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"Dear Sir Indi,
"I am pleased to hear of your progress on your mission. Your information on dragons, Vikings, and the relationships between the two was helpful, even if brief. If at all possible, get more detailed information to me in as little time as possible.
"What types of dragons are there? Can they all be tamed? How well do they work with the Vikings? Is Berk the only tribe with dragons under their control, or are there other Viking tribes with tame dragons?
"If you could answer these questions, that would be most beneficial to our cause.
"Dearest regards,
Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
Indi rolled the note up and slid it into a pocket on the inside of his leather chest plate. "So, what do we do?"
"Well, you should write her back," Hiccup said. "Fishlegs and I can give you all of the information she asked for on dragons."
Indi nodded. Over the course of the next hour, Fishlegs and Hiccup gave Indi information on several common dragons, as well as a few rare species. Indi wrote as fast as he could while keeping the words legible. Once it was all said and done, Indi tied the note to the Terrible Terror's leg and the little dragon flew off.
A week later, the riders were circling a small convoy of dragon hunter ships.
"Fishlegs!" Hiccup shouted from atop Toothless, the black dragons shooting around the front of the ship. "Flaming boulder!"
Immediately, a giant ball of fiery rock leaped from the deck of the ship, shooting at the large Viking on his round dragon. Meatlug skillfully caught the volley in her mouth, crushing the rock.
Indi hung on to Astrid as the female warrior directed Stormfly by a catapult. The blue dragon shot a jet of super-heated flame at the bucket of the catapult, turning it into a flaming hunk of melting metal.
"Arrows coming next, guys!" Astrid said to the group.
Several hunters took aim with bows and shot at Toothless and Hookfang. The arrows were deflected by the metal armor on the dragons, rendering them inert.
Indi snarled, the group forming up for a frontal attack. Toothless shot downward, shooting the hatch on the deck of the ship, then dove into the hole. A moment later, the black dragon shot up out of the hole in the deck, several other dragons following.
Astrid gave a command to Stormfly, and soon a volley of spines was shooting towards Ryker and Dagur. Dagur jumped behind a mast, while Ryker calmly blocked the spines with his armored forearm.
Suddenly, a silver dragon shot into the air, a raven-haired girl on its back. The dragon shot a blast of sky-blue fire at a rock spire, which Snotlout and Hookfang happened to be passing. The large male, startled by the attack, fell from the red dragon.
"Hookfang!" Snotlout screamed as he fell. A blur of green indicated that he was saved by the twins.
The twins, Snotlout, and the Zippleback were promptly assaulted by Windshear and Heather. Barf and Belch twisted and rolled, dodging the attacks. After a major roll, Ruffnut slipped from her head on the dragon and fell. A blur of dark red indicated that she had been rescued by Hookfang.
Ruffnut, with a little effort, managed to turn Hookfang back to the ship. They charged directly into a net that had been deployed and fell into the water.
As Ruffnut and Hookfang were being pulled out of the water by the hunters, Tuffnut directed Snotlout how to create an explosion with a Zippleback. Soon, the hunters near the edge of the ship were surrounded by the green cloud, and a large explosion went off as Tuffnut lit the gas.
Indi watched as Snotlout, Tuffnut and Ruffnut flew off, before turning back to Astrid. "I swear, those three really confuse me."
"No argument there," Astrid said, directing Stormfly up the side of the ship.
"Finish her!" Ryker yelled.
Stormfly hovered as Windhshear and Heather shot towards them. Astrid leaned down to Stormfly.
"Single spine shot, girl." The blue dragon swung her tail, releasing one spine at the silver dragon. The spine connected with the armored scales of the Razorwhip, glancing off harmlessly, and the silver dragon fell from the sky, screeching. The dragon and rider both fell to the deck of the ship below. Stormfly turned to meet up with the rest of the riders, and the group flew off, back to the base.
Astrid turned in the saddle, watching as the ships receded. Indi looked into her eyes, and saw many emotions, most of them troubled.
Back in the stables, Indi dismounted from Stormfly. Behind him, Tuffnut and Snotlout were reliving the glory of battle.
"And I was like: 'Tuff, now!'" Snotlout said. "And you were like..."
"Your wish is my command, Snot Man," Tuffnut finished. "And then bang!"
"We have to pull Heather out," Astrid said to Hiccup, ignoring the tomfoolery behind her. "If I hadn't reacted, her cover would have been blown."
"Well," Hiccup said, checking the straps on Toothless' saddle. "I wanted her out weeks ago, and somebody talked me into..."
"I know, I know I did," Astrid said. "But things were different then."
"How?"
"It's way too dangerous."
"It's always been way too dangerous!" Indi said.
"This has gotten crazy, guys," Astrid continued. "And we haven't even met up with this 'Viggo' character."
"Exactly," Hiccup said. "Viggo Grimborn leads the dragon hunters. If we can take him down, the dragon hunter army will be without a leader and they will collapse."
Astrid thought for a moment. "If something happens to Heather..."
"Nothing will happen to her," Hiccup affirmed.
"Not to mention," Indi added. "She probably wouldn't pull out if we asked. And, if she thought for a second that they were on to her, Windshear would get her out of there."
Snotlout cheered as Tuffnut and they raced by, Tuff pushing Snot in a wheelbarrow. Tuffnut then flipped over the wheelbarrow, landing on his back. "Best time ever!"
Astrid turned to look behind her, where Snotlout and Tuffnut were wrestling, making quite the commotion. "Can you two mutton heads take it somewhere else?! I can't hear myself think!"
A man fell into the pit, his dragon skin clothing glinting in the moonlight.
"Help me! Someone! Please!"
Turning around, the man saw two sets of glowing eyes in the brush. Soon, two white creatures leaped from the shadows, darting forward. Their wings flapped as they charged the man. They let lose little shrieks that blended with their prey's screams. Blood splashed on the ground as one set of fangs were embedded into the man's leg, and another set sank into his throat.
As the man's lifeless body lay on the ground, one of the little creatures raised its head and gave off a high pitched roar, strings of flesh dangling from its conical teeth.
On a couple of rock spires in the middle of the ocean, Hiccup, Indi, and Astrid dismounted from their dragons. Heather and Windshear landed on the other side of the sea stack.
"Are you sure you weren't followed?" Astrid asked as the raven-haired girl dismounted.
"Positive," the raven-haired girl stated as Windshear screeched and ran over to Stormfly and Toothless, and the three dragons began to play. "Viggo suspects Ryker and Dagur. He asked me to go with him to capture the Flightmare."
Indi raised an eyebrow at the name and glanced at Hiccup. The other male gave Indi a look that assured an explanation would be given.
"Just me, Windshear, and him," Heather continued, not noticing the silent exchange between the males.
"Flightmare?" Hiccup wondered. "Why would Viggo want the Flightmare?"
"Hiccup, you're missing the point," Heather stated.
"He does that from time to time," Astrid said.
"N-no, I don't," Hiccup said in denial.
"Look, it's me, Viggo, and Windshear," Heather repeated. "The perfect time for an ambush." Indi nodded in agreement.
"I agree," Hiccup said. "But, how is it that the three of you are going to capture the Flightmare?"
"You haven't met Viggo Grimborne," Heather said confidently. "He is a professional dragon hunter."
"Right," Hiccup said. "But, you're not gonna actually let him capture it."
"Of course not," Heather said reassuringly. "That's where the ambush comes in: you guys show up, grab Viggo, and you set the Flightmare back on its path."
Hiccup hummed, thinking. "Now all we have to do is find it."
"It follows the stream of glowing algae as its food source," Heather explained. Indi's interests were raised at this. "Last year, I spent a lot of time tracking it, pinning down its location every couple of weeks. I know where it should be, but I gave that information to Viggo."
"Which made him trust you even more," Indi said.
"Listen, I better get back," Heather said, taking a roll of paper out of her pocket. She unrolled it and pointed to a dotted line on one of the islands. "This is the algae trail." She moved her finger along the dashes to an X. "Follow it to here. This is where we'll be."
"So will we," Hiccup said.
The next night, the dragon riders and Indi flew to the location Heather specified. Indi sat behind Astrid on Stormfly.
"Woah," Fishlegs said, examining the map Heather gave them. "Heather's tracking and mapping skills are quite extraordinary. Is there no end to that girl's talents?"
"Um, can we just talk about the elephant in the sky for a second?" Tuffnut said.
"No," Hiccup said, slightly raising his voice.
"Cool," Tuffnut continued, completely ignoring Hiccup's remark. "Why do we think Viggo wants the Flightmare so badly?"
"Maybe Viggo likes the way that algae stuff make you glow when you rub it all over yourself," Ruffnut suggested.
"You know what?" Hiccup said. "You might actually not be that far off. He's got to be using its algae, or its paralyzing spray for something."
"We could ask Viggo ourselves if we were waiting for him when he gets there," Astrid said, urging Stormfly forward towards an island that had a few trees and many moss-covered rocks.
The riders set their dragons down at the edge of a cliff and dismounted. Indi followed Hiccup and Fishlegs over a small rise where a stream was glowing bright blue. Drinking from the stream was a glowing blue dragon with wispy tendrils on its wings.
"Now let's stay together," Indi said. "We need to make sure Viggo doesn't get anywhere near that dragon."
"How will we know when Viggo's here?" Fishlegs asked. Toothless squinted his eyes and bared his teeth in a snarl. Indi turned to where the Night Fury was looking and saw a lone ship heading for the island.
"There he is," Indi said darkly.
"Okay, Ruff, Tuff," Hiccup said, walking over to the twins. "Make sure you get enough algae-"
Ruffnut interrupted him. "To lure the Flightmare away. We know."
"This guy never stops. 'Lure the Flightmare. Don't eat the algae.'"
"Ridiculous," Ruffnut said. "I mean why would we eat the algae?"
"Hm," the twins said in unison as Barf and Belch walked over. "Why wouldn't we eat the algae?" The twins mounted their Zippleback and flew off.
"Uh, Hiccup!" Astrid called. "You might want to see this." The rest of the group turned to look where Astrid was looking.
Out on the sea, heading towards the island were four more ships.
"Uh, Hiccup," Fishlegs called. "You might want to see this too." Indi turned and saw three more ships.
"Ah, I don't understand," Snotlout said. "I thought Heather and Viggo were coming alone."
"They were," Indi said.
"Which means there probably not coming at all," Hiccup said. Several fireballs leaped from the ship and flew at the riders.
"Everyone, look out!" Hiccup yelled. the riders quickly mounted their dragons and took flight. Indi dropped to the ground, and a fireball raced right through the space his head was previously occupying and hit the ground right behind him, exploding.
Indi looked at the flames, before scrambling to his feet. Hearing a squawk, he looked skyward and saw Stormfly and Astrid flying down to him. Indi jumped into the air and felt the Deadly Nadder's talons lock onto his arm. He was pulled into the air as a fireball landed just beneath him.
"Thanks," Indi said as he settled down behind Astrid.
"No problem," the blonde shieldmaiden said. "Now, let's go take out some dragon hunters."
"With pleasure," Indi said, grinning evilly.
The trio met up with Hiccup, Snotlout, and Fishlegs, the other males on their respective dragons. Below them was the fleet of dragon hunter ships.
The hunters on the ships released a volley of arrows. Stormfly dove to avoid the projectiles, and the other dragons did the same.
"I hate these guys!" Indi exclaimed as he hung on to Astrid.
"You and me both."
Suddenly, a Zippleback raced by, the twins yelling as a glowing-blue dragon followed them. Indi would have sworn that the twins had smeared the glowing algae all over their faces.
"Well, not exactly the way I would have done it," Hiccup said. "But that's one way to go."
The Zippleback pulled a loop, the Flightmare following close behind, leaving a stream of blue mist in its path. More arrows and a few boulders flew into the sky, missing their targets.
Hiccup sent Toothless down, Stormfly following. Indi grinned maniacally as Toothless shot a plasma bolt at a ship, and Stormfly shot a jet of super-heated flame at an adjacent vessel.
Indi felt a stray arrow connect with his right shoulder in a place where his armor did not protect. He hissed as he slipped from Stormfly's back, plummeting into the ocean. The cold seawater stung his wound, and he felt a set of talons scoop him up. He spluttered and coughed.
"Indi, are you alright?!" Astrid yelled, a worried tone in her voice.
"Define alright?" Indi groaned.
"Hiccup!' Astrid yelled as she guided Stormfly up next to the Night Fury. "There's too many of them; Indi just got shot!"
"Is he alright?" Hiccup asked.
"I've been worse, guys," Indi said. "Really. Let's finish this." The twins and their dragon raced by, the glowing dragon still in pursuit.
"And the Flightmare really isn't helping," Fishlegs added.
Toothless shot at an incoming boulder, making the rock explode into pebbles.
"We'll be fine as long as we stay away from its mist," Hiccup said.
"Why?" Indi wondered aloud. "What happens if you touch it?"
"You freeze with fear instantly," Astrid said. Indi was skeptical, but, having no experience with Flightmares, he had to take Astrid's word for it.
"Hiccup, can't you tell it we're the good guys?" Tuffnut asked.
"Yeah, tell it to come in for the big win," Ruffnut added.
"You guys are brilliant!" Hiccup said.
"I don't know about brilliant," Tuffnut said. "but we do have a certain glow about us. get it? Because of our faces!"
"And the brilliance is short-lived," Indi muttered.
"Follow me!" Hiccup yelled, guiding Toothless into a dive towards the ships. The other dragons followed.
Several volleys of arrows flew at them from the ships, the dragons dodging them effortlessly. The twins passed around cloth bags of the algae water.
"So, this stuff makes the Flightmare glow?" Indi asked.
"Yeah," Astrid said. "Anything that ingests it glows.
Smirking, Indi opened up the bag and chugged the contents. Astrid only looked on in horror.
"Okay, now drop me into the water," Indi said. Astrid only stared at his mouth. "What?"
"You teeth are glowing," Astrid said blatantly as she guided Stormfly into a dive. Once the blue dragon was close to the water, Indi jumped in. He closed his eyes, and let the algae take effect. His eyes opened a moment later and he saw his skin glowing bright blue.
He slowly transformed and was pleased to see that the glowing effect remained. He swam through the water, using his him legs and tail for propulsion.
He swam over to a boat and placed his jaws on the wood, before crunching a hole into the wood. He swam to the surface for a breath and saw the boat start to sink.
All around him on the other boats, he saw the dragon riders throw the bags of algae at the hunters.
Indi turned to the boat next to him that he did not chomp, and heard Ryker's voice. The man was laughing.
"Oh, no! You got us!" The other men were laughing as well. "We surrender!" Indi snorted and looked to the sky, where a glowing blue dragon was diving silently from.
"Oh, hahaha!" Dagur said. "Good one, Rykey! Bring it on, Hiccup!" Indi saw the Bezerker kneel over, examining the algae. "Hey, this stuff is cool. It's shiny."
Suddenly, the Flightmare appeared and saw its food lying all over the decks of the ships. It promptly started to spray the hunters with its mist, making the men freeze.
Toothless appeared out of the darkness.
"Ryker, Dager," Hiccup said smartly. "Meet my friend, the Flightmare!"
Indi growled and climbed up onto the ship. Once on the deck, he zeroed in on Ryker and Dagur, before giving off a shrieking roar. He then ran across the ship and leaped towards another ship, diving into the hull, punching a gaping hole into the wood. He splashed into the water as the ship began to sink.
Indi shrank back to his human form and swam to the surface, where he waved into the air. Toothless dove to him, and hovered as he climbed behind hiccup.
"You got a little something... everywhere," Hiccup said.
"I know," Indi replied as he settled behind the one-legged Viking. Toothless shot into the air. Heather appeared, flying on Windshear, and pulled up next to the three males.
"I'm so sorry, Hiccup," She said, clearly distraught. "It was Viggo. He made me..."
"I know, I know," Hiccup said. "It's okay. We'll end this all."
"Where is this jerk now?" Indi growled.
"Still on his ship, I think," Heather said, pointing to a lone vessel.
Indi heard a desperate screech, and, using his superior vision, saw the dragon hunters throw a net over the Flightmare and place a metal muzzle over its head.
"Sorry," Heather said. "Not gonna happen!" The raven-haired girl sent her dragon into a steep dive at the ship with the Flightmare.
"Heather, no!" Hiccup yelled after her.
Suddenly, a net shot from the deck of a ship, trapping the silver dragon and its rider. Windshear went down, hitting the deck of the ship hard.
Toothless dove and Indi tensed the fingers on his left hand as he hung on to the saddle with his right. Claws slowly grew from his left fingers. Toothless dove to dodge the arrows that flew from the ships.
Indi slashed the few that came within reach into kindling.
"Astrid!" Hiccup yelled as the blonde female flew up next to them. "Keep trying for Heather! It's time Viggo and I were properly introduced." Toothless dove to the ship that Heather indicated, before landing cautiously. No one was on the ship.
"Where is he?" Hiccup wondered aloud.
Stormfly and Astrid landed on the ship. near the first mast.
"We didn't get Heather," Astrid said averting her eyes. "There were just too many of them."
"And the Flightmare," Indi asked.
"Gone," Astrid said regretfully.
"Viggo too," Hiccup added. "Astrid, this guy isn't messing around."
"No kidding."
"Our dragons may not be enough. We're gonna have to out think him, outsmart him somehow, or..."
"Heather and Windshear have no chance of-"
"Don't say it," Astrid said desperately. "Please, don't say it."
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