Chapter 77: Triple Cross
It was the dead of night and Johann was leading Krogan and Viggo to an island where a deep dark cave was located.
He then immediately turns to Viggo. "Lead them. Do not fail me."
Viggo took the torch from his hand and led a good portion of men into the cave. Inside they only found a stash of weapons and nothing else.
"Nothing sir," said one of the men.
"Keep searching," Viggo ordered. "I know it's down here. It must be."
(Linebreak)
Outside the cave Johann and Krogan were waiting patiently for him.
"This is a waste of time," Krogan stated.
A few Hunters then emerge from the cave. "It's a series of dead ends, sir. There's no lenses here."
"Seal the cave," Johann ordered as he turned around.
One of the Hunter stared at him. "But Viggo's still down there!"
Johann looked at him. "I assure you, he's exactly where he should be." He assured him.
Krogan smiled evilly and looked at his Flyers. "You heard him!"
His Flyers then immediately began pelting the rock face with fireballs.
(Linebreak)
Viggo then immediately witnessed the entire cave caving in and realized instantly he had been set up.
"We've got to get out of here!" The Hunter next to him cried.
Immediately the two of them began running down the cave as quickly as they could, but then a Monstrous Nightmare appeared directly behind Viggo. The Hunter with him emerged from the cave and Viggo saw Krogan on his Titan Winged Singetail firing a fireball.
Viggo stopped just in time before the fireball struck the wall and he found his exit completely caved in. Then to make matters worse the Monstrous Nightmare behind him stood directly over him glaring hard at the hunter as it ignited itself and then pounced.
But instead of killing him, the dragon flipped Viggo onto his neck, 'hold on tight!' It growled and raced out of the collapsing cave and flew out from a hole in the ceiling.
It then dropped Viggo onto the beach as Viggo looked at the Monstrous Nightmare in shock and disbelief, "You, you saved me?" He asked.
The Nightmare simply snorted and walked away. "Wait!" Viggo said as the dragon turned to the man and Viggo said the two words he never thought he'd say to a dragon, "Thank you."
The Nightmare gave a small growl with a nod before it walked off and flew away, leaving Viggo conflicted at what just happened as he watches the Monstrous Nightmare fly away while having a deep thought he is thinking about.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile, enjoying a nice picnic were Hiccup and Hicca with Astrid and Henry. They were relaxing as their dragons played with one another, Toothless and Midnight wrestling while Stormfly and Henry's dragons played tag. The four were relieved to finally get some alone time.
"Finally, some alone time," Hiccup said.
"And a perfect day to have some time together." Hicca added as she touched Henry's hand.
Astrid nodded in agreement as she rested her head on Hiccup's shoulder. "No distractions, no interruptions."
Henry leaned back with a smile, "And not a Jorgenson or Thorston in—" but before He could finish they saw a familiar Zippleback in the sky diving straight for them, "Spoke too soon." He deadpanned.
"Incoming!" Tuffnut's voice yelled.
Hiccup, Hicca, Henry and Astrid immediately looked up and saw the twins crashing down towards them. Instantly they got up and made a run for it and the Thorston Twins skidded across the beach and ruined their picnic.
The four looked at them furiously. "Oh, for Thor's sake, you two?!" Hicca retorted.
"what are you guys—"
"Nope, not long enough," Ruffnut said, ignoring the four as she examined the skid mark.
Tuffnut groaned walking over to her. "What about width?" He asked.
She shook her head. "Sorry, bro. Width and length, both too small." She stated.
"Oh, come on! What do we have to do to be the greatest around here?" Tuffnut complained.
Henry and Astrid looked at the Haddock Twins, telling them to figure out the latest Thorston Twin craziness today.
Hiccup then approached the twins as calmly as possible. "All right, all right, will somebody please fill us in?"
"Yeah, some content please?" Hicca asked as well.
"Well, you see, every dragon but ours has a talent—something special that makes them famous," Tuffnut explained.
"Hookfang's the hottest, Meatlug makes Gronckle Iron, Stormfly's the fastest, but only when they eats chicken," Ruffnut said counting them off her fingers and gesturing to Stormfly.
'That's true.' Stormfly squawked.
"Which still counts, if it's only a technicality," said Tuffnut as he continued, "Sparkfire's got the best single spine aim, Wildstar's got the most colors, Lockjaw is the biggest, Scout's got the best nose, Camo, Sandtrapper and Sandstorm are the sneakiest," he said making his way to Midnight and Toothless. "And Midnight and Toothless… Ha. Come on. They're the cutest, obviously. Like little puppies." He then lifted Toothless' front claw and gave him a fist bump. "Right, T? You feel me?"
Toothless looked at his paw curiously, 'What was that?' He warbled.
'I don't know.' Midnight answered as she raised her own paw as she and Toothless tried to mimic a fistbump.
Hicca giggled a bit, "Well, I always thought they were the smartest or fastest, but I suppose cutest works too." She said, finding Midnight's behavior adorable.
Tuffnut then immediately turned to their dragon. "Yeah, but what about Barf and Belch? What makes them special? You know, famous?" He asked them as Barf made a gas ring hover down over him and Belch.
"They're the gassiest?" Astrid offered boredly.
"They have two heads?" Hiccup pointed out.
"They move in sync and think as one?" Hicca added.
"They're muttonheads like you two?" Henry bluntly added as the Zippleback looked at Henry in insult.
"Oh, come on! You're better than that," Tuffnut said, looking annoyed.
"They have two heads?" Hiccup repeated.
"They're muttonheads like you two?" Henry said again before he was whipped from behind by a Zippleback tail.
'We heard that!' Barf and Belch growled.
Hicca gave a chuckle from that. "Henry, maybe do not insult a two-headed dragon that is right next to you." She advises with a chuckle.
"Noted." Henry groaned from the ground after being hit by Barf and Belch's tail. "How about, they're the most touchy?" He offered.
And he got his answer as Barf and Belch belly flopped right on top of him. The others winced from that as Henry's arms moved from underneath the Zippleback.
"Okay. I should really stop with the insults." Henry muttered from underneath the Zippleback's belly as Barf and Belch decided to nap for a while. Hicca tried to contain her laughter but failed, and fell to the ground laughing.
Ruffnut then approached Hiccup. "So, my oh-so-challenged friend, we're gonna set a record." She declared.
"A record exclusively for the Zippleback," Tuffnut added. "Like the longest skidmark."
Astrid folded her arms and looked at the two of them. "Didn't make the cut on that one, did you?" She pointed out as the Thorston Twins went back to their dragon.
"Um, hello? Guy trapped under a Zippleback here?!" Henry reminded them, still smooshed by Barf and Belch. "Okay, now I feel like Snotlout." He added, now understanding how Snotlout feels when something like this happens to him.
"Your negativity will not deter us, Astrid." Tuffnut said, ignoring Henry's words as they mounted their dragon who just woke up. "Most consecutive barrel rolls in one flight. Go!"
They then immediately took off, setting Henry free as he got up and groaned from being squished as Hicca, finally getting control of herself, helped him up.
The Throston twins performed as many barrels as possible, but as their dragons spun faster and faster they were immediately flown off and landed face first on the beach. Then a second later Barf and Belch landed on top of them knocking the wind out of them.
"What a rough one," said Ruffnut's muffled voice.
Fishlegs then arrived. "Hiccup, Hicca, Terror Mail from Stoick."
Astrid looked at her boyfriend. "I guess the picnic will have to wait."
"Talk about worse timing, especially being squished by a sensitive Zippleback." Henry commented as he cracked his back while keeping up his guard in case Barf and Belch decided to attack him again.
(Linebreak)
Soon they were back at the Edge and they began going through the letter Stoick sent at the clubhouse.
"This is where dad found the Dragon Eye lens," said Hiccup as he pulled out a map.
"And he wants only you and Henry to come alone, Hicca." Fishlegs noted, "Doesn't that seem kind of weird?"
"Yeah, normally he would ask both of us to meet him, doesn't make sense." Hiccup said, rubbing his chin in suspicion.
"I said no, and I meant it!" Snotlout yelled as he entered the clubhouse backwards with the Thorston Twins.
Raeda sighed and turned to them, "Should I even ask?"
"These two want me to watch them do some silly stunts all day." Snotlout told her.
"Ah, got it." Raeda nodded in understanding, not wanting anymore details since she had a feeling of what the Thorston twins were planning.
"But please! We need a witness of our record!" Tuffnut pleaded.
"Yeah, if no one is around to see us perform these amazing records, do they actually happen?" Ruffnut asked.
"Good point," Tuffnut agreed.
Snotlout groaned and looked at them. "Oh, my Thor! Listen, I got better things to do than waste my precious time watching you to muttonheads goof off." He told them without thinking as Raeda flinched.
Ruffnut looked at him questionably. "Oh, yeah? Like what?"
That caught Snotlout off guard as he realized what he said. He then glanced around before turning to Raeda, who was frantically motioning her hand across her neck to not say anything. Snotlout immediately left the clubhouse. "Ugh… I have to go. Bye!" He quickly said as he walked out as Raeda sighs in relief.
"Wonder what's got him so skittish?" Henry asked.
"Oh, that's just Snotlout being Snotlout." Raeda answered. "He had enough experience with the Thorston twins that he finally thought ahead to not be involved in their stunts."
Tuffnut then turned to her, "Well then Raeda, how would you like to be our witness."
Raeda blinked and backed away, "Oh sorry but, me and Snotlout already plans to take a flight-" Raeda shut her lips up as she almost let that part slip, "And keep an eye out for the Hunters, don't want them trying to get the drop on us again, right?"
"I… guess so." Hiccup said a bit confused by Raeda's behavior.
"Great!" Raeda said quickly with a grin before she walked out the door, "So while Hicca and Henry meet with Stoick, me and Snotlout we'll keep our eyes out for Johann." She then laughed a bit as she left the Clubhouse.
"What about you Valerie?" Tuffnut asked as Valerie was at the entrance of the Clubhouse next to Camo.
"Sorry, Tuff. I would love to be your witness, but it's my turn to patrol for any sigh of trouple." Valerie apologizes as she mounted on Camo. "Maybe next time." She said as she and Camo flew off.
"Can I get a witness? Can I? Please?" Tuffnut back to the sky as he and his sister left as well. Astrid however stared at where Raeda left and hummed in suspicion.
Hicca then looked at the others. "Look, if dad's found a lens, we have to investigate."
"Maybe I should go too, sis." Hiccup suggested. "I mean, it wouldn't make sense if dad wants only one of us to be where he's at." He added.
"Sorry, Hiccup. But father specifically told me and Henry to go. Maybe he wants you here to lead the others in case Johann might attack, so he might want us to divide and conquer." Hicca theorizes that might be what their father would want.
Hiccup and the others looked troubled as Hicca and Henry made their way over to their dragons.
"But something's off," Hiccup told her, "It's not like dad to act so cryptic. Sis, I don't know for sure but this smells like a trap."
"No." Hicca said strictly. "The mail said we have to go alone, so that's what we're gonna do. And if it is a trap, we'll have to risk it." She then placed a hand over her brother's shoulder and looked at him in the eyes. "Bro, don't worry. we'll be careful."
"Don't worry, Hiccup. I'll protect Hicca from danger." Henry said, offering Hiccup his hand.
Hiccup smiled at him as he accepted Henry's hand. "Just be careful out there." He said to the two.
"Don't worry. We watch each other's backs." Henry said with a smile as the two immediately looked troubled as they took off.
He then saw Astrid walking out, "Well Astrid, since we have some time, how about we head back to the beach?" He suggested.
Astrid however shook her head, "Maybe later Hiccup," She said and started walking away, "I've got some digging around to do."
Hiccup looked surprised as Toothless stood next to him. He then sighed, "Oh gods, is anyone acting normal today, bud?" Hiccup asked his dragon.
Toothless look at Hiccup as he gave a dragon-like shrug.
"I am normal, Hiccup." Fishlegs called out from across the clubhouse with his hand raised.
"Thank you, Fishlegs." Hiccup said with a sigh.
(Linebreak)
It was almost sunset when Hicca and Henry arrived at the island in Stoick's letter. Once they landed they began making their way into the forest, but still they found no trace of Stoick.
"Guys, keep your guard up." Hicca told Henry and their dragons. "Looks like Hiccup's hunch may have been right."
"Yeah, and I have a pretty good idea who really sent us that Terror mail." Henry said with a suspicious look.
As they got deeper they found a rock in the middle of the clearing and on it was a Maces and Talon piece. Midnight and Wildstar immediately growled and Hicca and Henry knew instantly that it wasn't Stoick who sent the letter.
"Which piece is that?" Hicca wondered.
"The Accomplice." Henry answered. "One of the most powerful pieces in Maces and Talons."
"Indeed," A familiar voice said as Hicca and Henry turned and saw Viggo emerging from behind a tree. "It allows a player to use an opponent's piece for their own ends. You can certainly win without it, but with it, you can attain total victory."
Midnight and Wildstar immediately got ready for battle and immediately got ready to fire plasma blasts. However, Viggo drew his sword and sliced through a rope and a bola launcher immediately fired behind him. The bola then wrapped itself around Midnight and Wildstar's mouths preventing them from firing, it also caused Midnight to shoot up in surprise, throwing Hicca and Henry to the ground.
Midnight and Wildstar attempted to get the bola off, but Hicca and Henry weren't about to wait and as they immediately drew their weapons as Henry brought out his sword and Hicca brought out her battlestaff and Inferno, ignited the blade.
"Stand down," Viggo said, calmly. "I don't want to fight."
"Yeah, we figured it was you." Henry said as he rose to his feet. "Gotta say though, a fake Terror Mail is pretty sloppy even for you, dad." He said with a glare.
Viggo clapped. "Hmm. I'm impressed, son. For once, you're both thinking a few moves ahead. However, I can't let you two take too much credit. A false Terror Mail is not my most clever ruse as you said, Henry, but time was of the essence."
Hicca narrowed her eyes. "Viggo, what do you want? Johann and Krogan hiding around for an ambush?" She questioned.
"Is this some kind of trick to trap us? If so, you should've included Hiccup to come as well." Henry added with a mocking smirk.
"No, they are not here and there is no ambush either. It would've been more precise and clever than this." Viggo answered calmly. "It appears Johann and Krogan have decided I am expendable," He explained. "I was given false information regarding the location of a Dragon Eye lens, and they attempted to drop a mountain on me. Luckily, I managed to escape."
"Huh, and this coming from the guy who believes everyone is expendable." Hicca mocked, "How things changed when the tail's on the other Speed Stinger."
Henry looked at him dubiously. "And you expect us to believe this after the tricks you pulled on us all this time?"
"Believe it or not it is the absolute truth." Viggo told them. "Can you imagine the pain of betrayal, Henry? To be thrown away by one whom you trusted?"
"I can, more than you'll ever know!" Henry glared and charged at him.
Viggo then immediately drew his sword and suddenly it burst into flames and he blocked Henry's attack as the boy stared at the blade in surprise. "What the?"
"I liked the Haddock's fire swords so much, I made my own—with improvements, of course," Viggo said and pushed Henry back.
Hicca's eye widened before she glared, "Why you copycat!" She said, charging at Viggo too.
Viggo blocked Hicca's attack as well. "You should be impressed as this inspiration came from you and your brother, Hicca. Your works are very impressive." He said with a small smile as he pushed her back as well.
The two riders got ready to attack again, but Viggo held out his hand. "I only want to talk!"
"There's nothing to talk about!" Hicca yelled as she swung her blades.
Viggo ducked and immediately held his sword up again to block the next swing. He then grabbed Hicca's wrist and tossed them over her shoulder. Hicca picked herself up and got ready to attack again.
"Please." Viggo pleaded.
Henry then came in from behind with another swing but Viggo immediately whipped around and began blocking each and every one of his strikes while Hicca put on the pressure at the otherside as the two riders clashed their blades to Viggo, who was blocking each of their strikes as he blocked their blades. However, they were slowly backing him away, meaning that they had the advantage.
Viggo, however, seemed reluctant to actually attack strangely. "If you both would just…"
He quickly raised his sword again to block both Hicca and Henry's attacks. The two riders then began to press their entire weights onto the blade in an attempt to overpower him.
"Enough!" Viggo yelled and pressed a button on his sword hilt.
Hicca and Henry then noticed free gas exiting from the blunt end of the blade. "What the…" Hicca gasped as she recognized it.
"Wait isn't that Zippleback-" Henry tried to say before there was a spark slash which caused an explosion and sent him and Hicca flying into a tree. "Ohh, Gas." Henry groaned as the impact was strong enough in order for them to drop their weapons and now they were at the mercy of Viggo.
"Zippleback gas on the Inferno swords? Why didn't Hiccup and I think of that? And how is that possible? We only use Monstrous Nightmare gel for the lit." Hicca pointed out at the upgrades Viggo did on his fire sword with a groan.
"Don't know, but I already don't like it." Henry groaned, really starting to hate that sword more and more.
"This is pointless." Viggo said as he distinguished his blade. He then approached Midnight and Wildstar, who snarled at him. "Easy, dragons."
He then removed the bolas' from their mouths, but before he removed Midnight's he opened her saddlebags and sprinkled something inside it. Once freed, the two rushed over towards their riders. Hicca and Henry had had the wind knocked out of them and he looked at Viggo as he placed his sword onto the ground.
"Please listen to me, Hicca, son." Viggo pleaded. "I need both your help."
Hicca and Henry looked at each other with conflicted looks as they then turned to Viggo with a serious look.
"We're listening." Henry said seriously as Viggo nodded his head
(Linebreak)
Henry and Hicca agreed to listen to what Viggo had to say and soon they were sitting around a campfire. Viggo began cooking a fish onto the flames and the two remained dubious about his sincerity.
"I won't spend the rest of my life waiting for Johann and Krogan to kill me," Viggo explained. "I must strike first."
"Hey, tell you what—we'll defeat Johann for you, and you can have a front row seat of the carnage from your cell on Outcast Island," Hicca offered sarcastically.
"Does that sound good?" Henry asked, crossing his arms.
Viggo laughed. "Oh, Henry, Hicca, you both have many admirable qualities, but ruthlessness is not one of them. You are both too good, too pure, too innocent, which will get you two, your friends or someone you love killed." He said adding some spices to the fish. "Without that ruthlessness, you will fail against Johann."
Viggo then offered them the fish that he cooked, but neither were in no hurry to accept anything from him. "Thanks, but I already packed my own lunch." Hicca said, reaching into her satchel and pulling out some yak chops.
Viggo shrugged and then took the fish himself. "The truth is, I can't exact my revenge without you two or your dragons," Viggo explained. "And once Johann and Krogan are defeated, I will disappear. You have my word, Henry."
"And what good is your word, dad?" Henry asked with a glare. "After everything you've done, all the dragons and people you've hurt, you expect me to believe you? I will never help you."
"Even if it means acquiring Johann's Dragon Eye and all his lenses?" Viggo asked with a grin as Henry and Hicca widened their eyes.
Henry blinked and narrowed his eyes. "There's nothing you can say to convince me." He stated firmly.
"Hmm. That's a shame." Viggo said as she ate the fish before he spoke to Henry and Hicca again. "Son, Hicca, do either of you know what Red Oleander is?" He asked them.
"Of course." Henry simply said.
"Yeah." Hicca said as she ate her yak chops.
Viggo just gave them a chuckle. "Well, you both don't, actually." He said with a small smile as the two riders kept giving him a look. "If you did, you two would know that it's the mammals' version of Blue Oleander and if the flower is ingested by any mammal or human, it will cause a slow, agonizing death." He explained while looking at his fish, "Humans don't go near it, due to its pungent odor, but if it were disguised with another stronger smell, something like say yak meat..." He gave a cryptic smile as Henry's eyes widened and he turned to Hicca.
Hicca stopped eating and looked at her Yak-chop before realizing what Viggo meant. She then frantically spit out the piece she was chewing as she started coughing.
"You put Red Oleander in my food?! How?!" Hicca called out in horror as she wiped her tongue.
"Just before I freed your dragons, I managed to sprinkle some in Midnight's saddle and infected your yak chops. I'm honestly surprised Hiccup has a healer who doesn't even check her own food for poison." Viggo explained as he took another bite of his fish piece.
Hicca put her hands to her throat with eyes filled with dread as she realized she had been poisoned. Henry recovered from his shock and immediately jumped to his feet, pointing his sword at Viggo, who raised his arms in surrender, "Give us the antidote!" He demanded furiously, jerking his hand out.
"I don't have it or the ingredients. Only Johann does." Viggo said calmly as Henry growled in rage as Midnight snarled and prepared to fire at Viggo. "Help me and I'll get you the medicine, son. Otherwise, in three days' time, your dear Hicca will die, slowly and painfully." He said firmly while giving a serious look as he lowered his arms.
Henry's face fell a bit as he raised his hand to signal Midnight to stand down and then rushed to Hicca, who was panting in fear and tearing up as Henry gave her a comforting hug and placed his hand on her cheek. Midnight then came up to Hicca and gave a worried cooed at the thought of losing her to poison as Henry gave Midnight a gentle pat before he gave a determined look.
"What's the plan?" Henry asked as he turned to his father, still holding Hicca.
"We infiltrate Johann's base and steal the Dragon Eye and lenses, making Johann worthless to Krogan. And they will destroy each other." Viggo explained as he walked up to the two riders.
"How do you figure it will work?" Hicca questioned, looking at disdainfully while holding onto Henry.
"Krogan doesn't actually work for Johann, Hicca." Viggo revealed. "He's employed by a mysterious buyer from the North." He explained.
"'Mysterious buyer'?" Henry repeated before remembering. "Krogan did mention that he was looking for dragons for his master when we encountered him when you put up that dragon auction some time back when we first met him. Maybe this mysterious buyer is his master." He said, having heard from Krogan that he was hunting down dragons for his master when they first encountered him.
"Always the smart one as me, son." Viggo said with a small smile as Henry rolled his eyes.
"But Krogan never mentioned his master's name. Do you know who, Viggo?" Hicca asked.
"Hmm, his name seemed to be the only thing Johann would never tell me." Viggo admitted. "Perhaps he thought if I knew, I'd eliminate him and take the contract myself- which, of course, I would." He said honestly.
"Such honor, dad." Henry said dully.
"I am simply a businessman, Henry. You know that." Viggo shrugged with a small smile.
"A wild on at that." Hicca said quickly. "But back to the point, we're sure the Dragon Eye and lenses will be heavily guarded if Johann and Krogan are keeping them safe to find the King of Dragons." She listed out.
"Of course." Viggo nodded.
"And also booby-trapped as well." Henry added with a knowing look as he stood up.
"Undoubtedly." Viggo added as well.
"And if you couldn't get there on your own, how did you expect to get them, father?" Henry questioned again.
"With this." Viggo answered as he held up his Accomplice piece as both Riders looked at it intensely as they had a feeling that Viggo knows what they need to get into Johann and Krogan's base, and they had a feeling they wouldn't like it.
"You know someone who can help?" Henry guessed.
Viggo nods, "Indeed, meet me by the cliffs once you're ready to depart." He said before gesturing to Hicca who seemed to be trapped in thought. "She needs you."
"Yeah, no thanks to you." Henry stated Viggo merely shrugged and left them as Henry approached Hicca, "Hey, you okay?"
"How could I be so stupid?" Hicca whispered before she looked up to the Henry with her eyes filled the most fear he ever saw from her, "I'm the team's healer, I should be able to recognize poisoned food and instead I let myself eat infected yak-meat just to mess with Viggo and now he's got you on a leash and it's all my fault!" She ranted before burying her face in her hands.
Henry reached out to her, "Hicca, you can't blame yourself, neither even knew about Red Oleander, how could you've known?" He asked.
"But what if he's lying? What if there isn't a cure?! What if this is all a trick for you to help your dad get some poor dragon and leave me to die or, or…" Hicca panicked as she took some shaky breaths before Henry pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back and hair, "I'm so scared Henry." She whispered, burying her face in his shoulder.
Henry just held onto her, he knew that when one of them was sick or injured Hicca always kept a cool head but now that she was the one who was sick and at risk of dying from something she knew nothing about, her mind was overrun with fear.
"Don't worry Hicca, we'll get through this. My dad's already taken too many people I care about, this time I won't fail." Henry told her as he pulled their heads back and he planted a kiss on her forehead, as he couldn't risk kissing her lips and getting any Red Oleander in his own system. "I promise, I will save you."
"Thank you." Hicca said softly as Midnight nuzzled her too. Unknown to them Viggo listened to them with his back to a tree.
And strangely enough, he actually smiled, 'You've chosen a fine young woman, my son.'
(Linebreak)
The Thorston twins meanwhile were still trying to break a record and they were doing some dangerous stunts in achieving that end. At the moment they were flying upside down going as fast as they could.
"I'm getting dizzy!" Ruffnut complains to her brother.
"Do you want to get the record of the longest flight upside down?" Tuffnut asked.
Ruffnut looked a bit queasy. "Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick! Can't hang on." She said, feeling she needed to cover her mouth.
She then lost her grip and began falling, head first, towards the ocean screaming. Tuffnut quickly guided Barf and Belch down after her and they caught her before she struck the ocean.
Tuffnut looked at her with a disappointed look. "I'm ashamed of you. You're just lucky our witness is currently unavailable."
Ruffnut groaned. "Ugh. Can we figure out another record?"
"Fine! But we better complete it." Tuffnut said.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile Viggo was riding with Henry and Wildstar while Hicca and Midnight flew next to them as they began making their way to another island.
Henry made a quick glance at his father, making sure he was going to knife him in the back. Hebwas still concerned for Hicca. "You okay, Hicca?" He asked, flying closer to her.
"A-okay, Henry." Hicca answered as she gave Henry a thumbs-up and unsure smile.
"The symptoms won't come on for another day or so." Viggo informed him. "By the time we've concluded our business, Hicca will have the antidote." Henry narrowed his eyes on him. "Oh, don't look at me like that Henry! What did I tell you about ruthlessness?"
"You poisoned my girlfriend, dad! What's you expect?!" Henry demanded. "You thought I was gonna invite you to my wedding?!"
"Oh, forgive me, I wasn't aware your union was already in motion," Viggo shot back with a smile, "Do tell me though, what is the date?"
"That is so not the point!" Hicca yelled out with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"I was being sarcastic and you know that!" Henry roared.
"I do, hust thought a little humor would help easy your precarious situation." Viggo said with a smirk as the two riders kept their glares at him. "Do not worry, Hicca will be fine. You have my word." He assured them.
Funnily enough that didn't reassure them, but they soon reached the island Viggo specified.
"Flight to that mountaintop." Viggo instructed.
Hicca and Henry then grudgingly followed the instructions and flew straight towards the mountaintop. It was hard to see where it ended since it was buried in a storm cloud and there was a snowstorm which made it very difficult to see.
Eventually they reached the top, but the two Riders were beginning to have doubts about this plan as they had no idea why they were even there to begin with.
"Viggo, what are we doing here?" Hicca asked as Viggo dismounted.
"Yeah, this island is having a complete snowstorm up to this high and sudden thunder strikes." Henry added while giving his father a look.
"The ideal home territory of our accomplice." Viggo stated, walking in front of them.
"What do you mean?" Hicca questioned again.
"In ancient times, the Singetail was one of the most feared dragons," Viggo explained. He then drew a dagger. "However, there was one dragon whose powerful blast could neutralize the Singetail's fire. A Dragon I believe you're already familiar with."
He then held the dagger upwards and immediately lightning struck the blade. Thankfully due to the leather strap on the hilt, Viggo wasn't electrocuted.
As Hicca and Henry shielded their eyes from the bright flash, they uncovered them and their jaws dropped, "Meet our accomplice, dear children, the Singetails' only predator…" Viggo declared that flying before them was none other than a Skrill.
"A Skrill?!" Henry yelled in disbelief.
"Another one?! I almost thought it was Hunterbolt going out on his own flight!" Hicca called out in shock as well.
"How did you find out about another Skrill, dad?!" Henry asked in shock.
"You tend to learn a lot about dragon habitats when you hunt for them my Son!" Viggo told him as he smiled proudly at the dragon, "And our electric friend here is the key to aiding us!"
"Are you insane?!" Hicca yelled. "Do you have any idea how territorial Skrills are?!"
"We don't have much time," Viggo said, turning to face them. "Get—"
"If you think we're gonna help you capture and torture this dragon for your revenge, you've got another thing coming!" Hicca yelled furiously.
"There is no way we're helping you, if it involves harming any dragon!" Henry yelled next.
"You're both in no position to bargain!" Viggo pointed out.
Skrill was then fully recharged and immediately fired a lightning blast, Viggo just ducked just in time. Midnight and Wildstar quickly jumped into the air and got ready to fire their blasts.
"Don't aggravate her." Viggo warned.
Hicca looked at him. "We are not…" She stopped as she realized something. "Wait, that Skrill's a 'she'?" She asked in surprise.
"Female Skrills tend to be larger than males!" Viggo quickly explained.
"Well, now we know the differences between a boy and girl Skrills, so how about we get back to the female Skrill trying to strike us?!" Henry yelled out as he pointed at the Skrill.
The Skrill then fired a lightning blast directly at him and Toothless swerved in order to avoid getting shot. Unfortunately, the lightning struck Midnight's and they found themselves falling towards the ground and Hiccup was flung off his back.
The Female Skrill soon hover directly above them and are prepared to fire another blast at them, but Midnight quickly got up and placed herself between the two of them as she got ready to fire another plasma blast.
Viggo then blocked his path. "Do not fire." He then held out the dagger to the Skrill. "That's right." He then began to move the dagger sideways and as the Skrill stared at it, almost like she was being hypnotized. "That's right. Berserkers used metal daggers to lure Skrills into traps. The Dragon is drawn to this due to its electrical properties." Skrill began calming down and advanced towards him. "That's right. We are not enemies." He then placed a hand over the Skrill's snout. "There is no way I would torture this dragon."
Hicca and Henry looked at him surprised. "Whoa, I never thought I would hear you say that, dad. Not in a million years." Henry said in surprise.
"I never thought I'd see you of all people train one of the most dangerous ever." Hicca added.
Viggo then immediately turns to Midnight's wing. "Do you have some proper medical treatment for that wing, Hicca?" Hicca folded her arms and smiled. "Good. Get Midnight and Wildstar ready to fly." He then turned to the Skrill as she growled.
(Linebreak)
It was morning and the twins were busy playing with Barf and Belch on an island. Tuffnut was busy stuffing apples in the heads of both Barf and Belch as Ruffnut stood there spinning a mace in her hand.
"And now, for the most apples held in a Zippleback's mouth and smashed with a mace at one time, are you ready?" Tuffnut asked.
"Yeah! Here we go," said Ruffnut.
However, Barf and Belch didn't fancy the idea of being knocked on the head with a massive mace. So, when Ruffnut swung, he immediately ducked and she spun around striking Tuffnut instead and he landed between the necks of the two-headed dragon. This surprised both Barf and Belch and the immediately unleashed a gas and ignited it leading to an explosion that sent apples flying in all directions.
Ruffnut picked herself up with apples stuck on the horns of her helmet. "Maybe we should just go for the gassiest record. Call it a day."
Tuffnut then sat up with an apple wedged in his mouth and he spit it out. "No, that's too obvious. we're not going to give up." He then made his way over to Belch and mounted on his neck. "Will come up with the most awesome, greatest, best, amazing record for our dragon! Destiny's at the door, Ruffnut! We must answer!"
Ruffnut shrugged and mounted Barf and then they took off.
(Linebreak)
Meanwhile at the Hunters' base on an island somewhere, the Hunters were witnessing a massive thunderstorm.
Several Hunters were patrolling on a lookout tower when suddenly a dagger appeared from out of nowhere. The Hunters looked confused and then they looked up far too late to do anything as the Skrill fired a bolt of lightning directly on top of them destroying the lookout tower.
Krogan immediately went to investigate, but he found the lookout tower burning into ashes. He looked up and saw flying for the smoke was a Skrill shooting lightning in all different directions and she fired a lightning blast destroying a cart.
"Bring that lizard down." Krogan ordered his men.
The Hunters immediately fired Dragon Root arrows at the Skrill, but they missed and she fired another lightning blast down on top of them. The Hunters quickly ran away screaming as she drew an intense line to the ground.
Flyers immediately soared into the air to engage the Skrill in the air and Skrill merely growled at them. They immediately fired a fireball directly at the Skrill, but destroyed it with a simple lightning blast which struck one of the Flyers knocking him off his dragon.
The Flyers immediately went in order to face the Skrill, unaware that Hicca, Henry and Viggo had snuck behind them on the backs of Midnight and Wildstar. They landed next to a cave they dismounted, Viggo apparently was enjoying himself as the Skrill was attacking the compound.
"And Krogan's hubris gets the better of him." Viggo said.
"From what we saw when we fought him, that is so true." Henry added, knowing from experience that Krogan is more prideful.
"I hope that Skrill will be okay. Even she's no match for that many Hunters." Hicca said in worried.
"She'll be fine, Hicca my dear." Viggo assured. "If she does get captured, we'll free her once we obtain the original Dragon Eye and lenses." He added.
With the Flyers distracted they immediately entered the cave while the Skrill kept on knocking Flyers out of the sky one after another.
Johann was watching Krogan's futile attempts of subduing the Skrill and immediately snatched a crossbow out of the Hunter's arm.
"Give me that!" he said and then rushed into the woods. "You want something done…" He then hid behind a rock and waited for the Skrill to get into position. "Obviously, this is why there are leaders and followers."
He then fired a bolt and it struck the Skrill, the bolt must have been covered in refined Dragon Root as the Skrill instantly collapsed. He then turned to the Hunters as they went to secure the dragon.
"Lock that dragon in the stables. Make sure it's in water." He ordered. He then handed the crossbow back to the Hunter and marched up to Krogan. "Someone brought the Skrill here, and I know who it is."
Krogan knew who we were talking about as the two of them looked towards the cave.
(Linebreak)
Hicca, Henry and Viggo were making their way into the cave, but then they came face-to-face with Johann and Krogan and a few of their Hunters. Hicca quickly pulled back and the Hunters readied their crossbows while Henry drew his sword.
"Great. They found us." Henry said while glaring at the two.
"Okay, here's the plan." Hicca started, but was cut off.
Viggo looked at them. "I want to thank you, Hicca and Henry, for getting me this far."
"What?" Hicca blinked.
"What are you talking about, dad?" Henry asked as well.
Viggo then placed a hand on Hicca's shoulder and then punched her hard in the chest.
"Hicca!" Henry called out as he aimed his sword at Viggo as Midnight and Wildstar immediately growled, but before they could attack, Viggo drew a knife and placed it against Hicca's throat.
"One move, and your beloved dies quickly." Viggo warned.
Henry growled as he couldn't move as he lowered his sword while Midnight and Wildstar backed up a bit.
Viggo then immediately turned to face Johann and Krogan.
Krogan was surprised and saw him. "Grimborn? I thought you were dead."
Johann didn't look particularly surprised as the Hunters began to surround them. "I must apologize, Viggo, for what happened in those caves. Some of my Flyers became overzealous."
"Were our roles reversed, I would've done the same." Viggo admitted.
The Hunters immediately put a muzzle around Midnight and Wildstar, who growled angrily at him.
"To prove there's no hard feelings, I've brought you a couple of gifts." Viggo said as he shoved Hicca towards them.
Henry looked at him as the Hunters grabbed him and Hicca by the arms. "Dad, What are you doing?!"
"I told you, Son." said Viggo as they dragged him away. "You and Hicca are too pure, too innocent. One day, it would get you killed, though perhaps in three days for you, my dear Hicca."
(Linebreak)
Hicca and Henry, who were both manacled, were immediately shoved into a Dragon Proof cage with Midnight and Wildstar as Viggo and Johann stood there watching with large smiles on their faces.
"I knew you'd betray us, dad!" Henry yelled as they began to leave. "You didn't change. After all your flowery talk, you are nothing more than a common criminal!"
Johann looked at Viggo suspiciously. "Tell me, Viggo, how did you manage to capture one of the Haddocks and their Night Fury along with your son, when so many others including me, have failed?"
Viggo shook his head as he folded his arms. "It was my greatest gambit. Simple, but effective. I was convinced that I wanted to betray you and I needed his help."
Johann nodded. "Impressive."
Krogan narrowed his eyes at Viggo. "And what about the Skrill?"
"A necessary evil to get him to trust me." He then looked at him with a large smirk on his face. "I do hope none of your Flyers were injured in the battle."
"Let's just get this over with and kill the girl and your boy," said Krogan as he marched up to the cage.
Viggo grabbed his shoulder to stop him. "Need I remind you that lenses are our number-one priority? We only need two more. Hicca and Henry here can bring it to us." He then glanced at Hicca, "Besides, the girl only has three days before she draws her final breath."
Johann looked at Hicca and Henry briefly and then to the others. "This conversation would be better served in private."
(Linebreak)
Soon the three of them left and met up in Johann quarters, which was filled to the brim of rare artifacts and maps.
"Now Hicca and Henry know how many lenses we have." Krogan said, looking at Viggo. "Your loose lips could bring us all down."
Viggo shook his head. "As usual, Krogan, you're missing the big picture. We've won. With Hicca and Henry captured and Hicca life on the line, we can get anything we want from those weak-willed Berkians and the Dragon Riders."
"Have you forgotten about the King of Dragons and my Master?" Krogan roared. "This will only slow us down and he does not tolerate delays."
Viggo turned on him. "I'm sorry. Who was the one who actually captured Hicca Haddock and my son? Perhaps your Master would like to know about his star pupil's consistent failures."
"How dare you?! My Master alone can control the beasts and he could send every one that he has to-" Krogan roared.
The two of them looked as if they were about to fight, but Johann slammed his fist on the ground gaining the attention of both of them.
"This bickering is pointless." Johann snapped. "Get rid of the boy and put the girl out of her misery."
Krogan smiled and was about to leave, but Viggo stopped him once again. "Wait."
Krogan looked at him suspiciously. "Why do you want them alive? They scarred your face, destroyed your brother, and decimated your empire!"
"And humiliated you with defeat after defeat." Johann chipped in. He then immediately pinned Viggo to the wall and placed a dagger beneath his chin. "You thought I wouldn't figure you out? I can smell betrayal coming from a mile away. I didn't spend years sniveling at the feet of every Viking in the Archipelago to be destroyed by a two-bit crime lord of a father!"
Viggo smirked and suddenly they heard a hissing sound.
"What's that noise?" Krogan asked as he tried to locate the source of it.
That's when they saw Zippleback gas coming from the butt of Viggo's blade which he kept hidden behind his back. Viggo then took this distraction as a chance to knee Johann in the chest pushing him back towards Krogan.
He then ignited his blade and slammed it into the gas and suddenly there was a massive explosion which caught the attention of the Hunters outside Hicca and Henry's cage.
(Linebreak)
Once they left Hicca and Henry smiled. "That's our cue, guys." Hicca said with a smile.
"That's my dad. His trick was actually a double trick." Henry smirked.
Hicca then immediately bent down towards her boots and then retrieved the key inside her trouser leg that Viggo slipped to her. She then used it to unlock her manacles and then began to open their cage.
"I really hope this works." Hicca said as he turned the key.
"Father hadn't steer us wrong yet." Henry said.
Once the cage opened, they removed the muzzle from Midnight and Wildstar's mouths and they began to walk down the corridor. However, the Hunters that were guarding their cell were still hanging around and had noticed them.
"Hey!" One of them yelled as they raised the crossbows.
Midnight then quickly blasted them away with a plasma blast, knocking the two of them out cold. They then quickly ran down the corridors as quickly as they could in search of the original Dragon Eye, the lenses and the antidote.
(Linebreak)
Johann and Krogan were coughing with the smoke created by the explosion around them and once it was clear they found that Viggo was gone.
"Get me Grimborn! Both of them!" Johann growled.
(Linebreak)
Viggo was running down the corridor avoiding the patrols that were rushing around frantically. He then saw the Skrill that Johann and Krogan had captured. IShe was currently chained up in a puddle of water preventing her from using its lightning.
He immediately approached the chains. "Oh, I hope you trust me, girl."
He then sliced through the chains freeing the Skrill and then he heard voices behind him. He turned and found two Hunter charging towards them with crossbows at the ready.
"Surrender now!" A Hunter yelled.
(Linebreak)
Hicca and Henry eventually found the location of the Dragon Eye and the lenses that had been provided by Viggo. They could see a podium with a chest in the center exactly how Viggo described.
"That's it!" Hicca announced. "The Dragon Eye and the lenses should be there."
"Hmm, I don't like this. It looks too easy." Henry tells her.
Then the four of them began making their way down towards the room, but when Hicca's first pressed on a stone which immediately sank into the ground activating a mechanism of some kind. Suddenly an arrow began to fire from the wall, but Midnight and Wildstar knocked it back with their wings and tails.
However, no sooner did he do that than more arrows began firing from all different directions. Hicca and Henry quickly mounted their dragons and they began crashing down the corridor towards the room. Once they reached the center the arrow stopped firing, much to the riders relief.
With that done, Hicca dismounted Midnight and approached the chest. "It doesn't look like there are any more traps." She then opened the chest and found it completely empty. "What? They knew we were coming.
"Father must've tipped Johann off! How could we be so stupid?" Henry berated himself.
Hicca looked worried, "But then what about my cure?" She asked as Henry remembered that Hicca was still poisoned.
"Apparently, Johann wasn't as easy to fool as I thought." A voice said behind him.
Hicca and Henry turned and saw Viggo, leaning against the wall looking exhausted with the Skrill behind him.
Henry looked at him furiously. "You double-crossing… the antidote. Dad, where is the antidote?!" He questioned.
"I'm still poisoned here!" Hicca pointed out.
Viggo laughed. "Oh, there isn't one." He said.
Hicca gasped in horror, "Wh-what?"
"You mean you poisoned Hicca with a non-curable flower?!" Henry yelled in rage as Midnight and Wildstar growled at him.
"You two really don't know your oleanders, do you, Henry?" Viggo asked with a small smile as the others looked at him in confusion. "Red oleander is harmless to humans. I knew there was no other way to get your help. I would never harm the beloved of my son or the friend of such magnificent creatures." He added, looking at Hicca, Midnight and Wildstar.
The four were a bit shocked by this comment. "Wait, Hicca's not poison after all. You were just making us think she is to help you?" Henry asked in shock by this, having not expected his father to not poison Hicca after all they did to him in the past.
"She never was, son. I had to get you to help me somehow knowing how stubborn you both are and how you don't trust me." Viggo groaned painfully. "When Johann and Krogan left me for dead, a Monstrous Nightmare saved me." The Skrill then walked up Midnight and Wildstar and looked at one another seriously. "I spent my whole life hunting dragons, killing them. And I've come to respect them as equals. You and your brother taught me that, Hicca. And I finally understand why you bonded with your dragons when you left the Hunters, Henry." He said to the two riders as Hicca and Henry looked at Viggo in surprise at his words.
Henry gave a slight chuckle. "Well, I guess it runs in the family. A man who hunted dragons ended up befriending them, that's ironic right there." He said with a small smile.
"And that's the final irony, I suppose." Viggo said, which made them confused as he then groaned and nearly toppled over, but he was able to catch a table and revealed his back to Hicca and Henry. Hicca and Henry's eyes widened when they saw several arrows sticking out of it.
"Oh my Thor!" Hicca yelled, covering her mouth.
"Father!" Henry yelled out in shock at seeing his father having several arrows on his back.
"Oh, this is it for me, the end of the game." Viggo said with a smile as he began to cough.
Hicca and Henry then immediately grabbed his arms and lifted him up. "Viggo…" Hicca said softly.
"Dad! You gotta hang on. Try and save your strength." Henry said frantically as he looked at the arrows on his father's back and turned to Hicca. "Hicca, isn't there anything you can do?" He asked in a worried expression.
"Do not trouble yourself Henry." Viggo told him, "there is nothing anyone can do."
"No, no, no. Maybe if we remove the arrows and patch you up quickly…" Hicca tried to protest at this.
"Over here! Ready arrows!" A voice yelled down the corridor.
Viggo removed himself from Hicca and Henry. "There's no time for that and I am already beyond saving, you two." He said as he drew his sword and then inserted a vial of Zippleback into the blade. "Go. I'll hold them off until you're both out."
"No. We're not gonna leave you, Viggo." Hicca said stubbornly.
"I'm not letting you go again!" Henry added.
Viggo turned towards him and grasped his hand. "Henry, Hicca, you're both more ruthless than you realize." He told him. "You must know that Krogan's Master is a dangerous man who will put countless people and dragons in danger once he has the King of Dragons."
"What?" Henry and Hicca both asked in shock.
"But you two and your friends will stop him from succeeding." Viggo said with a proud smile. "I know you and the riders will defeat Krogan, Johann and someday the man they serve." He said.
He then released his hand and Henry felt something in his hand. He opened his palm and discovered that Viggo had handed him the Accomplice piece and a note, he looked at Viggo and frowned.
"Dad…" Henry said as he looked at Viggo as the man placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Thank you."
Viggo nodded and pointed to the corridor "Now go," He said.
Henry and Wildstar then immediately ran off and then he turned to Hicca, "Take care of my boy, Hicca." Viggo said to her.
Hicca looked at Viggo for a sec as she closed her eyes tight before opening them again before she gave a nod. "I will, Viggo. I promise." She said as she and Midnight ran off to catch up to Henry and Wildstar.
Viggo smiled as he then looked at the Skrill. "You too, dragon. Get out of here."
The Skrill roared at him and unleashed bursts of electricity from her body, 'I'm staying.' She growled firmly.
"Suit yourself," Viggo shrugged.
Viggo ignited his blade and the two of them began making their way down the corridor. Once he turned round the corner he faced several Hunters pointing crossbows directly at him. Then to their surprise he immediately charged them with blade in hand and the Skrill fired lightning directly at them.
(Linebreak)
Hicca, Henry and their dragons were nearly out of the tunnel when suddenly there was a huge explosion of lightning that was powerful enough to slam them into the wall. Hicca and Henry quickly mounted their dragons and immediately flew down the passageway as quickly as they could as a powerful burst of lightning was following them.
"Faster, guys!" Hicca yelled.
"Almost out of here!" Henry yelled next.
They managed to get out of the cave, but no sooner had they done that the net landed on top of them and they crashed to the ground. The four of them looked up to see several Hunters looking over them and then saw Johann smiling down at them.
Hicca then immediately screamed and Midnight fired a plasma blast into the air.
Johann actually looked disappointed. "Is that all? Your pathetic plan fails, and a frustrated yell will be your final words? I expected more from Hicca Haddock the Third."
"Actually, it was dad's pathetic plan that failed," Henry corrected. "And by the way, Hicca wasn't yelling in frustration."
He then immediately looked to the sky and Johann and the Hunters were immediately confused. Then suddenly landed at the feet of an apple covered in flames.
"Coming in hot and blowing out snot!" Tuffnut's voice yelled.
They immediately looked up and saw the twins flying down at them pelting them with burning apples from above. Almost instantly the Hunters began to scramble to avoid getting struck by flame covered apples. The Thorston twins then immediately flew close to the ground and began knocking the Hunters into the air.
"I'm telling you, the gassiest record—that's our calling." Ruffnut said, looking at her brother.
"Fine, have it your way," Tuffnut grumbled.
They then immediately turned around and flew upside down and then began unleashing gas upon the encampment, choking the Hunters.
"Zippleback, baby!" Tuffnut cheered.
With the Hunters now distracted, Hicca and Henry took the opportunity to crawl out of the net and once they were out, they freed Midnight and Wildstar. They then immediately mounted them and they took off into the air and they soon joined the Thorston twins.
"Glad you guys could make it," Hicca said.
"Now, will you please witness our record?" Tuffnut pleaded.
"Go ahead." Henry nodded and the Thorston twins then stopped unleashing gas onto the encampment. They then turned around and flew up light as they turned towards the massive gas cloud surrounding the encampment.
"Fire in the hole!" Tuffnut cried.
'Eat this Johann!' Belch roared as he ignited the gas creating an explosion so huge you could see it from Asgard.
Hicca and Henry covered their eyes from the light and gazed at the blast. "Wow." Henry gasped.
"Now that's the blast." Hicca added.
It was so large that it actually scorched the Thorston twins as they slowly turned around and smiled at them with their hair sticking out.
Hicca smiled back before she noticed something flying out from the island, "Hey look." She pointed as flying towards them was the female Skrill, with a few slash marks on her hide and something in her mouth.
"Another Skrill!? That's awesome!" Tuffnut cheered in excitement.
Henry ignored them as he took a closer look at the female Skrill before he widened his eyes as he saw what was in her mouth. "No." He breathed.
Hicca notices Henry's expression. "Henry, what's wrong?" She asked in concern.
Henry said nothing as he pointed at the female Skrill, directly at her mouth as Hicca and the Thorston twins followed as they widened their eyes in shock as well.
What the female Skrill has in her mouth is Viggo's fire sword, with the flame out and slightly damaged as a couple of pieces are missing.
'I'm sorry. This was all I could save.' The Skrill rumbled as she dropped the sword in Henry's hands as he looked down at it sadly, accepting the horrible truth: Viggo Grimborn, his father, was gone.
"Henry?" Hicca asked in worry.
Henry didn't look at her as he held the sword tightly, "Let's go home." He said with apathy before flying off. Hicca and Thorston Twins looked at each other in concern before following after him.
Johann had managed to protect himself by hiding beneath a cart, but the entire encampment was now a smoking pile of ruins and he was witnessing as the six of them were making their getaway.
(Linebreak)
Once they were back at Dragon's Edge the next morning, Hicca and Henry explained everything to the other Riders and left out a single detail.
"Johann needs only one more lenses." Hicca said. "He is that much closer to the King of Dragons."
"And closer in using the King of Dragon to enslave both humans and dragons." Henry said dully while looking at his father's sword and note he hadn't read yet.
Raeda looked at them with a grim expression. "Unfortunately we are two behind, but I am a bit more concerned about this mysterious master of Krogan. If he's as dangerous as you say, then this is bigger than we thought."
Hiccup nodded. "That's what I figured. You two really had an interesting day."
"You have no idea, bro." Hicca nodded.
Fishlegs looked at Hicca in disbelief. "I can't believe Viggo sacrificed himself to save you two."
"And I've got to hand it to you, Hicca." Snotlout added. "It was pretty clever having the Thorston twins follow the both of you."
"That was actually pretty smart for them to stay hidden and provide backup against Johann." Raeda added with a small smile.
"And cleve for them to stay hidden until the signal is up." Valerie added.
The Thorston twins just smiled proudly.
"We needed a witness for our record, and he needed a backup." Ruffnut smiled. "It was a win-win."
Hicca turned and smiled at the Thorston twins. "And I'm pretty sure that's gotta be some sort of world record for the biggest explosion."
Tuffnut beamed. "World Record holder for Biggest Explosion."
"I like the sound of that," Ruffnut said as she began dancing around.
"But I'm not satisfied. One record? It's not enough."
"We need more."
"A whole book full of 'em! Records for everything. The longest mustache."
"Hairiest nose, stretchy skin."
"The longest metal coil pack through the nose and out of the mouth."
Everyone groaned in disgust at that comment.
"Okay, that's another disturbing image I'll never get out of my head." Hicca commented.
"Ditto." Raeda said in agreement.
"And it shall be called…" Tuffnut began.
"The Thorston Book of World Records!" The Thorston twins announced in unison.
They then high-fived one another and left the clubhouse.
(Linebreak)
Later that morning Hiccup and Hicca were at Hiccup's hut placing the Accomplice piece Viggo had given them with his other collection. Astrid was with them placing a hand on Hiccup's shoulder in a comforting manner.
"It's weird having Viggo gone." Astrid admitted. "I think it's almost like…"
Astrid couldn't say the words, but Hiccup knew what she meant. "We get it. We've learned a lot from him."
"Even after all we did to him, ruining his plans, business, fighting him and giving him that scar from the volcano, he really taught us on how to be better in his own way." Hicca added.
Hiccup then placed the piece on the board and Astrid gave them a comforting smile before she left the hut. Hiccup and Hicca looked at the board one last time, before Hicca toppled the Accomplice and closed the board before they left themselves.
Though Hicca glanced back and sighed, "Thank you, Viggo." She said as she walked out of the hut.
(Linebreak)
Up on the cliffs overlooking the Edge, Henry held the scroll his father gave him and after taking a breath, he opened it and read the message:
Dear Henry, I know that writing a note is not something I would do, but I knew that I wouldn't make it through, so here's what I wanted to tell you. I am truly sorry for the father you need when starting my dragon hunting business. I became so lost in profit and Maces and Talons strategies that I forgot how to be a real father to you, a brother to your uncle and a husband to your mother.
I have been left second guessing the choices I've made in my left ever since a dragon, a creature I've done wrong for so long, would risk its own life to save my own. I had finally come to see what it was you see in these creatures and I am proud you have become a man who is protector to these dragons.
Though if you truly deal a crippling blow to Johann and Krogan, Tell Hiccup and Hicca to cut off their supply of Singetails. They've been capturing more Singletails on an island that is mostly common for them to nest and they have been using a certain dragon to help lure in and trap them. Granted many of the Singetails are already taking to other bases with the Flyers, it will be enough to reduce their numbers to have the advantage more greatly than before.
And one more thing, I didn't kill your mother. Elise had a rare disease that was slowly killing her before I started the Hunter business. We didn't get to tell you because we knew how you would be if you found out. Elise tried to talk me out of hunter business when she saw what I was doing to the dragons. She tried to stand up to me and try to talk about some reasons, but the disease that had already taken effect in her suddenly spiked and she fell in my arms as it finally defeated her…and then you walked in and, well the rest is self explanatory.
I've come to regret many things I've done in my life, my boy, but I could never rest in peace, knowing you thought I did that. I hope someday you will rebuild our tribe under the ideals you have taught me, and make them into a tribe that protects and respects the dragons.
Be strong, be brave and always remember, your mother and I love you.
Your father, Viggo Grimborn.
Henry begins to tear up as a couple of teardrops fell on the scroll as he looked down and saw a picture painting of him, his father, mother and uncle, all huddled together for a family portrait as he took the painting off the scroll and look at it as his hands begin to tremble. He then put it in his satchel and then he pulled out his father's broken firesword as looked up and see that there was a storm as raindrops fell to the heaven as Henry held on the sword tightly before he then struck it into the ground as it a makeshift grave marker and started to sob.
"Goodbye, Dad. I'll never forget you." Henry sobbed while looking at his father's sword as rain kept pouring down.
Henry then sensed someone behind him as he turned and saw Hicca behind him while the Haddock girl gave him a sympathetic look as she walked up to Henry as the two gave each other a comforting hug as Henry kept sobbing as tears kept falling from his eyes.
"We'll never forget him, Henry. But he will always be with you, watching over you in Valhalla." Hicca said in a soft tone as she rubbed Henry's back.
"At least he finally saw the light I had hoped he would. Even at the last minute of being in this world." Henry said as the two broke apart and Henry looked off in the distance as Hicca joined him as Henry gave a determined look. "Dad wanted us to stop Johann and Krogan, and that's what we're gonna do. In his memory, we will stop Krogan and Johann's mission on finding the King of Dragon and end this Hunter business once and for all and bring peace to both humans and dragons and end their reign once and for all." He declared while still looking in the distance.
Hicca gave him a smile as she turned to him. "So, what's our next move?" She asked.
"The first thing is, cutting off their Singetails supply." Henry replied. "Dad told me that the Hunters are on an island that is more common for Singetails to nest, and that they're using a dragon to lure in and capture them, stop their captures of Singetails, and we will hurt them deeply." He said.
Hicca gave a nod as the two kept looking off in the distance as she leaned on Henry's shoulder as the two Riders held hands, knowing that they will avenge Viggo and end Krogan & Johann's mission to find the King of Dragons.