How To Train Your Dragon [Volume #1]

07. "This Is War"

The sky darkened as the boats entered the misty terrain. "Sound your positions. Stay within earshot." Stoick ordered. The Viking started calling out positions in the background as Stoick faced forward. Gobber approached him, seeming a little skittish. "Listen... Stoick... I was overhearing some of the men just now and, well, some of them are wondering what it is we're up to here- not me of course, I know you're always the man plan- But some, not me, are wondering if there is, in fact, a plan at all, what it might be?" Gobber said as his eyes darted all around trying to see the other boats through the fog.

"Find the nest and take it." Was his reply, eyes never leaving in front of him. "Ah. Of course. Send them running. The old Viking fallback. Nice and simple." The Night Fury made a curious chirping sound, like a mix between a chirp and a click. "Shhh" Stoick shushed Gobber as he leaned towards the dragon to listen properly. Stoick strode forward pushing Padt some of his men before reaching the rudder, grasping it with two hands he steered it. The Night Fury's head jerking up, alert, pupils slit, like a snake. The dragon's head jerked to the right, and that's where Stoick steered the longboat. "Bear to port." A Viking told another on another boat who seemed as lost as most of the other men. The ship glided through the darkened waters, as it made it's way to a first and final battle with the beast in the volcano.

"Oh, heh, I was wondering where that went," Gobber said staring at the shipwrecked battle worn longboat as it leered over them intimidatingly. The Night Fury launched itself against its chains. Startling some of the men. "Stay low. Ready your weapons." Stoick commanded. When the bolt jolted to a stop Stoick made his way to the front of the longboat. Staring at the large rock mountain that stood as higher than any mountain they've seen before. "We're Here."

*-*-*

Hiccups foot tapped against the floor almost rapidly as she faced the dragon caged. "'Go hard or go home.' Dolma always says. Never understood why she couldn't say 'go big or go home.' I should ask her if I live through this." Hiccup said out loud, nerves making her edgy. She fell back into silence.

"If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronkle," Fishlegs said spitefully. Hiccup smirked before turning around, she leaned on the cage, arms crossed. "Noted." Hiccup said.

Tuffnut stepped forward as Astrid yawned. "You were wise to seek help from the worlds most deadly weapon."

"Uh..."

"That's me..." Tuffnut quickly interrupted.

"I love this plan!" Snotlout said grinning as he pushed Tuffnut away with his hand.

"Hiccup opened her mouth to reply but Ruffnut spoke up, right in her face. "You're crazy! I like that..."

"O-okay." Hiccup said slightly flushed as Ruffnut was pulled away by her helmet. "So, what is the plan?" Astrid asked arms crossed as she sauntered up to Hiccup. Hiccup smiled. "Watch." Turning around she went to the Monstrous Nightmare's cage first, releasing it. She didn't get to see it properly before, too best trying not to die, but she could see now, as it calmly followed her hand what a healthy colouring of creamy white underbelly mixed with orange-red scales Hiccup slowly and gently guides it towards Snotlout. Hiccup hears a faint. "Uh-uh." behind her and the faint sign of something being placed back down. Snotlout whimpers. "Wait! What are you-?!" He cried out scared when she tried to put his hand on the dragon's snout. "It's okay...It's okay." She reassured as she gently places Snotlout's hand on the Nightmare. She watched him relaxed considerably then laughs, still slightly nervous. "wait, where are you going?" He asked as Hiccup moved to grab something out of a wooden box. "Your gonna need something to hold on." She twirled the rope around her finger like you would a set of keys. "Don't want to fall off on your first flight, trust me, it's not fun." She remembers how she unceremoniously was thrown off the end of Toothless's tail into the water.