Greetings, from Planet Insanity (also known as "the inside of my head"). I have a great idea for this story and will be implementing it shortly. the next few chapters will be getting really dark.
Astrid looked around expectantly, before her eyes landed on the twins.
"Don't look at us," Tuffnut said defensively.
Astrid's eyes turned to the youth who was standing in the middle of the arena, partially covered in green slime.
"Don't ask," Indi growled. "Just do not ask." Astrid smiled and walked over, wiping a smear of gel from Indi's face.
"What were you doing?"
"We were training," Indi said, before looking at the two younglings. "Or at least trying to."
Astrid looked around. "Well, I don't need to ask how it went."
At that moment the always the late and heavy sleeper known among the base as Brynn walked up to the arena, her hair disheveled in a mess of bedhead.
"Hello, everyone," she said before yawning, stretching her arms over her head and arching her back. She looked around. "Indi, what did you do?"
"I didn't do it," Indi snarled, baring his teeth. "It was the two unruly hellions."
"The twins?"
"No!" Indi yelled. "The other two unruly hellions!" He shook his head, before turning back to Astrid. "Can you help me?"
"Sure," Astrid said. "First, a bond of trust has to be established. Show them that you won't hurt them."
"Done," Indi said. "I saved them from a dragon hunter who was attacking them."
Astrid chuckled. "Next, you need to give them a command. If they perform the action correctly, you reward them."
"So, something like..." Indi said, tapping his chin. He chirped, pointing at Snotlout. The male screamed in a very un-manly fashion as the younglings darted forward, chasing him.
"No! Bad baby dragons!" Snotlout yelled as he ran. "Ow! Bad dragons!" He dove into an empty barrel, as where he breathed a sigh of relief as the baby scratched at the wood.
Indi whistled Copal and Emerald back over to where he was standing, where they were rewarded with fish.
For the rest of the day, Indi, with some helpful tips from Astrid, trained the Indominus Furies.
Hiccup returned at nightfall. Indi noticed the pensive look on his face. As Astrid stepped forward, Indi lay a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"He's been through something," Indi muttered, watching the one-legged male walk away into the darkness, the black dragon following him. "Let him deal with it on his own terms." Astrid opened her mouth to contradict him, but Indi put a finger on her lips.
The next day, Elsa approached Indi with a request. Indi nodded, and promised to talk to Astrid about it. He promptly went to the shieldmaiden's hut, where she and Brynn were talking about "womanly-things" that bored Indi to no end and sharpening their weapons. He knocked on the doorframe, getting their attention.
"Ah, Indi," Astrid said. "Come in, don't be a stranger." Indi entered and rocked on his heels. This was extremely awkward, considering their relationship.
"Ah-Astrid, Elsa was wondering if we can take-er-borrow Stormfly."
"For what?" Astrid said as she dragged the stone over the blade of her axe, making a gritty scraping sound that made Indi wince.
"She wants to visit some of her kingdom's allies," he said. "Make sure our ties with them are still good."
"How long will you be gone?"
"A few days. Not more than four."
"Sure," Astrid said. "Just take good care of my dragon." Indi smiled and nodded his thanks.
Some time later, Astrid was getting Stormfly ready. Indi and Elsa walked up to the stables, where they saw the blue dragon. Stormfly squawked and pranced over.
"Hey there, pretty girl," Indi said, petting the blue snout that was shoved his way. "You have the map, Elsa?"
"Yes," the queen said, patting the sack that was slung over her shoulder. She was dressed in royal attire that was traditionally used for riding horses, but it seemed to serve well enough for dragons. They both wore harnesses that Hiccup designed to hold them on the saddle.
"Alright, Indi," Astrid said. "She's all yours."
Indi stepped up into the saddle and reached down to Elsa. She took his hand and he pulled her up behind him. As she settled into the saddle, Stormfly squawked. A screech caught his parental ears, and Indi turned to see Emerald and Copal flying over to them from his hut.
"I guess they are coming with us," Indi said, shrugging his shoulder
"Is that good for them?" Elsa said. "They are still young."
"Baby dragons have remarkably strong wings for their size," Hiccup said as he walked over. "They'll be fine."
Indi nodded and leaned down to Stormfly. "Go, Stormfly." The blue dragon ran forward, and leaped from the edge of the stables' landing platform. She flapped her wings, gaining altitude. Indi felt Elsa's arms tighten around his torso. "Hold on, girl." The blue dragon complied, and came to a hover. Indi whistled, calling his younglings, who ran at full speed, flapping their wings until they took off. Once they came to hover next to Stormfly, Indi urged the blue dragon onwards, steering her south.
They flew all day and into the night. Indi was constantly aware of the younglings energy level. Instead of flapping like mad to stay aloft, Stormfly taught them to glide, conserving their energy.
As the sun went over the horizon to their right, Elsa leaned into Indi. Indi smiled, pressing back against his human companion.
After an unknown number of hours, a collection of light appeared on the horizon.
"Elsa," Indi said. After not receiving an answer, Indi looked behind him and saw Elsa's face, sleeping peacefully. He reached behind him and shook her shoulder. "Elsa." Elsa woke slowly, before gasping and waking with a start. Indi reached back with one arm and grabbed onto her hip to keep her from tipping over.
"Did I fall asleep?" Elsa sked.
"Yeah," Indi said, laughing. "On a dragon. Mid-flight, no less."
Elsa's face started to heat up, before changing the subject. "Why did you wake me?"
"There's Corona," Indi said, pointing. "Dead ahead." Elsa looked, and true to Indi's word, there was Corona, sitting on the horizon, a beacon for weary travelers. Indi guided Stormfly in, flying over the city, using the darkness as cover as best they could. Looking down, there seemed to be some sort of party going on all over the city.
Gliding over the courtyard, Indi saw the king and queen standing, talking to some people that he did not recognize. Indi made a chittering noise that lowered in pitch before giving a command "Down, Stormfly."
"Indi," Elsa said, grabbing onto his shoulders. "Do you think that we should land there?"
"Yeah, it will be fine," Indi said. "Hopefully..."
Stormfly spiraled down into the light, making people scream and scramble out of the way. She touched down with a light thud in front of Corona's royals, accompanied by the younglings. Indi and Elsa unclipped their straps and Stormfly shifted her weight, before squatting down, allowing her to passengers to dismount.
"Your Majesties," Indi said as he strode over confidently, before bowing.
"Sir Indi," Queen Primrose said. "It's good to see you."
"May I present to you," Indi said, before sidestepping, revealing the platinum blonde female behind him. "Queen Elsa of the kingdom of Arendelle."
"Queen Elsa," King Thomas said. "Welcome to Corona."
"It's truly a pleasure to be here," Elsa said, performing a small textbook curtsy. "And I apologize for the abrupt entrance. This was a mostly unplanned visit."
"Oh, the pleasure's all ours," Queen Primrose said, before tilting her head at Indi. "Though it seems like every time Sir Indi comes, there's a small panic." Elsa turned to look at the male curiously.
"That was not my fault," Indi said defensively, raising a finger. "You should try controlling four carnivores, one of whom is forty feet long." Elsa simply smiled and shook her head.
Indi looked around. "If I may be so bold as to ask, Queen Primrose, but where is your daughter?" As if on cue, a high-pitched squeal sounded about the doorway. Indi looked to see a young woman wearing a bright green dress and a head of seventy feet of golden hair. "Uh-" The female charged him, and Indi was promptly attacked in a fierce bear-hug.
"Indi!"
"Rapunzel?!" Indi shouted, completely confused. The female released him, and Indi saw that it was indeed Princess Rapunzel. "You... ah... look good. Different."
Rapunzel laughed. "Yes, I know." She gestured to her hair. "This just grew back today." Indi's eyes widened. "It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you again as well."
Rapunzel looked around Indi and saw her cousin. "Elsa!" She darted around Indi and embraced her cousin.
"I haven't seen you since my coronation," Elsa said, her face beaming.
Indi walked back to Stormfly and gave her flank a pat, knowing that she did not like to be left out. Looking around, Indi saw that they were being watched by many people, and some looked to be important foreign officials. Some whispered among themselves, glancing and pointing at the new arrivals.
"How are things with the new residents in Arendelle?" Rapunzel asked.
"Oh, they are doing well, for the most part," Elsa said. "I take it that Indi told you about them?"
"Yes, he did."
Stormfly chirped, turned her head, and began preening underneath her wing, using her beak to remove any dirt or grime.
"And who's this?" Rapunzel said, walking around Elsa and making her way over to the blue dragon. Stormfly jerked her head up and looked down at the young female.
"This is Stormfly," Indi said. "And these two little monsters are Emerald and Copal." The "little monsters" yawned, flashing their little teeth. They blinked their eyes, which were starting to glaze over with lethargy. Stormfly shook her head and flexed her spines erect.
"Are they all yours?" Queen Primrose asked.
"No, just these two." Indi gestured to the two Indominus Furies. "Stormfly's rider is a good friend of mine, who said we could borrow her to come visit."
After a lull in the conversation, Elsa spoke. "Well, don't let us stop you from celebrating." Slowly, the people milled about and the celebration continued, though with slightly less vigor that before.
Elsa continued to talk with King Thomas and Queen Primrose about politics and Indi led Stormfly, Emerald, and Copal off to the side near the wall, where they all sat down.
Indi watched as the people milled about, some coming to observe the dragons with some form of emotion: some with fear, others with curiosity, and others still with contempt.
After some time, Rapunzel came over to him.
"Hello," Indi said. Rapunzel nodded and sat down next to him.
"So where did you two come from?" She asked. "Where did you get dragons? The last time you were here, you had dinosaurs." So Indi divulged her into a highly shortened version of his time with the dragon riders. Once he had finished, Rapunzel spoke for the first time since he began his tale.
"So there are these people that go around, capturing dragons?"
Indi nodded. "Yes. We are doing our best to stop them and free every dragon." Stormfly squawked in agreement. "We haven't seen anything about them in a while, but they could turn up at any time." Rapunzel hummed in agreement.
The next day, shortly after breakfast, Rapunzel came to Indi with a request. Indi said it was "a fabulous idea", but they should asked her parents about it first. Rapunzel wrapped her hand around Indi's wrist and dragged him through the castle to the throne room, where the king and queen were sitting, talking to their advisors.
When the royals spotted him, Indi did his best to give a quick bow, but Rapunzel made it somewhat difficult. Queen Primrose gave him a forgiving smile.
"Mother, father," Rapunzel said. "I would like to go on a dragon ride with Sir Indi Rex."
King Thomas' mouth hit the floor and Queen Primrose's eyes widened.
King Thomas spoke first. "That is far too dangerous. I'm afraid, Rapunzel, that I cannot allow this."
Rapunzel's previously smiling face fell with disappointment. "But..."
"Rapunzel," the king continued. "From what I could tell, this is nothing like riding a horse."
"Actually," Indi said. "It's surprisingly similar to riding a horse... aside from being in the air."
At King Thomas' smile of success, Indi continued. "But that factor is removed with certain precautions."
"What sort of precautions?" Queen Primrose asked.
"Well, for example, a safety harnesses. My friend, who rides one of the fastest dragons known, invented them. They clip onto the saddle and hold you there for safety."
"Could you show us?"
Indi nodded. "Of course." He turned and led the royals into the courtyard, where Stormfly was left for the night with Emerald and Copal.
As Indi entered the surrounded area outside of the castle, he saw Stormfly perched on the top of the wall. The young Indominus Furies sat in the shade near the wall, resting.
"Stormfly!" Indi called. "Here, girl!" The Deadly Nadder glided down, and landed in front of him, nuzzling the mutant affectionately. "You wanna go for a ride?" Stormfly ran around celebratorily.
Indi laughed and waited for her to stand in front of him once more. He took a harness out of the saddlebag and put it on. He then climbed on and clipped the straps onto the saddle. "Go, Stormfly!"
The dragon squawked, and leaped into the air, flapping her wings. Indi gripped the handles on the saddle as Stormfly flew, banking into a turn. They were soon joined by Emerald and Copal. She flew around the castle in a spiral, going higher and higher with each turn.
Down in the courtyard, Elsa walked out to see a large shadow pass over the ground. Looking around, she saw the Coronan royal family watching something up in the sky. Turning her head to face the blue sky, Elsa saw Stormfly flying around the castle, accompanied by the two young Indominus Furies.
At the height of their climb, at the top of the castle, Indi leaned forward, urging the dragon into a dive. Stormfly squawked and raced down to the courtyard, Emerald and Copal following enthusiastically.
Indi yelled with excitement as Stormfly pulled up, going into a spiral. "Alright, girl." Stormfly slowed down, coming to a hover. Indi guided her back to the courtyard, where they landed with a slow, controlled descent.
"See?" Indi said, looking down at the royals. "Oh, hello, Queen Elsa. Good morning."
"Good morning, Sir Indi," Elsa said.
"Well, the straps seem to work well enough," Queen Primrose said as she strode up to the dragon. She reached out to the dragon, then paused, looking to Indi. Indi nodded, and the queen gently pet Stormfly's flank. "And your dragon seems friendly enough." Rapunzel looked hopeful at this. "I agree. Rapunzel has my permission to ride with you, Sir Indi." King Thomas nodded, though it seemed a bit reluctant. Rapunzel squealed in excitement, and ran to hug her mother and father.
"Go and put on some riding clothes," Indi said.
Elsa stepped forward and put a hand on her cousin's shoulder. "I also think you should tie back your hair. It's easy for it to get tangled when flying. I learned that the hard way."
Rapunzel looked to Indi, who nodded. "We'll wait for you. We've got all day." Rapunzel smiled and nodded, before running back into the castle. Indi dismounted, scratching Stormfly just beneath her chin, making her close her eyes with bliss.
A half hour later, Rapunzel reappeared, wearing a brown leather riding outfit and her hair tied back in a thick braid that went down to her ankles.
Indi handed her a safety harness and instructed her how to put it on. Once she was all set, Indi climbed on Stormfly and pulled her up with. He clipped himself onto the saddle, and did the same to Rapunzel. Rapunzel also had an extra set of straps, as an additional precaution, that would connect her directly to the person in front.
"Where will you two be going?" Elsa sked.
"Oh, I don't know," Indi said. "Probably a few laps around the kingdom I suppose, then out to sea. We should be back by supper." Queen Primrose nodded, and stepped back. "Slowly, Stormfly. She's not experienced." Indi turned to Rapunzel. "You might want to hold on."
Stormfly extended her wings, and Rapunzel put her hands on Indi's shoulders. Stormfly flapped her wings with strong beats, and Rapunzel immediately wrapped her arms around Indi's torso. Indi grinned and guided Stormfly into the air. He whistled, and Emerald and Copal appeared on either side of them a moment later. Indi guided Stormfly over the towns, where many people looked up and pointed at the large blue dragon. Rapunzel waved down at them.
Indi turned his head. "Want to go up higher?" Rapunzel nodded, her face beaming. "Take us up, girl." Stormfly angled her wings and flapped several times, increasing altitude. "Out to sea, girl." Stormfly banked, taking her passengers out to sea.
"You want to do something crazy?" Indi said.
"Sure!" Rapunzel said.
"Then hang on," indi said. "Higher, Stormfly!" As the Deadly Nadder flapped her wings, Rapunzel's arms tightened around Indi's torso. Once they were as high as the North Mountain in Arendelle, Indi had Stormfly level out. Indi unclipped himself from the saddle, Rapunzel from him, and spun around to face the princess. "Okay, firstly, don't tell your parents."
"'Kay."
"Okay, now just unclip yourself." Rapunzel did this slowly as Indi placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just... try to keep yourself level. Come get us, Stormfly!" Indi leaned over, plummeting off their lofty perch, dragging Rapunzel with him.
Indi laughed maniacally, feeling the wind on his face. Through the wind, high pitched scream reached his ears. He looked at Rapunzel, who was displaying extreme terror. He angled himself to be parallel to the ground and grabbed Rapunzel's shoulders, and positioned her to face him. He gently shut her mouth with a gentle finger and pointed to her eyes, then to his own. Rapunzel stared at Indi's face with such intensity as it seemed that she was trying to see his very soul. Indi smiled gently, enticing a smile from the female. She began to laugh as the dragons appeared next to them, all in a vertical dive. Indi reached over a rubbed Stormfly's snout, and she responded by nudging him with a wing, making the mutant human spin like a top for a few seconds. Rapunzel laughed and Indi reached over and spun her. Indi reached out, stopping her rotations. He grabbed her wrist and grasped the saddle on Stormfly with the other. He pulled them all together, and quickly connected the straps to their rightful places.
"Alright, girls, pull up!" Stormfly, Copal, and Emerald all pulled out of the dive.
"That was amazing!" Rapunzel said.
"Indi smiled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." Indi guided Stormfly back to the castle.
The next day, Indi and Elsa were preparing to leave. "You should come back again," Rapunzel said, standing next to her parents.
"We'll do our best to," Elsa said.
"And perhaps next time we'll bring the dragon riders along with," Indi added as he climbed into Stormfly's saddle. Elsa climbed up behind him.
"Farewell, Queen Elsa, Sir Indi," King Thomas said.
Elsa smiled and nodded. "And the same to you and your kingdom, King Thomas."
"Goodbye, Emerald, Copal, and Stormfly," Rapunzel said. Stormfly squawked, shaking her head.
"Alright, Stormfly," Indi said. "Go!"
Stormfly flapped her wings and took off, leading Emerald and Copal out to sea, flying north.
After several hours of flying, Indi saw a ship on the horizon. Thinking nothing of it, he pressed forward. After a few more minutes of flying, Indi noticed the familiarity of the makeup of the ship. That was just before several green-tipped arrows flew by.
"Go around, Stormfly!"
"Why?" Elsa asked, worry lacing her voice. "What's going on?"
"That's a dragon hunter ship! Stormfly, spine shot!" The dragon complied to her friend's command and swung her tail, sending a volley of spines at the ship. The men on the ship retaliated, shooting several arrows at them.
"Fire, girl!" The blue dragon complied quickly, shooting the arrows with flames. "We have to get out of here!"
Elsa froze a spear in a sheet of ice and watched it tumble into the ocean. "No kidding."
Suddenly an arrow raced up to Indi. he had just enough time to see that the tip was not green, but purple, before it struck him in the chest.
"Oh, God! Indi!" Elsa shrieked. "Are you okay?!"
Indi reached up and pulled the arrow out, its tip red with blood. He turned to Elsa, his vision starting to blur. "Elsa, listen to me very carefully. Go back to the Edge, and keep my babies safe."
"Okay," Elsa said. "Why?"
Indi mouthed "I love you," before he teetered off of Stormfly's back, plummeting to the water below.
"Indi!" Elsa yelled as she watched the youth fall. Suddenly, a storm of arrows overtook them, and Stormfly veered off, flying away. Elsa looked back and saw Indi's body hit the water with a small splash.
Indi opened his eyes slowly, a terrible pain in his head. Looking around, he saw he was in a cell made of green metal. He looked around a feeling came over him. Any uneducated person would say it was the feeling of a prison. Indi had another name for it.
He was in Hell.