An Arabian night part 2
Hiccups POV:
Yesterday had to be one of the worst days of my life after what happened in that throne room in the city of Madain Saleh and what happened in that room would haunt me till the day I die. I was completely helpless as a mad prince named Aamin used dark magic on Toothless, my best friend and the best thing to ever happen to me and turned him into what I could only describe as a mindless slave completely loyal to him. I knew this to be true if Toothless tried to kill Amira without hesitation since he liked her and when he did his eyes held such a strong hatred in them when he looked at me that it was scary. It was also terrifying how the eyes of the crystal cobra on his head seemed to be glowing but it showed me that the thing was controlling Toothless from there and if I destroyed it I'd get my best friend back. It wasn't going to be easy though since we were barely able to escape with the help of Heatwave who was in his sand form out on the streets. Right now, those of us that were able to escape were me, Amira and fifteen of the Sultans royal guards and we were all on my ship off the coast so we could plan on how to reclaim the city and stop Aamin from doing whatever he was planning which we all knew was not going to be good. Once we had escaped I gave all my dragons the run down on what happened and sufficed to say none of them were happy with what Aamin did to Toothless but I didn't want any of them to fall to the same fate so I had to make sure they understood not to attack Aamin at any cost.
Presently I was looking out at the sea while the guards trained on my deck using gronkle iron weapons I supplied them since they were superior to the weapons Aamin's guards had and we'd need every advantage we could get. It was then I noticed something in the distance coming towards us. I turned to the guards and told them to get ready for a fight since we didn't know what it was so for all we know it could be something sent by Aamin to spy on us. I pulled out my spyglass along with one of my swords and checked what it was. Once I got a good view of what it was I told them to lower their weapons since it was my owl automaton Bubo who was a gift to me from Hephaestus and he looked to be carrying some things. When he landed he dropped five black leather bags which I recognized immediately since I used black leather bags to hold only one thing and that is Damen's fallen teeth which I knew we were going to need in this battle. It was a hoot from Bubo that brought my attention back to him as he flew over to the floor in front of my cabin wall before his eyes lit up and projected a greek message like the dragon eye that read.
Dear Hiccup
The Arabian gods came to us and informed us of the darkness that has befallen one of their cities and what the master of this darkness has done to Toothless. I am sorry Hiccup but we are forbidden from directly interfering with the lives of you mortals, especially when it's another god's territory but there is nothing saying we can't send you help through our old gifts. I know the dangers this enemy presents my friend and in order to defeat this darkness you are going to need the power we gods have given you and that includes Bubo and what he has brought with him. Never forget this Hiccup you have the faith and trust of every deity you have ever met and worshipped. Our faith and trust are not given easily to a mortal so prove to all of us that you are worthy of what we've given you.
Signed Hephaestus
After I finished reading it the projection stopped and Bubo flew onto my shoulder as I felt the familiar weight of my star sword in my right hand and the weight of my Mayan eagle shield on my left wrist. I looked down at them and smiled knowing they were going to help me free both Toothless and the kingdom from Aamin. I felt a hand land on my shoulder and turned to look who the hand belonged to and saw Amira looking at me in curiosity as she asked.
"Hiccup what is that bird and what is in those bags?"
"They are what's going to help us take Madain Saleh back from Aamin." She took one of the bags and looked inside.
"But Hiccup these are just teeth." I smiled at her.
"If what I've been told is true than these teeth are going to grow into the army we need to fight in our battle but before we do anything we need to know what we're up against so do you have any idea what those gems your brother had were?" She shook her head.
"I'm sorry Hiccup but I know nothing about them." The captain of the guard Kadar walked up.
"I believe the sultan may have the answer." I rubbed my chin in thought.
"He did seem to be worried when Aamin brought out those gems and was willing to have his son locked up to stop him." Amira the put her hand on my shoulder once more.
"Then if we wish to know what we're up against then we must free my father first." I nodded.
"We'll rescue him under the cover of night but first do you have any idea what may have put Aamin on this path?" She gave a thoughtful look.
"Well I do remember a time we were actually best friends but that all changed after our mother was killed."
"What happened?"
"Well another kingdom attacked us and while we our father and the guards stayed to defend our city our mother focused on getting us out for our protection." She looked down in sadness. "As we made it out we were ambushed and while me and my brother were lucky to escape, our mother wasn't as fortunate and perished." She looked up. "Aamin was really broken up over it as were we all but he was the worst of us."
"What happened to the kingdom who attacked?"
"My father was able to stop them and make peace with them and at first my brother was happy about it since as he put it no other child would lose their mother like we did." She sighed. "It was when he went to meet our new allies to set up a trade agreement two years ago when he changed."
"What do you mean?"
"He traveled into the desert with a team of ten guards but they were attacked by bandits he claims were hired by that kingdom and they killed his guards in an ambush before taking him prisoner which is where he met his fellow prisoner Ghadra who he was able to escape with." She looked down again. "When he arrived back he wasn't the warm kindhearted brother I loved but a cold calculating man who only wanted revenge." I saw tears begin to roll down her cheek. "He tried to convince my father to go to war with that kingdom but my father denied it claiming that it was not our way and the bandits most likely just told him they were hired to toy with him." She was nearly sobbing. "It was then I would have done anything to get my brother back but nothing I ever did, did anything except make him push me farther away." I held up my hand to stop her from saying anymore as I put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Amira, we'll work all this out and if there's one thing I've learned in life it's that there's always more to a story than what meets the eye." She just nodded and walked away as I began to plan how to break the Sultan out and free the people of Madain Saleh.
Palace Throne room
Nobodies POV:
In the short amount of time that Aamin had been in control he had made more than a few changes to the palace and to the people of the city. The inside of the palace wall that were once a beautiful sky blue had been changed to blood red giving the feeling of doom to any who walked through the halls and the white marble pillars now stood as black marble looming over those who past them. Decorating the walls were banners with images of demons crawling from a flaming pit or a black cobra coiled up and staring down at those who passed with red eyes that seemed to follow your every move. Then there were the guards who now protected the palace including the ones who once pledged their loyalty to their rightful sultan only to fall victim to the dark magic that their prince now wielded and in turn fall under his complete control. Their new uniform consisted of armor that was pure black chest plates, arm guards, leg guards and blood red material underneath it. Their scimitars were kept in black sheaths with black leather wrapped handles that had a single ruby imbedded in the hilt a short piece of blood read fabric hanging from the bottom of their hilts. To complete their new uniforms were helmets in the shape of the top of cobra heads with two fangs framing their faces and ref eyes covered the top halves of their head, red fabric covered the lower halves of their faces. Some guards possessed another addition to their armor that separated them from the other guards. This additional piece of armor was a black crystal cobra with glowing red ruby eyes wrapped around their necks which showed them to be men who had fallen victim to the dark magic that had befallen this once beautiful palace.
The throne room that once possessed a beauty which made one feel at peace now had blood red walls, black marble pillars lining the walls, the once elephant head shaped throne turned into a golden cobras head with its hood fully out on display showing it to be decorated with images of smaller cobras looking down on those who stood before the throne. Surrounding the throne were multiple hill-sized piles of gold coins, jewels and other valuables. Standing on either side of the throne was a guard who did not wear the crystal cobra showing they were doing so at their own free will along with Ghadra in red silk robes with black lining and a black turban with a ruby in the center. Laying at the bottom of the piles on silk cushions and in some cases on top of the treasures were multiple beautiful woman dressed in revealing outfits to show their place as concubines but they all had one thing in common and that was the small black crystal cobras with red eyes that were rapped around their necks showing that they as well had fallen victim to the dark magic of their new ruler. Said new ruler was sitting on the throne, resting his arms on the fangs of the cobra as one hand held onto the staff which made his conquest possible. He looked around what was now his throne room stopping only briefly to admire either the wealth or the woman who rested on it before his eyes came to land on the floor besides the throne where a mighty beast lay on a large blood red silk coloured cushion and the sight of this beast brought a smile to Aamin's face. This beast was none other than the nightfury formally known as Toothless who was once loyal only to his rider Hiccup but thanks to the crystal cobra around his neck he had become nothing more than an obedient slave to the one on the throne.
Toothless was resting his head against the cushion while looking up at his new master with utter devotion and obedience in his now blood red eyes until he raised his head and turned to the door growling as two guards pushed open the door and dragged in a man dressed in rags with shackles around his arms and legs and looked as if he hadn't eaten for days. Toothless walked off his pillow and approached the man growling with his pupils dilated making him look more savage than he already did. The man the guards had dragged in looked at Toothless and winced in fear until the beast's master tapped the bottom of his staff against the floor and said.
"Calm yourself my pet for that is no way to treat a guest." Toothless turned to Aamin giving a gummy smile followed by a bow before returning to his pillow but his glare never left the man as he was dragged before the throne. "I trust you have been enjoying your new abodes." The man just glared at him.
"It might not be me but someone will discover the truth and bring an end to you." Aamin just chuckled.
"At this point it wouldn't matter if the truth was discovered as the city is now mine and soon the rest of Arabia will follow in kneeling before me."
"Someone will stop you and you'll be condemned to that accursed pit from which you came from." Aamin just waved it off.
"Oh come now you said that when we first captured you and here we are now with me on the throne as a ruler with an empire under my command and you in front of me as a prisoner with nothing but the clothes on his back." At this the man lunged at Aamin only for the guards to hold him back and Toothless to jump in front of the throne ready to defend his master who simply tapped his staff to get everyone's attention. "Let's calm down now everyone since our guest has clearly been isolated for too long and just needs a little human company." He then gave a smile that would send a chill down the spine of even bravest men. "Throw him in the tower with the former sultan." He then laughed like a lunatic as the guards dragged the poor soul away as he screamed.
"YOU MONSTEROUS DEMON! SOMEONE WILL STOP YOU AND CONDEMN YOU BACK INTO THAT PIT WHERE YOU BELONG!" The doors then slammed shut.
"Well that takes care of that." He turned to Ghadra. "How goes the rounding up of the citizens."
"It goes well my lord and as you have ordered we collect them in small groups as to not arouse suspicion."
"When should the first group be in?"
"They should be here momentarily my lord."
"What does this group consist of?"
"This batch is a small family of four that were found on the streets last night and they consist of a mother, her older brother and her two children, a son and a daughter."
"What of her husband?"
"Died shortly after the children were born so their uncle took on the role of their father figure and has been supporting the family."
"Excellent!"
"If I may my lord you never said what you intended to do with the people." He grinned down at Ghadra.
"Look around my servant and tell me what you see besides the treasures I now possess?" Ghadra looked around before turning back to his master.
"I only see your servants my lord."
"These servants were once loyal to the sultan and tried to escape the palace but thanks to my magic they now serve me and soon the citizens of the city will join them in servitude to me." Ghadra smiled to his master. "The Uncle will join my guards and then my army, the children shall become servants while their beloved mother depending on her age and appearance shall either join my personal servants here in the throne room or the cooks in the kitchen."
Ghadra chuckled at this as he rubbed his hands together looking forward to seeing his master enslave the citizens which would be soon as the doors opened and the small family in chains was brought in by a group of six guards. The children held onto their mothers robes while she kept her hands on their backs as her brother stood in front of them to shield them from any harm. Aamin smiled down at them seeing the muscle on the uncle showing he'd make a fine guard while his sister while not gorgeous was still quite attractive showing Aamin she'd make a beautiful servant girl. Once they were brought before Aamin they were forced to kneel as he stood up and looked down at them and before he could say anything the uncle lunged forward and snarled.
"If you think we'll ever serve you then think again you vile demon!" Toothless growled at him which in turn made the uncle back up but not before spitting in Aamins face with his glare never leaving him as he was pulled back while Aamin replied.
"I can tell you care about your sister and her children which makes your punishment for spitting in the face of your sultan all the more easier to decide." He turned to one of the guards and smiled. "Bring his sister forward!"
The guard did so while others held the children and the uncle back as the children cried for their mother but Aamin kept his attention on the woman. The guard pulled her hood off her head and Aamin smiled at her face as she quivered in fear of him. He just walked down from his throne with the staff in his hand and a feral grin. When he stood right in front of her he looked down at her and said.
"My dear look around you at the woman in this room." She did so before turning back to him. "They were all once like you and by that I mean hesitant, scared, disobedient and with loyalty only to their family and the former sultan but they realized it was hopeless to fight my power as shall you." She quivered in fear as he pushed the head of the staff to her face along with the gems that were glowing. "You will serving me from now on as one of my devoted servants and if you do not serve me willingly then you shall do so by my will." Her eyes seemed to flash from normal to blank as she tried to fight his control.
"I…I…I…I…I" She tried to fight it but Aamin just smiled.
"Don't fight it my dear as there have been others like you but they succumbed to my power." Her eyes just kept flashing.
"I…I…I…I." She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them as they went blank. "I live to serve you my lord." He smiled at her.
"Very good my slave but let's make sure you stay that way." A black cobra slithered out of the ruby in the mouth of the cobra's staff and proceeded to wrap around her neck and turn to crystal just like the crystal collars the other girls in the room wore. "Now let's take care of your clothes as what you are wearing is not fit for one of my palace servants."
He tapped the bottom of his staff against the ground before a dark green mist came out of the emerald which slowly began encasing the young woman from the neck down. When the mist cleared it showed the woman was no longer in the brown baggy robes she wore but a red belly dancer outfit that left little to the imagination as the top covered her chest but not her stomach, the skirt she wore had cuts in the sides showing off her legs and she also wore gold band bracelets around her wrists, a ruby encrusted gold belt and a see-through red veil that covered the lower half of her face. Aamin smiled down at her as she looked up at him with nothing but complete and utter devotion and a desire to serve him in her eyes. It was then her son asked.
"Mommy?" She didn't even look at him as Aamin turned to him.
"Your mother works for me now child but don't worry you and your sister will be joining her soon enough."
He just cried as Aamin pushed the child's mother to sit in front of the throne. Soon enough both the boy and his sister suffered the same fate as their mother except their clothes were turned to black vests and red pants before the guards escorted them out of the room to begin their new jobs as mindless palace servants. When it came to their uncle he was absolutely horrified as he looked at his sister who still sat in front of the throne gazing lovingly at Aamin who was smiling down at her brother. Aamin chuckled and said.
"I would have taken care of you first but being forced to watch as I turned your family was your punishment for spitting in your new sultans face." He glared at Aamin.
"You will never be my sultan." Aamin smiled.
"Not by your will maybe but by my will you shall be the latest soldier in my growing army." It wasn't long before the uncle was wearing a guard uniform and marching out the room to join the other guards as Ghadra asked.
"And what of his sister master?" Aamin looked down at the woman who looked up at him with utter devotion and desire to serve him.
"Go lay on one of the pillows until I have use for you slave."
"As you wish master." She then walked up to one of the free pillows and joined the other girls in staring at Aamin, waiting for him to give them an order before Ghadra asked.
"Master if I may ask what do you intend to do now?" Aamin turned to him.
"I intend to continue converting the citizens and finishing my other project." He turned to face Toothless. "Creating armor which is suitable my mount who I shall ride into battle when we go to claim Arabia."
"Forgive me for asking this master but what if the outsider is able to break the beast free of your control."
"He'll never be able to do that for as long as the cobra collar is on him he will remain under my complete control and shall remain loyal and obedient to me alone."
"If I may ask master how exactly does the spell work?" Aamin smiled before turning to Toothless.
"The spell dominates the mind forcing the victim to forget everything about their past life and leaves only love, loyalty and obedience to me."
"But master won't the presence of the outsider remind him of his past life and his love for the outsider?"
"It is possible but the cobra collar will bring an end to any attempts to regain control over himself." He rubbed his chin in thought. "You do bring up a valid point though as the outsider may present a problem."
"But my lord he fled and it shall be a while before his return, should he decide to return."
"Never the less I shall need more guards to ensure my victory and to ensure the ritual shall not be interrupted tomorrow night."
"Shall I send out more guards to collect more men for the army sire?" Aamin nodded.
"And more woman and children since one can never have enough servants." Ghadra nodded and bowed.
"It shall be done my lord." He then left the room before Aamin's attention was brought back to Toothless who had walked up to his side making Aamin smiled and patted his head before turning to his latest female servant.
"You slave go to the kitchen and bring back a large bowl of fish for my pet." She immediately stood up and bowed.
"As you command my master." Aamin watched her form leave the room before he turned back to Toothless.
"While we wait we must think of a new name for you to strike fear into the hearts of my enemies as that ridiculous former name of yours does not." Toothless just continued to stare up at him with absolute loyalty before Aamin snapped his fingers. "I believe Ravager will be the perfect name for you so when people see us they will know their lands shall be ravaged by my army." The newly named Ravager only nodded at his master before the doors opened once more and the woman walked through carrying a large golden dish full of fish over her head and with that the conversation was brought to an end.
Nightfall
Hiccups POV:
I was currently in my stealth armor with my star sword at my side and my eagle shield on my wrist as I rode Heatwave who had somehow turned his skin black to help him also blend into the night sky as we glided over the city towards the palace so we could break out the sultan. The reason I had chosen Heatwave was because out of the dragons I had he was best suited for the job since he could turn into a sandstorm in case we needed to make a quick escape and he was the one who could carry both me and the sultan back to the ship. I had spent the day going over the palace layout so I could get an idea of where the sultan was being held and where to attack. It wasn't long before we arrived at the tower where the sultan was being held captive and flew to the one window where we could gain access.
I looked through the window and saw two guards on either side of the door and the sultan in a cell with his wrists being held in shackles above his head next to another guy but I couldn't tell who he was due to the darkness. I examined the guard's new uniforms for a few seconds and knew I'd need to distract them before I took them down since their helmets might be how Aamin keeps an eye on things. I tossed a small pebble into a corner getting their attention before lowering myself using a rope I had to the dungeon floor and covering myself in my changewing cloak turning me invisible and snuck towards the guards. When I was close enough to them and they were facing each other I fired a speed stinger dart at each of them and watched as they froze up smiling before grabbing the keys to the cell. I walked up to the cell but as I unlocked it the sultan looked up and asked.
"Who's there?" I removed my cloak.
"Calm down your majesty." I opened the cell door. "It's me and I'm here to break you out."
"Hiccup! Oh thank the gods you've come for me." I walked up to him.
"Of course I did after the kindness you've shown me and besides you have information I need." I tried to unlock the shackles.
"Don't bother my boy." He shook his head. "The keys are in the new sultans hands and these shackles are enchanted to be stronger than anything else on earth." I smiled at him before I took out my star swords hilt.
"Let's see how these chains hold up against a sword forged from a star." I released the blade and then cut through the chains like butter before I caught the sultan as he fell.
"Thank you my boy now please be quick and free the other man." Before I could ask him why however. "I will explain later but now we must get out of here."
I proceeded to do as the sultan ordered before helping both men up the rope and out the window where Heatwave grabbed them and allowed me to mount him before we took off to the ship. Once we landed I watched Amira have a heartwarming reunion with her father before I walked up to the other prisoner I freed who looked familiar. I looked at him and said.
"Hey I don't believe we've been introduced." I held my hand out for him to shake. "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third." He took my hand and replied.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Hiccup, I am prince Aamin." I felt my eyes widened at this but before I could reply the sultan came up.
"Calm yourself Hiccup for I have learnt the Aamin who took over the city is an imposter." Amira walked up.
"Father what is going on?" The man claiming to be Aamin walked up as tears fell from his eyes.
"Amira?" He began sobbing. "My twin sister?" He reached out for her but she backed away before her father walked up to her.
"Don't worry Amira, the Aamin who betrayed us is an imposter and this is our real Aamin." She walked up to him and began crying as she caressed his cheek.
"Aamin?" He just nodded. "But I don't understand." I walked up to them.
"And neither do I so could someone please explain to me what's going on here." The man claiming to be Aamin turned to me.
"I understand your confusion with what happened and I'll be more than happy to tell you everything but first would it be alright if I had some water." He rubbed his throat. "I haven't had anything to drink in hours." I nodded before tossing him a flask which he was all too happy to drink from before he looked at us. "It was two years ago when me and my guards were walking through the desert when all of a sudden these pits appeared before these things crawled out and attacked us... I just don't know how to describe them they were so horrific and vicious. My guards were slaughtered in seconds before a shadow appeared before me and turned into… well... me." Aamin looked down. "He swatted me down as if I were nothing and everything went black but when I woke up I was in a cell where I remained alone for two years until he had me moved into a cell with my father." He collapsed onto a barrel and began to cry. "Two years of my life, gone because of those things." His sister and father tried to comfort him as I asked.
"Did he give his name or did you see him after the attack?" Aamin looked up at me.
"He did come by from time to time to drop off bowls of rice and water which was the only rations I ever got while in that cell but the only time he did this was so he could taunt and laugh at me but he never gave his name." I nodded before turning to the Sultan.
"Your highness when the imposter pulled out the gems you seemed to know what they were." He looked down.
"Indeed, I do know what they are and they are truly trouble for not only my city but all of Arabia."
"I hate to rush you your majesty but what are we up against?" He sighed and stroked his beard.
"Well in order for you to understand we need to go back to the beginning of the city of Madain Saleh." He sat down on a nearby barrel. "It all began with two brothers named Abhi and Madhimaran and they shared the dream of creating one whole new and safe Kingdom for their friends and families. They followed this dream by going on their caravan when they found a beautiful Cove with plenty of palm trees and an oasis by the seashore. This where the built their Kingdom and it was the brothers were chosen to become the first royal rulers of this new kingdom which they would name Madain Saleh." He took a drink of water from a flask. "When they first founded the kingdom, it was decided that one brother would be the advisor while the other becomes the sultan. It was the eldest brother Abhi who was chosen to be the sultan because he showed much a great leadership and compassion to care for the people. As for his brother Madhimaran. people considered him to be the advisor which he did not like at all feeling that he was being left behind in his brothers shadow. It was a few months after the kingdom was created Madhimaran began buying some books about black magic until he found a book that spoke of a powerful sceptre that can be created by using a live deadly king cobra and three gemstones. However in order to create the gemstones he had to conjure up a spell to speak with the prince of darkness Iblis. By doing so Iblis told Madhimaran how to create the three gemstones. The devil Sapphire, the Emerald of envy and the Blood red eye Ruby and by carefully placing the stones on top of the cobra the sapphire on its forehead, the emerald under its chin and the red eye Ruby in its mouth pointing forward the Snake turn into a black golden staff which you saw being made. Once the staff was created an immense dark power started flowing through Madhimaran and the devil of the desert told him there is a spell that will bring forth the army of the undead through the powers of the Shadows so secretly he and his loyal subjects who followed his commands began digging a huge pit. Once it was complete he began chanting the magic of the Shadows and channelled the power through his staff to make the pit even deeper and access the shadow realm. When Abhi discovered the horrible truth he went down to stop his brother with his three most loyal guards and it was then he began to battle his brother with all the might and will power he could muster. With his strength he was able to the shatter the staff but the stones were still intact however he was more focused on his brother who had fallen over the edge of the pit. Abhi tried to reach out for his brother but Madhimaran just looked at him and said." He took a deep breath. "One day my power will return and with it so shall I and I will carry on my legacy of Darkness and when I do this Kingdom will finally belong to my will and power alone' He then laughed like a madman and threw himself into the pit as his laugh echoed. Abhi ordered a large Boulder to be placed over the pit so no evil could ever escape it and in order to keep the darkness from returning he ordered his guards to hide the gemstones the dark gems when he failed to destroy them. The Sapphire was hidden in the mountains of the north in a cave filled with ice and lethal traps while the emerald was taken into the hottest area of the desert and buried underneath the sands hoping that the dunes will keep it lost forever. As for the red ruby the last remaining guard suggested that his sister should wear it as a necklace and when the Abhi questioned him about this as it would put the guards sister in grave danger, the guard replied that only in plain sight can the gem be truly hidden. Abhi realized that the guard was right but when the he met the girl who was to wear the ruby he fell in love and asked her to be his Queen to which she agreed and henceforth the ruby was passed down and to Abhi's daughter with only him knowing about the secret until her eighteenth birthday when he told her the truth. Henceforth the necklace was passed down to the next ruler and so on and so forth as months turned into years and years into decades and the decades into centuries." When he finished we all stared at him before Amira asked.
"How could you have kept this from us?" He looked up at her.
"I was going to tell you on your eighteenth birthday as is tradition but the time has come sooner than I expected." I walked up to them.
"We can go over this another time because we have more important things to worry about." They looked at me and each nodded before I turned to the Sultan. "Do you have any ideas where the pit is?" He nodded.
"It's in the palace courtyard but the boulder can only be removed on the night of a full moon."
"I remember seeing a boulder in the middle of an island on the lake."
"That is the one." I nodded. "The palace was built around it as to better protect the pit." My eye's widened in realization as something hit me.
"The full moon is tomorrow night." Kadar then walked forward.
"We have to act fast then to stop him from opening that pit again." I shook my head.
"No we can't rush this or it'll end in disaster for all of us." He nodded. "We need to set up a plan to take this guy down for good." Everyone nodded before we all began planning as I looked out towards the land. "Don't worry Toothless we're coming to free you and Madain Saleh." I turned back to the group as we began planning how to take back the city.
Afternoon the next day
Palace throne room
Nobodies POV:
The false prince was looking over a suit of black armor with red lining along with engravings, which formed cobras in different posses ready to attack. He walked around the armor admiring his hard work as he floated it in the middle of the floor as multiple women watched him as they waited for him to give them an order like loyal dogs. The dragon now known as Ravager sat in front of the armor watching his master walk around the armor and awaiting an order with absolute loyalty and a desire to serve in his eyes. The false prince stopped and looked around at the throne room and its contents from the piles of wealth with the women lounging on them to the dragon that had been turned into nothing more than his utterly devoted and obedient pet. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to enjoy this moment of complete victory but unfortunately he was brought out of it by the sound of his loyal servant Ghadra saying.
"Excuse me my lord." He opened his eyes and glared down at Ghadra who shook in fear.
"This better be important if you are interrupting me when I am enjoying my moment of complete victory."
"Forgive me your highness but I was wondering what we'd do about the outsider and the group that escaped with him."
"They are of no concern to me with my power."
"But what if he should come back for the dragon as he did once say he would do anything for him." He smiled down at his servant.
"Oh I'm hoping he'll come back because I have an offer for him."
"An offer?"
"Yes, you see I've been doing some research on his adventures and all his claims have proven to be true."
"What is the offer than master?"
"I am going to offer him a place at my side as one of my generals and soldiers while in return he shall get to keep his free will and be well rewarded with wealth," He gestured to the piles of treasure around him before he pointed at some of the women. "Women," He held up his staff. "And of course, power."
"But what if he should turn down your offer master?" He smiled down at his quivering servant before summoning one of the girls in a blood red outfit to his side, which she was all too eager to obey.
"If he turns down my offer than I have ways to convince him." He played with the crystal cobra around the woman's neck and laughed as Ghadra joined him before his eyes landed on the armor. "Ravagers armor is finally complete but still needs one more thing."
"What is that my master?" He turned to Toothless.
"The right creature to wear it!"
He pointed his staff at Toothless and a swirling red beam shot out of the mouth towards him. When the beam hit him he roared in pain as he began to change. He grew twice his original size, his spines extended and turned into spikes that tore through his saddle, his claws grew and became serrated, he grew two long fangs like those of a cobra as a cobra's hood spread out from the sides of his head and down his neck, his prosthetic fin burned off as a new one grew in its place, two large horns sprouted out of the top of his head, his wings grew longer with talons at the end of each tip. The dark magic had transformed him from a nightfury into a beast that would strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest man, a beast that would come to be known as the shadowfury. The newly created shadowfury breathed for a few seconds before turning to his master and bowing in worship towards him. The imposter prince laughed like a maniac at the sight of his new weapon and said.
"At last my ultimate weapon is complete and all he needs is a test run that he will receive once the pit has been reopened." He turned back to Ghadra. "Leave me now to enjoy my victory."
"Yes my lord." He watched his servant leave before he turned to the woman next to him with a look of hunger in his eyes.
"I think I know how to enjoy my victory." For the remainder of the day the sound of moans, screams and the rattle of gold filled the room.
Nightfall
Hiccups POV:
We had gone over the plan multiple times ironing out any possible problems that we may encounter and went through every possible scenario. The plan was for Kadar to release the first bag of dragons teeth at the front of the palace to keep most of the guard busy. The sultans guards would come with me to help hold back the imposters remaining guards who were guarding him, back while I took on the imposter with my star sword and eagle shield in my battle armor. Per the advise of Hephaestus Bubo would be coming with me along with all one of the bags containing the dragon teeth while Kadar would have the other two bags. I had a feeling he would need them since I learnt from a servant who was able to escape the guards what has been happening in the palace. I was horrified to learn that the false prince had been capturing citizens and turning men of all ages into soldiers, children into palace slaves, elderly woman into kitchen servants and the women into his own personal slaves who after being enslaved were all too eager to serve him in any way possible. It disgusted me that anyone would do such a thing to people but then again this guy did sell his soul to darkness when he began practicing dark magic. It was a little while after the story however that I figured out who was currently on the throne but I couldn't be sure. The sultan and his children wanted to join in the fight as did Dune and my scauldrens but the sultan needed to stay here with Amira to help take care of Aamin who was still weak from being imprisoned so long and my other dragons needed to stay in order to help guard them.
I was standing out on my deck in my battle armor as I looked out towards the land going over the plan once more in my head and I did have faith in it. I had already taken a few steps to make sure we suffered as few casualties as possible by equipping the guards with gronkle iron weapons, shields and armor. I made sure they understood to do their best not to kill anyone but to simply get a cut in their skin, which would leave them, paralyzed and allow us to move onto the next guard. I turned away from the land and looked at Heatwave who was going to get the guards and me into the palace before I nodded to him as I said.
"You ready to do this big guy?" He gave a growl and nod before I turned to the guards who were all standing ready and waiting. "Alright everyone this is your last chance to turn back and if you do I won't blame you but for those of you who come with me I wish you good luck and if I don't make it out of this alive then I'll see you on other side and know that I will have died a happy man being able to fight with such fine men." They all cheered at this. "So is anyone backing out?" Nobody stepped away as the Sultan walked forward.
"I could never have asked for more greater men then those of you right here." They all cheered as I put my helmet on as Bubo flew onto my shoulder before I turned to Heatwave.
"Let's go Heatwave!" He roared before turning into his sandstorm form and swept us all up to take us to the palace.
When we arrived I had him lower Kadar and me down in the front yard of the palace where multiple guards were gathered to fight and as expected when we landed they began marching towards us. Kadar took the bag with the dragon's teeth and opened it before he began sowing the teeth onto the ground. (AN: Like how you sow a pack of seeds.) As soon as the teeth hit the ground they sunk into the earth before fully armed human skeletons crawled out of the ground. When we were out of teeth there were thirty fully armed skeletons standing and ready to fight. They let out a screech that literally blew a wind into the guard's faces before they charged forward to the army. I turned to Kadar and said.
"Well that's not something you see everyday." He just nodded. "Now let's go before the pit is unsealed." He nodded before I signaled Heatwave to get us out of there, which he was all too happy to do.
When we got to the courtyard I saw a large group of guards surrounding the lake, which had the island where the boulder was. I had Heatwave land all of us a few feet away and the moment we did the guards charged at us as Kadar sowed the second bag of dragons teeth and summoned the skeletons who immediately began to battle the guards and soon enough the sultans guards joined in the fight. I turned to Kadar who remained at my side before he said.
"You're going to need all the help you can get with the false prince."
I nodded before I signalled Heatwave to get us to the island, which didn't take long, but there were still fifteen guards to deal with so I sowed the remaining dragon's teeth I had and the skeletons grew before charging at the guards. I signalled Heatwave to go back to the other guards to help with the fight before I looked ahead at the battle taking place. We ran past the guards and skeletons doing battle before we were in front of the boulder where the fake prince was standing with Ghadra at his side. The imposter looked at me and smiled before he said.
"I have to say Hiccup I am quite impressed with your little skeleton warriors and I like the armor." He drummed his fingers on the top of his staff. "It reminds me of myself and it makes it all the more tempting to go through with the offer I have for you." Before I could reply Kadar stepped forward and glared as he said.
"We'll never accept any offer you have monster." He just turned to Kadar.
"You misunderstand captain for you see the offer is only for Hiccup as I have no use for you." He turned to Ghadra. "Kill him!"
It was then Ghadra began to change with his skin becoming pasty white; his nose grew as his teeth sharpened and he grew claws before he roared and pounced at Kadar who had already drawn his sword and prepared his shield. Before I could help him the imposter coughed to bring my attention back to him before he said.
"My offer is for you to be by my side as a general and soldier and in return you will receive wealth, woman and anything you desire." I glared at him.
"The only thing I want is Toothless back and I'll get him back by defeating you MADHIMARAN!" He cocked an eyebrow.
"So you figured it out did you?"
"It wasn't that hard to figure out since you knew about the gems, crawled out of a pit and you claimed you'd return when you were first banished." He smiled.
"You're a smart man Hiccup but I know a few problems with your little plan." I raised my hand to silence him.
"Please don't say that I'll never defeat you because I am getting really tired of people saying that before I kick their butts."
"Well that is one of the things but since you've already heard it then the other problem is that Toothless no longer exists." He snapped his fingers before a dragon in armor walked out from behind the boulder and stood next to Madhimaran who put his hand on its head and it was then I realized whom that dragon which was glaring at me was.
"Toothless?" Madhimaran chuckled.
"He is no longer Toothless the nightfury but Ravager the Shadowfury who is completely under my control." I glared at him.
"What did you do to him?"
"Just made a few improvements and if you join me now of your own free will then I'll allow you to use him from time to time." I snorted.
"I have a better idea." I released the blade from my star sword and unfolded my shield. "I kick your butt and take my dragon back by force." He sighed as he shook his head.
"Such a shame but I suppose you will have to be like the rest of my men and be controlled by my will but first." He looked down at Toothless. "Ravager, take him down!"
No sooner did he finish speaking did Toothless fire a large red plasma blast at me but I blocked it using my shield and reflected it back at Madhimaran who simply used his staff to deflect it into the water. It was then Toothless began to walk towards me glaring at me with hatred but I saw a small glimmer in his eyes. I knew this meant my Toothless was still in there but I needed to try and help him break Madhimaran's control over him. I figured talking to him might help so I looked at him and put my sword back into its hilt as I said.
"Toothless it's me bud, your pal Hiccup." He just growled and kept stalking towards me. "Toothless it's me your friend who helped you to fly again." He snarled but I saw a small sparkle in his eyes. "Fight the cobra's control like I know you can bud." He stopped walking and I smiled. "That's it Toothless you're stronger than the cobra's black magic."
Toothless began shaking his head and began growling but it was then Madhimaran slammed his staff's bottom against the ground making the eyes of the crystal cobra on Toothless' head to glow. I'm guessing the power of the crystal cobra increased since Toothless almost immediately stopped struggling before his head lifted and his eyes dilated. Madhimaran slowly clapped before he said.
"A valiant effort Hiccup, you even almost freed him from my control but my magic is too powerful." He walked up to the side of Toothless' head as he remained completely still. "All I had to do was increase the power of his crystal cobra and he's back under my command but sadly this just leaves him a motionless puppet." He turned to Toothless. "Now my pet." He turned back to me. "Restrain your former master."
Toothless immediately pounced towards me but I dodged out of the way but before I could do anything else Bubo flew off my shoulder towards Toothless faster than I thought possible. He hovered over Toothless before his legs and wings began to extend forming shackles at their ends. They latched onto Toothless holding his legs in place before his tail extended with the tip of each feather clamping down on Toothless' tail and then to finish it off his head extended forward then seemed to come apart only for the pieces to be held together by chains before it clamped down on Toothless' mouth forming a muzzle. I looked at the now restrained dragon and all I could mutter was.
"I really need to pay more attention to that owl!" I could tell Madhimaran was shocked to before he shook his head and used his staff to try and blast the chains off only for them to have no effect before I looked at him. "Save your energy you fool as your magic is nothing compared to that of the gods." He glared at me.
"I'll have your head."
He then fired a red beam at me but I rolled out of the way dodging it and releasing my blade once more. I ducked out of the way of another blast before charging towards Madhimaran with my sword at the ready. He ignored the sword and hit me with another beam but this time I used my shield to block it and deflect the beam skyward. The beam was still strong though as it actually succeeded in pushing me back a few feet. When I was on the edge of the water he let the beam stop and said.
"You can't stop me from releasing the pit and taking over Hiccup and just like all my slaves of the palace you to shall fall under the control of my will which is a shame since I could've offered you eternal life and youth alongside the treasures I offered."
"Growing old and dying isn't the worst thing that can happen to a human but then again you stopped being human a long time ago demon."
He ignored my words before he turned back to the boulder and began using his magic to lift the boulder before the sound of an inhuman screech filled the area. I saw a sickening green, blue and red glow coming from the pit before I noticed that Madhimaran was completely focused on the boulder. I knew a chance when I saw it so I took this opportunity to charge at his back before I tackled him to the ground and knocked the staff out of his hand. He was able to push me off him before quickly getting up and making a run for his staff but I fired a bola at his legs tripping him. This gave me the opportunity to run past him and grab the staff before I pulled each of the gems out knowing they were the source of power. I tossed them to the ground and raised my sword as I yelled.
"THIS ENDS NOW!" As I brought my sword down I heard Madhimaran scream.
"NO!"
The gems shattered on contact before turning to dust before I heard a scream from behind me. I saw Madhimaran being dragged into the pit by some sort of shadow as he begged for it to let him go. I ran to try and help him but it was too late and he went down the pit before I heard Toothless screech. I turned to face him and saw the armor he wore turn to smoke before being sucked down the pit which was soon followed by red smoke that was coming out his mouth as the crystal cobra around his neck turned to dust before he slowly turned back to normal. I then heard screams from across the lake and saw Madhimaran guards armor turn to smoke and follow the rest down the pit. It was then I heard someone begging for mercy and turned to see Ghadra being dragged down the pit by another shadow creature like the one that took Madhimaran. I ran over to Kadar who had been pinned by Ghadra and helped him up as we watched the pit slowly fill itself up. Once the ground looked like it was never there Kadar asked.
"Is it over?" I smiled at him.
"Yeah, it's over." I then heard the rattle of chains and saw Bubo turning back into an owl as Toothless stood up and shook his head and at that moment I could not describe the joy I felt as he opened his eyes which were green again as I ran to him. "TOOTHLESS!" He looked at me as tackled him into a hug. "I missed you bud." He just crooned before pushing me down and began licking me all while I laughed.
When we were done I looked at the skeletons who were now fighting each other to the death thanks to a small jewel I had given one of the guards and told them when the people are back to normal just toss it in between the skeletons and they'll wipe each other out fighting over it. Even the ones who were fighting the guards on the island while I dealt with Madhimaran went to fight over it. I looked at the people who were once guards rubbing their heads in both confusion and pain as I let out a sigh knowing this was one big mess that was going to take a while to clean up. First things first though I had to get the Sultan and his children back to the city so they could help get things back in order but I had to say the next few days are going to be busy.
AN: Here is part 2 and I hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry if you thought the battle scenes weren't that exciting but I'm not great at them. A special thankyou to 'Red dragon 112293' for all his help and ideas for these past two chapters and I hope you all enjoyed them. By the way to those like 'George Cristian810' who think my story is boring then just stop reading it since there is no need to tell people you don't like it because a lot of other people do and they are the ones I keep writing for so till next time have a nice few days and stay out of fights unless you're defending someone.
