Web's Masters
The riders were in the Ice Realm. Edelweiss had introduced them to dragon sledding. They all instantly enjoyed it. When they reached the bottom of the slope they all took a minuet to catch their breath.
"You do this all the time?" Jun asked Edelweiss.
"Every winter," said Edelweiss. "Hiccup and his riders were the ones that invented it, and they taught it to me."
"Can you do any tricks?" Eugene asked enthusiastically. Edelweiss considered.
"Yeah, I've got a few tricks," she said. The riders all looked at her expectedly. She got on her dragon and flew up to the top of the slope. When they were in position, they slid down the hill. As they headed down, Edelweiss stood up in the saddle balancing on the balls of her feet like a surfer. Black Widow steered herself around any obstacle and picked up speed. Edelweiss managed to keep her balance the whole time. As they reached the bottom of the hill, Edelweiss jumped flawlessly back into the saddle. Black Widow came to a stop near the other riders and dragons, and got back to her feet. The riders all cheered.
"That was amazing," said Tom.
"Don't you worry about falling?" Alex asked.
"Of course," said Edelweiss. "But I don't let that stop me from trying." She patted Black Widow on the neck.
The riders continued sledding, and soon turned it into a race. At first things went smoothly. Then Tom, Jun, D'Angelo, and Eugene got a bit rougher and rammed their dragons into each other. They ended up in a big heap at the bottom of the hill.
"My hair crossed the finish line first," said Eugene.
"Not before Wu's nose," said Jun.
"I'm pretty sure Plow's horn crossed first," D'Angelo argued. But then they all spotted Alex and Edelweiss standing next to their dragons, looking like they'd been there for a while.
"What took you guys so long?" Alex asked, smirking.
"How did you beat us Alex? You were the last one on the course," said D'Angelo.
"Well, while you guys were playing bumper dragons we slid right passed to victory," said Alex, she patted Feathers on the snout.
"We would have won if Kullersen had stayed in his lane," said Eugene. Tom glared at him.
"You crashed into everyone," said Jun.
"Hey, it's not my fault you guys can't control your dragons," said Eugene. "Webmaster and I have the strongest bond, we're as tight as they come." He patted Webs on the neck.
"There's no way you're more bonded to Webmaster then I am to Wu and Wei," said Jun patting her dragon fondly.
"Sure we are," said Eugene. "You must have a favorite head between the two, which leaves the other out in the cold." This caused Wu and Wei to snap their jaws at each other.
"Settle down you two," Jun said. "I love you both equally." Tom climbed onto a large crystal.
"Well, I'm so connected to Thunder we don't even need to talk about it," he said. "It just happened naturally." He then fell off the crystal, and Thunder caught him.
"Total Luck Kullersen," said Eugene. "Thunder probably thought you were a giant fish nugget."
"Edelweiss must have the strongest bond with her dragons," said Jun. "She's been around them her whole life, and they speak the same language." Edelweiss ran a finger down the scar on her chest at these words.
"Then why does she hang around, if she's so well bonded with hers?" Eugene asked. Black Widow growled.
"I love all dragons," Edelweiss said. "Both wild and domestic." She patted Black Widow on the neck.
"I still say Webbs and I have the tightest bond," Eugene said. "Right Webs?" He turned only to find Webbs gone. Eugene instantly looked concerned.
"Wow, you guys are so well bonded that Webs didn't even stick around," Jun said, amused.
"He wouldn't have wondered off without a good reason," said Eugene. He called for his dragon. He looked all around the area. Just then Webs returned. Eugene looked relieved. "There you are Webbs. Don't wonder off like that." Webs squawked apologetically. The riders came over to them, and D'Angelo sotted something green at Webs' feet.
"Is that what I think it is?" He voiced out loud. Tom went over and picked up something that was big, green, and flat.
"It's a giant blade of grass," he said.
"Cool," Edelweiss said. She looked at Webs. "You found this?"
"Yeah, I smelled grass, and it confused me since we're in the Ice Realm," Webs said. "So I followed the scent." Edelweiss translated.
"You think you can show us where you found this Webs?" Tom asked, holding up the blade of grass. Webs nodded, then turned and went back the way he'd come. Everyone followed him, through a hole in a nearby cliff.
On the other side of the hole, was a new realm. It was warmer than the Ice Realm. It mostly consisted of a grassy field, filled with wildflowers. However, all the grass and flowers were the size of trees. They wandered through the grass and flowers, in complete awe.
"Look at this place," Tom said. "Everything's giant."
"Or did we all shrink?" Alex asked.
"Maybe we did," said Edelweiss.
"Let's split up and look around," Tom said. "But be careful, we don't know anything about those new realm."
"Come on Webs, lets get a dragon eye view," said Eugene. He jumped on his dragon and they took off. Suddenly an enormous dragon, with large wings glided overhead casting everyone in its shadow. Webs instantly went back down to avoid being scooped up. Eugene dismounted. "On second thought, I've decided we'll explore on foot." The riders continued to wander through the realm. Suddenly the dragons stopped and growled. Everyone looked up to see a pink caterpillar the size of an airliner.
"Okay, no big deal," said Tom. "Just passing through."
"It's really beautiful here," said Edelweiss. "And if that's how the big the plants and insects are, I wonder how big the dragons here will be." Alex gaped at her.
"How big do dragons get?" She asked.
"Well, they used to be as big as mountains," said Edelweiss. "But, except for sea dragons, I've never seen any that size." She suddenly spotted D'Angelo examining a blade of grass that was cut. "What are you looking at D'Angelo?"
"This blade of grass seems to have been cut by something," D'Angelo said.
"So we have to look out for the world's biggest lawn mower?" Eugene asked.
"No," said D'Angelo. "Some animals mark their territory by clawing tree trunks, or trampling foliage."
"Or they set it on fire," Edelweiss added.
"You're saying we might be wandering into someone else's yard?" Tom asked.
"Yeah, we don't want be rude and show up empty handed," said Alex. "We should just go."
"But we can't fly out of here without being snatched by that Swooper," said Tom. Suddenly they heard the grass rustling, and something hissing in the shadows. The dragons all took up the defensive, growling. Then out came three scorpion like dragons; one black and red, one black and green, and one black and yellow. They sculled up to the riders and dragon, brandishing the stingers on the end of their arched tails.
"Oh, yeah," Edelweiss said sarcastically. Black Widow gnashed her black teeth. But before she could say what kind of dragons they were, they all attacked. The riders' dragons fought back. Plowhorn rammed on of the wild dragons with her horn, and Black Widow blasted another with her red plasma blasts. The wild red and black dragon blasted hot slime at Eugene, Webs managed to block it and get between his rider and the wild dragon. The dragon suddenly stabbed the Deadly Spinner in the shoulder with his stinger. Webs backed off and shook himself like he was in a daze. Then his eyes went wide and unfocused. The wild dragons surrounded him, but didn't look aggressive anymore. Then to Eugene's horror Webs willing went with the wild dragon back into the grass and out of sight.
"Webs come back!" Eugene called after him, but Webs ignored him. Eugene went to go after the wild dragons, but Jun blocked him.
"Eugene stop," she said. The riders and their dragons gathered back up.
"He must have sacrificed himself to save the team," said Eugene. "I shouldn't have let him do it."
"Calm down Eugene," Jun said. Eugene glared at her.
"Webs was just taken by those hideous monsters, this is calm!" He shouted. "And don't even think about leaving without him Kullersen." He pointed at Tom.
"Nope, we're not leaving without him," said Tom. "Don't worry, we'll find him."
"If he even wants to be found," said Alex. "He seemed pretty chummy with those other dragons."
"Edelweiss do you know anything about those dragons?" Tom asked. Edelweiss opened her mouth to answer, but Plowhorn suddenly grunted in alert and took off running.
"Plow's got his scent," said D'Angelo. They all ran after Plowhorn.
"I'm coming Webs!" Eugene called.
They soon came to a dark cave. They could hear the wild dragons screeching inside.
"Looks like we found where they went," said D'Angelo.
"Okay, I'm going to in and get Webs," said Eugene urgently.
"Hold on Eugene," said Tom. "We have no idea what's in that cave."
"We should draw them out," D'Angelo suggested. "like shaking a beehive."
"Because that always ends well," said Alex. Just then Edelweiss and Black Widow caught up to them.
"Do you know what those were?" Jun asked her. Edelweiss was about to answer, but was interrupted again.
"Oh come on Webs is in there, he needs me," said Eugene. "We don't have time for this." Tom sighed.
"Okay, as soon as Thunder gives it a good pop and those dragons are out of there, you go in and get Webs," he instructed. Eugene just nodded, his eye fixed on the cave. Thunder then shot the cave with lightening, which caused a commotion from inside. Soon the wild dragons came outside looking pissed. The riders ran, and the wild dragons chased them. Eugene headed into their cave to look for Webs.
Tom and the others hid behind the giant blades of grass, staying well out of sight. The wild dragons stalked around looking for the intruder. When they were out of sight, the riders and their dragons met back up. Eugene and Webs still weren't back. They all sat and waited, for a long time.
"Where is Eugene?" Tom asked, worried. "He should have been out of there with Webbmaster by now."
"Eugene messes up a lot of things," said Jun.
"We can't risk those dragons coming back to the cave," said D'Angelo.
"Okay, Edelweiss tell us everything you know about those dragons," Tom said.
"They're called Deathgrippers," said Edelweiss.
"That sounds appropriate," said Alex. Edelweiss gave her a sideways glance.
"Couple need to know details about them," she continued. "They're highly skilled pack hunters, and they have a poisonous stingers on the end of their tails. They're a distant relatives of Speed Stingers, but whereas Speed Stinger venom effects the body, Deathgripper venom effects the brain. One sting and the victim is under the Deathgrippers' control." Tom looked horrified.
"We got to get Eugene and Webs out of there," he said. He ran towards the Deathgrippers' cave; Thunder, Edelweiss, and Black Widow followed.
Inside; Eugene had found Webs, and had been trying in vain to snap the dragon out of his trance. But Webs was not responding and actually snared his own rider in his flaming webs.
"What kind of dragon betrays his own rider?" Eugene grumbled. Webs kept ignoring him, and checked his bonds. Then Eugene spotted the small puncture in Webs' flank. "Wait, they stung you is that what happened?" Webs stopped checking the bonds, seeming satisfied with his work. Just then the three Deathgrippers returned to the cave. Webs stood back.
"Come on Webs, you don't want to hand me over to them," Eugene begged. "Please." The red Deathgripper, who seemed to be the one in charge, crawled over to Eugene.
"Oh, this is going to hurt," said Eugene wincing. The Deathgripper arched its tail, pointing the foot long stinger right for Eugene's face. Suddenly the green and yellow Deathgrippers were struck with lightening, and the red one was hit with a red plasma blast. Eugene looked to see Tom wielding his lightening sword, Thunder, Edelweiss and Black Widow behind him. Tom and Edelweiss ran over to Eugene while the two dragons distracted the Deathgrippers and Webs.
"It seems Webs was stung by the Deathgrippers and is under their control," said Tom as Edelweiss used Apollo's dagger to cut Eugene free.
"Tell me something I don't know Kullersen," said Eugene irritably.
"The effects are temporary," said Edelweiss. "Webs should be back to normal soon."
"Oh that's good to know," said Eugene, sounding more sarcastic then he meant.
"We'll distract the Deathgrippers, while you get Webs," said Tom. He and Edelweiss rejoined their dragons and mounted them.
"Make sure Webs doesn't get stung again, or we'll be here all day," said Edelweiss. The two riders and their dragons headed for the exit. The green and yellow Deathgrippers went after them, leaving the red one behind to defend the cave. Eugene ran to Webmaster.
"Come on Webs, we got to get out of here," he said desperately. The red Deathgripper charged at them. Webs just stood between Eugene and the Deathgripper, looking between them. "Webs will you do something." Webs looked from Eugene to the Deathgripper, who snarled orders as well. Webs then turned and chased Eugene, who ran from both dragons.
Outside; the other riders weren't having much luck with the green and yellow Deathgrippers. Edelweiss and Black Widow circled overhead, but staying just low enough to avoid the Swoopers. Edelweiss spotted the yellow Deathgripper about to finish off Plowhorn, D'Angelo had fallen off. Edelweiss pulled out her dragon whistle and blew it. The Deathgripper was distracted and charged after Black Widow, who vanished into the shadows. This gave D'Angelo the time he needed to get back on Plowhorn.
Back in the cave; Eugene was still running from Webs and the red Deathgripper. The large rocks seem to slow them down, and Eugene managed to hide behind a large boulder. The red Deathgripper stalked passed, not seeing him. He roared in frustration and stalked off. Eugene ran and ducked behind another rock, he curled into a ball. Suddenly he heard Webs snarling. Eugene looked up to see his dragon clinging to the ceiling, looking down at him. Eugene backed up into a corner.
"Look Webs, there's no where for me to go," he said, his voice shaking. "I can't beet that thing. It's just like the first time we met; cornered by a fierce dragon. But we saved each other. We didn't even know each other yet, but we saved each other remember?" Webs growled and inched closer. "I've never had a bond like this with anyone before. Nothing should ever break that." Webs turned his head and squawked loudly. Eugene wiped the tears from his eyes, and continued. "Oh go ahead, call 'em. Doesn't matter anymore, I won't leave you." He reached out and grasped Webs' nose horn. "That sting might have made you forget our bond, but I haven't. I love you too much to forget." Just then Webs shook himself and blinked his eyes, as though he was coming back to his senses. Eugene felt so relieved, but it was short lived. The red Deathgripper found them and tried to stab Eugene with his tail, but Webs blocked it. Eugene ran out of the way, but the Deathgripper gave chase. Webs managed to grab hold of the Deathgripper's tail, the red dragon roared in outrage and tried to shake Webs off. But the Spinner held on tight, until he could hold on no more and let go. The barb at the end of the tail stabbed the Deathgripper right in the flank, and the Deathgripper went down.
"Yeah! Way to give that jerk a taste of his own medicine!" Eugene exclaimed. Webs ran to his rider. Eugene mounted up. "Now lets get out of this kill cave." Webs spread his wings and took off.
Outside the rest of the group were still dealing with the other two Deathgrippers. Tom, Edelweiss, Jun, D'Angelo and their dragons collided with each other in a clearing. Suddenly the two Deathgrippers landed in front of them, cutting off.
"Where's Alex?" Tom asked.
"I don't know," said D'Angelo. The dragons tried blasting the Deathgrippers, but they soon ran out and the Deathgrippers weren't phased.
"Looking for some back up?" Came a new voice. Everyone looked up to see Eugene and Webs flying towards them. Webs landed among the group. "Well look what we've got here; two bullies agains all of us. Let's blast these guys."
"Eugene, the dragons are out of shots," said D'Angelo.
"Oh," said Eugene. Suddenly Feathers materialized behind the Deathgrippers, and sound blasted them. The Deathgrippers were so startled they took off, and were crunched up by a Swooper. The riders and dragons looked horrified.
"That's unfortunate," said Edelweiss. The riders all turned their dragons around and headed for the way out. "Wait where's the red guy?"
"He's back in the cave, Webs got him to sting himself," said Eugene. "So he's down for the count."
"You've seen Deathgrippers before?" Tom asked. Edelweiss nodded.
"I rehabilitated a pack of them once," she said. "They were good friends. I got a large supply of their venom for my Deathgripper crossbow."
"Why didn't you bring that along, would have come in handy," said D'Angelo.
"I swore I would never use it on a dragon," Edelweiss explained. "I don't care how aggressive they are. I only use it on enemies."
They made it back to the Ice Realm. They returned to the dragon sledding course.
"That's got to be the craziest realm yet," said Eugene.
"I vote we avoid that realm," said Alex. "And since I'm the only one who voted, it's official."
"I plan on going back," said Edelweiss. "I want to know what other dragons live there."
"I'm fine with going back," said D'Angelo. "As long as we avoid those Swoopers."
"Well, we're going back to the surface to get a bite to eat," said Edelweiss. "You guys staying here a bit longer?"
"Yeah, we've got a race to finish," said Eugene, jumping back onto Webs. Edelweiss just nodded then flew off on Black Widow while the riders and their dragons went back to dragon sledding.