The Red Death's Lair

The Red Death sits on her throne of bones, death and stone. She looks down at the bounty her slaves have given her. As she looks at what her slaves have brought her, she is very pleased by what she sees. However, when The Red Death looks over to the last owl in line she is not happy. She can see this one has brought very little and because they brought so little the owl's head is facing down low.

Already knowing his fate and is just waiting. The Red Death walks over to the owl who is now trembling in fear. She scraped her razor-sharp talons on the stone to cause even more fear. The owl trembles even more and when they look up at The Red Death all they can see is she looks down in pity. The Red Death takes her wing and brushes the owl's head gently and says, "You had such promise. But you failed me in this."

Before the owl could blink, The Red Death slashed the owl's throat out. The owl drops dead and is now being dragged away. The other owls in line flinch, "I don't give second chances." The Red Death states then goes back to her throne. She turns and says, "I will feed, my elites feed and then you feed. You all can have our scraps. Now get lost." The owl's scrambling as fast as they can. Some stepped on each other. The Red Death demands, "Has she broken yet?" Stoick steps forward, "No my Queen. But she will soon." The Red Death nods and says, "See to it that it is. I want Haven." Stoick nods his head then he says, "Don't worry. She will break. I have a few more tricks to use."

The Red Death smirks and says, "When you have the information, we need you will lead the charge one more. And when the siege is over and we have won you will rule Haven." Stoick smirks and bows his head, "Thank you. I won't fail you." Stoick says and backs away to the dungeons but The Red Death says, "When we have taken Haven over. Kill him as he will no longer be useful to me. Haven can only have one ruler." The Red Death lets out an evil laugh of insanity. The owl next to her bows his head and steps away from her.

Hicca and Toothless Nest

Hours have passed by and now the sun has set fully, and the moon slowly comes out for her nightly dance. Gobber and Gothi have been caught up on what has happened to the group. Gothi asks, "Do you know if Valka is alive still?" Hicca shakes her head then answers, "No. As much as she hurt me I don't want her to be in Stoick's claws." Toothless wraps his wing around her in comfort. Gobber says, "You have certainly made a name for yourself lass. I am so proud of you." Hicca smiles at him and when she looks at him again she says, "I can get you back in the air again Gobber. I got Toothless to fly again." Gobber smirks and says, "It would be nice to fly with you again. I miss flying with you." Hicca gets up and hops over to Gobber giving him a big hug.

Hicca hugs Gothi tightly who hugs her just as tight. Toothless watches the family and smiles, happy for his mate. His smile fades when his thoughts go to his first prison, The Red Death's nest. The sound of wings can be heard ending his thoughts. That causes everyone to look out of the hallow and dozens of owls are flying in one direction. Hicca looked to Toothless who nodded his head. Hicca strapped her talons back on and helped Toothless get his wing back on. Gobber asks, "What is happening?"

Toothless says, "Trouble. Stay here. I know you both can handle yourself but for Hicca's sake, please stay." Hicca looks to her prenatal figures, pleading with them who nod their heads. Hicca head bumps them in thanks. Hicca takes off followed by Toothless while Gobber and Gothi stay in the hallow they do watch from the entrance. They can see that a group of owls is coming to Haven from a distance but can't see who they are. They are surprised when Hicca and Toothless take the lead with their friends slightly behind them. They watch as the two groups come to a stop, and they can see that they are talking but since they are too far away. Neither one can make out what is truly going on.

Gothi asks, "What do you think is going on right now?" Gobber shrugs and says, "I am not sure but by the looks of it. Both are on edge and a fight may break out." Before either group could move the King along with Cloudjumper, they moved forward. Hicca's group moves back some but Hicca and Toothless stay near Haven's ruler. Gobber says, "We will have to wait and see but now that I am looking at that owl, they look familiar." Gothi tries to look but she can't see it. The King makes a head jester and leaves with Hicca, Toothless, their friends and the new owl following the King. The other owls stay and watch waiting for orders. Gobber says, "They may be gone for a while. Let's get away from the entrance and wait for Hicca to return. Gothi takes one last look before following Gobber back inside.

Inside the King's Hallow

Inside the Hallow the King sits while Hicca finishes, "He can't be trusted your highness. I believe he is working for The Red Death." The King answers, "I understand but he states that he is not. Not every owl who comes from her nest are evil." The owl next to Hicca says, "Yeah runt. I am not working for her. I work for myself. No one rules me." The owl that came to Haven is none other than Ash and Hicca is not happy. Hicca hiss at him who in turn hisses back. The King stomps his foot, stopping both of them. They stop but continue to glare at each other. The King then says, "Ash and his band will remain here. They have a right to be here. You and your friends will be their guides." Hicca was about to protest but the King silenced her. Hicca drops her head while Ash chuckles and says, "Thank your majesty."

The King smiles and says, "Welcome to Haven. Please join the feast tonight to celebrate." Ash bows his head again saying, "Thank you again. We would be honored to join you." The King nods his head and Hicca leaves with the others behind her. Ash follows and says, "Listen runt you now have to obey me." Hicca turns, getting in his face which surprised him, "No. YOU listen to ME. I will NOT be obeying you in any way. Orders are to guide you around until you get your bearings. I am doing this because the King told me too, not because I want to."

Ash was about to say something else but that is when the others in the group came forward. Hookfang says, "We don't trust you. Hicca can still rip you apart." Stormfly also says, "You are nothing but a bully. We will never be friends, Ash. You are not a warrior. You will never be one." The two sets of twins in unison say, "If Hicca does nothing to you. Then we will." Ash moves away from them only to bump into Toothless. Ash quickly turned around only to be grabbed by the throat. Toothless stairs him in the eyes then says in a deadly voice, "This is not Berk. Even if the King accepts you here we won't. But unlike you we won't go out of our way to bully you."

Ash for the first time is trembling in fear and tries but can't move. Toothless tightens his grip then says, "You so much as step a talon or a feather out of line I will drop you on the rocks and leave you to die." Ash gulps and when Toothless let's go Ash had to flap a few times to stabilize again. When he looks to see the group leaving him. The only ones to stay back are Meatlug, Fishlegs and Snotlout. Snotlout says, "I may have been a jerk to Hicca, but she has my respect and I will stand by her side any day."

Meatlug answers, "You are still a jerk Snotlout, but you are loyal to all of us." Fishlegs nods in agreement and says, "The guest Hallow is near the feasting table. We will show you that if you want." Ash nods his head silently and follows the trio when they take off. Ash keeps his head down and when he rejoins his group they are all itching to fight. But when he tells them that no fighting will happen the group is disappointed but listens to him. Everything goes back to normal and when it is time for the feast to begin Hicca leads the group. When Ash and his gang land and settle he watches Hicca leave and when she returns without her battle talons. His eyes widen when he realizes that she is missing her leg. When Hicca catches him staring she hisses at him. Ash quickly looks away.

The owl next to him quietly asks, "What is the plan?" Ash answers, "Keep it low. We need to make sure they don't know what we are really doing." The owl next to him nods and says, "Yes sir." Ash eats along with his gang. Hicca watches them still not trusting them but for now her words are ignored unless she proves that Ash is a traitor.

Auther's Notes: Today has been busy. So, I apologize for posting this chapter so late in the day. But now I will say that Fighting for Freedom is coming to an end soon. I have had funny writing this crazy tale and I still hope everyone who stops by to read enjoys this crazy tale. Thank you everyone and please have a wonderful day/night.

One last thing, declaimer none of the characters in this story are mine.