Elsa watched the scene before her, her mind racing. Indi's mother was supposed to be dead, killed by von Schwicke himself years ago. And yet, here she was, alive.
Queen Mala rose from her throne. "Mary, you know this person?"
The woman holding Indi looked up from the young man's shoulder. "Yes, my queen. He is... he is my son."
Indi released the woman, a mournful yet relieved smile on his face. The pair stood together.
"Uh, Elsa," he said, looking at the woman Queen Mala had addressed as "Mary". "This is my mother."
Elsa smiled and tipped her head respectfully. She had gathered that much but went along with the formalities. "It's lovely to meet you, madam."
"Mom, this is Queen Elsa."
Mary gave Elsa a respectful curtsy. Indi noticed that Mala had redirected her attention back to the dragon riders.
"Since you all put so much conviction in your friendship with the dragons," she said. "I shall let them decide your fate. Throk?"
"Yes, my queen?" the man said, stepping forward.
"Take these dragon hunters to the pit."
Throk nodded, and several guards forced the riders to stand.
Indi's eyes widened, and he spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "Woah, woah, hold on there a second."
Elsa flashed him a look, but he paid it little mind.
"I know I'm rather ignorant of royal proceedings, and you can ask Queen Elsa for confirmation." Mala's eyes flipped to Elsa for a second, who nodded. "I've sorta just been tossed into the deep end with this whole lifestyle, admittedly. But I've spent time with these people. They don't harm or subjugate dragons."
"Exactly," Tuffnut said. "Sure, our own Hiccup Haddock the Third may have shot down his Night Fury, crippling him, which doesn't allow him to fly without help, and we ride on them whenever we want, make them go where we want to, but does that mean we subjugate them?"
Mala's eyes were blazing. Indi set his jaw and slowly turned his head to look at Tuffnut.
"Too much?" Tuffnut said.
"Even if their pleas were true," Mala said, her voice dangerously level. "Why do they carry a map from Viggo Grimborn that bears his signature? I find you all guilty.
"Throk, take them away!" Mala set her eyes on Indi. "Despite the admittance of your association with these hunters, I will have mercy on you, just this once. Mary, your son is on very shaky ground. Do not let him upset me further."
Elsa took Indi's hand, leading him away as Throk and the other guards led the dragon riders away into the forest.
"Indi," Mary said quietly. "You know those dragon hunters?"
"They're not dragon hunters, Mom," Indi said. "They're good people. You can't let Mala hurt them."
"Queen Mala has made her decision, Indi," Mary said, leading Elsa and Indi after the departing group. "I cannot override her."
Indi glanced at Elsa, setting his jaw. "Perhaps you can't," he said in a hiss. "But I can."
"Indi," Elsa said softly. "Think for a minute. Don't do anything rash."
"Fine," Indi said. The trio walked through the woods on the path after the larger group, and Indi stayed silent. A large shadow glided over them, making Indi glance upwards. "Alright, I've thought about it."
"Indi, I know that look," Elsa said. Indi snorted.
Mary led the pair into a large cave that had a steep drop into a lowered section. In the deep, rocky pit was a collection of old, white bones.
Mala motioned to Throk, who shoved Hiccup down inside. Hiccup rolled down the incline, groaning. Indi's eyes flared.
"Hiccup!" Astrid shouted as she started after him, only to be stopped by Mala, who blocked her way with a long sword, thin and curved.
Indi watched as Hiccup staggered upright. Out of a long tunnel ran two blue reptiles. They stood on two strong legs and their small forelimbs bore two-fingered hands. A long, thin crest extended from their heads. Their tails were tipped in a double-pronged stinger. The creatures were roughly human-sized, about as tall as a Velociraptor. Their calls were strangely familiar as well.
The dragons charged Hiccup, striking towards him with their tails, making him cry out in shock and fear.
"Alright, enough is enough," Indi snarled. Just as he put his fingers to his mouth, a black dragon charged down the passageway that the people took, leaping over them.
Toothless landed in the chasm, slapping away the Speed Stingers with his tail, before firing a small plasma blast at them, driving the smaller dragons back down the tunnel through which they emerged. He allowed Hiccup to climb onto his back and the pair took flight, hovering over the chasm in front of Mala.
The guard surrounding them brandished their spears. Elsa held out a hand and readied her abilities when a blue and yellow Deadly Nadder flew over her hand and landed between the two opposing groups, Stormfly brandishing her tail spines.
"Now do you see?" Hiccup said. "The dragons are our companions. They are willing to risk their lives to protect us. You said you'd accept the dragons' judgment. So, accept our dragons' judgment of us."
Indi caught Mala's gaze; the woman seemed to be in deep conflict. After a moment, Mala sighed and sheathed her sword.
"Perhaps I have been too hasty in my judgment," she said. "A queen is at her best when she acknowledges when she is wrong. I apologize, Hiccup Haddock."
Hiccup nodded, and Toothless landed on the edge of the drop.
Indi stepped over to the riders, a small smile on his face. "Fancy meeting you all here."
"Indi," Astrid said, pulling him into a one-armed hug. "How have you been?"
"I've been alright," Indi said with a chuckle as Astrid released him.
"What is this about a fiance?" Heather asked.
"Oh, that," Indi said, glancing over at Elsa, who was watching the scene with a smile. "That is actually a very recent development."
Elsa stepped over. "Yes. We have much to tell you."
Indi looked back at his mother, who was watching the scene with a pensive look.
"We all do," Mary said, stepping forward.
"Come," Mala said, motioning for the group of newcomers to follow her. "I'll take you to a place where you can all tell your stories."
Mala led everyone out of the cavern and back to the town. In the middle of the square, she had her people set out a few large tables with benches.
"Sit," she said, taking the seat at the head of the table. Elsa took the seat at the opposite end, and the dragon riders sat along the sides. Indi sat next to Elsa, and Mary sat between her son and her queen.
"So, what brings you two this far north?" Hiccup said, looking at their clothing. "You seem to have been through it lately."
"Yes," Elsa said. "Indi and I were invited to a funeral at a neighboring kingdom, as well as the coronation of the heir. While there, that kingdom was attacked by dragon hunters by orders of George von Schwicke."
At Mala's slightly confused look, Elsa spoke. "A mutual enemy of ours. He has contracted Viggo Grimborn and his men to perform services for him."
Mala nodded, and Elsa continued. "Indi and I assisted the soldiers in repelling the attack. Once it was said and done, the hunters had left a ship stranded in the harbor. On that ship, we found several people who had been taken captive, as well as a young dragon, who bonded with the daughter of the newly-crowned king.
"Indi assisted her for a few days in training the creature."
"You helped the princess train a dragon?" Fishlegs asked.
Indi laughed. "I suppose. Princess Selma is a very smart and resourceful girl. I just gave her some guidance from what I knew and learned from my time with you all."
"What kind of dragon was it?" Hiccup asked.
"A Deadly Nadder," Elsa said.
"Good choice," remarked Astrid.
"It wasn't really a choice," Indi said. "It was the only dragon that was alive on the ship. There were quite a few corpses…"
The table was silent for a moment until Elsa continued.
"Once we left that kingdom, Indi and I found ourselves in a terrible storm that sent us into the water. We washed up on an island, where we lived for about a week until we gathered our bearings and flew north. We were hoping to find a tribe to direct us to Berk, and then from there, we would return to Arendelle.
"But now, we're here."
The table took in Elsa's story.
"Not bad, for a queen," Ruffnut said. Mala glanced at this remark but paid it no mind.
"Indi," Mary said, breaking her silence. "There are some things I think you want to know."
Indi nodded, and Mary took a deep breath.
Mary heard a noise from behind her as the cell door creaked open. She turned and saw a young teen, battered and bloody, being escorted into the cell with her by two armed men. The boy's hair was brown with white tips. His face had a massive bruise and his lip was split. His shoulders, arms, and legs were battered with ugly bruises and scrapes.
"Indi," she said, moving over to him and wrapping her arms around him. "What happened?"
Indi's gaze fell to the floor. "I failed."
"No, no. You did just fine." Mary's heart ached for the boy. This was not the life she wanted for her son. Forcing a child to attack and try to kill a blasted cow with his bare hands was madness, even if he used his claws and teeth. Indi was lucky to be alive.
Mary released her son and began using a piece of dirty cloth to try to dab the blood from Indi's face. Outside of their cell were other cages, each holding at least one child, but no more than three. Some of the cages also held the children's mothers. Mary moved her arm and placed her hand over Indi's face.
From the end of the hall, a heavy door banged open. Indi jumped back, moving away from the cell door to the wall.
Outside of the cell, several men stepped into view the lead man wore a sword at his hip and he carried a metal rod. He motioned to one of his underlings, who unlocked the cell.
"Indi," George von Schwicke said, his voice dangerously calm. He adjusted the rod in his grip. "Come over here."
Indi stayed away, watching the man with wide eyes.
Von Schwicke started forward when Mary stepped in front of him. "Stop. Please. The boy has been through enough."
"He must learn to do better," von Schwicke said, glaring at the woman.
"And he will," Mary said, holding her hand out, attempting to placate the man. "Just let him heal."
Von Schwicke's face twisted into a snarl. "I made him! He will learn how I see fit!"
He shoved Mary aside and advanced toward Indi. The boy attempted to scramble away when a large hand grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him against the wall. The boy crumpled to the ground.
Indi cried out when a sharp pain hit him in the side, making him hiss. Another impact to his chest made him scream.
The third impact of the rod against him made him yell once more, and Mary could have sworn that she heard ribs breaking. She leaped to her feet and tackled von Schwicke away from her son, the large man hitting his head against the wall and dropping the metal rod. Her vision went red and she began punching von Schwicke as hard as she could, her hand seeming to glow with her rage each time she attacked.
The faint sound of feet entering the cell barely registered through her rage, and several hands grabbed at her, pulling her off of the man who attacked her child. Two guards helped their leader to his feet. Mary struggled and snarled as she saw the man's face, now just as bruised and bloody as that of her son.
Von Schwicke shrugged off his men's assistance. "Since you're so keen on protecting your son from his punishment, Mary, you can receive it yourself."
Von Schwicke's eyes were blazing as he drew his sword. Mary felt the people holding her back shove her forward, and the blade chopped into her arm. She screamed, the pain excruciating. Von Schwicke attacked again, slashing the woman across her face, exposing the white of her cheekbone. Mary gasped, grabbing at the wound, as though covering would get it to heal quickly. The blade slashed into her thigh, cutting down to her femur.
Mary fell, and von Schwicke assaulted her further, chopping into her again and again. Mary attempted to block the sword with her hands, which earned her a slash across her palms.
Through the bursts of pain building further and further, she heard Indi yell, the sound almost a shrieking roar. She opened her eyes to see her son leap into von Schwicke's back, his claws digging into the man's shoulders. Von Schwicke reached around and grabbed Indi, throwing the boy off and kicking him in the stomach.
The man stood tall, battered and bleeding. He spat at Mary, the saliva heavily mixed with his own blood. He left wordlessly, his heavy footsteps echoing as he led the group out. As the door to the hall banged shut, his voice could be heard. "Somebody get me a damned doctor!"
Indi picked himself up off the floor and crawled over to his mother. Mary reached out to him, her arm weak. Indi placed his head underneath her hand, her blood smearing into his hair. Her blood flowed from her wounds, creating a puddle on the floor that Indi had put one of his hands into.
Slowly, darkness closed around her vision and her eyes grew heavy. She had to sleep.
The last thing she saw was her son, tears running down his face and mixing with his blood.
Mary awoke with a shock. Her surroundings were dark and cold. She was surrounded by water, the liquid stinging her wounds with each touch. Underneath her was a large, flat object, the texture both smooth and bumpy at the same time. She could not see a thing except for thousands of tiny lights above her, a sight she had not witnessed for many years.
She could barely move, only able to raise her head. Whatever she was on was moving through the water quickly.
Soon, sleep overtook her once more, and she faded back into darkness.
Mary felt something cool on her forehead. She was surrounded by something soft and warm. The water that had surrounded and sprayed her was gone, and her arms and hands were gently bound. She moaned, shifting about, and she opened her eyes.
The was in some sort of wooden building, the construction well made. She was lying on a bed with a thin mattress. A sheet covered her, and a pillow cradled her head.
Motion caught her eye, she turned her head, where she saw a red-haired woman wearing black leather sitting next to her on a stool, rinsing a cloth in a bowl of water.
"Indi!" Mary shouted, immediately trying to sit up. The woman next to her jumped in her seat, before collecting herself.
"Lie still," she commanded gently as she guided Mary back down to lie on the bed.
"Please," Mary said. "I need to find my son."
"You won't be able to do anything if you do not rest," the woman said, rising from her seat and covering Mary up with the blanket. "Wait here. I must fetch the queen."
Mary obeyed, and the red-headed woman left the building, gently closing the door behind her. Mary closed her eyes to try to suppress her tears. Questions began to race through her mind. Where was she? Who was this queen? Was Indi alright? Was he even alive?
After a few moments, the door opened, and the red-headed woman entered. Following her was a woman who wore a fitted leather outfit that had gold trim. She had rather short, blonde hair and carried herself highly.
"Here she is, Your Majesty."
The queen stood, looking at Mary with an impassive face, examining her. After a moment, the queen smiled softly.
"I am Mala, Queen Defender of the Wing and Ruler of Caldera Cay. Welcome."
Mary nodded slightly. "Thank you. Do you know how far we are from Isla Nublar? Have you seen my son?"
"I do not know of such a place," Mala said, her smile dropping. "And I'm sorry, but only you were brought to us. There was no sign of another."
Mary's face fell and she felt tears start to flow from her eyes, stinging the gash in her face.
"How did I end up here?" she asked. "Who brought me here?"
"A dragon delivered you to us," Mala said.
Mary looked up at the woman. "Don't insult me. Tell me who brought me to you."
"I speak only the truth," Mala said.
"Dragons do not exist," Mary said. "There is no such thing."
Mala wordlessly went over to a window that had been shuttered and opened the wooden barrier, bathing the room in light.
Mary looked outside and her eyes widened. Flying a decent distance away was a large dragon. It had two wings, two legs, and a long tail. A frill of pale yellow spikes extended from the back of the creature, and the scales were sky blue. The dragon glided gracefully through the air, flapping its wings on occasion.
"They must not live where you are from," Mala said. "You were brought to us by a Thunderdrum. If the dragons view you as needing help, then we will help you. It is our duty."
Mary lay back on the bed. Dragons. Dragons truly existed.
Closed her eyes. Sleep was beginning to take her once more. She heard Mala speak.
"Jirka," she said softly. "What can you tell me about her?"
"Aside from her injuries, my queen," the red-haired woman said. "She is very weak. She had been underfed for a long time. Perhaps years."
"Feed her," Mala said. "When she is ready."
As Mary drifted off to sleep, she hoped that Indi was not in pain any longer. She could not protect him anymore. Whatever she did from here on, she hoped that it would make him proud.
"We nursed her back to health," Mala said. "In time, she learned our ways, and became one of us."
The table was silent for a moment. Even the call of dragons overhead seemed to quiet down.
"Why didn't you come back to help me?" Indi said quietly.
"I thought von Schwicke had killed you as well, Indi," Mary said mournfully. "I also had no idea where I was in location to Nublar."
"Flying dragons is forbidden here," Mala said. "She couldn't return."
"Though, I haven't been sitting here idly," Mary said. "I've been working with Queen Mala here in her quest to fight against the dragon hunters, who are apparently our mutual adversary. I'm not too surprised that von Schwicke is working with them."
Elsa watched as Indi nodded. The young man was thinking hard but seemed to understand.
"How did you two meet?" Mary asked. Elsa and Indi looked at each other.
"Well," Elsa said. "That's a bit of a story."
She proceeded to give an abridged version of the events that led to their current situation, from meeting Indi and having him cared for to him defending her and Anna in the throne room from Von Schwicke, to rescuing the other people from Nublar. She ended the story of the battle between Indi and the Carcharodontosaurus in Arendelle.
"After the battle," Elsa said. "We found out that Von Schwicke was going north to look for dragons to use in his experiments. Indi went north as well, and encountered these dragon riders."
"He has been a great help to us against the hunters," Hiccup said.
"I just want you to know, Indi," Mary said. "I never forgot about you. I thought of you every day."
Indi gave a sad smile. "I thought a lot about you as well."
The sound of a set of footsteps running up to the table caught everyone's attention. Everyone turned to see Throk breathing heavily, leaning on his hammer.
"My Queen," he said, trying to get his breath back. "Something's happened at the Great Protector."
Mala's eyes widened and the entire group jumped up from the table, knocking over benches and chairs with an ungodly clatter. The group ran up a path that led into the forest and up the mountain, the riders' dragons following along, with some of the creatures taking flight.
"Mind filling us in?" Indi said as the group ran.
"The Great Protector," Mary said, running alongside her son. "It is a dragon called an Eruptodon. It feeds on the lava produced by the volcano, where it lives, guarding the village from destruction."
Indi nodded, glancing up at the peak, which was billowing more black smoke than it had earlier that day. The group approached the entrance to the inner chamber of the volatile mountain, where a stone archway greeted them. Flowers, food, and other tokens of the offering were set outside of the entrance, though most of them had been knocked over and some were trampled into the ground.
"There's supposed to be guards here," Mala said. Indi glanced at the ground, noticing blood-soaked soil.
The group entered the chamber, and Elsa immediately began sweating in the heat of the volcano. Indi gave her a concerned glance. Looking around, Indi saw that the chamber was devoid of any dragons. Glowing molten rock was dripping down the walls.
"The Great Protector is gone!" Mala said.
"Hiccup," Astrid said, picking up an arrow from the floor of the chamber. She tasted the green tips, before spitting away the taste. "Dragon hunters." Indi grabbed the arrow, examining it.
Mala's face twisted in rage, and she drew her sword. "You lied to me, Hiccup Haddock. Had we not been so preoccupied with you, we could have been here to protect the Eruptodon."
Indi stepped over to the queen. "Calm down."
"Silence!" Mala shouted. "I spared you once because you are the child of one of our members. I won't say it again."
Mala aimed her sword at Indi. Elsa's eyes blazed, and Mala advanced on the young man. She swiped at him, and Indi ducked, the blade slicing a few of his hairs. He backed away, leading the queen out of the volcano.
"My queen, please!" Mary said.
Elsa shot her hand out, her magic striking the ground. Ice grew from the spot, catching Mala's hand and sword in a chunk of ice. The crowd grew silent at the display of magic, the only sounds were the hissing and bubbling of the lava and the slight breeze making the trees whisper.
Mala was shocked at the appearance of the magical structure, her eyes wide.
"That is quite enough," Elsa said, her voice dangerously calm. Indi nodded his thanks to her.
"What is this?!" Throk said, advancing with his hammer. "Release the queen!"
He brought his hammer back and Indi turned to face him. He caught the man's arm with one hand, twisting his wrist until he dropped his weapon. Elsa watched as Indi's form shifted, suppressing her primal fear and trepidation. Throk's mouth opened and his eyes widened in fear.
White scales grew from Indi's skin, covering the right side of his face and his right arm. Claws extended from his fingers and the ride side of his face no longer had a cheek, but instead was replaced with a maw of pointed teeth.
"You will not harm her," Indi said, his voice a dangerous growl. He shoved Throk away.
Hiccup cautiously stepped over to Queen Mala, his eyes on Indi.
"Mala, please," Hiccup said, his motion catching Indi's attention. "We both were tricked by Viggo. Let us go get the Eruptodon back."
Mala shook her head. "My village is going to be destroyed by the lava."
"We'll leave some people here to redirect the flow of lava from the buildings." Hiccup turned to motion to Heather, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut. "Go."
The trio nodded and mounted their dragons. Indi, sensing the immediate tension reduction, stepped away from Throk. The man rose to his feet. "We will not fail you, my queen," Throk said as he placed his fist to his chest, before leading the riders and a group of guards off to deal with the eruption.
"As for us," Indi said, the teeth on the right side of his head scissoring as he spoke. "We'll go get that dragon back."
Elsa waved her hand, her ice releasing Mala.
"I'm coming with you," Mala said.
"I thought you didn't ride dragons," Hiccup said.
"I will do what I must to bring the Great Protector home," Mala said, setting her face. Elsa nodded, and Indi allowed his face and arm to shift back to their human form.
"Indi," Mary said, carefully moving over to him. "What was that?"
"Von Schwicke put something into me, something that took away most of my abilities," Indi said.
"It's been wearing off," Elsa added, "but it's left him with some altered or reduced abilities so far."
Mary carefully took Indi's chin, as though he was liable to bite her, and past his eyes. "Hm, yes. There might be something I can do to help that. I'll need to learn more about it though."
Indi cocked his head at a faint sound. Mala raised her hand, silencing the group, and turned her head towards the sound.
Suddenly, several arrows shot forth from a patch of bushes. Indi dodged one of the arrows, and Elsa caught a few with some of her ice. Snotlout, who was mounting his dragon, was thrown in front of Mala, incidentally blocking an arrow from hitting the queen. Mala smiled at the large, young man and charged forth, flipping over the bushes. The sound of fists punching into meat could be heard until two large men wearing dragon-hide outfits fell from the bushes.
"Where did they take the dragon?" Astrid said. "Tell us!"
The men stared up at her with silent smirks.
"Fine," Indi said with a growl. He stepped forward and grabbed one of the men by the collar, raising him up. He allowed his eye to change to its amber color and let the claws on his right hand extend.
"I'd start talking," he growled as his face shifted. He glanced to his side and saw Toothless advancing, the dragon baring his teeth. "While you still can."
"N-north!" one said as the men started shivering in fear. "They went north with the dragon!"
Indi caught the scent of urine and heard the sound of liquid trickling onto the ground. He tossed the hunter to the ground and shifted his face and arm back to their human form.
"Let's go," Hiccup said as he mounted the black dragon. "Mala, you can ride with me and Toothless."
"No, Hiccup Haddock," the woman said, and she pointed at Snotlout, who was picking his nose. "I shall ride with him."
Indi furrowed his brow and cocked his head.
"Indi," Astrid said as she climbed onto Stormfly's back, the blue dragon shifting. "Did you two come with Sleuther?"
Wordlessly, Elsa put two fingers in her mouth and whistled a sharp tune. After a short moment, a familiar ferocious dragon soared over the trees and landed nearby.
"Indi, he can't carry three, can he?" Elsa asked.
"Let's not risk it," Indi said as he approached his dragon. "Go with Hiccup."
Elsa nodded and ran over. Hiccup reached down and grabbed Elsa's hand, pulling her up to sit behind him.
Indi climbed onto Sleuther's back and turned to his mother. "You coming?"
Mary hesitated for a moment before approaching the dragon. Sleuther watched her carefully, as she climbed on to sit behind her son.
"You're gonna wanna hold on," Indi said as he gripped Sleuther's horns. Mary set her hands on Indi's shoulders, and Sleuther shot into the air, Toothless following him in the ascent. A beat after, Hookfang appeared in the sky as well, carrying Snotlout and Mala, followed by Astrid and Fishlegs on their respective dragons.
Once the group was safely in the air, Indi felt his mother's grip on his shoulders loosen slightly. He glanced back.
"Quite a rush, isn't it?" Hiccup said from Toothless's back.
"Indeed," Mala said.
"I remember my first ride on a dragon," Indi said. "It was less than ideal, but it's a feeling you never forget."
"It also never gets tiresome," Elsa added from behind Hiccup.
"Heads up," Astrid called out.
Indi looked forward and saw a single ship, floating in the sea.
"Snotlout, Indi," Hiccup said. "You two hang back. You're carrying passengers that aren't used to aerial combat."
Indi nodded and Snotlout gave Hiccup a thumbs-up.
"Queen Elsa," Hiccup continued. "Are you comfortable getting-"
"I've done it with Indi before," Elsa said, before nodding. "Go."
Hiccup nodded and led Fishlegs and Astrid forward toward the ship.
Sleuther and Hookfang hovered, and their passengers watched as Hiccup and Elsa dodged the arrows, Toothless effortlessly twisting through the air. A break in the volleys of arrows let Toothless make a pass at the ship, and a stream came from his back that coated the mask and deck of the ship with sparkling ice.
"How does Queen Elsa gain her powers?" Mala asked.
"I'm not sure," Indi said. "You'll have to ask her."
"Does she do some sort of ritual, or commune with a specific god?" Mary asked.
"No," Indi said, shaking his head. "I've never seen her do any of that. From what I know, she's always had those abilities."
A patting sound caught Indi's attention, and he looked over to see Mala inspecting Snotlout's biceps and shoulders.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Snotlout asked. "You're kinda freaking me out, lady. It's called personal space."
"I think with a tad bit more exercise and a little less mutton, you would be near perfect," Mala said.
"Perfect for what?"
"To be my king," Mala said matter-of-factly.
Indi's eyes widened.
"It was foretold that a man from a distant land would come and save me on the field of battle," Mala said. "Snotlout, you are that man."
"King Snotlout," the young Viking said. "This is awesome!"
"Alright," Indi said. "Though it is far from my place to question something that was foretold, especially when someone is choosing a king to rule beside them, are you sure that the fortune teller or whoever that person was was talking specifically about him?"
"Of course," Mala said.
Indi shook his head and turned to Mary. "Help me out here, Mom."
Mary shrugged. "It's been foretold, Indi."
"Then I'm going to foretell something," he said. "I foretell Hiccup isn't going to believe this."
Elsa hung onto Hiccup's shoulders tightly as Toothless dove and swooped, dodging the arrows that flew up from the deck.
As the hunters reloaded for another volley, Elsa punched the air, sending ice their way. Her magic struck the deck and masts, coating them in spiked sheets of ice.
Stormfly and Astrid shot by, the dragon flicking her tail and sending a volley of spines towards the hunters on the ship. The men dove out of the way, yelling. Fishlegs and Meatlug added to the attack, firing a ball of lava at the base of the mast, the resulting explosion making the towering sails fall with a crash. The large young man and his dragon chased several of the hunters off the ship, the men leaping over the side into the sea.
Toothless landed on the ship. The dragon hunters attempted to flee, only to slip and fall on the slick ice that covered the deck. Elsa dismounted and stalked forward, striding on the ice with ease with her bare feet. She held out her hand and materialized her powers into a sword made of blue ice, the edge razor sharp. She gripped the hilt and aimed the blade at one of the hunters, who stared up at her from the ground in terror.
"Where is the Eruptodon?" she spat. Toothless walked over, his claws digging into the ice, and Hiccup on his back. The dragon snarled, baring his teeth in defiance of his name.
"I'd recommend telling her," Hiccup said. "Her Majesty does not like to wait."
Motion caught her attention for just an instant, and Elsa saw Indi and Snotlout landing their dragons on the roof of the captain's quarters. She quickly moved her gaze back to the man at her feet.
"It was a diversion," the man on the ground said, his voice quivering. "Th-they're taking it south."
"Why?" she snarled. "Why take it there?"
"They're going to use it to destroy your fortifications," the man said. "Please. That's all I know."
Elsa stamped the ground, causing her ice to rise up and fling the hunter into the ocean. She climbed onto Toothless's back.
"They're going to the Edge," Hiccup said. "Go!"
The dragons took flight, racing south as fast as their wings could carry them. The wind blew through their riders' hair.
"Mala," Hiccup called from Toothless. "Why would they take it to Outpost Island?"
"I do not know, Hiccup Haddock," she said. "I do not know your island."
"It's large," Fishlegs said. "Forests, a few sizeable clearings, and a dormant volcano."
"He's hungry," Mala explained, her eyes widening. "An Eruptodon's drive to feed is so great, it will chew through the crust of a dormant volcano."
"That's not good," Elsa said. "Wouldn't that trigger an eruption?"
Hiccup nodded. "Viggo is going to use that dragon to destroy our home."
Indi gripped Sleuther's horns and he snarled, a gesture that was returned by his dragon. He had spent a lovely time on Outpost Island. He would not let it be destroyed.
They neared the island, and in the natural harbor was a collection of ships, with more pulling in from either side of the island. On the island itself, they saw that the dragon hunters had commandeered the defenses that the riders had built.
"Well," Hiccup said. "That's not ideal."
"What's the plan, boss?" Indi said. Hiccup thought for a moment.
"Draw their fire," Hiccup said. "We'll try to get in close."
Indi nodded. "Astrid! Take Queen Elsa."
The blonde shieldmaiden nodded and directed her dragon over Toothless. Elsa reached out, took the younger woman's hand, and was pulled up to sit behind her on the Nadder.
"Mala!" Hiccup said. "With me!"
The short-haired queen nodded. Snotlout directed Hookfang over the Night Fury, and Mala dropped the short distance onto Hiccup's dragon.
"Hiccup!" Snotlout called. "You take care of my queen!"
"Your queen?" Hiccup asked. "You know what, I don't want to know."
The trio peeled away, getting close to the island.
"What are we going to do?" Mary asked.
Indi turned his head and smirked. "We're gonna cause some well-deserved destruction. Astrid! Elsa!" The pair appeared momentarily, Stormfly flying alongside Sleuther. "Astrid, get her in close and give her cover. Elsa, disable that ballista," Indi said. "We're gonna keep the ships busy."
Elsa nodded and Stormfly shot off towards the buildings that were set against the side of a cliff.
"Fish! Snot!" Indi shouted, raising his arm. "On me!"
The two men flew up behind him, flanking Sleuther with their own mounts. The trio of dragons dove past the ships. Hookfang ignited one of the vessels with a shot of sticky, semi-liquid fire. Meatlug fired a lava blast into the hull of another. Sleuther roared angrily in recognition of the vessels, torching the length of a ship.
From the island, several of the catapults were fired. The shots missed the trio of dragons, and the large boulders slammed into two of the dragon hunter ships, splintering their hulls and decks.
Suddenly, a shot of fire whizzed by Indi's head, too close for comfort.
"Snotlout!" he called out. "Watch it!"
"It wasn't me," said the Viking. "It was your mother!"
Indi looked behind him to see his mother muttering words under her breath. In her hand grew a ball of fire, the small blaze swirling with sparks. She looked at him and winked before pulling her arm back. As if she were throwing a ball, Mary shot the fire at the ship. The magical blaze burnt through the sail before impacting with the mast, the small explosion sending the large pole crashing onto the deck.
"What?!" Indi shouted.
"I've learned a few things, Indi," Mary said.
"I can see that," Indi said. "Snotlout! Fishlegs! Let's make another pass."
Elsa hung on as Astrid and Stormfly flew close to the wooden walkways. Elsa jumped off from the flying dragon and immediately broke into a run when her feet touched the boards.
She saw arrows get fired in her direction, onto for them to be incinerated by a pass of white-hot fire from the blue dragon. She threw out her hands, channeling her magic, causing ice to grow around the ballista, freezing the mechanisms in place. She watched as Hiccup and Toothless shot forward and Queen Mala jumped from the black dragon. The hunter that manned the weapon swung his axe madly, only for Mala to gracefully and effortlessly dodge the attacks. She slammed both of her fists into the man, sending him falling off the cliff and into the water below with a massive splash.
The queens' eyes met and they gave each other a respectful nod of acknowledgment. They looked out over the harbor. Elsa unfroze the ballista, and Mala turned it, firing a large bolt toward the dragon hunters' ships.
Then, from Sleuther's back, Elsa saw something that made her blink. She could have sworn she saw one of the riders throw a sparking ball of fire at the ships. The ball exploded on the deck, showering everything with sparks that ignited the wood.
"Did you see that?" Elsa said, turning to Mala.
"Indeed," she said. "Mary has abilities as well."
"I thought I saw the only one," Elsa said, her eyes locked onto the Triple Stryke, hoping to see the magical display once more. Her wish was granted, and another sparking fireball hit a ship, igniting the sails.
"Snotlout, Fishlegs, go help Hiccup and the others," Indi called out. "We'll be there soon."
Snotlout saluted, and the Vikings flew off on their dragons.
"Get me in close, Sleither," Indi said. "Mom, cover me."
Mary nodded. The dragon snarled and dove towards a ship. As they neared the deck, Indi jumped. He dropped to the deck, rolling to his feet. He looked up and saw a large, muscular man with a bald head standing on the other side of the ship.
"Ryker," he snarled.
"Ah, it's been a while since we've seen each other," Ryker said. "Back when you attacked the gladiator ring, I believe."
"Call off your men and leave this island," Indi said. "You will lose either way."
Ryker drew his sword, the green metal glinting in the sunlight.
"Have it your own way," Indi said. He closed his eyes and heard Ryker's heavy footsteps charging him. He snarled and his eyes snapped open. He felt his right eye shift, along with that side of his face and his right arm.
Ryker faltered in his charge at the transformation. Indi stalked forward, the claws on his right hand extending from the lengthened, white fingers.
"What are you?" Ryker said.
"I am the Indominus," Indi said, licking his conical, sharpened teeth.
Ryker charged, his teeth gritted as he swung his sword. Indi dodged the first attack, and punched Ryker in the face with his left hand, before slashing at his tunic with the claws on his right. Ryker swung again, his sword cutting through Indi's shirt. Indi felt a sharp pain in his side and returned the gesture with claw marks against Ryker's arm, his talons ripping deep into the muscle.
Ryker yelled and shoved Indi away, the young man falling to the deck. Behind him, a large thud sounded out. Indi looked up to see that Sleuther had landed and his three tails were brandished forward. On his back, Mary held a ball of fire in her hand, the blaze reflecting in her eyes.
"Leave my son alone," she said. Sleuther roared and snapped at Ryker, clearly remembering the man. Indi got to his feet, the claws on his right hand dragging against the deck as he stood, leaving thin lines of blood on the boards.
"I'd leave if I were you," Indi said. "Right now."
Ryker, clutching at the gashes in his upper arm, nodded. Mary extinguished the flame in her hand and Indi climbed onto Sleuther. The trio flew back to Dragon's Edge, zipping over the ships. Several of them were destroyed and were either sinking or burning. The rest were turning to flee.
"Indi, are you hurt?" Mary asked.
"He got me pretty good in the side," Indi said, looking down at the wound. He could feel his blood running down to his hip, cupping at it with his hand.
As they reached landfall, they saw that the volcano on Outpost Island had awoken, the peak smoking and glowing orange. A group of Gronkles led a massive, round dragon with a trail of lava. The large dragon, which could only be the Eruptodon, had skin that was pebbled with large, stone-like scales that were cracked with red and orange as if the creature itself was volcanic.
Sleuther saw Elsa and the humans and landed. Mary dismounted and lifted Indi's shirt, examining the wound. It was a decent gash. Survivable, yet still painful. Indi looked over to see Elsa running over to him, followed by the others.
"Indi!" she yelled. "What happened?"
"I paid Ryker a visit," Indi said. "Don't worry, I gave as good as I got."
Elsa frowned, her gaze moving to Mary.
"This may hurt a bit, Indi," the woman said. Indi nodded, and Mary placed her hand over the gash. Her hand quickly became covered in her son's blood.
Slowly, a faint glow appeared from her palm. The pain in Indi's side increased and was accompanied by a strange tingling sensation.
After a few moments, both the pain and the glow beneath Mary's palm faded away. Indi looked down to see that the gash had healed. In its place was a purple scar. Elsa knelt to inspect where the wound was.
"Amazing," she said, turning to Mary. "I've never met another human with magic."
"Neither have I," Mary said with a small smile.
The group reconvened back on Caldera Cay. The Eruptodon was safely led back to its volcano domain, where it quickly began to consume its lava diet.
The Defenders of the Wing had gathered in the center of their town, accompanied by the dragon riders.
"Today is a great day," Mala said to the crowd. "We have forged new allies in our fight against Viggo Grimborn and the dragon hunters: Hiccup Haddock and the dragon riders of Berk, and Queen Elsa and Sir Indi Rex of Arendelle. They will always be welcome here on our island."
Elsa smiled from her spot near Mala, looking over at Indi. Next to him stood his mother, Mary, and Sleuther, who was sniffing the woman curiously. Mary turned to her son and the pair seemed to have a quiet conversation. Indi nodded and Mary stepped over to Mala.
"My queen," she said, curtseying.
"Yes, Mary," Mala said. "What is it?"
"With your permission, I would like to return to his home with him," Mary said. Elsa smiled.
"I have no objections," Mala said, a small smile on her lips. "You two have been separated for far too long. I think it would be right to make up for lost time. But, you are always welcome to return."
Mary nodded. "Thank you, my queen."
"I will add," Elsa said. "We may need to arrange transportation. Mister Haddock?"
"Yes, Queen Elsa?" Hiccup said.
"Would you and your team like to come back to Arendelle with us?" Elsa asked. "We could use your help with getting us there."
"Of course," Hiccup said, rubbing Toothless's head.
"I will go collect my things," Mary said, and her queen nodded. Mary walked off, making her way to a small building.
"I have not seen any abilities like yours, Queen Elsa of Arendelle," Mala said. "I trust that you use them wisely and with kindness for those who need it."
"I have and I do," Elsa said, raising a hand and letting a few snowflakes appear, the small crystals floating around her fingers. "I've only learned to control them properly in the last few years, and I still have much to figure out."
Mala smiled. "Our journey to knowledge never ends. If someone thinks they've stopped learning, then they have not learned enough. My time with you all today has taught me that once more."
The queens looked over at the dragon riders.
"They are an odd bunch," Elsa said, gesturing to the group with a nod. "But they have good hearts."
Mala chuckled. "It seems that they are."
Hours later, the dragons were fed and watered.
"Are we ready?" Hiccup asked. The riders nodded and Indi mounted Sleuther. Mary climbed on behind her son.
"May I ride with you once again?" Elsa asked. Toothless approached the woman, crooning in a friendly manner, his eyes wide.
Hiccup smiled and nodded. "He says yes, so I don't see why not."
He mounted the Night Fury's back and Elsa climbed on behind him.
"I shall return to you, my queen!" Snotlout called from his spot on Hookfang. Mala waved at the young Viking. The group took flight, their dragons soaring into the sky.
"Alright," Astrid said. "Someone explain to me how Snotlout is suddenly king or I'm getting my axe."
"That sounds like a terrible idea," Tuffnut said. "I love it!"
Indi chuckled, glad to be among the Dragon Riders of Berk once again.
"We have a lot to show you, Mom," he said. "A lot has happened in Arendelle."
Anna looked out of the window at the bright sky, though the sun seemed dimmer than usual. Perhaps it was her mind, but was it possible that Elsa's absence had affected the very environment of Arendelle?
"Anna," Kristoff said from behind her. She heard the sound of a utinsel clinking against the place. "You should eat."
"I'm not hungry," the princess said, though it was a lie. She had not eaten a sufficient amount in days. Her eyes were sunken from lack of sleep, and she looked terrible. Even her hair was not as well-kept as it usually was, despite her handmaidens assisting her.
Princess Rapunzel stepped into the room. "Please, Anna. We're all worried about you. Take care of yourself."
Anna said nothing, simply choosing to stare out the window at the harbor. The smell of the meal that was on the plate would normally make her devour it, but even simple pleasures lately left her feeling empty.
Kristoff and Rapunzel glanced at each other. They did not have the heart to tell Anna, but there were mutterings amongst the castle staff that the council was already thinking about beginning funeral preparations for Elsa and Indi. There was no sense in telling the heartbroken princess. Doing so now would only make things worse for her.
Suddenly, as she looked outside, something made Anna's heart leap into her throat. She bolted from the room, Kristoff and Rapunzel following behind her.
Indi and Mary led the way on Sleuther, while Hiccup and Elsa flew close to them on Toothless. The rest of the riders flew in loose formation behind them. The wind blew through their hair and ruffled at their clothes.
"We've done quite a bit of work since Indi arrived," Elsa said to Mary. "We've built paddocks for the dinosaurs, different housing for the rescued children and their mothers."
In front of them, on the horizon, stood a snowy mountain range, a massive peak greeting them. The group crested the ridge and passed a large palace made of crystalline ice. Below them was the main city of Arendelle. They flew over the forests, passing over the large, expansive pens that held dinosaurs.
As they passed over the houses and buildings that made up the main town, people looked up at them and cheered. Sleuther roared, his presence well known in the town, and the sight of the dragon riders was a familiar scene as well.
Elsa smiled at her return. It felt like it had been so long since she had seen Arendelle. The familiar sight of the castle standing tall was a beacon to her.
"Land in the courtyard!" Elsa called out. The riders nodded and directed their dragons over the castle. The group of dragons banked in near unison, turning to fly around the castle once before landing in the courtyard. Each dragon set down gracefully, folding their wings up against their sides. their riders dismounted, stretching. They had been flying for days, only setting down for water and to make camp at night.
"Welcome to Arendelle," Indi said.
Several guards and castle staff came running from the castle, led by a frantic red-headed princess. Following close behind was the royal family from Corona.
"Elsa!" Anna shouted as she charged forward, tackling her sister into a tight hug.
"Anna!" Elsa said, wrapping her arms around her sibling. "I've missed you so much!"
Indi felt himself get tackled to the ground, and he saw Copal and Emerald pushing at him to get close for affection.
"Hi, girls!" he said with a laugh. He gently pushed the dragons off of him, and rose, petting the small hybrids. "Did you two behave?"
"Indi!" He heard a familiar voice call his name and turned to see Brynn run over to him when she punched him in the shoulder. Brynn brought her friend into a hug. "If you ever leave like that again, I'll track you down myself and beat you to a pulp!"
Indi laughed and the pair released. "Noted. How were things here?"
"Could have been better," Brynn admitted. "We have a lot to catch you two up on."
"In due time," Indi said, he led Brynn over to Sleuther, where Mary was standing. "Do you remember her?"
"Brynn?" Mary asked, and Brynn's eyes widened.
"My god, Mary?" Brynn asked. "How?"
"We have a lot to catch up on," the older woman said.
Elsa was greeted by Corona's royal family.
"We've missed you so much," Queen Primrose said as she hugged her niece.
"I've missed you all as well," Elsa said.
"What happened?" King Thomas asked, examining the young woman.
"Indi and I were lost at sea. Don't worry, we will tell you everything," Elsa said, looking down at her clothes. "But first, I think we could use a good bath and a fresh change of clothes."
Rapunzel laughed. "I know that can be arranged."
"But first," Elsa said. "I need to get my fiance."
Anna grabbed Elsa's wrist. "What did you say?"
"Indi and I are engaged," Elsa said simply.
"Elsa, that's amazing!" Anna said.
"Yes, getting proposed to on a deserted island," Elsa said with a chuckle. "Every woman's dream."
Elsa stepped over to Indi and spoke to the riders. "You all are welcome to unsaddle your dragons and stay as long as you like. I will put together a great feast tonight, and you all are welcome."
"I suppose you'd like me to attend then," Indi said as put his arm around his fiance's waist. "Luckily for you, I'm ready for something to eat that's other than fish."
Elsa laughed; she could not agree more.
