Shellshocked pt. 2

Re and his comrades sat on the deck of the airship. They watched the sunrise together. Aurora could foresee that today would end one story, and begin another.

"So if you were to take out the Shellfire your way, how would you do it?" Tenor asked Re.

"Shark," Re said. "She has control of all the sea dragons, she would know how to stop it."

"We'll have to find her," Aurora said. "I can locate her with magic, and I can sense that she's in the area. Tenor, you'll have to stay behind and help the riders with the coming attack. You'll be in command of the airship." Tenor nodded.

"And when you see Viggo, take him out," Re ordered. "End the bloodshed."

"Yes sir," Tenor said.

"We'll be back as soon as we find Shark," Aurora said. "In a day I believe." The two of them spread their wings and took off. Tenor watched them go. He then looked up at where his rider was asleep on the deck. He decided to let her sleep, she would need her strength. He spread his wings and headed for the outpost.

He heard voices coming from the clubhouse and flew over to see what they were talking about. He instantly spotted Viggo pacing on the porch outside, Toothless watching him. Tenor snarled and sped right at Viggo, pinning him the porch. He growled so loud he didn't hear Hiccup's protest.

"You say one word Viggo, and I'll rip your throat out," Tenor snarled.

"Tenor stop," Toothless roared. "Don't kill him yet." Tenor looked up at him and Hiccup.

"We'll lock him up for now," Hiccup said. "Will you take him to the stables." Tenor growled but got off. He then spread his wings and took off, snatching Viggo in his talons. He flew down to the stables, Hiccup and Astrid followed on their dragons. He threw Viggo into an empty stall, and slammed the door.

"Please reconsider Hiccup," Viggo said. "Ryker will be here with the Shelfire, my Shelfire, he'll burn this whole place to the ground."

"Sorry Viggo, there's just too much bad blood for us to trust you," Hiccup said.

"And the Dragon Eye's return that did nothing to persuade you?" asked Viggo.

"Not enough," said Astrid. Tenor went over to sit beside his fellow dragons.

"Where's Re and Aurora?" asked Stormfly.

"They went to find Shark," Tenor said. "They've grown tired of Hiccup's plans taking forever and failing. They want to end the bloodshed of dragons."

"I can understand that," said Stormfly. "But I'm sure Hiccup will come up with something."

"Dragons are dying in the meantime," Tenor said. "Heck a Shelfire dragon is suffering because of him. Re's instructed me to kill him."

"Well, don't kill him yet," Toothless said. "Wait until he's no longer useful to us." Tenor considered.

"Very well," he said. Just then the Twins ran into the stables.

"They're here," said Tuffnut. "Or they will be here."

"Ruffnut, translation?" said Hiccup.

"Dragon hunters, a whole fleet of ships heading this way," said Ruffnut. Hiccup and Astrid ran to their dragons.

"You stand guard and watch Viggo," Hiccup said. "Tenor you go get the airship ready." Tenor nodded. He spread his wings and took off.

He back up to the airship and woke up the crew. They readied all the defenses and weapons. Tenor went up to Serenity who was just waking up. She smiled when she saw him.

"We must prepare the ship for battle," Tenor said. "The hunters are on their way, with the Shelfire." Serenity got to her feet.

"Where's Re and Aurora?" she asked.

"Bringing Shark," Tenor said. "They'll be here as soon as they can." Serenity sat in her chair.

It took the rest of the day for them to get the ship ready for battle. When everything was set up, the crew gathered around the helm. Tenor faced them.

"The king and queen are on their way with Shark," Tenor said. "We're going into battle with the riders until they get here. I plan to have this ship attack the hunters from behind. The Shelfire can only fire in a single direction, we put the ship where the Shelfire can't shoot."

"When do we strike?" asked Morpho.

"I'm about to go find out," Tenor said. "Wait here." He took off and headed back to the outpost.

He spotted the riders and dragons in the arena. He swooped down and landed beside them. Hiccup and Astrid soon joined them as well, having returned from their scouting mission.

"Okay gang," Hiccup said. "We have until dawn. Tenor is your airship ready?"

"Yes," Tenor said. "Re and Aurora are bringing us something that will help us defeat the Shelfire."

"Great," said Hiccup, then he turned to Dagur. "Dagur will you and Shattermaster cover the backend of the island. With all the sneaking around should give you plenty of advantages."

"Absolutely, and I take that as a compliment by the way," said Dagur. "The sneaking around."

"Of course you do," said Hiccup as Dagur flew away on Shattermaster. Hiccup then turned to the rest. "Snotlout, you and Hookfang get the Gronckle iron walls on the huts. Fishlegs, you and Meatlug get the Eruptadon hatchling to the center of the island and find a place to hide. Ruff, Tuff, and Heather you take out the first wave of ships." Everyone nodded and disbursed, leaving Hiccup and Astrid alone. Tenor took off, and heading back to the ship. Serenity was still sitting in her chair.

"Well, now we wait for them," Tenor said. Serenity took a deep breath.

"I'm scared Tenor," she said.

"I know you are," Tenor said. "But we are going to get through this, I promise." He nuzzled her shoulder and she hugged him. "Are you ready?"

"No," Serenity admitted. "But I am ready for all of this to end."

"That's good enough for me," Tenor said. "You'll be just fine." He laid down beside her, to save his energy.

The sun came up a few hours later. Viper came running up to Tenor.

"Hunters inbound," she said. Tenor jumped to his feet.

"Get this ship behind the mountain, I'm going to check on the riders," he said. Viper nodded. Tenor flew back to the clubhouse as flaming, white fireballs slammed into the side of the mountain. The riders and dragons ran into their huts which were protected by Gronckle iron. Tenor landed in the clubhouse. The whole island shook each time a fireball hit it. Tenor waited for the others, and waited out the attack.

Soon the attack slowed down and the riders gathered in the clubhouse. They were all a bit dazed. Snotlout was the last one to reach the clubhouse.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to sit through that again," he said. "We have dragons, we should be flying out there and sinking those ships."

"The fire isn't coming from the ships," said Hiccup. "It's coming from the Shelfire." Just then Viggo entered the clubhouse.

"I won'd say I told you so," he said. Tenor and the other dragons growled.

"How'd you get out?" asked Hiccup, shocked.

"Snotlout here, kindly allowed me to use the facilities," Viggo said, patting Snotlout on the shoulder. Everyone glared at Snotlout.

"What? he scares me," said Snotlout.

"Hiccup I insist you let me help you," Viggo begged. "For the sake of us all. The Shelfire has a firing range of up to a mile. Ryker's using the ships, my ships to be exact, to defend it." Hiccup turned to the Twins.

"Ruff, Tuff, you're up," he said. The Twins saluted and left.

"I'll go get the airship," Tenor said. He left the clubhouse and took off.

"What about me?" asked Snotlout.

"You stay here with your new best friend," said Hiccup.

"How is that any fun?" Snotlout wined.

"It's not supposed to be fun," Hiccup snapped. "And I don't care how scary he is, do not let him out of your sight." With that, he left.

Hiccup, Astrid, Heather, and the Twins flew out to meet the hunting ships. Skywalker soon joined them. They all fired at the hunting ships, while avoiding the fireballs from the Shelfire. The ships also fired arrows. Skywalker fired its harpoons back at them. Serenity steered the ship well clear of the Shelfire. The arrows bounced off the side of the ship. But then Serenity felt one of the arrows stab her in the leg. She hissed in pain but kept the ship steady, even though she was loosing feeling in her leg due to the dragonroot. She couldn't take the arrow out, since it kept her from bleeding out. She steered the ship in for another attack. The other dragons shot fire at the ships, and managed to sink a few. But then they all got a good look at the Shelfire and the ship on it's back. There were several hunters on a low deck, slamming huge hammers into the dragon's back, making it shoot fireballs.

"Of course it wouldn't attack us on it own," said Hiccup. "We can't take them out without harming the dragon."

"I get the feeling that was the whole idea," said Astrid.

"Don't worry, Shark will know what to do," Tenor said. "She knows this dragon better than anyone, except Draco himself."

They went back to fighting the Shelfire. But they could not put a single dent in the ship. The airship couldn't even take it out. Hiccup pulled up alongside Astrid and Heather.

"There's no way of stopping that thing without harming the dragon," he said.

"We may not have a choice Hiccup," said Astrid.

"Let's regroup," said Hiccup. The three of them met back up with Skywalker and the Twins. When they all met up, Hiccup spotted Snotlout speeding towards them on Hookfang. Smoke billowed out of the stables.

"Snotlout, where's Viggo?" asked Hiccup. "And is that the stables on fire?"

"You said don't let him out no matter what," said Snotlout.

"Snotlout! Use your brain," Hiccup shouted. He then flew back towards the stables.

He landed on the runway and dismounted. He ran into the stables and unlocked Viggo's cell. He then assisted Viggo outside.

"You came back for me," Viggo said, trying to catch his breath. "I am honored."

"Don't be," said Hiccup. "If I had left you in there it would make me no better than you."

"It is good you returned, I can help you defeat my brother and the Shelfire," Viggo insisted.

"Well, you have this all figured out don't you," said Hiccup, getting on Toothless's back.

"As a matter of fact I do," said Viggo. Hiccup took a deep breath and helped Viggo onto Toothless's saddle behind him. They took off and flew to the arena where the other riders and dragons were gathered. Understandably the other riders did not like that Viggo was out.

"Are we really trusting Viggo being on the loose?" asked Astrid. "Especially now."

"But if Viggo can help us stop this attack..." said Hiccup.

"What if he can't? What if he won't?" asked Astrid. "What if this is all apart of the plan? If it is, we just walked into it."

"Then we just walked into it," said Hiccup. "But I'm calling the shot. Viggo and I are going to take this thing out." He got on Toothless and Viggo got on behind him. They took off. Astrid watched them leave, and couldn't help but be worried about Hiccup. She turned to Stormfly and Tenor.

"I'm going after them," she said. "Will you come Tenor?"

"Sure," Tenor said. Astrid mounted Stormfly and they took off, Tenor followed them. The other riders took off to take out the rest of the ships.

They flew over the ocean looking for Hiccup. Skywalker was still staying in the Shelfire's blind spot. Astrid and Tenor located Hiccup and Viggo hovering over the water. Viggo was holding a dagger over Hiccup's head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Astrid called. Tenor circled them, growling. Hiccup whirled around and saw the dagger.

"What!? what in the name of Thor!?" he exclaimed.

"Astrid, I'm afraid you've misinterpreted the situation," Viggo said, lowering the dagger.

"I'm sure I interpreted it correctly," said Astrid. "Drop the dagger."

"Exactly what I was going to do," said Viggo. And he dropped the dagger into the water. They waited. A few minuets later the water bubbled and a strong, yet familiar, smell filled the air.

The other riders continued to take out the hunting ships. Skywalker assisted with it's harpoons. Serenity got another arrow in her other leg, but she ignored that one too. For a while the riders succeeded in sinking several ships. But the hunters were soon able to down all the Berkian dragons. They splashed down into the water, within feet of the massive Shelfire. The dragons opened his mouth to fire at them.

"Oh man, this is going to hurt," said Snotlout.

"And there's no cover out here," said Heather. The Shelfire opened his mouth even wider. But suddenly it was butted in the head by a Subbmaripper. This distracted the Shelfire and saved the down riders. The two dragons growled at each other.

"Where did that thing come from?" asked Heather.

"And why is it helping us?" asked Snotlout. For an answer Hiccup, Astrid, and Tenor flew overhead.

Hiccup watched the two sea dragons fight, with amazement.

"So the dagger stirred up the water, making the Subbamaripper surface," he said.

"Precisely," said Viggo, proud of himself.

"But how did you know it would react like this?" asked Hiccup.

"The Subbmaripper is the natural enemy of the Shelfire," Viggo explained. Tenor helped the downed riders get back in the air.

"With the Shelfire distracted this'll give us the opportunity to take out the rest of those ships," Hiccup said. The riders did just that, with Skywalker's help. The two sea dragons rammed into each other, gnashing their teeth. Ryker was outraged and tried in vain to regain control of the Shelfire. The bigger sea dragon fired another fireball, that narrowly missed Hiccup and Toothless.

"Okay that was way too close," Hiccup said. "Viggo, I have to leave you on the beach. You're slowing us down."

"Shame, I would have enjoyed watching Ryker go down with the ship," Viggo said. Hiccup said nothing and flew Toothless to the beach. He dropped Viggo off and took off again.

Hiccup and Toothless checked on Dagur's progress. They found him mounted on the Triple Stryke fighting off hunters, and Shattermaster obviously injured. Hiccup knew Serenity was in no position to her healing job. He and Toothless blasted the ships then landed beside the Stryke.

"Brother!" Dagur cried happily.

"Made a new friend did you?" said Hiccup.

"It would seem so," Dagur said. "I love the tails and the snappy sound they make."

"Get Shattermaster back to the Edge and send for Gobber," said Hiccup.

"What about Serenity, I heard she's really good," said Dagur.

"She's still driving the airship," Hiccup explained. "I suspect it will be a while before she can heal anyone." Suddenly the mountain rumbled and the ground shook. Hiccup looked at the mountain, only to see a pillar of smoke coming out of it.

"I'm going to check on Fishlegs, I think he might be in trouble," he said. "Go brother, your dragon needs you." Dagur beamed. Toothless took off and headed for the mountain.

On the other side of the island, the riders and airship sank the rest of the ships. Skywalker took out about half of them. Serenity had taken two more arrows, one in her shoulder, and one deep in her side. The dragonroot was making flying the ship very difficult. The crew was so focused on the fight, that they didn't noticed. Soon all the ships were sunk. The riders and dragons overlooked the destruction.

"Guys look!" cried Heddrod. He pointed towards the horizon. They all followed his gaze. Re and Aurora were speeding towards them, and a tall black fin was cutting through the water after them. Shark spotted the two fighting sea dragon and roared at them. The Ripper and the Shelfire stopped in time to see her rear up out of the water. She glared down at them, and was quick to see the ship strapped to her Shelfire's back.

"Please don't kill us my queen," the Shelfire begged.

"Don't worry, I wasn't planning on it," Shark assured him. She then latched her strong jaws on the ship, and ripped it off the Shelfire's back. She then crushed it with her jaws, and tossed it as far as she could.

"Thanks Shark," said the Shelfire, gratefully.

"I've been worried about about you dear friend," Shark said. "I'm just glad you're alive."

"Let's get out of here," said the Ripper. "Get as far from these humans as possible." Shark smiled and nodded. She turned around and dove into the water, both her henchmen close on her flanks. Re, Aurora, and the rest of the Draconian dragons headed up to the restless mountain, leaving Serenity to fly the ship back still unaware that she as injured.

Hiccup landed on the crater of the volcano where Fishlegs waited with Meatlug and the Eruptadon dragonet.

"Hiccup, the Eruptadon has delayed the flow of lava," Fishlegs said. "The volcano is finally stable."

"Great job Fishlegs," said Hiccup. "Go get the others, we need to do a sweep of the island." Fishlegs got on Meatlug and took off, taking the Eruptadon with him. Hiccup looked down at the lake of magma below as Re, Aurora, and Tenor circled the crater.

"Looks like this nightmare is finally nearing an end," he said to Toothless. "We're out of danger."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that," said Viggo, as Stormfly landed with Viggo on her back holding Astrid's ax to Astrid's throat. Both Astrid and Stormfly looked genially scared.

"Viggo," Hiccup growled. "Let me guess, you want the Dragon Eye in exchange for Astrid."

"It sounds so much colder when you say it," said Viggo. "But yes. I am grateful for your help in eliminating my brother, but now I ask that you return it to it's rightful place, with me." Hiccup pulled the Dragon Eye out of his pocket, and looked at it. "Come on Hiccup, are you really going to sacrifice your future, all the wonderful times ahead of you for that?" Hiccup smirked, an idea forming in his mind.

"Well when you put it that way," he said. "No I don't." And he chucked the Dragon Eye clear over Stormfly, towards the volcano. Viggo dropped the ax, and jumped off Stormfly to try to catch it. But he missed and it fell into the magma. Viggo turned and glared at Hiccup and Astrid. Suddenly there came a furious roar from above. They looked up to see Re flying towards them. He swooped down and shot fire right at Viggo. Then with an even louder roar, pushed Viggo into the volcano, before rejoining is comrades. Hiccup rushed to the edge, only to find no hint of Viggo.

"I didn't want it to end like this," he said, shocked. Astrid came up beside him, also shocked. She looked up Re who had gone back to circling.

"Are you okay?" she asked Hiccup.

"Yeah, I think I'll be fine," Hiccup said.

"It's finally over," Astrid said. "It is over isn't it?"

"Yeah, looks like it," Hiccup said. They turned to face each other.

"Look, I should have listened to you," said Astrid. "You're our leader, and our relationship can't get in the way of that. It won't happen again, I promise."

"Okay, as long as you keep telling me what you're thinking," Hiccup said. "I rely on you Astrid, I always have. Deal?" He held his hand out. Astrid grasped his hand with both of hers.

"Deal," she said. She pulled Hiccup towards her, so she could kiss him. Suddenly they heard the other riders and dragons land in front of them. They quickly pulled apart, blushing. Re and his comrades landed as well. Re had a stern look on his face, showing no regret for shoving Viggo into the volcano.

"Okay, we need to do a sweep of the island," Hiccup said, a hand around Astrid's shoulders. "Make sure the island's safe." Just then Heather spotted the airship sailing towards the Edge, and it seemed to be wobbling dangerously.

"Guys, I think Serenity's in trouble," she said. They all looked down at the airship. At once they got on their dragons and flew down. On the way Hiccup looked at Re.

"Why Re?" he asked. "That wasn't how I wanted it to end."

"Too bad," Re said. "We don't always get what we want, especially in a war." He sped up and landed on the cliff.

The airship headed for the cliff as the other dragons landed. It was loosing altitude rapidly and kept wobbling.

"Serenity pull up!" Tenor called. But Serenity was loosing consciousness from the pain and the dragon root. The world spun, and tipped. She could barely keep her eyes open, let alone keep the ship straight. The riders and dragons watched in horror as the ship hit the edge of the cliff and flipped upside down. It rolled onto its side, breaking its wings and fins. Then it skidded to a stop, the red balloon deflated. Serenity fell out of the ship, covered in blood with four arrows sticking out of her body. She curled into a ball, clutching her bleeding side. Re turned to Hiccup.

"We'll take care of her, you guys take care of the island," he said. Hiccup nodded and got back on Toothless. The riders left the Draconians too look after their healer. They circled the island, making it a victory lap.

High above them however, volcano erupted.