Chapter 248
Hiccups POV:
It's been two weeks since we returned from Japan and in that time a lot has happened, starting with me learning that my snake guardians had been training their magic pretty hard while I was away, and it was because of this that three of them were now able to take human form. Sadly, when they first showed me their forms they were so excited that they forgot that their human forms don't come with clothes so I got an eyeful of two naked males and a female and to make matters worse, the kids were with me so I had to hurry and cover their eyes. To add on to these issues, while I covered the kids eyes my wives walked in after hearing the commotion and when they saw the three naked people in front of me and the kids, it took a lot of explaining to clear up any misunderstandings. After that, I got the guardians who could not take human form some clothes to put on before having them return to patrolling the island section they were assigned while the kids went with their mothers to help explain what they saw.
Despite this, I knew them achieving their human forms were a good thing since it meant that I could use them as spies in China plus I figure they could also help with keeping planting automatons in other villages while making some money and clearing out my storage room. The way they could do this is through the use of one of my ships that was built to carry large amounts of things and from there they'd go to various ally tribes to do business with the extra stuff I have in my storage to sell with jewelwigs hidden on the items that will allow me to keep an eye on things. It may be wrong to spy on our allies but this way I could tell if they were in trouble and needed help in some way and also keep an eye out for possible troublemakers who needed to be paralyzed before they did anything that could cause troubles for others. Still though, it would be a while before they were ready to go out and do any trading since they needed training concerning how to handle business deals and although they were smart in combat and strategy, they weren't that smart in human matters.
Other than that, I'd been keeping myself busy in other ways like spending time with my family, tending to the animals, working on automaton ideas and designs but it was mainly helping my dad with his chiefing duties. I couldn't blame him for needing the extra help since not only would the Berk farms be harvesting the tribe's grain, cabbage and other forms of food we grow to feed the village. This was often one of the busiest times for a chief since they needed to supervise everything that's going on concerning the harvest, from the foods harvest to the food being put away into the store house. You had to make sure all the crops were properly gathered, there aren't any holes in the bags used to carry them, arrange wagons to take the crops through, organize the crops when they get to the storehouse and so much more.
The thing that made this harvest season, one of the more difficult than other harvest seasons is in addition to the mass load of work that comes with the harvest it was also fire weather so we had to be careful since we didn't want our crops to go up in flames. It was because of this I had most of my islands tidal class dragons who blasted water, flying around Berk and kept my rain drum on me, just in case a fire broke out. We did not need a repeat of the last time there was fire weather and a fire started in the forest where the twins were lost since it took weeks for the forest to recover and I did not want those flames getting close to the village or our crops. It's because of this I'd also been working on some new designs for fire prevention designs which include things to extinguish huts since we had been having our fair share of them catching fire due to the dry wind making the dragons sneeze by tickling their noses and when they sneeze, they sneeze fire.
This is what lead to me to decide to test out my new forge for the very first time since it'd mostly just been collecting dust since it was first formed since I had no idea what to make first. I decided on something simple to begin with and went with a long spear with a metal pole that collapse to make the pole if a short sword to make it easier to hide and carry. Because of this I'd made the head of the spear a little longer than usual with curved sides that were as sharp as a swords edge so when the wielder swings, it can cut and wound their opponent. Along with this, I wrapped black leather around the end of it for when it's collapsed so the wielder can have an easier time gripping it and pulling it out.
Once it was complete, I took it to the silver dragons head and placed it onto the plate that was suspended in the middle of the maw before the plat began glowing brightly, but nothing happened. Figuring it would take some time to infuse with magic I left the dragons maw but the second I did the entire maw snapped shut in an instant, giving me a small fright. When I turned back, I saw the eyes glow a shining sapphire blue with a light blue steam slowly leaking out of the sides while also leaking out of the nose. This lasted for about half an hour before the maw opened once more and I was able to see the spear once more and I had to see it had gone through some changes. To begin with, the staff was now black with intricate gold engravings completely covering it and it now had a pommel on the end while the head seemed to shine with a nightfury etched into the center. When I picked it up I was surprised when the entire pole pulled in on itself but not as if it were made of multiple layers being pulled into each other like before but actually shrinking itself in length until it was the size of a short sword. (AN: Picture the spear of Prince Nuada in hellboy 2, will post picture on Pinterest page.)
When my examination was done, I took it to the mouth of the golden dragon that held alter in the middle of the maw and the door to the weapons vault where the weapons were stored. I gently placed the spear onto the alter and I was surprised when the top of the alter glowed and the spear slowly lifted from the alter while glowing. The spear then shined brightly before it literally turned into a small ball of light that flew at the door as a small slot opened for it to fly through. The slot then closed and I walked up to the door to see what had happened to the spear and also since I'd been meaning to check out what was in the room and I was amazed at what I found behind the door. Behind the door was a large white marble room that looked to go on for miles with countless white pillars that had golden dragons wrapping around them, standing around the room in multiple rows with each being set apart no more than eight feet apart from each other.
In-between every four pillars were empty space except for two with each holding a white marble pedestal that reached my waist in hight and holding something. The first had the fan that was used by the Ao nyōbō back in Japan but now it looked like it had been made of multiple light purple daggers with cloud patterns on the bottom and cherry blossoms on the top. (AN: Picture on Pinterest page.) Still though it was a lovely thing to look at as it gently floated just above its pedestal while slowly spinning around and I knew whoever got it would need to be skilled to wield it. In between another four and resting on a pedestal was the recently built spear in its collapsed form and floating over its own pedestal with the head facing up towards the ceiling.
After seeing this, I realized that the reason for the pillars wasn't just a way to hold up the ceiling but to also separate the items that would hold the various weapons I'd create in the future. Looking around at the size of the room though, I kept wondering if this is what the inside of the dragons' forge was like, where all the weapons it offered were stored. Still though the room seemed endless which brought up the questions, how many weapons would I make in the future, how would they choose their wielders and most importantly, who would wield them. I decided to deal with these thoughts later and spend a little time exploring the entire room and was beyond shocked since the place seemed endless but what was weird was no matter which way I went, I'd always end up back at the entrance so I knew I'd never get lost. When I left the room I immediately began coming up with ideas on new weapons before going to my private room to begin drawing them up for future use.
Besides all that, we'd received a surprise visit from a trader that comes from Derek and Odette's kingdom who heard about me through stories and was hoping to do trade with me since he'd heard I'd travelled to many lands and knew some foreign items would fetch a good price. We did some trading with me getting rid of some of the stuff I'd gathered from Akuhei's palace which the trader was all too happy to take and me gaining some new books for the library and some art pieces that caught my eye. It was from this trader that I learnt that Queen Uberta's fiftieth birthday and I decided it couldn't hurt for my family to visit her kingdom to wish her a happy birthday and for another family vacation since we'd all been working pretty hard these past few days.
I discussed it with my wives, and we all agreed which leads to now, me and my family walking through the portal door that leads to Derek and Odettes palace garden, in front of swan lake. I smiled at the sight of the lake and couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Chara running around on the grass while giggling happily, saying how beautiful this place was and calling for her brother to come play with her. I chuckled and called her over and when she reached me, I gently picked her up and said.
"Chara, I'm glad you like the garden, but we need to go let the owners know that we've arrived before you can continue playing in the garden alright?" She frowned but nodded.
"Okay daddy." Before I could reply a familiar voice came from behind us yelling.
"MR HICCUP, MR HICCUP, MR HICCUP!" I turned to see none other than Rothbarts former minion Bridget who was now in her original attire and rushing towards me with a look of fear and worry in her eyes and I knew this meant bad news.
"Bridget, what happening?"
"Rothbart old partner Clavius, who help make forbidden arts come back to castle and get his hands-on crystal ball holding Forbidden arts." I raised an eyebrow.
"Forbidden Arts?"
"Original source of Rothbart's power." My eyes widened remembering how powerful Rothbart was and knew that power was not something that anyone should wield and that if this guy was anything like Rothbart, he needed to be stopped as I gently passed Chara to Hadasa.
"Where's Derek and Odette?"
"Prince Derek go to rescue kidnapped Queen Uberta and Princess Odette become swan to save Derek from trap."
"What about the animals?"
"They go after big balloon with Clavius and crystal ball."
"Do you have any idea where this Clavius character went?" She nodded and pulled out a parchment.
"It in ransom note Clavius send." I took the note and fortunately, the last time I was here I went through a lot of maps of the land and knew where this letter was talking about and turned to the girls. "Girls, stay here and look after the kids and the castle." I released the dragons from my grootslang coat as Astrid asked.
"And what are you going to do?" I mounted Toothless and turned to her.
"I'm going to help two royals stop a psycho magic wielder from becoming a true threat to the world." They all sighed before Hadasa smiled.
"We can't stop you from helping your friends or stopping this new evil if we tried, could we?" I shook my head.
"Not a chance my loves." The girls looked to each other before they each giggled as Astrid said.
"You know most wives wouldn't be happy with that reply but we each knew what we were getting into when we married you." Blanca ten said.
"Just promise you will come back to us." I smiled at her.
"Always!" And with that I took off to help my friends save the queen.
1 hour later
We've been flying for an hour and now the volcano where the ransom note told Derek to go had finally come into view and it looked like a villain's lair and smelt like a trap. I saw there was a massive canyon surrounding the volcano that looked to be incredibly deep with a hot lava river at the bottom that lit the bottom a dark orange. The only way across this canyon was using a wooden cart that carried people across using a rope, pully system to move which is where my attention was drawn as a Derek was cutting the rope from behind the cart as an over muscled man within dropped a swan who I knew to be Odette. Before I could do anything though the rope was cut and while the cart with the man fell down the canyon while Derek went swinging towards the wall, grabbing Odette as he did so. I flew towards them just in time to hear Derek say.
"I didn't plan any further than this." I decided to make mine and Toothless' presence known then by saying.
"Maybe we could help then." Both Odette and Derek turned to us.
"Hiccup?"
"It's been a while your majesty, but we'll have to catch up when you're not hanging from a rope." They nodded before me and Toothless flew them both up onto the edge which is when Odette asked.
"What are you both doing here?"
"I got word it was Queen Uberta's birthday and came to wish her a happy one with my family but when I got to the palace, Bridget told me what happened, and we came flying." They nodded as Derek asked.
"Do you think you could see what's going on inside with those metal birds of yours?" I nodded and pulled out a scouter automaton.
"Gladly!" I sent the automaton into the volcano and began looking around the place. "Alright, I'm seeing a large balloon docked by an arch with a curving staircase leading up to it, a few old pieces of furniture, a fireplace-" Derek then cut me off.
"What about my mother?" I had the automaton look around a bit more for her and found her in a cell built into the wall.
"Found her!" I turned to Derek. "She's alright but she's in a cell that's built into the wall." I saw Derek clench his fists before Odette who was now free of the binds that held her wings said.
"As long as she's safe, that's what matters." I then noticed something that made my blood run cold.
"I've spotted the source of all his power and the reason behind all this madness." They all turned to me. "It's on a pedestal in the middle of the room." They each nodded. "Won't be easy to get it without Clavius noticing us." Derek then said.
"I'll keep him distracted." I nodded before I noticed a man in black robes that had dark gold lining, a long grey beard with a crown on his head glaring at queen Uberta and knew this had to be Clavius.
"Alright but we better hurry since, I don't think your mother will be alright for much longer." They both looked at me. "Clavius is with her and it looks like she's getting on his nerves so we better hurry and find a way in." It was then a voice from behind me said.
"I think we can help with that." We all turned to see Puffin, Speed and Jean-Bob making me smile.
"Good to see you three again." Puffin replied.
"You to Hiccup but we'll have to save the howdy-do's for later as the queens in danger." We all nodded and took off down the opening in the wall the animals claimed it would take us right into Clavius' base.
Nobodies POV:
As they made their way down the passage, Hiccup kept an eye on Clavius through the eyes of his Scouter automaton, but he didn't tell any of the group what was going on though since he knew Derek would pop a vein in anger. Who could blame him though since Clavius was trying to silence Queen Uberta by turning her into various animals and that only succeeded in making it worse. He'd turned her into a yak, a monkey, a parrot, an ostrich, a goat, a beaver, a horse and an elephant with each form being very loud and very annoying. It was just then that they walked into the entry way on top of the stairs with the balloon where Hiccup signaled Toothless to stay so he could cover the group from above since the balloons dock was looking down on the entire lair. They quickly made their way down as Clavius declared that he'd turn Queen Uberta into a fly to shut her up but as he prepared the spell with red magic appearing in his hands they had hidden behind a large crank while Derek stepped out and said.
"Don't you dare hurt my mother." Clavius turned to him as he asked.
"What?" Derek walked out in full view with sword in hand.
"You heard me, it's over." Clavius chuckled.
"Far from it." He then threw a large ball of magic at Derek who jumped back behind the crank.
"I'll distract him." He turned to Odette. "Odette free mother and then get everyone into the balloon." He pointed at the balloon with his sword.
"What about the orb?" Hiccup pointed to himself.
"I'll handle that while Clavius is busy with Derek." Hiccup then reached into his coat and pulled out the rectangular-cube shaped bell with red patterns and handed it to Odette as he said. "Use this to unlock the cell door." As Odette took the handle in her beak, Jean-Bob asked.
"And what is a bell meant to do against a lock?"
"The bell's magic, if you ring it near the lock it's inner workings will stop, and the lock will come unlocked."
"Alright, zat is a handy little tool to have." Hiccup nodded as Derek jumped out with the sword at the ready to which Clavius replied.
"Oh, so you want to have a little swashbuckling aye." He then conjured up a sword with a blade that was half black and half bronze, a black handle and bronze pommel that immediately began fighting with Derek by swinging and floating in midair while the animals made their way to the cell but when they reached it Uberta cried.
"I'm being rescued by little animals?" She shrugged. "Oh well, I'll go with it."
While this happened, Derek was pushed back by the sword, up the staircase but it was then he was able to knock the sword back at Clavius who stepped to the side before he turned the stairs into a slide. Derek came sliding down as Clavius created a fire at the bottom but just as Derek reached the bottom, he quickly grabbed onto the stairs railing and jumped over, barely avoiding the flames just as the animals pulled the lock off and opened the door. They fled with Queen Uberta as Derek slid across the ground to grab a shield that he quickly used to block another blast of magic but sadly it was right in front of the cell door that was now open, alerting Clavius that the queen had escaped. He saw them running up another set of stairs and got ready to cast another spell at them but Derek threw the shield at him, making him fall down and giving Hiccup the chance to get closer to the Forbidden Arts. As Hiccup did this though Clavius blasted Derek with another spell that he was barely able to block with his sword, but it still threw him back as Clavius stood up and asked.
"Did you really think you could beat the Forbidden Arts?"
He then launched a yellow beam of magic that ricochet against the wall, hitting Jean-Bob turning him into a black haired man wearing a red cape, green shirt with sleeves that were puffy and light yellow on the upper arm and tight and green on the lower part with a golden crown on his head, covering his black hair. Jean-Bob looked at his hand before down at his body as he said.
"I'm a prince." He then began looking for his friends from his place on the edge. "Hey, hey, look, look, I'm a prince, I'm a," Another blast of magic hit him, and he was a frog again. "I'm a, I'm a" He realized he was a frog again and collapsed. "A frog again." Puffin just looked at him and said.
"Knock it off Jean-Bob and get into the balloon."
While this happened, Derek began climbing on top of the fireplace, barely avoiding another blast from Clavius before he jumped from the top of the fireplace onto a statue with a crescent moon shaped stone facing up with a small pillar coming out of it. Clavius sent another blast of magic, destroying the pillar and throwing Derek off with the crescent moon shaped piece and onto a nearby wall. Clavius shot out another blast but Derek used the crescent moon shaped piece to redirect it at Clavius who quickly ducked to avoid it but when it missed Clavius it went towards Hiccup who was silently getting closer to the Forbidden Arts, knowing the best way to end all this was to get them.
It was then Clavius shot another blast at Derek but this time, Derek wasn't fast enough to dodge it and got it with the blast that tore open his shirt and left sleeve as he fell to the ground in front of the fireplace. Clavius smiled as he got ready to blast Derek again but before he could a plasma blast from above came flying down towards him before exploding and throwing him back.
"What was that?" He then looked up to see Toothless glaring down at him. "A dragon." He then looked around as he said. "Where there's a dragon there's often a rider." He then saw Hiccup going for the Forbidden Arts and yelled. "NO!" He then let out a blast at Hiccup who immediately jumped back to avoid the blast of magic which unfortunately also put him further away from the Forbidden Arts. "Well it seems that I've got more pests to deal with than I originally thought but it's nothing a little help can't deal with." He then shot another beam of magic at the pedestal holding the forbidden arts turning it into a Gargoyle that was twice the size of Stoick, had a stone harness shaped like an X across its chest with a loincloth covering its privates, spiked shoulder pads, long sharp claws and had the Forbidden Arts lodged inside its upper chest as Hiccup shook his head and said.
"You've got to be kidding me." Clavius snapped his fingers.
"You're right." He then conjured up six more gargoyles identical to the first except without the forbidden arts while the first flew up to a high ledge above Clavius. "After all, why risk the forbidden arts when I can simply create more mindless lackies to do away with you." Hiccup glared at Clavius but then noticed Derek trying to get up as Toothless glided down to help his rider and growled at Clavius. "Quite an impressive beast you have there Hiccup." Hiccup smirked while reaching into his coat and pulling out four black Loki balls.
"You have no idea." He then tossed the balls at Clavius who stood in shock as he was quickly engulfed in black smog while Hiccup turned to Toothless.
"Grab Derek and get him to the balloon with everyone else." Toothless crooned. "Don't worry bud, I've been in worse situations." He growled and rushed over to Derek, helping him onto the saddle before rushing up the stairs as the smog cleared to reveal a very angry Clavius who yelled out.
"KILL HIM!"
No sooner than the words leaving his mouth did the gargoyles come to life and charge towards Hiccup with their claws raised, to kill Hiccup who quickly turned to face them. One gargoyle quickly charged ahead of the others with Hiccup charging at it but when he was four feet away, Hiccup dropped to the ground and slid between the gargoyles legs while switching out his prosthetic hand for his Morningstar. He quickly extended the chain and began swinging the head around by it using his real hand just as the gargoyles turned to face him but before they could do anything, Hiccup brought the head down on the gargoyle that originally charged at him. The gargoyle shattered into pieces before Hiccup pulled the head of his weapon back and got ready for the next gargoyle that came at him which didn't take long.
Another gargoyle charged at Hiccup and he quickly threw the Morningstar at it and succeeded in nailing the stone beast in the gut, shattering its lower body. The one behind it quickly pushed the remaining upper torso down and continued to charge at Hiccup with its claws extended, trampling on his downed comrade as he did so. Sadly, Hiccup didn't have time to prepare his Morningstar from his last attack, so the gargoyle didn't have to worry about it crushing his head like it did his friends and he had two more gargoyles join him at his sides and one behind him. Fortunately for Hiccup, his blade scarf didn't need any time to prepare and quickly split into nine separate parts that began swinging at the gargoyles at speeds that made them look like blurs. When the parts stopped and fell back into place, the gargoyles stood still before Hiccup walked up the one at the front and gently tapped it on the side. The gargoyle immediately fell into a pile of pieces as did the two on either side of it before Hiccup continued to walk up to the one behind them just as its head fell to the ground and shattered.
Hiccup noticed everyone was now in the balloon before he turned to Clavius and smirked at the sight of Clavius growling before he conjured a great sword made of black metal and asked.
"Do I have to kill everyone myself." Hiccup pulled out his giant scimitar and readied it for a fight.
"That implies you'll beat me and there's no way I'm losing to a guy who looks like he has a badger on his face."
Clavius growled and charged at Hiccup with his sword raised while Hiccup charged at him before they met with the blades of their weapons struck together, making the sound of metal hitting metal echoed through the room as sparks flew from the blades. Clavius struggled to push Hiccup back since he may have the power of the forbidden arts running through his veins, but he was still an old man who focused on research while Hiccup was a young adult who trained his body hard. Knowing he didn't stand a chance if he fought fairly, Clavius pushed Hiccup back and then said.
"Let's see how well you fight the cold." He then let loose a blast of icy air that was like that of a strong blizzard, but Hiccup smirked and endured it before Clavius stared in shock.
"I'm from the Island of Berk in the Archipelago." He let out a single laugh. "That wind's only a little nippy to me." Clavius growled and charged at Hiccup as if he were about to strike him with his sword but just before he reached Hiccup, he quickly blasted the floor that turned to quicksand beneath Hiccups feet and began pulling him in.
"Did you honestly expect me to fight fair when I have the power of the forbidden arts at my disposal?" He raised his blade. "Any last words boy?" Hiccup glared at him before smirking.
"No but I feel you should know that I've been taught to think on my feet and always have a backup plan." Fortunately, Hiccup had stored sunlight in his scimitar which he was quick to release right before he swung the blade, launching the burning slash that Clavius was quick to dodge before he chuckled.
"You missed!" Hiccup smirked and put his scimitar away.
"Did I?"
Clavius turned to see where the slash went, and his eyes widened when he saw the slash cut through the gargoyle that held the orb holding the Forbidden Arts with the cut being just below the orb Clavius watched in horror while Hiccup released his hook and launched towards the arch where the balloon was docked and hooked it on the arch before he quickly pulled himself out of the ground while Clavius ran for the falling orb. Hiccup was quickly on the same level as the arch and got onto the balloon as he said.
"Let's get out of here."
As soon as the words left his mouth they were off just as the Forbidden Arts hit the ground, breaking the crystal orb allowing the magic to break free from its confines and causing a massive explosion. Those in the balloon watched as the volcano erupted with the lava destroying all it touched and frowned in sadness as they feared that without the Forbidden Arts, Odette would remain a swan forever. It was with this sadness in their hearts, they began wondering how they would turn her back into her true self so she wouldn't have to spend the rest of her life as a swan.
Nightfall
Night had fallen over the kingdom and now everyone who was at the fight, along with Rogers, Bromley, Chamberlain and Bridger, was standing on the edge of Swan Lake, except for Odette who was sitting on the lake in the hopes that when the moonlight hit the lake, she would return to human form like when she was under Rothbart's spell. Derek anxiously awaited the moons light, hoping it would return Odette to her true form so they could once more be together as husband and wife and even if it didn't, he'd still want to be with her. The only one who was just as worried as Derek was none other than Hiccup as he blamed himself for this needing to be done since he was the one who destroyed the Forbidden Arts to begin with and if Odette remained a swan, he'd never forgive himself. It was then the moons light finally hit the lake and we watched as the reflection slowly reached Odette, but Odette's form didn't change as tears slowly began running down her beak.
It was then as all hope left those who were gathered that the water around Odette began to shine before rising up to circle her, blocking her from everyone's view and then collapsing to reveal Odette in her human form. Derek rushed to her and picked her up before spinning her in joy while everyone cheered in joy as everyone cheered in happiness to have Odette back to normal before they embraced in a kiss. While they did this Jean-Bob tried to convince everyone that he really had become a prince inside the mountain but as anyone could expect, nobody believed him. He then yelled out for Derek and Odette to stop smooching and tell everyone that he's not joking making them pull away while smiling and each gave a small laugh before fireworks began going off around the castle creating the words, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER' as servant opened the shutters wishing Queen Uberta a happy birthday. Uberta herself smiled, touched at her son's thoughtfulness before she raised her arms yelling.
"FIFTY AND LOVING IT!" We all chuckled at this before I whispered to my wives.
"Let's hope that the craziness I just went through is the only less than peaceful moment we'll have to endure on our vacation." They all nodded before we all enjoyed the fireworks show.
AN: And that brings an end to this chapter and I'd just like to say I'm rather surprised that there were only four votes including my own, but it was decided to have another action chapter so here we are. If you have any thoughts on what could happen on this vacation then please let me know as I could use some new ideas for it and to 'cwilloughby0209' I sent you a PM wanting to know your ideas so please reply back when you can. Anyway, now I'll be doing a bit of peace and then go back to the action chapter so please review, PM any ideas you have and have a nice day.
