Thank you for your kind patience and comments. And to Silver Moon, thanks for the idea, but I already have plans with Malie and Lani. Hope you understand and thank you for following the rules.
And for the rest, don't worry, Malie's parents won't force their daughter to do that, they are good people.
Anyways, enjoy!
Song:
Live Your Story by Auli'i Cravalho
After informing her dad and the elders about wanting to make peace with Berk, they agreed and offered gifts of fabrics, gemstones that were found in the volcano, many fruits, and coconuts, Keahi weapons, and pearls. Malie returned with a huge treasure chest filled with gold, pearls, aquamarines, lapis lazuli, coral, and many other aquatic gems. Gil also offered some aquatic herbal medicine as an offering while Coral decided to make oceanic desserts like ocean cookies, sea apple pie, or sea strawberry cupcakes. Which sounds interesting and delicious. They brought boats to help the rest of the people of Motunui who will be joining them. Moana and her friends bid their farewells to the islanders while Freedom Bringers, mostly Keahi Warriors, are escorting the group to Berk. As they leave, they have to make a quick stop on an island to explore to gather some items they need for Berk. Luckily, the group was patient and waited for them as well as helping them in the process.
However, there was a little problem.
While exploring and gathering some supplies on that island, Moana was helping Astrid with gathering some necessities with Toothless carrying a bucket of apples, to impress Aliikai that he's hardworking. But they soon stopped when they heard yells and Hiccup's screams that echoed throughout the land. Astrid and Moana became alerted by this and quickly got on their dragons to aid Hiccup, along with Toothless. Upon arrival, they saw Hiccup being attacked by a horde of random assailants who pursued him for unknown reasons. Firing arrows and throwing axes at him. He was lucky to evade the attacks and tried to get to safety. Which was a good thing too because Moana, Aliikai, Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly came to the rescue and fended off the attackers.
"Fire, Aliikai!" Moana ordered and Aliikai released her plasma blast at the incoming assailants which exploded, sending them flying. Toothless fires a plasma blast into the oncoming men, scattering several into the air as well.
"Get 'em, Stormfly!" Astrid cheered as her Deadly Nadded fired her spine-shot at the assailants.
The Vikings struggled to dodge Stormfly's spine-shot, falling over themselves on the slope. One man loses a rolled-up piece of paper as he tumbles. The assailants ran away from the dragons' attack, knowing that they were no match for them.
"Yeah, that's right! Keep running!" Astrid said to the assailants.
"That'll teach you not to mess with us warrior women!" Moana soon joins in the banter as she and Astrid share a high five.
They turned their dragons from the fleeing men to Hiccup, who was sitting in the grass, recovering. Still in shock at what just happened. As their dragons landed on the ground, the two girls came towards Hiccup, checking the heir if he's good.
"You okay?" Astrid asked him in concern.
Hiccup was a little winded but nodded. "Yeah, I think so." He responded and then Toothless pads up to his rider and licks most of his face in one go. "Ugh! I'm all right, bud..." Hiccup pets the top of Toothless' head and climbs to his feet. They weren't aware that a piece of paper that was dropped by the fleeing man rustled in the breeze. Both Toothless and Aliikai saw this and looked at it curiously.
"Who were those guys? They didn't look like Dragon Hunters." Astrid said to Hiccup.
"Yeah, they looked like they were going after you for some reason." Moana added, agreeing with Astrid.
Hiccup shrugged his shoulders, unsure what just happened either. "You know, I don't know. With all the flying axes and tumbling down hills, I forgot to ask." He said to the girls truthfully.
Soon, both Toothless and Aliikai chased after the paper, curious about it as the paper was rustling through the wind. By the time Hiccup, Astrid, and Moana notice, the male Night Fury was batting the paper around on the grass in a catlike way before passing it to Aliikai, who was looking at the paper curiously.
"Hey, what you got there, guys?" Hiccup asked the two Night Furies as he, Astrid, and Moana approached them.
As they got close, they were able to read the paper that the two Night Furies were playing with. And once they did, their expressions showed a mix of shock and surprise. As they realize who those Vikings attacking Hiccup were.
"I think I know who those guys were." Astrid said to Hiccup.
"Same." Moana said in agreement
Back at the ocean, everyone was at their respective boats, the dragon riders and freedom bringers were on a big boat and Snotlout was holding up the sheet of paper, laughing loudly as he seemed completely thrilled by what he saw on it. As it turns out, it was actually a wanted poster that shows the person worth a lot of gold. And that someone, I mean Hiccup Haddock.
Snotlout continues laughing in apparent disbelief. "No way! Viggo put a price on Hiccup's head?!" He holds up the wanted poster depicting an unflattering sketch of Hiccup. "Oh, man! Every bounty hunter from here to the archipelago is gonna be looking for you!" He points out in amusement.
Hiccup, who is not amused to this, sarcastically responded to the Jorgenson, "Thank you, Snotlout, for your undying support."
Snotlout, who was still laughing slightly, replied casually. "No, thank you, Hiccup."
Tara was leaning on the pole, arms crossed, with Mistral on her shoulder as she looked at the wanted poster casually. "Well...at least he got your good side." She said, trying to cheer up Hiccup. But it didn't work.
Fishlegs observes the wanted poster while Heather looks troubled at the poster, "Hmm. I wonder if Viggo's paying the bounty with Berk's gold?"
"Possibly, after all, he did steal them from you." Keoni said to them.
"That much irony should be illegal." Tuffnut said before he went over to Snotlout. "Let me see that." Tuffnut snatches the poster from Snotlout's hands, surprising the Jorgeson, before brandishing it even as he reads. "Wait a minute, there's no mention of us at all!"
Ruffnut prods at the poster in his hands. "It's all about Hiccup." Ruffnut stated in annoyance, thinking that Hiccup was getting all the attention.
Tuffnut tosses the paper, which was caught by Coral. "Pfft, typical! I demand a bounty be on us immediately, and that the hounds be released!" Tuffnut announced dramatically, wanting to have a bounty on his head and not caring about the consequences.
"I'll put a bounty on us." Ruffnut said, agreeing with her brother.
"Thanks, sister. I know I could count on you."
"Um...I don't think that's necessary, Tuffnut." Gil stated, wanting the two Thorston siblings to stop, or else they'll have more problems to deal with. "I mean, don't you think you guys are being dramatic?"
"Nonsense! We must be in the bounty! For we are worth more than Hiccup!" Tuffnut said before turning to his sister. "All right, we'll need flattering pictures for our flyers; a creepy alias: mine will be Nutte Tuff." Tuffnut gestures expansively as he speaks of his creepy alias while Ruffnut looks impressed.
Gil covers his face with his web-hands. "Oooo...this will not end well." He mutters out in frustration.
"They're muttonheads, what do you expect?" Tara said to Gil.
Hiccup, decided that he has enough of this, not wanting to think about the bounty. "All right, enough about the bounty. Mine and yours. We have other things to do."
"I don't think so, Hiccup." Nasir said to the leader of the Dragon Riders. "Viggo is not like his brother, Ryker, he's more intelligent and well planned for this situation. It's best that you stay hidden."
Heather nodded in agreement. "Nasir's right, Hiccup, it might be a good idea to lie low for a while until this cools off." She said, trying to reason with Hiccup.
Hiccup, being stubborn, denies this. "No way. That's playing right into Viggo's hands." He said, not wanting the youngest Grimborn to win.
"Wait, you can't still be planning on going to the party?" Astrid asked in disbelief.
"It's Berk's 400-year anniversary. You know what my dad would do to me if I missed it?" Hiccup reminds them.
"Not really, we don't even know much about your dad." Coral reminds him.
"She has a point." Gil said, agreeing with his cheerful best friend.
"Duh! He's a big Viking, red beard, can break someone's back in a second, and has a temper." Ruffnut listed out.
"...Um...thanks...I guess?" Gil was not sure about the answer he was hoping for.
"Yeah! And he's finally gonna nail Hiccup for losing all of Berk's gold." Snotlout cackles to Hiccup, "It's gonna be epic!"
"We're not kids anymore, Snotlout. He's not gonna "nail me"." Hiccup stated to Snotlout in annoyance.
"And FYI, we brought offerings to the chief, to replenish their stocks of gold and treasures." Tara reminds the Jorgenson male before muttering. "Muttonhead."
"Tara's right, even if they brought treasures, Berk's 400-year anniversary is gonna be crowded." Fishlegs said, stating the logic. "Public event is the perfect place for bounty hunters to slip in undetected."
"Fishlegs, I appreciate your concern, but no. I'm not hiding from anyone. We're going to the party." Hiccup said sternly.
"Hiccup, you have to listen to them, they're concerned about you and your wellbeing." Lani said, wanting to help his friend to be safe.
"I'll be fine once we get back to Berk and let my dad meet Moana and her people." Hiccup said as he walked away from them and headed down the stairs. Nasir and Keoni watch Hiccup leaving, not sure if it was a good idea for him to attend.
"Stubborn fellow, isn't he?" Nasir questions Toothless.
"You have no idea." Toothless growls slightly in response.
Later, on Berk. The village is bustling with activity as the villagers are preparing for the celebration. They were hanging the decorations, setting up tables, the bonfire, and more! Showing themselves how proud they are to be a Berkian. Gobber wanted to add some little things on his list. However, Stoick reminds the blacksmith that Berk's gold was lost to Viggo, much to Gobber's disappointment. Just then, the dragon riders come in for a landing nearby. The Chief of Berk focuses on Hiccup, stiffening visibly at the sight of his father.
"Don't be too hard on him about the gold, Chief. It wasn't all his fault. We were lucky to get off that island in one piece." Gobber said to Stoick, not wanting Hiccup to take all the blame.
Stoick does not reply. He instead steps forward to meet his son. Hiccup does not look enthusiastic about meeting his dad either. He shies away from his father as he approaches, not meeting his eyes since it was his fault to lose all Berk's gold. Toothless stays close behind his rider, his body language cautious, as he gives his rider strength he needs. After a long moment, Hiccup raises his eyes to meet his father. Toothless grumbles nervously. Stock returns Hiccup's gaze and within a few seconds, he sighs, as if he already decided.
"How's life in the Great Beyond, Son?" Stoick asked his son gently.
Before Hiccup could respond, Snotlout appears suddenly behind Hiccup, all but leaping onto Hiccup's back to interject. "Ha! Funny you should ask, Chief. There's actually a..."
Hiccup quickly cuts Snotlout off with a hand to the face. Covering his mouth and pushing him back. "Yeah, it's great, Dad. How could it not be great? It's the Great Beyond. Right, guys?" Hiccup turned to his friends, earning various assets of mutters of agreements over one another, looking everywhere but at Stoick. Hiccup made a nervous laugh before changing the subject. "So, how are things here?"
"They've been...better."
"Yeah, about that. Uh, listen, Dad. I got someone that you have to meet." Hiccup said, looking at his father.
This caught Stoick's attention. "Oh? Who is this person, Son?" He asked curiously.
Just then, Mulch and Bucket came running towards them, "Stoick! Stoick! Stoick! There's a fleet of ships coming this way!" Mulch said in alarm.
Stoick became alarmed, "Who is? Is it an attack?"
"We...we don't know, we just saw many boats." Bucket confessed.
Hiccup placed a hand on his dad's shoulder and gave him an assuring smile, "Don't worry, Dad. They're not invaders. Trust me." He said to his father in assurance, earning a look from his father.
Later, after heading towards the dock, the Dragon Riders saw Moana's fleet coming to dock. The Vikings were amazed at the ships' designs and features, some children say that they are pretty, wanting to climb the mast. Soon, they became shocked when they saw dragons on the boats while some were flying with riders. The biggest boat came where they saw strong looking warriors and their dragons, standing behind their leader, aka Moana. But what's more shocking is that Aliikai stood next to her sister, eyes narrowed at Stoick and Gobber. And what's next almost made Gobber faint, with them was a Sky Destroyer! Cayden stood beside Malie, glaring at the Vikings with a look that could kill (literally), not liking the fact that Malie, Gil, and Coral are in enemy territory that caused the war between Vikings and the Merpeople so many years ago.
"Dad, Gobber." Hiccup begins as he gestures to Moana with a smile, "I would like you both to meet Moana Waialiki, Chieftess of Motunui."
"Motunui?" Stoick asked in confusion yet with a hint of curiosity.
"It's an island dad, an island that is from another region, far from the archipelago." Hiccup said with a hint of excitement.
"By the Beard of Thor, are there other lands besides the Archipelago?" Gobber asked in shock.
"Yes, Gobber, and you wouldn't believe what stories they would tell." Hiccup said as Moana stepped forward.
"Greetings, Chief Stoick." Moana greeted him with a bow, "I am Chief Moana, and I am here to humbly ask for a peace treaty."
"For what reason?" Stoick asked in suspicion yet with a hint of curiosity.
Moana stood up and replied, "We heard from your son, Hiccup, that your tribe protects dragons from the dragon hunters, am I correct?" She asked the chief.
Stoick couldn't help but nod his head. "Yes, we became friends with the dragons after we learned the truth that they were raiding us by force."
"We understand, and we hope that we can work together to save the dragons." Moana said kindly before gesturing to some Keahi members, carrying baskets that had their gifts. "To honor your kindness and convince you, we brought peace offerings for you." She gestures to her people as they offer the gifts.
Stoick and Gobber were amazed and shocked by this as they saw beautiful fabrics, gemstones, fruits, coconuts, weapons that looked interesting, and pearls. Their jaws even dropped when they brought a huge chest filled with gold, pearls, aquamarines, lapis lazuli, coral, and many other aquatic gems to replenish their lost gold.
"Well, that solves our gold problem." Gobber mutters in pure shock.
Stoick couldn't help but nodded in agreement as he looked at Moana with gratitude in his eyes, "Thank you, Chief Moana, you have our deepest thanks for bringing such gifts.
"You are very welcome, Chief Stoick, we also brought herbal medicine for you all, to those who need it." Moana said kindly, gesturing to a Keahi member, holding a basket of herbal medicine.
"Thank you, our village healer would be pleased." Stoick said to Moana. "But may I ask, who is your healer who made these?"
"He's right here." Moana gestures to Gil, wearing a small cloak, giving them a sheepish smile and wave.
The Berkians, minus the Dragon Riders and Lani, stared at Gil with wide eyes and jaws dropped at the sight of the amphibian man. Soon, Coral came from behind Gil and gave a kind smile and a wave to the Vikings, of which the children of Berk are the only ones that return the gesture.
"Hiccup, slap me in the face. There are fish people standing in front of me...I must be dreaming." Gobber said, muttering the last part.
Hiccup couldn't help but smile at his former mentor, "Gobber, you're wide awake. And yes, they are fish people. Long story. But first, let's show Chief Moana around since she and her people are guests. And they wish to see how we Berkians celebrate Berk's 400-year anniversary."
Stoick thinks about it for a while, wondering if they should trust them or not. Until Tara's voice cuts them off. "You should trust them."
Looking up, they saw Tara sitting on top of the mast, looking down at them. "They're not a threat." Tara said to them.
Gobber looks at the redhead carefully and his eyes widen in realization, "Wait a second..." Observing her from head to toe, Gobber's eyes widened in shock and amazement. "TARA?! Is that you lass?!"
"Tara?" Stoick asked in surprise, looking at the red-haired girl, who grins at them.
"Glad that you remember me." Tara said as she slid down the mast and landed on the boat with ease. "Long time no see, Gobber, Chief Stoick."
"Oh, Tara! Look at you!" Gobber said with a grin, "You look just like your mother!"
Tara couldn't help but smile sadly, she does look like her mom, oh how she misses her so. "Thanks, Gobber. You haven't changed since the last time I saw you."
Gobber chuckles, "Well. Old Gobber here is keeping in shape." He joked, making Tara laugh. "So, Tara, how did you end up with them?"
"Long story, Gobber, but now. I think you should show us around. Don't you think." Tara said with a grin, placing a hand around Moana. "Since they did help with your gold problem."
Stoick couldn't help but chuckle, "Agree, we can discuss the treaty later, Chief Moana. But first..." Stoick puts his arm around his son's shoulder and pulls him closer. "We have a party to prepare."
"We can assist you in this task, Chief Stoick." Moana said kindly, "We don't wish to be a burden to you all on our stay."
"Not at all, Chief Moana, your people can help and stay as long as you want." Stoick assures her and then looks at this son, "Always remember, Hiccup, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
Hiccup just nodded his head, "Yeah. Got it. Loud and clear."
"Now, go enjoy yourselves. A party like this happens only once in 400 years." Stoick steps away to continue preparations as well as showing Moana around, "Come, Chief Moana, let us show you a grand tour on Berk while we prepare."
"Of course. Hey, Malie, you should join me." Moana called out her mermaid friend, who came behind Cayden.
Gobber and Stoick were surprised at the sight of Malie. "So, that's Malie! You're a beaut! No wonder Lani likes you so much." Gobber complimented, making Malie blushed in embarrassment.
"GOBBER?!" Lani exclaimed, blushing madly of embarrassment when Gobber blurted out that he likes Malie.
"Oops, sorry, lad." Gobber apologizes while Lani facepalms.
"Anyways...let's begin the tour, shall we?" Stoick said, guiding Moana and the others to the village, allowing Hiccup to sigh heavily once his father is out of earshot.
Snotlout, however, was disappointed by the fact that Stoick isn't mad at Hiccup, "That's it? What a rip-off!" Before he storms away, Tara was in front of him, arms crossed, glaring at him venomously.
"Try anything to ruin this day, I WILL literally rip your arm off and slap you with it repeatedly!" Tara threatened with a growl, eyes turning into a dragon.
Snotlout gulps in fear and makes a weak thumbs up. "Noted." He squeaks in fear, not wanting Tara to rip his arm off.
Turning her eyes back to humans, Tara gestures to the others to follow, "Come on, guys, let's get this party started!"
Ruffnut and Tuffnut grinned at her. "Okay! You heard the woman!" Tuffnut said as he and Ruff followed Tara to the town.
"The party is on!" Ruffnut cheered.
"Yeah! On and going!" Tuffnut added happily.
As they headed out into the village, Astrid, Lani, and Nasir stayed behind, wanting to consult Hiccup about the whole bounty situation.
"Aren't you gonna tell him about the bounty?" Astrid questions Hiccup softly.
"No. I'm not. He has enough to deal with right now." Hiccup said to Astrid.
"Hiccup, you can't hide this from your dad." Nasir said seriously, "You are in dangerous waters now, my friend. If you don't tell your dad soon, you will suffer the consequences in the end."
"Nasir's right, Hiccup. You can't hide this forever." Lani said, agreeing with Nasir.
"Guys, please, like I said. My dad has enough to deal with right now." Hiccup said, repeating his words before leaving.
Meanwhile, at the storage house of Berk, Keoni's sisters were instructing their members to place the gifts here and their dragons close. Moana and the other Freedom Bringers are close by, having a tour on the island that was given by Stoick and Gobber. Unaware they have some stowaways on the boat. While setting down the supplies, Keilani notices a basket moving about. Narrowing her eyes, she took out her bladed weapon and cautiously inspected it. She quickly removes the cover and is about to strike but stops when she realizes who was in the basket.
"NIKI!?" Keilani exclaimed in shock at the sight of the little girl along with her terrible terror, Mango.
Niki made a sheepish and awkward laugh as she looked at Keilani with a nervous look. "Hi, Ms. Keilani."
Soon, Lanuola and Makala came over to their sister, after hearing her yell. "Keilani, what's wrong?" Makala asked in concern.
Keilani moves aside to show them Niki and Mango, who are both inside the basket. Trying to avoid the shock gazes of the other sisters. Clearly that Niki is in so much trouble for sneaking on board without her parents' permission.
"Niki?! What in the name of our ancestors doing here?" Lanuola asksin shock as Keilani brings the girl out of the basket.
"I want to see the Viking village, that's all!" Niki said, trying to explain herself. "I didn't mean to sneak aboard."
"What's all the commotion about?" Lani asked, coming over with the others. Then they spotted Niki with Mango on her shoulder, surprising everyone. "Niki?"
"How in the name of Thor did she get here?" Astrid asked in surprise.
"She was hiding inside one of the baskets." Keilani answered, giving Niki a stern look. "She wanted to see Berk, so she decided to hitch a ride."
Moana gave Niki a scolding look, "Niki. What you did was irresponsible, you could've gotten yourself in trouble. Your mother is probably worried sick looking for you at the island."
"I left a note." Niki protests, pouting about, but soon stops when Moana gives her a look.
"Niki, I know you want to come, but still. You should've informed us first; we could've talked this out. You didn't have to sneak aboard to do so."
Niki looks at her feet in sadness. "I'm sorry..."
Moana sighs and shakes her head a bit, knowing that she was too hard on her, since she is a child. "Look, I won't punish you, until the festival is over, we head back to Motunui. I'll talk to your parents afterwards, understand?"
"Yes, Chief Moana." Niki said in sadness.
Suddenly, she was lifted up by Moana and placed on Aliikai's back, much to the surprise of Niki. Moana gave her a kind smile and said to her, "Since you're staying with us, might as well keep an eye on you while Chief Stoick gives us a tour on Berk." Niki was excited by this while Moana added, "But you have to be on your best behavior, understand?"
Niki nodded her head excitingly, "I will! I promise."
Moana smiles at Niki, "Good to hear." She said before looking at Stoick. "Shall we continue?"
Stoick nodded his head with a smile, "But of course. Next we show you the armory." He leads them to the armory.
Hiccup watched with astonishment as Moana dealt with Niki. Instead of harshly scolding her, Moana advises her to behave until they return back to their island. Hiccup wonders if he can be a chief like that one day. So, he too could lead his people well. And yet, the bounty that Viggo put on his head came to his thought as he worries for his and his people's safety.
Later, that night, the celebration is in full swing. The people of Motunui helped out very well in the preparation, especially the food. The villagers can try the food that the people in Motunui eat along with Coral's aquatic desserts. Speaking of which, the guests watched from the plaza as a group of village children marched in parade, toting pennants. They find it amusing to watch as Gobber, who acts as announcer and his face is painted blue and black for the occasion, shouts over the crowd.
"Let's hear it for the wee ones!" The villagers cheer and coo over the children. "We Berkians have come a long way in 400 years. For a long time, we were at war with the dragons, hunting them, killing them."
In the crowd, a Terrible Terror climbs onto the shoulder of a villager. The Viking is startled at first, but the small dragon rubs against him like a cat, and he regards it fondly, much to the amusement of the people of Motunui.
"But that all changed one day when some of our youngest Berkians had the guts to step up and take a stand. Ladies and Vikings, the time has come to look towards the future of Berk. I give you Hiccup and the Dragon Riders!"
The blacksmith gestures broadly to the darkened sky. And in the distance, the Riders' mounts glow with dragon fire. With a rush of swift wings, the dragons fly above the villagers. The crowd cheers at the spectacle, while a small girl gazes up at the dragons and their riders in awe. In the air, Hiccup, his face painted with red stripes below his eyes, turns back to his companions.
"All right, guys. Let's give 'em a show to remember." Hiccup said to the riders as they did their performance.
First up were Astrid and Heather. The two shieldmaidens' dragons fly towards each other, grinning across the gap between them, as the riders stand upright on their saddles while their dragons skim within inches of each other. Soon, the girls leap before they can collide, clinking their bracers together in salute as they pass through the air, before landing on their dragon's saddles again.
Astrid pumps her fist in the air. "Yes! Haha!" She laughs in pure joy.
The crowd below goes wild. Amazed by their stunt. Tara cheered loudly, whooping at Heather and Astrid, praising them as amazing shieldmaidens. Up next was Snotlout. The Jorgenson's Monstrous Nightmare was flying through the sky, his body alight as he and Snotlout swooped toward the ground.
"Comin' in hot!" Snotlout yelled as Hookfang breathed fire into a heap of logs as they passed, igniting an impressive bonfire, gaining more wild cheers from the villagers. One even shouted: "This is fun!" through the crowd.
Next, the twins, they fly their dragon straight up while Barf's gas trailing behind them. This worried the villagers and the people of Motunui, as they know very well that these twins like to cause trouble. However, it seems that they're putting their troublemaking skills on hold as they begin doing their performance.
"You're making the nose too big!" Ruff yelled at her brother.
"Everyone loves a strong, authoritative nose!" Tuffnut argues back.
Then Barf and Belch fall backwards toward the gas cloud with Ruffnut whooping happily.
"Light it up, Belch!" Tuffnut ordered his dragon.
And he did indeed, the gas soon exploded with Belch's spark, revealing a pattern of fire in the shape of a Viking head. Then it was Fishlegs's turn. He and Meatlug swoop in from behind the flames.
"Suck it in, Meatlug!" Fishlegs cheered.
They fly through one of the fire-Viking eyes like a ring of fire, emerging on the other side almost unscathed. Well, sort of, Fishlegs' helmet was on fire though. However, Fishlegs wasn't fazed by this as he punches the air wildly.
"Whoo! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Fishlegs!"
Meatlug swoops down and the crowd cheered. The Freedom Bringers were there, watching from below, both Nasir and Keoni notice that Fishlegs helmet was on fire, wondering if he knows about it.
"Should we tell him that his helmet is on fire?" Keoni asked Nasir, watching Fishlegs fly by.
"We should before his helmet heats up and his head burns." Nasri said before turning to Gil, tapping his shoulder to get his attention. "We need your special burn cream for Fishlegs, just in case."
Nodding his head, Gil got up from his seat. "You got it."
They walked past the cheering crowd watching Hiccup and Toothless swoop below the village rooftops on the path to their part in the show. Hiccup scans the familiar faces of the villagers as he passes over, smiling. Then Nasir suddenly stops when he spotted a group of strangers, standing apart from the raucous crowd.
"I wonder who they are?" Nasir questioned, looking at the group.
Keoni looks at them and feels uneasy. "Do you think they are bounty hunters?" He asked the males.
"I highly doubt it." Tara said from behind, surprising the boys in the process. "They don't have any malicious plan in their minds."
"How do you know?" Nasir questions the Lycanwing girl.
"Hey, I dealt with different hunters back then. And besides, those guys are here for the show. Watch." Tara strolls over to them casually, causing the three males to go after her. The three Vikings looked at Tara as she casually greets them, "'Scuse me, sorry. But are you guys new around here?"
Before anyone could do anything, Not-So-Silent Sven came over, "Oh. Hello there, lass and lads. Is there something wrong?" He asked the Freedom Bringers.
"Hey, Silent Sven. Or better, Not-So-Silent Sven. We're just curious about these guys, are they new here?"
"Oh, they're my uncles. Whispering Waldo, Mute Marvin, and Soft-Spoken Sam." Sven introduces his uncles to the Freedom Bringers.
Soft-Spoken Sam, appropriately soft spoken, greets them. "Hi..."
"Hey." The Freedom Bringers greeted back while looking at them.
"Are they alright?" Gil asked Sven. "They looked tired."
"They're just ship-lagged from their long journey." Sven said to them. "They just need some good rest, that's all."
"I see...well, then. Enjoy the festival Whispering Waldo, Mute Marvin, and Soft-Spoken Sam." Nasir said as he and Keoni bowed at them and left with Tara, who waves at them.
Gil rummaged to his bag and took out three vials with pink liquid inside. "Here, this is for you ship-lagged." He gave the viles to them, which they quietly thanked him for.
"Thanks so much, lad." Sven said in gratitude, not weirded out that Gil is an amphibian man.
"No problem, Sven." Gil said before turning away to catch up with his friends. "Hey, wait up!"
Gil was able to catch up with his friends just in time. Going towards Fishlegs, who was screaming after realizing a little too late that his helmet was on fire. Suddenly, Tara spotted something between the buildings that shadowed mysterious figures that were out of sight. Using her dragon eyes, she saw two bounty hunters observing the riders' dragons passing by, checking their riders as they were holding a poster of the bounty that Viggo made. Narrowing her eyes, she nudges Keoni and sends a telepathically message.
"I found the bounty hunters." Tara said to him, showing him the location.
Keoni's eyes narrowed in the direction. "Noted." He mutters out a response as they head to the riders.
After the show, everyone started partying, the villagers got to know the people of Motunui, learning about their island and culture. The fire dancers in Motunui showed them their skills and how they don't get burned while performing, much to their astonishment. The women show them their traditional dance, earning amazed looks, mostly the males. As they partied, Hiccup was at the Great Hall with Astrid, Lani, Keoni, Nasir, Tara, and Gil. The four freedom bringers were sitting on the other side of a long table, near the central fire pit as the fire burned low. They told Hiccup, Astrid, and Lani about the bounty hunters at Berk, searching for Hiccup. Making Hiccup worried.
"All right, I admit it, living with a bounty on my head is more stressful than it looks. First Viggo gets our gold, now this. I just think I should..."
Astrid reaches out and places her hand on Hiccup's, quieting him. "Tell Stoick. He's the chief, and he's your dad."
"It's the right thing to do, Hiccup." Lani added, agreeing with Astrid.
"No." Hiccup stands, resolute. "Like he said: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." I'm sorry, guys. But it's best that we keep it low." But before he could leave, Nasir was already behind him, scaring the male Haddock in the process.
"Hiccup, Chief Stoick is your father. And as a father, he cares for his child. If you don't tell him about this, you will end up just like the dragons have when they were being hunted." Nasir informs him.
"But-"
Keoni soon joins in, "No buts, Hiccup. You have to tell him this now. Or else we will lose the bounty hunters and lose our chance of the element of surprise."
"Well, I just assume-"
Tara was the next to cut him off and instead of being supportive, she became angry, annoyed, and somewhat violent, and threatened him. "Oh, for the love of Thor, tell your dad about this bounty or so help me. I will march towards him, tell him about Viggo putting a bounty on you, and then beat some senses into you!"
There was a dead silence, the group stared at the raging Tara, knowing that she will definitely do that, which was scary. And Hiccup knows it too. If he doesn't tell his dad, Tara will. So, with a defeated sigh, Hiccup agrees in telling his father after the party, but quickly changed it to now after Tara gave him a savage growl of a dragon. So, after being forced to confront his father by Tara, they headed to the plaza and reached the stage to see Yasmina dancing on stage with such grace and beauty while the male Kehai members played some instruments. Snotlout, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs looked at her dreamily as Yasmina finished off by sliding through the stage and bowed, earning loud cheers from the crowd.
"Let's give it up for Yasmina!" Gobber exclaimed happily as the jinn got up and left the stage. "Now, who wants to give us a final song?"
"Hey, dad?" Hiccup went towards his dad, who was sitting next to Moana with Aliikai. Niki and Mango were on the female Night Fury's back. Toothless trots over to Aliikai and sits next to her, greeting her in the process, earning a tilted head from Aliikai.
"What is it, son?" Stoick asked Hiccup as he sat next to him.
Hiccup glanced around and wanted to make an excuse, but seeing Tara giving him a glare indicates that he can't. So, taking a deep breath, Hiccup was about to tell him the reason when Coral brought up Moana.
"Oh-oh-oh-oh! Have Moana sing! She's a great singer!" Coral called out happily.
Moana sheepishly replied, "Oh, I don't know..."
"Come on, chief! Show your talent!" Called out a male Keahi member.
"Get on stage!" Keilani joined in.
Everyone persuaded her to sing. Moana is a great singer in their region. She has a natural talent. Aliikai nudges her sister with encouragement, letting out a warble of support. So, with a surrendered smile, Moana agrees to sign up on stage.
"Okay, okay, okay, okay! Just one song, all right? One song." Moana said, earning cheers from the crowd.
After getting on stage, thanks to Gobber, Moana readies herself. She gave the music players a signal by nodding as they began playing, giving Moana a beat. Everyone stayed quiet, wanting to hear Moana's singing. Once she heard the cue, Moana began singing.
You defy the impossible
Got a heart unstoppable
You are more than ready, yeah
Moana gestures to her friends, singing the lyrics in her song.
Not just a fighter
Not just a dreamer
Amazing creator
Relentless believer
In who I am and what I got inside
Moana began dancing through the beat of the music with everyone cheering, including the dragons.
Dream, see, write, live your story
Every day it keeps unfolding, unfolding
Make it your own
The power is all yours
Dream, see, write, live your story
Dream big and live your story
So many roads for you to pave
Let them all go your way
You are more than ready, yeah
Moana jumped off stage and brought up a child on her feet and began dancing with her, making the little girl laugh.
Look in the mirror
Can't get much clearer
Beautiful treasure
One of a kind on
Earth Setting free what I got here inside, oh
Soon, other children began joining in the dance, along with the adults. Niki and Mango joined in the dance while the dragons nodded their heads to the beat of Moana's singing.
Dream, see, write, live your story (your story, oh)
Every day it keeps unfolding, unfolding
Make it your own
The power is all yours
Dream, see, write, live your story, story
Dream big and live your story
There's only one
There's only one
There's only one
There's only one
Moana then brought Lani and Hiccup to the dance, earning loud yelps from the doppelgangers while Toothless, Aliikai, and Stoick laughed in amusement. Moana gently spins them around, who clumsily tries to follow her beat.
You are unique
Set your fire free
You got the what the world needs
And it's time you see
She let them go before she got back to the stage. Both Hiccup and Lani watched as Moana spread her arms wide and sang loudly. While everyone continues dancing.
That there's only one...oh!
Dream, see, write, live your story (your story, oh)
Every day it keeps unfolding, unfolding!
Make it your own (make it your own)
The power is all yours
Dream, see, write, live your story
Dream big and live your story
There's only one
There's only one
There's only one
There's only one
After Moana finished her song, everyone erupted with cheers. The children were clapping loudly as they enjoyed her song and dancing. Moana couldn't help but bow at them as a thank you before getting off stage to meet her fiancé and her friends. Stoick came over to a dumbstruck Hiccup as he placed his massive hand on his son's shoulder.
"Fancy footwork there, son." Stoick said with a chuckle.
"Yeah...thanks, dad." Hiccup said with a sheepish grin.
"So, what were you about to tell me?" Stoick asked his son.
Hiccup looked at his father and then to the laughing crowd, he saw the dragon riders and the freedom bringers enjoying themselves through the celebration. Tara had Snotlout on a headlock, choking him after he flirted with her, which angered the Lycanwing girl. The Thorston twins were cheering at Tara to choke him harder.
"I'll tell you after the party." Hiccup said, assuring his dad.
Meanwhile, Lani watched from the sidelines, watching Malie talking with some Berkian children, asking her questions, or braiding little girls' hairs. She seemed very happy, and Lani couldn't stop looking at her. He has had strong feelings for Malie since the first time they met, he wanted to tell her how she feels but...but he couldn't.
"You okay there, Lani?" Astrid asked, coming over to him with Heather.
Lani lets out a sigh, "Honestly...I don't know." He answered, earning confused looks from the girls. "I just...I...I can't explain this but..."
Astrid and Heather knew that Lani had feelings for Malie. "Lani, we know you like, Malie. As in, like-like." Astrid said to him.
"Why can't you tell her how much you feel for her?" Heather asked Lani.
Lani sighs again, "I can't...it's just...Malie is a noble blood, as in a princess of a kingdom, an underwater kingdom! And I'm waaaay out of her league." He pointed out to the shieldmaidens. "I wasn't born a noble blood, I'm not a chief son, nor am I a child from warrior families. I'm just...just Lani. And that's it. I don't have a chance with Malie."
"Don't say that. You have a chance." Astrid said in assurance.
"Yeah, remember what Gil said, Malie's parents have yet to decide whether or not she will be engaged. And they'll let her decide who she wants to marry." Astrid reminds Lani.
"That's right and Coral added that it's Malie's decision to choose her future husband." Heather added, backing up Astrid's defense.
"I doubt her parents would allow me, a Viking, to be with their daughter. For all we know, they must be Viking haters after what happened hundreds of years ago when Vikings kidnapped and sold mermaids to tyrants." Lani informs them, feeling like he wasn't worth it for Malie.
"Wow." A sarcastic voice of Tara came. The three dragon riders turned around to see Tara, leaning her back on the pole. "That some confession you got there."
"Tara? How long have you been standing there?" Lani asked in surprise.
"Long enough to hear you like Mal very much." Tara answered, making Lani to lower his head. "Look, you're a nice guy, and besides. King Seaton and Queen Vivia loved their daughter and will support her decision."
"But I'm a-"
Tara cuts him off, "A Viking. And so am I! But neither King Seaton nor Queen Vivia showed any ill manners towards me. If you show respect, they'll show respect too. So, man up and go ask her or whatever."
"But you said-"
Tara cuts Lani off again, "I know what I said about her someday being engaged. But if she finds out that you're avoiding her because of me, I'll never hear the end of it."
Lani just stared at her with wide eyes, and couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked over to Malie and saw her dancing with Coral and Moana. Sandstrom was dancing through the sky with Aliikai, letting out dragon laughs. Soon, they brought Malie and Moana on their backs and danced together through the sky with other dragons, much to their joy and amusement. Lani couldn't help but smile at the scene before him. He really does love Malie. And wants to be with her no matter what.
"I'll tell her one day, but let's just enjoy the celebration." Lani said softly.
Tara shrugs her shoulders, "You do that. Now, if you excuse me, I have to find Hiccup and get him to tell his dad the truth. Or he'll face the wrath of PAIN and AGONY!" Tara lifted her fists and left to hunt down Hiccup. Lani watches her leave with wide and fearful eyes. Praying to Thor to save Hiccup before he could get hurt by Tara.
"We should go too; we wouldn't want Tara to seriously harm Hiccup." Heather said.
"Good idea." Astrid said, agreeing with Heather. She then turns towards Lani. "Want to come along to talk with Malie?"
"Nah, I'll catch up with you girls later." Lani said.
Nodding, both Heather and Astrid left Lani to his thoughts. The young man looks at the party goers, feeling happiness coming through him as he sees Malie smiling and laughing, enjoying the party. Lani smiles at her, wishing to join her in the dance. He is still doubting whether or not he should be with her. After all, she's a princess and he's...well...he's just Lani. It would be odd if they ever go out together. Yet wonders...could this work for him and Malie.
As Lani thinks, he wasn't aware that two figures were watching from behind.
After the party, everyone went to sleep, the people of Motunui were in their boats, sleeping soundly on their mats with their dragons. They had a long night of partying with the locals. Niki and Mango were sleeping with Aliikai and Moana. Malie was lying beside Cayden, who was still awake and kept watching, but they all soon startled awake by the sound of Sandstorm's roar, she sounded urgent. Feeling worried, Malie got up and went over to Sandstorm's roars, the Sand Wraith was searching around the village, looking for someone.
"Sandy! What's wrong, girl?" Malie asked in concern, coming over to the Sand Wraith, who glided down and went to Malie with worried warble. Malie holds her head gently and looks at her before realizing something. "Wait, where's Lani?"
"He's missing, Mal! I can't find him anywhere!" Sandstorm answered to her, causing Malie to gasp in worry and fright.
"Mal! Sandy!" Moana called out to them with the others following her from behind. "What happened, what's wrong?"
"It's Lani." Malie said with worry, "He's missing."
"What?" Astrid spoke in shock.
"How did this happen?" Hiccup asked, worried about his friend.
Suddenly, Tara's eyes widened in realization as she looked at the group, "Great Odin's ghost! He must've been taken by those two bounty hunters!"
"Bounty hunters? What bounty hunters?" Stoick asked in confusion.
"Long story short, Viggo placed a bounty on your son's head and Hiccup kept it a secret from you because you're busy with the anniversary." Tara explained, causing Stoick's eyes to widen in shock.
"Then we must hurry." Yasmina suddenly said, her eyes glowing through the dark. "They are sailing towards the destination and if they find out that Lani isn't Hiccup, they will surely kill him." Causing Malie to gasp in shock.
"You heard her." Tara said, her eyes turning to a dragon. "Let's go and save Lyam!"
"Lani!" Malie corrected her.
Tara said blankly, "Whatever. Let's go!"
And with that, the group readied themselves to save Lani, hoping that they are all right.
The sun rises on the next day, in the middle of the ocean, lies a single boat that was unfamiliar. And inside it was Lani. The Hiccup look alike was unconscious and is tied up. Whoever took him, planned things out. Soon, Lani regains consciousness and is confused. He wondered how he got here and where his dragon was.
"Huh? Where am I?" Lani asks himself before noticing his bonds and struggles to break free, but to no avail as he finds the ropes binding him quite secure from his hands and feet.
"There's got to be something sharp." Lani mutters to himself, looking around the ship for anything sharp. He then spotted a bent nail sticking from the wall. "Ah-ha!"
He quickly scooted over to it and began to work the ropes against its sharp edges of the nail, cutting through the fibers. It was a slow process, but it will have to do.
"Come on. Come on. Come on." Lani mutters out, trying to cut faster.
Suddenly, he heard movements from above, presumably his captors. He saw two figures pass directly above, raining down dust and casting bulky shadows through a crack in the ceiling boards. They're heading toward the stairs leading to where Lani is being held. He works the ropes harder against the nail. With heavy footfalls, the two captors approached him. They were the same men who had watched from the shadows during the celebration that Tara, Nasir, and Keoni spotted a while back.
"He's awake! Quick, Berthel, knock him out again." The first captor said as both men grin nastily at the idea.
"Woah! Woah! Woah! If you do that, you might accidentally kill me!" Lani suddenly said, causing both bounty hunters to look at each other.
Berthel was confused as he looked at first captor, "Is that true, Amos?"
"I don't know, what does the poster say?" Amos looked at Lani, who tensed at this. If they realize that Lani isn't Hiccup, they'll kill him anyway.
Luckily, it seems that Berthel doesn't have the poster. "I lost the poster."
Amos became annoyed and angry at this. "Berthel, you had one thing to do! Hold the poster!" He yelled at his brother.
Lani watched as Berthel held up his arms to reveal two hooks for hands. "Holding things is not my strong suit. You know that!" Berthel pointed out to him.
Amos threatens him, "Maybe we'll knock you out later! That poster would tell us if we should bring him alive or not!"
As the two brothers have a glaring match, Lani mentally sighs in relief. Without the poster, they will not know that they got the wrong one. It's best to keep it that way and hope that his friends could find him. After all, Sandstorm knows that he's in trouble. Speaking of which...
"You know, if I were you two, I'd release me. My friends will be here any minute, with their dragons. Their fire-breathing dragons." Lani reminds them, causing both bounty hunters to stop their glaring match.
Amos and Berthel looked at each other and then to Lani, "He's bluffin'." Amos said.
Suddenly, there was a thud from above, dust raining down from the ceiling. Both Amos and Berthel became afraid, fearing that Lani was right. Although Lani was skeptical on how fast his friends found him. Maybe because of Stormfly? I mean, she is an amazing tracker.
"What's that? Dragons?" Berthel asked in panic.
Amos and Berthel run back up the stairs with Berthel shouting. They were going to check if it's true. Giving Lani the opportunity to resume his work at the ropes that were binding his hands in earnest. While doing so, he could hear sounds of struggle and shouts that suggested that their captors are losing the battle. After a few more efforts, Lani was free. He then took out a small knife that was hidden on his boot and cut the ropes that binds his legs before running to the foot of the stairs, expecting his friends.
"Guys! I'm down here!" Lani called out, running up midway. But he stopped as he realized that it wasn't his friends. It was actually a tall, horn-helmeted figure that blocked the sun shining down the stairway. And it was none other than Alvin the Treacherous former second in command, Savage.
"Yes. I know you are." Savage said with a dark grin.
Lani stepped back, taken off guard. As he spoke in panic "Savage."
Savage suddenly proceeds down the stairs, laughing at Lani's surprised expression. Lani casts around, seeking something that can aid his escape, finding little, his expression darkens. He then tenses, ready for a fight. Savage too is ready to fight. With a cry, he swung his axe at Lani's head. Luckily, Lani moves away, dodging the axe and dives desperately to the floor for the only useful thing nearby. He could only find a coil of rope. With quick thinking, Lani blocked the axe with the rope, then rolled to the side, getting back to his feet, and twisting the rope around the axe handle. Then he snaked his metal leg around Savage's and shoved. Savage went down in an undignified sprawl, and Lani bolted up the stairs. To find that he was on a ship, in open water, with no land in sight. He didn't have time to react when Savage caught him and tied him up once more before throwing him on his boat. He sailed away while yelling at Amos and Berthel who were in the water.
"Thanks for getting him off Berk, muttonheads!" He laughed, sailing away.
Berthel was hugging his brother, since he can't swim. "Hold me, Amos."
Meanwhile, the Freedom Bringers and the rest of the Dragon Riders were seen soaring through the sky. Chasing after the scent of Lani's. Moana ordered Keoni's sisters to keep an eye on the people and guard Berk while they're gone, which they did. Maui turned into a hawk and Tara was in her Lycanwing form, which shocked Stoick a lot since he never knew Lycanwings were real until now. They gave him a rundown of the explanation while searching for Lani.
"Since Viggo's island is north, the bounty hunters should be heading in this direction." Fishlegs said to the group while earning a nod from Stoick, who was riding on Tara's Lycanwing form. Sandstorm made worried sounds, hoping that they'll find her rider on time.
Malie was riding on Cayden and was flying besides Sandstorm, "We'll find him, girl. I promise." Malie assures Sandstorm, gently patting her side, earning happy purrs.
"Do you think we can catch up to them?" Keoni asked, riding on Makaio.
"The deep-sea channel is calm this time of year, and cuts right through to Viggo's island." Heather said to them.
"We'll follow the channel and hope he's on it." Astrid said.
Stoick looks at his son and asked, "Why didn't you tell me about the bounty?" Hiccup didn't respond nor look at him as Stoick then realizes something. "It's because of what I said, isn't it?"
"That or his pride's bigger than his brain and make him choose stupid decisions." Tara answered through his mind, shocking Stoick in the process while Hiccup gave Tara a dried look. Unaware that Tara has plans to give Hiccup a piece of her mind. This wouldn't have happened if he just told his dad.
"In the interest of full disclosure, Chief," Tuffnut began as he took out a bounty poster of him and his sister in it, both wearing a mask and carrying weapons, looking elusive. "Ruff and I have a price on our heads as well."
Everyone stared at them in confusion and annoyance. Cayden was above all annoyed that these Viking twins have no idea on what they are doing and are already causing problems by placing a bounty on their own heads. He would rather have Malie to be with Nasir and Yasmina, they are much smarter and more capable in protecting her.
"Um...when did you guys make...that?" Gil dared to ask, still looking at the bounty poster.
Ruffnut, who was carrying a bunch of them, answers casually. "Since yesterday, we've been making a bunch of these and dropping them all over the archipelago." She drops all of the posters, causing them to rain down onto the ocean.
Snotlout laughed at this but was short-lived when a poster smacked on his face, causing Hookfang to laugh at him. "Hey! Hey!" He screamed after removing the poster off his face and glared at the blonde twins. "And after we get Lani back, I'm going to collect your bounty."
"Later! I see the ship!" Tara said, looking at the boat in the middle of nowhere.
"There it is! We got 'em now." Stoick said, heading towards the ship with the others. The Dragon Riders and the Freedom Bringers land on the ship.
"Search the rest of the ship. Leave no stone unturned." Stoick ordered.
"You got it." Maui said as they searched around the ship, hoping to find any clues on where Lani could be. The Dragon Riders searched on deck while the Freedom Bringers searched below. However, they couldn't find anything nor anyone. Sandstorm worried for her rider, wishing they could find him.
"It's all right. We'll find him. Don't worry." Malie assures Sandstorm.
As the Freedom Bringers came up, Nasir heard something, sounded like grunting. "Do you hear that?" Nasir suddenly said. "It's coming from the side of the boat."
Following his advice, Stoick, Moana, Toothless, and Sandstorm came to the other side of the boat to see Amos and Berthel are trying to climb up on board.
"Push me up, Berthel!" Amos ordered his brother.
Berthel was trying his best to bring his brother on board. "How can I push you when I'm pullin' me?" He yelped in pain when his brother accidentally stepped on him. After a while, they finally got on their boat, both exhausted at their climbing.
"Finally, we made it." Amos said in relief.
But it was short lived when Stoick's looming shadow came, scaring the both of them, as the Chief of Berk was holding his axe, glaring daggers at the bounty hunters. "Where is Lani?" Stoick questions them angrily, followed by a savage snarl from Sandstorm.
Stoick then proceeded by grabbing the necks of both brothers and holding them up. They began choking at his grip. "We don't have him anymore!" Amos choked out, trying to breathe.
"As much as I wish to see you choke them, chief." Keoni said, glaring at the two bounty hunters. "We searched below deck. He's not here."
"See, we told you. Savage took him." Berthel said pleadingly.
"I'm sorry, who?" Moana asked in confusion, not familiar with that Viking.
"Savage is an Outcast and was Alvin the Treacherous top lieutenant. Haven't seen him for a while after Dagur disappeared." Astrid explains as Stoick drops the hunters down, who begin gasping for air.
"I guess he wanted to make himself a legend by being a bounty hunter." Tara said blankly, "Even though he got the wrong guy." She said to them.
"What?!" Amos and Berthel exclaimed as they saw Hiccup standing close by.
"I told you we should've taken the Auburn hair one!" Amos exclaimed at Berthel.
"No, you said to take the blonde one! I said take the Auburn one!" Berthel argues back.
Tara rolled her eyes as the two bounty hunters bickered, blaming one another for getting the wrong guy. "Muttonheads." She mutters out before walking away.
Just then, the Thorston Twins came over to the bounty hunters with looks of smugness on them. "I see you found some of our posters." Tuffnut said, holding up his and Ruff's bounty poster.
"But why are they on a roll in the outhouse?" Ruffnut questions them.
"The soft, two-ply parchment is soothing." Berthel answered.
"You picked up on that, very observant." Tuffnut complimented him with impressment.
Ruffnut agrees with her brother. "And absorbent. See what I did there?"
The Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers, minus Malie, Coral, and Gil, gave the Thorston Twins blank looks, clearly not amused, or have time for this. They have more important matters to deal with, such as saving Lani.
"Guys, this is not the time." Moana said to the twins sternly, "We have to go and get Lani."
"Yes. But give us a minute." Tuffnut said as he looked at the bounty hunter. "Now, let's sit down and negotiate a deal for the surrender of one Ruffnut and one Tuffnut Thorston."
Annoyed, Maui did Stoick a favor by throwing the two hunters overboard with such incredible strength that it could rival Vikings. Both hunters screamed as they came crashing into the water once more. After a few seconds, Ruff came over to the side and called out to them.
"We'll have our people Terror Mail your people."
"Ruffnut!" The Freedom Bringers, Hiccup, and Stoick scolded her from the background.
Later, they continue searching for Lani. They needed to find Savage's ship before he could sell him off. Malie prayed to the gods to save him before Viggo finds out that he's not Hiccup. Moana and Aliikai continued searching until they noticed something moving within the water. Curious, Aliikai flies down to the water, ignoring the calls of their friends and hovers a few feet from the water. As they observed, a tentacle-like appendage formed from the ocean and 'looked' at them. Moana and Aliikai both smiled at it.
"Hello, Ocean." Moana greeted the powerful entity.
The others flew down and the Dragon Riders and Stoick were shocked to see this. Snotlout was slapping himself, thinking he was dreaming while Fishlegs admired the creature. The Thorston twins wondered how Moana did that and the rest simply stared in awe.
"What is that?" Hiccup asked in shock.
"That is the ocean." Yasmina responded, causing all heads to look at her. "The ocean is not just a huge body of water that surrounds us, but a living entity that acts as a bridge to lands of unknown."
"Woah..." Was Hiccup's response.
"Ocean, do you know where Savage's ship is?" Moana asked the entity.
The Ocean responded with a nod and gestured to them to follow. They did so without any hesitation, following the entity through the deep blue waters. It didn't take them long to find Savage ship along with another but slightly smaller ship beside it. They quickly got on the boat and saw Savage and... Throk?
"Who is that?" Tara asked, pointing at Throk.
"No way, it's Throk!" Hiccup said in shock.
"I'm sorry, who is this Throk you speak of?" Yasmina asked in confusion.
"He's a friend and a member of the Defenders of the Wing, and Queen Mala's second-in-command." Astrid explains to them.
"The Defenders of what?" Tara asked in confusion. She's in her human form after they landed.
"We'll explain later, right now, we have to get Savage to wake up." Astrid said, glaring at Savage.
"Leave that to me." Tara said as she grabbed Savage at the collar of his tunic and lifted him up with incredible strength and slaps him on the face hard. "WAKE UP!"
"AHH!" Savage screams in pain as he wakes up but continues screaming when he is surrounded by the Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers.
"Where is he, you poor excuse of a bounty hunter?!" Tara exclaimed in a threatening tone, followed by Sandstorm's growl.
Savage became scared and answered the best way he could. "I don't know where he is!"
"And why is that?" Moana was next to ask, glaring at him as Aliikai growls at him savagely.
"Ah! Okay! Okay! One minute I was holding his leg, and the next, I woke up and they were gone. I swear!"
"How do we know that you're not lying?!" Tara lifted him up, ready to punch him on the face.
"He's not." Came Throk's voice.
Turning around, they watched as Snotlout helped Throk on his feet, still a little dazed from the attacker. "Are you sure?" Nasir asked him.
"Indeed, a masked Viking surprised me. He must have Lani Flokidottir." Throk said to them.
"You let some random guy beat you?" Snotlout asked him in disbelief.
"He was very skilled." Throk said truthfully, admitting the stranger was more skilled than him. He then looks at the Freedom Bringers. "I'm sorry, but I didn't get your names."
"Oh, Throk, this is Chief Moana and the Freedom Bringers, Keoni, Nasir, Yasmina, Malie, Gil, Coral, Maui, and Tara." Astrid introduced earning small replies from the group.
"By the ancients...I have never believed fish people were real. But here they are now." Throk said, looking at Gil and Coral in awe.
"Okay, okay, enough with the chit-chat, now WHERE IS HE?!" She yells at Savage angrily with her fist raised.
Savage, fearing for his life, quickly answered, "Wait! Wait! He's taking 'im to Sleipnir Island!"
"Sleipnir Island?" Moana questions him.
"That's where Ryker is waiting there with the gold!" Savage answered fearfully.
"Okay, then why did you take Lani? You do realize that he's not the real Hiccup." Tara asked another question.
"I thought they couldn't tell the difference and might think he just changed the color of his hair." Savage said in fear. "I don't know what they're gonna do to him. It's his own fault he got grabbed, not mine!"
"What was that?!" Tara threatened, turning her fists into sharp claws, scaring Savage in the process. "You better shut your mouth before I rip your head off!"
"Please, don't!" Savage screamed in fear.
"Tara, put him down, we need to go." Moana ordered the Lycanwing girl.
Tara growled but obeyed, dropping Savage down, but not before she sucker-punched him on his stomach, causing him to yell in pain and dropped on the ground, clutching his stomach. As Tara storms off, Tuffnut and Ruffnut come over to Savage, who is groaning in pain, but looks at them in pain. Tuffnut holds up his and Ruffnut's bounty poster.
"I'm sure you've heard about the Thorston bounty. We're accepting offers, but you can expect a bidding war." Tuffnut said smugly.
Ruffnut nodded her head. "Uh-huh."
Before Savage could reply, Moana knocks him out with an oar, preventing him from causing any more harm. She gave them an annoyed look and said to them, "Knock it off, you two. We need to go to Sleipnir Island before the masked Viking could hand Lani to Ryker."
Stoick nodded his head, "She's right. Everyone, mount up!"
They all do so, getting on their dragons. Tara turned into her Lycanwing form while Maui turned into his giant hawk form, shocking Throk in the process, while Tara lets Stoick get on her. They all took off and headed to Sleipnir Island. Throk wishes them farewell on their journey, hoping that they could get those two on time.
"Thor be with you, Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers!"
Lani was being dragged through Sleipnir Island by the mysterious man. He knew that he couldn't run since he chained him by the neck. After all, this mask bounty hunter took down Throk with ease after rescuing him from Savage but was soon overpowered by the stranger. He drags Lani to the area where Ryker is. The buffy bounty hunter shows no emotion to the hunter as he brought Lani to him.
"Finally. Hiccup Haddock. No dragons to save you, no friends to save you. All alone..." Ryker looks over to Lani up and down, "Did you change your hair or something? Bah, that doesn't matter, now..."
Then the mysterious man holds up his hand, waiting for the prize. "The gold."
Ryker narrowed, like he had seen him before. "Your eyes look familiar, masked man. Do I know you?"
He did not respond as he held up his hand. "The gold." He demanded the dragon hunter.
Ryker scoffs a bit and holds a big sack that has the 'gold' inside. "You did good." But before the bounty hunter could get his prize, Ryker drops the sack, revealing rocks inside, indicating the bounty was a ruse. "But there'll be no gold for this one-legged fool."
Angered, the man pulled the chains that were holding Lani, "Then there will be no prize." The hunter said seriously.
However, it was actually a trap that Ryker set up as he called out. "Hunters!"
Soon, Dragon Hunters came out hiding and let out battle cries with weapons raised, preparing to take Lani by force. However, the mysterious hunter was proven way too skilled for them as he easily took them down. Heck, with one punch, it was lights out to the dragon hunters. In the ensuing fight, Lani grabs the opportunity to flee once the masked Viking lets go of his metal chain leashes to fend off archers. However, Ryker and some of his hunters spotted him escaping and gave chase. While running, Lani tries to look for a dragon to train but ends up with a flock of sheep instead, he makes a makeshift torch and scares the sheep. Allowing them to charge towards Ryker and the hunters, forcing them to retreat. Lani was pleased and was about to escape when he was tackled by the masked Viking. Lani wrestles with the masked Viking, trying to get him off, as the masked man said that he's going to take him to Viggo himself. Both struggled in the process, in this fight, Lani managed to remove the man's mask and saw who it was. It was the man who was present during Viggo's last auction.
"Wait...you were that man at Viggo's auction!" Lani said to the masked Viking, who growled at him.
Hiccup struggles to break free as the masked man pinned him. However, they both ended up rolling over towards the side of the cliff. Lani quickly gets up and manages to grab the edge with his hand while his assailant grabs his prosthetic leg to hold on. They both struggled to hold on. But Lani didn't have much upper strength to pull them up and that their combined weight didn't help either as Lani could feel the edge breaking.
"Don't let go!" The man ordered him.
"Oh, great encouragement since our combined weight isn't helping!" Lani yelled in annoyance and anger. He looks around for a way to help them all out of this situation until he spotted a big looking branch that was on the other side of the cliff and is closest to the mask Viking. "Hey, listen! You see that branch over there?"
The masked man saw it and nodded, "Yes." He replied to Lani.
"I'm gonna try and swing you towards it. Once you reach it, you have to climb up first, since you're close to it. You got that?" Lani instructed the masked man.
"Noted." The masked man grunted out.
"Okay, on three." Lani slowly began swinging them with all his strength, as the masked man slowly reached the branch. "One...two...three! Now!" The masked man quickly jumps in time and grabs the branch, but in the process, accidentally taking Lani's prosthetic leg since it was loosened up from the fight. The masked man looks at Lani's prosthetic leg and then at Lani's dry look.
"Greaaaat..." Lani sarcastically said before adding, "Okay, I'm gonna try swinging myself no-Whoa! Whoa!"
Lani was pulled up by Ryker, who held him with his hand, grinning at them darkly. "Oh, I'd love to drop you, but Viggo wants to kill you himself." Lani gulps in fear, knowing this isn't going to end well.
But before Ryker or the Dragon Hunters could do anything, they heard Cayden's loud roar which scared them in the process. Looking up, the Riders and Freedom Bringers arrive in the nick of time and fend off the hunters. Nasir jumps off Solaria and fights the hunters with his staff, knocking them unconscious. Toothless fired multiple plasma blasts at the hunters, sending them flying. Yasmina conjured a spell with her hands as her eyes glowed in the process.
"Berdi Mordo Nata!" She casted, creating a powerful beam of fire towards the dragon hunters, forcing them to retreat. Aliikai and Cayden worked together to fire multiple blasts at the dragon hunters while the others did the same. Maui transforms into his human form and fights off any incoming attackers, and Keoni joins in the fight. Tara releases a stream of fire to ward off the archers, allowing the others to advance.
In the midst of chaos, Ryker tried to escape with Lani, but was confronted by Stoick, Hiccup, Toothless, and Sandstorm. Ryker was going to use Lani as a hostage, but Moana came up from behind after jumping off her dragons and kicked Ryker at the back of his head. Lani was free and Sandstorm aggressively blasted away Ryker's sword when he tried to use it and stripped some of his armor. Ryker collapses and is on the verge of being shot by a plasma blast by Toothless and mauled by Sandstorm but Stoick stops them.
"It's all right, Sandstorm, we got him." Stoick said to them, allowing the dragon to withdraw and headed towards her rider, nuzzling him happily.
"I'm okay, girl, really." Lani said in assurance.
Stoick marches his way to Ryker and lifts up forcefully and orders him to send a message to Viggo. "I want you to deliver a message to Viggo: You put a bounty on one of us, you get all of us." Stoick glares at him before brutally punched Ryker in the face, knocking unconscious. "Well, that felt good."
"Yeah, it was." Tara said in agreement, making a dragon-like grin.
Cayden lands on the ground, allowing Malie to come towards Lani with worry. "Lani!" She called to him, helping him up along with Sandstorm, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, really." Lani assured her with a small smile as Malie helps him stand as she notices his prosthetic leg was missing.
Malie gasped in worry as she asked, "Lani, your leg!"
"It's fine, I can make a new one." Lani said in an assuring tone before patting his dragon. "Let's just go home."
"Here, here." Keoni said in agreement along with the others.
As they prepare to leave, they fail to notice Ryker has regained consciousness and took out a dagger hidden in his boot. Without them noticing him, he was about to throw a dagger at Hiccup but is suddenly knocked out again by Lani's prosthetic leg. This commotion causes everyone to look back and see that the mysterious man has climbed up to the cliff. They were all shocked by this, except for Tara. She narrows her Lycanwing eyes at the sight of the bounty hunter, sensing something...familiar about that man. The others reacted differently as they and their dragons formed a defensive position, ready to attack the man. The man observes that he is outmatched in every direction and realizes that it would be futile to try to capture Hiccup, so he exits the scene by jumping back down to the cliff, shocking everyone. They all went to the edge and observed down below, only to find no trace of the man. And after seeing how terrifying the bounty hunter was, the Thorston twins decided to end their bounty.
"Okay, if that was a bounty hunter, I'm rescinding my bounty, effective immediately." Tuffnut said, ripping off the poster in half after witnessing the terrifying bounty hunter.
"Now you realize." Nasir said sarcastically.
After the whole ordeal was over, the Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers headed back to Berk with Lani safe and sound. Hiccup and Stoick had a conversation between father and son, in a good way. Stoick brings up the gold incident again by saying to Hiccup that it was also his partly fault that the gold was lost. He is about to continue to discuss the bounty when Hiccup interrupts him by admitting that he should've told him about his situation since he is Stoick's son, and Stoick expands it even further by saying that they should have no secrets between them if they want to serve and keep the people of Berk safe. Plus, Moana and Malie did replenish their gold reserves and supplies.
"Hey, Lani?" Hiccup asked as Toothless flew over to him. "I'm so sorry that you were captured because of me. If only I told my dad sooner, none of this could have happened."
Lani gave him an assuring smile. "It's okay, Hiccup. We all came back unharmed. And besides, now we know what we're up against." He said to Hiccup.
"He's right." Maona said as Aliikai flies close by, "Viggo has ties with the bounty hunters and there's a mysterious bounty hunter that is more skilled than any of us, we have to sharpen our skills in order to face anything that will throw at us."
"I agree, Moana." Hiccup said, looking at the horizon, "And we'll do it together as a team."
"Not just a team..." Moana suddenly said, causing everyone to look at her, as she added with a smile. "As a family."
Hiccup and Lani smiles at this, knowing that she meant that they would work together more than just allies. "As a family." Hiccup repeated before noticing Tara was awfully quiet. "Tara? Are you okay?"
"Kind of..." Tara mutters out through their minds, "I keep thinking about that man that took Lani...he looks...familiar."
"How so?" Malie asked her curiously.
"I don't know...but for some reason...I think I met him before, but I'm not sure." Tara said, trying to recall if she ever met the man.
"Whatever the case, we'll find out soon, but for now, let's head back to Berk." Hiccup said as their dragons and Maui flew back to Berk, safe and sound.
But not before Tara punches Hiccup for getting Lani kidnapped.
That took longer than expected. Sorry for the delay, I needed some time to think of this chapter. I decided that Lani should ne kidnapped in this part instead of Hiccup.
Also, can somebody help find some voice actors for Skullcrusher the Rumblehorn and Grump a Hotburple, please?
-Berdi Mordo Nata: A magic spell from Ben 10 series.