Life on the Edge

3.09 Tone Death

Not for the first time, the Riders find themselves on a late-night mission to ruin the Dragon Hunters' latest schemes and plans.

"Okay, gang. Stay with your teammate and lock down your specific island," Hiccup tells them. "This Dragon Hunter is sneaky."

"He comes in, transfers his cargo, and slips out under the cover of darkness," Fishlegs says dramatically.

Ragnar raises his eyebrows. "Sounding a little too much like the twins there, Legs."

Ruffnut perks up, trading a look with her brother before they both smile over at Fishlegs. "Ooh, what a compliment. You know, you should really thank him for that."

"Very mysterious," Fishlegs says instead, easily ignoring them.

"Very boring," Snotlout cuts in. "Can we get to it?" He doesn't wait for an answer as he leads Hookfang ahead and toward the collection of small islands below them.

They all split off to their specific areas as a way to cover the most ground possible. Ragnar can't say he's surprised, however, when Snotlout suddenly flies up on Hiccup's other side.

"So, I need one of you to put in a good word for me," he tells them, blatantly ignoring the distraction from their mission.

"What? With who?" Hiccup asks. "Astrid?"

"She doesn't like you, Snotlout," Ragnar says bluntly. It's far from the first time. "Not when we were kids and not now."

Snotlout rolls his eyes and doesn't even bother to act offended. "Please. I'm so over Astrid. Someone else can have her."

"Wow, Snotlout. That's just- it's so generous of you," Hiccup says sarcastically.

"Anytime. I'm a giver," he claims. "Listen. I know Heather's been dying to approach me-"

Ragnar shakes his head. "She doesn't like you either."

"-but her fear's got her scurred."

Hiccup trades an amused look with Ragnar. "Yeah. I- I don't think Heather gets scurred, Snotlout," he tells him. "Besides, I'm not so sure you're ready for a woman like Heather. She's far too, uh, sincere-"

"-honest," Ragnar chimes in.

"-brave," Hiccup adds.

Snotlout scoffs. "I can fake honesty. I can fake sincerity. I can fake all those things."

"Huh. Even bravery?" Ragnar asks with a smirk. "Says more about you than anything."

Hiccup bites back a laugh if only for Snotlout's sake. "Oh, yeah, and, by the way, she's smart too."

"I can fake being smarters," Snotlout says seriously.

Ragnar rolls his eyes as Nightshade and Toothless break away to swoop down toward the base. "Allfather, give me patience," he mutters.

Their search for the Hunters and whatever it is they might be transferring comes to a stop when they see a bright explosion above a nearby ship. It's a Nadder's blast and, considering it didn't come from Nightshade, can only be Astrid and Stormfly sending a signal.

The rest of the Riders converge on the ship. Unfortunately, their appearance is enough to spook the Hunters.

"We're never gonna get out of here!" one cries in panic.

The Hunter carrying the cargo- a speckled dragon egg- backs up against the ship's main mast. "It's the egg they want."

"They want the egg?" the Hunter in charge asks rhetorically. "Give it to them."