Just outside The Red Death's Territory
The group of owls have managed to get to The Red Death's territory without issue. Hicca looks around and what she sees is nothing but death and destruction. The group shivers from a cold breeze that passes them. From the back of the group Ruffnut says, "Man this place sucks." Her brother Tuffnut replies, "Looks like death here. This place really needs a pickup." Ash remains silent but does move up next to Hicca asking, "What is the plan?" She looks around then says, "We will need to split up into teams. We are too big a target together." Stormfly moves up saying, "That is not a bad idea Hicca. How will we do the teams?" Hicca looks at her friends for a few moments then says, "We will split into three teams."
Stepping up, Snotlout says, "I will be the team leader." The others look at him and wait. When Snotlout realizes that the others are looking at him expectantly. Snotlout demands, "What?" Hookfang answers, "We are waiting. You said you are the leader. So, what is the plan?" Snotlout studders, "I.. um.. Talk to Hicca. I need a minute to think." Before Hookfang could do anything Stormfly smacks Snotlout on the head who in turn to Stormfly in shock. Stormfly then says, "Next time keep your mouth shut." Snotlout just fumes in place while Ash shakes his head.
Everyone huddles together with Ash hanging back a few steps but is still able to hear. Hicca then says, "Stormfly, Hookfang and I will be team leaders." The others nod and Fishlegs asks, "Who will be with who?" Hicca thinks then Ash suggested, "How about Barf, Belch and Meatlug go with Hookfang. While Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Fishlegs go with Stormfly. Snotlout and I can go with Hicca." The group looks at Ash who shrinks then Stormfly says, "That is not a bad idea." Hookfang nods as well then, he says, "That way if anything goes wrong, we can cause a blow here and now. Gives everyone a chance to escape."
Ash is surprised by what the sibling says about his idea. Hicca nods then says, "Our mission is to get Toothless out. That is top priority and when we have Toothless, we signal to the others." Everyone agrees then turns back to the demolished lands before them. The sun sets a little more and Hicca says, "Let's use the darkness to our advantage." She waits another moment then she turns to her friends who are her family, "Let's get Toothless back." Stormfly nods her head, makes a few clicking sounds taking off with Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Fishlegs behind her. Hookfang waits a few moments until Stormfly's group is out of sight. He turns to Hicca and says, "Strong winds Hicca." Hicca replies, "And sharp talons Hookfang."
Hookfang takes off with Barf, Belch and Meatlug behind him. Hookfang's group heads in a different direction than Stormfly's group. Snotlout, Ash and Hicca wait until Hookfang is out of sight. Once they can no longer see the two groups they take off. The trio move as one through the shadows, avoiding being seen.
With Stormfly, Tuffnut, Ruffnut and Fishlegs
After flying for some time, the group lands on a ledge and looks around. Fishlegs looks to see a pair of armored owls carrying something. He gets the others' attention with Tuff asking quietly, "What are they carrying?" The answer becomes clear when they drop the bloodied body of Stoick to the ground. Stormfly is in shock while Fishlegs looks away trying not to throw up. The twins are also discussed but manage to keep it cool. Stormfly says, "Question is who killed Stoick?" They wait until the armored owls leave and in this moment they fly down to look at Stoick's body. Fishless goes over to examine Stoick and he quickly finds slash marks on his throat.
Fishlegs turns to Stormfly, "He was killed by talons." Stormfly nods then says, "Hicca will be happy she no longer has to worry about him. He had this coming for a long time." Fishlegs nods as do the twins and before they take off Tuff says, "Look a cage is here too." They all look, and they all can see that there is something or someone inside it. Stormfly moves up saying Ruff, Tuff watch our backs. Fishlegs, let's see who it is." Ruffnut and Tuffnut turn their backs to the cage while Stormfly and Fishlegs get closer. When the pair gets close they can see a very weak owl inside. Fishlegs then says, "They are alive." Without a second thought Stormfly breaks the locks to the cage open. Once open the pair pull the injured owl out and into the light. When they step back they freeze in place of who they see. Stormfly says, "It's you." Fishlegs get to work to see what the damage is.
With Hookfang, Barf, Belch and Meatlug
Hookfang leads his group to a cliffside with many cave openings and a few armored owls guarding some of the caves. They land above the caves and onto a small slab of rock flats. Hookfang looks around then sees an unguarded cave entrance. He turns to the others, nods his head and silently dives down into the cave. The others take turns diving down and follow after Hookfang. When they land and look around, they find so many cells with owls inside. Meatlug looks at all of the owls and says, "They all are mad. Every single one of these owls can't be saved."
At this moment an owl in a nearby cage lunges forward, scaring everyone. They watch as this owl bites the cage bars and even turns to biting its own leg. Barf says, "This is disgusting." Belch then says, "Why keep them alive?" Meatlug answers, "They are mindless weapons. They will attack anything, even each other. These owls are nothing more than killing machines now." Hookfang remains still then says, "We can't do anything for them. Let's keep going." The group keeps moving forward for a while. Suddenly Hookfang stops, quickly saying, "Quick hide." Everyone jumps up and hides in the shadows as two armored owls walk dragging items behind them. One of them says, "Finally done making this stuff for Night Fury."
The name Night Fury got the group's attention, so they listened in even more. The other owl nods then says, "Yes. Now our Queen has her weapon, nothing can or will stop her." The group look at each other confused as to who or what Night Fury is. The second owl says, "Night Fury is the most dangerous fighter. Even though he is missing a wing and talons he still manages to fight and even kill his opponents." The group look at each other realizing that they have a way to find Toothless. Barf and Belch begin to climb along the walls very quietly. Hookfang and Meatlug follow on the ground but stick to the shadows as best they can. Barf and Belch jump from one spot to another while Hookfang and Meatlug move silently. Barf and Belch each find a place to watch from above and are well out of sight. Hookfang and Meatlug hide behind some large stones.
When the two friends look around the stone, they see the tyrant herself sitting on her throne. Hookfang and Meatlug manage to get a few steps closer. They hear the tyrant say, "I am so close to getting what I want. I can taste it." She muses to herself then she says, "Night Fury are you ready?" A voice the group knows very well is heard, "After tonight Haven will be yours my Queen." The group try to lean closer and they see Toothless with armor on. Much like the other owls in this place. His prosthetic wing looks to have razor sharp feathers, and his prosthetic talons look razor sharp.
What the group can see is that Toothless is fine, but he does not look right. Meatlug nudges Hookfang and they start to move back away from the stone walls. However, before they could alert Barf and Belch they are stopped by several armored owls. Behind them The Red Death says, "Look who we have. A bunch of spies." Toothless stands next to her wings out and talons spread out ready to strike. Hookfang and Meatlug know they are in deep trouble.
With Hicca, Ash, and Snotlout
The trio have found a cave filled with many bones, some old, some new and many are broken. They look around trying to find out what this place is. Snotlout pushes some bones out of the way only to jump back when a rat jumps out. Both Hicca and Ash chuckle at Snotlout who grumbles. Ash then says, "Keep it down otherwise we will be found." Hicca nods, then turns to Ash and asks, "How do you know this place, Ash?" Ash goes silent and before he could answer they hear screeching. They look at each other then take off. Hicca and Snotlout get ahead while Ash hangs back.
Both Hicca and Snotlout burst into the large chamber where they see Hookfang and Meatlug being held down. So, in the moment both Hicca and Snotlout dive down to throw the armored owls holding the pair down. Once the two armored owls have been thrown off both Hookfang and Meatlug join the fight. More armored owls pour in but many are surprised by Barf and Belch diving in and taking many out. Hicca moves to lock talons with the next owl. She does lock talons but Hicca realizes she has locked talons with Toothless. In her shocked state Toothless throws her to the ground crashing into her friends who have grouped up.
When she landed on them the fighting had stopped and now, they are surrounded with Toothless leading the attack. Hicca looks at Toothless, "Tooth? What are you doing?" Night Fury answers, "My name is not Toothless. My name is Night Fury." Hicca can see that this is not her Toothless as he sounds off. She turns to The Red Death, demanding, "What have you done to him?!" She answers happily, "He is my weapon. He belongs to me now." Hicca responds, "He is not yours you tyrant!" The Red Death shrugs then she looks up past the group. She then says, "You have done well. For a moment I was worried I would have to kill you."
Hicca and the group turn around to see Ash walking past them and joining the ranks of the armored owls. Hicca glares then in anger she shouts, "I KNEW YOU WERE THE TRAITOR! YOU BASTARD!" Hookfang and Meatlug hold her back. Ash refuses to look at the group and sinks to the ground even more. The Red Death chuckles and says, "When will you learn there is no such thing as loyalty." Hicca is seething in rage. Night Fury asks, "My Queen, where do you want done with them?"
The Red Death pretends to think for a moment then says, "To the cells. When the first light rises, they all die." Night Fury screeches and the armored owls drag the group away. Hicca yells, "Next time our paths cross Ash mark my words I will kill you!" Ash hangs his head in shame then turns to The Red Death and bows. Night Fury bows as well. The Red Death says, "Make sure they don't escape. I want to make them an example. Leave Hicca alive. I will end her at Haven. She will watch her friends die." Night Fury and Ash answer together, "It will be done my Queen." She dismissed the pair who promptly fly away. Ash heads away from the area only to be grabbed and thrown to the ground.
When he turns around to fight back, talons grip his throat. Ash stops when he sees who it is as a female voice says, "Give me one good reason to not kill you right here and now." Ash answers, "They will die at first light and Hicca will die at Haven." The talons remain in place then the female voice says, "I should kill you for what you have done." Ash nods, "You should." The talons let him go and he falls to the ground. He looks up to see the talons being raised up to strike. He closes his eyes and waits for the talons to come down. The sharp talons come down hard and fast then stop when they come down.
Auther's Notes: Look at that posting on time this time. I am happy with myself. Anyways, I do hope everyone who reads and follows are still enjoying this crazy tale. I could not help myself with leaving this chapter on a cliffhanger. Adding a disclaimer nothing in this fanfiction is mine all rights to character's that I am writing about goes to the original owners. I would like to again thank everyone who does read and follow you guys are still awesome. I am thankful and grateful to everyone. I also will say that next week is Thanksgiving so I may be late posting on Friday. So, if I am able to post on Friday I will but if not, there will be a post on Saturday. I wish everyone a wonderful day/night and happy holidays.