simply smirked back and turned to Gustav, "Might wanna take notes Gusey." She said as she crouched down, took a running start and then jumped over the gap, did a horizontal spin and stuck the landing perfectly, "Ta-da!" She said with her arms out.
"Showoff." Snotlout muttered.
Gustav looked at the drop and immediately his legs turned to yak butter.
"Come on, you can't be afraid of heights. We fly dragons." Snotlout told him.
"This is different," Gustav said defensively.
Snotlout and Raeda both gave him a questionable look. "Oh really, how?" Raeda challenged.
Gustav could see that he had no choice and took a deep breath. He then made a running jump and managed to jump over the gap, but unlike Snotlout or Raeda, he did land on the ledge. He immediately tried to hold onto the lead with his hands, but felt himself slipping.
"Snotlout! Raeda!" Gustav screamed.
Snotlout and Raeda groaned. "We could just let 'em fall." Snotlout told Raeda.
Raeda thought for a moment, "Hmm, tempting but, Hicca and Hiccup would chew the Thor out of us for potentially starting a third Berserker War." She stated, knowing Dagur wouldn't be happy to find out his apprentice got killed.
Snotlout nodded as he made his way over to Gustav.
"Snotlout! Raeda!" Gustav whimpered as he closed his eyes.
It was at that moment that Snotlout grabbed his arm and pulled him up. "Will you shut up? I've got you. Even though I should drop you!" He said, holding him over the edge.
"Don't you dare drop me!" Gustav begged.
"Relax you big baby. We hate you, but we're not that cruel." Raeda said with rolled eyes.
Snotlout then tossed him onto the ledge to safety and immediately hugged Snotlout and Raeda's legs. "Thank, Thor, thank Thor, thank Thor," Gustav said with relief.
"Get a hold of yourself." Snotlout said.
"It's just sad." Raeda added as they kept moving.
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins' group managed to make their way towards the stables now looking over a hillside and discovered that Savage had placed guards around it.
Astrid looked at Hiccup. "What are you thinking?" She asked her boyfriend.
"That they look like they're waiting for us," Hiccup told her.
"There's no way we can get past them without getting spotted." Hicca added as one of the guards then looked at the direction they immediately ducked behind the rocks. Hicca then turned to Heather, "Heather, you know this area just as well as Dagur, is there any other way to get inside there?" She asked.
Heather shook her head. "No, unfortunately." she frowned.
"Then we have to take the man," Fishlegs concluded.
This was a surprise for the others as this was the first time that Fishlegs ever suggested a full frontal attack or even attacking anyone in general.
"What? My Meatlug is in there." Fishlegs said defensively.
"Unfortunately we're weaponless and there's just too many of them for us to fight hand to hand," Henry pointed.
"We should've kept our weapons on without keeping them in our dragons' saddles." Hicca said as they should've brought their weapons with them just in case.
Hiccup nodded in agreement. "You're both right. We're gonna need some sort of—" He was interrupted when the Thorston Twins made their way towards the stables drawing the attention of the guards.
"No, no, no. I completely disagree." Tuffnut told Ruffnut.
"Well, I disagree with your disagreement," said Ruffnut.
The guard immediately drew their weapons and aimed them at the Thorston twins, who did not seem concerned in the slightest.
"Well, then let's have these fine fellows settle it." Tuffnut said as he moved a spear pointing at his face aside with his finger.
"Suit yourself." Ruffnut said then turned and looked at the guards. "Gentlemen." She said before spinning her brother, much to the confusion of the guards, as they all watched as he spun like a top. This created an ideal distraction allowing the Haddock twins and the others to reach the stables without being seen.
"Will you call this a legal battle tactic?" Ruffnut asked the guards.
The guards frowned and looked at one another and then they saw Hiccup pulling down on the lever at the stables. "How's it going?" he said smiling.
Two of the guards immediately advance towards him, but Ruffnut bumped her brother who spun right into them knocking them out cold.
"Seems legal to me," Ruffnut smiled. The three remaining guards then aimed their weapons at her. "Whoa!" She said in surprise.
Then appearing out of nowhere were Stormfly's spikes that quickly disarmed them. Then emerging from the stables, which are still covered in the purple gas, was Toothless and Midnight with their mouths glowing. Realizing what the dragon was about to deal with the guards as the Guards quickly ran for it dropping their weapons as Toothless and Midnight fired their plasma blast at them.
Tuffnut picked himself up. "Well?" He then hiccuped. "What did they think?"
"I don't know if they loved it so much, but we certainly did." Hiccup said as he strokeToothless.
"That was a pretty legal battle tactic in my book." Hicca commented as she held Midnight's head
"Uh-huh," Tuffnut nodded before he collapsed from the dizziness.
(Linebreak)
Snotlout, Raeda and Gustav were now directly outside the prison inside the well located not too far away from it. Snotlout popped his head out of the well and saw three guards securing the entrance and then he looked back at Gustav.
"Dagur must be in there." Raeda whispered to the boys, "We just need to get past the guards."
"All right, we're gonna go old-school and simple." Snotlout said before turning to Gustav. "You create a diversion, draw the men away, we'll rush in and spring Dagur." He said.
"Sounds too risky." Gustav said nervously.
Raeda and Snotlout sighed in frustration, "Okay, fine. I'll be the diversion and you and Raeda go rescue Dagur."
"Well, that sounds too risky, too." Gustave pointed out.
Raeda groaned, "Alright, how about I do the diversion while you and Snotlout break Dagur out?" She suggested exasperatedly.
"That sounds too risky too." Gustav denied again.
"It's all risky, Gustav." Snotlout pointed out. "Where is the super apprentice Dagur's been bragging about?"
"And the warrior that let me win while taking so many of my moves back in the village?" Raeda asked in annoyance as she tapped on Gustav's helmet, almost causing him to lose his grip.
"Well, I'm just much better with my dragon." Gustav said to them.
"Only when Fanghook is with you?" Raeda questioned in annoyance.
"Oh, really? You're stronger and more confident with a fire-breathing, flying war machine?" Snotlout added.
"Yeah," Gustav admitted sheepishly.
"Oh, okay. Well, we all are, Guster," Snotlout stated. "But they aren't here, how do you think we feel about having you instead of Hookfang and Sparkfire?"
"But we don't have time to discuss this." Raeda pointed out. "So grow some hair on that barren, scrawny chest of yours, and just do what we tell you." she finished firmly as she climbed up the well.
Snotlout then climbed out of the well and Gustav gulped as he did the same. The moment he was out of the well Snotlout made some noises that drew the attention of the guards and he immediately ran towards the bushes.
"Hey, have you guys seen the Dragon Riders? Oh, wait. You know what, I'm a Dragon Rider," Snotlout said as he then ran off as two of the guards chased after him only leaving one to guard the prison. Gustav and Raeda poked their heads out of the well and saw Snotlout running. "Go! Now!" He whispered as he ran past.
"Let's go." Raeda told as she climbed out of the well.
"I got this, I got this," Gustav said to himself as he climbed out of the well too.
Unfortunately, Gustav's helmet got caught in the rope and as he moved he lost his balance, lost his helmet and crashed into Raeda, who rolled across the floor and landed into the guard's chest. Before Raeda could act or Gustav tried to make a run for it, but the guards grabbed them before they could take a single step and the Berserker soldier pointed assorted their throats.
"Snotlout! Snotlout!" Gustav cried.
"Gustav blew our cover!" Raeda yelled out.
Snotlout saw that Gustav and Raeda were in trouble, but one of the guards then swung his ax at him. Thankfully he was able to catch it in time and tossed him into a tree. The other guard entrusted the spear towards him, but he was able to dodge the point and grabbed hold of the pole. He then slammed the guard into a tree and saw more guards were making their way towards him.
"Apprentice, my…" He mumbles before knowing he couldn't do anything right now, he then quickly runs for it, still making noises. "I'll come back for you and Dagur, Rae, I promise!" He yells.
Gustav and Raeda could only watch as they were being forced into the prison.
"I seriously hate you, Gustav." Raeda muttered in annoyance as Gustav chuckled nervously.
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins were flying over the village on Toothless and Midnight as they discovered that no matter where they went, Toothless and Midnight kept on losing it.
"Hey, hey! Hey, hey." Hiccup said to Toothless.
"Easy, girl." Hicca said to Midnight as she and Hiccup led them back to the stables.
'I haven't had a headache like that since the Red Death.' Toothless groaned.
'Yeah. It's like something is prodding into our heads.' Midnight warbled.
"You would have thought that on Berserker Island, the people would be normal and the dragons crazy?" Tuffnut laughed.
Hiccup then landed back onto the ground. "We've never seen them like this."
"Well, there was the Red Death. That made them act all weird," Fishlegs reminded.
"True." Hiccup said as he and Hicca jumped off Toothless and Midnight.
"And Melody Island. And there was that time Toothless ate that eel and started shooting at you, Hiccup." Fishlegs
"Okay, fine. Fishlegs, we have rarely seen them like this," Hiccup corrected.
"Sorry, Hiccup," said Fishlegs apologetically.
"Maybe the dragons have an allergy to some flora on the island." Hicca Hypothesised as Meatlug let out a sneeze, "Maybe there's some wild Dragon Root or Blue Oleander around here, I can gather samples." She suggested
"We don't have time for that, sis." Hiccup pointed out.
"By the time we do, Savage might get us." Henry pointed out.
Heather nodded. "Hicca and Henry are right, we don't have time to figure this out. Dagur is in danger. Our whole island is in danger."
"Not to mention Snotlout, Raeda and Gustav," Astrid added. "Who knows what those three have gotten themselves into?" She pointed out.
At the mention of their riders Sparkfire, Hookfang and Fanghook looked at each other in worry. 'It could be especially bad for Gustav.' Fanghook growled at the older dragons.
'What?' Hookfang and Sparkfire asked in confusion.
(Linebreak)
Gustav and Raeda were in the same prison cell as Dagur, who was busy meditating on the other end of the cell. Gustave was leaning against the door while Raeda was laying on her side, looking bored.
"Om," Dagur said peacefully. "Breathe in the light, let out the darkness. I'm centered and calm. Om." He recounted.
Gustav immediately looked at Dagur. "I got caught on purpose with Raeda, you know." He told his mentor.
"Double breath on fire. Om." Dagur said loudly and began to inhale ferociously.
"This plan was Snotlout's, not mine." Gustave added.
"Really? A plan you screw up." Raeda said in annoyance.
"Om. You know what the third eye is, Gustav?" Dagur asked. Gustav thought for a moment and then looked at Dagur. "Of course you don't. When one is focused on the third eye, one is meditating, and it's unearthly impolite to interrupt said third eye seeker."
Gustav quickly backed away towards the cell door. "Okay, see ya, third eye."
Dagur growled with frustration and then commenced with his meditation once again. "Om. Om. Om."
Raeda rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I hope Snotlout has a plan before I punch their lights out." She said quietly, wanting to get out before she snapped.
The guard that was sleeping outside the cell was unaware that he was wrapped around his leg, which led outside to where Snotlout was standing, tying a large rock to the edge of the well. He quickly hid as a guard appeared, but he heard the sound of him jumping into the bushes.
"What was that?" He said as he began to investigate. He then found the rock at the edge of the well. "Well, this doesn't look safe." He said tom himself.
Snotlout smiled as he saw another guard was looking at the rope in his hand and immediately jumped out of his hiding spot in front of him.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you could tell me where I can find Savage?" he asked with a smile. The guard immediately swung his sword at Snotlout, who immediately caught his wrist and used his body weight to flip him over, causing him to collide with the other guard and soon the two of them and the block fell into the well.
Snotlout watched as the last guard flew right past him at a rapid speed and as he flew and he snatched his keys. "Snotlout!" he yelled triumphantly as he saw the guards entering the well with the others. He then laughed as he made his way towards the prison. "I could watch that all day." He sighed.
(Linebreak)
In the prison cell, Dagur was still meditating when Gustav and Raeda looked up and saw Snotlout approaching them with the keys in his hand.
"Well, hello. Fancy meeting you to hear," said Snotlout. "You should've seen the way the Snotman took out those guards." He then began to unlock the cell door and treat them. "It was beautiful. Poetry in motion." He recounted.
"Nice work, Snotlout." Raeda said with a smile.
Dagur then held his hands to Snotlout, who then began to unlock his shackles. "Well, now, now. Um, Gustav deserves a little credit, now," Dagur said as he rubbed his wrists the moment they were freed. "He did for those guards to sleep with his long, long story." He said walking away
Gustav walked out of the cell with a confused look. "Huh?" It only took a few seconds to realize that it was a compliment. "Oh. Oh. Yeah, yeah."
Snotlout was now furious. "What?" He growled.
"So long," Gustav said and immediately chased after Dagur.
Snotlout turned to Raeda who merely shook her head, "Dagur is really obvious." She said to Snotlout.
This left Snotlout grunting furiously. He followed them and they all took a weapon from the weapons rack. Dagur and Gustav took swords, Raeda grabbed her bow and arrows, and Snotlout grabbed an ax.
"Oh, my Thor," Snotlout grumbled.
"He's gonna open his eyes at any time." Raeda assured as they walked out the prison.
(Linebreak)
It was evening now and the Haddock twins and the others were observing the village from the hillside. They saw that Dagur's men had the complete village in lockdown.
"Savage's men are everywhere." Hiccup noted.
"They've got the entire island on lockdown." Hicca added.
"If the dragons are sick, we can't risk taking them into battle." Hiccup continued.
"I'm a Berserker, guys," Heather said as she approached them with her double bladed ax in hand. "Dragon unknown or no dragon I'm bringing back my brother." She declared.
Astrid looked at them and nodded in agreement as Astrid held her ax up with a smirk.
The Haddock Twins then saw that Henry and Fishlegs were carrying a sword each while the Thorston Twins however were busy fighting over a bullhook.
"Give it to me! I want it." Tuffnut said.
"Come on, give it!" Ruffnut said.
The argument ended when Tuffnut, stupidly, stabbed his own hand with the point of the bullhook allowing Ruffnut take full property of it as he screamed in pain and kissed his hand.
Henry rolled his eyes and tossed Tuffnut a mace as the Thorston boy caught it and gave a crazed smile.
Hiccup turned to his sister as she pulled out her Battle Staff and her Inferno as she smirked at her brother.
(Linebreak)
It was night and Snotlout and his group were running around the outskirts of the village as Savage's men chased them down.
"Fire!" A voice yelled as they immediately ran as quickly as they could as arrows flew overhead. Unfortunately emerging from the opposite path were more of Savage's men.
"Over here!" Snotlout gestured to a fallen down tree and they immediately jumped behind it and pressed themselves against it.
"Savages men coming from all sides." Raeda said to the boys, with her bow ready.
"We're trapped." Gustav panicked with his head down. "What do we do?"
"Like my great-uncle Haggard used to say, 'There we were, three against thousand-'" Dagur began but was interrupted when an arrow flew past him. He then looked at Snotlout. "My doesn't anyone think that's funny?" He then turned his attention to the problem at hand. "Anyhoo, if my calculations are correct, it is just against 28 or so of Savage's men. We go seven apiece, Berserker-style."
Snotlout smiled. "Me liking." He said, holding up his ax.
"I'm in." Raeda said with a smile as well.
"On my count. One, two—" Dagur counted but Gustav called out.
"Wait!" Gustav cried. "We-we can't. I mean, I can't." He stated.
"You can't what?" Dagur asked in confusion.
"I'm not the super apprentice you think I am," Gustav admitted. "I cheated on all the history tests. I was lip-syncing when everyone was singing the Berserker songs. And I never learned a single fighting technique. Look, I'm a terrible apprentice." He said, covering his face in shame.
"Aha!" Raeda said, pointing at Gustav.
"I knew it!" Snotlout declared.
"Come here," Dagur said, dragging Snotlout and Raeda away so they were out of earshot from Gustav. Once they were safely out of earshot he looked at the two riders. "You don't think I knew that, Snotpit and Raeda? The kid's only here because Stoick needed a break from the little beast. The entire apprenticeship program is made-up. A sham."
"What? Seriously?" Raeda asked in surprise while looking at Gustav.
"I'm terrible." Gustav sobbed as arrows flew over him.
"Gustav is just a kid, he's never been on a mission like this without Fanghook." Raeda said while frowning, knowing that without Fanghook, Gustav was just a scared kid without any real combat experience.
"He's not even close to being ready for something like this." Snotlout said, actually feeling sorry for Gustav.
Dagur looked at him. "Negative, Snotrider and Raeda." He smiled.
Snotlout narrowed his eyes at him. "Look, can you please stop messing with my name? I know you know it since you know Raeda's and the others." He asked.
"Aww. But it's so fun," Dagur complained.
Snotlout and Raeda narrowed their eyes. "Dagur." Raeda warned the chief.
Dagur sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll do my best." He promised They then turned to face Savage's men and raised his sword. "3 against 28?" He counted.
"Could be worse," Snotlout said with a smirk as he held his ax firmly in hand.
"Yeah, they could be facing all of us." Raeda added with a smirk too as she readied her bow and arrow.
Dagur then laughed.
"Snotlout!" Snotlout called out.
"Charge!" Raeda yelled as the three of them charged at Savage's men like true Berserkers. Gustav looked over from the voluntary and saw them engaging in battle.
Raeda then turned to him, "Leave this to us Gustav, you just keep your head down!" She told the boy as she gave a roundhouse kick to a Berserker.
(Linebreak)
In the village, Savager's men were patrolling as they had forced everyone back into their house. Then one of the guards felt someone tapping his shoulder.
"Huh?" He said as he turned and soon his face came into contact with Fishlegs' fist knocking him out cold instantly.
He then yelled out a battlecry as Astrid and Heather charged at the soldiers followed closely by Hiccup holding both his shield and Inferno in hand while Hicca held her battle staff and her Inferno as well. Astrid and Heather quickly knocked out the two of the guards and high-fived each other as they ran to the next opponents.
Henry blocks the attack from one guard and manages to disarm him by twisting his blade. He then jumped and performed a powerful spinning kick right at the guard's face knocking him out cold. Another guard was making his way towards him, but Hicca blocked the attack with Inferno and the blue flaming sword because the guard fell back to avoid the heat, but she was then hit in the face with her battle staff. The Hicca and Henry looked at each other as Hicca winked as Henry smiled as they continued the battle.
A soldier swung his sword at Ruffnut, who pole vaulted over him and then was not hit in the head by Tuffnut's mace when he turned to face her. They quickly ran as two more guards chased after them and Fishlegs was being overwhelmed by a couple of guards, but Astrid round one with a shoulder and blocked the attack from the other as Fishlegs did the same with another garbage joined the battle.
Heather was doing battle with two guards simultaneously, she deflected the spear of the guard and quickly spun around the block the spear of the other guard. Hiccup had just knocked a guard off his feet with his shield, but another guard appeared out of nowhere and struck his sword so hard against Inferno that Hiccup lost his grip.
He then raised his sword ready to strike Hiccup or Hicca, but out of nowhere came a plasma blast knocking him right off his feet. The Haddock twins immediately turned towards the hills and saw that Toothless and Midnight had taken a position up there and were surveying the battle.
Hiccup and Hicca picked up Infernos and pointed their blades at another group of guards. Toothless and Midnight, understanding the gestures, unleashed more plasma blasts right at the guards that were doing battle with the twins knocking them out cold. The Haddock twins kept on doing the same process, taking out the guards who were doing battle with the others.
With the path now clear the Haddock twins and the others made their way towards the Berserker throne pavilion where Savage and the remainder of his forces remained.
Savage was sitting comfortably on Dagur throne but quickly woke up when the Haddock twins and the others charged in with their weapons raised.
"Dragon Riders!" Savage yelled as he drew his sword and pointed it at them, as his men engaged them.
Soon the Riders and guards did battle with one another and the guards were being completely overwhelmed. Fishlegs had managed to tackle a guard to the ground and Heather dealt a powerful kick into another one knocking him to the ground.
Savage then joined the fray making his way towards her who had just another guard. "Oh no you don't!" He yelled, grabbed Heather's arm and pulled her towards him. He then placed his sword against her throat and looked at the Riders. "Stand down! All of you." He orders.
With no other choice, the Haddock and the Riders lowered their weapons and Savage laughed at his triumph. However it was proving to be short lived as Snotlout, Raeda and Dagur came out of nowhere swinging on a rope.
Savage was so stunned that he released Heather and failed to get out of the way as Snotlout slammed his speed right into his face, Raeda landed on top of him while Dagur landed upon his throne and sat there nice and comfy.
"Ah, it's a good day to be me." Dagur sighed with relief.
Savage just looked at him dazed. "I still hate your laugh." Before he fainted.
(Linebreak)
The next morning, after all of Savage's men had been apprehended, Savage was taken back to Outcast Island where Alvin promised he'd be given the best hospitality, the entire village was back at the pavilion.
Dagur cleaned his throat. "Shut up!" He yelled to his people. "These trophies go to the most deserving two Vikings in the land, two Vikings that exemplifies what it truly means to be a Berserker."
Gustav was on the stage looking proud of themselves and wearing Dagur's helmet again. Snotlout mutters to himself grumpily against the wall with Raeda, Hiccup and Hicca.
"It's a fake anyway." Snotlout sighed. "I don't care." He muttered.
"Why would he bring out two trophies?" Raeda asked herself in confusion. "Isn't Gustav the only apprentice here?" She added.
Dagur then looked apologetically at Gustav. "Unfortunately, one of them is not you, Gusthat." He then turned to Snotlout and Raeda. "Snotlout, Raeda, get out here and take what is rightfully yours."
Snotlout and Raeda stood up, completely surprised and Hiccup and Hicca edged them onto the stage. Snotlout gladly did so as the entire crowd cheered. "Oh Thor." Snolout smiled excitedly.
"Wow. Thanks, Dagur." Raeda said with a smile.
"Welcome to the Hat family, pal." Snotlout said as he patted Gustav's shoulder.
"Now you know how Snotlout feels." Raeda said with a smile as she and Snotlout walked past Gustav as the boy just folded his arms and pouted.
Dagur then presented Snotlout and Raeda with two golden statues of himself.
"Oh, my Thor! You like me, you really like me!" Snotlout cried with joy.
"You did help save their chief and the village, Snotlout." Raeda said with a smile. "You've earned it." She said as she and Snotlout held their statues high up.
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Later that evening they started to make their way back to the Edge and Snotlout was holding his trophy proudly in his arms while Raeda held hers casually.
"Well, Snotlout, pretty please with yourself, huh?" Hiccup asked, flying alongside him.
"To be named the baddest, smartest, craziest Viking in and outside the archipelago? Uh, yeah," Snotlout said smugly. "And I got the proof right here." However he took a closer look at the writing initials, "Yeah! Snotlout Jorgenson!" He declared proudly.
"Huh, Dagur actually got his name right this time." Hicca said in surprise.
Raeda chuckled, "To be fair, I made sure Dagur didn't try any of that wrong name stuff." She said to them.
"You threatened him that you would beat him up if he did, didn't you?" Astrid asked with a smirk.
Raeda gave a smirk in response. "Yep." She answered with a pop and the end as they all laughed.
"Say, whatever happened to Gustav?" Tuffnut asked.
"Oh, he and Fanghook are gonna head back to Berk so Gustav can get in some, off dragon combat experience and a ton of humility." Raeda answered.
"Good. So we won't hear from him in a while." Astrid said as they all laughed again.
Hiccup however frowned in confusion, as Hicca noticed her brother's expression, "But there's still one little thing that still bothers me." Hiccup said, turning to his sister.
"Yeah, I have the same feeling." Hicca said as the others turned to them. "We checked the island and there were no dragon roots, blue oleanders or anything else that the dragons were allergic to. So the question is…" She started as she looked at her brother with concern.
"What was it on Berserker Island that was making the dragons act like that?" Hiccup finished with a furrowed brow as the other Riders were wondering the same thing to what made their dragons act so strangely.
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Meanwhile, back on Berserker Island, deep below the village in the underground caverns, lies a big shadowy beast-like dragon with two giant tusks as it gave a dragon-like growl, it was the size of a mountain as it was surrounded by walls of ice. It opened its eyes for a moment as they glowed an icy blue, before it gave a tired growl, breathing some frosted breath, as it went to sleep.