Hey guys. Sorry for the possible odd format. Been having technical difficulties.
Indi stood with his arms outstretched to the sides. Several assistants began strapping a chestplate to his torso. It fit snugly, the leather on the inside of the metal hugging him. The squires strapped leather and metal bracers onto his forearms. The outside of the bracers had a row of bladed metal spikes running down the middle. A set of shin guards were strapped onto his lower legs, and a set of metal-covered shoes were set before him. The toes of the shoes had sharpened claws, the innermost claw larger and raised slightly off the ground.
As he secured the shoes, he put on the set of gloves, the knuckles of which had a small claw on each that would be exposed every time he made a fist.
He grinned then grabbed his helmet, putting it beneath his arm. As he dismissed the attendants, the young knight looked out the window of his room and saw the several wooden cages being assembled.
He walked out of his room and shut the door. As he strode through the halls, he took notice of the visitors making way for him. No doubt they had heard of the coming battle at that point. A few who were beneath him in rank bowed. He nodded and shifted his helmet. As he passed by a mirror that was being moved into a room, he paused to look at himself. On his back were short fat spines, similar to those on the backs of Lapsus, Copal, and Emerald.
He strode down a set of stairs into a hallway. He slammed his palms against the doors, sending them flying open. He strode into the courtyard and took in what he saw. Velociraptors were being loaded into cages. Sleuther glided down from the roof, and landed in front of Indi. Sensing someone behind him, he turned to see Princess Rapunzel walking up to him, her parents behind her. As Indi began to bow, he was quickly embraced by the blonde princess.
"Stay safe," Rapunzel said.
"I'll do my best," Indi said, putting a hand on Rapunzel's back. As the princess pulled away, Indi heard Lacrima bark from her cage. "Are you girls ready to eat people?"
Venator cawed from her cage, to which Delta gave a rattling shriek. Blue tapped her sickle claws in anticipation.
A flash of amber hair caught his eyes. Indi looked to see Princess Anna walking towards him, being held by Kristoff.
Indi bowed gently. "Princess Anna."
"Sir Indi Rex," Anna said a quiver in her voice. "Is it true? What my sister told me?"
Indi nodded. "Unfortunately, yes."
Anna paled. "Don't worry, princess," Stoick said as Skullcrusher walked up behind him. "We shall avenge your honor. We Vikings of Berk do not take this sort of thing lightly."
As Indi climbed up onto the saddle on Sleuther, he saw Brynn climb on behind him.
She smirked. "Let's go kick some ass."
"Good luck, Sir Indi," Elsa said as she walked up to him. "Bring back the Duke of Weselton, if at all possible."
"I take it that means alive?" Indi asked. Elsa nodded curtly. "I'll do my best."
"As you always do."
Indi tapped his heels against Sleuther's sides, and the dragon raised his wings.
Brynn set her hands on Indi's shoulders, and Sleuther flapped his wings down. The rest of the dragons took flight, several of the dragons swooped down and grabbed a wooden cage.
As they flew, leading the way to the battle, the raptors dug their claws into the hard oak wood.
Indi grinned and wrapped his fingers around the handles on Sleuther's saddle. Reaching up, he set the helmet on his head, the visor covering his face. He snarled as Sleuther roared.
A lone man walked along the road. He strode along, draped in a cloak. As he made his way along, he watched as several large men who wore the pelts of reptiles walk into a brothel, several scantily clad women escorting them inside.
The man watched curiously for a moment, before pressing on. He watched a couple of children playing some game with wood marbles on the floor by the light of a lantern. As he stepped by them, he cleared his throat softly before tossing a pair of copper coins in their direction. The children said quiet thanks as the figure strode through the field of glowing light, before disappearing back into the darkness.
He saw a middle-aged women sitting on a rocking chair. Her clothes had a slight purple tinge to the cotton fabric. She sat, gently rocking herself with a foot, her hands busy with two long wooden needles as she wove yarn into a piece of fabric.
Walking up to her, the figure spoke, dipping his head low. "Excuse me." The woman looked up, a small smile appearing on her face. "Could you spare a drink of water for a weary traveler?"
"Of course, my good sir," the woman said as she set her knitting on the small table next to her. She rose daintily. "Please sit. I'll be back in just a moment." The figure nodded and gratefully sat in the chair.
As the woman went inside the house, the figure tipped his head at the sound of men yelling in hearty voices. He recognized the tone of the voices as giving orders.
After a few moments, the woman returned, carry a small pitcher and a cup. "My apologies for the wait."
"I insist," the figure said. "Do not worry yourself." The woman smiled and set the pitcher and cup on the small table. "May I have the honor of knowing your name?"
"Julia," she said.
As she poured the hooded man a drink, someone yelled from inside in a rather loud voice. "More mead!
Julia sighed as she handed the figure the cup. "Is everything, alright?" The figure asked, raising his head beneath the hood slightly to sip from the cup.
"It is not polite for a host to trouble her guests with her problems."
"Please," the figure said, reaching out, before gently taking the Julia's hand. "Perhaps I could help you."
"It's the Duke," she said. "We are being made to quarter some troops from up north."
"If I may ask," the figure said, "Who is 'we'?"
"The poorer and less fortunate families," she said. The sound of a wooden door slamming open shook the pair. Striding out of the house came a large man who wore the skins of reptiles.
"Woman, you come when we call!" the large man pulled back his hand, before swinging it at Julia. The hooded figure stood quickly, before pushing Julia behind him and catching the large man's arm before it could hit the small woman.
"Is there a problem?" the figure asked.
"Of course there is," the man said. "This woman is to entertain us. The Duke of Weselton has ordered it!"
Glancing behind him, the hooded figure saw Julia hanging her head in shame. Upon closer examination, the figure saw the dark circles under her eyes and the fading bruise on her cheek. "That is no reason to strike her. If you have a problem with her, you take it up with either the Duke or myself."
"Who are you anyway?" the dragon hunter said, reaching for the figure's hood. The figure reached up & slapped the man's hand away from the fabric.
"That is not for you to know," the figure said, reaching inside his cloak. He brought out a few coins and tossed them to the man. "For your troubles. Go buy you and your friends some mead at the tavern." The large man grunted, before trudging off.
The hooded figure sat back down in the chair and picked up his cup, sipping from the vessel calmly.
"You have my thanks," Julia said, dipping her head.
"It is not at all a problem," the figure said as he finished his drink.
"May I know who you are?" the woman asked.
The figure set down his cup. "You will know soon enough. When the fire flies in the sky, you shall see me again." Reaching inside his cloak, the man rooted around before pulling out some coins. As he dropped them into Julia's small hands, the little golden plates tinked against each other.
"You honor me," Julia said. As the figure rose, he took one of the small woman's hands and kissed it gently. Turning off once more, he strode into the dark.
The figure sat on the rim of a fountain. Reaching inside his cloak, he pulled out a candle and set it next to him. Glancing up, he took notice of a trio of soldiers striding past him. He folded his hands and bowed his head, waiting for them to pass.
As the soldiers marched by, the figure pulled out a piece of flint and a stone. Adjusting the flint in his hands slightly, he struck the stone, casting a small shower of sparks down into the candle. The wick glowed as the figure blew gently, before a small flame flickered to life.
As the figure stood and started to walk away, out of the sky shot a blue flash. The bolt struck the major joint of a catapult, causing a deafening explosion. As the fire glowed to orange and yellow, Sir Indi Rex removed his cloak and tossed it aside. Behind him, the arm and the bucket of the catapult fell with a fiery crash.
A silver plate flew from the sky, spinning down. Indi reached up and grabbed it, strapping the shield to his left arm. Drawing his sword, the flames glinted off his armor. He reached up and slid the half-visor of his helmet down, covering his brow in a row of sharp, metallic teeth.
He watched as soldiers and dragon hunters poured into the streets, shoving citizens aside. Overhead flew a dragon as black as pitch. The black dragon was followed by a larger and more menacing winged beast, which landed behind Indi.
"How you doing, Sleuther?" The dragon roared and shot a jet of fire at an advancing row of dragon hunters.
"Ready to kick some ass, Indi?" Brynn said from Sleuther's back.
Indi grinned and mounted the Triple Stryke. The dragon took flight, and Indi passed his sword back to Brynn. "Cover me, will you?" Brynn accepted the weapon, wrapping her fingers around the hilt. Indi had Sleuther glide over the Duke's large mansion, before coming to a hover, the dragon's wings beating rhythmically.
He cupped his hands around his mouth, and yelled "Duke of Weselton! Come on out, you coward!"
After a moment, the small weaseling man ran out of his estate, accompanied by a small squadron of guards. "Who are you?!" The small man yelled. "Why have you attacked my home?!"
"You are under arrest, by order of Queen Elsa. Come quietly, and I won't be forced to gut you and your men."
"Attack!" the small man shouted, pointing up at Sleuther. "Take that beast out of the air!"
As the soldiers loosed a volley of arrows, a jet of white flame shot from the left in front of Sleuther. A blue dragon covered in spines shot by as what was left of the arrows fell to the ground. Indi guided Sleuther into a dive. The dragon roared and lashed out with his tails, jabbing and stinging with the barbed ends, filling the targets with venom. From above Indi's head came two slightly deep roars, and two white dragons dove past, sinking their fangs into the flesh of men, carrying them into the air, before dropping the bleeding humans.
Indi barely felt a stray arrow slice his cheek, when he saw a soldier's sword swing up and graze Copal's leg. The Indominus Fury roared and wheeled around, sinking her fangs into the man's throat. After tearing away a hunk of flesh and blood, the dragon turned to Indi and rubbed her alpha. Indi felt a slight sting in his cheek as the dragon joined up with her sister once again, her leg brushing up against his cut. Ignoring the slight pain, he turned to see Fishlegs and Meatlug charging after a group of soldiers.
Indi cackled and grinned as the soldiers ran for the stables. After a few moments, Indi watched as a Monstrous Nightmare shot a stream of semi-liquid fire at the wooden structure, the red dragon's rider chanting "Hookfang! Hookfang! Oi! Oi! Oi!" The soldiers rode out of the stables, barely able to keep their mounts under control.
As a green dragon with two heads released a stream of green gas, Tuffnut shouted in glee. "I love the smell of Zippleback gas at night!"
"It smells of Vikingness!" Ruffnut shouted in agreement.
"Did someone order a large serving of destruction?" Tuffnut said as Belch ignited the gas. "Enjoy!"
The Zippleback and the twins flew up out of reach as the explosion lit the area in bright orange.
Heather flew by on Windshear, the silver dragon slashing at a large support beam with her tail, sending it crashing down onto a trio of dragon hunters.
A deep, gruff voice sounded out as Stoick the Vast, Chief of the Hairy Hooligans of Berk, raised his fists and charged into the battle beside his son Hiccup. Skullcrusher and Toothless released their respective fires, driving the soldiers on their horses towards the fields.
Indi guided Sleuther over a field of corn, and had him land on top of a hill on the opposite side of the field, where a large pile of wood was gathered.
"Go drive them this way," Indi said.
"I'm gonna love this part," Brynn said as Sleuther roared and flew off. Indi watched as the dragon flew over the heads of the soldiers on their horses. The horses whinnied and bucked in fright. As a blue Deadly Nadder flew overhead, making a beeline for Indi, Indi caught a glimpse of something in the field.
Stormfly squawked, before lighting the wood with her bright, near-white fire, the burning wood casting a flickering orange over the field, interlaced with thin, faint shadows.
Indi saw a collection of men, soldiers and dragon hunters, point over at him and march into the corn field. As they reached the center of the field, Indi saw several scaly heads pop up and started to make their way to the men.
He watched as Blue took down a hunter at the end of the group silently, simultaneously tackling the man into the ground and ripping out his throat.
From the opposite side, Venator copied the attack, her tail sticking up and swinging as she slashed the man's jugular with her claws. Charlie ran forward near silently and attacked a soldier, the human yelling in fear and pain.
Being attacked by seemingly invisible enemies, the humans in the field ran forward. As they neared Indi, Lacrima and Noctem each took down a man from the front of the group, one hunter and one soldier.
The group changed direction, running away from Indi, a vicious shriek sounded out as Echo leaped out of the field, her talons extended, before landing on a hunter, the sounds of her savaging the man rising past the screams.
Indi watched as Delta seemed to join the hunt, leaping into the air and driving her large sickle claws into the eyes of a hunter. The man toppled and screamed as the Velociraptor started to rip into him.
Indi strode into the field of death. As a man charged him, sword raised, Blue charged in between the two humans. The soldier sputtered, blood pouring from his mouth and throat as he fell.
As Indi made his way through the field, the raptors fell in on him. The remaining men ran from the field, before mounting their horses and fleeing back to the town.
Indi strode from the field, Blue and Lacrima on either side of him. As the pack strode through the streets, people ran from the beasts that had the blood of humans on their claws and teeth.
Indi strode to the Duke's estate, where the knight turned to wipe the blood from Noctem's mouth.
The sound of small, annoying footsteps caught his attention. He turned to see the Duke walking up to him, the small man's face red.
"Change your mind yet?" Indi asked. "Or do I need to kill more people."
Suddenly, a loud roar from above sounded out as Hookfang and Snotlout dove, the red Monstrous Nightmare grabbing the Duke in his foot claws, before carrying him off.
"That works to," Indi muttered.
"Snotlout! Snotlout! Oi! Oi! Oi!" the bulky Viking chanted, pumping his fist in the air as the Duke of Weaseltown screamed.
It was morning when the dragons landed, before they set the wooden cages down in the Velociraptor paddock. Owen and Barry were waiting, and received the raptors, before letting them out into the pen. The group took flight once again, before landing in the courtyard.
Indi and Brynn dismounted from Sleuther, and turned to the queen, who had been awaiting their arrival.
"Your Majesty," Indi said, giving a small bow.
"Sir Indi," Elsa said. "I trust you were successful."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Indi said.
"Where is the Duke?" Elsa asked.
From above, a voice yelled "Coming in hot, and blowing out snot!"
Looking up, the queen saw a large red dragon throw a small man into the fountain, where he made a sizeable splash.
"Q-Queen Elsa!" the Duke of Weselton said as he sputtered, spitting water from his mouth. "This is an outrage! This is grounds for war!"
Brynn reached into the fountain and dragged the small man out by the scruff of his neck, before tossing him to the ground.
Stoick grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and picked him up so that he was eye level with the Viking Chief. "You know what grounds for war is, little man? Conspiring and acting out a plan to rape the princess of one of our allies, as well as siding with and aiding our enemies. You are lucky I don't feed you to Skullcrusher right here, right now." Glancing over, Indi saw the large Rumblehorn licking his teeth with a forked tongue.
"Dad, put him down," Hiccup said. Stoick nodded and dropped the Duke of Weselton.
Elsa strode forward, Yeager at her heels, the baby animal oblivious to what was going on. "You are here to be tried for your crimes." The queen turned to Brynn. "Miss Tyrannus?"
"My queen?" The female mutant said, stepping forward.
"Take the Duke of Weaseltown to a cell," the queen said sternly.
"It's Weselton!" the Duke whined.
"Silence!" Elsa hissed, ice crystals creeping out from beneath her dress. She turned to address the group of Dragon Riders in a much more pleasant voice. "You are all dismissed. You may do whatever you please. I'm sure you would like a hot meal and some rest. The joint trial will be in two days. Sir Indi?"
"Your Majesty," Indi said.
"Come with me. We have things to discuss." Elsa turned and walked into the castle. Indi followed after her.
As they walked through the halls, Elsa slowly reached over to Indi and took his hand in hers. Indi raised his eyebrow and smiled.
"I'm glad you're safe," Elsa said softly.
"Did you think I would get hurt?"
"You've gotten hurt before, Indi," Elsa said. "Every time you leave, I worry."
"Well, I'm back safe & sound."
"Then what's this?" Elsa turned to face him and gently ran her thumb over the scratch on Indi's cheek.
"That's nothing," Indi said. "I'm fine." Elsa looked into Indi's eyes, before taking his hand once more. She led the young knight to her room. She ushered him inside, and shut the door softly.
She started helping him take off his armor, just until he was left in the plain shirt and pants.
Once he was free of the leather and metal, Indi put his hands on Elsa's hips. The queen smiled and put her hands on Indi's back, pulling him close.
"You miss me?" Indi asked.
"Mhmm," Elsa said, snuggling her face into Indi's neck.
"You know you have work, right, Your Highness?"
"That can wait," Elsa said as she pulled Indi to the bed. "I missed you last night."
"And I missed you," Indi said as he lay down next to Elsa. The queen pressed her forehead against Indi's and looked into his eyes softly.
Indi reached up and put a hand on Elsa's neck pulled her head close as he kissed her. Elsa closed her eyes and kissed Indi back, her tongue pushing inside his mouth.
Indi returned the gesture, putting a hand on the small of Elsa's back and pulling her close.
"We can do more tonight," Elsa said as she pulled away. "You get some rest. I'll come visit you when I can."
"Alright, my love," Indi said as he ran a hand lovingly over Elsa's arm. The queen rose and left the knight.
Indi gathered up his armor and went to his room.
He dropped the armor on the floor, before he flopped himself down on his bed in a similar fashion. Crawling under the blankets, he fell into a fitful sleep.
He woke up some time later. Looking out the window, he saw that the sun had just sank below the horizon. His door opened and Elsa stepped into the room, carrying a tray of food.
"I thought you'd might be hungry."
Indi smiled as he tossed the sheets off of him and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He made his way to Elsa and gently took the tray, before kissing the queen on her forehead. "Thank you, Elsa."
Indi set the tray on the nightstand, and felt Elsa's arms wrap around him from behind. "Well, you're being more affectionate that usual," the young knight remarked.
Elsa pulled away, her cheeks starting to blush. "Would you like to accompany me on a walk?"
"Of course," Indi said as he grabbed a small bowl of apple slices from the tray. Elsa smiled and led the knight from the room.
As the pair walked through the halls, Indi turned his head to look at the queen. "Where are Copa and Emerald?"
"They are with the other dragons," Elsa said. Indi bit into a slice of apple, and began chewing thoughtfully.
Indi thought for a moment as he chewed. "Where's Yeager?"
"With Anna," Elsa said. "I thought he could help my sister feel better."
"How is she?"
"We don't know," Elsa said. Indi was grateful that she seemed to grasps what he was hinting at. "We will find out in a couple weeks, when Anna is supposed to bleed." Somewhere in the distance, an animal roared, a deep, haunting sound that drifted over the town.
Indi sighed. "I should have been there sooner. I could have stopped it from happening."
"Indi, none of us knew what was happening," Elsa said. "We can't change the past, and we can only do our best to make the future better."
Indi nodded as he put another slice of apple into his mouth. He made a mental note that Elsa did not say that he was wrong.
"When is this trial?" Indi asked.
"I have it set for tomorrow at high noon. I'd like you to be there."
"Does this mean I have to wear formal clothes?"
"It wouldn't be proper if you didn't," Elsa said with a smile.
"What about the Vikings?"
"They aren't from here," Elsa said. "It would not be fair for me to hold them to the same standards and customs that I hold my own people to."
Indi groaned. As they passed a window, Elsa saw Judge James Richards, a brown-haired man who was slightly shorter than Indi, striding up to them. Elsa stopped and allowed the man to approach.
"Your Majesty, Sir Indi Rex," the judge said with a deep bow. "I apologize for disturbing your stroll, Your Majesty, but I must inquire about the trial."
"Of course," Elsa said. "Sir Indi, please leave us. I will send for you when I am able to." Indi nodded, bowed, and left.
As he walked through the castle, now alone, he looked outside as a Pteranodon flew by, a fish in its beak.
Indi went back to his room. He was in no mood to deal with anybody, or answer their questions about the battle.
He lied down & drifted to sleep. After some time, he woke to find Elsa creeping into his room. He smiled and moved over, and Elsa accepted the offered space. The queen crawled into the bed with the knight and put her arms around Indi's torso. Indi put his hands on her hips and pulled her close. After he kissed the queen goodnight, the pair fell asleep.
Indi woke to the sound of a Dimorphodon chirping on the rooftop. As he untangled himself from Elsa, he was hit with a wave of pain in his face. He groaned as he lifted the covers from his body, careful not to wake the lady sleeping with him. As he stumbled over to the mirror, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He looked at his face and yelled in shock.
Elsa sat up quickly, her fist cocked back, ice weaving around her hand. She saw Indi staring at himself in the mirror, frozen like a statue.
"Indi?" she said tentatively. "Are you alright?"
Indi stayed silent. Elsa gently climbed out of bed, and set a hand on Indi's shoulder. "Dear, what's wrong?"
"Elsa, my face..."
The queen gently turned the knight to face her. She looked at Indi's right cheek in horror, and she was sent reeling. Surrounding the scratch on Indi's face, trailing away like spider's silk, was small, white lines. The white lines traced the paths of his veins beneath his skin. The veins were white for about two centimeters in each direction, where they faded to the normal slightly-tanned skin that Indi had.
"What's going on?" Indi asked, his voice quivering ever so slightly.
Elsa immediately took the young male in her arms. "We'll figure it out, Indi. I'll send for the doctor after the trial."
Indi nodded slowly before speaking. "Can I sit with you during the trial?"
"Of course. I'm sure almost everyone knows about our relationship. I'll be back. Meet me at breakfast. Then you can walk with me to the courthouse," Elsa said, to which Indi nodded. "Wear something nice." Indi groaned, and Elsa smiled, before leaving the knight's room.
Indi went through his wardrobe to try to select a suitable outfit. Elsa had thankfully taken his distaste for "sophisticated formalities" in stride and allowed him to get dressed himself, instead of having servants assist him, like they did with the queen and princess.
Selecting a green suit, with gold embroidery, he quickly dressed himself. As he finished, he glanced at the shield at the foot of the bed. Making up his mind, he picked it up and put the strap around him. His face sent a jolt of pain through him as the strap brushed the scratch.
Gritting his teeth, he opened the door and found Elsa waiting. Giving her a once-over, he saw that she wore a light blue dress with white lace on the edges. Elsa's hair was tied back in a braided bun towards the rear of the top of her head. A pair of white lace gloves adorned her hands.
"You look lovely," Indi said.
"And you look positively charming," Elsa said. She took the knight's hand and the pair walked down to the royal family's private dining hall.
As the made their way through the halls, Indi heard the playful shriek of a Night Fury, coming from the courtyard.
As they entered the private dining hall, they saw Anna and Kristoff there as well. Glancing at the princess, Indi saw the dark circles under her eyes.
"Indi," Anna said as she rose, striding over to him. She immediately embraced him. "Thank you."
A loud roar came from outside. "Was Lapsus fed this morning?" Indi asked as Anna released him.
Elsa's brow creased. "She should have been. I haven't been notified of any shortages in her food supply."
"I'd better check it out," Indi said.
"Are you sure?" Elsa asked. "I can send someone to do it for you."
"No, that's ok," Indi said. "The last thing I need right now is a servant being eaten because Lapsus didn't get her breakfast."
"At least take something for yourself," Elsa said with an insisting tone.
"For you," Indi said as he took a small bun from the bowl on the table and took a small bite. Elsa smiled and Indi strode off.
As the door shut, Elsa sank down into her chair. She sighed, & rubbed the sleep from her eyes. First this business with Marquess Ceopic and the Duke of Weselton, the odd blemish that seemed to be an infection on Indi's cheek, and now the most dangerous animal in Arendelle did not get her morning meal. As she spread some jam on her bread, the blue dragon that belonged to the shieldmaiden Astrid shot by the window. Stormfly hovered in front of the window, and looked down. She opened her mouth and a piled of fish fell from her jaws. From the roof, Copal and Emerald darted down. They were soon followed by the Night Fury Toothless.
As Indi walked through the town, he noticed people looking towards the directed that the roars of an Indominus rex was roaring from. As he came to the pen that held the supply of goats that were used to feed Lapsus, Indi looked inside. He stopped in his tracks.
Every goat in the pen was slaughtered, blood and flesh lying in the morning sun. Large slashes in the fur revealing bright red muscle. He found a carcass that had most of the meat of it, and loaded it into the burlap sack that was hanging on a post nearby. As he carried the dead animal to Lapsus' pen, he heard her roar again.
"It's coming, girl!" he called. As he pushed the body of the goat into the pen through a small hatch, he looked at the goat pen. He noticed large, birdlike feet in the dirt, smaller than Lapsus' but bigger than those of a Velociraptor.