Secrets of the Wilderwest (Httyd fic)

Chapter 18

Astrid's POV

The feast last night was great and the entire village danced and sang. Even some of the dragons got curious and came looking at the spectacle, and some even joined in.

Ruffnut and Tuffnut apparently couldn't hold their alcohol and fell asleep on the belly of a green and yellow Hideous Zippleback. Snotlout was singing merrily with a red Monstrous Nightmare, while Fishlegs was approached by a brown Gronckle. I was approached by a curious blue and yellow Nadder as I was eating a chicken leg. I decided to give her one and the Nadder happily chirped and sat down next to me and began preening her scales.

As morning came it was time for us to leave. Putting on our original clothing we headed for the village exit. Silvy and many of the villagers came to wish us a safe journey.

Near the village outskirts I saw the elders and the dragons from last night assembled.

"Your group is now complete." Ami stated with a smile.

"Yes and these fine dragons wish to join you on your quest." Mia added, gesturing to the dragons who gave happy chirps and roars with Toothless being the most energetic of the bunch.

"They will see you to your destinations safely." Ami stated and showed us the saddles that the dragons were wearing.

"You want us to ride the dragons?" I asked the elders who only nodded.

"Yes child. We know that no one has ridden a dragon in centuries but the time has come once more." Mai told us and then proceeded to take off a necklace with a teardrop shaped black crystal hanging from it.

She then handed it to Hiccup and said. "Take good care of this necklace. Consider it a good luck charm for your journey ahead, and always wear it above your heart."

I frowned a little at that statement but said nothing as Hiccup accepted the necklace.

"All that remains is that you give your dragons a name and then you can be off." Ami said happily.

We each approached the dragon that we had befriended last night. The twins decided to name the Zippleback Barf and Belch, while Fishlegs gave the Gronckle a scratch and named her Meatlug. Snotlout decided on Hookfang for the Nightmare, while I named the Nadder Stormfly.

The dragons seemed happy with their names and allowed us onto their backs. As we took off we waved a last goodbye to the village. It soon became apparent that flying a dragon wasn't so easy. Fishlegs was scared and was whimpering, while the twins had problems steering, and Hookfang would not listen to Snotlout's commands. Stormfly at least would listen to me. I glanced towards Hiccup and saw that he was doing loopty loops with Toothless. 'How can he make it look so easy?' I thought.

It took quite a short amount of time to reach our destination, Skullion's cove, on dragonback. The dragons landed near the treeline and we went to inspect the cove.

"We're in luck." Fishlegs stated. "It's ebb tide."

"Fishlegs how do we even know it's in there? The shield only gave us a relative location." I ask as we begin to descend down the cliff wall.

"It's the most likely location. Grimbeard became a pirate after giving up his crown. If he were to hide something then I bet it is in that cave system down there.

"Well we better hurry up." Hiccup stated. "High tide will be coming in soon."

We cautiously make our way through the damp cavern with some flashlights Fishlegs brought along. After scaling multiple obstacles we came to a crossroad.

"Which way now?" Snotlout asked Fishlegs.

"I don't know." Fishlegs mumbled while shining light into each of the three tunnels.

"Left tunnel." Hiccup stated and pointed to a small carved crest in the stone above. "It's the same crest as on that compass."

We went into the left tunnel and came upon another crossroad soon after. Again there was a crest visible but this time on the middle tunnel.

"Don't you get the feeling that this is to easy sis?" Tuffnut asked. "If following these crests was all it took........."

"For once you do make a point." Ruffnut replied. "I've got that feeling that there is more to this."

We entered a large cavern and what lay before us had us all shocked. Mountains of gold and chests of silver lay strewn on the cavern floor. At the back of the cavern lay an altar with a golden sword on it.

"Look at all this treasure." Snotlout stared in awe.

"Nobody touch anything." Hiccup commanded. "Fishlegs you said Grimbeard became a pirate right."

"Yes. The meridian of misery was his domain then." Fishlegs answered.

"Then it's safe to assume that any treasure here could be booby-trapped." Hiccup stated.

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!!" Was shouted from behind us. We whirled around to see several men with guns holding a gagged and bound Heather and Soren.

"They're Drago's men." I hissed to the others and then turned to the man who had his gun pointed at Heather and Soren.

"Aye, Astrid. Would say it's nice seeing you again but unfortunately this meeting will be short." Simmons said. "You've certainly led us on a merry chase. Now hand over those items."

"Over my dead body!!" I shouted at Simmons.

"That can be arranged." He retorted when a clang was heard. Rolling to the middle of the cavern was a small metal pod which was expelling white gas.

"Smokescreen!" Simmons yelled. "Open fire!!"

Just before Drago's men opened fire Fishlegs, Snotlout and I were pulled behind a large pile of treasure by Hiccup and the twins.

"What in Thor's name do you keep in that coat of yours cuz!" Snotlout asked while holding a hand over his heart.

"I thought we were goners." Fishlegs stammered.

"Dammit." Hiccup grumbled. "I can't shoot. I might hit Heather or Soren."

Soon the hail of bullets stop and I hear Simmons swear loudly. "Looks like they are out of bullets." I whisper to Hiccup who peeks around the pile of treasure and sees one of the men take the golden sword from the altar.

The smoke had cleared and Hiccup took a few shots hitting some of the men near the hostages.

"Leave them!" Simmons yelled as he saw the cavern beginning to crumble when the sword was taken.

The men quickly push their hostages aside as they hightail it out of the collapsing caves.

We emerge from behind the pile and I see Hiccup sprint to Soren and Heater while taking an old sword from the treasure pile. He quickly cuts the ropes and we run back towards the entrance.

We manage to reach the entrance of the cave only to see Drago's men already retreating to sea with the sword.

"Get to the dragons!" I shouted. "We can still catch up to them."

"You won't be going anywhere!!" Was shouted and we turned to our right to see Colonel Marchen and his soldiers on top of the cliff with their guns trained on us.

"You have got to be freaking kidding me!!" I shouted.