Chapter 62: Wings of War Part 1
Hiccup was riding on top of Toothless and they were moving through the Singetails avoiding their fireballs. They even passed Krogan and dodged the firewall coming from the tail of his Singetail. They then looked upwards and then dive down towards his hut.
"Now bud! Do it." Hiccup ordered Toothless give a plasma blast, destroying his hut.
"Hiccup!" Hicca called as Hiccup turned to see his sister, riding on Midnight, "Hiccup we need to go!" She cried before a Singetail came from the side, and plucked them out of the sky.
Hiccup immediately sat up straight. "No!" He yelled.
He panted and found himself in a house that was given to him by Mala, realizing it was a dream of that memory. Toothless was with him and immediately approached him to comfort him.
'Relax Hiccup, it was just a nightmare.' He warbles.
"I'm sorry." Hiccup said, stroking Toothless. "Oh, it's okay, bud."
Hiccup then turned to face the door and saw daylight shining from its cracks.
He sighed and knew what he had to do. "Well, time to face the music, bud." He suggested before standing up.
They made their way outside and found the other Riders sitting around moping. It was clear that losing the Edge hurt all of them. Hookfang was whacking his tail on Snotlout's helmet and not getting a response, Fishlegs was trying to feed Meatlug pebbles, Raeda was staring blankly at her sketch book as she lazily draws on it and the Thorston twins were being poked around by wild boars.
"Ugh, get away," Ruffnut said, looking uninterested. "Boring me."
"I've seen worse," Hiccup said to Toothless as Hicca, Henry and Astrid came to him.
"Remind me when that was." Astrid said.
"Yeah, this has to be our worst defeat in history and it's not like we had many, bro." Hicca sighed. "I mean, we got the Edge snatched from us once but this time, we were totally driven off our island, no thanks to me." She said while looking down in despair.
"Whoa, Hicca. This isn't your fault that we lost the Edge." Hiccup assured.
"But it feels like Hiccup." Hicca pointed out while feeling guilt growing. "I am second-in-command of the Riders, I should've thought of a way to drive them off and I would've been more alert to the attack." She said with a frown.
"This was the first time we dealt with other people riding on dragons, there were bound to be some growing pains." Henry assured her. "Now we know what we're up against, getting our home back will be a snap!"
Astrid nodded in agreement and turned to Hiccup. "So, should we talk about our next move, guyss?" She then rested a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "I was thinking, we should probably try to get the Edge back?"
"Can we get the Edge back?" Snotlout asked.
"I agree with Snotlout. We barely got out of there by the skin of our dragons." Raeda said in agreement.
"I mean, guys, how many of those Dragon Flyers are out there?" Fishlegs asked.
"And what is your favorite part of the human face and why?" Tuffnut asked randomly.
Everyone just looked at him blankly.
"Why did you ask that question?" Henry asked with a raised eyebrow.
Tuffnut then looked at them confused. "What? We're not playing 'Ask the guy next to you an awesome, yet completely unrelated question'?"
"I'll play." Ruffnut said, measurably. "The eye socket."
"Why's that?" Tuffnut asked.
"Come closer and I'll show you." Ruffnut said, raising her fist.
Tuffnut looked at her intently and leaned his head in towards her. "Okay." He smiled.
Ruffnut looked at him and sighed tiredly before she lowered her fist. "Not even fun right now."
Tuffnut grabbed her fist. "What if I do it for you?" He then punched himself in the eye with Ruffnut's fist. "Hey, look, I'll give you another." He then made her punch him again.
"Nothing," said Ruffnut with disappointment.
"Really?" Tuffnut asked, looking quite dizzy. He then sighed with disappointment. "Okay, we are officially bummed out." He started with a fist to his cheek.
"Wow, you know things are bad if those two are bored." Raeda commented as she finished her drawing and showed it as if it was a sloppy drawing of them running away from the Flyers. "I called it "Dragon Riders get Singed"." She said dully.
"Yeah, we're really becoming dull after losing the Edge." Henry commented boredly.
Hicca looked at Hiccup. "We're in no condition to fight another battle, Hiccup. That last battle really took so much out of us and we were outnumbered when they attacked, not to mention Krogan was there leading them." She pointed out while giving some thought. "Speaking as a healer, I suggest the smartest move would be to rest up before we attempt an appropriate course of action to strike back."
"Rightly said, Hicca Haddock," A voice said behind them. The Haddock twins turned and saw Mala approaching them with Throk by her side. "You will all have time to plan the correct course of action. But right now you are mentally and physically exhausted. You need to rest, regroup. You are welcome here among us as long as you need."
Hiccup nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Mala. You have no idea how much this means to us." He told her
"After losing the Edge, this place and Berk were the only places we could go and hide until we figured out a plan. We are grateful for letting us stay here for a while." Hicca said with a small smile.
"Anything for a friend of Henry, Hicca." Mala said with a smile as she turned to Henry. "You know that this is always your home, brother. And are welcome to stay as long as you want." She added.
"Thanks, Mala. I just hope those Flyers don't find us too fast." Henry replied.
"I can assure you, Henry. That you are safe here." Mala assured as she turned to Throk and the two of them smiled as they looked back at the Riders.
"Fishlegs, there is an ore mine in the middle of the island,"Mala said, looking at Fishlegs. "Oxides, sulfides, silicates."
Meatlug immediately shot up, 'Silicates!' She snarfflled excitedly, wagging her tail happily.
"Oh, no, no, no, no." Fishlegs laughed. "Don't say silicates, it makes her…" Meatlug then immediately drooled lava out of her mouth. "…drool." He finished.
Throk then approached the Thorston twins. "My queen has had me scouting out some pristine locations where one could build a temporary boar pit."
Tuffnut looked up. "'Boar pits.'" He repeated.
"So last year." Ruffnut sighed.
"What about a lava pit?" Throk asked with a smile. "Very dangerous. Hot, smoldering magma?" He listed out.
Ruffnut stood up straight. "Sounds spicy." She said, sounding interested.
Tuffnut then punched her playfully on the shoulder. "One might even say muy picante." He then approached Throk. "Como esta tu española, Thorkman? Mi Thorkante."
Then with a chuckle the three of them walked off.
Mala then turned to Snotlout. "Snotlout? Some of our younger warriors are in desperate need of hand-to-hand combat training. But if you're too tired, I…"
"Ha! The Snot doesn't do tired." Snotlout said. He then immediately hopped onto Hookfang. "Where are those little guys?"
They then took off before anyone could answer that question.
Mala then turned to Raeda. "Raeda? I think you might be interested in evaluating our Historical Art Gallery." She started as Raeda perked up, "Many different pieces, paintings, mosaics, mandalas."
Raeda widened her eyes from that as she got up. "I most certainly do! Where is the gallery?!" She asked excitedly.
"It's not too far from here. It's at the otherside of the village. Find the Colorful Eruptodon, you can't miss it." Mala instructed while pointing into the southern part of the village.
"Thanks Mala!" Raeda cheered as she ran off.
Hiccup then approached Mala gratefully. "Again, thank you, Mala."
"We're very grateful." Hicca added.
"I've been precisely where you both stand, Haddocks." Mala assured with a smile. "When one leads and is met with defeat, one is looked upon for all answers to insure the next victory, some of which they haven't yet found."
Hiccup closes eyes and looked to the ground and Astrid immediately placed a hand on his shoulder. "The key word being 'yet'." She said.
Henry nodded in agreement. "The Archipelago was not built in a day and neither was the Edge. And I'm sure the answer will come to you in time." He assured them.
"I just hope we come up with a plan to get it back." Hicca said while looking down. "And that we can figure out what Krogan is planning, for all we know, he could be planning an attack right now." She said while giving a thoughtful expression.
(Linebreak)
At the Edge, Viggo was getting everything sorted for their descent into the volcano in search of the Dragon Eye. Viggo was actually using the diving bell the Haddock twins had created in the same manner that they used it to traverse the volcano on the Defender of the Wing's Island.
Krogan it didn't look entirely impressed. "So, this is your answer to withstanding the heat?"
Viggo merely narrowed his eyes. "I found, Krogan, that it is important to draw inspiration from those who've bested you." He then looked at the diving bell with intrigue. "The Haddocks' ingenuity, it's fascinating. The boy and the girl has invented things most could only dream of."
"Reverence?" Krogan asked, raising an eyebrow. "It is a dangerous emotion, Viggo."
"Only if it is allowed to cloud one's judgment." Viggo countered plainly. He then jumped down from the platform onto the rocky surface. "Besides, their little inventions have proven useful. They use this to successfully go deep into the Defenders of the Wing Volcano, and we shall use it here."
"And you're sure it's still down there?" Krogan asked skeptically as Viggo remembered the day like it was Yesterday.
(Linebreak)
Viggo fell into the volcano but fortunately he fell onto a rock and when he got up he found that the Dragon Eye had landed on a rock close by.
Lava began to shoot out of the hot magma, but Viggo needed to get his hands on the Dragon Eye. He jumped down towards the ledge and pressed his hand against the hot rock he was resting on and immediately he got burnt and cried out in pain as he pulled his hand back.
He then carefully extended his hand towards the rock where the Dragon Eye was resting. He managed to grab the device only to have lava shot out in front of him burning the left side of his face. He immediately released his grip upon the Dragon Eye and clutched his face in pain.
(Linebreak)
In the present, Viggo was resting his hand on his face remembering the pain. He then lowered it and looked squarely at Krogan.
"The Dragon Eye was designed to withstand all manner of heat, cold and concussive blasts," Viggo explained as he looked down into the volcano. "Besides, do you honestly believe I would return to such a Thor-forsaken place if I wasn't certain?"
Krogan had to admit that he had a fair point.
"Haven't seen your Flyers in quite some time," Viggo noted, glancing at Krogan. "Shouldn't they be preparing?"
"Those are 12 of my most fearless and gifted warriors." Krogan assured. "I doubt they'll have much of an issue." He then walked away from the volcano with his hands behind his back.
Viggo narrowed his eyes and followed him. "Hiccup and Hicca may not appear a worthy adversary, however, they are as formidable as they come." he warned.
Krogan turned back to face him. "But their strength is also their weakness. Their love of dragons will prevent him from shooting to kill, while our Flyers look forward to it. Your 'Archipelago Idols' will have quite the inner struggle. One that they will never win."
Krogan walked away and Viggo smirked. It was uncertain whether it was because he wanted to see Hiccup and Hicca to lose or for Krogan to fail.
(Linebreak)
Back at the Defender of the Wing's island, Mala was walking down the streets of her village with the Haddock twins, Astrid and Henry. They had just described the attack on the Edge, something that she found very troubling. "And that's how it happened." Henry explained.
"But I was under the impression that you two, and only you both, were able to train dragons." Mala said to the Haddock twins with a frown.
"Those dragons are not trained." Astrid told her.
"They don't carry them out of mutual respect or bonding." Henry added.
"They are being forced to carry Dragon Flyers." Hiccup said.
"They're using dragon-proof chains and riding crops to force them where to go and when to fire." Hicca continued.
"And do their bidding," Mala concluded.
"We know who was commanding them now," Hicca said. "Just before the attack we got a message from Alvin on Outcast Island. He managed to make his prisoners squeal and he said they were working for Krogan, which came pretty late after Krogan attacked us on the Edge." She said with a sigh.
"Which is why he was searching for knowledge, he was learning about us when we encountered him twice, giving him the advantage he needed for a strike." Henry finished while giving a thoughtful expression.
"It's pretty obvious that his whole plan hinges on the fact that he knows we won't hurt his dragons." Hiccup said, sitting down. "It's gonna take something we've never thought of to get around that."
"But you and Hicca come up with it." said Astrid confidently.
"Thank you," said Hiccup appreciably. He then found out what she said. "How do you know that?"
"How do you guess, Astrid?" Hicca asked in surprise as well.
Astrid then sat down beside him. "Because Hiccup and Hicca Haddocks are the wisest, most talented and bravest Dragon Trainers on Earth," She said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And they always come up with it together."
"The Haddock twins are the strongest duo on the planet. And when they work together, there is nothing that they can't accomplish." Henry added with a confident smile as he stood on the town well, looking heroic. "And they never let one loss get to them, why? Because they always strike back stronger and come up with a well thought out plan that helps us win the day. And no matter what, they never give up on their friends, their family, dragons or each other." He finished, raising his sword.
Hicca laughed and held up her hands, "Okay, okay we get it." She told him.
Hiccup also laughed at that. "You make speeches a little too far with the heroic thing, huh Henry?" He asked with a chuckle.
"What? Gotta give you two the confidence to get your spirits up somehow." Henry defended, "Besides I kinda been waiting to say that if you two ever feel down. Did it work?" He asked with a slight smirk.
Hicca gave a chuckle. "Oh, a little bit Henry." She said with a small smile as she turned to Mala. "Does he do this to bring spirits up?" She asked.
Mala gave a slight chuckle. "How do you think we kept the Defenders' spirits so high for these last few years?" She asked playfully as all four of them laughed while Henry looked down at them with a smile.
"What can I say, I know the words." Henry said with his arms crossed pridefully as he got down from the well.
(Linebreak)
Fishlegs was currently at the mine that Mala mentioned with Meatlug. Strangely enough they had some sort of picnic and Fishlegs was feeding her blocks from the mine.
"Oh, what's this, little guy, right here?" Fishlegs said, grabbing a rock. "Open up."
He then immediately tossed the rock into Meatlug's mouth and she immediately ate it up.
At the Defenders Historical Art Gallery, Raeda and Sparkfire were going at the many different pieces of art, "Amazing! I never knew you could use dragon scales like that!" Raeda squealed, looking at the mosaic of Monstrous Nightmare made from Nightmare scales. She then looked behind her and gasped, "Look girl, a Nadder Mandala!" She pointed.
Sparkfire squawked and they rushed towards it.
Not too far away Throk was with the twins as they were observing a lava pit. Inside said lava pit was the Eruptodon, who was having a lava bath.
"I do like the way the lava rolls off of him." Tuffnut said, folding his arms. "Like the way the Spanish 'R' rolls off the tongue. 'Wrestling.'"
"Yet the lava hardens into a rock-solid formation which one can grab onto if one was so inclined," said Ruffnut.
Tuffnut then rested his elbow on his sister's shoulder. "Correctamundo! I get so bored wrestling with boars. They're always so resbaladizo! It means slippery. I looked it up before we talked."
"Otherwise known as 'grease happy,'" said Ruffnut happily.
Tuffnut then turned to Throk. "So when am I up, Throkito?"
"I'm not so certain that'd be the best idea," said Throk.
"Por que?" said Tuffnut as he began jogging on the spot. He then stopped and began doing press ups with one hand. "You think I can't take on that guy, huh? I once took on a six-boar stack with a…" Chicken then immediately jumped onto his head and he began counting in Spanish. "80, 81, 82…" He then looked back at Throk. "With a sheep slider and a baby yak finish."
"Epic." Ruffnut smiled, folding her arms.
"Epicamente!" Tuffnut yelled as he stood up straight.
Chicken then squawked loudly indicating that something was wrong.
They then heard the roars above them and looked to the sky to find Flyers emerging from the clouds above them.
"That is it!" Tuffnut yelled. "Nobody interrupts my lava wrestling! Nobody!"
A Flyer then immediately fired a fireball directly at them and they jumped out of the way just in time. Fishlegs turned and saw the Flyer firing down fireballs at the Thorston twins and Throk.
Raeda and Sparkfire came out of the Art Gallery as they saw the Flyers. "The Flyers, they found us! I really hate those guys!" She called out while clenching her fist.
"Barf! Belch! Get your butts up!" Ruffnut yelled as the three of them ran towards them.
Tuffnut then spoke in Spanish. He then looked back at Ruffnut and Throk. "That of course means, get your butt up." He explained.
Fishlegs quickly mounted Meatlug and flew into the air as Raeda did the same with Sparkfire as they flew off.
One of the Flyers then fired a fireball at the cliff face causing rocks to fall towards them. Tuffnut was ahead of the avalanche and immediately turned around to look at his sister.
"Ruffnut!" Tuffnut yelled in distress as Chicken clucked in panic.
Throk then grabbed Ruffnut's arm and pushed her to safety. Unfortunately, there was no time for him to avoid the rocks and he was immediately struck in the back and fell to the ground.
Ruffnut picked herself up and looked at her brother as if nothing had happened. "What?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing." Tuffnut said. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't get hit in the head with a solid rock like our hombre, Throkardo." gesturing to Throk, unconscious on the ground.
Ruffnut's eyes then widened. "Wait. He jumped in front of me. He took the rock shower so I could live. Throk… Throk saved my life!"
"Yup, sure did. We outta here?" Tuffnut said, emotionlessly as he sat on Belch's saddle.
Ruffnut looked at him for a few moments. "Right behind you, bro." She said and walked on top of Throk.
She then mounted Barf, who then immediately grabbed Throk and tossed them onto his neck.
"Geez, goody two-heads." Ruffnut grumbled.
(Linebreak)
The Flyers were now starting their attack on the village and had already destroyed a few houses.
The Haddock twins immediately looked at Astrid and Henry.
"We're under attack!" Henry called out as he flipped from another fire blast.
"Who was supposed to be on patrol, again?" Hiccup asked
"Snotlout." The three of them said in unison.
Snotlout then approached them confused. "I was? Nobody told me that." He stated.
"Where were you?!" Astrid asked, practically shouting.
Snotlout then looked at her uneasily. "Sleeping." He explained.
"Of course you were." Henry said, rubbing his forehead in frustration.
"Snotlout!" Hicca shouted as Snotlout winced.
Hiccup groaned as he mounted Toothless. "Get to your dragons! We have to get into the air!" He yelled.
"We need to draw these Flyers' attention away from the Defenders!" Hicca called out as she mounted on Midnight.
A Flyer then fired a fireball directly at Toothless and Midnight, but they launched into the air before it struck them. Astrid, Henryand Snotlout had mounted their dragons and were soon in the air.
"Look out!" Astrid yelled.
They quickly separated in order to avoid a collision with a Flyer, who launched a fireball directly at them. The Defenders village was now in flames and people were screaming as they rushed out of the burning houses.
Henry saw this as he growls in anger that the Flyers are attacking the home he was raised in when he first left the hunters.
Close by, Fishlegs and the twins were being chased by another Flyer, who just launched a fireball directly at them.
"Hiccup, Hicca." Fishlegs said, looking up at the Haddock twins.
"I see it, Fishlegs," Hiccup acknowledged.
He and Hicca then groaned in frustration knowing that they had led the Flyers straight to the Defenders Island.
"We need to leave them away from this island." Hiccup ordered. "They came looking for us. They will follow us. It's the only way."
"Dragon Riders, retreat!" Hicca yelled out to them.
Henry turned to Mala, "I'm sorry we can't stay Mala, but we need to get these guys away from the island." He said.
"May the ancients protect you, brother." Mala told him.
Immediately they all flew away from the island and just as the Haddock twins predicted, the Flyer broke off their attack to chase after them.
(Linebreak)
It was late at night, the Haddock twins and the others had to land on an island to rest. They had managed to lose the Flyers for now and they needed to think of the next plan of action.
The dragons proved to be very exhausted as Hookfang crashed to the ground sending Snotlout right off his saddle.
"Whoa! Oh, man, those guys are good." Snotlout admitted.
"No kidding," said Tuffnut. "I'd like to train with their trainer. Probably has two legs and everyth… th—" He stopped just as Hiccup and Hicca landed.
"Care to finish that thought, mister Thorston?" Hicca asked.
"I mean, you know, just, it's more to get a different kind of angle of aid different perspe…" He then decided that he was making things worse and immediately stopped explaining himself. "Forget it." He sighed.
Barf then laid Throk down on the ground and he started to regain consciousness. "Where am I? How did I get here?" He wondered.
"You got nailed on the old noggin during the attack, Throkman," Ruffnut explained. "I pretty much saved your life."
"Oh, puh-lease." Tuffnut said, rolling his eyes.
Throk looked at Ruffnut. "You saved me?"
"Ah! Don't mention it." Ruffnut said dismissively. "It was nothing."
"Yeah, literally. Nothing."Tuffnut said.
Throk then shoved Tuffnut aside and approached Ruffnut and presented her with his ax.
Ruffnut looked at him confused. "Uh… Watcha got going on? Kinda making me uncomfortable." She then gripped the ax and the moment Throk released she was nearly pulled down by its weight. "Whoa!"
"When someone saves the life of a Defender of the Wing Warrior, there is a debt that is created and the duty to repay said debt," Throk explained. "I shall be your personal protector until that moment arrives, Ms. Ruffnut."
Ruffnut smiled upon hearing those words. "Hmm, 'Ms. Ruffnut.' You don't say." She said.
Then suddenly fireballs rained down from the sky and Throk quickly tackled Ruffnut to the ground just before the fireball hit where she stood a few seconds ago.
"Yeah, I think this could work." Ruffnut said.
"How did they find us so fast?" Fishlegs asked.
"The training. Definitely." Snotlout assumed.
"The Singetails are one of the best tracker dragons, they can find us through scents!" Hicca called out.
"So meaning they caught our trail!" Henry finished.
Hiccup shook his head and looked to the sky. "Look out!"
They quickly took off as an entire fireball struck the ground. Throk was riding with Ruffnut and had managed to deflect the shots with his ax.
"Whoa!" Ruffnut laughed.
Tuffnut wasn't particularly happy with this situation.
The Flyers were on their tail firing fireballs in every single direction. The Haddock twins quickly turned around and headed straight towards two of them.
"Now, guys." Hiccup said.
Toothless and Midnight each fired a plasma blast, but the Flyers pulled the Singetail up allowing it to take the forefront of the blast.
Toothless and Midnight were about to fire another blast, but Hiccup stopped them. "Toothless, Midnight, don't!" He told them.
"We can't hurt the dragons!" Hicca called out.
They quickly turned around and joined the others.
Astrid flew down next to them looking concerned. "I know how you both feel about—"
"We're not gonna hurt the Singetails." Hicca said firmly. "Not if we can help it."
"Just follow us. The dragons won't go near this fog. They'll be too spooked." Hiccup instructed.
"Okay, then what?" Fishlegs asked.
"We go home. To Berk." The Haddock twins both said in unison with determination.
They then flew into the fog bank and just as the Haddock twins predicted the Singetails stopped before entering it. The Flyers then forced fireballs into the fog bank, but without a clear line of sight they were just shooting blind.
"They can't hide in there forever." The Flyer leader said. "We'll have our chance, and when we do…"
They then fired a volley of fireballs into the fog.
(Linebreak)
It was morning when they finally reached Berk and the Haddock twins were in the Great Hall with their father informing him what happened at the Edge.
"You did the right thing by coming home, kids." Stoick said.
"It wasn't part of the plan, but—" Hiccup started.
Stoick placed a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Everyone loses battle once in a while."
"Everyone except you, dad." Hicca pointed out
Gobber then laughed. "Oh, please. Stoick has lost his fair share of complexity. You both just never heard of them. Vikings tend not to write songs about the skirmishes we lose." He told them.
Stoick narrowed his eyes and gave an angry growl.
Gobber then began to dance around and began to see.
Viking Berkians, tried and true,
Got our butts kicked by a little tiny crew.
Gobber and Spitelout then laughed hysterically.
"Got our butts kicked by a little tiny crew." Spitelout laughed at the top of his voice.
Hicca gave a slight chuckle as she covered her mouth to try not to laugh before she saw their father's look as she stopped and gave a slight cough.
Stoick then approached Gobber and narrowed his eyes. "I don't recall us losing to a tiny crew."
"No, chief." Gobber nodded.
"And we won't lose to this one." Stoick added as he pointed his finger down.
"Couldn't agree more, chief." Gobber nodded again.
"Stow it, Gobber." Stoick said as he walked away rubbing his forehead.
"Yes, Chief. It's stowed. Never to be un-stowed again." Gobber promised.
Stoick then looked back at the Haddock twins. "Hiccup, Hicca, it's not the battle that counts, kids. It's the war. And this one has just begun." He then turned and looked at everyone in the Great Hall. "Gobber, crank up the weaponry. I want the forge working overtime, including at least the dragon of yours."
"Grump ain't lazy." Gobber said, looking offended as he hobbled away. "He's cautious. There's a difference."
"Bah, bah. Talk, talk, yakkity-yakkity." Spitelout muttered under his breath before getting to his feet. "I've got work to do."
Stoick turned to Sven. "Sven, assemble the militia and prepare for an attack."
Sven nodded and got to his feet.
Stoick then turned to Gustav. "Gustav, I want the A-Team patrolling in two-hour shifts, around the clock."
Gustav jumped to his feet and saluted. "Yes, sir! Chief, sir!"
Stoick shook his head. "You don't have to salute me, son."
Gustav then jumped down onto the floor and began running across it on all fours towards the doors.
Stoick also made his way towards the doors and the Haddock twins followed him. As they did, they looked at the statues of their ancestors that littered the Great Hall, wondering what they would do in their situation.
At the entrance of the Great Hall Stoick took a deep breath. "Ah, yes. When those Singetails, a-calling, Berk will give them an answer they'll never see coming." He declared.
The Haddock Twins frowned at him. "You mean the Dragon Flyers." Hiccup told his father.
Stoick looked down at him. "Come again?"
"Dad, we can't blame the Singetails. They're being forced to fight against their will." Hicca reminded. "It's—it's the Flyers and Krogan who—"
Stoick stopped her there. "Hicca, the minute you both start trying to separate one from the other, you're both dead." He told Hicca as she and Hiccup was about to speak, but their father stopped them before either one of them could speak. "We can't afford to limit ourselves or our people like that. The stakes are way too high, kids. This is my territory now."
Hiccup and Hicca then watch as their father begins walking down the steps towards the village as he prepares for war. The Haddock twins just stood there with Toothless and Midnight not sure they would be able to go through with this plan.
(Linebreak)
At the Edge, Viggo was standing at the edge of the volcano when the bell on the crane rang. The moment it did a Hunter pulled down on the lever in order to bring the diving bell back up. Only one man emerged from it and he had nothing to show for himself.
"Nothing." He said.
Krogan just stood there crossing his arms looking a bit frustrated. "Why are you sending one man at a time?" He questioned.
"I sent three down last time. Only one came back, which is two more than the time before that." Viggo snarled as he approached him.
Krogan scoffed. "They're disposable. That's why we have so many of them." He told her.
A Hunter Captain then stepped forward. "That's right. Krogan doesn't tolerate failure." he said, not caring he was talking to his former leader.
Krogan wasn't particularly happy that the Hunter had cut across him. "Right you are." He nodded. He then narrowed his eyes and forced the Hunter back. "Now, say your farewells and get your pathetic behind into that tub. Now!" He ordered.
The Hunter backed away until he practically fell into the diving bell.
"Sir, we've located the Flyers." A lookout on the edge of the volcano said. "I'm afraid they've had a bit of a setback."
Krogan looked immensely frustrated.
(Linebreak)
At Berk everyone was preparing weapons, even the children. Stoick and Gobber were making their rounds and watched as everyone scrambled for weapons.
"This place is going to be a war zone." Gobber noted as every berkian got ready for battle.
"Aye." Stoick nodded forlornly.
Gobber looked at him. "Chief, you've seen first-hand the damage dragons can do while under the control of the most evil of men." He reminded him.
"That I have, Gobber." Stoick nodded.
Stoick then remembered, long before Hiccup and Hicca were born, he went to a meeting of chieftains to discuss the dragon problems they've been having during the Dragon War. During the meeting a foreigner from a distant land had appeared and said that he alone could control the dragons and that he could protect them from the war, only if they bowed to him.
Naturally they all laughed off, not believing a man could ever control dragons. In the laughter, the stranger stormed out of the hall and immediately made his way. He cried out, 'let's see how well you do without me.'
Then, the moment he exited the Great Hall, two dragons wearing armor bursted through the ceiling and burned the hall to the ground and killing everyone inside. It was a complete slaughter and Stoick was just barely able to escape.
Stoick had managed to get out of the burning wreck just before it collapsed with only a few cuts, bruises and burns. He then looked at the top of the cliff and saw the mysterious man leaving with another man holding a large looking ax. A few seconds later he saw them flying off on the backs of dragons, at first he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but what he was seeing was in fact real.
"I saw things I wasn't sure I was seeing." Stoick said, looking at Gobber. "Some things I wish I could forget." He then watched as everyone began to grab a weapon preparing for an unknown attack. "We have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, Gobber. Never thought I'd say this again, but it could be us or the dragons."
(Linebreak)
The Haddock twins were up in the air flying on Toothless and Midnight, doing a patrol and they were watching as their father was preparing the village for an attack. They still felt uneasy about attacking the Singetails, who were not doing anything wrong.
They even flew over the arena and saw that Astrid was preparing the other Riders for the war as well.
"Dive at the target, do a barrel roll to avoid enemy fire." Astrid instructed.
The Haddock twins then decided at that point to leave.
"Oh, gods! Oh, no!" Snotlout yelled from the arena.
A few seconds later there was a huge explosion and when the smoke cleared, Snotlout was covered in soot.
"Guys, we have to be better than this." Astrid said, looking at every single one of them. "These dragons are fierce, and the Flyers are very skilled."
Ruffnut then knocked Tuffnut's helmet off his head. "Pay attention, would ya?" She told her.
"Actually I was paying attention." Tuffnut said as he placed his helmet back onto his head.
He then grabbed his mace and swung it towards Ruffnut, only to have it blocked by Throk's ax, who was riding with Ruffnut.
"So, wait a minute, Throk," Tuffnut started, looking at him. "You have to do this? Until?"
"My life debt is repaid. However long that lasts," said Throk.
Ruffnut smiled at her brother. "Yeah. Come on. Hit me. I dare you." She taunted.
She then began tossing small pebbles at Tuffnut which was annoying him greatly. Then she tossed a larger rock at his head and Tuffnut was so frustrated he swung his mace at her once again only to have it blocked by Throk once again. Throk then pulled his ax back disarming him and Ruffnut tossed another pebble at him.
Tuffnut then cried knowing that he can't land a hit on her because of Throk.
"Quit messing around, Tuffnut," Astrid snapped.
Tuffnut looked at her in disbelief. "What? Me? I'm not doing anything." He then pointed directly at his sister. "It's her. She's the one. Her and her little friend over there."
Ruffnut merely laughed.
"And Ruff!" Henry shouted, "Stop taking advantage of Throk's life debt!" He told her, refusing to watch her use his old friend like this.
"Yeah! What he said!" Tuffnut told her.
"What? Throk said he is in my debt for saving his life." Ruffnut said in defense.
Astrid rolled her eyes. "We've seen what these Flyers and their dragons can do first-hand. Now, get up there and start training. As one."
"Yeah, that was hard enough when there were two of us." Tuffnut grumbled.
They then flew up into the air and Henry, Raeda and Fishlegs flew close to Astrid.
"We really could use some help here." Fishlegs said.
"I would feel a bit more confident we had some additional aid." Raeda nodded in agreement.
"I was thinking the same thing," Snotlout said. "But I can't find my dad anywhere."
"Spitelout is probably on patrol with the A-Team." Astrid said. "And Spitelout Isn't what we need now."
"Yeah, one obnoxious Viking is too many if you ask me." Henry muttered under his breath.
(Linebreak)
Later that evening, the Haddock twins, Midnight and Toothless were on a sea stack and stared at the sunset. Toothless and Midnight were trying to comfort their riders, but they weren't really in the mood.
"Not now, guys." Hiccup said, pushing Toothless away.
"Now's not the time." Hicca added while pushing Midnight away as well.
They then looked at them apologetically. "Sorry. Just too much on our minds." Hiccup apologized.
"We're just feeling conflicted." Hicca added.
"We can see that," Astrid's voice said behind them.
The Haddock twins turned and saw Astrid and Henry landing on the sea stack. The moment they dismounted from Stormfly and Wildstar as Toothless and Midnight began to play with them and she made their way towards Hiccup and Hicca.
"And so can everyone else." Henry continued.
The Haddock twins were surprised to see them here. "Whoa. What." Hiccup started.
"How did you two—" Hicca added.
"What? Find you two?" Astrid asked.
"I may not have grown up on Berk like the rest of you, but I can tell a Haddock's 'thinking' sea stack anywhere in the archipelago." Henry added, folding his arms.
Astrid then sat down next to Hiccup. "So, you two wanna talk about it?" She asked.
"Anything on your mind?" Henry asked as he sat next to Hicca.
"Not particularly." Hiccup answered.
"Well, we do," Astrid said, shuffling closer to him.
"Come on, you two can tell us." Henry said as he placed a hand on Hicca's shoulder.
Hicca sighed. "Guys, it's not the Singetail's fault. They're being—"
"Made it to do it." Astrid finished placing a hand on Hicca's shoulder. "We know. We all know, guys. But that doesn't change the fact that it's happening. They drove us out of the Edge."
"They bullied us away from island after island and attacked my home island." Henry added. "At this point, it doesn't matter if it's the dragon or the man."
The Haddock twins looked at them.
"Look, we don't wanna hurt dragons either, guys. In fact none of us do." Astrid continued. "But in tough times, tough choices have to be made."
"Meaning, with so many innocents on the line we have to be willing to break our own rules."
"Whoa, you both sound so much like—" Hiccup started.
"A warrior?" Astrid finished.
"Our father." Hicca finished.
"Uh, was that supposed to be a compliment?" Henry asked.
"Just take it as one." Astrid told him and then placed a hand on his back. "Besides, it's kinda the same thing."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Hiccup told her.
Hicca then thought for a moment and then got to her feet. "Actually, yeah, Astrid, you are absolutely, positively right." She said.
"Okay. Good," Henry said, getting up as well. "Well, when we get back, we need to—"
"When you three get back." Hicca corrected as she mounted Midnight.
Astrid stared at him. "What?"
"Us three?" Hiccup asked in surprise.
"Hicca, what are you saying?" Henry asked his girlfriend.
"I hear everything you and our dad are saying, and, yes, it makes perfect sense." Hicca said to them. "You have the warrior spirit for this, Astrid, Henry. You have the stomach for it. Hiccup and I just… don't. And I can't be in charge of something neither of us don't believe in."
Hiccup approached her, "Then why-" He tried to ask but Hicca stopped him.
"You trusted me to protect the Edge while you were gone, and I totally botched it." She told him, "So it's up to me to get out there and do something."
She was about to set off, but Henry tried to stop. "Hicca. Where are you going exactly?" He asked.
Hicca looked him in the eyes. "To try and find another way to stop." She answered.
"Then let me come with you." Hiccup told her, "We're a package deal rem-"
Hicca shook her head, "Not today Hiccup. Not while Berk and our dad need their future chief." She said firmly, "You need to stay and see if you can convince dad this isn't the way while I find a way that doesn't involve hurting the Singetails."
"And what if you can't?" Astrid asked her.
Hicca said nothing but just started before she took off.
(Linebreak)
The other Riders, Hiccup continued his patrol, were still training and all of them were holding a bow and a practice arrow with Raeda teaching them.
Raeda then looked at them with a good firm look. "Remember, stay in pairs, constantly vary your speed and altitude, and never—"
"Leave your wingman." Snotlout finished. "Yeah, I know, I know."
He then moved out of the way to dodge an arrow.
"But you might wanna get that through to those two," Snotlout said, gesturing to the Thorston twins. He then looked at Throk. "Or three."
The Thorston twins were the only ones not holding a bow and a practice arrow. Throk was currently massaging Ruffnut's shoulders while her brother just sat there gloomily. Tuffnut was doing his best to maneuver their dragon to avoid the arrows, but it wasn't easy.
Eventually he got shot in the face and was covered in blue paint.
"Hey, don't look at me." Tuffnut said, looking at the other Riders with a steely glare. "I can't control this dragon on my own. I'm no miracle worker."
"You are a miracle worker, Throkman." Ruffnut said, closing her eyes as Throk massaged her. "The tension just melts away."
"Staying loose is the key of battle." Throk said.
He then squeezed one of the pressure points and she sighed with relief.
"Oh, yeah." Ruffnut said blissfully. "I'm picking up what you're putting down."
While they were distracted Astrid, Raeda, Henry and Fishlegs then fired three practice arrows directly at them. However, Throk sensed their presence and quickly drew his ax, deflecting the shots. Unfortunately, he deflected the shots right at Tuffnut and Belch covering the two of them in paint.
"You know this guy's starting to get under my skin." Tuffnut said, looking down at Belch. "He's getting inside my bones. Or under my bones and inside my skin." He then shrugged. "Whatever. He's everywhere."
Belch just growled. 'Trust me, I know.'
(Linebreak)
At the Edge, Krogan and his men were settling in and were already using the stables to house their Singetails.
"Good. Mm-hmm." Krogan nodded as he walked around with a Hunter. "Tighten up the space in the pens so they can't move around too much. And we need an area for the whips, bits and harnesses." He instructed.
He then smiled as they were converting the stables to suit their needs.
"A place built for dragons by dragon lovers will now house the dragons that'll destroy them." Krogan smiled. He then looked at the Hunter. "Ironic. Don't you think?" He asked.
Hunter merely shrugged and gave a nervous smile.
Krogan rolled his eyes. "Never mind. Just get to work."
Krogan then made his way outside and began to examine the huts.
"Now, which hut calls to me?" Krogan asked himself. He first looked at Astrid's and then his eyes turned to Snotlout's. "'S.' For 'Supreme Leader.' How appropriate." He smiled.
(Linebreak)
In the volcano, Viggo and the Dragon Hunter had managed to reach the ledge in the diving bell. They were now making their way down towards its base as they began looking for the Dragon Eye.
Viggo then saw it on the stone that he last saw the Dragon Eye. "There. I knew it," he said and then turned to the Dragon Hunter. "Hurry."
They then began to make their way quickly towards the rock jumping from ledge to ledge and avoiding the lava shooting out at random intervals. One of these random occurrences caught the Hunter off guard and he would have fallen into the lava if Viggo happened to turn around and grab him.
Viggo then pulled him back up onto the ledge and the Hunter looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Viggo. Krogan would have—" He started.
"I know all too well what Krogan would have done, what he has done." Viggo interrupted.
"I owe you my life." Hunter said.
"Perhaps someday you will repay me in some small way." Viggo offered before turning his attention onto the Dragon Eye. "Now, let's get what we came for, shall we?"
(Linebreak)
It was night when Hicca arrived at the island that once housed Spitelout's first storeroom. The storeroom itself was a burning wreck, but Hiccup was there for another reason.
"Well, Midnight, let's find what we came for," Hicca said..
Midnight growled disapproval. 'I don't like this plan.'
"I hear ya. I don't wanna tangle with these guys either, but what better place to learn about Singetails than here." Hicca reasoned.
'I still don't like this plan' Midnight growled again.
"Well if you've got another suggestion, Sally-complaints, I'm all ears." Hicca retorted.
Sadly, Midnight didn't and they flew down towards the island.
Once they landed they began walking through the forest trying to locate a Singetail and suddenly something jumped out of them. It only took Hiccup a few seconds to realize that it was a Monstrous Nightmare and immediately ran off looking a bit scared. 'Fly away! Fly away!' It roared.
A Monstrous Nightmare, one of the fiercest and mightest dragons she ever met, being scared made Hicca uneasy. "Uh, t-that thing looked, uh…" She started before they then heard a noise coming from the bushes and then saw a Singetail approaching them, "Scared, scared, scared!" she yelled.
Midnight quickly wrapped themselves with her wings disguising them as a rock just in time as the Singetail jumped out of the bushes and quickly passed them. Once it was safe, Midnight unfolded her wings.
"And I know exactly how that Monstrous Nightmare feels," Hicca breathed out relief.
Hicca picked herself up and began to walk away and Midnight immediately growled at her. It was clear that she wanted to get off the island as soon as possible.
"Oh, come on, girl. We both know we're following it." Hicca said, turning towards her. "We're here to follow it. So let's just get it over with."
'Oh goody.' Midnight growled in disappointment and followed Hicca reluctantly.
(Linebreak)
They soon found the Singetail and began to observe behind a bush. They watched it from a stream, it then slept on its back and then began a few leaves from a bush before falling back asleep again. It then awoke, drank from the stream and gargled.
"This thing is like Snotlout in dragon form." Hicca noted as Midnight watches boredly as she nodded in agreement with her rider. "Eat, sleep. Drink, sleep. Eat, sleep."
Then for the grand finale the Singetail farted, unleashing a burst of flames with a very foul-smelling odor from its rear as it gave a relief dragon-like smile. 'Oh yeah, that's good.'
'Gross.' Midnight warbled with a cringe.
"Oh. Too much like Snotlout." Hicca said while feeling disturbed from that as well.
The Singetail then laid back onto the ground and slept.
"Doesn't look so bad right now from what he's been doing each time." Hicca said. "I'm going in. Gotta try to bond with this guy." She then got up and made her way out of the bush.
Midnight immediately growled at her. 'Don't even try training that Fire-farter.'
Hicca looked at her with a calm and gentle face. "Oh, trust me, girl. I know. I'll be careful."
She then slowly started to make her way towards the Singetail, but then it woke up suddenly and approached her with a suspicious growl.
"Oh, hi, there," Hicca said, trying to remain as calm as possible as she slowly backed away. "How's it going? Uh, please don't kill me. I'll never hear the end of it from my dragon." She said as Midnight watches with a raised eyebrow and worried. Hicca then slowly extended her hand forward. "Now, what do you say you let me in on what you're all about?"
The Singetail's mouth opened and flames began to form inside of it. 'Or how about I fry you!'
Midnight could sense danger and immediately got ready for battle. 'Okay that's it!'
Hicca turned towards her. "Midnight, no!" She told her dragon.
Too late, Midnight had already jumped out of the bushes and pounced on the Singetail. They rolled across the ground until the Singetail threw her off its back and then fired a fireball directly at her, injuring her wing and sending her flying into the bushes opposite.
"Midnight!" Hicca cried.
The Singetail then turned its focus on her and Hicca ran as quickly as she could and began to chase after her with the inside of its mouth aflame.
"Oh, what am I doing?" Hicca asked herself. "Why don't I ever listen to my dragon? I usually see this kind of thing from Hiccup, but it happened to me this time!"
The Singetail was now in the air chasing after Hicca at full speed. Hicca then tripped on a small rock and fell to the ground causing the Singetail to fly over her harmlessly. She then rolled down a hill and landed face first into the ground.
Hicca quickly got up and ran through the forest and she could hear the roars of the Singetail close by. She immediately hid behind a bush and began panting heavily, but stopped when he heard movement close by. Hicca tried to remain as quiet as possible but she was breathing quite heavily.
However, she then heard nothing and then immediately poked her head out of the bushes to investigate and found nothing.
"All right, the coast is, uh…" She said, looking around to make sure that there was nothing hiding close by. "The coast is clear." Immediately jumped out of the bushes only to come face-to-face with the Singetail.
'Gotcha!' It roared.
"Oh! No, no, no! Coast is not clear. Coast is definitely not clear!" Hicca eyes widened as the Singetail opened its mouth preparing to burn her alive.