Ragnorok pt. 1
Edelweiss was flying Avalon over the woods towards ICARIS. They had been called to an emergency meeting. Edelweiss glanced around at the fissure and surrounding landscape. Avalon could hear what she was thinking.
"You really like it here," she said.
"Yeah," Edelweiss said.
"Perhaps you can live here permanently," said Avalon. "I can sense you want to."
"But you guys would go back to Draconia without me," said Edelweiss.
"Maybe not all of us," said Avalon. "Eclipse plans on staying in the Realms, Black Widow and Apollo plan to stay here too."
"You think my parents will want to live out here too?" Edelweiss wondered aloud. "But I'll worry about that when the World Serpent is defeated." Avalon nodded in agreement. They circled the station once, Avalon roared to announce their arrival, then they landed in the plaza by the front door. The other riders were there waiting. Olivia came out.
"It's time," she said. They all headed into the visitor center.
Once everyone was settled in the center of the room, Director Wong took center stage.
"I've been made aware of the dragon threat we all face," she said. "ICARIS has faced problems before. But this dragon, what's it called again Ms. Dragonborn?" She looked at Edelweiss.
"Jörmundgandr," said Edelweiss. "Or the World Serpent."
"Right," said Director Wong. "I won't sugar coat it, I can't risk it coming to the surface and attacking. If it can't be stopped, I will have to evacuate the station and shut down ICARIS." The riders exchanged a shocked glance. The crowd began to leave. Tom ran to Olivia.
"Mom, you guys can't be serious," he said.
"I'm sorry boyo," said Olivia. "We just don't know what else to do." She then turned to Edelweiss. "You're welcome to come with us Edel."
"I appreciate the offer," Edelweiss said. "You guys can run if you want, but we have to stay and fight that thing." She exchanged a look with Avalon, who nodded.
"You're very brave," said Chief Baker, as they all headed for the exit. "It'll be a very dangerous fight."
"It's our duty Phil," Avalon said. "Hopefully we can defeated the World Serpent before you guys decide to leave." Once they were outside, Edelweiss climbed into Avalon's saddle. They took off and followed the riders back to the silver cabin.
Everyone sat beside their respective dragons on the patio. For a while no one spoke.
"So, this is really it?" Eugene asked.
"They can't shut this place down," said Alex. "They just can't."
"Besides leaving our dragons, we'll all be scattered around the world," said D'Angelo.
"ICARIS hasn't been shut down yet," said Tom. "We still have time to take down Jörmundgandr."
"How? We've tried many times and it all failed," said Eugene. "What's different this time?"
"We've got her," said Tom, pointing at Edelweiss.
"It's true," Edelweiss said. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make the Realms safe again."
"What do you think you'll do afterwords?" Jun asked her. Edelweiss considered.
"I've been toying with the idea of sailing east," she said. "Back to the old archipelago where Hiccup used to live." Just then Alex's tablets beeped. She pulled it out and looked at it.
"It's Jörmundgandr," she said. "He's in the King's Realm."
"Thunder's family," said Tom, getting on his dragon. The riders all got onto their dragons and Edelweiss shifted to her dragon form. They all took off and headed towards the Realms.
When they got to the King's Realm; there was no sign of the World Serpent. The riders and dragons looked around for the Night Lights. Soon Edelweiss spotted the three adults laying motionless outside their cave.
"Over there," she said. She landed next to them and shifted back to her human form. The other riders and Draconians landed as well. Edelweiss examined Condor, while Jun and D'Angelo looked over Jewel Eyes and Silverback.
"Jewel Eyes isn't looking too good," Jun said.
"Silverback's not looking too good either," said D'Angelo. Edelweiss was talking to Condor in Dragontongue. Tom looked around.
"Where are the babies?" He asked. Everyone looked around. For an answer Shadow, New Moon, and Stormy came out of hiding, they were okay. They jumped all over their older brother, who was just as relieved to see them. Tom turned to Edelweiss.
"What's he saying?" He asked.
"He says the World Serpent attacked them so suddenly," Edelweiss said. "He took down Silverback and Jewel Eyes first. Condor fought him off before he could get to the babies, but it got gnarly." She gently stroked Condor's neck, then hugged him. "He gave it his all."
"He's a tough old dragon," Tom said. Thunder nuzzled his grandfather, looking guilty.
"I'm sorry I wan't here Grandfather," he said.
"Don't blame yourself lad," said Condor weakly. "It is what it is. But I'm glad you're here now."
"You guys think you can get back up to your cave?" Edelweiss asked. Condor moaned.
"Not without help," he admitted.
The Draconians all helped get the adult Night Lights into the big cave. Thunder stood guard outside the cave with the Draconians. D'Angelo and Edelweiss got to work patching up the adults. The three babies ran around, jumping off the walls. Tom was looking at the Jörmundgandr page in the Dragon Book.
"What am I missing?" He asked, sounding frustrated. "If I'm a decendant of the greatest dragon whisperer ever, then it's time for me to prove it. I have to channel Hiccup." He looked over at Jun. "What do you know about this thing?"
"Myths say that Jörmundgandr was a child of Loki, the god of mischief," said Jun.
"What does it want?" Tom asked.
"Ragnorok," said Jun. "The end of the world." Everyone felt a chill in the air at those words.
"He has destroyed every realm he's been in," said Alex.
"But he didn't destroy the King's Realm," said Tom.
"Because this guy fought him off," said D'Angelo, patting Condor's neck. Edelweiss got fresh water for all three sick dragons.
"Let's face it," Eugene said. "We don't got a chance of defeating that thing."
"I can defeat him easily," Edelweiss said. Tom looked through the book again.
"We're not going to defeat it," he said, looking at the entrance to the cave. "We're going to trap it." They all looked up at him doubtfully.
"The only thing that can trap him is the Gronckle Iron Gate," Jun pointed out. Tom showed them a page in the Dragon Book.
"This is the formula for Gronckle Iron," he said. "Limestone, sandstone, iron ore, and Gronckle lava."
"You can't exactly go to the store to buy all that stuff," said Alex.
"Well, Tom is the son of a geologist," Edelweiss pointed out. Tom smiled at her.
"There's limestone all over the Nature Realm," Jun said.
"I've seen sandstone in the Desert Realm," said D'Angelo.
"Iron ore and Gronckles are in the Fire Realm," said Tom. "But we can't leave the Night Lights unprotected. Jörmundgandr could come back. We should split up. D'Angelo you help the adult Night Lights get back on their feet, Eugene and Alex should look after the babies and keep them safe, Jun and I will gather the ingredients."
"I should come with you too," said Edelweiss. "In case you run in to the World Serpent out there."
"Good idea," said Tom. He and Jun got on their dragons, Edelweiss shifted into her dragon form. They took off and headed out of the King's Realm.
They reached the Desert Realm and landed near the large glass spire. There was no sign of life anywhere.
"Where's the Glass Caster?" Wu asked. "I hope he wasn't hurt."
"Yeah me too," said Thunder. They entered a big cave in the spire's base and soon found a large deposit of sandstone.
"Think you can chip off a few chunks pal?" Tom asked his dragon. But then suddenly the Glass Caster dashed across the cave, and hid behind a boulder. Thunder blasted the sandstone so it could be collected. Then he turned to the Glass Caster who looked petrified.
"Did the World Serpent hurt you?" Thunder asked.
"No, but he could come back," said the Glass Caster. "He's taking over the whole dragon world."
"Don't loose hope," said Edelweiss. "We're going to defeat him, or die trying."
"Yeah," Thunder agreed. The Glass Caster looked out at them.
"No one's been able to defeat him," he said. "Anyone who's tried has gotten badly hurt or killed." At that moment the two riders had secured a nice big load of sandstone. Jun secured it to Wu and Wei. Edelweiss looked back at the Glass Caster.
"You think you'll be okay here?" She asked him.
"I think so," said the Glass Caster. "I have plenty of hiding places here." Tom and Thunder lead the way out of the desert. As they headed for the next realm, Jun pulled alongside Edelweiss.
"You know a lot about Hiccup," she said. "But do you remember anything about his wife?"
"Yeah Astrid Hofferson," Edelweiss said. "I don't remember a whole lot about her. I do remember she was very competitive and had a very scary temper. She was a lot more skilled in the art of combat then Hiccup."
"She was a dragon rider too right?" Jun asked.
"Yeah, I think most of Hiccup's family were riders," said Edelweiss. "His dad, his mom, his wife, and now Tom I suppose." They picked up speed as they exited the desert.
In the Nature Realm; the dragons and the two riders gathered big chunks of limestone. Edelweiss kept her eyes open for the World Serpent. So far they had seen no sign of him. As the last of the limestone was being gathered, Jun suddenly heard nearby shrubs rustle.
"Guys," she said nervously. Everyone looked in time to see three Vine Tails jump out at them from the bushes. Tom and Jun both relaxed.
"Oh, it's just Vine Tails," Tom said. "No need to worry." He turned to go back to the rocks. Jun then noticed that the Vine Tails were advancing towards them, growling.
"Uh Tom, I think you spoke too soon," she said. The Vine Tails then attacked them, knocking them over. They circled around for another attack, but Thunder blocked them. He led out a loud authoritative roar that shook the ground. The Vine Tails backed off.
"Why are you attacking our humans?" Thunder asked sternly.
"We're very sorry," said the lead Vine Tail. "Our nest is near here. We thought these humans were going to hurt our eggs."
"Don't worry," Edelweiss said. "Once they get these rocks, we'll be on our way."
"What do they need the rocks for?" The lead Vine Tail asked.
"They're going to make a trap for the World Serpent," said Wu. The Vine Tails looked interested.
"Really?" asked the only female Vine Tail. "What if it doesn't work? The World Serpent is no fool."
"Yeah," Thunder said. "If this doesn't work, then we're going to have to try fighting him again. We have the Silver Lining this time, so hopefully that will even the odds." He gestured to Edelweiss.
"You think you can defeat him?" The lead Vine Tail asked.
"I'm pretty sure I can," said Edelweiss confidently.
"How are you able to be so confident?" Wei asked. "The World Serpent took you out pretty quickly last time."
"Because the World Serpent has one big disadvantage," said Edelweiss. "He can't fly." Wu, Wei and Thunder exchanged a glance.
"That is so true," said Wei said. The Vine Tails looked up at Wu and Wei.
"Would you be so kind as to give us a lift up to the trees?" The lead Vine Tail asked. Wei lowered his head and the Vine Tails darted up his neck and leaped into their trees.
"Thank you," said the female Vine Tail. "I hope you guys win." The other Vine Tails nodded and chirped in agreement. Then they vanished into the canopy. Thunder then led the way back to Tom and Jun, who had gathered a lot of limestone.
"What were you guys talking about?" Tom asked curiously.
"Those Vine Tails thought you were threatening their nests," Edelweiss explained. "What were you guys talking about?"
"Ragnorok," said Jun solemnly.
"It's not going to happen," said Edelweiss, giving Jun a hard look.
"According to myth, Jörmundgandr won't stop until it destroys the world," Jun said.
"Myths are just stories," said Edelweiss. "We dragons write our own stories." Wu, Wei and Thunder murmured in agreement. The two riders mounted up and they headed off towards the Fire Realm.
After Tom and Jun put on their fire suits; they flew through the Fire Realm, looking for Gronckles and iron ore. Tom pulled out his binoculars and scanned the area.
"There's a Gronckle nest up here I think," he said. He took the lead and headed to where he spotted a big red Gronckle. "There, and he's snacking on iron ore. Two birds one stone." They rounded the rocks, to find the Sky Torcher napping right next to the Gronckle. Tom and Jun quickly landed on a stone spire, where the Sky Torcher wouldn't see them. They looked down at him, he was snoring loudly.
"He's fast asleep," said Tom. But then Jun pointed to three Flamethrower sentries.
"If they see us they'll wake the Sky Torcher," she said. "We can't just fly in." Tom scanned the space between them and the Gronckle. He could see plenty of hiding places where the Flamethrowers wouldn't be able to see them.
"I think we can we can make it down there," Tom said. He turned to the three dragons. "You guys wait here and cover us."
"Careful," said Edelweiss, making herself comfortable. Tom and Jun then snuck down the hill towards the Gronckles.
"I wonder how things are going back in our cave," Thunder said. "My siblings can be a talon full."
"I'm sure they're fine," said Wei. "They got plenty of protection." They looked down at Tom and Jun who were getting closer to the Gronckle, and the Sky Torcher. All three dragons watched anxiously. Tom soon reached the red Gronckle, who was munching his iron ore. Jun picked up big chunks of iron ore, only to be cornered by another Gronckle. Jun backed up timidly, clutching a big piece of iron.
"Drop the rock," Edelweiss whispered. But Jun didn't drop the rock. The Gronckle charged at her, but missed and rammed into the Sky Torcher's tail. The big dragon woke up and saw the intruders. He roared and flared his wings. Tom and Jun scattered, avoiding the Flamethrowers. Wu, Wei, and Thunder flew out from their hiding spot and flew down to their riders. Edelweiss landed between them and the Sky Torcher, flaring her wings and gnashing her teeth. The Sky Torcher looked shocked to see her.
"You? I thought you were dead," he said. "I saw the World Serpent pull you in."
"I got lucky," said Edelweiss.
"Why are these humans bothering me?" The Sky Torcher asked.
"They're not bothering you Pumice," said Edelweiss. "They want the Gronckles. They want to make a trap for the World Serpent. But they need metal."
"They're wasting their time," Pumice said gloomily. "The World Serpent is no fool, he won't be easily trapped."
"I know," said Edelweiss. "But someone has to do something, for all our sakes." Pumice thought for a moment.
"I suppose you're right," he said. "Do the humans know what they'll do if this plan fails?"
"Then it'll be up to us dragons to defeat him," said Thunder, joining the conversation. Pumice nodded.
"Take what you need," he said. "I just hope these humans know what they're doing."
"We all do," said Edelweiss. Pumice barked orders at his Flamethrowers and they backed off. Tom and Jun gathered up the iron ore and Thunder talked the Gronckles into coming to help them. Once it was all gathered, Tom and Jun got back on their dragons. They were about to take off.
"Hey," Pumice said to Edelweiss. "Thank you, for getting me out of trouble, twice." Edelweiss smiled at him. Then she took off with the others.
"Now we need to go to the one place with a working forge," said Tom. "Edelweiss, why don't you head back to the Kings Realm and check on those guys."
"Sure," Edelweiss said. "See you there." She split off from the group and headed for the Kings Realm.
When she got there, she found Alex and Eugene struggling with the baby Night Lights. Edelweiss went past them and found D'Angelo attending to the adult Night Lights.
"How are things going?" She asked.
"I think they're going to be okay," said D'Angelo looking pleased with himself. "Where's Tom and Jun?"
"They went to make Gronckle Iron," said Edelweiss. Just then the three babies ran over, busting with so much energy they sent sparks flying everywhere. D'Angelo looked like he was about to pull his hair out.
"Get out of here!" He roared. "I've been trying keep these guys away, but it's just impossible."
"They're babies D'Angelo," said Edelweiss calmly. "Baby dragons have a lot of energy." She then turned to the baby Night Lights and spoke to them in dragontongue. "Settle down guys, your parents are sleeping." She laid down between the adult Night Lights and the babies. D'Angelo took a few deep breaths and calmed down again. Just then Condor stirred and opened his eyes. D'Angelo knelt by his head.
"Hang in here old guy," he said softly. Condor cooed appreciatively. He then glanced around as though looking for someone.
"Where's my grandson?" He asked weakly.
"He's coming sir," said Edelweiss assured him. "He's helping to gather materials to make metal. The riders plan on making a trap for the World Serpent." Condor laid his head back down.
Soon Tom, Jun and their dragons returned with the metal. Everyone pitched in to put the trap together. They built a portcullis with a few dragons acting as welding torches. Edelweiss, being the tallest, put the portcullis in place over the entrance to Condor's cave. Thunder, Avalon, and D'Angelo helped get the Night Lights to a different cave. When everything was in place, the riders and dragons gathered outside the cave.
"All set," said Alex, holding up her tablet. "I just have to push this button and the gate will close."
"Nice job Alex," said Tom.
"Well, this thing still has to show up," said Alex. The riders all sat down to wait. Alex kept looking at her tablet, keeping an eye on the sensors. Jörmundgandr did not show.
"What if he won't go in the trap?" Jun asked. "He caught when Tom tried."
"I'll force him in," said Edelweiss, rolling her shoulders. "I've been waiting for a chance at payback." Just then Alex's tablet beeped loudly.
"Sensors are going off," she said. Edelweiss tensed up and looked around. "Wait, the sensors aren't going off here, they're going off in the God's Realm." Tom felt the hair on the back of his neck rise up.
"God's Realm!?" He said.
"The lungs of the Hidden World," D'Angelo said.
"He must be after the Hearstone," said Edelweiss.
"And he attacked the Night Lights because he knew we'd come to protect them," Tom said. "He tricked me."
"Child of Loki," said Jun.
"But what's he doing all this for?" D'Angelo asked.
"Ragnorok," Jun and Tom said in unison. A chill filled the air.