AN: This chapter was posted a day after the last one so please check if you read the last chapter to avoid confusion.
Chapter 81
Hiccups POV:
It's been a week since we took out Viggo's dragon auction and in that time we've not let up on the dragon hunters for even a minute however our last attack was a little close. Gnaw got caught in one of their chains and this time their winch was also dragon proof but luckily the wooden deck it was on wasn't. I just had to hit it with an explosive arrow and not only did it free Gnaw but also sent Ryker flying into the ocean. I'll never forget the look of anger on his face when he rose up from the water and glared up at me as I flew over him with the freed dragons behind me while his men were in my dragon's claws as they screamed in fear. After that we took the men and dragons back to the edge before activating the arch and taking them all through.
Now however I was on my way to meet Viggo who sent me a letter via terror mail claiming he wanted to discuss a peace agreement between us. The spot he chose was literally in the middle of nowhere where my dragons would be tired out and his men could ambush me but that wasn't his style. He prefers to outthink his opponents, which is something I respected about him since it showed he's intelligent but it was also his weakness. Still though Viggo will come after us in the future whether I meet him or not and this is why I was now on my way to the location he wanted us to meet. Heather wasn't too happy about it though but she respected my decision although she insister her and Windshear come with as back up incase this was a trap. I was cautious to and decided it best to bring Saber, Bones, Lightning, Shard and Furnace with us since they would make good back up against the hunters. It was then the island came into view and Viggo was sitting in the middle of it without any form of cover and there was no place for his men to hide. I could easily take him out from here but I decided against it since for all I knew that could be exactly what he wanted. I signaled Heather and my dragons to circle the island and only attack if things looked bad. Toothless and I came in to land behind Viggo at a distance since after doing a check up of the island using my eagle eye I saw he was sitting in the middle of a field of blue oleander. The oleander that was incredibly poisonous to dragons and the flower I wanted my dragons nowhere near so I had Toothless circle the field on foot as I talked to Viggo. I walked up behind him and saw he was sitting over a maces and talons board but he was missing the honorable Viking chief piece I took when he was holding Heather hostage. I took the piece out and put it on the board as I said.
"I believe you've been missing a piece." He turned to me smiling.
"You came, I'm surprised!" I walked around to the other side of the board.
"Please, if you were surprised you wouldn't be sitting in the middle of a field of flowers that were poisonous to dragons."
"A man has to take precautions." He gestured to my dragons in the air. "I see you arrived with friends."
"Like you said, a man needs to take precautions but what is it you want Viggo?"
"To compliment you Hiccup." He pointed at me. "You and your dragons has had some impressive victories recently." He lowered his hand. "It's put quite the dent in my bottom line." I smiled hearing this.
"Excellent!"
"You are indeed a worthy opponent-" He then placed the chief of the marauders on the board. "And as such this battle between us could continue for years to come or-" He stopped there.
"Or what?"
"Or it could end today."
"If that's the case then I accept your surrender." He chuckled.
"Oh it's good to see your sense of humor is still intact but I am offering a truce." He knocked the pieces aside and slammed a map with a red line running across it down. "With very generous terms." He pointed to one side. "You stay South of this line and both me and my men will stay above it." He stood up. "We never have to fight again." I just glared at him. "Hiccup I'm not unreasonable and have no desire to rule the world like some people, I am but a simple business man and fighting is bad for business."
"I know you're not the type since you lack the same mad glint in your eye that the others I've faced had."
"Oh so you've faced the kind before have you?" I shrugged.
"A greedy noble, an insane high priest, a power hungry general, a man turned demon and an evil sorceress who wished to enslave humanity." He stared at me for a moment before smiling.
"Seems you've lived quite the interesting life."
"You have no idea."
"Indeed but I'm offering you the chance to save the life of every dragon on this side along with the lives of your beloved dragons and friend Heather." He leaned over the board and took out a pencil before he began signing. "I am willing to memorialize this deal now and end the bloodshed." He offered me the pencil. "Are you?" I stared at him.
"I'm going to need time to think about it." He pulled the pencil back.
"Of course, of course all leader need to receive council but in the end it's all up to us isn't it?" I rolled up the parchment. "How's that Snafflefangs leg doing by the way?" I glared at him and walked away.
4 hours later
Heather didn't take the offer of a truce too well which was expected but I explained to her that Viggo must be trying to keep us away from something on his side of the line and whatever it was would be right on the edge. This is why we were now on our way to a volcanic island that was just underneath the line on Viggo's side. This time it was Heather and I with Toothless and Winshear along with Berg, Siren, Shard, Opal and Sapphire. The reason for my ice spitting dragons is that this islands volcano might be active so I might need them to help stop the lava flow incase. When the island came into view I used my eagle eye to get a better view of the island and took note of a few things as I said.
"There's a village in a clearing to the west with weird buildings that aren't Viking or Hunter." Heather then asked.
"Can you see anything else?"
"A statue of some species of dragon I've never seen before."
"So should we fly in and confront them or get a closer look first?"
"We don't know if they're friend or foe so we should land in the forest to get a better look first." She nodded before we all came in for a landing and once I dismounted I turned to face my dragons. "Alright guys, stay here and keep a look out for any trouble while me and Heather check out the village." They all growled and nodded before Heather and I begun making our way into the forest but a little while in I heard Heather yell behind me only to see her axe lodged in the ground. "Heather?" I heard a branch snap behind me and saw a group of people in the trees right before they started launching darts at me and although I was able to block most of them one got me in the neck before everything went black.
When I came to my arms were tied behind my back and surrounded by people all dressed the same way with the lower and upper halves of their faces being covered leaving only their eyes that were glaring at us exposed. I also took note that the male outfits were sleeveless while the females arms were completely covered, which helped tell the boys from the girls. I then noticed my dragons were also in the village but they weren't doing anything as one of the males fed them some kind of fruit. I stood up as a well-built man who was dressed differently with the sides of his head shaved and his light brown hair pulled back into a short ponytail walked through the crowd. As he glared at me I released my rotating blade and began cutting the ropes as he said.
"I am Throk!" Before I could reply he put a hand on my head and forced me back down to my knees and turned around while saying. "All hail Mala, queen defender of the wing!" Everyone bowed to woman with short blond hair wearing a similar outfit to those of the other females except her head wasn't covered, it was longer, had a mandarin collar with symbols of that dragon on the end in gold and gold lining on her tunic and shoulder guards, she looked down at me and said.
"So these are the dragon hunters your men captured Throk?" The blades cut through the ropes.
"Yes my queen!" Heather replied.
"Hunters, us?" Before I said.
"We're not dragon hunters though I do enjoy a good boar hunt from time to time."
"Do you take me for a fool?" She glared at me. "You were sent by Viggo Grimborn to attack us and steal the great protector." She gestured to the statue.
"You couldn't be more wrong." I looked from the statue to her. "I don't know who you are or who the Great Protector is but if you're enemies of Viggo Grimborn then we have something in common."
"Exactly what the last spy sent by Grimborn said."
"We don't hunt dragons, we honor and respect them."
"Yet you shackle them and make them do your bidding."
"Those are just saddles so we can ride them."
"Not anymore you don't, your dragons are now free!" The one with my dragons waved his hands trying to get my dragons to leave but they didn't move from their spot. "Go, be burdened no more." Heather then said.
"See our dragons are loyal to us." I then said.
"If we were hunters then why wouldn't our dragons leave now that you've freed them?"
"Is it not obvious?" She glared at me. "They can no longer think for themselves but we will change that." My mind flashed back to the quakens I freed as she leaned down. "And you will pay for your crimes against dragons." She straightened up. "Take them away Throk." As she walked through the crowd she yelled. "PREPARE FOR A ROYAL TRIAL!" Throk then glared down at me as I looked back at him and smirked.
"A word of advice for future times Throk!" I moved one of my hands from behind my back and pulled his hand in front of me before using my other hand to drop the ropes into his hand. "Keep an eye on the ropes binding your prisoners hands since they might have a way to break the ropes." He looked down at the ropes in his hand before looking back at me with wide eyes before he growled and grabbed my hands and held them behind my back before pushing me forward.
1 hour later
I was standing in front of Mala and the defenders of the wing as I now knew they were called with Heather at my side. Earlier on they had us in a cell that had been built into the ground and although I knew I could easily break us both out and then we both could take down the guards I felt it better we stay. The reason being that if we were able to prove to the defenders of the wing that we weren't enemies of dragons then we might be able to gain new allies in our battle against Viggo and his hunters. Besides that I wanted to know what they did to my dragons to make them act so docile when normally they'd be setting the village ablaze for attacking me. Along with that I was curious to know what they did to the hunters they captured since the cells on Outcast Island were getting pretty full these days and Alvin was complaining how I needed to find a new place to hold the hunters I captured. These guys might be the answer to that problem but before I did that I needed to show them that I was an ally. It was then Mala said.
"You stand accused of being dragon hunters, subjugators of dragons, do you deny this?" I stepped forward.
"Yes!"
"But you admit that you force the dragons to carry you on their backs?"
"We don't force them!"
"And that you used them to land secretly on our island?"
"Well yes but you're making it sound worse than it is."
"So you weren't caught by my men sneaking towards our village?"
"Sneaking is a strong word."
"And you didn't come heavily armed?"
"Those are for self defense only."
"So you came here expecting a fight?"
"Walk a mile in my shoes and you learn it's better to be prepared and I didn't know if you were allies of the dragon hunters who would hand me over to Viggo."
"So you believe us to be allies of dragon hunters."
"You're twisting my words." I then let out an annoyed sigh. "This is getting us nowhere so please just listen to what I have to say." She nodded. "Until a few years ago, we fought dragons but we've learned to live in harmony with them and yes we ride them cause they allow us to but the most important thing you need to know is we hate the dragon hunters and everything they stand for." I heard them all muttering as I raised my prosthetic and finished off with. "Since I began fighting them I've been freeing the dragons they capture, sinking their ships, capturing their men and taking pleasure in branding the back of the necks of their worst men so if you're an enemy of the dragon hunters you can consider me an ally." Mala nodded.
"We are moved by your sincerity and passion Hiccup Haddock but just one question." She stood up and walked forward. "If you despise Viggo as you say-" She held up the map. "Why do you hold a map written in his hand and carrying his signature?" I knew this trial was over and I lost. "I find you both guilty and sentence you to the same fate that befalls all dragon hunters." She glared down at me. "THE NEST!" Everyone cheered at this before Mala, Throk and a group of armed warriors led us away.
Ten minutes later
We were lead into a large cave full of resting dragons with my dragons following us in. Heather told me it was best we make a run for it but I told her these defenders could still be our allies if I was able to train the dragons in the nest instead of being eaten. She didn't like it but she agreed to let me try after I reminded her I still had my eagle shield on my arm and god made weapons in my prosthetic. It was then Mala stopped in front of what looked to be a pit. She turned to face us and said.
"We protect the dragons as they protect us, we accept the judgment of the dragons as they have accepted us." She raised her hand and gestured us forward. "Step forward and receive that judgment." I stepped forward.
"Coming here was my idea so I'll go first."
I walked towards the pit and saw it had three speedstingers in it bringing a bit of fear to my face. I had no trouble with the speedstingers back on my island since I was in their pack leaders good books but I had taken care of their injuries to earn their trust. It's true with so many speedstingers I learnt a few tricks like the best spots on their bodies to turn them into purring messes, how to trick them, how to see when they're going to use their tails and more but I doubt the defenders of the wing would take kindly to any of these methods. I just hoped I'd be able to calm these speedstingers down enough so I could train them. It was at that moment Throk pushed me into the pit where the speedstingers looked at me before roaring and began running around the pit to confuse me. I held my hands out calmly to show I wasn't a threat and slowly began walking towards one that had stopped to glare at me. I tried speaking softly to it to show I wasn't an enemy but before I could touch it I saw the signs it was ready to sting and I was not disappointed when it stung the hand I reached out which was luckily my prosthetic so the stinger just bounced off. I rolled back away from the attacking speedstinger into the wall where the speedstingers began walking towards me as if they were closing in on their prey, which in this case was me. Before they could attack me though Toothless flew down into the pit roaring as he swatted them to the side with his tail before I was able to mount him and flew back up to the top where my dragons were all battle ready. I held my hand up signaling my dragons to calm down as I looked at Mala and said.
"Look around you Mala!" I gestured to my dragons. "Would these dragons protect me if I was a hunter." She looked around at them as Throk stepped forward with his axe at the ready.
"Give the order my queen and I shall obey!" I then continued with.
"You said you accept the judgment of the dragons so accept the judgment of my dragons when they say we're not a hunters." She looked at Throk.
"Stand down!" Throk did so while asking.
"My queen?"
"The dragon judged him innocent Throk so release them all." I looked down at her smiling.
"Thankyou!"
"You are a mystery Hiccup Haddock but know this." She kneeled down and began scratching the bottom of Toothless' jaw. "If you are not what you claim to be or if you betray us in any way I will end you myself, dragon or not."
"Fair enough."
1 hour later
After the nest they lead us back to the village where they gave us a tour of the village and I had to say I was quite impressed with what they had. When Mala showed us the healing center she told us they tended to the injured both human and dragon. I offered to share some of the things I knew when it came to healing dragons before she showed us the fruit they were feeding the dragons. They call it sage fruit, which calms down even the most aggressive dragons so they're easier to handle and explained why my dragons were so docile now. She then admitted I had a connection with my dragons that she couldn't understand but couldn't deny and I offered to take her for a ride to help her understand it but she turned me down claiming it was forbidden. It was after I questioned her about the large dragon statue that she went onto explain about their great protector known as the eruptadon dragon who ate the lava from the volcano preventing it from destroying the village. I was impressed but before I could ask her anything else I noticed the smoke from the volcano seemed a bit excessive and pointed it out to her.
She didn't like it so I offered to fly up and check it out but she denied it asking me to respect their ways so I was allowed to accompany them on foot. When we got higher up the hill leading up to the volcano we saw a fire and Mala ordered some of the defenders to cut down the trees in order to stop the coming fire from spreading fire. I offered Sapphire to aid them in leveling the trees, which is help Mala accepted before I gave Sapphire to help the defenders cut down the trees to stop the fire. When we got to the volcano the eruptadon was gone but I found fresh dragon root arrows revealing it was the hunters and all of a sudden it all made sense. Viggo was counting on me finding this island so I'd distract the defenders of the wing while the hunters stole the eruptadon bringing an end to one of his enemies. I relayed my story to Mala but she thought I was working for Viggo and did this on purpose, which brings us to where we are now. At the top of a volcano with Mala and her defenders of the wing pointing their weapons at us while my dragons and Heather were ready to take them on. Before things could progress further I yelled.
"ENOUGH!" The defenders backed up at this but kept their weapons at the ready. "You were tricked I know but so were we." Mala just glared. "Viggo used us as a distraction so he could steal your eruptadon but with none of us knowing." I turned to fully face Mala. "The dragon hunters are our enemies and we'd never work for them."
"And yet our eruptadon is gone, our village is in peril and you hold me in front of your dragons." I signaled my dragons to stand down.
"I'll prove it to you by bringing your eruptadon back and also leave some of my dragons here to help you fight the lava to keep it from reaching your village."
"Only your best."
"Heather is a survivalist so she's dealt with lava before while Berg and Shard are ice breathing dragons and can help turn the lava to stone by cooling it down with their breaths and Sapphire can help cut trees down to redirect the lava." She nodded. "You can trust us I swear." She lowered her sword.
"I accept your offer under one condition, I must come with you to save our great protector." There were multiple gasps.
"I thought you didn't ride dragons."
"I will do whatever it takes to save the great protector but know this." She walked up to me. "If you fail me I will kill you, if you attempt to escape I will kill you, if I think at any time-" I cut her off.
"You will kill me, understood." I then heard growl and turned to see Opal glaring at some bushes with my other dragons joining her and I knew what this meant and held up one finger. "Just give me one minute since I believe we might be watched."
She cocked an eyebrow as I turned to the bushes just as arrows flew out of them but I quickly unfolded my eagle shield blocking them and ran at the bushed. I dived into the bushes ramming one hunter as the other tried to ready another arrow but before he could I grabbed his bow with my prosthetic and snapped it as if it were nothing. He looked from his bow to me only to for me to grab his shoulder and pull him forward as I did the same to the other hunter with my other arm. This made them slam into each other putting them in a daze before I pushed them out of the bushes and onto their knees in front of the defenders who were glaring at the two hunters. I stepped in front of them and asked.
"Where'd they take the eruptadon?" They just glared before I signaled Opal forward and had her spread all her wings as she let out a roar with a low flame in her mouth making them fall back in fear as the one wearing a zippleback vest said.
"NORTH, VIGGO WENT NORTH WITH YOUR DRAGON!" I nodded and gave Opal a pet.
"Thanks girl." I then turned to Berg, Shard and Sapphire who had just arrived to see all the commotion. "Do whatever Throk and Heather tell you and do whatever you can to slow down the lava flow." They each growled before Throk promised Mala he wouldn't fail them. "Sapphire you take these hunters and drop them in a cell before meeting up with Throk and the others to help where you can." She growled and nodded getting ready to wrap her tail around the now shaking hunters but I signaled her to stop. "Just to make sure they don't go anywhere!" I signaled Siren to cocoon them which she was all too happy to do before Sapphire took them in her tai and flew off while Throk led the defenders and Heather with my dragons down the path to slow down the lava leaving me with Toothless, Opal and Siren as my remaining dragons as I mounted Toothless I offered a hand to Mala. "Hop on Mala and we can get going." She nodded before we took off.
1 hour later
A dragon hunter ship had just come into view and using my eagle eye I was able to see the deck was crawling with hunters. I signaled Opal forward as I turned to face Mala and said.
"Mala, you're not used to aerial combat and something doesn't feel right so it's best you stay here with Opal since she's my most steady flier and I need Siren to take these hunters down quickly." She nodded before I helped her move from Toothless to Opal as she said.
"Remember Hiccup if you fail me-"
"I know you'll kill me." She just nodded as I turned to Opal. "Make sure she isn't hurt girl." Opal just nodded and hovered before I turned to Siren. "Let's show these hunters what happens when you mess with us."
She gave out a screech before we charged towards the ship where the hunters had yet to spot us. When they did spot us though it was only because I had Toothless fire a plasma blast onto the deck knocking back two hunters, one of which went overboard. They were quick to react and began firing arrows at us but when three came at Toothless and me, I unfolded my eagle shield as Toothless turned to the side and used it to block them. Siren was kind enough to return the favor to those hunters with a blast of her amber goo leaving two of them in the same cocoon as the other jumped out of the way but it was right into the wall. Me and Toothless did a fly around the ship and using my eagle eye I checked the upper deck but I didn't see anything meaning he could be below decks so we had to first clear the top decks. I smiled at this and signaled Siren that we needed to take care of all the hunters on the top deck before we did anything else. She crooned happily at this since she always enjoyed cocooning the hunters before I took out one of the explosive arrows I had in my arm and released my spirit bow. I readied the arrow aiming for the middle of a row of archers and let it fly and when it hit they were all thrown aside like they weighed nothing.
This gave Siren the opportunity to swoop in and cocoon most of the remaining hunters as my bow went back into my arm. There was now only one hunter who was still standing and not trapped in a cocoon made by Siren. We came into land in front of the shaking hunter who tried to fire an arrow only for it to just clatter to the floor. I raised an eyebrow and he dropped his bow before running and jumping over the railings and into the ocean as he screamed like a lunatic. It was then Siren landed on the deck and I ordered her to cocoon the remaining hunters to keep them from causing any more trouble. I unfolded my eagle shield and released my star sword before jumping into the deck below with my shield raised for any attacks however none came but I kept my guard up since it could be a surprise attack as I began my search of the lower deck. When we came back out from below deck all the hunters were cocooned, Mala and Opal had landed on the deck and were waiting for us but I was not happy as I walked up to them and said.
"No Viggo or eruptadon meaning the hunters left on the island were just a misdirection."
"So what is it you intend to do now Hiccup Haddock for if you fail me-"
"I know, you'll kill me but it's not over yet since if Viggo wanted us to go north he was going south." I rubbed my chin in thought. "Mala is there anything you can tell me about the eruptadon?"
"The eruptadon must constantly feed or she will perish."
"That makes it easier since we'll just need to fly over active volcano's until we find her."
"If it were only so easy but the eruptadons appetite is insatiable and appetite immense, so much so that she shall eat through the crust of a dormant volcano until it erupts." When she said this it hit me.
"Oh no I know where they're taking the eruptadon."
"Where?"
"They're taking it back to my island where a dormant volcano is so that it can restart it in order to destroy my base." I immediately mounted Toothless and offered Mala my hand. "We've got to go now." She nodded and hopped on before we took off.
6 hours later
The edge had come into view and using my eagle eye I was not happy with what I saw as the hunters had made it past my docks defenses which had been completely used allowing them to reach my base. The hunters were now armed with all of my defenses against ships. When we got close they didn't hesitate to use them and we were barely able to dodge them but before we could go back a hunters ship sailed up behind us cutting us off and leaving us boxed in with the ships archers firing at us. Fortunately I knew how to use the men manning my island defenses to help with the ships. I signaled my dragons to get in close to the ship when the men on the island were taking aim and as expected, when they fired they hit the ship sinking it. It was then Mala said.
"Your strategy was clever Hiccup but how will we get past the island defenses?" I smiled back at her.
"Do you really think I would leave my island completely unguarded Mala." I reached into my saddlebag and brought out a horn. "I train a lot of dragons Mala and I keep a pack of one species on my island for just such an emergency."
I blew the horn as loud as I could before I heard screeches in the forest followed by the hunters on the island screaming and who could blame them. I used my eagle eye and smiled at the sight of the hunters running for the forest as the night terrors swarmed the base. They took all the weapons the hunter wielded before swarming them and driving them into the forest where they wouldn't stand a chance. I turned back to Mala and said.
"Let's go save your eruptadon."
She smiled and nodded as we took off towards the volcano where finding the eruptadon wasn't too difficult since it was making such a noise with its digging. When I tried to calm it down though it roared at me before Mala explained that she was in a feeding frenzy and nothing could stop her. She then explained she finally understood me and how I was a friend to dragons but with all my knowledge there was nothing I could do for one starving dragon. It was then I remembered something very important that could both save the island and make sure the eruptadon didn't die. I turned to Mala and said.
"Don't worry Mala I know exactly what to do." I turned to Opal who in the times she's been on the island gained the respect of all the dragons who'd chosen to live here. "Opal, summon all the gronkles you can!" She growled and raised her head as she let out the loudest roar I've ever heard her do before seconds later multiple gronkles showed up and at the sight of the eruptadon began spewing a trail of lava behind it which it was quick to follow. "Well Mala looks like your eruptadons going to survive as is my island." She looked at me.
"But what of the hunters who've fled into the forest?"
"Do you really think I wouldn't booby trap the woods incase the hunters tried to attack me from them." She smiled at me.
"Very clever Hiccup Haddock."
"Thanks Mala but can I call you an ally now." She gave me another smile.
"You most certainly can and know that the defenders of the wing will do anything we can to help you stop Viggo and the dragon hunters."
"Good because we have a whole lot to talk about."
Afternoon
The eruptadon was back with the defenders of the wing, the hunters we caught in my forest were in the defenders of the wings cells and I was now standing on the platform behind Mala as she addressed her people. She told them that it was a good day for the defenders of the wing as not only was their great protector returned to them and had found a new ally in their battle against the dragon hunters in me and my dragons. I smiled as they cheered my dragons and I but I knew that this was just the beginning of things since me and Mala still had a whole lot to discuss concerning a few things. Like if I could bring the hunters I capture here so they could be dealt with, what our alliance can mean, if they possibly have any dragon eye lenses and more. I didn't know what would happen in the future but I knew one thing to be true and that was things were going to a whole lot more difficult for the dragon hunters now that I had found new allies in the defenders of the wing.
AN: Well that brings an end to this chapter and things are going to be heating up in the future with Hiccup now having allies in the defenders of the wing. For those of you who are curious as to how this will affect things in the future let's just say Alvin's going to have more room in the outcast dungeon, Viggo's going to be losing more men and life for the hunters is going to be a whole lot more difficult for them. Till next time enjoy your day and remember to review.