Everyone had enjoyed the recording that Skull had played to them on the tone dial.
"Hey, skeleton!"
"You ain't singing any more?"
"One more song! Come on!"
Skull smiled as he looked at the tone dial. "When this was recorded, my comrades and I knew that the end was near. But we sang our hearts out because this would be the Rumbar Pirates' swansong. For over 50 years, I sailed alone, drifting aimlessly in that dark misty sea. Hearing this song was my only comfort. Being all alone on that giant ship made me feel alive; in that sad and lonely place was my only link to other people. But now, I will proceed with a new strength, and I can seal this tone dial away until I can finally fulfil its original purpose."
He then promptly opened his Skull up again and inserted the tone dial inside. "Goodbye!" he sang.
"He did that weird head thing again!" Fishlegs and Snotlout stared.
Hiccup laughed.
"I am glad to hear that Laboon is well and still waiting for me," said Skull as he played the piano. "My shadow returned, and I'm able to leave the devil's sea. And although the voices in this dial kept me sane all those years, I must remember if it was not for my sake they were first recorded, this is a song for Laboon to remember his old friends. Every day on the boat was difficult; there was no end in sight. Frankly, I had given up all hope."
He then stopped and looked at Hiccup. "But Hiccup… you know what. I am so…" He then burst into tears. "…I am so glad to still be alive! I am so glad that I never gave up, no matter how hard it was."
"I admit, I can't imagine what you went through the past 50 years," Hiccup admitted.
"I have waited so long for this for this day to come!"
It took a few moments thing to finally calm down and rub the tears from his eye sockets. "So, is that all possible to join your crew?"
Hiccup smiled. "It sure is. Welcome aboard."
"What?" Snotlout and Fishlegs yelled in unison. "Just like that?"
"For real!" the twins and Chopper yelled.
Astrid, Heather and Ragnar laughed, and Eret merely smiled and shrugged. Almost instantly, Snotlout, the twins, Chopper and Eret grabbed Skull and began tossing him up into the air.
"It's good to have you!" Snotlout yelled.
"We finally got our musician," said Ruffnut.
"He may be old bones, but he sure knows how to play!" said Tuffnut.
"He may have a heavy heart, but he's as light as a feather!" said Chopper.
"By the way, what do you call a singing skeleton?" Snotlout asked.
"Yeah, tell us, Skull," said Chopper.
"A natural bone singer," Skull laughed.
The twins immediately laughed, but Hiccup merely groaned.
"The crew is certainly lively," said Heather looking at Astrid.
"Why do we always have to attract those types?" Astrid asked herself.
"I don't know what's going on, but congratulations, Astrid," said Lola as she approached her.
"Thanks, I guess," Astrid shrugged.
"I don't know what's going on, but cheers!" the masked brother yelled, and the other pirates followed suit.
"I refuse to, but cheers!" the skinny brother yelled.
Skull just smiled as everyone cheered and laughed. 'Laboon, I won't turn back, not after coming so far. I may have been sidetracked for a while, but now I'm heading straight forward again. All the way around the world, back to Twin Capes so far away, because I know that you will be waiting for me, and I have to keep my promise both to you and my crew. So I will see this to the end, no matter what. So wait for me, just a little bit longer.'
At the Twin Capes, as if sensing Skull's promise, Laboon roared loudly into the air.
Crocus looked up from his newspaper, confused. "Hey, Laboon, what's wrong?"
Laboon couldn't be certain, and he didn't know how, but he had this feeling that his old friends were about to return. Even this small thread of hope was enough to make him roar loudly into the air in anticipation.
"Well, you seem to be in high spirits today. I wonder why," Crocus noted.
Back at Breakneck Bog, he managed to silence everyone by slamming his wanted poster down on the floor and knelt before Hiccup.
"Take a look at this," he said.
"Wanted poster," Ragnar gasped. "You mean you already have a bounty on you?"
"Pardon me for not introducing myself properly before," said Skull apologetically. "I am known as Skull, and I am a wanted man. My nickname is the Humming Swordsman; I have a bounty of 33 million Gil on my head. I was the leader of a battle convoy in the kingdom of my origin. Afterwards, I served as a musician and swordsman in the Rumbar Pirates.
Later succeeding Captain Yorky as captain of the crew until their demise, but now I pledge my life and my service to Captain Hiccup D Haddock of the Dragon Rider Pirates! I shall do my best to make you proud! That is to say, I shall work myself to the bone."
"All right!" Hiccup cheered as they all raised a glass of mead. "One more toast! Raise your glasses!"
They all then dragged down their glasses and continued with their party.
Two days later, Hiccup and Eret had finished creating a monument for Skull's former crew so they could finally rest.
Skull looked at the monument with amazement as it was better than anything he could imagine for his former comrades.
"How splendid, thank you, Captain and Eret," said Skull gratefully. "It's perfect."
"No prob, bro," Eret smiled. "I can make one of these any day of the week."
"Eret did all the work; I just merely came up with the design," said Hiccup.
"And I picked up the flowers," said Chopper.
"Thank you so much, Chopper," said Skull bowing his head. "They're lovely."
Chopper smiled. "Flattery won't get you anywhere with me."
Skull then turned back to the monument. "But truly, it is a beautiful memorial, and this is for the best as it could scarcely bring all those bones onto your ship. By happy coincidence, Breakneck Bog originally came from the West Blue, just like the Rumbar Pirates. Despite the troubles that this ship brought me, I hope that my friend will rest peacefully in the soil of their home."
"We're going to head back now, Skull," said Hiccup as he and the others left. "We'll see you soon."
"I'm glad you like it," said Eret.
"Bye-bye!" Chopper waved.
"Thank you," said Skull bowing to them once more.
He then sat down in front of the monument and began playing Bink's Brew on his violin. He only stopped when he heard footsteps behind and turned round to find Toothless standing there.
He approached the monument and placed a scabbard into the ground before sitting beside Skull.
"You gave me a fright," said Skull. "You were out for quite a while. Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I overslept a bit," said Toothless.
"And what is that?" Skull asked, looking at the scabbard.
"A dead sword… Blackest Heart. I'm laying it to rest here too."
Skull was tempted to tell him that he knew about what really happened with Kuma, but he respected Toothless enough not to mention it. He must have given him a strange look because Toothless frowned at him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"No, it's nothing," said Skull looking away from him. "Oh, in case you haven't heard, I've officially joined the crew."
"I see," Toothless smiled. "Just to warn you, this crew can be a real handful."
Skull laughed. "So it would seem, but I will give them my blood and sweat all the same. Though, since I'm a skeleton, that's going to be rather hard."
The two of them then chuckled.
Soon everyone better back of the dock where the Night Fury and Skull's recently patched-up ship were waiting.
"Toothless is wide awake, so it's onto our next adventure," Hiccup announced. "Come on, it's time to set sail!"
"Yeah!" everyone cheered.
"Setting off already," said Lola. "I'm sorry you can't stick around."
"Whenever you feel like leaving, you can take Skull's ship," said Eret. "I fix the rudder and the sails for you."
"It's wonderful; I can't thank you enough for all you've done," said Lola gratefully. "It may take the rest of my life to pay you back, but I'm willing to try. In other words, what you say is that you and I get married."
"Sorry, babe," Eret chuckled. "Your champ, but it won't work out. I'm afraid I'm just too stupid to settle down."
"I really hate to see you take off; you surely don't stick around and party for a few more days?" the masked brother asked.
"If we stay here any longer may not want to leave," said Hiccup.
"Yes, we need to go straight to Fishman Island and meet those beautiful mermaids!" said Snotlout dreamily.
"Leaving when I say that mermaids are so gorgeous they even give the Pirate Empress Atali a run for her money," said the skinny brother.
"Mermaids are fish from the waist down," Heather reminded them.
"How do you guys know so much about Fishman Island?" Ragnar asked.
"Well, a couple of years back, before we got stuck in this hellhole, we took a trip there," the masked brother explained. "You're going to love it."
"Whoa, Lola, I realise that you went to the New World already," said Astrid shocked.
"We didn't go there, you big silly; we came from there in the first place," she said. "My mum was a pirate there, just like me, you know. Oh, that reminds me…" She then pulled out a piece of paper, ripped it, and gave one of the pieces to Astrid. "Here, you should take this. It's my mum's Viva Card."
"A piece of paper?" Astrid frowned.
"Oh, hang on to that one," said the masked brother. "One of the greatest pirates I ever met in my life is Lola's mum. That will come in handy someday; not just anybody gets one of those."
"Sorry, but what is a Viva Card again?" Astrid asked.
"What?" said Lola surprised. "You guys don't know?"
"Come on, Captain, don't be insensitive," said the skinny brother. "They only make Viva Cards in the New World."
"Oh, I forgot about that," she said and looked back at Astrid. "Anyway, this is no normal paper. You can wet it or burn it, but it won't change. If you take a piece of your fingernail to the shop where they make things, you can use it to create a personalised piece of paper just like this one. Because of their use, they also call Viva Cards life paper sometimes. The idea is to tear off a piece and give it to your family or friends when you go on a journey."
"And then what?" Astrid asked.
"Take a look," said Lola as she placed a Viva Card on the deck. "This is the Viva Card I got from my mama."
Everyone looked at the card and then saw that it was moving.
"It's moving!" Astrid gasped.
"No matter where in the world the straps of paper are, they are drawn to each other. So long as I have this, I know which direction Mum is in. It doesn't tell you the distance, though, I'm afraid."
"Whoa, that's so neat," said Chopper. "I bet there's a whole bunch of crazy stuff like that in the New World, huh?"
"Well, I don't know about crazy, but it certainly is handy," said Lola and began to sign her Viva Card. "Anyway, I'm signing the peace of my paper of Mama's Viva Card, so if you ever are in trouble, you can use it to find, and she will help you out. If that ever happens, be sure to tell her that I'm doing fine, okay."
"Wow, thanks, Lola," Astrid beamed.
"I guess I should have should explain Viva Cards when Ace gave me his," said Hiccup rubbing the back of his head.
Astrid looked up. "I almost forgot; Ace did give you something like this a long time ago."
"Yeah, and I've still got it," said Hiccup as he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the paper. "This is it." His eyes widened when he saw that edge of the paper was starting to burn. "Wait, I thought these things couldn't burn."
Lola and Risky Brothers became horrified.
"Are you kidding?! Let me see that!" Lola yelled.
Hiccup gave her the Viva Card and gave everyone a dark look.
"This is definitely a Viva Card, but there's something I neglected to tell you before," she said. "The life force of the owner is also reflected upon the paper. Does this belong to someone close to you?"
"Belonged to my big brother," said Hiccup.
Astrid did like the look on Lola's face. "Lola?"
"I'm sorry to say this, but your brother's life is in terrible danger right now," she informed them.
Everyone just looked shocked.
A few moments later, they boarded the Night Fury, furled the sails, and began to sail out of Breakneck Bog. When they exited the gates surrounding the ship, it felt like it had been a lifetime since they were out in the open sea.
The Rolling Pirates had gathered around the walls of the ship and waved them one final goodbye, and they did the same to them.
"Good luck out there!" Hiccup yelled.
"We are you are lives! We won't forget what you've done, Dragon!" the skinny brother yelled.
"Thank you for giving us the sun!" the masked brother cried.
"Take care out there!" Skull waved.
"Bye, Lola, and thanks for the Viva Card! I'll miss you!" Astrid yelled.
"I hope we meet again someday, but if you see my mama tell her I said hi, Astrid!" Lola yelled.
"Set sail!" Hiccup ordered.
They then continued on their adventure and soon disappeared into the horizon.
"Well, I guess they're gone now," said Lola.
"Yeah," said the skinny brother brushing away his tears with his sleeve.
Lola then noticed the fog was coming in. "Looks like the fog has come back. We set sail tomorrow!"
"Roger!" the Rolling Pirates yelled.
No one truly knows what hides within the sea of mist that is the Florian Triangle, but what is known is that each year hundreds of ships disappear without a trace. It is also worked note that the giant ship Breakneck Bog first dropped anchor in these dark oceans 10 years ago, but the tales of the disappearances came long before then. Perhaps it is fortunate that the thick mist is abundant upon these waters as it cloaks the terrors that hide within its shroud.
The Dragon Riders were now back on course heading for Fishman Island, but the concern for Ace hung over every member of the crew.
"Hiccup, you're sure you're okay with this?" Astrid asked.
"I have every confidence in my brother," said Hiccup.
"Hiccup, we can take detours if you like. I wouldn't mind," said Skull. "Time has proven to be no obstacle to either me or Laboon. So long as I draw breath, I know that we will be reunited someday.
"Yeah, it's fine," Fishlegs agreed. "You're our captain, and will follow you anywhere."
"I would mind wanted to meet your big brother," said Eret.
"I appreciate your concern, but even if my brother was in some trouble, the last thing he would want was his little brother to come bail him out," said Hiccup. "That would drive him crazy. He hates to show his weak side to anyone and never asks for help. If I did save his life, he'll probably just get mad. Besides were pirates and were supposed to be rivals anyway; his adventures are his business, even if they do turn out bad."
"Well, keep your hopes up," said Ragnar as he gave everyone a tankard of mead. "Lola's pals were saying that the card not only shrinks when someone is in trouble, it also grows bigger things get better for them."
"Good, then I'll see him again when the thing is back to full strength," said Hiccup. "I'm sure that's what he was thinking when he gave me that card, right?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Now I know we have already done this, but Toothless was unconscious for the big party and missed out on this," said Hiccup.
"Well, no harm in doing it one more time, right?" said Snotlout. "Let's all raise our mugs in celebration of our newest crewmember… the musician Skull!"
"Cheers!" everyone yelled as they raised their tankards into the air.
"Really, you're too kind," said Skull.
"Full speed ahead!" Hiccup commanded. "Let's get moving with a Coup De Bust!"
"Yeah!" everyone agreed.
The ship then suddenly took off, surprising Skull to no end.
"We're flying! What is going on?" he yelled.