A/N: And here we are, the end of this story has FINALLY arrived. It's been a ride, but I'm eager to wrap it up!
(The Citadel)
The Dragonheart Alliance, the coalition between Hiccup's Viking kingdom and the foreign powers who he has managed to unite with his people, were making final preparations for the impending battle ahead of them. Hiccup stands in the throne room of Drago Bludvist, which is within the skull of the massive Foreverwing. Looking out to the horizon, Hiccup prepared himself for the fight ahead. Weeks of reports from his scouts and bloody skirmishes throughout a chain of islands and fjords led them to this Northern Alliance stronghold that was now under the control of the Dragonheart Alliance. The opportunity to finally be rid of Drago Bludvist and those who followed his mad cause was finally at hand. Hiccup knew that he'd be a fool not to capitalize on his enemy's vulnerability.
Because of the last wish he had made, the Northern Alliance was weakened further, and thanks to the well-coordinated attacks he and his allies had conducted over the weeks, Drago's forces were whittled down to nothing, now all that remained of the madman's regime were best, strongest, and most ruthless warriors under his banner. Even without the advantage of his subjugated Bewilderbeast and dragon army, Drago still held a significant number of Dragon Flyers riding armored Singetails and a new alpha dragon that Hiccup and his people had never seen before, yet could only call it for what it represented—Jörmungandr. The serpent-like dragon was unlike anything Hiccup had seen before, it was truly a force to be reckoned with, but during the skirmishes his alliance had conducted against what remained of Drago's army, he noted how the madman's son, Kjell, wielded a whip with a shard that pulsed and glowed, allowing him to control the dragon. What the shard was exactly is unknown, however, Hiccup knew that if that instrument of subjugation was removed from Kjell's hands, then his alliance had a better chance of securing victory.
Approaching footsteps caused Hiccup to turn around to see Astrid approaching. Clad in her ocean blue dragon-scaled armor, battle axe strapped to her back, and her riding helmet tucked underneath her left arm, she gave him a soft smile before standing by his side. "Today is the day," resting her head against his shoulder, she looked up at his face. "Glory or Valhalla."
Nodding, Hiccup murmured softly. "The day of days," nuzzling against her hair, he kissed her head. "Either way, this has to end. Drago, his son, and all who follow them both intend to wipe us out, take our dragons, and destroy the world as we know it."
"Hey, we have them dead to rights--"
"But we'd be fools to underestimate them," Hiccup said firmly. "The threat they pose is too great to take lightly. We have to make sure that the Northern Alliance and its leaders are gone, for good, this time."
Astrid, knowing full well her husband was not the man to walk the path that led to fierce bloodshed, understood his logic perfectly, and she agreed wholeheartedly. Drago had survived his defeat back on Old Berk, and last she checked, the madman didn't have gills when his Bewilderbeast retreated into the sea. If this threat was to be put down, they needed to ensure that it would never rise again.
"Then they'll fall, to the last man," Astrid assured her husband. "For the sake of our people, our home, the dragons, and our children."
Nodding, Hiccup's jaw clenched as he contemplated how much he had to lose if his enemies were able to do the unthinkable and salvage their defeat in one way shape or form. This would put Hiccup's ability to lead to the ultimate test, and he knew that he failed in the task of defending his people and kingdom in this final battle...
...failure simply wasn't an option. The Viking people weren't forgiving to failures and hardly ever compromised.
"I won't fail us, Milady. You have my oath," Hiccup said firmly. "We will succeed."
Before Astrid could respond, the doors to the chamber opened, revealing Stigandr of the Warborn Clan, and the Viking warlords. "King Hiccup. Queen Astrid," Stigandr bowed before speaking. "The enemy ships approach. Everyone is in position as ordered."
Astrid, who was not only Queen of Vikings, but General of the Dragonheart Alliance, grunted in acknowledgement. "Good. Get everyone into position," reaching for her axe, she grasped the weapon in her hands and gripped it tightly. "We finish this, for our lands, dragons, and loved ones."
"Yes, Lady Haddock."
The warlords said in unison before exiting the chambers. Hiccup and Astrid followed, only to be greeted by their fellow riders, who were armed and ready for this final confrontation with the enemy that was on the horizon. Walking side by side, Hiccup took a deep breath as he contemplated all of the adventures, battles, and circumstances he and his friends had faced together. It brought a smile to his face, and despite the possibility of dying, that wouldn't stop him from serving his people as King of Vikings.
What remained of the Northern Alliance fleet was now within range of ballista and catapult fire, and so when the horns sounded, the Vikings unleashed their surprise attack and held nothing back. The flaming boulders that were launched into the air, slammed into Drago's flagship, rattling the monstrous ship violently, and the ballistas struck down crewmen and the critical parts of the vessel alike.
With the element of surprise in their grasp, Hiccup turned to his fellow Riders of Berk. "Alright everyone, let's finish this." Raising Inferno aloft, he cried out. "Glory or Valhalla!"
"Glory or Valhalla!"
The riders soon took to the air, their dragons unleashing thunderous roars before flying towards the enemy vessels. Volley after volley of flaming boulders and arrows whizzed past the Riders of Berk as they personally led the charge onto Drago's warship.
"Fishlegs, you and Snotlout destroy the catapults," both men nodded and steered their dragons down to destroy the enemy artillery. "Ruff, Tuff, clear the deck. Thin their numbers!" The Twins let out cries of elation as they descended to the ship's deck, Belch unleashing thick clouds of mossy green gas before Belch ignited it, and an explosion sent a large portion of the deck up in flames. A sea of explosions followed when the combustible gas detonated barrels of black powder. As chaos reigned supreme on the deck of The Conqueror, the sudden, and familiar roars of Singetails filled the air.
"Dragon Flyers!" Snotlout cried out.
As the armored dragons and their oppressors, who rode them engaged the Vikings in battle, Fishlegs yelped when one of the fire blasts from a Singetail nearly took his head off. "Phew! I forgot how much I hate the Dragon Flyers!"
"Right?" Tuffnut barked out over the battle as he and Ruffnut steered their shared dragon away from a Flyer on their tail. "These guys almost give us a run for our money!"
Swatting away an incoming fireball with her axe, Astrid hissed as the heat wave kissed her skin, not enough to burn her, but enough to feel the heat. "They won't be around much longer to challenge us!" She replied.
"Don't count on it!"
A sudden plasma blast struck Stormfly in the side, the Deadly Nadder squawked out in agony, nearly bucking Astrid off of her back. Screaming, Astrid was able to grab onto one of Stormfly's legs, climbing back onto her dragon's back to see Kjell Bludvist, perched on his own Night Fury, who was clad in armor like all the subjugated dragons within the ranks of the Northern Alliance.
"Kjell," Astrid spat. "You and your father are going to die today, along with everyone else stupid enough to follow you. You might as well give up now."
Instead of replying, Kjell brandished his whip and whirled it overhead, the metal shard pulsed and glowed as the young Bludvist caught the end of his whip and pointed the shard at Astrid. With lightning speed, Jörmungandr burst from the water, its massive, serpentine frame met Astrid with wide jaws, ready to snap them shut and kill both the Queen of Vikings and her dragon with one powerful bite. Before it could go in for the kill, a barrage of plasma blasts struck the dragon in the underbelly, causing it to break off from Astrid and Stormfly while roaring in pain. Its eyes set on Hiccup and Toothless, a murderous glint in its eyes as it then roared in rage before diving back down into the depths.
"Watch it, bud!"
Hiccup steered Toothless to the closest enemy vessel, and as anticipated, the serpent-like dragon emerged from underneath the water, destroying the vessel in its path. Debris and screaming warriors rained down on top of the subjugated beast as it released a thunderous roar before unleashing its cyan-colored poisonous gas blasts at the alpha duo. "Dive, Toothless!" Roaring, the Night Fury ducked underneath the deadly gas, while also being mindful of the other Northern Alliance vessels, with men stationed along the rails and letting their arrows loose. "Agh! This gets annoying real fast!" Hiccup growled to himself, raising his shield to stop several arrows from striking him in the side.
"You won't stand in our way this time, Hiccup Haddock!" Kjell boomed, as he was steering his own Night Fury into battle. "You've interfered with our affairs for the last time."
Looking over his shoulder, Hiccup saw Kjell's grip tighten along the reins of his subjugated Night Fury. It even tried resisting to shoot down Toothless, but with a snarl, the young Bludvist used its whip to force the dragon to do his bidding. "You are mine, dragon!" He snarled as he summoned the world serpent to his side once more. As the beast emerged out of the sea, Kjell pointed his shard at the alpha duo with a murderous glare. "FINISH THEM!" He bellowed out. Jörmundandr moved like lightning as it snapped its jaws at Hiccup and Toothless, who narrowly avoided the lethal attack before retreating deeper into the sky.
"Go on, Hiccup Haddock, flee!" Kjell scoffed as he beckoned his alpha dragon to follow him. "Come, dragon." Despite its efforts to resist the control of Kjell's shard, the world serpent was powerless and followed the young Bludvist as he steered his Night Fury into battle while taking command of a group of Dragon Flyers. "Men, follow me!" Obeying the command of their master's son, the Flyers formed a V formation and followed Kjell as he began to attack the Dragonheart Alliances' artillery.
Meanwhile, back on The Conqueror, Drago, who had been below deck, emerged out of the shadows as he and his warlords rallied the troops on the mighty vessel. "My brothers and sisters of the sword, you all know why we fight and what we fight for," Drago began as he held his bullhook in his hand. "We fight to reshape the world in our image; where the weak are cut down like chaff, and the strong stand to lead. We are all that is left of our coalition. Hiccup Haddock and his people have been a thorn in our side long enough." Pointing his weapon to the Riders of Berk, Drago bore his teeth. "They have made fools of us all long enough! Will you continue to allow your honor and reputation to be tainted by children?"
"NO!"
The warriors roared out in unison, Drago then stabbed his weapon onto the deck beneath him as he pounded his fist against his chest. "We are warriors! So fight, and do not let our enemy stop us from achieving what we have been fighting for!" As the motivational fire had been ignited in the bellies of his men, Drago watched as his men prepared their troop transports to be deployed onto the shores of their island, and the men stationed on his vessel manned their stations once more as they continued fighting the Viking riders. Turning to his warlords, Drago gave them stern orders. "Signal the rest of our forces to charge the enemy blockade. We will storm these shores and retake The Citadel, either as the conquerors that we are or as dead men."
Nodding, Chagatai Khan, Griselda the Grievous, and Ragnar the Rock had their bodyguards signal the rest of the fleet to charge the blockade of ships manned by the Dragonheart Alliance. These massive vessels were able to smash through the Viking ships forming a blockade, the Vikings onboard were forced to abandon ship and dive underwater as the Northern Alliance troops took to the rails and unleashed a barrage of arrow fire at the Vikings. As The Conqueror was the first ship to break through the Dragonheart Alliance blockade, the ramps and hidden compartments to deploy troops were lowered and many warriors stormed the shores of what was their stronghold and were now determined to take it back.
Drago, along with his warlords, took to the fight personally as they ordered their troops to break the enemy combatant's lines. Leading the Viking ground forces were Stigandr of the Warborn Clan, Thuggory of the Meatheads, and Big-Boobied Bertha of the Bog Burglars. Standing beside his fellow Vikings, Stigandr was leading their men from the frontlines, there were pikes jutting out of the ground, facing the charging forces of the Northern Alliance, in an effort to slow them down. Meanwhile, from nearby high ground, Gruffnut Thorston was leading Warborn archers to lend the frontline forces aid.
"Every man is to stand!" Stigandr bellowed out to his warriors. A series of growls rumbled in his throat as he turned to the warriors under his banner. "If you wish to enter Valhalla, you will fight to your last breath!"
Bertha, who was alongside her fellow Bog Burglars, drew her sword and bellowed out. "Shield wall!" The Bogs and the other Vikings on the frontlines raised their shields as spears were hurled in their direction. As the Northern Alliance forces met them, the cries of battle and clashing of steel rang in the air, like a melody being sung. "Have courage!" Bertha barked to her women. "Glory or Valhalla!"
"Valhalla!"
As more troops from the Northern Alliance disembarked from their ships and troop barges, many entered the fray with grappling hooks and threw them up to bring down the pikes, which opened a breach for the Northern Alliance troops to flood and attempt to overwhelm the Vikings. Drago, who held some of his Dragon Flyers in reserve onboard his flagship, summoned them into the fray, and leading them was Ahimoth. The young, African warrior stood on the back of his Titan Wing Singetail and led his men into the fray, attempting to punch a hole in the Viking's lines. As fire descended on the Vikings, their screams of agony entwined with the sounds of battle.
Gruffnut, with a bow in hand, turned to the archers under his command. "Shoot them down!" Raising his bow, the disgraced Thorston narrowed his eyes as he set his sights on Ahimoth and his Titan Wing Singetail. Exhaling slowly, he let the arrow fly as it flew through the air. The young leader of the Dragon Flyers saw the projectile and quickly ducked under it before glaring at Gruffnut. Cursing at the quick reflexes of his opponent, Gruffnut promptly nocked another arrow as Ahimoth urged his Singetail to charge. Again he let the arrow fly, but the young Flyer swatted the arrow aside with his axe. "Get down!" Gruffnut screamed as the armored Singetail unleashed several fireballs at the archers, forcing them to scatter. A blast struck the feet of three archers, sending them flying and crashing down to the ground.
"Burn them!" Ahimoth growled at his Singetail, tugging at the reigns bridled in its maw, forcing the dragon to unleash a wave of fire from its underbelly and burn the wounded Vikings alive. Setting his sights back on Gruffnut, the young Flyer smirked. "Fire!" He commanded his Singetail. Before the dragon could attack, however, a blast of fire struck the subjugated dragon in the side, causing it to crash to the ground. Ahimoth was hurled off of his dragon's back because of the blast, but he could land on his feet, instead of cracking his head open on the ground.
"Coming in hot and blowing out snot!"
Ahimoth dove away from another blast from Barf and Belch as the Zippleback landed between him and Gruffnut. Before the young Flyer could do anything, Barf unleashed another stream of gas at his feet, Belch ignited it with a devious smirk, one that both Ruffnut and Tuffnut mirrored. As the following explosion sent Ahimoth flying off of the high ground, the Twins turned to their cousin.
"You saved my life," Gruffnut exhaled in disbelief.
Nodding, Tuffnut extended an arm for his cousin. "That's what family does for each other," clasping Tuffnut's arm, Gruffnut was hauled up on the back of Barf and Belch. "And yes, I know I said that we are no longer related and mean nothing to each other, but your determination to make amends has touched me."
"Speak for yourself, brother," Ruffnut sneered at Gruffnut before sighing. "But I will admit, you aren't the same scumbag that you were back on Dragon's Edge."
As Barf and Belch took to the air, however, Gruffnut was about to voice his thoughts, but an arrow pierced him deeply in the back, protruding through his chest. The sharp pain of the arrow's impact sent a jolt through Gruffnut's body, and a choked gasp escaped his lips as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened. His air was suddenly filled with the acrid scent of burning gas mixed with the more metallic tang of his blood. The world around him began to blur as adrenaline coursed through his veins, creating a cacophony that drowned out all rational thought—Barf and Belch's frantic wingbeats, the distant cries of other combatants, and the surge of panic that began to radiate through the air.
Tuffnut and Ruffnut, momentarily caught in the throes of their sibling banter, instantly turned their attention back to Gruffnut, their previous suspicions washed away by a wave of concern. A glimmer of realization swept across Tuffnut's eyes as he darted forward, his instincts honed as a warrior immediately kicking into high gear. "Get down! Flap your wings, Barf! We need to gain altitude!" He shouted, urgency punctuating his words.
Meanwhile, Gruffnut staggered slightly, a hand instinctively clutching at the arrow that had embedded itself in his back. Gritting his blood-stained teeth against the pain, he felt the instincts of survival surging forth, battling against the encroaching darkness at the edges of his vision. He saw the form of Ahimoth where they had just be
en previously, a bow in his hand, and an arrogant smirk on his face. It was as if he was silently mocking Gruffnut, telling him that he was going to die despite being saved by his cousins.
Ruffnut, undeterred by the shock of the moment, leaned over, her fierce gaze locking onto his. "You're tougher than this, Gruff! You don't get to go down like a faint-hearted fool!" She said, her tone a blend of familial rivalry and a fierce determination to see him pull through.
"A-And... I thought you didn't c-care," Gruffnut coughed out, blood leaking out of the corner of his mouth.
Taking charge, she barked at Tuffnut. "Get us lower! We need to get him to safety before whatever archer took a shot at him gets another chance!"
In a synchronized motion, Barf and Belch spiraled downwards, their powerful wings beating rhythmically against the wind as they sought refuge for but a moment. Gruffnut felt the cool air whip against his face as they lined themselves up with a few trees that could serve as cover. "Hold on, Gruffnut!" Tuffnut yelled as his cousin slipped from the dragon's back, his legs giving way beneath him once they alighted.
Gruffnut landed heavily against the thick trunk of a nearby tree, struggling to find his footing while swaying from the pain that lanced through him with each fleeting heartbeat. He could feel the effects of the poison already seeping into his body—nausea threatened to overwhelm him, laced with panic and fear.
"You need to pull it out!" Ruffnut called, her gaze fixed on the arrow that jutted dangerously from his chest, urging him onward. "We don't have time for anything else!"
With a grimacing wince, Gruffnut sank to his knee, beads of sweat beginning to form on his brow, the agony blurring his vision. Tuffnut knelt beside him, the urgency evident in his expression. "I'll count to three, and then we pull it out together—okay? One... Two..."
"Stop!" Gruffnut's voice broke through, despite the haze of pain. "I'm done. This arrow is poisoned." He clenched his jaw, steeling himself for what would come next. "I can feel it—ARGH!"
"Cousin!" Tuffnut exclaimed, his voice laden with worry. "We can't just leave you here to die."
"G-Go, cousins..." Gruffnut croaked, who was now visibly pale thanks to the poison. "Win this war, for... for our people."
"Stay with us, Gruff!" Ruffnut yelled, her voice mixing sharp urgency with a fierce determination to see him live.
Shaking his head, he laughed bitterly. "The gods have a twisted sense of humor. I'm now going to die just when we were finally making amends for what I did to you both so long ago," as the poison struck the fatal blow, Gruffnut groaned out. "I-I'm... sorry." He then exhaled painfully before succumbing to the poison.
"No, Gruffnut!" Tuffnut shook his cousin, a feeble effort to bring him back to the land of the living. Tuffnut's face contorted with rage as he released a battle cry and rushed back to Barf and Belch. "I'm going to kill them all!" Brandishing his Gronckle Iron mace, he turned to Ruffnut. "Come on, sister. Macey here is thirst for blood, and I intend to drown her in it."
Astrid and the other riders were dealing with the last of the Dragon Flyers, to give their allies on the ground a chance to focus solely on the Drago's ground forces, rather than splitting their focus on dealing with what was in front of them and above them.
As another Flyer who was mounted on an armored, amber-colored Singetail was pursuing Fishlegs, Astrid steered Stormfly towards the enemy combatant. "Stormfly, spines!" With precise aim, the Deadly Nadder unleashed a volley of spines that all struck the Flyer. Two were embedded in his leg, another two in his side, and the final struck him deep in the throat. The Singetail bucked its oppressor off of its back as the Flyer fell to his death, allowing the Singetail to fly away to freedom.
"Thanks, Astrid," Fishlegs panted before looking overhead to see two more Flyers bear down on them. "Look out!"
Before the Flyers could have their Singetails attack, they were both shot off of their dragons by Hookfang who attacked from above. "Hahaha, Snotlout!" Steering Hookfang to fly alongside Astrid and Fishlegs, Snotlout then pointed to the last Flyer. "There's Ahimoth and his Titan Wing."
"He's ours, Snotty!"
Barf and Blech zoomed past the group as Ruffnut and Tuffnut prepared to confront their cousin's killer. Ahimoth, however, grinned and brought his whip down on his Singetail, forcing the larger dragon to fire multiple blasts from both his maw and his tail. Barf and Belch dove away from the incoming blasts, allowing Astrid to unleash a surprise attack. "Hit him, girl!" Stormfly unleashed a stream of magnesium fire at Ahimoth, but he tugged up on the reins, the Singetails underbelly was exposed, causing Stormfly's fire to make contact.
"Feeble," Ahimoth laughed as he swung his axe at Fishlegs who tried getting in closer. "If you are so eager to be gutted, I will gladly do so, you oversized boar!" Fishlegs glared at Ahimoth's words and took evasion action, steering Meatlug away as the Singetail's underbelly gills illuminated and fire was bound to be unleashed.
"How about I take your head off with Macey?"
Ahimoth, who was about to finish off Fishlegs and Meatlug, looked up to see Barf and Belch advance, and Tuffnut, with a battle cry, swung Macey at Ahimoth's head. The world around them seemed to still as Macey sailed through the air, time elongating in the instant as the weapon met its mark. Ahimoth's gloating expression froze, shock etching into his features as Tuffnut's swing connected with the harsh finality of the blow. The mace ferociously severed his head from his shoulders, the very embodiment of their collective willpower cleaving through the haze of chaos and revenge.
A silence followed an almost surreal calm replacing the furious storms of battle. Barf and Belch flew on, their synchronized wings pulsing rhythmically, while Tuffnut let out a low breath, exhilaration washing over him. The potent mix of triumph and relief surged through the group as they processed the astonishing turn of events. From the talons of despair to the wings of victory, they had achieved what had once seemed impossible. Ahimoth's headless corpse fell off of the Titan Wing Singetail, causing the dragon to roar before flying away, finally free.
Snotlout and the others perched high on their dragon allies, unleashed triumphant cheers that echoed into the skies. It was a sound that blended joy with relief—a cohesive symphony celebrating the bonds of friendship and family forged in fire and battle.
"Nice work, Tuff," Astrid praised before giving her fellow riders a firm nod. "Now let's help Hiccup deal with Kjell."
"Lead the way, queenie," Ruffnut grinned. "We got your back."
Hiccup hated to admit it, but Kjell was an impressive opponent, his skills as a Dragon Flyer surpassed even Krogan's. Of course, Krogan never flew a Night Fury, but Kjell did, and that put him on equal footing with Hiccup.
As the two were locked in a fierce stalemate, Hiccup noted how Kjell's Night Fury was resisting the younger Bludvist, however, she tried multiple times to buck him off of her back, but with each lash she received from his whip, the shard at the end of the tool of oppression pulsed and glowed brighter. If he had any chance of success in this battle, Hiccup knew what he needed to do.
"Hiccup!"
Both Hiccup and Kjell turned around to see Astrid and the other riders approach. Snarling, Kjell swung his whip overhead and pointed the shard at the approaching Vikings. Jörmungandr emerged from the sea and figuratively stood between them. Its poisonous gas blasts caused Astrid's eyes to widen in horror.
"Break off!"
Breaking off from their V formation, the riders now had to fight the world serpent that was now intent on devouring them. Kjell, with a smirk, looked at Hiccup as he laughed. "It's just you and me, Hiccup Haddock," with one hand clenched tightly at the reins around his Night Fury's maw, Kjell then sneered. "A bloody fate awaits you, and the rest of your incompetent race. When all is said and done, the world will never know that the Viking people even existed."
"If I had a coin for every villain I have ever faced sought to destroy us..." Hiccup yawned in a jaded tone before narrowing his eyes at his opponent. "Why don't you back up that threat of yours?"
Grinning, Kjell happily obliged. "Gladly," he brought his whip down harshly on his Night Fury, causing the dragon to roar in agony. "Attack. NOW!"
With a jolt, the oppressed Night Fury lunged forward, powered by both fear and the pain inflicted by Kjell's whip. Hiccup felt a rush of adrenaline as he leaned low against Toothless's back, bracing for the imminent clash. "Toothless, we need to break her free!" He shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the wind and the thundering beats of dragon wings.
Toothless responded instantly, his instincts kicking in as he dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding incoming plasma bolts from Kjell's Night Fury, and now the snapping jaws of Jörmungandr. Hiccup could see Astrid and the other riders valiantly trying to fend off the serpent, sending blasts of fire in an attempt to distract it. Jörmungandr recoiled momentarily, but its massive body quickly reoriented, ready to strike at Hiccup and Toothless again.
"Stay focused, bud!" Hiccup urged, gripping the reins of his saddle tightly as Kjell's Night Fury surged forward, emboldened by its rider's cruel command. Hiccup could see the fear in the dragon's eyes, and it struck him that this battle was more than just a test of skill; it was a struggle for freedom.
Kjell's laughter echoed above the chaos. "Do you see it, Hiccup? Your precious dragons are mere pawns in this game! They will bend to the will of the Bludvist name or perish beneath it!"
Hiccup's jaw tightened. "Not while I'm still breathing!" With a sudden burst of inspiration, he recalled the training sessions with his team—how they worked together in perfect synchronization. "Astrid! We need to draw Jörmungandr away!" He shouted, spotting her fighting off the serpent's tail with a burst of flame.
Understanding flickered in Astrid's eyes. "Got it! Riders, follow my lead!" She expertly maneuvered Stormfly, swooping low to distract the massive serpent, while Hiccup made a split-second decision.
"Toothless, we're going after Kjell!" Hiccup pointed at his whip. "If we destroy that shard attached to his whip, we break his control over his Night Fury and Jörmungandr." Toothless barked in understanding, and with a powerful thrust of his legs, the Night Fury shot forward like a bolt of lightning. They soared toward Kjell, who was so fixated on his alpha playing with the other Riders of Berk that he failed to see Hiccup and Toothless coming until it was too late.
Just as Hiccup drew his Gronckle Iron shield strapped behind his back, he narrowed his eyes as he locked onto where he would strike. Kjell turned, his eyes wide with surprise. "What—!"
With a flick of his wrist, Hiccup unleashed a carefully raised his shield and fired the grappling hook, snagging the whip right out of Kjell's grip, allowing Toothless to then fire a precise plasma bolt at the shard, obliterating it. As the tool Kjell wielded as a means to subjugate his dragons was now no more, he no longer held control over his Night Fury or Jörmungandr. The dragon let out a cry of relief, the tension in its muscles easing as it regained its will.
"Now, Toothless!" Hiccup shouted, and they dove toward Kjell, who was scrambling to maintain control. Hiccup's heart raced as he felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders—this was their moment to end one Bludvist before dealing with the elder.
Kjell, now desperate, attempted to rally his dragon with frantic commands, but it was too late. Hiccup and Toothless surged forward, striking like a bolt of lightning. They collided with Kjell's Night Fury, sending both dragons into a wild spiral as they fought for dominance in the air.
"Together, Toothless!" Hiccup urged, and with a powerful thrust of his wings, they pulled out of the dive, gaining altitude and twisting around Kjell's dragon. In a beautiful display of teamwork and trust, they executed a perfect aerial maneuver, positioning themselves for a decisive blow.
As they approached, Hiccup's mind raced with strategies. They needed to free Kjell's dragon completely from his control, but how? Just then, he remembered the tales of how Night Furies bonded with their riders through trust and respect.
"Toothless, we can do this! Show her what it means to fly free!" Hiccup encouraged, and with a mighty roar, Toothless let loose a stream of violet fire—this time, aimed not at the dragon itself, but at the armor around its body. The last shackles of bondage were now struck, solidifying her freedom
The flames danced around the dragon, enveloping her in warmth and light. Hiccup could see the moment the Night Fury recognized her true power. With a burst of energy, she broke free from Kjell's influence, her wings spreading wide as she soared alongside Toothless.
Kjell's face twisted in furious disbelief. "No! You can't—!"
But Hiccup was already moving. With a swift maneuver, he guided Toothless in a tight circle, coming behind Kjell's Night Fury. "Now!" He shouted, and together, they unleashed a powerful blast of dragon fire, forcing Kjell to relinquish his hold.
The Night Fury broke free, sending out a wild cry of freedom that echoed across the skies. With a final, defiant roar, she turned on Kjell, the tables now turned.
"You're done, Kjell!" Hiccup declared, determination surging through him. "Your father's next!"
"NO!"
Kjell attempted to assert dominance over the Night Fury, but as he drew one of his swords, he was bucked off of the dragon's back and fell. His cries turned into blood-curdling groans as the Night Fury exacted a fierce vengeance and wrapped its jaws around his throat, its teeth piercing flesh and bone as she shook Kjell violently. His dying cries filled the air as the Night Fury then spat him out of her mouth before firing a powerful plasma bolt which struck the young Bludvist in the heart, killing him instantly. As the younger Bludvist's smoking corpse plummeted down to the massive island below, Hiccup and Toothless watched as their opponent became smaller by the minute until the corpse struck the sea, and soon enough, disappeared in the depths.
"Hiccup, look out!"
Astrid's words caused both Hiccup and Toothless to gasp as Jörmungandr rose to its full height and gave both alpha males a sneer. However, it seemed to realize that because of them, it was now free from Kjell's influence and oppressive yoke. The tension in its form disappeared as it bowed its head in a gesture of gratitude. Sharing a relieved look, Hiccup and Toothless returned the gesture before the serpent unleashed a roar of elation, reveling in its freedom before diving back into the sea and slithering into the crushing depths.
"That. Was. Amazing," Fishlegs said in an awe-struck tone. A giddy smile lit his face as turned to Hiccup. "You can bet your tunic that I'll be updating the Book of Dragons at the earliest opportunity!"
"No doubt, Fishlegs," Hiccup smiled knowingly.
"Oh, please don't get him started now," Ruffnut murmured as her husband was experiencing his giddy phase when confronting new dragons. Tuffnut merely snickered at her sister, knowing full well that his brother-in-law could and would rant for hours about
Clearing his throat, Snotlout spoke up. "Excuse me, if you two are done making out," he then pointed to the ongoing battle, "we still have a battle to win here."
"Right," Hiccup said before nodding at Astrid. "Ready, Milady?"
Cracking her knuckles, Astrid grinned at her husband. "Let's finish this, babe."
Drago bellowed in rage as what remained of his fleet was being ripped to shreds by the arrival of the Berserkers, led by both Queen Mala and Heather. That, and the continued bombardment of ballista and catapult fire from the cliffs, sea stacks, and ridges give the Dragonheart Viking forces the advantage to destroy Northern Alliance warships, but also troop barges, cutting off any reinforcements to the forces that were already facing the Vikings.
"We have the advantage!" Stigandr laughed as he ran his sword through an enemy and bashed his shield against their face before ducking underneath a sword that would've taken his head. He then decapitated his next opponent, their blood soaking his face and leather armor before bellowing to his Warborn. "Press on!"
With their numbers dwindling each second, and now with more of Hiccup's forces arriving to attack the remaining Northern Alliance forces from their rear flanks. Drago, realizing his impending defeat roared in outrage as he ran, leaving behind his allies behind.
"Master?" Ragnar the Rock cried out in confusion. "Where do you go?"
Griselda the Grievous, unwilling to comprehend what she sees, exclaims in disbelief. "He flees!"
Before Chagatai Khan could reply, a spear impaled him through the chest, killing the Mongol warlord instantly. "No!" Griselda cried out, as she knelt to her ally and lover. Desperate to feel a pulse, her heart turned cold when there was none. Before the Slavic warlord could react, a throwing axe whirled through the air and embedded itself right between her eyes. As she felt her grip on life slipping, Helvar, one of Stignadr's best warriors and Berserkers closed the gap and embedded his other throwing axe into her chest, finishing her off.
"Hahaha!" Helvar laughed boisterously. "Too slow." He taunted his dead opponent as he ripped his throwing axes out of her face and chest before seizing up Ragnar the Rock. "Do you have any fight left in you, big man?" Noting how the last of Drago's warlords was out of breath and panting like a dog baking under the summer sun.
The Raider, a literal mountain of muscle, and raw Viking savagery, tackled Ragnar with relative ease before slamming him into a nearby pillar. The blow of the impact knocked the air out of Ragnar's lungs as he slumped to the ground. The larger man drove his knee into Ragnar's face, breaking his nose, and cutting off the stout warlord from breathing through the nose. With his nose gushing blood, and unable to recover properly, Ragnar reached for his sword to defend himself, but the Raider's battle axe embedded itself deep into his skull, killing the last of Drago's warlords.
With the Northern Alliance ground forces being routed, many began to run for their lives, while the others ran where Drago was running, in an effort to make a final stand with their master. They never made it. Either cut down by arrows or by Razorwhip barbs, thanks to Windshear who soared through the air, with Heather brilliantly riding her. The Berserker narrowed her eyes to see Drago still running and she called out to Hiccup and the other riders. "Hiccup, Drago's on the run!" Pointing her double-bladed battle axe at the fleeing madman.
"I see him," Hiccup acknowledged before turning to his riders. "With me!" With his eyes firmly set on his fleeing enemy, Hiccup once again readied his shield. He wasn't going to waste any time trying to reason, monologue, or taunt Drago. There was nothing left to say to the man who was responsible for the death of his father, he needed to die, and die he would.
With his shield now in its crossbow feature, Hiccup loaded a bolt and took aim. With a deep breath, he then exhaled softly before pulling the trigger and the bolt whistled through the air. Time seemed to slow, Hiccup held his breath, and he waited to see if his aim was true. The bolt flew through the air with a purpose, glinting in the sunlight as it sped toward its target. Hiccup's heart raced as he watched Drago, his back turned, sprinting desperately away from the climax of his regime's defeat. But Hiccup was determined; this was not just a chance for revenge—it was a chance to protect his home, his family, and everything he held dear.
The bolt arced gracefully, cutting through the air, but just as it was about to strike, Drago twisted, sensing the danger at the last moment. Hiccup's breath caught in his throat as the bolt grazed Drago's arm, causing him to stumble, but not enough to bring him down.
"Keep going, Hiccup!" Astrid shouted from above, her fierce determination echoing in his ears. "We can't let him get away!"
Toothless roared in agreement, his wings beating powerfully as they surged forward, propelling Hiccup closer to their quarry. The other riders flanked him, their dragons ready for another strike. Hiccup could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, mingling with the burning desire for justice.
Drago, realizing he was still being pursued, turned and readied himself for his final fight. "You think you can stop me, boy?" He spat, his eyes wild with desperation, rage, and humiliation. "I will not be bested by the likes of you!"
"Yeah? Well, you have," Snotlout grinned, his tone mocking. "You're no better than the other loser that we've bested!" Laughing, the Twins joined Snotlout in mocking Drago.
"Troll!" Tuffnut said.
"Butt elf!" Then Ruffnut.
"Bride of Grendel!" Both Twins said before laughing out loud.
Roaring in rage, Drago was about to attack, but a black blur came out of nowhere, tackling the madman before a powerful set of jaws wrapped around his throat. Screaming in both agony and fear, Drago was lifted off of the ground like a rag doll and slammed down on the ground countless times. The Night Fury that Kjell had subjugated, who had already killed Drago's son, was now inflicting agony and suffering on the vile human who had used her as nothing more than a weapon and something to be discarded when no longer useful. The Night Fury's powerful form twisted and turned as it mauled Drago, its muscles rippling with fury and vengeance. Hiccup watched in a mix of horror and awe, realizing that this dragon had been pushed beyond its limits, driven by the pain it had suffered under the Bludvist's cruel command. Each slam of Drago's body against the ground sent sickening sounds into Hiccup's ears, knowing that this was a creature that had been tortured, now finally unleashing its pent-up rage.
With one powerful twist of its head, the Night Fury snapped Drago's neck with horrific ease. The madman's dying cries were silenced forever, his madness, and quest for unfathomable conquest dying with him and his Northern Alliance. Withdrawing from Drago's mangled corpse, the Night Fury unleashed a thunderous roar, as if releasing all the pain, suffering, and fear that had dwelled within her. Toothless, slowly approached and crooned softly, causing the other Night Fury to look at the King of Dragons. For a long moment, there was silence, but then she bowed her head, acknowledging Toothless as the alpha, and he then pressed his forehead against hers, causing both dragons to growl softly.
"Amazing," Fishlegs whispered.
Nodding, Snotlout murdered. "You can say that again, Fishface."
"Cool," the Twins said out loud.
Dismounting Stormfly, Astrid approached Hiccup and took his hand in hers, interlocking their fingers together. "Just like our kingdom, the Night Fury species now has a new hope of replenishing its numbers," smiling at the sight of Toothless and the other Night Fury playing like overgrown cats, Astrid looked up at her husband, who had settled his eyes on Drago's corpse. "Hiccup, what's done is done," taking one of her hands to turn his face, so that he was looking into he eyes, she said firmly. "He wouldn't have stopped. He needed to die."
"He deserved it, I know," Hiccup stated nonchalantly. He then sighed before taking in the still functional defenses and huts the Northern Alliance used here. "Burn this place to the ground," he looked over at Ruffnut and Tuffnut before raising an eyebrow at them. "What do you say you two? You may have gotten the world's greatest record for the largest explosion back when we were still fighting Johann and Krogan, but how about now?"
"You mean—?" Tuffnut began.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Ruffnut added.
Nodding, Hiccup smirked. "Let's see what you got."
As the Vikings sailed away from The Citadel, the entire stronghold the Northern Alliance had established on that island was covered in thick clouds of mossy green Zippleback gas. Suddenly, the following explosion was so devastating, and booming that the resulting shockwave reached the Vikings and their ships, propelling them forward thanks to the massive gust of wind, their cries of slight panic soon turned to laughter as they then cheered. The explosion lit up the sky with a brilliant flash of green and gold, a fiery testament to the threat that had once reigned within The Citadel. Hiccup watched from the deck of their ship as the shockwave rippled through the air, the force sending their vessel skimming across the water, a rush of exhilaration washing over him.
As the Twins steered Barf and Belch over Hiccup's longboat, the Vikings onboard cheered. "Now that's what I call a proper send-off!" Tuffnut shouted, pumping his fist in the air, while Ruffnut laughed maniacally, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of destruction. "Our greatest masterpiece of fiery destruction."
"Mmhmm," Ruffnut agreed before grinning. "And there's more to come."
The flames danced against the dusk sky, and Hiccup couldn't help but feel a mixture of satisfaction and relief. They had fought hard for their future, the freedom of dragons everywhere, and the survival of his kingdom. Now they were leaving behind the remnants of an oppressive regime. The Northern Alliance had crumbled, and with it, the threat posed by Drago Bludvist and his twisted ambitions.
"Look at that!" Snotlout exclaimed, pointing at the colossal plume of smoke that rose high into the sky. "It's like a beacon of victory!"
"It certainly is, Snotlout," Fishlegs agreed before hugging Meatlug. "Oh, I'm so proud of you girl." The Gronckle soaked in her rider's affection, wagging her tail in thanks.
Mala, who pressed her head against Sleuther's, then looked at Hiccup. Relief, closure, and peace was present on her features as she said softly. "We did it," her words caused Astrid to smile as she nudged Hiccup softly, giving him a look that told that it was finally over.
Hiccup nodded, glancing over at his friends. "We did it. We really did it." The weight of their battles and losses began to lift, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and hope for the future. They were not just survivors; they were victors.
As their ships sailed further away from the now-destroyed stronghold, Hiccup felt a sense of closure. They had faced unimaginable odds, lost friends and family, and had seen the worst of humanity. But they had also seen the best—their unity, courage, and resilience.
"Everyone!" Hiccup called out, drawing the attention of his crew, and allies sailing in tight formation. "Let's raise our weapons to those who fought and fell. They are the reason we're able to sail away today with our lives and our future still intact."
The riders and Vikings raised their swords, shields, and axes, a roar of agreement echoing through the air. "To the fallen!" They shouted together, their voices ringing with strength and determination. "May they live forever in Valhalla!"
As the sun began to set on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the water, Hiccup turned to Toothless, who was perched beside him, his eyes gleaming with pride. "What do you think, bud? Ready for the next adventure?"
Toothless rumbled softly, nudging Hiccup affectionately, his presence a reassuring reminder that they would face whatever came next together. The other Night Fury joined Toothless, she nuzzled against the alpha dragon with joyous eyes, savoring the freedom she now had, and beyond glad she was no longer the last of her kind. They had conquered their demons, and now it was time to rebuild, to heal, and to protect their home.
"Let's head back to Berk," Hiccup said, turning his gaze toward the distant shore. "We have a lot of work to do."
"Um, we just won the greatest victory of our lives, cuz!" Snotlout objected. "Work can wait. This victory deserves that we throw the greatest party Vikings have ever thrown!"
"Now there's an idea!" Tuffnut whooped.
"Yeah!" Ruffnut agreed. "We eat, drink, and jump to our heart's content."
Heather approached and shrugged. "I agree," she then smiled. "We just defeated one of the greatest threats in our world and probably in our lifetime. If that isn't the case to celebrate, I don't know what is."
Sighing, knowing full well that his friends and lover were right, Hiccup nodded. "Alright," he then smiled. "We will celebrate to our heart's content and honor the fallen by making our kingdom greater than anything the world has ever seen!" The Vikings all roared and cheered in elation, wholeheartedly agreeing with their king.
With the wind at their backs and the horizon stretching before them, the Viking fleet sailed steadily toward New Berk. The war they fought was now over, now they could savor their victory, knowing that they had triumphed over tyranny and emerged stronger than ever.
Hiccup Haddock had led them to victory, and with his rule as King of Vikings now unopposed and challenged, all of Scandinavia would thrive under his bloodline. And the next time someone threatened their way of life, they would stand together.
A/N: And that's all she wrote! Hiccup, the Womanizer is in the books! Now, as I said, I'll be posting missing scenes on my AO3 from this story, whether it be smut or just storylines I didn't get to write here. Either way, thank you all for sticking with me on this story, and I'll see you all in the next one!