Deep within the Dark Realm in a dark, creepy swamp, Buzzsaw was trying to find his Death Dragon.
"Where are you, Death Dragon?" he said. "I know you're here…"
He then continued cutting his way through the foliage.
Meanwhile, on the surface, Jun desperately tried to discover more about the Dark Realm in her myth books.
"Come on!" she said as she looked through her books. "I know I've seen this symbol somewhere before."
Tom then climbed through the window. "Hey! Any luck deciphering the Dark Realm page of the book? We have to find it before Buzzsaw."
"I know, Tom," said Jun. "I'm doing the best I can."
"Hey, Jun," said D'Angelo poking his head out the window. "Any luck deciphering the Dark Realm page of the book? We have to find it before Buzzsaw."
Alex then entered the room. "Okay, where's the Dark Realm? Let's hit it!"
James then stepped in. "Any idea what exactly this Death Dragon is?"
Eugene then blew a raspberry as he leaned against the doorway. "I'm sensing another epic Jun Bug fail."
"Look, guys," Jun groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "it's not as easy as just reading from a book. These ancient runes were written 1,000 years ago. All it takes is a little smudge and becomes illegible."
"But you're supposed to be an expert on all this dopey stuff," said Eugene. "That's our sibling balance. I'm gorgeous; you're the nerd."
"Eugene!" Tom glared.
"What?" said Eugene obliviously. "That's what it says on our birth certificates!"
"Give her time!" said Tom.
"I'm going back to bed," said Alex.
"Aw, come on!" Eugene groaned.
"Guys, stop!" Jun yelled. "I did learn some things." She then picked up one of her books. "In Norse mythology, the Dark Realm is a creepy, desperate place sometimes known as Helheim."
"Sounds like a great spot for a summer rental," said Alex.
Jun then looked through the Book of Dragons. "This snake-like beast drawn here must be Jörmungandr, also known as the World Serpent." She handed the book to Tom, and D'Angelo looked over his shoulder. "The book claims it's the apex predator to all dragons."
"The apex predator to all dragons?" Tom stared. "That explains why Buzzsaw wants it so badly."
"If I remember my Norse mythology correctly, Jörmungandr was so vicious and powerful that it was able to go toe to toe with Thor, the most powerful of the gods," said James.
"It must reside in the Dark Realm," said Jun. "if I can just figure out this last rune, I think it will point us in the right direction." She then began looking through the books on the bookshelf. "I know I've seen it in one of my myth books. I've been looking all night!"
"Um, it isn't, like, um, in the book with the weird Viking boat on the cover, right?" Eugene asked.
Jun narrowed her eyes at him angrily.
"No?" he said, backing away slowly. "Okay, good. Didn't think so."
They managed to locate Jun's book in Eugene's room, which he had used as a coffee coaster.
"You used to my myth book as a coaster?!" Jun yelled, outraged.
"Well, yeah," he said, noticing everyone glaring at him. "I didn't wanna put a water circle on the desk. That would be irresponsible."
Jun growled at him furiously as he retrieved her book.
"New rule," said Alex. "Eugene has to ask permission before he does anything."
"Uh, can I object to that rule?" Eugene asked.
"No," said everyone.
"Guys!" said Jun as she looked through her book. "I know where to find the Dark Realm."
Moments later, they were on their dragons, flying through the Dark Realm.
"Okay," said Eugene slowly. "So, like, this is the Dark Realm?"
"I don't think so," said Jun. "this must be some sort of passageway."
"Everyone, just keep your eyes open," said Tom. "Spiderwings and Bubblehorns live here."
"Oh, great!" Eugene muttered. "So, we're flying through a meat grinder so we can find the most gnarly realm imaginable, just so we can be eaten by a creature I can't even pronounce?!"
"Don't worry, bro," said Jun. "I'm sure Jörmungandr will spare you. You smell a bit spoiled."
"Yeah, right! I smell like victory sprinkled on perfection," he said. He then sniffed himself and winced. "Ew."
"Can we stop sniffing ourselves and focus?" Alex asked. "If we don't figure out a way past the Spiderwings and Bubblehorns, we won't even reach the Dark Realm."
"Let's just do the opposite of what Kullersen says," said Eugene.
"Oh-oh-oh, that's nice!" said Tom, rolling his eyes. "Maybe you should just start a new team and make yourself the leader? Oh, wait, you already tried that!"
"Hey, that would've worked if it worked!" Eugene snapped.
"Enough!" D'Angelo yelled, placing himself between them. "Look, I know that Dragon Club has been officially disbanded, but this mission is far too important to let our bickering get in the way of stopping Buzzsaw. So, I'm calling for a truce. No more arguing, no more fighting until we stop Buzzsaw from reaching the World Serpent."
"Okay," said Alex.
"Yeah," said Jun.
"You got it," said James.
"You're right," said Tom.
"Whatever!" said Eugene.
"Good," said D'Angelo and led the way. "Now stay on our wing. We'll go below to avoid the Spiderwings, then fly over the watering hole to dodge the Bubblehorns."
They instantly began to follow D'Angelo.
Moments later, they managed to avoid the Spiderwings and Bubblehorns, but there was still no sign of the entrance of the Dark Realm.
"It's got to be around here somewhere," said Jun.
"I'm not saying anything, Jun," said Tom. He then approached her. "You sure you read the book correctly?" Jun narrowed her eyes at him. "I mean, you said it yourself; one smudge can make all the difference."
"I'd like to say, in a trucey non-arguing, non-jerky kinda way, that I think Jun completely blew this," said Eugene.
"Eugene!" D'Angelo snapped.
"What?"
"Listen, I'm not saying Eugene is right, but I've played a lot of video games in my day, and the entrance to Realm like this would have a guard or powerful entity watching over it," said Jun.
"It's the same in any kind of mythology; there's always something guarding the underworld in some shape or form," James agreed.
"Yeah, a guard!" Eugene nodded. "Or whatever that thing Gonzo and Jimmy said."
"A powerful sentry," Jun pondered, and her eyes lit up. "Of course!"
Once again, they were on their dragons making their way deeper down the passageway, and Jun began to share her idea.
"Remember when we were searching for Thunder, and we battled the Razorwhip dragon?" Jun asked.
"How could we forget it created a flaming tornado around us?" said James.
"Well, we never figured out why it attacked as unprovoked," Jun continued.
"You think it was guarding the entrance to the Dark Realm?" Tom asked.
"I bet my limited edition Nostradamus tarot cards on it," Jun smiled.
"Ho-ho, man!" said Eugene. "That is by far the geekiest thing you've ever said!"
D'Angelo then cleared his throat.
"Sorry… truce," said Eugene.
"If you're right, Jun and the Razorwhip is waiting for us; we should've worn our fire suits," said Alex.
"Look!" Jun pointed as they saw the entrance to a cave. "That might be the entrance to the Dark Realm."
"Guess you'll be able to keep your Nostradamus tarot cards," said James.
They landed, and D'Angelo noticed the Razorwhip lying on the ground, looking rather sick.
"The Razorwhip," he gasped. "Oh, no!"
He quickly grabbed his first aid kit and rushed over to its side. He placed his ear against his chest and could hear a heartbeat.
"He's alive!" he said.
The Razorwhip growled weakly.
"Don't worry. I got you," D'Angelo assured it.
"What happened to him?" Eugene asked.
D'Angelo lifted the Razorwhip's wing and saw a familiar dart.
"Buzzsaw," said Alex.
"Can you help him, D?" Tom asked. "He looks pretty bad."
"Do you have any slugs?" Jun asked.
"I extracted the medicinal qualities out of the slug slime and converted it to a liquid," he said as he took out the antidote from his first aid kit. He then dropped a few drops in the dragon's mouth. "I just hope it's not too late."
The Razorwhip growled, looking a little healthier.
"It's okay. Just rest," said D'Angelo gently.
"Nice work, D," said Tom, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I couldn't have done it better myself," said Eugene.
"You couldn't have done it at all," said Alex and Eugene narrowed his eyes. "Sorry. Truce."
They then looked at the cave entrance, which had several tree roots growing around it.
"Guess that means we're behind Buzzsaw," said Jun.
"Sledkin must've decoded the Dragon Book for him before I got it back," said Alex.
"Look, just because we're behind Buzzsaw doesn't mean he's found the World Serpent yet," said Tom. "Maybe we can get there first!"
They then heard a low rumbling sound coming from the cave.
"And what's our plan if we do?" Alex asked nervously.
Tom didn't answer and then led the others into the cave.
They began making their way through the cave, and Thunder gave a nervous roar.
"Easy, Pal," said Tom, patting him. He then turned to the others. "Okay. Stay close. Buzzsaw could be hiding anywhere."
"Jörmungandr," Jun added.
"Jun, watch our right," said D'Angelo. "Alex left. We don't wanna get ambushed."
"Hmm, hacked by a hatchet or swallowed whole," said Alex. "Is it a dealer's choice?"
"Come on, Gonzo," said Eugene, rolling his eyes. "You're afraid of the dark?"
"No, Eugene, I'm afraid of what's lurking in the dark!"
"Guys! We promised not to fight on this mission," D'Angelo reminded them. "If Buzzsaw finds the World Serpent, every dragon we know could be in danger."
The dragons growled in agreement.
"I really thought we were gonna pull it together today," D'Angelo sighed. "We didn't just used to be Dragon Riders; we also used to be friends."
Everyone looked at one another.
"D's right," said Tom. "We should…"
They heard a distant growl and quickly looked around for the source.
"Tell me that was your stomach, Pal," Tom asked hopefully to Thunder.
Then suddenly, flying directly over their heads was a Terrible Terror, which flew around them and then breathed onto some red dragoonsite, which glowed and produced some mist.
"Red dragonsite?" said Tom.
"Red, green," said Eugene. "What's the diff? They're both just steaming rocks."
"Or is it something more than that?" Jun asked.
"No way to tell without the proper equipment," said James. "But since we haven't found any other different colours of dragonsite, I say that we be careful around it."
"The Dark Realm has always been known for its mystery and danger," said Jun.
"What the heck are we getting ourselves into?" Eugene asked.
They then saw a group of Terrible Terrors lighting up more red dragonsite, creating a path.
"It's almost like they're letting us a path," said Tom.
"A path to our doom," said Alex.
They then began to follow the path.
They eventually exited the cave and found themselves in a deep, dark, creepy-looking swamp.
"Oh, I get it," said Eugene, taking in the new surroundings. "This is the Dark Realm."
"Yeah," D'Angelo nodded. "We definitely found it."
Tom bent down towards the water and looked at Jun. "Jun? Any thought?"
"Well, in Norse mythology, Loki placed his unruly daughter down here, treating it like a creepy prison where she could do no harm," she said.
"I am definitely getting the creepy prison vibe," said Eugene.
"This Realm has always been associated with the souls of the dead, lumbering aimlessly through the night, searching for their earthbound husks," Jun continued.
"Earthbound husks?" said Eugene, looking creeped out. "Seriously, Jun? Did you really need to share that last part?"
"Come on, guys," said Tom. "We're running out of time. We have to find the World Serpent before Buzzsaw."
They began making their way through the swamp. The air was so thick from the steam coming from the red dragonsite they coughed almost constantly. They were also starting to feel a little groggy for some strange reason.
"This dragonsite steam is nasty," said Tom, covering his nose.
"This whole place is nasty," said Alex.
"How are we supposed to find anything out here?" Eugene asked frustratingly.
"Yeah, it feels like we're walking aimlessly," Jun agreed.
"Plowhorn's the tracker dragon," said Alex. "Why isn't she tracking anything?"
"No kidding, she's been hanging in the back for a while now," James nodded.
"Yeah, D," said Tom, looking at D'Angelo. "Move Plow to the front."
"Don't try to pin this all on Plowhorn," said D'Angelo. "She's doing the best she can! Come on, Plow."
They began making their way to the front, and Plowhorn accidentally stepped on Wu and Wei's tails, making them roar painfully.
"Hey, watch it!" Jun snapped.
Plowhorn sniffed the ground and roared, indicating that she had picked up the scent.
"See?" said D'Angelo smugly. "She has a scent. Everyone happy now?"
"We'll be happier if we catch up with Buzzsaw and stop him from unleashing the most dangerous dragon ever known," said James, folding his arms.
D'Angelo narrowed his eyes at him before walking off.
"I'll be happier sitting through a trigonometry lecture," Eugene muttered under his breath.
They kept on walking until Plowhorn came to a stop by a large cliff.
"What's going on? Why is she stopping?" Tom asked impatiently. "We have to find Buzzsaw!"
"You're the Dragon Whisperer, Tom; why don't you ask her?" said D'Angelo, gesturing to Plowhorn.
"Whoa," said Eugene, bending down and picking up the torch. "Check it out."
James took the torch from him and felt the top end. "The ash is still fresh; it's been used recently," he said.
"Buzzsaw," said Jun. "We're close!"
"Come on!" said Tom as he made his way to a cave. "Let's push through. We can make it."
Plowhorn growled, saying that she didn't want to enter the cave.
"Plowhorn doesn't like that idea, Tom," said D'Angelo.
"Well, I'm the leader, and I say we push through," said Tom.
"Can't we just fly over?" Jun asked.
"Or go around?" Eugene suggested.
"Or go home?" said Alex.
"Or how about we just decide what to do?" James suggested.
"Fine," said Tom. "If that's how you all feel, everyone do whatever everyone wants to do. How about that?"
"Fine!" said everyone.
Everyone mounted their dragons, and they all took off in separate directions.
Thunder growled with concern.
"Come on, Thunder," said Tom and the end of the cave.
However, when he got through the cave, the others arrived practically at the same time.
"See that? Nothing happened," said Alex, looking at Tom. "Guess we were all right."
"Or I was just right," said Tom. "We should've pushed through."
"Hey," Eugene snapped. "Back off Gonzo, Kullersen."
"Don't talk to Tom that way," said Jun.
"Yeah, Eugene!" Tom glared. "Only Jun gets to talk to me that way."
"What?!" said Jun. "I won't be talking to you at all!"
"No one should talk to me but me," said Eugene.
"Maybe you shouldn't be talking at all," said James, folding his arms.
Soon, everyone began arguing with one another.
"This mission SUCKS!" Eugene yelled.
D'Angelo slowly lost his patience as he watched everyone arguing, but he finally had enough.
"Quiet!" he yelled, and everyone instantly stopped. "You're all driving me nuts! Jun, your stupid myths and cards are what broke us up to begin with." He then turned and looked at Alex. "And if I have to hear one more sarcastic comment that undermines omission, I'm gonna throw up, Alex." He then turned to James. "And if I hear any random trivia coming from you, James, to pull my hair out." He then turned and looked at Eugene. "And Eugene, the poisonous apple. We never should've let you join us! You've been nothing but a pain from the start. And Tom—" He turned to look at him, "you call yourself a leader? You're a joke, man. You couldn't lead a Flood Fang joy watering hole. In fact, I wish I'd never met any of you!"
D'Angelo gasped and covered his mouth, shocked by what he had just said, as were the Riders.
"D!" said Tom, breaking the long silence.
"I… I… I've never said anything like that to anyone before," he said, shocked. "I… I-I don't know what happened to me."
"I thought we were supposed to have a truce!" said Eugene. "In fact, it was your brilliant idea! Then you shred us?"
"It's not you, D…" said Alex. "It's this place! Can't you guys feel it? Like a sad, angry pit in your gut."
"Yeah," Tom agreed. "I feel it, too." He then looked at Thunder. "And I think the dragons do as well."
"But we were fine before we entered the swamp, and then suddenly, we were at each other's throats," said James.
Jun turned her eyes to the red dragonsite, and her eyes lit up. "It's the red dragonsite. The steam! The deeper we go, the more of it we're breathing."
"Quick!" Tom yelled. "Everyone get away from it!"
Everyone immediately backed away from the red dragonsite.
"I guess it's possible the red dragonsite steam is affecting our serotonin levels, throwing us off and making us mad!" said D'Angelo.
"We should just get outta here before it makes us tear each other apart!" said Eugene.
"No, we can't!" said Tom. "We have to stop Buzzsaw from finding Jörmungandr."
"We have to become stronger than we've ever been before, as Riders and as friends," said D'Angelo.
"Then what do you suggest?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, we haven't exactly been either for quite a while," James pointed out.
"If we're gonna get through this and overcome the effects of red Dragonsite, it's time we get real," said D'Angelo, slamming his hand on his palm.
"I think you've just got real, D'Angelo," Alex pointed out. "And it was real scary."
"Yeah, the red dragonsite might be antagonising us, but it didn't create those feelings out, no," said James.
"No joke," said Eugene. He then looked at D'Angelo. "D'Angelo, you spend way too much time in your dragon hospital." He then turned to Alex. "Alex, you spend way too much time on your computer." He then looked at James. "James, you've been way too busy looking for your ancestor's stories," he then turned and looked at Tom and Jun, "and Tom and Jun, you spend way too much time playing holdy-hands! How can we be a team if nobody's ever around?"
Everyone immediately began arguing.
"See?" said Eugene as if this proved his point. "This is why we'll never survive the Dark Realm. None of you can even look at yourselves in the mirror."
"And what about you?" Tom asked, narrowing his eyes. "You have like you're so perfect, Eugene. What have you ever done wrong?"
"I believed in us," said Eugene.
Everyone looked at him, surprised and taken aback.
"I thought I was finally a part of something big, something legendary," he said. "The Dragon Riders Protectors of the Realms! Something nobody could take away." He then sighed and looked to the ground. "We just let it all fall apart like a bunch of losers."
Everyone then looked at one another, ashamed.
"I'm sorry, guys," said Tom as he stroked Thunder. "You are the dragons mean more to me than anything."
"I guess Tom and I have been spending a lot of time away from you guys," Jun admitted.
"And even though helping dragons is part of our mission, I have let my Rider responsibilities slide," said D'Angelo.
"And I figured, since the Riders were over, I'd go back to my online community," said Alex. "But… it was in the same anymore. I missed all of you."
"And I have been rather preoccupied," James admitted. "You see, after reading my ancestor's memoirs, I decided that maybe I should write a book about it."
Everyone immediately stared at him.
"What?" said Tom.
"After reading about the original Dragon Riders, I felt as if the entire world should know the story even if they believe it's fiction," James explained. "But I was so focused in the past I ignored my friends, and I'm sorry."
"He won, the only one ignoring everyone else," said Jun. "Tom and I spent too much time on ourselves."
"We'll fix that," Tom promised.
"And I love the Dragon Hospital, but I also love you guys," said D'Angelo. "I'll focus more on my work-life balance."
"I'm with you," said Alex. "Wendy needs an upgrade anyway. She's too sassy."
"I agree; I'm with you guys until the end," said James.
"New rule," Tom announced. "No more burying our feelings until they bubble and fester and destroy the best group of friends to ever ride dragons in the history of the Nine Realms."
"You might need to write that one down for me," D'Angelo advised.
"Dragon Riders?" Tom smiled as he raised his fist.
"Dragon Riders!" they said, and they bumped fists.
With that agreed, they immediately made their way to their dragons.
"They'll never admit it, Webs, would you and I know the truth," said Eugene, stroking him. "We're the glue that holds this team together." He then noticed the questionable looks coming from Tom, Jun and James. "I mean, you know, maybe the tape."
They then heard a monstrous roar.
"We have to hurry, Riders," said Tom, and they quickly mounted their dragons. "D, Plow, you've got point."
"Steer us clear of the red dragonsite," said Jun.
"On it," D'Angelo nodded.
"Wait. Wait. Wait," said Eugene. "Maybe Webs and I should take point."
"I'd say you're good right where you are," said D'Angelo and took off.
"Okay, fine, if you want us to watch the rear for ambushes and stuff, you can do that too," said Eugene. "But it's kind of a waste of our talents, don't you think?"
"And just like that, the Dragon Riders are back," said Alex.
They all then took to the air.
They kept on following the path until they came face-to-face with the giant gate, which was covered in both rust and moss.
"So this is where the giant killer dragon lives," said Eugene.
They then heard the round, monstrous roar that undoubtedly came from the giant killer dragon.
"Yep!" said D'Angelo meekly.
"At least we beat Buzzsaw to Jörmungandr," said Jun. "He must've gotten lost in the swamps."
"Huh! Or not!" said Eugene, gesturing to one of Buzzsaw's flags. "It looks like he was here first."
"Jun, can you decipher the runes?" Tom asked, gesturing to the carvings on the gate.
"From memory? I'll try," she said, approaching the gate, but Wu stopped looking deeply concerned, and she hugged him. "I'll be okay." She then made her way to the gate and began to examine the runes. "That one says 'Jörmungandr,' but I can't read that one."
"I'm pretty sure that one says, 'Do not open if you plan on getting out of here alive,'" said Alex.
Tom then noticed the dragon symbol engraved on the gate. "Look. The dragon symbols above the gate. Hiccup must've locked this dragon away all those years ago."
"How'd you know for sure Hiccup did it?" Eugene asked.
"Who else could it have been, Eugene?"
"I don't know," Eugene shrugged. "One of my awesome distant relatives?"
"From what I read, Hiccup hated the very idea of killing or imprisoning dragons," said James. "There was only one time he killed a dragon, and that one was enslaving others. If he chose to imprison this one, that means this dragon was so deadly and so fearsome that he felt as if he had no other choice."
"So you're saying is that we should keep this thing locked up," said Alex.
"Basically."
Thunder then flew up towards the edge of the gate, where there was a hole.
"Check it out," said Tom. "Thunder found something."
Inside the hole was some sort of mechanism, and Thunder's snout could fit through it. However, it was so tight that he could not open his mouth, so his teeth brushed against the mechanism.
"Strange how it fits Thunder's snout," Tom frowned.
"Not that strange at all," said James. "I did a little research, and I found that Night-Lights' ancestry goes all the way back to the infamous Night Fury. In fact, all Night-Lights are descendants of Hiccup's Night Fury, Toothless, who was considered the very last of his kind."
Tom's eyes widened as he turned to face him. "Wait, you're saying that Thunder's ancestor was bonded with my ancestor?"
"I guess it was fate that the two of you would meet," James shrugged. He then looked back at the mechanism. "I guess Hiccup's modelled this around his own dragon."
"It looks like some sort of bizarre locking mechanism?" said D'Angelo as he examined it.
"Another one of Hiccup's inventive mysteries," said Tom. "I'm starting to think he likes puzzles as much as you like dragons."
"I believe he got that from one of his distant ancestors," said James. "Apparently, he and his friends were looking for this lost treasure belonging to his ancestor Hamish the Second, who apparently loved riddles and deathtraps."
"I have no idea how to open it, though," said D'Angelo.
"Yeah, that's a good thing!" Alex pointed out.
"Well, looking what we have here!" said a voice, and they turned and found that Buzzsaw had arrived. "Seems like you've found my Death Dragon! Well, I was here first! So back off!"
"No way, Buzzsaw!" Tom yelled. "The World Serpent cannot be released. It would endanger all dragonkind."
"Ha!" Buzzsaw scoffed. "I'm the one that endangers all of dragonkind! Me!"
"If the world's greatest Dragon Rider couldn't train this monster of a dragon, what makes you think you can?" James yelled.
"I am the Dragon King! All dragons kneel before me!" Buzzsaw yelled.
"You'll never get through that gate," said Jun.
"And the lock makes no sense," D'Angelo added.
"Oh, I'll get through that gate, and I won't need the lock to do it," he said. He then pulled out his whistle and blew it.
Then, suddenly landing beside him was the Sky Torcher.
"The Sky Torcher!" Tom gasped.
"That's what you call him," said Buzzsaw. 'I call him 'my new helper.' I used a couple of Flame Spitters to hook him. Nice catch, huh?"
The Sky Torcher then narrowed its eyes down towards them.
"Tom… he's eyeballing us," said D'Angelo.
"I see it," said Tom.
"Get rid of those pests and get me through that stupid gate!" Buzzsaw commanded and blew down on his whistle.
The Sky Torcher roared loudly and launched towards them.
"Think that's our cue, Dragon Riders!" Eugene yelled as he quickly mounted his Webmaster.
He took off before the Sky Torcher could bite them and show the others mounted their dragons as well.
"Go, go, go!" Jun yelled, jumping onto Wei.
Once in the air, they began firing at the Sky Torcher, but their attacks didn't seem to have any effect.
"Finish them!" Buzzsaw roared.
The Sky Torcher then unleashed his flames upon the Dragon Riders, and they quickly had to evade them. Buzzsaw was also nearly scorched by the flames and fell backwards.
"Do what I say, Torchie!" he yelled. "I'm the Dragon King!"
He blew down on the whistle once more, and the Sky Torcher spread its wings, knocking and hitting Eugene, who clashed with D'Angelo and James. It then swung its tail at Alex, who then crashed into Jun. It was then about to unleash its flames upon the fallen Dragon Riders.
"Hey!" Tom yelled, and the Sky Torcher turned its sights upon him. "Leave them alone!"
Tom then attempted to fly off, but the Sky Torcher grabbed Thunder's tail, and with one good yank, Tom fell off his saddle.
"Tom!" Jun yelled.
The Sky Torcher then tossed Thunder towards the gate near the locking mechanism.
"Thunder!" Tom cried.
He then turned to face the Sky Torcher, who slowly lowered its head towards him, and Tom slowly backed up along the steps. Thunder managed to pick himself up, saw that Tom was in danger, and looked to the locking mechanism, realising there was only one way to save, but he was reluctant to do it.
However, the Sky Torcher showed no reluctance to hurt Tom as its mouth was now inches away from him. He then put his head in the locking mechanism but had the same problem as before and roared in frustration. Then, to his astonishment, his teeth retracted, and he quickly put his head back into the locking mechanism.
Unlike the last two times, he was now able to open his mouth within the lock and managed to grab hold of the mechanism. Then, he retracted his teeth and grabbed hold of it.
Tom then saw Thunder's operating mechanism. "Thunder! No!"
Thunder pulled on the locking mechanism, and the gate began to open.
"My Death Dragon," Buzzsaw grinned.
At first, they saw nothing in the darkness of the cave, but then it emerged almost suddenly. Jörmungandr looked exactly as it was depicted in the Book of Dragons, but it was far more terrifying up close in person.
It instantly grabbed the Sky Torcher, biting down on its neck, and then dragged it into its cave. Everyone stared in shock as they heard painful growls coming from the cave; Buzzsaw was so terrified that he ran away.
Thunder rushed over to Tom, who nuzzled him and quickly shielded him as Jörmungandr slithered out of the cave. Fortunately didn't seem to be interested in the Dragon Riders, but unfortunately, it was now free.
"Come on, guys," said Eugene as it disappeared. "Before the Sky Torcher comes back!"
"It's loose…" said Tom horrified. "Jörmungandr is loose!"
Jörmungandr then burst out of the Dark Realm and began to spread its terror across the Hidden World.