Chapter 70: Chain of Command
The Haddock twins, Raeda, and Snotlout were flying their way towards Wingmaiden Island, in order to inform Atali of a summit to discuss the treachery of Johann and what to do with the Dragon Eye Lenses that he was hunting.
Snotlout, however, was in a particularly foul mood and he wasn't shy about expressing it to the others. He kept on coughing to the Haddock twins, who did their best to ignore him, throughout the entire trip.
Snotlout then decided to take on the direct approach and looked at them upside down. "So you two wouldn't let me or Raeda take the Dragon Eye Lenses to the Defenders of the Wing Island because…?"
"Snotlout, we talk about this." Hicca said in annoyance.
"Astrid, Fishlegs, Henry, Valerie and the Thorston twins are setting up the summit meeting at Defenders of the Wing Island," Hiccup explained to his cousin, "While you, Raeda, Hicca and I—"
"Go pick up Atali, fill her in on Johann and take her there," Snotlout finished dully.
"Exactly," Hiccup nodded.
Snotlout then immediately flew right side up and looked at him again. "But why didn't I go set up the summit meeting? I mean, Astrid could be on escort duty." He told him.
"Apart from the fact that we needed someone with tact running the thing," Raeda muttered under her breath.
Hiccup looked directly at Snotlout. "Snotlout, what difference does it make?" He asked.
"Yeah, because it doesn't matter who goes where." Hicca added.
"I just like to know where I stand," Snotlout said.
"We need you here with us, okay, Snotlout?" Hiccup said, getting more than a little impatient.
"Oh, I get it now. You guys need me and my skills because the Wingmaidens, they love me. Do I have this right?" Snotlout asked with a smirk.
Hiccup shook his head. "Yes, Snotlout. You could not be more right."
"Who can say that again," Hicca grumbled.
Snotlout laughed as the two of them dived down. "Oh, I love being right." He said while following him.
Raeda then flew next to him, "Snotlout, we talked about this," She told him, "Just because you don't get the best job doesn't mean you're any less valuable on this team." She explained.
"Yeah, but sometimes it's just fun to have the best job." Snotlout pointed out.
Raeda sighed, "Yeah I agree, but maybe Hiccup and Hicca feel Astrid is better at keeping Mala and Dagur grounded." She suggested.
Snotlout tried to argue but he couldn't, "Well, maybe having the best jobs makes me feel like the others don't care less that I'm not on this team." He said before diving down after the Haddock Twins.
"That's not true!" Raeda said though Snotlout didn't hear her. She then looked down a bit sullenly, "I care about you." She whispered as Sparkfire squawked at her in concern. She then shook her head and dove after her friends.
(Linebreak)
Eventually they reached Wingmaiden Island, and the Haddock twins wasted no time in informing Atali of Johann's betrayal.
Clearly Atali was just as surprised as anyone. "Trader Johann? I assume you did not see that one coming." She said in surprise.
Hiccup and Hicca exchanged looks, because in a way they didn't see it coming. "You're not wrong." Hicca said.
Snotlout then stepped forward. "You also like being right." he commented.
"Trust us, it surprised us too when we found out." Raeda added in agreement.
Atali looked at a Wingmaiden as she cuddled a baby Razorwhip. "He is a threat of most serious proportions, not only for you, the Berserkers and Defenders of the Wing, but to us Wingmaidens and is as well as our sacred mission."
"Which is why we need you at this summit meeting," Hiccup explained.
"We're gathering the leaders of all our allies to come up with a plan to deal with the hunters." Raeda told her, "Minus dad and Alvin of course."
"Dagur and Mala have already agreed to it and we seriously need to discuss what to do with the Dragon Eye Lenses." Hicca said as she stepped forward. "Johann is looking for something called the King of Dragons, why we don't know, but in order to find that he needs seven specific lenses and we have three of them."
Atali nodded and looked at a brown haired Wingmaiden. "Minden…"
Minden stepped forward. "I'll prepare to accompany you on the journey, Atali."
"Actually, Nadia will be joining me." Atlai said, gesturing to a blonde Wingmaiden. "She has the diplomatic skills necessary."
Minden clearly couldn't accept it. "But, Atali, I can be extremely effective." She insisted.
"I have no doubt, Minden." Atali gently said as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "However, I need you here. Wingmaiden Island must be defended."
Minden nodded. "Yes, of course, but, Atali, I can do this!" She said.
Atali raised her hand. "Minden, please. I have made my decision. Begin with fortification on the east side of the island. We are at our highest alert level." She said in finality.
Minden groaned as she looked at Nadia, she then looked back at Atali and nodded.
Snotlout then approached her. "Passing over for the skinny blonde? Been there." He stated.
Minden looked at him briefly and then flew off.
The Haddock twins and Raeda then immediately looked at him.
"Snotlout, seriously?" Hicca questioned.
Snotlout groaned knowing what they wanted him to do. "Oh, my Thor."
"Come on, Snotlout. I'm coming with you to make sure you don't end Razorwhip food, again." Raeda said.
"Okay, fine." Snotlout simply said as he and Raeda then quickly mounted their dragons and took off.
Atali then approached Hiccup and Hicca. "Haddocks, you both and your dragons should rest while I prepare for the journey ahead."
"Sure thing, Atali. It has been a long flight." Hicca said as Hiccup nodded in agreement.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile at Defender of the Wing Island, Astrid had already prepared the summit and Mala and Dagur were already sitting down at the table.
"Once Hiccup and Hicca arrive with Atali, we've got to figure out a strategy to deal with the Flyers and now Johann." Astrid said and then she pulled out Hiccup's saddle containing the Dragon Eye Lenses. "Until then, we have to find a safe place to keep the Dragon Eye Lenses."
"We can't keep them on Berk, way too obvious." Henry stated, "And Outcast Island has too many shady prisoners that could tip Johann off about where we're keeping them."
"May I suggest we place them inside our volcano." Mala offered. "It's far from the easiest location to access."
Dagur chuckled slightly. "Inside an active volcano? That's what you're proposing?" He asked sarcastically.
Mala narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes." She said simply.
"Well, what happens when, you know, it erupts?" Dagur questioned.
"If it erupts, we have the Eruptodon to manage its lava flow." Mala pointed out.
"'If', 'when,' same thing really." Dagur then immediately turned towards her questionably. "And you're sure your 'Great Protector' can handle a full-scale eruption?" Mala remained completely silent and Dagur smiled as that answered his question. "Of course you're not. Berserker Island is the obvious choice. Our Berserker guards—"
"Allowed a coup to take place right under their noses," Mala pointed out with a small smile. "I do have that correct, right?"
Dagur was now looking at her with a small furious chuckle. "This one thinks she's got it all figured out. She really has nothing to figure out!"
Astrid and Henry could immediately sense the tension.
"Okay, maybe bringing these two together might not have been the best idea." Henry whispered to Astrid as she nodded in agreement as the two quickly intervened.
"Okay, let's just all calm down for a second." Astrid said calmly.
Dagur then quickly turned on them which made them all jump. "I'm calm!" he shouted as Astrid and Henry reeled back, Fishlegs and Valerie stiffed and the Thorston twins held onto each other. "Do I not look calm? I mean, I'm not crazy. It's her, right? I mean, look at me." He gestured to Mala who smiled in amusement at him.
Astrid and Henry immediately turned to Fishlegs, who was more of an expert in this kind of situation. "Fishlegs, a little help?" Henry insisted.
"We've got this," Fishlegs.
Fishlegs then immediately got up and then turned to Meatlug. "Meatlug, drop spin." Meatlug then cheerfully began spinning around creating a circle in the dirt and Fishlegs approached it. "This is what I like to call 'common ground'. Won't you join me?"
Dagur and Mala looked at one another and found that the request was quite unusual.
(Linebreak)
At Wingmaiden Island, it was night and Minden was still fuming slightly that Atali didn't choose to accompany her to the summit. Snotlout was currently flying beside her, but in retrospect he probably wasn't the wisest person to advise her while Raeda was helping the other Maidens patrol the island.
"How can Atali not trust me to go with her?" Minden asked angrily. "I mean, Nadia? Seriously? What does she have that I don't?"
"You're speaking my lingo, Mindo, but that's the way of the world," Snotlout said. "Our leaders give the important jobs to the skinny blondes and give us dumb tasks to keep us busy and want us to be appreciative. You ask me, I think they're scared of being shown up by true warriors. But it isn't going to change. I mean, there's a way it's supposed to be and a way that it is."
Minden shook her head. "I can't accept that. I won't accept that." She stated.
"If you don't accept it, it will eat away at you until it rips you in two," said Snotlout as he performed certain gestures with his hand. "And trust me—"
"Minden! Minden!" A voice cried down.
They looked down and saw a Wingmaiden waving at them and immediately flew down towards her.
Once they were close enough the Wingmaiden began to explain the situation. "A fire has broken out on the west side of the island. And it's spreading quickly!"
Snotlout grunted. "I'll go get Hiccup, Hicca and Raeda."
Minden then quickly stopped him. "Snotlout, no!" She stated.
"What do you mean 'no'?" Snotlout frowned.
"What if this is my chance?" Minda questioned. "What if this is my moment to prove her wrong, to prove that I can handle things on my own?"
Snotlout. "Yeah. Look, I've had the same thoughts, okay? But it doesn't work like that!" He said.
Minden however ignored him and immediately rushed towards the Wingmaiden. "Round up all the guards and meet me on the west side of the island."
The Wingmaiden frowned. "All guards?"
"Everyone. Together, under my guidance, we will stop this fire." Minden stated.
Snotlout looked down at Hookfang and had a feeling that this was not going to go exactly as she imagined. 'You just had to say something?' Hookfang stated.
(Linebreak)
As ordered every single guard immediately rushed towards the west side of the island where there was indeed a forest fire. They were all carrying buckets of water and flying as quickly as they could towards the fire, with Raeda there as well as she heard from Minda and Snotlout.
"I'm not so sure about this plan of Minden's." Raeda stated as she flew next to Snotlout.
Snotlout however had his doubts as well. "Yeah, I don't know about this either, Mindo. That fire is huge. Huge!"
Minden turned around and looked at the Wingmaidens. "Wingmaidens, fire line formation!"
The Wingmaidens then immediately took up a formation and dived down towards the fire and then dropped the buckets of water down onto the flames. Over Wingmaidens began to dig trenches in order to stop the fire's advance and pull up any shrubbery so the fire wouldn't spread.
"Fire break complete, Minden!" A Wingmaiden called.
Snotlout landed and doused the last of the flames with his bucket of water and Minden approached him.
"You see, Snotlout and Raeda? We didn't need Hiccup, Hicca or Atali," she smiled. "This will surely show her that I am more than capable of—"
Suddenly they heard several explosions and immediately turned and saw that the village was under attack.
"That came from the village!" Raeda called out in shock.
(Linebreak)
At the village, Hiccup and Hicca dashed out of the hut they were sleeping in upon hearing the explosions. They just got out when suddenly the entire place exploded into flames, the two of them, Toothless and Midnight were sent flying into the air and landed on one of the bridges.
Hiccup looked up and saw Flyers directly overhead. "Oh, no."
"The Flyers are here!" Hicca called out.
Atali landed next to them looking a bit frantic. "Where's Minden? And the guards?"
"We'll draw them away," Hiccup said , looking at her. "You stay here and protect the Razorwhips."
"We'll handle the Flyers." Hicca added.
Atali shook her head. "No. Haddocks, this is my island. I will defend it."
The Haddock twins decided not to argue and they immediately mounted their dragons and took off with Atali following close behind. The Flyers immediately began firing at them and quickly avoided the fireballs and Toothless and Midnight began to fire back.
Toothless took down one Flyers with a plasma blast and Midnight knocked a Flyers off his Singetail with her tail. A Flyer tried to attack Hiccup while his back was turned, but the timely arrival of Snotlout and a fire blast stopped him before he could get a chance while Raeda did the same with Hicca when a Flyer was gonna blast her..
The Haddock twins looked around and saw Snotlout, Raedaand Minden heading straight towards them. "Where were you guys?" Hiccup questioned.
"We were—" said Snotlout as he tried to come up with a pretty good excuse. "It wasn't me, Hiccup. I was trying to stop her." He gestured to Minden before Raeda smacked him, upside on the head. "Ow!" He yelled.
"Minden told us to stop a huge fire out in the forest." Raeda explained to them.
"Ah, okay." Hicca nodded in understanding before they dodged a fireball coming from a Singetail above them while Sparkfire shot some spine shots from her tail to knock some Flyers off their dragons.
Atali then immediately knocked him out cold before he had a chance to fire back and Minden did the same thing to another Flyer. Atali looked at Minden looking a bit furious. "Why were the guards not in place?" She demanded.
"They were with me." Minden answered.
"Doing what, Minden?" Atali demanded, since not hearing what Raeda just explained to the Haddock twins.
"Putting out a fire on the west of the island." Minda answered again.
"A fire?" Atali sighed. "Minden, that was a diversion, a trap. You fell right into it and left us completely—" Then from out of nowhere a Flyer struck her baby Razor with a fireball when she began falling down towards the ground.
"Atali!" Minden cried before a fireball struck her as well.
Thankfully she was able to block it with her spear, but ended up losing it upon impact.
Atali on the other hand was still falling and her Razorwhip had hurt it's wing and was futile trying to fly.
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled and immediately they dived down towards her.
Flyers began firing more fireballs directly towards them as they flew down towards Atali. But with some fancy maneuvers they caught Atali before she struck the ground. He then immediately flew back up towards Minden looking a bit exhausted and relieved.
"All right, that was close," Hiccup sighed in relief.
"We still got some Flyers around." Hicca reminded him.
The Wingmaiden guards had finally returned, but the Flyers now had the clear advantage and prevented any of them from getting anywhere close to them. Minden saw Raeda and Snotlout doing everything they could to support them, but there's no way they were going to win this.
"Full retreat! Protect the newborns!" Minden ordered her fellow Wing Maidens.
The Wingmaidens then immediately flew down and grabbed all the newly born Razorwhips before they were struck down by fireballs. With all safety immediately flew away from the village as quickly as they could, but some of the Flyers gave chase.
They immediately began firing fireballs towards them and quickly they flew down into the trees to give themselves more cover. "We need a distraction!" Hicca said.
Raeda then has a thought. "Snotlout! Wanna do our combo move?" She asked with a smirk.
Snotlout then gave a smirk. "Ohohoh! Yes please!" He cheered.
Snotlout and Raeda then flew up over the trees and shouted their attacks at the Flyers, Sparkfire shot her spine shots while Hookfang sent a stream of fire as the two attacks combined and hit many Flyers, knocking them down as the Singetails flew away.
"The old Blazing Needle moves. Never get tired of that." Snotlout said with a smile.
"And a powerful attack to push back these posers." Raeda added with a smirk.
Minden then quickly led them towards a cliff on the mountainside and gestured towards the cavern entrance.
"Quick! In here!" she ordered.
Everyone then immediately flew into the cavern and the Flyers flew past them without them noticing them.
(Linebreak)
Once inside, Hiccup and Minden carefully placed Atali on the ground and Hicca immediately grabbed his medical supplies from his satchel. Hicca immediately removed the Razorwhip from Atali's back, 'That hurt.' It squealed.
"Shh, it's okay," Hicca eased to it calmly. "We're here to help." She then placed the Razorwhip on Midnight's back and it immediately began to nuzzle her head cheerfully.
Hiccup then turned to Hicca. "How does she look?" He asked.
"Bad, bro. She took a direct blow." Hicca said as she examined Atali. "She is still breathing though, I'll do what I can but there's no way of knowing when she's gonna walk up."
Minden shook her head in disbelief. "Why are they attacking us?" She asked.
"They're looking for Dragon Eye Lens," Hiccup quickly concluded. He then immediately pulled out a lens and showed it to Minden. "Minden, we need to know you have one of these hidden somewhere on the island."
"Johann, Krogan and Viggo are searching for them on every island in the Archipelago. If they are attacking here, then that means one of the lenses is here." Hicca said while tending to Atali. "If they get all seven of these, they'll have a map to a powerful dragon called the King of Dragon."
Minden looked at it and Snotlout and Raeda saw a glint in her eye. "No. I've never seen one before," she said.
"Well, thank Thor for that," Hiccup said in relief.
"Make sense." Hicca said in relief as well. "The Dragon Eye was created many years ago, probably from Viggo's family line, so you wouldn't have known about the lenses." She added.
Snotlout and Raeda, however, looked at her curiously. They looked at each other and nodded.
"So what do we do now?" Minden asked the Haddock Twins.
"I'm going to send a terror-mail to the Defenders of the Wing," said Hiccup as he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. "Hopefully Astrid, Henry and the other Riders will get here in time."
"That if the submit meating isn't keeping them that busy." Hicca said.
As Hiccup wrote the message, Snotlout pulled Minden to one side as he and Raeda looked directly at her. "Hey. Why are you lying?" He asked.
Minden stared at him. "I'm not lying." She said brushing her hair out of the way.
Raeda folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, sorry Minden but you forget you're talking to the biggest liar in the archipelago and a girl who grew up with him. I can smell a lie a mile away." She said.
"Yeah. You got a Dragon Eye Lens on the island, don't you?" Snotlout questioned.
Minden just looked to the ground in silence answering his question.
Snotlout chuckled. "We knew it." He declared.
"We have to tell Hiccup and Hicca. They need to know this." Raeda said as Snotlout nodded.
They were about to go and inform Hiccup, but Minden stopped him. "Snotlout, Raeda, don't. Look, I'll get the Lens before the Dragon Flyers can find it." She told them.
"That is a terrible idea." Snotlout said.
"You can't do this alone." Raeda added.
"I need to redeem myself." Minden insisted.
"Minden, it's not worth the risk." Snotlout tried to reason.
"You can't just risk your life to get the lens." Raeda added in agreement.
"It is to me. I need to do this, guys." Minden pleaded.
Snotlout and Raeda could sympathize with her in her predicament and then they noticed her walking out of the cave. Minden looked back as Hicca continued her treatment on Atali and her face was very grave.
When she turned around she found Snotlout and Raeda looking down at her on top of Hookfang and Sparkfire. "If this goes south—and trust us, it's gonna go south—you are going to have to tell Hiccup and Hicca that we tried really, really hard to talk you out of it, got it?" Snotlout asked with a smile.
"Yeah, they are understandable when you explain this to them." Raeda added with a small smile.
Minden looked at them and smiled. Snotlout nodded before he walked out of the cave. As Raeda turned to him with a smile, Minden noticed, "You certainly have an interesting choice of men, Raeda." Minden commented as Raeda's eyes widened.
"How did you-" Raeda asked in panic.
Minden chuckled quietly, "I could see the look in your eyes that you see Snotlout more than just a friend."
"Am I that obvious?" Raeda asked while blushing in embarrassment.
Minden stared at Snotlout, "He is quite an impressive looking young man." She admitted.
"I guess, if you like the bragging, clueless yet surprisingly loyal and sincere Monstrous Nightmare Riding Viking type." Raeda admitted with a small smile, before shaking her head. "B-but let's just get that lens before the Flyers do!" She quickly said as she flew ahead.
Minden gave a small teasing smile with a chuckle.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile at Defend of the Wing Island, Dagur and Mala were inside the circle arguing with their backs facing one another.
"You know, I have never seen an argument this long with Mala in years." Henry commented.
"I can tell. This gotta be a new record." Astrid said as they watched the argument.
Fishlegs just stood there putting his fingers on his temple looking as if he was about to go crazy as they continued to argue over one another.
"Okay, I understand what you're saying." Fishlegs said. "Dagur, Mala wants you to know that she's been through more conflicts than you have hairs on your head."
Dagur then immediately narrowed his eyes and turned to Mala. "Oh, my hairline, really? Oh, well, um, sorry, it was on my father's side. You can tell Miss Conquest over there that although she hopes her plan works, hope is, in fact, not a strategy."
Mala then immediately turned on Dagur fuming. "Ugh!" She screamed.
"I think she heard you." Fishlegs said as he nearly got deafened by Mala's yells of frustration.
"Oh boy. Here comes Mala's rant." Henry said as he had a feeling what came next.
Mala marched up to Dagur, who immediately covered his ears and soon they began arguing and overlapping one another.
TheThorston twins then stepped forward and brought Fishlegs out of the circle.
"Fishlegs, Fishlegs, Fishlegs," said Tuffnut shaking his head. "Obviously mediation isn't your forte."
"Obvi," Ruffnut agreed. "What you need are professionals."
"And it just so happens that Ruff and I have mediated every Thorston family squabble since before we could talk. Yeah, we did a couple in the old womb." Tuffnut then looked at Fishlegs reassuringly. "Don't you worry. We'll have the situation under control before you can say…"
"Tightrope," said Ruffnut.
Fishlegs frowned at them. "Tight what?"
(Linebreak)
Seconds later the Thorston twins had erected a robe and Mala and Dagur were standing upon it with spears in their hands.
"Tightrope," Ruffnut said.
"The first one to knock the other off the rope wins!" Tuffnut said.
He then tossed a spear to Mala who looked anxious about fighting Dagur, who was equally as anxious.
"Tightrope." Ruffnut said repeatedly.
Astrid looked at the two of them. "Uh, do you two even know what 'mediation' means?"
"Yeah, the act of spending time in quiet for to reflection." Tuffnut said.
"Usually in resulting in clarity of mind and relaxed bowels," Ruffnut added.
"Uh, that's meditation, sort of." Astrid said.
"Yeah, that really was the meaning of it to calm and relax." Henry added with a bored expression.
"Hold on, hold on," said Tuffnut looking directly at her. "Who's the authority on mediation—you or us? And who is the authority of relaxed bowels? Ruffnut."
Ruffnut then gave off a small fart.
Tuffnut nodded as if that proved his point. "I thought so."
Astrid groaned while Henry gave a sigh from this. "Where's Hicca and Hiccup when you need them?" He asked himself as he rubbed his head.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile Snotlout, Raeda and Minden had exited the cave and were now searching for the Dragon Eye Lens while avoiding the Flyers.
Minden had led them to a large canyon at the mountain peak. "It's down there." she told them.
Snotlout and Raeda looked at the canyon which looked as it went down for miles. "Down there as in how far down?"
"As in all the way down," Minden answered. "It's impossible to reach without flight."
Snotlout looked at her. "Yeah, I could see that." He said.
"Get it together, Snotlout, we need to get that lens." Raeda said and she immediately took off and dived into the canyon.
Hookfang looked at him and chuckled slightly. 'Girls two, Snotlout zip.' He chuffed.
"Keep it to yourself, okay?" Snotlout snapped.
They flew deeper into the canyon until they finally reached the bottom and that's when they found something that resembled a shrine. In the exact center was a statue of a Razorwhip with a torch basket on top, which Minden lit.
The entire cavern then immediately illuminated and that's when Snotlout saw a mosaic which depicted a Razorwhip apparently being hailed by a group of Wingmaidens.
"Wow." Snotlout said, not able to come up with any better words.
"'Wow' is right." Raeda said in amazement.
They then immediately hopped off their dragons and examined some rocks with the inscriptions of Razorwhips.
"These are cool." Snotlout said, looking at the rocks.
"Yeah," Raeda added, looking at the drawings, "Minden, what do these inscriptions mean?"
"When a Razorwhip falls in battle, we pay homage to them." Minden explained. "It's said that the spirits of fallen dragons haunt this shrine. If you listen closely you can even hear their calls."
Snotlout immediately stepped back from the markers and looked at her nervously. "I'm not that psyched about a haunting right now. Or ever. No offense." He said.
Raeda smirked and then leaned close to Snotlout, "Grrr, Grrrrr!" She growled ominously as Snotlout jumped in fright with a slight pitch scream and she laughed, "Hahaha! Why so jumpy Jorgenson?" She joked.
Snotlout gave a glare at Raeda as Minden chuckled from that. "Shut up, Raeda!" He yelled as he turned to Minden, "Seriously, don't we have a lens to find?" He asked in irritation.
Minden smiled and then flew over towards the mosaic and hovered towards the eye of the Razorwhip painted upon it.
Snotlout shook his head in disbelief. "Really? The Lens is in the eye?"
"Well, a lens was in a sculpture during the whole Tuffnut turning into a Lycanwing thing." Raeda recalled.
"Good point." Snotlout admitted.
However, Minden then placed a mirror on the eye and immediately reflected the rays of the sun that shone down into the canyon. The light then began making its way across the shrine as if some sort of beacon.
Snotlout looked up at her. "You know, we'd figured you guys would be way…" He then stopped himself when he and Midnen saw Minden flying over towards the beam of right and immediately extended her hand through a small crack. She then pulled out a Dragon Eye Lens, "...better than that."
"Okay, that is pretty amazing." Raeda said.
The three of them just smiled at one another.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile Hiccup was attending to the infant Razorwhip and created a splint for its wing. Hicca was still tending to Atali when the entire cavern shook violently.
"Snotlout, Raeda, Minden!" Hiccup called once again the cavern shock. "Snotlout! Raeda!" It soon occurred to him that neither of them were here. "Oh, perfect." He then immediately looked at Hicca and the Wingmaidens. "Hicca, stay here. Defend Atali and the Razorwhips. Do not let anyone in here but me."
"Understand, bro. Be careful out there." Hicca said in concern as Hiccup nodded.
Midnight nuzzled Toothless, 'Be careful dear.' She cooed
'I will, Midnight. I promise.' Toothless cooed back as he nuzzled his mate back.
Immediately, Hiccup mounted Toothless and took off and immediately flew towards the Flyers that were pelting the cavern with fireballs.
"We gotta get these guys away from the Wingmaidens," Hiccup looked down at Toothless.
Toothless then fired a plasma blast and not one of the Flyers of his Singetail. He managed to grab hold of the reins, but his Singetail was now flying off on its own and he screamed as he was carried away. The second Flyer immediately turned towards him and immediately he turned around and flew down into the forest.
Hiccup turned around and saw more Flyers had joined him and he was really wishing Snotlout was here. "Snotlout, Raeda, I could really use your help right about now."
(Linebreak)
It was at that point that Snotlout, Raeda and Minden flew out of the canyon and they were very cheerful about it.
"Snotlout! We did it!" Minden smiled victoriously.
Snotlout then heard something and looked down to find Hiccup being chased by Flyers. "Have you ever heard the expression, 'Let's not start slapping each other's yaks just yet'?"
Minden frowned at the statement. "I don't believe so, but I'm guessing it's not good."
"Yup. It looks like Hiccup needs back-up." Raeda said in worry.
Snotlout then immediately dived down towards Hiccup and Raeda and Minden quickly followed.
(Linebreak)
Hiccup has been carefully flying higher into the air and the Flyers were following him without realizing their Singetails weren't used to high altitude..
"That's it, bud. Climb higher!" Hiccup told Toothless as they got higher and immediately the Flyers found themselves losing altitude and Hiccup smiled. "Yeah!"
He then looked up and glared, because Krogan's Titan Wing Singetail had appeared rather nowhere. He quickly began to pull on his saddle to avoid a midair collision and quickly regained stability and floated directly beneath him.
Krogan smiled. "Well, what a pleasant surprise." He said.
Snotlout, Raeda and Minden had just arrived to see Hiccup completely swarmed and worst of all Krogan was now leading them.
"We're too late!" Snotlout said.
"And Krogan is here!" Raeda called out.
Krogan then tossed a bola and wrapped itself around Hiccup and the impact caused him to fall off of Toothless. Then a Flyer appeared and immediately grabbed him.
"Hiccup!" Raeda yelled.
"No!" Minden cried as they immediately rushed in.
To make matters worse Toothless was no longer able to make any maneuvers so he was easy enough to capture when a net fell over him and a Flyer began to carry him. Minden quickly spun around to avoid a fireball and immediately flew towards Hiccup's capture.
Unfortunately, The Flyer saw this and immediately spun around swatting her with the Singetail's tail and then fired a fireball which was aiming directly towards her.
"Minden!" Snotlout cried as he immediately dived down towards her.
Hookfang arrived just in time to shield Minden and took the immediate blow. Hookfang spun around and Snotlout grabbed Minden and pulled her onto his saddle.
"We got you," said Snotlout looking at her. He then looked down at Hookfang. "Dive, Hookfang, dive!"
"Snotlout, we gotta save Toothless and Hiccup!" Raeda called out.
"Agreed. Let's go!" Snotlout yelled out.
They immediately flew down towards the trees, but as they did so Hookfang's wing got struck by a fireball and ended up crashing into the woods.
"Snotlout!" Raeda yelled out in worry as Sparkfire dodge another fireball before they flew into the trees, out of sight.
The Flyers were about to fly down to apprehend them, but Krogan stopped them. "Leave them," he ordered. "The boy and his dragon will serve our purpose."
"But what about the girl?" One of the flyers asked.
"Oh you need not worry about her," Krogan assured him, "There is nothing she won't do for her worthless brother." He added with a smirk.
They then flew off carrying both Hiccup and Toothless away.
On the ground, Snotlout picked himself up and immediately panicked upon seeing a wounded Hookfang.
"Hookfang!" Snotlout cried.
Hookfang gave him a groan. 'I'm pretty bang up. I can't fly, Snotlout.' He groaned.
"Snotlout!" Raeda called out as she and Sparkfire came to him and Hookfang. "Are you and Hookfang okay?" She asked in concern as she got off of Sparkfire.
"I'm fine, but it looks like Hookfang is gonna be grounded for a while." Snotlout said, gesturing to Hookfang.
"Well that's just great." Raeda sighs.
"I know, Hiccup's captured, Atali's wounded and Hookfang is out of commission. We got to think of a plan." Snotlout listed.
"But what? We are outnumbered and Hicca is too busy tending to Atali's wounds." Raeda pointed out. "And I don't think she'll be happy if she finds out Hiccup is captured by Krogan, again. The same goes to Midnight about Toothless."
"I know. I'm sure she'll think of something." Snotlout said as they then turned and looked at Minden, who just stood there with her back towards him. "Minden! Hello? We could really use you right now."
"I have failed, you two." MIden said shamefully. "I have failed Atali, and I have failed my tribe."
"Whoa, okay, Minden. That's a little bit over dramatic, right?" Raeda asked.
"Yeah." Snotlout said in agreement. "We can talk about that later. But right now—"
"All this is because of me, because of the choices I've made." Minden said as she then began to remove her Razorwhip from her back, much to Snotlout and Raeda's horror.
"No, no, no, what are you doing?" Snotlout asked, panicking.
"You can't possibly think about that, are you?" Raeda said.
Minden looked at the baby Razorwhip. "I'm sorry, little one. I am no longer worthy of the responsibility. I have dishonored you." She then looked at Snotlout and Raeda. "You and Raeda were right, Snotlout. It is pointless to try. I shall be a Wingmaiden no more."
Miden then immediately released the Razorwhip and then began flying towards Snotlout.
"Oh, no." Snotlout siad, panicking as the Razorwhip clung onto his back. "You're messing with us, right? This is some Wingmaiden practical joke thing. Ha-ha. I get it. Funny. Weird, but funny."
"I don't think she's joking, Snotlout." Raeda said with a concerned look.
Minden looked at him and then turned around and walked away.
"Minden, don't do this!" Snotlout pleaded.
Minden kept on walking.
"Minden please, we need all the help we can get!" Raeda told her but Minden just kept walking. Raeda just groaned and rushed to Hookfang, "Snotlout, help me get Hookfang back on his feet and get him somewhere safe while we go back for Minden."
With no other choice, Snotlout began helping Raeda make a splint for Hookfang's wing, but he was a little more occupied with the baby Razorwhip on his back.
He then looked back at Raeda and their dragons. "Okay. This is bad, Hooky. Minden quit, somehow because of me, although you can back me up—I did nothing." He said.
Raeda looked at him with a raised brow, "You're kidding right?" She asked.
Hookfang looked at him, 'Snotlout, forget about me, go after Minden.' He snorted.
Snotlout shook his head firmly. "Not a chance. I'm not going after her. I've got my own problems."
The baby Razorwhip poked his head out and looked at him and gave a small screech.
"Oh, you really want to chime in?" Snotlout asked.
Immediately the Razorwhip bit onto his arm and he cried out in pain. A split second later, it then flapped his wings and lifted Snotlout into the air. Hookfang, Sparkfire and Raeda just watched as they flew out of the forest and Hookfang snorted slightly.
"Even a baby Razorwhip agrees with us." Raeda said with a chuckle before turning to the dragons. "Come on, you two. Let's follow him." She said as she ran after Snotlout.
Hookfang then turned to, 'How am I gonna move with a bad wing?' He growled as he used his wings to not just fly but also walk.
Sparkfire knew one way but she snorted, knowing she wasn't going to like it.
(Linebreak)
Minden was leaning against a tree when she heard Snotlout's screams, then to her amazement she saw Snotlout flying around like a headless Nadder with Raeda running behind him and Sparkfire, who was carrying Hookfang right behind her.
'This is embarrassing.' Sparkfire squawked in annoyance.
'This was your idea, Sparkfire.' Hookfang snorted in amusement.
"Oh, gods! Oh no!" Snotlout cried as he flew around like crazy.
"Easy Snotlout! Easy!" Raeda called as she ran to catch him.
The Razorwhip then dropped him right at Minden's feet and he laughed at her nervously. "I don't know how to control this thing. It pretty much does whatever it wants." He said as the Razorwhip then landed back on his back and lifted him into the air once again and then promptly dropped him.
Raeda snorted a bit as she walked up to him, "Yeah that much is obvious." She said, helping Snotlout up.
Once Snotlout was on his feet, immediately the Razorwhip attached itself to his back and he looked at Raeda. "You saw that, right?" He asked.
"You mean you're flying around like a blind baby dragon? Yes, yes I did." Raeda joked as Snotlout grumbled and Sparkfire set Hookfang down.
'Thanks Sparkfire.' Hookfang growled as Sparkfire panted a bit.
'Don't mention it.' Sparkfire told him before narrowing her eyes and extending her tail spines, 'Seriously, don't.' Hookfang wisely kept his mouth shut.
Minden however was still depressed and didn't say a word as she looked at her feet.
Raeda and Snotlout gave sympathetic looks as they both nodded and walked up to her as they sat on each of Minden's sides.
"Minden, listen, we think we may have gotten our signals crossed here." Snotlout said. "I never told you it was okay to just quit." He added."Minden didn't say a word as she kept looking down.
Raeda turned to Snotlout as she moved her hands. "Come on, Snotlout, just say it." She encouraged me.
"All right, here it is." Snotlout said, swallowing his pride. "Quitting, as good as it feels and as little effort as it requires, never works. All right, here it is. Quitting, as good as it feels and as little effort as it requires, never works. I've quit the Dragon Riders so many times, so I speak from experience." He confessed.
"Trust us, this muttonhead has done it plenty of times." Raeda commented, pointing to Snotlout.
"Shut up Raeda." Snotlout told her.
"But Atali, she doesn't respect me," said Minden looking at them.
"She gave you the most important job of all—to defend the whole island while she was gone," Raeda pointed out. "That proves how much she trusts you."
Minden frowned. "But Snotlout, you said I was passed over for a blonde." She said as she got to her feet, turned her back to them and folded her arms.
"And you listen to me?" Snotlout laughed as he rose to his feet. "I'm an idiot. Ask anyone."
Raeda blinked in surprise that Snotlout would say that about himself.
The Razorwhip then suddenly jumped on Snotlout's head and looked as if it was gonna fly off with his helmet.
"Give me that!" Snotlout snapped as he tried to grab the little guy and Raeda snickered.
She then turned to Minden, "And right now, Atali and your tribe need you now more than ever."
"I don't know," Minden said, still unsure.
"Look, this is it right here," Snotlout said, looking at her strongly. "This is your moment. Maybe not your moment of glory, but the moment you decide what's most important to you—your own feelings or the vow you made to these women," He gestured to the island and then to the Razorwhip on his back, "And all these dragons."
Raeda was amazed by how serious and inspiring Snotlout was being right now, it was actually pretty impressive.
"Wow, Snotlout." Minden said in surprise at Snotlout's behavior as well. "I've never been spoken to like that."
"Well, I'm sorry, but-" Snotlout tried to apologize, thinking once again he said the wrong words.
"No. I-I like it." Minden said with a small smile. "It's so honest, sincere."
"Yeah, same here." Raeda said with a smile as well. "Those are probably the most inspiring words I ever heard you say, Snotlout." She added.
"Well, I am known for my sincerity." Snotlout said, having experienced sincerity in the past so many times, he knows how to handle it. "And I had a little help from a good friend of mine." He added while looking at the Henderson girl.
Raeda just gave a smirk to Snotlout as she spoke. "Which I gave back to you only after you helped me get my head on straight during the whole Screaming Death Missio " She said with a small smile.
"Touché." Snotlout shrugged.
Sparkfire then walked towards Raeda and nudged her from the back with a smirk while gesturing to Snotlout.
Raeda blushed a bit, knowing if she's gonna do this, she had to do it now. She walked up to Snotlout while looking really embarrassed. "Snotlout, I'm gonna do something really crazy and that I should've done a long time ago. But you better keep this between until I'm ready." She quickly said firmly.
"Wha?" Snotlout asked in confusion.
"Just promise you ever mention this to anyone!" Raeda snapped.
"Okay, okay! I promise! I promise!" Snotlout quickly said with his hands raised while looking at Raeda in confusion. "What are you gonna do?" He asked.
"This." Raeda answered with a smile as she grabbed Snotlout's tunic and pulled him towards her as she touched her lips with his, kissing him as Snotlout looked in surprise while Minden just smiled at the two with her hands on her hips.
Sparkfire smiled proudly at her rider while Hookfang looked on with wide eyes and his jaw dropped and Sparkfire closed it with her tail.
Raeda ended the kiss as she separated from Snotlout while looking away with a huge blush on her face while Snotlout just stood there, speechless. "Uh..." He said in shock as his mind tried to process what just happened. "Y-you, just, kiss," he mumbled dumbly.
Raeda just looked away from him with a smile before she hit Snotlout in the shoulder, which snapped him out of his shock state. "Consider it as a way of thank you for helping Minden out, and also my way of showing you that you may be an arrogant, bragging muttonhead, but also, a lot more than that." Raeda told him earnestly.
"W-wait, y-you mean, you, me?" Snotlout asked in disbelief, pointing to himself after pointing to her. Raeda nodded as Snotlout tried to grasp what he just realized, "Oh Thor."
Raeda just placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'll explain it better back on the Edge, but for now, let's focus on getting these Flyers out of here, okay?" She asked.
"Uh... okay." Snotlout uttered out as Minden walked off in front of the two Riders as she smiled with a thoughtful look.
"All right, let's think." Minden said, trying to think of a plan.
The Razorwhip then began to flap its wings, much to Snotlout's annoyance. "Hey, while you're thinking, could you get this thing off of me?"
Minden then whistled and the Razorwhip then immediately flew off of Snotlout and we attached itself to Minden's back.
Snotlout stared at her. "Wait, all Razorwhip can do that?"
"Yep," Minden nodded as she cuddled the Razorwhip as she then whistled again and the Razrowhip flew back over to Snotlout and that gave him an idea.
Raeda notices it as she smirks. "You are having an idea, Snotlout?" She asked with a smirk.
Snotlout then smiled and rubbed his chin, "I believe I am." He said.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile on Defender of the Wing Island, the Thorston twins were now subjecting Dagur and Mala to a new form of what they thought of mediation. Dagur was now blindfolded and Mala was guiding him as they began walking over the giant lava pool.
"Okay forward." Mala instructed. "Carefully, carefully." She then immediately stopped him before he put his foot into the lava. "No, no, no. Don't go left."
"Oh, oh!" said Dagur nervously as they finally reached the other side.
Dagur looked immensely relieved, but they weren't quite over yet as Ruffnut approached Mala with a blindfold.
Mala then tipped backwards and began falling down from the cliff and Dagur caught her in his arms before she landed in the lava.
"Caught you, Mala," he said as he lifted her up right. "Not as bony as I thought you were." He commented
Mala then removed the blindfold and looked at him. "What did you say?" She asked.
Dagur quickly raised his hands up. "Kidding! Kidding." He assured her.
Dagur giggled slightly and Mala looked away and a smile appeared on her face. The two of them just stood there fiddling with their fingers and looking quite awkward. Astrid, Henry, Valerie and Fishlegs had seen the entire thing and they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"I can't believe this actually worked." Astrid said astonishingly.
Tuffnut then approached with his sister. "Can you believe that this is actually working?"
Ruffnut nodded. "I mean, that is the dumbest thing we've ever come up with."
"They're eating it up."
"I'm going back for seconds."
Henry raised a brow, "You mean tell me you guys were just winging it and hoped they'd not rip each other apart?!" He demanded.
"Maybe." The Thorston Twins said.
But just before Henry could disembowel them a Terrible Terror then appeared and landed on Fishlegs' face. "Whoa, Terror Mail." Valerie said before grabbing the Terror.
"Ugh, the face. It's always the face." Fishlegs said while rubbing his face.
Valerie then immediately removed the parchment on its leg and began to read it. Immediately her eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no. The Dragon Flyers have attacked Wingmaiden Island." She told the others.
Henry's eyes widened, "Hicca!" He gasped in worry.
Astrid immediately turns to Dagur and Mala. "Mala! Dagur! Hiccup and Hicca's in trouble."
"We gotta get to Wingmaiden Island before it's too late!" Henry called out.
Almost immediately the two of them rushed over towards Sleuther and mounted him. The other Riders immediately mounted their dragons and they took off as quickly as they could.
(Linebreak)
It was morning and the Flyers had taken over the village and Hiccup had a front row seat to everything inside his dragon proof cage with Toothless beside him.
"Hey! Dragon Rider!" a Flyer announced.
Hiccup looked up and was completely astonished that he saw Snotlout flying around with a Razorwhip on his back.
"Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!" Snotlout yelled enthusiastically as he flew over their heads.
He then immediately crash landed on the wooden boards and immediately looked up with a confident smile on his face.
Hiccup looked at him uneasy. "Uh, Snotlout, what are you doing?"
"Trust me. It's gonna be awesome," Snotlout assured him. He then turned his head to the baby Razorwhip. "You ready?" The Razorwhip squawks in acknowledgement and Snotlout pulls out a Dragon Eye Lens. "You want this? Come and get it."
He then immediately took off into the air, but the Razorwhip clearly was not used to his weight and almost dropped him. He now had his eyes at the Razorwhip, but then quickly looked down at Krogan confidently and gave him a little salute.
Raeda then appeared on Sparfire as she then blasted the Flyers off of Snotlout's back as they fell off the Singetails as Raeda turned to Snotlout as she gave a wink to him as he wink back.
Krogan immediately gestured for his men to chase after him and he immediately took off after Snotlout.
Hiccup could see that this plan was going terribly. "Oh, great." He sighed.
He then heard one of the Flyers yelling and turned around in time to see Minden arriving on Hookfang and slammed right into the Flyer. She then immediately dismounted and rushed over towards Hiccup's cage.
The Flyer guarding it swung his spear towards her, but she simply slid in between his legs and struck him from behind with her own spear. She then grabbed the key from his belt and made her way over towards the cage and unlocked it.
A Flyer ran towards them swinging his sword at Hiccup, who quickly picked up another sword and used it to block his. Toothless then struck the man in the back with his tail knocking him out cold and Minden took care of another Flyer.
She however was almost hit by a fireball and they looked up to see that several Flyers were airborne and directly above them. Hiccup and Minden quickly mounted Toothless and took off after them.
The Flyers then immediately began firing fireballs directly at them, but Toothless performed a barrel roll and avoided them. He then fired a plasma blast knocking one of his Singetail and the second one immediately dived down towards them. However, Toothless skilfully lifted himself upward and immediately struck the Flyer with his tail and tossed him into the ocean.
(Linebreak)
Snotlout meanwhile was screaming as two Flyers were chasing after him, he tried to lose him in the woods, but they were proving to be too skilled. Luckily Raeda managed to prevent them from getting too close to him.
Eventually they reached a specific part of the forest and immediately looked down. "Now!" Snotlout yelled.
"Let 'em loose ladies!" Raeda added as down on the ground were several Wingmaidens, all of them holding their baby Razorwhips.
They gave out a strange whistle and immediately the Razorwhip flew into the air and grabbed hold of the Flyers, pulling them off their Singetails.
Snotlout laughed triumphantly, but it faded away when he saw Krogan diving down towards him.
"Oh no." Snotlout said as he came to an abrupt stop as he immediately turned around and flew away from Krogan, who immediately went after him. "This is gonna hurt!" He cried.
However, Sparfire appeared from out of nowhere and immediately slammed into the Titan Winged Singetail knocking it off course and at the exact same time Toothless grabbed Krogan and pulled him off it.
Snotlout cheered as he looked at Hiccup and Raeda, but once again his enthusiasm was premature. The Singetail then quickly fired a fireball at Raeda and Sparkfire, knocking them back and then slammed into Toothless, forcing him to free Krogan.
Krogan landed safely on his Singetail much to everyone's astonishment.
"What the Thor was that?!" Snotlout asked in shock.
"Why didn't it fly away?!" Raeda wondered, bewildered by how the Singetail went back for Krogan.
"It looks like Krogan and his Singetail have some sort of bond." Hiccup said in surprise.
Krogan then immediately dived down towards Snotlout, but then before he could take a bite out of him he was immediately struck by a burst of flames. Seconds later appearing from out of nowhere was Sleuther with Dagur and Mala on his back.
"Get ready to fire on them from the side!" Mala instructed.
Dagur nodded. "On your command, Mala."
Krogan quickly recovered and fired several fireballs from his Singetails' tail directly at them.
"Roll, dragon, roll!" Mala ordered. Sleuther performed a barrel roll and immediately flew to Krogan's side. "Now!"
Sleuther then fired a blast that caught Krogan outside his guard. Krogan turned around to retaliate, but then he found that the other Riders had assembled and now everyone was surrounding him. To make matters worse for him his Flyers were in complete disarray as they were being carried off by Razorwhips.
"So this is the part where you run with your Singetail between your legs." Henry quipped with a smirk.
Krogan growled in aggravation before he then reluctantly retreated.
"We make a pretty good team!" Dagur and Mala said at the same time.
Dagur laughed. "Jinx!"
Mala frowned. "Jinx?" asked.
Dagur just shook his head and looked at her. "I can't believe we ever argued."
Mala nodded in agreement as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Nor can I, Dagur the Deranged."
"'Deranged,'" Dagur laughed. "It sounds so royal when you say it."
Mala merely smiled. "Obviously."
Henry then groaned in disbelief. "My sister and Dagur, that's something I never thought was possible." He muttered.
"Another successful Thorston mediation." Tuffnut said proudly as he and his sister high-fived one another. "Now go and relax those bowls, people."
(Linebreak)
Soon everyone was in the shrine and Atali had made a full recovery thanks to Hicca's treatment. They had also come to an arrangement about what to do with the Dragon Eye Lenses and decided to hide them in the shrine.
Minden was given the honor of placing them in the secret compartment within the shrine and then closed it. Once it was closed, it was impossible to tell that there was a compartment behind the stone.
"These will be safe here." Minden said.
Snotlout and Raeda approached. "You're still quitting?" Snotlout asked.
"Yeah, are you still wanting to quit being a Wingmaiden?" Raeda asked as well.
"My judgment isn't the best," Minden admitted. "I've proven that these past hours."
"Nonsense," Atali said as she approached her and then placed her hands on her shoulders. "Are you overeager? Yes. Reckless? Yes. But so was I. You're a Wingmaiden. And your resolve will make you a great leader someday." She told her.
Minden smiled at her chief.
Soon everyone began to make their way back to the Edge and Snotlout and Raeda looked at Hiccup and Hicca upside down.
"I know what you're both gonna say." Snotlout said. "Somehow this is all my fault."
"And I was just there to help them when things got rough." Raeda added.
"Actually, Snotlout, you stepped up and helped Minden." Hiccup said.
"And Raeda, you had Snotlout's back when he needed you." Hicca added with a smile, "So I'm confident when I say, you're both valuable parts of our tribe."
Snotlout then flew the right way up and looked at them. "So next time you two have an important job, you'll…"
"You have to fight Astrid for it." Hiccup finished.
"And Henry as well for that." Hicca added with a smirk.
Snotlout then turned and looked at Astrid and Henry, Astrid then immediately cracked her knuckles while Henry cracked his neck with a challenging smirk.
Snotlout smiled nervously. "Yeah. You know what? I'm good. I'm great. You got it, Astrid and Henry. All good here. All good baby."
Raeda gave a chuckle at Snotlout. "Sorry, Snotlout. But they already got partners." She said with a smile. "But how about this, the next time there is an important job, I'll partner up with you. If that's okay with you two?" She asked the Haddock twins.
"Well, it's up to Snotlout if that's okay with him." Hicca said.
Snotlout looked at Raeda for a moment before he gave a smile. "It will always be nice to have someone watching my back." He answered with a smile as he gave a wink to Raeda, who winked back at him with a smile.
"Well, if you say so, Snotlout." Hiccup said with a small smile. "Now let's get back to the Edge and plan our next move." He said as the Dragon Riders flew off back to the Edge after all that happened today