Chapter 60: Return of Thor Bonecrusher
Krogan was wandering through an underground cavern bar, looking for someone, until he found them. He immediately pushed past a couple of berserkers as he made his way to the table where a man was sitting in the shadows.
"Your hard man to find. And harder to kill, apparently." Krogan commented with a smile.
"What do you want with me?" The man said.
"That's the wrong question." Krogan said as he sat down at the opposite side of the man. "The real question is, what can we do for each other? Allow me to fill you in on what transpiring as we speak. Hmm?"
Then the man said nothing as he narrowed his eyes at Krogan.
(Linebreak)
Snotlout was flying around on the Edge, doing morning patrol. Hookfang then saw something below them. 'Hey, Snotlout, look!' He roared to his rider.
Snotlout looked down and saw a small sailing boat making its way to the port and on it he could see some long blonde haired women. "Hmm. Yeah, I see 'em, Hooky. What do you say we go and introduce ourselves?" Snotlout asked, looking at Hookfang.
Hookfang then immediately dived down towards the port. "Comin' in hot!/Comin' in hot!" Both Snotlout and Hookfang yelled.
Snotlout then got up and began to walk casually off of Hookfang's wing and onto the port. He then walked all match shows as he approached the women, who were just about to get off the boat.
"Well, hello, ladies." Snotlout said with a large smile. "What brings you-" he cut himself off when The 'ladies' then turned around, and were revealed to be Outcast men wearing a pair of wigs that resembled Ruffnut's hair.
He immediately cried out in shock. "This is a false advertisement." He told the Outcasts.
"Sorry, we couldn't risk being seen." The Outcast with the large black beard said.
"Besides, we rather like the look." The Outcast with no facial hair added as he began to stroke his fake hair.
So as not to focus on the disturbing thought of that, Snotlout turned to the real question. "What are you Outcasts doing on Dragon's Edge?"
"Alvin has been kidnapped by a group of bandits." The Outcast with the beard explained. "We've tried everything to get him back, paying ransom after ransom, but nothing works and we fear for his life."
"We're desperate." The Outcast with no facial hair said. "We need someone with the power, strength and charisma to restore our morale and our chief. Someone like…"
The Outcast with the beard then looked up and pointed. "Thor. Thor Bonecrusher."
Snotlout looked up and saw that they were pointing at Fishlegs, who at that moment had just tripped over his big feet and dropped the rock he was carrying full Meatlug.
Snotlout just stared at them.
(Linebreak)
A few moments later he explained the situation to the other Riders, who was bewildered as he was.
"Wait, they came here for Thor Bonecrusher's, who is really Fishlegs, help?" Raeda asked in surprise.
"I couldn't believe it either." Snotlout said. "I guess they heard about his exploits on Berk, his 'heroic acts of unparalleled bravery' and are convinced that he's the only one who can go against the bandits." He then laughed. "No way."
"They don't want our help?" Hiccup asked, surprised.
"Why do they not want our help?" Hicca asked in the same tone.
"Yeah. I mean, they won't risk bringing in Dragon Riders, because these bandits seem to be on edge." Snotlout explained. "Hair triggers stuff. They might just see us and kill Alvin on the spot."
"In fairness we do sometimes go a bit half cocked." Henry said as he scratched his chin and his eyes immediately fell upon the Thorston twins.
The Thorston twins just looked at one another and shrugged. "Surely he's talking about you." Tuffnut points to his sister.
"No he must be referring to you." Ruffnut countered.
"They got 'em pretty freaked out." Snotlout said. "But there is one brave man who can really rally these Outcasts and run point in getting Alvin back." He then gestured to Fishlegs. "Big props to TB."
"What?" Everyone gasped in shock.
Hiccup rubbed his forehead. "Oh, for Thor's sake." He groaned.
Hicca facepalmed herself. "Not him again." She muttered.
Raeda looked at Snotlout. "Snotlout, you can't seriously think that getting Thor Bonecrusher back is a good idea." She told him.
"Last time, he barely listened to you guys when he was on your side." Henry pointed out after seeing how Thor Bonecrusher was when he first emerged and how he brought a new brand of disaster to Berk.
"Well, I think if they need Thor Bonecrusher, we should call him, right?" Fishlegs said.
"Great idea, Fishface!" Snotlout smiled.
"No it's not!" Hicca called out.
"Yeah, terrible idea, Snotlout!" Hiccup said in agreement. "Bring Thor back is way too dangerous. For you included."
"Stop it. He was fine. In fact, he was perfect," Snotlout pointed out.
"He uses you as a decoy in its attempts to wrestle with a Scauldron, and a lightning storm." Raeda reminded him.
"Nearly got you killed." Hiccup added.
"And nearly got Meatlug eaten." Hicca finished.
"Are you saying I'm not brave enough?" Fishlegs asked, looking at the three of them in insult. "Not powerful enough? That I can't do this, guys?" He continued.
"Oh, yeah?" Snotlout smirked. "Is that what you're saying about my boy?"
"We're saying, Fishlegs, that you don't even know Thor Bonecrusher," Hiccup said. "He took over. Sure, he was brave and awesome. But, he was almost too heroic. He was reckless and out of control. You just aren't that guy in your core."
Hicca then bit her lip. "Actually, Hiccup. Hypnotism doesn't make you do something you're not, there's a hero in everyone deep down inside that sometimes is a bit out of control." She explained to her brother.
Hiccup narrowed his eyes on his twin. "You're supposed to be on my side, Sis." He said.
"Just stating facts." Hicca shrugged in defense.
Hiccup shook his head as he then looked back at Fishlegs. "Look, we'll figure something else out. But no Thor Bonecrusher for now." He stated firmly.
(Linebreak)
Of course later that night, Fishlegs went to meet Snotlout and found something he never expected to see. Snotlout was actually rubbing lotion onto Hookfang in a peaceful calm full manner.
"So, you do this every night?" Fishlegs asked in surprise. "I, uh, have no idea."
Snotlout shrugged. "There are sides to the Snotman, my fine fishy friend." He then got up and placed his helmet back on his head. "The Snot can be bald and bad. The Snot can be brash and courageous. And the Snot can be tender and insightful." He then leaned against his fireplace. "Now, onto what you're really here for. You want to know about Thor Bonecrusher." He said, with a smile.
"I do. I do." Fishlegs said, nodding uncontrollably.
"Well, sit back while I tell you a story. A story of bravery, chivalry and just a hint of insanity." Snotlout started and began to talk about Thor Bonercrusher's exploits, his deeds of bravery, his heroic deeds and finally his crazy deeds. Fishlegs was completely entranced with everything that Snotlout had said.
He then got up and started cheering. "Wow. He sounds so awesome." Fishlegs said in amazement.
Snotlout then tossed aside the broom and the stuffed animal he was holding, which fell into the fire. "Thor is the best thing that ever happened to me." He stated.
"Okay, let's just say…" FIshlegs started but were cut off.
"We hypnotize you?" Snotlout finished pulling out a ball and chain. "Great idea!"
"Wait a minute, Snotlout." Fishlegs said, holding his hands out. "Hiccup's right. I don't know Thor Bonecrusher. I don't remember a single thing about him. Shouldn't we get Gothi or Hicca?"
"I got this, okay." Snotlout said strongly. "I know Thor better than that old bag. Bam!"
"Okay." Fishlegs said, though he was still uneasy. "But wait, wait, wait, wait!" He then immediately began to hug Meatlug. "This time when I get hypnotized, add in the fact that Thor loves Meatlug, because it would kill me if I pushed her away again." He said as Meatlug growled happily.
"Loves Meatlug. Got it," Snotlout nodded.
"And that there should be an easy way to snap me out of it, like, uh, you clapping three times." Fishlegs added.
"Thrice clap. Check-a-roo." Snotlout repeated.
"Finally, just as a safety measure, make sure I'm not as heroic as last time, you know? I think that's what really concerns Hiccup and Hicca." Fishlegs finished.
"Got you, my bone-crushing brother," Snotlout assured. "Trust. Have faith. Believe. And watched the ball."
He then held out the ball and chain and began to wave it in front of Fishlegs. "I don't know, Snotlout. Can you really—" Fishlegs was cut off when he passed out in his chair and began snoring like a dragon.
"I did it? I did it!" Snotlout said, before he laughed triumphantly. "Hicca's gonna be so jealous or proud when she hears this." He said with a laugh, knowing that Hicca will be jealous that he did hypnotizing on his first try when she couldn't. He then placed the ball and chain down onto the floor and began walking around. "Now, what did we agree to do? Okay, okay, okay, okay. This is gonna be so fun!"
Snotlout then leaned to Fishlegs' ear. "Thor. Thor Bonecrusher. We need you, Thor," he whispered. "We need you to be strong. Brave. Powerful. Charismatic."
Fishlegs response was only a few groans.
Hookfang then growled at Snotlout, reminding him of what Fishlegs wanted him to do. "Right. Right, right." He then turned his attention back onto Fishlegs. "You shall love Meatlug." Fishlegs sighed adorably as he smiled. "You shall wake when the Snot clapped three times." He then clapped three times. "You shall… Uh…"
Hookfang growled.
Snotlout turned on him. "Will you stop? I got it. Jeez!" He then turned his attention back onto Fishlegs. "Okay. You won't be so heroic like last time. You'll be, I don't know, what's it called? Anti-heroic. Anti-heroic! You'll be anti-heroic Thor."
Fishlegs grunted.
"The thing that's it." Snotlout said excitedly. "Okay, on my snap. Come out, come out wherever you are, Thor Bonecrusher."
He then snapped his fingers.
Fishlegs immediately awoke and Snotlout was speechless with excitement as he got up and began cracking his bones.
"Well, hello," Fishlegs, or now Thor Bonecrusher said, saluting Snotlout in his deep voice. Meatlug growled nervously, she remembered the last time Thor Bonecruhser came out and he was very nasty to her.
He then immediately turned to Meatlug and gave her a big hug. "And so good to see you, Meatlug, my love." He said with a smile as he scratched her chin.
'Oh thank you Thor.' Meatlug warbled happily, glad that Thor Bonecrusher isn't harsh or turning her away again.
Snotlout was virtually on the edge of tears. "I've missed you so much." He said blissfully.
(Linebreak)
The next day they were at Outcast Island and Snotlout presented Fishlegs to all the outcasts who immediately cheered upon his presence.
Fishlegs immediately began to demonstrate his new personality by forming a perfect split with his leg supported by some small rocks and began juggling a flaming sheep, ax and chair around.
"That's right, Outcasts!" Snotlout yelled. "Give it up to Mr. Thor Bonecrusher!"
"Ha-ha! Easy as pie!" Fishlegs yelled.
"Whoo! It's a flippin' flaming ax." An Outcast yelled.
Once he was done demonstrating he began to high-five every single Outcast that came near him. He then winked at an Outcast carrying a crate of apples, who immediately acted like a little girl and started giggling and then fainted.
"Thank Thor," An Outcast said with relief. "Literally. There's another ransom due today."
"Tell me about said ransom," said Fishlegs in a commanding voice. "Show me what these no-good doers are attempting to extract from you wholesome Outcasts."
An Outcast then brought out the wagon covered by a sheet. Snotlout laughed and made his way to the wagon, only to have Fishlegs pinches pressure points on the shoulder causing him to collapse to the ground. Once the sheet was removed it was revealed that the crate was filled to the brim with fish.
"Now, do explain, kind people." Fishlegs said.
"We offered gold, Mr. Thor. But they only wanted this Ice Tail Pike." The Outcast said, very confused. "They were very specific. It is rare and indigenous to Outcast Island."
Fishlegs rubbed his chin and pondered. "Hmm. The love of this tasty little fish will be the demise of these bandits." He then stuck his hand into the pile, grabbed a fish and then ate it raw.
Naturally this caused mostly Outcasts to be either very impressed or very disgusted.
"Mm. And I have just the plan." Fishlegs smiled and ate the raw fish whole.
(Linebreak)
An hour later, Fishlegs was at the meeting point for the bandits. He could tell that the leader was the one with the eyepatch.
"Ooh! Bandits." Fishlegs said as he then nodded to everyone behind him.
With that now they all took their positions, even Snotlout, who had recovered from Fishlegs' surprised grip move. Two Outcasts immediately jumped into the fish wagon and Fishlegs leaned in towards it.
"Now, remember, brave soldiers," he whispered. "You must stay still. Once the wagon has been taken to their holding station, jump out and fire into the air."
"Aye," The Outcasts said.
Fishlegs then slowly backed away from the wagon. "Thor shall appear and do what Thor does so well."
Snotlout then immediately rushed over to Fishlegs excitedly, as if he was a little boy on Snoggletog morning. "What do I do, TB? What should I do?"
Fishlegs then grabbed his shoulder and pinched his pressure points causing him to collapse to the ground once again.
"Right." Snotlout nodded. "Hang back. Ready for action. Got it." He then looked like an Outcast with a crossbow. "He's so cool."
The Outcast just shrugged.
Fishlegs then made his presence known with the bandits as another Outcast pushed the crate so they could see.
The bandit leader then just made a gesture with his arm and immediately several armed bandits appeared with crossbows on the edge of the crevice.
"It is as you asked," said Fishlegs gesturing to the wagon. "Ice Tail Pike in exchange for the lead out the Outcast tribe." He then looked around and found that Alvin was not with them. "Where is Alvin? Not with you, I'm guessing?"
"And who are you?" the bandit leader asked.
"Who am I?" Fishlegs scoffed. "Who am I?" He then laughed maniacally and soon everyone in the vicinity joined him.
"Who is he?" An Outcast laughed.
"I'm the answer to your prayers," said Fishlegs.
"And what prayers would those be?" The bandit leader asked.
"Wait a minute!" Fishlegs said suddenly. "I see something moving under that fish pile."
Snotlout blinked. "Huh?"
Fishlegs then pointed out Snotlout. "I saw this man planning it all!"
Snotlout eyes widened. "What? Who? Me?"
"Seize them!" the bandit leader ordered.
Immediately the bandit leader grabbed Snotlout from his hiding place and the bandits began looking through the fish pile.
"Oh, no!" Snotlout cried.
Fishlegs sneered at Snotlout. "Aw. What is it? Scared? Broken-hearted?" He then leaned in towards Snotlout. "You poor, naive little man."
Snotlout couldn't believe this was happening. "But you're Thor Bonecrusher. You're a hero. I created you. I loved you."
"Love, hate. Hero, anti-hero," Fishlegs shrugged. "They all exist across a razor's edge." He then turned to the bandits, who had overpowered the Outcasts in the wagon and were now taking it away. "This is Thor Bonecrusher that is here now." He then looked up to the sky. "This is Thor Bonecrusher reborn!"
He then laughed maniacally and Snotlout just whimpered. 'Oh man, Hiccup and Hicca are gonna kill me.'
(Linebreak)
Thankfully, Snotlout was able to get out of the mess and return to Dragon's Edge to inform the others. Unfortunately, the Haddock twins weren't best pleased when he told them that he had turned Fishlegs into Thor Bonecrusher."
"When you hypnotize him, what?" Hiccup started.
"What did you say during the hypnotism, Snotlout?" Hicca asked while crossing her arms together, looking jealous that her cousin of all vikings managed to beat her to first time hypnosis.
"Well, he wanted to make sure that he loved Meatlug, and he didn't want to be as heroic as last time, so he'd be, I don't know, safe or something like that." Snotlout explained.
"And?" The Thorston twins asked eagerly.
"Well, I think I messed up and told him not to be heroic at all." He finished.
"Well, that's good," Hicca said in relief. "Meaning that he's not as heroic as he was before." She added.
"And it also means he can't get in that much trouble." Hiccup added with a small smile.
"Or he's unheroic." Tuffnut said, shoving past both the Haddock twins, Henry and Astrid.
"As in anti-heroic." Ruffnut said.
"As in, the anti-Thor!" Tuffnut said in a slight low tone.
The Haddock twins then glared at Snotlout as they marched towards him.
"Oh. That's actually what I said. Anti-heroic." Snotlout admittedly.
"Snotlout!" Hiccup yelled.
"You can't say that when you try to make him not so heroic!" Hicca
"What? It sounded so good at the time." Snotlout said in defense.
Raeda rubbed her forehead. "Next time, how do you read the word up in a dictionary or something?" She asked.
"What a dictionary?" Snotlout blinked.
"You're kidding, right?" Raeda asked in disbelief.
"Snotlout, 'Anti-Heroic' is another way of saying the bad guy." Henry called out while shaking his head. "Like the villain of such."
"Meaning you brought out the evil side of Thor Bonecrusher while he still kept his heroic moves." Hicca pointed out, since Thor is now the bad guy, he managed to keep all his moves he had when he first surfaced.
"Yeah, I really didn't think that through." Snotlout said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.
Hiccup shook his head. "Oh, gods." He then looked back at Snotlout. "So, where is he?"
"Okay, don't get mad, but he double crossed me and joined the bandits. And they still have Alvin," Snotlout said sheepishly.
"Why didn't you snap him out of it before he went off gallivanting with them?" Hicca asked. "You said to snap Fishlegs out of it you have to clap your hands three times. Why didn't you try it the first time?"
Snotlout wiggled his fingers awkwardly. "I didn't want to lose him again." He explained.
The Haddock twins groaned.
"Great. So now we have to rescue both of them." Astrid groaned.
"And with Thor around, it's gonna be tough to get close to him to snap Fishlegs out of it." Raeda commented, since they all know what Thor is capable of.
Snotlout nodded awkwardly. "Uh-huh."
(Linebreak)
On Outcast Island, Fishlegs was now with the bandits and the bandit leader eyed him carefully. "So. Bonecrusher, you say?" The Leader asked.
"Did I stutter?" Fishlegs said following his movements.
"You know, you look exactly like one of those Dragon Riders," said the bandit leader curiously. He then placed his sword next to his neck. "The stocky one. Fishlegs."
"Fishlegs. Fish, legs," Fishlegs said, not recognising the name, not even realizing it was his own. "Can your Fishlegs do this?" He then quickly turned around and grabbed the bandit leader's arm and lifted him off his feet. He then began to spin around in his arms.
"Or this?" Fishlegs said, tossing the bandit leader into the rocks and he bounced back towards him and then spun around and slammed him onto the ground, before finally placing his foot on top of his chest. "You may applaud now."
The bandits looked at one another, and not wanting to be on the receiving end of his fists, they began clapping. They then started to cheer his name like mad and he began to high-five their high-fives.
"Ah, this never gets old." Fishlegs said joyously.
The bandit leader was steadily getting back onto his feet when Fishlegs kneeled in next to him.
"You know what? I'm having so much fun here, instead of simply joining your ranks, I'm going to leave them." Fishlegs said, getting to his feet. He then looked at them seriously. "Now, the first order of business. We need to get ready for some unwanted guests."
(Linebreak)
Later that night, The Haddock twins and the other riders had managed to reach Outcast Island.
Their plan was simple: they are going to use the secret network of tunnels that Alvin showed Hiccup and Hicca when they rescued their father from Dagur. They would then free Alvin and return Fishlegs back to normal and then take out the remaining bandits.
Hiccup looked at the two Night Furies. "Toothless, Midnight."
Toothless and Midnight then roared using their echo abilities down onto the island, there they found the tunnel that led underneath Outcast Island. They then dive down into the water and make their way into the secret caverns.
However, they soon discovered that there was a torch in the middle of the cavern and it had been burning recently.
"I thought no one knew we were coming." Astrid whispered.
They then looked into the caves and then suddenly firing towards them were several arrows. Thankfully Astrid, Henry, Raeda and Meatlug got out of the way just in time, but then a net by nowhere entrapped the Thorston twins.
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled as they jumped out of the way to avoid a bolt from a crossbow.
"Let's move, Midnight!" Hicca yelled as they flew in the air to avoid the blast.
Then Fishlegs came charging in with some of the bandits.
"The water. Cover the water!" Fishlegs ordered. "It's their only way out."
The bandit immediately rushed over towards the water in the hopes to prevent the Riders from retreating into it.
"He knew we'd try to sneak in this way." Hiccup said.
"We shouldn't be surprised, Fishlegs knows every one of our tactics and our behavior." Hicca called out as she and Midnight dodged more arrows.
Snotlout was flying alongside the chamber. "Keep going, Hookie. If I can get close enough to him, I can clap—" He then made the mistake of looking down at the spun around and felt his dinner coming up his throat. "Oh, boy." He gagged.
Then they crashed right into a stalactite and crashed to the ground. Hookfang was knocked unconscious leaving Snotlout vulnerable.
"Snotlout!" Raeda cried in worry while Fishlegs laughed as he approached him.
Snotlout was still a bit dizzy from the impact and could barely make Fishlegs out. "Uh-huh. Three, four, five Thors." He then tried to clap, but he kept on missing his hands. "Must clap hands." Sadly only succeeded in slapping his own face.
The Thorston twins laughed as they pulled themselves out of the net.
"We had an Uncle Dullnut who used to do that," said Tuffnut. "We could watch him for hours!"
Tuffnut then yelled as a bolt landed next to him. He then quickly rushed towards their dragons and mounted on Belch.
Fishlegs stopped as he looked down at Snotlout. "Child's play."
Hiccup then immediately clapped his hands three times in the hopes to bring Fishlegs back. "Come on, Fishlegs," he said as he kept on clapping.
Unfortunately no matter how many more times he clapped, it didn't work.
"Maybe you need to get an ear shot. Let me try!" Raeda said as she dove down towards Fishlegs only to get a bola wrapped around her to fall, crash and roll next to Fishlegs. Still she tried to clap, but like Hiccup it didn't work. "What the?!"
"Let me try." Hicca called out as she clapped her hands three times loudly, but ended up hurting her hand. "Ow." She cringed while shaking her hand and saw that Fishlegs threw an ax, but she dodged. "Why isn't it working?" She asked in shock.
"No, guys." Snotlout said weakly. "It has to be me."
He then began to clap his hands, he had managed to clap two times before Fishlegs stopped him by grabbing him by the leg.
He then grabbed Raeda by the scuff of her shirt, "Whoa! You're strong!" Raeda yelped.
Fishlegs merely smirked, "Flattery will only make your passage into Valhalla all the more painless my dear." He promised before he tossed a bola at Hiccup.
"Oh, no!" Hiccup yelled as they took off and the bola wrapped itself around a stalactite.
Fishlegs then yelled as he ran back down the tunnel. "Onward, Snotman and Henderson. Destiny awaits." He declared.
The bandits then got an arrow launcher set up and immediately fired on the remaining Dragon Riders.
"Guys, the water! Now!" Hiccup yelled.
"Fall back!" Hicca yelled next.
Hookfang had ignited himself, 'We're not leaving!' He roared.
'They have Raeda' Sparkfire roared as they didn't want to leave Snotlout and Raeda behind.
"We'll come back for him!" Hiccup promised.
Hookfang and Sparkfire looked at each other and nodded. Hookfang then unleashed a burst of flames while Sparkfire unleashed her spine shots, and in the process, their attacks combined as Hookfang's flames covered Sparkfire's spine shots, causing the bandits to retreat.
"Whoa! Did you see that!?" Hicca called out in awed.
"They just did a combo attack!" Hiccup said in surprise.
Astrid and Henry then unleashed their dragon breath attack on the bandits before they dived into the water just as the Hunters fired.
"Be impressed by those attacks later, we need to get out of here!" Henry called out.
Hookfang, Sparkfire and Meatlug then enter the water followed closely by theThorston twins. The Haddock twins then dive towards the water avoiding the arrows that were being fired at them in all directions and were able to avoid the next just before they wrapped themselves around.
(Linebreak)
Snotlout finally regained consciousness and felt his head spinning.
"Uh. Ow. My head?" Snotlout groaned. When he opened his eyes he found that Alvin was on the opposite side of him in a cell. The strangest thing was that Alvin was upside down. "Huh? Alvin?"
"Welcome to the world of the living." Raeda said from behind Snotlout
It only took a few seconds to realize that he and Raeda were tied together and hanging upside down in a prison cell.
"I see you guys have made quite the improvement to your rescue over the years." Alvin said, chuckling slightly.
"Some things never change, Alivn, trust me." Raeda commentend with a bored expression.
Snotlout grunted as he tried to free himself.
"Don't bother, Snotlout. I already tried." Raeda pointed out. "These ropes are very tight." She added.
He then heard a door opening and saw Fishlegs entering his cell.
"Well, hello, little man and Lady," Fishlegs greeted, kicking Snotlout's helmet aside. "I do hope these accommodations are to your liking."
Snotlout smiled nervously. "Come on, Thor. It's me, Snotman. Your buddy." He said.
Fishlegs then grabbed his head and looked at him firmly. "What are the Haddocks' next plan? Reinforcements from Berk? Help from the Defenders of the Wing? The Berserkers!? Wingmaidens?!" He demanded. "And that clapping. What was that? Some sort of dragon-related signal?" He then began to shake Snotlout vigorously, along with Raeda since she was tied up behind him. "Tell me!" He then slapped him across the face.
"Keep doing that and I'll spill something other than info." Raeda said while getting dizzy from the shaking Fishlegs did.
Then a bandit entered the cell. "Sir, the men are all assembled. Just like you asked." He reported.
Fishlegs growled at Snotlout and walked away, but not before pushing Snotlout and Raeda, causing them to swing around in their cell.
"I hope Hiccup and Hicca figure out a plan, which is gonna be hard since this is Fishlegs, who knows all their moves, we're talking about." Snotlout commented.
"Why can't you at least stay positive for one minute, Snotlout?" Raeda questioned as they are still hanging upside down.
"This is Fishface we're talking about, Rae. He spends as much time with the Haddock twins as you." Snotlout pointed out.
"Exactly, which is why he doubts they can do the impossible when I believe they can." Raeda stated confidently.
"Are you sure that Thor won't stand a chance with them?" Snotlout asked.
"This is Hiccup and Hicca we're talking about." Raeda pointed out.
"Lass got a point, lad." Alvin said in agreement. "They are the children of the most stubborn, boar-headed viking I've ever met."
"See, even Alvin believes in them." Raeda said with a small smile.
"Okay, good point." Snotlout said, seeing that they are right.
(Linebreak)
Fishlegs then made his way to the bandits and found a lot of wagons filled with fish.
"I'm instituting a little change in our operation." Fishlegs said. "From now on, we will be taking gold from Outcasts. Not fish."
The bandits with one another are confused.
Fishlegs was confused as well by this confusion. "What's the problem? With gold, you can buy all the fish you can carry."
"But not this fish," The bandit's former leader, Jarg, said. "We've been charged with procuring as much of this specific Ice Tail Pike as possible." He then took one of the fish and made his way over to Fishlegs. "And, uh, our leader, he's someone to be feared if crossed. We have one wagon load left and then we returned with our bounty."
"And the hostages?" Fishlegs asked.
"We are to toss them overboard. No loose ends." Jarg said, tossing the fish back onto the wagon.
Fishlegs smiled. "Ah. I like the way he thinks. If it's Pike fish he wants, then it's Pike fish he shall receive. But Thor Bonecrusher will deliver it personally. He needs to meet this leader of yours."
(Linebreak)
The next morning, the Haddock twins and the others were in the Outcast village and the Outcasts were getting a bit concerned about Alvin's safety. And concern Outcasts, turn into loud and crazy Outcasts.
"We need Alvin now! Bring us Alvin!" An Outcast yelled.
The other Outcasts then join him.
"We will get Alvin back." Hiccup assured. "And we will defeat this group of bandits. We just need a little more time."
At that point, Astrid and Henry soon returned from their scouting mission.
"We found them." Astrid said as she jumped off Stormfly. She then retched in disgust. "With all that fish, either of us could almost track them ourselves." She gagged.
"But besides that, they followed the caves to the other side of the island, definitely accessible from the outside." Henry explained, "But how are we going to defeat an enemy who knows all of our tactics? Thor will no doubt have lots of men and I don't think that he would flinch at executing either Alvin, Raeda or Snotlout if we're not too careful." Henry wondered, rubbing his chin.
"Fishlegs may be Thor in the head but I hold hope that our friend in his heart will never do something like that." Hicca pointed out.
"We need to try something completely unexpected and out of the box." Hiccup said. "Something Fishlegs would not expect." He then got an idea.
(Linebreak)
On the other side of the island, the bandits were preparing their wagons for transport. Snotlout and Raeda were with them with their hands tied and guarded by two of the bandits.
Then they heard a roar and saw the Haddock twins flying overhead on their dragons, waving white flags and flying close to them was Meatlug.
"Dragon Rider!" A bandit yelled. He then looked at one of the bandits. "Better get Thor."
Fishlegs soon emerged from the caves and found Hiccup and Hicca standing there with the white flags and heavily guarded with some of his men.
"WE come in peace, Fishlegs," Hiccup said calmly before Hicca elbowed him in the arm. "Ow!" He said as he rubbed his arm.
"Bro, that's not Fishlegs, remember." Hicca pointed out as Hiccup then remembered that Fishlegs wasn't quite himself.
"Thor. we even brought an offering." Hiccup continued.
Then emerging from the rocks behind them was Meatlug, who immediately rushed over towards Fishlegs and hugged him affectionately. 'Fishlegs!' She growled happily, Fishlegs immediately returned the hug before he returned back to Hiccup.
"Thank you." Fishlegs said gratefully. "I appreciate the third hostage."
'What?' Meatlug growled in confusion.
"Sorry. But you only have two," said Astrid's voice behind him.
Fishlegs turned and saw Astrid and Henry standing there after taking out his men. The two of them were standing beside Snotlout and Raeda with smiles on their faces with the dragons directly behind.
"Look! After doing something nice for Snotlout." Astrid said.
"Or Raeda for that matter." Henry added.
Astrid smiled. "Bet ya didn't see that one coming."
Fishlegs growled in anger and turned to the remainder of his men. "Seize them!"
The bandits immediately charged with their weapons drawn.
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled.
"Give it to them, Midnight!" Hicca yelled next.
Toothless and Midnight then fired plasma blasts at the bandits knocking them aside and destroying the wagons of fish. Fishlegs glared at him before he charged at Astrid and Henry.
Hiccup looked at Toothless and Midnight. "Now, guys!"
Toothless and Midnight fired a plasma blast that destroyed the other wagon sending Fishlegs' way. However, Fishlegs merely jumped onto a crate and performed a cartwheel in mid-air to avoid the debris. The two Night Furies fired several plasma blasts that struck the crates, but Fishlegs just jumped onto the debris with relative ease and then jumped straight towards Astrid and the others.
"Wow." Snotlout breathed.
"Snotlout!" Astrid yelled.
"Now's not the time to admire your hero! Now's your time to snap him out of it!" Raeda called out.
Astrid had just cut the rope around Snotlout's wrists while Henry did the same with Raeda, just as Fishlegs came falling towards them. They immediately jumped out of the way before he hit the ground and Snotlout quickly clapped his hands three times.
Fishlegs then landed on the ground on his hands and feet and everyone just looked at him, hoping that he was back to normal.
He then turned and looked at Snotlout. "Snotlout, you're here!" Fishlegs said in his normal voice.
"Fishface!" Snotlout yelled and rushed over to him and gave him a big hug.
However, Fishlegs merely spun him around and placed a sword against his throat. It soon dawned on them that Fishlegs was not back to his old cheerful self.
"Snotlout!" Raeda called out before a bandit grabbed her and aimed a dagger at her throat. "Yak dung!"
"No!" Hiccup yelled as the others raised their weapons.
"Let them go!" Hicca called out.
"Nice try, guys." Fishlegs smirked. "Now, back off! All of you! Or I will run him through!"
Snotlout just kept on crying pathetic screams as the blade got closer to his throat while Raeda just growled as the dagger drew closer to hers as well.
With no other choice, the four of them had to get on their dragons and take off.
(Linebreak)
Fishlegs then showed Snotlout and Raeda back into their cell, with their hands bound once more.
"Ow!" Snotlout said as he hit the ground. He then picked himself up ignoring the pain. "Aw. This is getting old."
"Ditto." Raeda groaned as she picked herself up as well. "I thought you said if you clap your hands three times, it would snap Fishlegs out of it." She asked in confusion.
"I did!" Snotlout said as he then shook his head in confusion. "Why didn't the clapping work?" He asked while looking at his hands.
"Well, whatever happened, Thor is still here and who knows what he's planning." Raeda said in a worried expression. "Or if Fishlegs is really gone for good."
Snotlout then groaned, "How could I let this happen?! I just had to let Hiccup and Hicca come up with another plan but noo, Snotlout just had to go turn Fishface into a super evil Viking." He reprimanded.
"Yeah, you probably should've." Raeda agreed as Snotlout grumbled.
(Linebreak)
Fishlegs soon returned outside to see that the bandits were getting things back in order.
"We aren't leaving just yet, men." Fishlegs said.
"It's way too dangerous, Thor." Jarg said. "Now with the Dragon Riders on to us."
"We lost a bit of bounty in this skirmish," Fishlegs reminded, gesturing to the ruined fish on the ground. "We do not have the requisite amount of fish necessary to appease your leader." He then pulled out a bit of parchment and began to scribble on it. "One more handsome ransom, and then we go."
He then giggled slightly, much to the confusion of Jarg.
"And we'll add in a little bonus." Fishlegs said, making his way over to Meatlug. "What would your boss say to some Dragon Riders dragons?" He then attached the node to Meatlug's leg and then slapped on her booty. "Go, dragon! Go tell the others we are waiting for them!"
Meatlug immediately took off.
(Linebreak)
At the same time the Haddock twins and the others met up with the twins at the village.
"Hiccup, Hicca, what are we to do now?" Astrid asked.
"Firing on Thor is firing on Fishlegs." Hiccup concluded.
"Yeah, but Snotlout should have been able to snap Fishlegs back to his senses." Hicca reminded him while wondering why Snotlout's clapping didn't work.
"And not to mention him and Raeda are still being held captives." Henry added.
"We'll find a way," said Hiccup positively.
"But what if we can't snap him out of it?" Astrid asked. "He doesn't even know he's Fishlegs."
"Meatlug does." Tuffnut said.
"Tuffnut, Meatlug doesn't help us right now," Astrid said, folding her arms.
"Then, should I just take her back to the Edge?" Tuffnut asked, pointing above him. "Bing!"
They all looked up and saw that hovering above them was none other than Meatlug.
"What?" Astrid asked.
"Meatlug?" Henry said in surprise.
"What's Meatlug doing here? Shouldn't Thor keep her since he now loves her?" Hicca asked in confusion.
Hiccup saw there was a note tied to her leg and immediately read it. "Huh. Well, at least now we know what we have to do." He said.
(Linebreak)
Fishlegs was in the crevice watching as the Dragon Riders came with a wagon filled with Ice Tail Pike. Snotlout and Raeda were being restrained by Jarg, who had a sword against his throat and Alvin was also restrained by several bandits.
To make matters worse there were many more bandits in the rock face holding bows and arrows and Snotlout was unable to warn them of the danger.
Astrid looked at Hiccup and Hicca with uncertainty. "I don't know about just walking into this, guys."
Henry nodded in agreement. "This is a perfect place for an ambush to catch us off guard."
"They think they have the element of surprise, but it's the other way round." Hiccup said.
"Take a look at the message Meatlug brought." Hicca suggested.
Hiccup then handed Astrid the scroll that had been wrapped on Meatlug's head and Henry leaned over her shoulder. That's when the two of them realize that it wasn't the message, but in fact it was a map of the crevice with crosses all over it.
"This is where the lookouts should be positioned." Hiccup explained.
Astrid looked at Hiccup dubiously. "Hiccup, we don't know who this came from." She said.
"No offense, Astrid, but every time we get a chance at something, you always assume that it's a trap, lie or maybe even both." Hicca pointed out.
"Because it usually is, Hicca." Astrid called out.
"And when are mere assumptions proven wrong and come back to bite us?" Hicca challenged with a smirk.
Astrid was about to speak, but stopped herself when she counted the times this kind of thing happens to them.
Henry then spoke with a smirk. "Hicca's right, Astrid. Your assumptions have at time been proven wrong often ends with one close to getting fried." He commented.
"Okay, you got me there." Astrid said in defeat. "But still, let's keep our guard up just to be on the safe side."
"Fair deal." Hicca shrugged.
They soon reached Fishlegs and came to a stop.
"On my mark," said Hiccup. "And…"
"It's a trap! It's a trap!" Snotlout yelled.
"Run for it guys!" Raeda added.
Then suddenly the archers on the cliffs began raining arrows down on top of them.
Hiccup immediately ran over to Toothless. "Run, Toothless!"
"Let's get out of here, Midnight!" Hicca called out.
They immediately jumped onto Toothless and Midnight as they took to the air.
The Thorston twins however were running around in circles.
"And there goes the element of surprise." Astrid sighed.
"We'll just have to think on the offbeat." Henry suggested as Wildstar dodge some arrows.
Soon all of them were on their dragons and they soon joined the Haddock twins into the sky with Hookfang, Sparkfire and Meatlug.
"Now! Give'em everything you've got!" Hiccup yelled.
Immediately the riders began to attack the locations where the lookouts were located. Astrid made the first move and immediately unleashed a barrage of spines causing the archers to retreat, one of them unfortunately got struck in the bottom as they jumped into the crevice.
Meatlug then began unleashing lava blasts at another squad of archers causing them to retreat. Henry was leading his dragons straight down to another group of archers, who immediately fired every single arrow they had at him only for them to dodge before they unleashed bursts of flames at them, causing them to retreat.
The Thorston then unleashed a circle of gas around Fishlegs, Snotlout, Alvin and Jarg. Once that was done immediately ignited the gas creating a ring of fire around.
Fishlegs then immediately took the sword from Jarg and grabbed Snotlout. "Let me at him!"
'Oh no you don't!' they heard roars and saw Hookfang and Sparkfire flying down towards them unleashing their Blazing Needle combo again. This caused Fishlegs to release Snotlout and Raeda as they quickly moved away as they were blocked by a line of fire.
Fishlegs looked up at Hookfang and Sparkfire. "Hey, watch it, you two!" He said, speaking in his normal voice.
Snotlout stared at him. "Fishface?" Fishlegs smiled indicating that he was back to normal. "Fishface!"
"Wait, you're not Thor anymore?" Raeda asked in surprise.
"No time to explain." Fishlegs said as he sliced the ropes around Snotlout and Raeda's hands. "We gotta free Alvin." He said.
They immediately ran towards Alvin, but were then blocked by Jarg, who nearly killed Fishlegs with his sword. He then began swinging, pushing him back, Fishlegs then tried to block another attack, but Jarg dealt a powerful backhand knocking him aside.
"No!" Snotlout yelled.
"Fishlegs!" Raeda yelled out in concern.
Jarg then advanced towards Fishlegs and raised his sword high.
"Oh, no." Snotlout said and grabbed a rock, "Hey, you." He called before throwing the rock.
Jarg drew his blade just in time to slice the rock in two, but that left him open for Fishlegs, who performed a leg sweep knocking him to the ground. He then picked himself up, grabbed his sword and pointed it at Jarg.
However, Jarg quickly recovered and knocked the sword out of his hand. He then got to his feet and swung his blade at Fishlegs' chest. Fishlegs was able to dodge the sword, but not the kick that Jarg dealt him when his guard was down.
He was then sent to the ground hard and Jarg chuckled as he advanced towards them before Raeda threw some daggers, which Jarg dodge as he narrowly avoided them.
"Snotlout!" Snotlout yelled, jumping onto his back.
Jarg then began spinning around just to pull him off. However, he then grabbed Snotlout's arms and tossed him over his shoulders and he landed beside Fishlegs.
"Snotlout!" Raeda yelled before she glared at Jarg before she fought him in hand-to-hand combat as they duke each other out, but Jarg got the upper hand as he managed to punch Raeda to the ground as she landed next to Snotlout.
"Raeda! Snotlout!" Fishlegs yelled.
He then glared angrily at Jarg and then charged at him just as he raised his sword. Jarg was completely taken by surprise as Fishlegs tackled him.
Snotlout just stared openmouthed. "Whoa." He gasped.
"Wow, didn't know Fishlegs had that in him." Raeda said in surprise with wide eyes.
Fishlegs then slammed him into the ground and performed a perfect flip before finally landing on his feet. He then turned and saw that Jarg was knocked out.
"Ha-ha!" Fishlegs cried.
The Haddock twins soon arrived on the field and saw Jarg on the ground. "Fishlegs?" Hiccup called.
"Is that really you?" Hicca asked next.
Fishlegs then gave her big thumbs up. "Whooo!"
Hiccup turned and saw that Astrid was now completely surrounded by bandits holding crossbows. He immediately flew down towards them and they ducked just as he flew overhead. Toothless then fired a plasma blast at a rock formation causing the rocks to fall, catching the bandits completely off guard.
He then landed beside Astrid and both their dragons growled at bandits who immediately raised their hands in surrender. Meatlug was doing the same with another group of bandits, but she turned around when she saw Fishlegs running towards her.
"Meatlug!" Fishlegs cried in joy.
'Fishlegs!' Meatlug growled playfully and the two of them had one another.
The bandits were trying to make their getaway, but were stopped by Raeda and Snotlout, who were now riding on top of Hookfang and Sparkfire. They immediately tried to run the other way only to be stopped by the Thorston twins.
"Going somewhere boys?" Raeda smiled.
Fishlegs then went to free Alvin and at first he was a bit nervous, but that changed when Alvin smiled at him.
"Come here," Alvin said, giving him a good pat on the shoulder.
Jarg had regained consciousness only to find that his men were now captured. With no other choice he immediately ran as far away from the Riders as possible.
(Linebreak)
The bandits were soon captured and tossed into an Outcast prison.
"I tried to get them to tell me who they worked for, but they were tight-lipped." Fishlegs said.
Alvin chuckled. "Don't you worry. They will," he assured. He then smiled menacingly at the bandits. "I have a few old school techniques I'd love to dust off that will pry those lips apart in no time."
Snotlout was still very confused and looked at Fishlegs. "Okay. I'm so confused. Did the clapping work not?"
"Yeah, Fishlegs, were you still Thor or not? Did Snotlout clapping really work?" Raeda asked as well while feeling confused herself.
"It did," Fishlegs answered, raising his hand suddenly causing the two to panic. He then laughed as Snotlout and Raeda soon joined him. "But if I let them know at that moment that I wasn't Thor, they would have taken part with the bounty and made you two and Alvin shark feed."
"Wow. So, it was Fishface who saved us and not Thor?" Snotlout asked surprise looking at Alvin. "Did not see that one coming."
"Gotta hand it to you Fishlegs, you really pulled off the Thor act really well." Raeda complimented.
"After what Snotlout showed me before he brought Thor back, I kinda picked it up." Fishlegs said with a small smile while rubbing the back of his head.
Hiccup placed a hand on Fishlegs' shoulder. "That was a crazy risk, Fishlegs. But it proved I was wrong and Hicca was right. In your core, you do have a lot of Thor Bonecrusher."
Fishlegs then pulled him in close. "I'd like to think it's the other way around." He said.
Snotlout then came out of nowhere and hugged him.
"Group hug!" Tuffnut yelled as he and his sister rushed over to the two of them and gave them a big hug.
"Heheheh. Those guys." Raeda said while shaking her head as Hiccup nodded in agreement.
While they were busy hugging one another, the two noticed that Hicca, Astrid and Henry were looking concerned at the wagon of fish.
"What's up?" Hiccup asked as he and Raeda approached them.
"Well, the question still remains, Guys." Astrid said. "What did the Dragon Hunters want with these fish?"
"Why go through all this trouble just to pick up a few pikes?" Hicca questioned.
"And what else has been going on under our noses?" Henry asked, folding his arms.
"Those are all good questions, but for that matter, who hired those bandits to do this?" Raeda asked while placing a finger on her chin.
Hiccup too was troubled by this information and he wished he had an answer to all those himself, wondering why the bandits did this in the first place.
(Linebreak)
In the Dragon Hunter camp, Krogan was leading Jarg to his tent and he wasn't best pleased with his failure.
"So, you see, Krogan, sir, it was impossible to have seen what was coming." Jarg said nervously.
"Impossible, you say?" Krogan asked as he entered the tent. "And what do you say?"
Jarg saw that someone else was already in the tent and it was none other than Viggo, who miraculously survived the Edge's volcano after Project Shellfire.
"There will be a setback." Viggo said. "The Ice Tail Pike is essential to our training programme. Unlike this gentleman." Jarg quivered in fear as Viggo turned his back on him. "Failures have no place in my army. The bar must remain at its highest. I'd throw him down a Whispering Death hole. But that's just me."
Krogan then grabbed Jarg. "Relax, Jarg. There will be no Whispering Death hole for you. If I did that, I wouldn't get to see you suffer. Then that will take all the fun out of it." He said with a smirk before he then clapped his hands together and immediately two Hunters grabbed Jarg and began to drag him away.
"No! Come on now. No! No, no!" Jarg cried as he was dragged away.
Krogan then turns attention to Viggo. "Now, Viggo, how do you plan to withstand the extreme heat? It was so kind to you last time."
"I was just assessing that myself," Viggo said as he turned to face Krogan. Turning his face revealed that the left side of his face was badly burnt, his eye was completely white and his ear looked as if it had melted while looking like the veins on the left side of his face were bulging. "I have some… thoughts."