Song inspired from the movie: Lilo and Stitch called He Mele No Lilo
Anyways, about Lani's necklace, it won't activate yet until the next chapter.
The people of Motunui were celebrating the nui nā kupuna, honoring their ancestors and family members that passed away. The dragons were also participating in this event as they too lost so many family members during the war or being hunted. Lani was with his family on his father's side. He was having a great time meeting his family members. Niki was enjoying having an older cousin as he and Sandstorm played with her and Mango. The Dragon Riders enjoyed the celebration as well, hanging out with the locals and learning about their family and culture. Snotlout tries to impress some Motunui women with his 'charm' and his 'amazing' dragon training skills, but it ends up backfired when Hookfang sets his pants on fire again. As Snotlout runs around, screaming with his pants of fire, Toothless was watching Aliikai from a distance. She was staring at the ocean with a sad look in her eyes, like she misses someone. Toothless really, I mean REALLY, wants to talk to her so badly. But he was so nervous when talking to her. His first impression wasn't good, since he accidentally chased Pua and she had to fight him to save the piglet, and it was not the way he should've met her. So, trying to muster all the courage, Toothless went over to Aliikai, trying his best not to look all desperate.
"Hey, Aliikai, how are you?" He asked, causing Aliikai to look at him with curious eyes, which he found adorable, and he quickly changed his topic, "I mean...you look good as always, I MEAN you like nice, er...I mean...are you alright?"
Aliikai stares at him in confusion, "Are YOU okay? You've been acting strange lately when we first met with our riders." She said to Toothless, who was stuttering a bit.
"Well...truth be told, you are the first Night Fury I ever met and...it feels nice knowing that I'm not the last of my kind. And...I'm overwhelmed by this." Toothless confessed.
Aliikai's eyes softened by this, she knew very well Toothless was happy to know that he isn't the last of his kind, "The feelings are mutual. I was also relieved that I wasn't the last. And that it brings me hope that there might be more Night Furies out there."
Toothless couldn't help but smile at her, "Indeed, it does bring hope for our species." He said in agreement before he spotted her sadness in her eyes, which made him feel worried. "Is there...something wrong?"
Aliikai shook her head, "Forgive me, but every nui nā kupuna, I always feel sad in this event." She to him softly.
"Why?" Toothless asked, feeling something wrong, "Did...did you lose someone?"
Aliikai nodded her head, "Yes...someone very close to me and my sister..."
"...Who...who did you lose?" Toothless asked her.
Aliikai looks at the ocean with sadness in her eyes, "My gramma...Tala." She answered softly, causing Toothless to look at her in shock, "My Gramma had passed away a few years ago, helping us to save the world from the darkness. She was wise, kind, funny...but a bit crazy." Aliikai chuckles, which Toothless joins in, as she releases a sigh, "Sometimes I wish that she was still here, seeing how we accomplish. She would've been sailing with us, through the ocean, and meeting new people." Aliikai then looks at Toothless calmly, causing Toothless's heart to flutter a bit, as she gave him a kind smile, "She would certainly like you."
"Really?" Toothless asked hopefully.
Aliikai nodded her head, "Yes, she would."
The two Night Furies share small smiles to one another, feeling happy to find their own species. Toothless felt dragonflies in his stomach at the sight of Aliikai, finding her very beautiful and felt lovestruck. Aliikai, on the other hand, had a different thought as she sees Toothless as a friend. They soon snapped out of it when they heard Moana calling for Aliikai.
"Ali! Come here, girl!"
"Coming!" Aliikai called out to her sister before turning towards Toothless with a smile, "Well, enjoy the festival, Toothless."
Toothless couldn't help but nod his head, "Yeah! I'll...I'll see around?"
"Sure. Later!" And with that, Aliikai left and went to her sister, who was standing close by with their parents.
Toothless watches Aliikai leave with her family as a goofy smile spread on his face. His mind was completely blank was all towards to Aliikai, the beautiful female Night Fury that capture his heart. And now, she's all he thinks about. As Toothless stood there with a goofy grin, he was not aware that his friends (Stormfly, Hookfang, Meatlug, Barf & Belch, and Sandstorm) stood beside him, smiling in amusement at the gaze that he was looking at. They knew very well that Toothless is head over tail towards Aliikai. I mean, who can blame him. Aliikai is very pretty and she's single. A match made for heaven.
"Soooo, Toothless." Hookfang snaps Toothless from his love trance, earning a snicker from the Monstrous Nightmare, "You seem to have the hots for a certain female Night Fury."
Toothless gave him a look, trying to hide his embarrassment, "Wha-How long have you all been standing here?!"
"Long enough to see you make goo-goo eyes over Aliikai." Sandstorm snickered at Toothless.
If Toothless didn't have any scales, he would've blush like crazy, "I-I wasn't making goo-goo eyes!" He defended, trying to hide the fact that he has a huge crush on Aliikai, "We were just talking and...and you know!"
"Rrriiighhhttt..." His friends said before laughing at Toothless's embarrassment, which earned an annoyed growl from the male Night Fury.
Just then, Makaio the Tide Glider and Shocker the Shockjaw came over, greeting the Dragon Riders' dragons, "Hey, guys, how are ya?" Makaio asked them.
"Oh, nothing much, except the fact that Toothless is all mushy with Aliikai." Barf jokes, earning laughs from his fellow dragons. Toothless groans in annoyance but soon notice Makaio and Shocker's worried looks, indicating something was wrong.
"Hey, are you two alright?" Toothless asked them in concern.
"It's just, well...Aliikai isn't into...getting a mate yet, not after she got heartbroken." Makaio said worriedly, earning shock looks from the riders' dragons.
"What do you mean she got heartbroken?" Stormfly asked them.
Shocker was the one to explain, "It all started a few years ago, when I met Blackwell, Aliikai was all into him. Even though he was older, Aliikai has a huge crush on him. She was even happy to become his student and promised her that she will become the greatest Night Fury there is."
"But why did he break her heart?" Meatlug asked in concern, wanting to know how Blackwell did it.
Makaio answered, "Well, he didn't mean to, and he didn't know that Aliikai likes him. We later found out after rescuing dragons from Ryker Grimborn and the hunters, that he already had a mate and was trying to rescue her."
"And Aliikai didn't know about Elektra after rescuing her. Aliikai wasn't like herself for a while, but her sister helped her through." Shocker said to them.
"That's terrible." Toothless said, feeling bad for Aliikai for not knowing that Blackwell already has a mate.
"Yeah, she still hasn't recovered from the shocking truth that her crush already has a mate." Shocker said sympathetically.
"And there is a reason it's called a crush: because it slowly crushes you." Makaio added with a nod.
"So...Aliikai isn't ready for a...you know...relationship?" Toothless asked, feeling disappointed.
"Well, not at the time, she is still recovering and she's trying to figure things out." Shocker said to the group. "It's best not to pressure her about this."
"We understand." Stormfly said with a nod, "After what happened, she deserves to have a break."
"Thank you, everyone, for understanding." Shocker said with a smile, "Anyways, enjoy the party."
Toothless nodded his head, "We will, thanks."
Soon, as both Makaio and Shocker left, the riders' dragons all looked at Toothless, causing the male Night Fury to look at them in confusion, "What?"
"Your dream mate has gone down the river." Hookfang said with a sympathetic look.
"Wha-" Toothless was cut off when Belch said.
"Finding a mate can be hard sometimes."
Barf nodded in agreement with his brother, "So, true, bro. So, true."
"Wow, you guys are such good friends." Toothless said sarcastically as he let out a sigh, "I was so sure that Aliikai would like me."
"She will, Toothless, but not right now. Let her get to know you first instead of rushing it." Stormfly said to him.
"You think so?"
Meatlug nodded at Stormfly's advice, "Mmm-hmm, that's one way to win a female's heart, spend time with her, get to know her better, and let her learn more about you."
"Take from them, Toothless, they know more about females then any of us." Hookfang said to the Night Fury.
Toothless couldn't help but smile, appreciating their advice, "Thanks, Stormfly, Meatlug, I'll keep that in mind."
Just then Tsunami the Ocean Fury came by to greet them, "Hey, everyone, you should all be at the village square, they're going to start the performance soon."
The dragons understood and followed Tsunami through the crowd and towards the village square. There, they saw their riders with the Freedom Bringers. The dragons went to their respectful riders. Sandstorm went towards Lani, who was with his aunt, uncle, and grandparents. Niki and Mango weren't there, and she wonders where they are. As she lay beside Lani, who scratched her gently and made her purr, Moana came to the center and greeted everyone.
"Hello, everyone, welcome to the annual nui nā kupuna festival. It is very heartwarming to see all of you here, familiar faces, new friends, and lost loved ones." Moana said while looking at Lani with a kind smile, and Lani smiled back, "Tonight, we will honor our ancestors and loved ones that departed from the living, we cherish their memories and how they will always be in our hearts. And forever be by our side, guiding us with their spirits!"
Everyone cheers along with the dragons, Moana went back to her sister and parents as five female dancers came to the center and began dancing as music began to play. As a male adult some children began singing.
Mahalo nui 'ia ke Ali'i wahine
'O Lili'ulani 'O ka Wohi kū
Ka pipi'o mai o ke ānuenue
Nā waiho'olu'u a hālike 'ole
E nānā nā maka i ke ao malama
Mai Hawai'i ākea i Kaua'i
'O Kalākaua he inoa
'O Ka pua mae'ole i ka lā
Ka pua maila i ka mauna
I ke kuahiwi 'o Mauna Kea
Ke 'ā maila i Kīlauea
Mālamalama i Wahinekapu
A ka luna o Uwēkahuna
I ka pali kapu o Ka'auea
Then Niki and other children dancers came to the stage and performed, dancing beautifully, following the beat of the music. The riders were impressed by this while Fishlegs find it adorable to see the children of Motunui perform. Lani smiles as Niki gives him a quick wave, which he returns, as she continues dancing.
Ea mai ke ali'i kia manu
Ua wehi i ka hulu o ka mamo
Ka pua nani a'o Hawai'i
'O Kalākaua he inoa
'O Kalākaua he inoa
'O Ka pua mae'ole i ka lā
Ka pua maila i ka mauna
I ke kuahiwi 'o Mauna Kea
Ke 'ā maila i Kīlauea
Mālamalama i Wahinekapu
A ka luna o Uwēkahuna
I ka pali kapu o Ka'auea
Mahalo nui 'ia ke Ali'i wahine
'O Lili'ulani 'O ka Wohi kū
Ea mai ke ali'i kia manu
Ua wehi i ka hulu o ka mamo
Ka pua nani a'o Hawai'i
'O Kalākaua he inoa
He Inoa No Kalani Kalākaua Kulele
Everyone erupted into cheers at the performance. The dragon riders find it amazing to see how they all perform while Snotlout was busy drooling over the female dancers. They enjoy the festivities on the Island of Motunui. And they are happy to be at peace with them.
After the event, the riders returned to the Edge with the Freedom Bringers. They promise to help the dragon riders save the dragons from the hunters, freeing them and bringing them back to their region, where they all could be safe. And with their teamwork, they save a lot of dragons. However, when the Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers inflicted heavy blows to the Hunters' recent dragon trapping, freeing every dragon there was, this finally took a toll on Viggo. Angering him as he decides to deal with them once and for all by capturing a Tidal Class dragon that 'not even Hiccup can free'.
As weeks pass, the Freedom Bringers are helping the riders with their training until Stoick makes a surprise visit to the Edge. It was an emergency as he said that not a single trade ship had come to Berk for weeks, which shocked Hiccup, Fishlegs, Lani, and Moana (who was with them) in the process. They knew that if there were no trading ships, then the people of Berk would not have materials or necessities they needed.
"And no trade ships have come to Berk in weeks?" Hiccup asked his father in shock.
"And no sign of Johann, either."
"Strange..." Fishlegs mutter out.
"It is strange, there's no way those trade ships could disappear like that." Lani said.
"Do you know what's happening?" Moana asked the Chief of Berk.
"We've sent scouting boats to the Straits of Baldur to investigate," Stoick answered to her before becoming serious, "But none have returned."
"That route has been known to be a hotbed for Scauldrons." Fishlegs deduced.
That's when Stoick added, "Except that the Auxiliary Riders have scouted the area as well, and say the seas are empty and quiet."
This worried them in the process. Something was wrong on that route. They all have the same idea to investigate it. And tackle the issue.
"I'm not sure what could be keeping the trade ships away, but something definitely isn't right out there." Hiccup said seriously before looking at Moana. "Chief Moana, can you and the Freedom Bringers come with us on this mission?"
"Of course, your people shouldn't suffer like that." Moana said kindly, "We'll help you find out the cost of this."
The Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers arrived at the Straits of Baldur. The Freedom Bringers learned from the Dragon Riders that it was named after Baldur, a Norse God and is the son of Odin. It is a water route in the vicinity of Berk and Outcast Island. It is also a crucial trade route in the Archipelago. The narrow route is flanked by towering cliffs of jagged rocks and sea stacks before flowing into the mouth of an estuary and eventually, the open ocean. They stayed midair and investigated what was preventing any trade ships from reaching Berk.
"Uh, I hate to be the one who points out the obvious, but you do realize we're just staring at water, right?" Snotlout said, getting bored and wanting some action.
Keoni, riding on Makaio the Tide Glider, pinched the bridge of his nose, "Snotlout, we here to investigate what is causing the trade ship to vanish." He informs him, annoyed of Snotlout's attitude.
"Hey, I'm just saying there's nothing here but the ocean." Snotlout pointed out.
"Snot, if you don't want to be here, then go, we have more capable and strong riders." Tara said, riding on Aliikai with Moana, as she gestures to the rest of Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers.
"Hey! I am so capable!" Snotlout boasted.
"Hookfang, smack Snotdork." Tara ordered the Monstrous Nightmare.
And Hookfang obeyed by smacking Snotlout with his wings hard, causing Snotlout to yell in pain as he became dazed by this. As Tara, Hookfang, and the Thorston twins laughed at his misfortune, Hiccup continued scouting the area with his spyglass. But he couldn't find anything wrong.
Lowering his spyglass, Hiccup made a confused look, "No sign of any wild dragons or hunter ships. So, what's keeping these merchants away?" He questions, wanting to find the answer.
Suddenly, Moana notices something in the water and points out, "Hey, what's that!"
They all followed her gaze and saw movement on the water. Getting a closer look, they saw it was a Scauldron, swimming through the water, letting out small roars as he went. Fishlegs observes the Tidal Class and describes the Scauldron, "Adolescent male. About two ship lengths. Whoo! He's a big boy for sure."
"That could be our culprit." Astrid said to the group.
"Okay, we'll head to Berk and grab some nets. It's just a routine Scauldron extraction and relocation." Hiccup instructed before noticing the Freedom Bringers' uncertain looks, "What's wrong?"
"Hiccup...we don't think the Scauldron did it." Moana said to Hiccup.
"What? How can you be so sure?" Hiccup asked her.
That's where Gil, an expert of all Tidal Class, explains the whole thing, "Well, for starters, a single Scauldron can take down one or two ships, but a whole merchant of ships, I don't think so. Something else did it. And it's not the Scauldron."
"Well, if it's not the Scauldron, then what did?" Heather asked the group. Suddenly, they notice a trail of bubbles following the Scauldron, giving them second thoughts. Thinking that the Scauldron has a companion.
"Wait, looks like he might have a friend." Astrid said to the group.
"Maybe it's one of his family members?" Coral suggested before she suddenly smelled something bad, causing her and everyone else to cover their noses in disgust. "Eww! What's that smell?!"
"Ugh! Ugh! Yeah, it stinks" Ruffnut agreed, covering her nose.
"Yeesh! Hey, Snotlout, kinda smells like the trail to your hut after last year's Mutton Fest. No bueno." Tuffnut said, remembering the event that happened.
The female members of the Freedom Bringers gave Snotlout a disgust look, trying not to think of what happened to him during that event. Snotlout notices this and tries to make an excuse to save his skin of embarrassment.
"Hey, back off! It isn't me. And that was a very trying time by the way." Snotlout said, feeling embarrassed and annoyed by this.
But the Thorston twins didn't stop there as Ruffnut said, "Well, remember what wise old Uncle Hagelin used to say: He who hath smelt it, hath dealt it."
"And if it was more than just gas, he would have felt it in his pants." Tuffnut added, pointing at his pants, earning disgust looks from the Freedom Bringers and their dragons.
"Okay...ew." Hawk Maui said, finding it disgusting while Mistral was holding down her lunch.
"Ah, he was a brilliant man." Ruffnut said with a happy sigh.
Hookfang was giving his rider an amused look, finding it hilarious to hear his rider's embarrassing moment. Snotlout gave him a glare and yelled, "It isn't me!"
"He's right, it isn't him." Keoni said as he recognized the smell, causing his eyes to widen in realization, "And I can assure you, it is not a Scauldron."
The Freedom Bringers, Fishlegs, and Hiccup realize what he meant, "What...are you saying it's a-" Fishlegs was cut off when something happened in the water.
A whirlpool emerges and powerfully tries to suck in the Riders, including the Scauldron. Hiccup and Moana told everyone to clear the area fast while Cayden rescued the Scauldron by releasing a powerful fireball. The Scauldron was free, but the Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers were being sucked in by the Whirlpool. Cayden was powerful enough to escape but the rest were struggling. Fishlegs almost sucked in, but everyone lets their dragons combine their fire at the whirlpool's mouth, stopping it from getting them. They quickly fly higher to be away from the water while the Scauldron quickly swims away from the whirlpool.
"You know, now that I think about it, I would hypothesize that the dragon/man-eating whirlpool is probably what scared those merchants away." Tuffnut said, rubbing his chin.
"I would concur with said hypothesis, brother Nut. No boat could withstand such a display of natural force." Ruffnut said in agreement.
"Gee, thanks for the tip." Tara said sarcastically.
"What was that? A sea-monster?" Astrid asked the dragon expert.
"No, it's not a sea monster." Moana said to Astrid as she looks at the water, "It's a Submaripper."
"A Submaripper? What's that?" Heather asked.
"A powerful Tidal Class dragon. I've read about them in the Book of Dragons. Much scarier in person." Hiccup explained the Submaripper.
"Well, almost scary." Coral corrected, earning a strange look from Hiccup.
Fishlegs then asked, "But why would a Submaripper take hold in a narrow area? They prefer deeper, open water. They're typically very reclusive."
"Do you think it came out of course and got lost?" Yasmina suggested, "There was a storm recently before the trade ships disappeared."
"I don't know. What I do know is we have an extremely territorial and dangerous dragon on our hands." Hiccup said to everyone.
"Uh, there's one problem," Snotlout said to him, "HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT?!" He yelled out, "We haven't even faced this dragon before! And it will kill us!"
"You guys haven't but we have." Moana said, getting shocked looks from the riders, "Few years ago, we rescued a female Submaripper named Tilly, she was covered with scars, indicating she was a victim of the dragon hunters."
"Wait, are you saying that this Submaripper was brought here by Viggo?" Hiccup asked Moana.
"Possibly, but we need to go back to our region and check on Tilly, maybe she knows about this Submaripper." Moana said.
"But it would take days to find her, she tends to move into deeper waters." Nasir reminds her.
"That is why we are going to Motunui. Me, Maui, Nasir, Tara, and Coral will search for Tilly while Keoni, Yasmina, and Gil will provide food and supplies at Motunui. That way, the people of Berk won't suffer a food shortage." Moana planned out.
"That sounds like a great idea, Moana." Hiccup said to her. "We'll investigate what is trapping the Submaripper here and hope we can free it. We'll meet up at Berk as soon as possible."
"Got it." Tara said.
And with that, they split up, Freedom Bringers headed back to Motunui to inform them about Berk's problem, which they happily agreed to help them while Moana and her group searched for Tilly the Submaripper. Hiccup and the rest of the Dragon Riders decided to help by giving their rations to the people. Hiccup, Astrid, and Snotlout investigate the Submaripper and what was trapping it by using Hiccup's new invention called goggles with Death Song's amber as lenses. They barely got out of there alive when the Submaripper spotted them. Hiccup figured that this was a message from Viggo, telling Hiccup to back off or Berk will face the consequences. Hiccup blamed himself until Fishlegs suggested an alternative by freeing the Submaripper by using Changewing acid. To demonstrate, Fishlegs brought Hiccup to Gobber's shop, along with Gil, to test out that Changewing acid can easily break the dragon proof chains without getting dissolved into the water. This was enough to astonish Hiccup.
"How?"
Just then, the Thorston twins came in and explained, "Simple, really." Ruffnut explains.
"Yes. Simple indeed. It's simply a matter of viscosity. Whereas Monstrous Nightmare gel dissolves in water, Changewing acid remains intact." Tuffnut finished the explanation.
"Science!" Ruffnut exclaims happily.
"...They're not wrong." Gil said, "They're actually right. Which actually scares me."
"Of course, we are. There was doubt?" Tuffnut asked the group, earning awkward silence.
"How goes the free diving?" Fishlegs asked, changing the subject.
"Well, no matter what I do, I just can't hold my breath long enough." Hiccup said with a sigh as he looked at Gil, "I wish I could breathe easily like how Gil, Coral, and Malie do it."
"That's because we're born like this." Gil said to Hiccup, "And there is a way to breathe underwater."
"Really? How?" Hiccup asked curiously.
"I have a teacher named Jade. She has magical pearls that can help you breathe underwater." Gil said to them.
"That's great! Can she send them to us?" Hiccup asked hopefully.
"Sadly, no, she's not here. She's gone off to other waters, searching for rare underwater herbs. She won't be back until next week." Gil said apologetically, "I can make them, but it can only last for ten minutes. I don't have the full ingredient that could last a whole day."
"No need, ten minutes is enough to go in and out of the Submaripper's way. But I need something that might help me go deeper without wasting energy.
"Hmm. It would appear that you need a means to submerge yourself without having to hold your breath. Something that would keep the air in." Tuffnut theorizes while Ruffnut puts a cauldron on her head.
"But said water out." Ruffnut said.
"Hmm..." Tuffnut looks at Ruff's cauldron helmet before grabbing her and a metal soup spoon as he starts banging the cauldron, "Oh, come and get it!
"I'm fine." Ruffnut said. She was a little dazed, but she's fine.
"I do so love doing that." Tuffnut said happily.
"Mm-hmm." Ruffnut said in agreement before Tuffnut continued banging on the pot while he sang.
"Hooligan tribe won't you come out tonight! Come out tonight, come out tonight! Hooligan tribe won't you come out tonight! Come out tonight, come out tonight!"
Their cockiness gave Hiccup an idea. Looking at Gobber's old smelting cauldron, Hiccup has an idea on how to get in the water without a problem. So, getting to work, Hiccup reinforced Gobber's old smelting cauldron with Gronckle and a window hatch made of Death Song amber to keep the water out and the air in. He can exit out through the opening until he reaches the bottom. It was impressive at first, but when they did a test run at Lars Lake, the window broke, and Fishlegs hurriedly pulled it back to the surface, saving Hiccup's life. So, Hiccup had to triple-reinforce it. But they didn't have time to test it because Astrid came to inform Hiccup that she just sent the Auxiliary to the Storehouse Island for the last of the rations and she doesn't know how long it will last for how long the people of Motunui can continue to help them. And top of all that, Moana and her group haven't returned yet with Tilly. So, without a choice, Hiccup, and his team along with the rest of the Freedom Bringers have to go now.
They arrive at Straits of Baldur, where Hiccup instructs them on what to do. One tug means he reached the bottom, and two tugs means there's something wrong that they have to bring him up quickly. Gil was able to make the magical pearls to help Hiccup breathe underwater but can only last for ten minutes. Hiccup said it is all right as it would give him enough time to free the Submaripper. After setting down the diving bell, Hiccup readies himself to get in.
"We need to act fast. I need to get down there and free the Ripper before it notices we're here." Hiccup instructed everyone as he held one of Toothless's tailfins.
"And how is Toothless' tail supposed to help?" Snotlout asked, pointing at Toothless's tailfin.
"Well, contrary to popular opinion, I'm not much of a swimmer." Hiccup said, walking away and towards the others.
"Oh, sure, that will work. Nice knowing ya'." Snotlout said, earning an annoyed growl from Toothless.
"Show some support towards Hiccup." Yasmina said to Snotlout coldly as she walked over to the others, leaving a flabbergasted Jorgenson.
Gil hands Hiccup a bag of pearls. "Here, you have to take one pearl if ten minutes are up. And whatever you, don't eat all of them at once." Gil instructed him.
"What happens if he does?" Heather dared to ask.
"The side effects would involve choking, foaming on the mouth, and then you will go into a coma." Gil listed out, earning shock looks from the riders, "What? I told you, it's not perfect."
"It's okay, Gil, I can handle it. Now, don't bring me up unless I tug the chain twice, no matter what." Hiccup said as he was about to get in the diving-bell, until Gil came over to him.
"Hiccup, I'm coming too." Gil said to Hiccup. "I can breathe underwater, and I can help unchain the Submarriper."
"He's right, Hiccup." Lani said, coming over with his own goggles and another tailfin of Toothless. "You need all the help you could get."
Hiccup wanted to protest but knew very well that he needed the help he could get. "All right, you guys come along, but remember, if something goes wrong, you two have to bail."
They nod their heads as Hiccup and Lani get in the diving-bell while Gil readies to dive. Keoni pulls the lever that brings the dive-bell down to the water with Gil diving to join them. They waited for a while to see something happened. Feeling that something bad was going to happen. After a few minutes, they heard the bell ring once. Earning sighs of relief.
"Oh, thank Thor. That's one tug. He made it to the ocean floor. Yes! One chain is done."
"That's great! Let's just hope the magic of the pearls can last long." Keoni said to the group worriedly. "Moana and the others are not yet back with Tilly. She's the only one that could help us."
"Well, let's just wait and see." Astrid said.
Meanwhile, Hiccup, Lani, and Gil swims cautiously towards the sleeping Submaripper. The Doublegangers were amazed how they could breathe underwater, all thanks to the magical pearls. They carefully pour the Changewing acid on the Submaripper's chains, careful not to wake it. But as they do so, the Riders and the rest of the Freedom Bringers spotted the Dragon Hunters' shop, going to disrupt their plans on freeing the Submaripper. Fishlegs fears that they'll disturb the Submaripper, endangering Hiccup and themselves as well. They try to confront them but soon realize that the Hunters intend to wake the Submaripper, by throwing boulders on the water, stirring up the Submarripper to wake up.
They quickly head back to the ship and tell Fishlegs to pull Hiccup and Lani out as Gil can swim to the surface. However, the catapulted rocks create enough noise to wake the Submaripper and immediately tries to suck in the three males to its mouth. They hold on to a rock with all their might, trying their best not to get sucked in. However, the Submaripper suddenly stopped when he heard a roar of his kind called out to him. The Submarripper looked stopped and looked up to see Tilly swimming towards him. With her were Coral and Malie, in her mermaid form, they found Tilly just in time to save Hiccup, Lani, and Gil from getting sucked in.
"Coral!" Gil called out happily.
"Hey, Gil! We brought Tilly!" Coral said happily, swimming towards him and the others.
"Just in time too! Where are the others?" Gil asked her.
"Oh, they're up at the ship, telling them it took forever to find Tilly. Turns out, she was in a really deep water and Maui had to turn into a whale with me and Mal on his back as we find her, she builds herself nest there and-"
"You can tell me later, right now, we need Tilly to distract the Submarripper while Hiccup breaks the last of its chains." Gil said to his best friend.
Coral saluted, "Okie-dokie!"
"We're on it." Malie said as she and Coral swam towards Tilly, who was speaking with the Submarripper, and whispered to her, "Tilly, distract him enough for Hiccup to break the last chain."
Nodding her head, Tilly communicates with the Submarripper, long enough for Hiccup to sneak towards the last chain and break it with the Changwing acid. After breaking the last chain from the Submaripper, Hiccup and Lani quickly swims back to the dive-bell, as their ten minutes are almost up, they weren't aware that Hiccup accidentally dropped the bag with magical pearls on the ground. When they entered and headed to the surface, Gil found the bag of pearls, feeling worried that they might need it and quickly swam to the dive-bell, but just as it neared the surface, the Hunters destroyed the crane that was pulling the diving bell.
Toothless and Sandstorm attempted to reel it in themselves to save their riders, but soon they were quickly pulled down by the plummeting diving bell to the ocean floor. Hiccup and Lani were stuck inside, feeling the pearl's magic slowly fading, as the water slowly began to seep in through the cracks. Toothless and Sandstorm tried to save their riders by breaking it, but due to the reinforced Gronckle Iron, they couldn't break it.
"Lani! Hiccup!" Malie screams in panic as she, Gil, and Coral swim to the dive-bell, trying to find a way to set them free, but to no avail.
"We have to give them the pearls!" Gil said as he tried to slip the pearls through the cracks, but they wouldn't fit, or they could get stuck.
"You guys have to go!" Lani screamed out.
"Save yourselves!" Hiccup yelled out, accepting his fate as well as Lani's.
"No! We're not leaving you guys!" Coral said, "We'll find a way!"
"Coral's right! Just hang in there!" Gil said, trying to find a way to get the pearls inside.
Toothless and Sandstorm refuse to leave their riders as they pressed their snouts on the window, making their riders' smile at them. "We know, bud. We wouldn't leave you guys either." Hiccup said sadly.
"You're always with me, girl." Lani said to his dragon kindly.
As the water started to envelop them, Malie called out to Tilly, not wanting Lani and Hiccup to drown. "Tilly! Help us!"
Tilly was about to obey until the Submaripper was chained and suddenly swam towards them. Hiccup and Lani warned their dragons, but in doing so, they released their breath. Toothless and Sandstorm tried to stop the Submaripper, but to no avail. However, it didn't attack them, instead, it grabs the contraption and pulls it back to the ship, with Toothless and Sandstorm on its tail. Tilly helped Coral, Malie, and Gil to the surface. Soon, the Submaripper erupted from the water, very close to the boat, scaring the riders and the freedom bringers. But instead of crashing, the Submaripper placed the dive-bell on the boat and swam away, shocking everyone. As it turns out, the Submaripper realized that Hiccup and Lani were the ones who freed it along with Gil and when Hiccup and Lani drowned inside the diving bell, it returned the favor by bringing them and their dragons to the surface and placed them on their ship. Toothless and Sandstorm get on the ship while Tilly helps Malie, Gil, and Coral onboard, they and the others quickly go to the dive-bell and try to get Hiccup and Lani out.
"We need to get them out of there!" Astrid said.
"How? It's dragon-proof!" Fishlegs as Toothless and Sandstorm roared to their riders worriedly.
Just then, Tuffnut came with a metal bar and stabbed it on the metal of the dive-bell, "We got this! Barf! Belch!" He orders his dragon, who intertwined their necks and worked together to bend the metal enough to open it. unconscious Hiccup.
"Now pull them out! Quickly!" Fishlegs exclaims as Nasir and Keoni brought Lani and Hiccup.
Astrid goes over to Hiccup while Malie goes to Lani, trying to wake them up. But due to them consuming too much water in their lungs, they cannot breathe.
"No, no, no! Lani, wake up." Malie begged, tears slowly forming in her eyes.
"Oh, no, Hiccup! Please, breathe. Please, breathe!" Astrid begged as well to Hiccup.
Moana looks at Yasmina, "Can you help them?" She asked her friend, who nodded.
Yasmina kneels between the two males, placing both hands on their chests. She closed her eyes as she sensed the water in their lungs. Making her hands glow a blue light, she guides her hands up to their throat, bringing out the waters out of their lungs, earring loud coughs from both doppelgangers. They groaned as they sat up, dazed but all right.
"Hiccup! Lani! Thank Thor, you two are okay." Heather said in relief while Toothless and Lani licked their riders.
"Ah! I'm okay, Sandy, really." Lani assures his dragon.
"Same here, bud." Hiccup said with assurance before they looked at the ocean to see the Submaripper and Tilly. Toothless and Sandstorm made loud thank you roars as the Submaripper roars back before following Tilly, far from Straits of Baldur and to deeper waters.
Then Hiccup realizes something, "What happened?
Snotlout, riding on Hookfang, answered, "Viggo happened."
"He made the Submarriper to wake up and trying to stop you from freeing it." Keoni said to Hiccup.
Hiccup tries to get up and get on Toothless, but is still weak to do so, "Viggo. No, no, he can't escape." He almost fell if it wasn't for Fishlegs.
"Easy, Hiccup. I got you." Fishlegs said.
"Don't worry. He won't get far." Astrid said as they all get on their dragons, minus Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Lani.
As the Riders and Freedom Bringers approach the dragon hunters' ship, they saw the Grimborn brothers riding on a small boat and they quickly make their escape from the pursuing Riders and Freedom Bringers as they are pulled by tamed Seashockers. Forcing them to do so as they cannot risk hitting those dragons. But as they made their escape, Yasmina made sure to cast a spell to weaken the dragon-proof chains that were holding the Seasshockers, freeing them as they get away from the angry Grimborn brothers. Allowing the Dragon Riders and Freedom Bringers to head back to Berk.
With the Submaripper gone and brought to the Freedom Bringers' region with Tilly, the Straits of Baldur are now safe, allowing the trade route to Berk to finally open again and traders quickly seep into resupply Berk. Moana's people still helped out, just in case. Everyone is happy to have trading again.
"Let's get those ships unloaded now. Quickly." Stoick ordered the people, walking down the dock with Hiccup.
"This never would have happened if Viggo wasn't trying to get at me." Hiccup said, feeling guilty for being partially responsible for this.
But Stoick reassures him, "And Berk never would've been saved if it wasn't for you. Hiccup, your foe revealed his true colors. Only a coward endangers innocent women and children as a means of intimidation. This is a dangerous game, son. But I'm confident, bravery will always triumph over cowardice."
Hiccup smiles at his dad before going towards Moana, who was talking with her people after finishing up the last trading, "Chief Moana, thank you again for aiding us in our time of need."
"No problem, Hiccup. I know you would do the same." Moana said with a smile, "And besides, no one should suffer the way they should. Also, just call me Moana."
Hiccup smiles and nods in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Moana." He said with great respect earning a smile from Moana. As they separated, Lani and Malie were talking with each other, faces slightly red. Sandstorm was standing by, an amused smirk played on her face, watching her rider trying to woo Malie.
"S-so...you're heading back?" Lani asked hesitantly.
"Y-Yeah...we're just gonna check the village and...visit Tilly with Beau."
"Beau?" Lani asked curiously.
"Coral named him; it actually suits him well." Malie answered.
"That's good..." Lani then rubs the back of his neck, "Anyways...do you have plans for tomorrow?"
"Other than helping my friends, I have no plans tomorrow, why you ask?"
"I...I was wondering if you want a tour around Berk? I mean, since you wonder what it's like here and...well, to catch up and all." Lani explains with hesitation, blushing madly.
Malie blushed back, "Are you...asking me on a date?"
Lani's whole face turned red like a tomato, "Wha-no! Nononono...it's not a date-date, it's more of a...um...get to know each other as friends, hanging out I mean."
Malie giggled at his flabbergasted state while Sandstorm gave him the look, shaking her head as she thinks that her rider should just confess to her instead of embarrassing himself. However, his funny awkwardness won Malie and she agreed.
"I would love to hang out with you." Malie said with a small blush on her face.
Lani smiles, still blushing, as he said to her happily, "Great! I'll show you after lunch tomorrow."
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." Malie said kindly. Lani was happy but before he could do anything, Malie gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, causing him to blush really, really red. Malie giggles, blushing madly when doing so, as she gave him a playful wave. "See you tomorrow."
And with that, Malie returns to her friends, leaving a blushing and stuttering Lani with a grinning dragon. She knows very well that Malie is a perfect mate for her rider. As Sandstorm coaxes her rider to their pack, the rest of the riders were with Johann, who was telling them on how he escaped the Beau the Submaripper.
"This reminds me of the time I was attacked by a flock of rabid-"
Johann was cut off when Hiccup came, "Johann, welcome back." He greeted the trader with a kind smile.
Johann was happy to see him. "Ah! Master Hiccup, I was just telling the young Riders of Berk here my harrowing experience with a Submaripper. As it were, I was sailing the Straits of Baldur when I smelled the foulest of odors. Worse than the time I was trapped in the Dung Pits on the coast of Pel."
As Johann proceeds to tell his story to the riders, the Freedom Bringers return to Motunui. To prepare for their next adventure with the riders and their dragons.
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