AN: Thank you Aaron William, Shanna Verastigue, David Philyaw, and Arturo M for becoming P-atrons. If you would like to support me and read ahead join my P-atreon the lowest tier is 3$ a month. P-atreon.com/Hela698 or click the link on my page.
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We stand on a rugged cliff that overlooks the vast, shimmering ocean, taking in the breathtaking view of Berk on a sunny, clear day. The sun casts a warm golden light across the water, making it sparkle as if strewn with countless diamonds.
"Berk is a small island in the middle of nowhere,"
~~~
Inside her cozy bedroom, Hela sits at her wooden desk, completely absorbed in her work. With a determined look on her face, she skillfully sketches a new shield design, the quill gliding smoothly across the parchment. She pauses momentarily to examine her progress before re-dipping her quill into the ink pot, only to discover with a frown that it is completely dry.
"Great," she murmurs, frustration creeping into her voice as she glances around for a replacement.
"So when we get a taste of something new..."
~~~
Meanwhile, not far offshore, Bucket bobs excitedly in his small, unsteady rowboat. He squints into the distance and spots a ship approaching, the sails billowing in the wind.
"Trader Johann is here! Trader Johann!" he shouts, waving emphatically at the incoming vessel, his excitement overwhelming him. In his eagerness, he leans too far over the side of the boat, and with a splash, his rowboat capsizes, sending him tumbling into the water.
"We tend to go a little overboard,"
The ship creaked and groaned as it pulled into the bustling harbor, a multitude of excited Vikings gathering on the dock, their eyes glinting with anticipation as they formed a lively queue outside the vessel. The ramp lowered with a resounding thud.
"Unfortunately, new isn't always good,"
Bucket bounced eagerly as he stepped onto the gangplank, his eyes wide with curiosity. Standing at the bottom of the ramp was Trader Johann, a rotund man with a jovial demeanor and a twinkle of mischief in his eye.
"Ah, Berk, my favorite of all the islands I travel to," Trader Johann greeted, his voice booming over the clamor of the crowd.
"Where have you been this time, Trader Johann?" Bucket asked, still hopping with energy as he boarded the ship, his feet barely touching the planks.
"Oh, Bucket, the things I've seen, the people I've met!" Johann exclaimed, his arms wide as if to embrace the world. "I'd need a week to regale you with tales of my adventures, but alas, we have limited time to conduct our business together." He turned his gaze toward the throng of waiting Vikings with a flourish of his hand. "Whatever it is you're looking for, I can assure you, you'll find it here!"
The Vikings eagerly climbed aboard, each one racing to explore the vast array of merchandise, their voices filled with excitement and chatter.
"It's all mine! I call dibs on everything!" Snotlout declared, his greed evident as he stared at the rows of goods laid out before him, a smug grin plastered across his face.
Johann's voice rang out, advertising his wares. "I've got food of all sorts, spices from distant lands, exotic animals that you won't find anywhere else..." He gestured grandly, his arms embracing the expansive selection.
Tuffnut spotted a bag on a high shelf that was wriggling suspiciously. "Is that one moving? Does that one move?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise just before spikes burst through the fabric, startling him backward.
"Works of art, exquisite jewelry, not to mention knowledge from the farthest reaches of the map," Johann continued with unabashed enthusiasm, reminding everyone of the treasures they could discover.
Gobber jostled through the crowd, playing with some jingle-bells he'd found. Meanwhile, Fishlegs, with a twinkle of curiosity in his eyes, approached Trader Johann, holding a tiny leather-bound book with reverence.
"Trader Johann, is this your only book on botany?" Fishlegs inquired, his voice tinged with awe as he carefully displayed the delicate tome.
"Indeed, Mr. Fishlegs. It was given to me by the author himself," Johann replied, a hint of pride in his tone as he nodded appreciatively.
In a moment of boldness, Fishlegs offered up a necklace he had crafted, made from the teeth of baby dragons. "Would you take this necklace in trade?"
After a brief hesitation, Johann sighed but accepted the trade, "Fair enough, Mr. Fishlegs," and with that, he turned back to the bustling ship.
Snotlout ambled past Fishlegs, holding a hand mirror, admiring his reflection. "Oooh, I'm even better looking than I thought!" he boasted with a smug wink aimed at Dawn, who was engrossed in examining a pair of daggers, rolling her eyes in disgust before intentionally turning away from him.
Meanwhile, Astrid was busy testing a mace, tossing it in her hand with a practiced ease. Behind her, Gobber let out a drawn-out moan of ecstasy as he rubbed a piece of rich purple fabric against his face, basking in the indulgent texture.
"You okay there, Gobber?" Astrid asked, glancing over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm better than okay; I'm in heaven!" Gobber exclaimed, surrendering to the bliss of his discovery.
Hela approached Hiccup, who was inspecting a clay pot, a bemused expression on her face. "I see you ran out of ink as well, brother," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
Hiccup chuckled softly, scratching the back of his neck. "We really do go through them quickly, don't we?" he replied.
Just then, Trader Johann spotted them and sauntered over, energy radiating from him like a vibrant sun. "Oh, that's pure squid ink, my dear friends! Wrestled from the colossal squid of the northern waters," he said with a playful grin, rubbing his shoulder as if he could still feel the weight of his last brawl.
Hiccup pulled a beautifully crafted spyglass from his vest pocket. "Well, how about this spyglass? You know I made it myself," he suggested, holding it up for Johann to admire.
The trader took the spyglass, turning it over in his hands, a glint of recognition in his eyes. "I know. You've given me five just like it. Unfortunately, I've only got the two eyes. What else have you got?" He handed the spyglass back with a sigh and another shoulder rub.
Undeterred, Hiccup produced a sturdy winch from his pocket and presented it to Johann. "What do you think of this winch? It will help you pull up your gangplank."
"A welcome tool for a working man's ailing shoulder," Johann replied with a grin, taking the winch eagerly.
Hela stepped up, she produced a dagger of stunning craftsmanship. "Would you accept this for trade? I made it myself. The dagger isn't made for fighting; the blade is quite thin and will break if used against something hard, but it makes for quite the decorative piece," she explained proudly, offering it with a flourish.
"Consider it done! I know just the prince to sell this to," Johann said, accepting the dagger with a satisfied nod, his eyes already glimmering with thoughts of the profits he could make.
Grunting catches Hela and Hiccups attention. They turn to Stoick brandishes and slashes about with a sword.
"Wow. Another sword, just what we need," Hiccup remarked with a tone dripping in sarcasm.
Hela, with an exaggerated gasp, placed her hand dramatically over her heart as if struck by his words. "How could you say such a thing? There can never be enough swords!" she exclaimed playfully, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
Stoick shook his head with a half-amused, half-exasperated expression at their antics. "If you must know, it's not for me," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "I'm heading off to my yearly meeting with the chief of the Shivering Shores. The last man who showed up without a gift… left without a head," he added ominously, his tone darkening.
The the head of one of the ships wooden carves topples over, clearly lopped off by Stoick as he was testing the sword. He turned his gaze toward Johann, who stood by with a gleam of anticipation in his eyes. "What will you take in trade?" Stoick asked, his authoritative demeanor reigniting.
"Stoick! It is but your good graces I desire when my ambling ship passes through Berk," Johann replied, putting on his most charming smile.
Stoick softened slightly, nodding. "You'll always be welcome on our shores." With that, he strode purposefully to a majestic dragon waiting eagerly at the docks beside a sturdy ship. "I'll be back in five days," he stated, then corrected himself with a chuckle, "What am I saying? I'll be back in two thanks to Thornado."
Climbing atop Thornado Stoick felt the powerful beast swell with energy beneath him, letting out a fierce blast of air that whipped around Hiccup and Hela. They dove to the side to avoid the rush of wind. Hela shot an annoyed glare at the dragon.
"Sorry, force of habit," Thornado said, a bashful expression on his dragon face despite his size and strength.
"Oh, so you finally named him? Thornado, huh?" Hiccup replied, raising an eyebrow and trying to mask his grin.
Stoick struggled to maintain his balance as Thornado began to buck and shake beneath him. "That's right! He possesses the power of Thor and the ferocity of a tornado!" Stoick declared with pride, grabbing onto the reins tightly. "And besides, it's the only thing he'll answer to. Turns out he can be quite stubborn!"
Hiccup crossed his arms, unable to resist the urge to retort, "I can't imagine where he gets that from," he muttered under his breath, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Up, Thornado!" Stoick commanded, and with a powerful surge of wings, the dragon finally calmed down, launching into the sky with a triumphant roar. Johann, watching from his ship, couldn't help but admire the spectacle. "Ah, men riding dragons. What a magnificent sight!" he mused, his eyes gleaming with envy.
"Johann!" a voice interrupted, pulling the trader's attention back to the docks.
Trader Johann turned around to greet Mildew who had apparently just arrived on the scene. "Mildew!" he replied warmly.
"Did you bring what I want?" Mildew asked with a no-nonsense attitude, his sharp gaze fixed on Johann.
"Always straight to the point. I like that!" Johann responded with a grin, lifting the lid off a woven basket from a carefully stacked pile nearby, allowing Mildew to peer excitedly inside. "Did you bring my cabbage?"
Mildew pointed to another basket resting on the ground that held several sizable heads of cabbage, their green leaves glistening in the sunlight. With a flourish, Johann happily took the basket and gave the cabbages an exuberant sniff, savoring the earthy aroma before setting off with a satisfied hum.
"Take these to my house," Mildew instructed, directing his staff toward the baskets, before making his own exit. A tiny terrible terror had made its way to the top of the pile of baskets, curiously nibbling on the contents of Mildew's basket.
"Now, now, little fella, that's not for you. Away," Johann admonished gently as the tiny creature nibbled away. The terrible terror retaliated by biting Johann's finger, sharp little teeth making contact.
"Ow! Feisty little one, isn't he?" He exclaimed, grasping the troublesome creature by its tail and, with a swift flick, tossed it to the side, well past Hiccup. The sudden movement provoked Toothless, Hiccup's loyal dragon, who lunged protectively at Trader Johann, inadvertently knocking the squid ink pot from Hiccup's hand as it fell with a splatter.
"Whoa!" Johann exclaimed, taking a step back, fear etched on his face.
Meanwhile, Hela, joined by Troels, who just arrived, walked over to the disoriented little terrible terror, who had toppled over yet was unharmed. Hela scooped him up gently. "You shouldn't be poking around in other people's stuff," she scolded the little dragon, who, after a brief moment, took off into the air, leaving behind a delicate blue petal on her hand. She shook it off, oblivious to its significance, as she continued to chat with Troels.
~~~~
The dragons and their riders gathered in a semi-circle, eyes fixed on the impressive sight before them. Tuffnut wheeled in a large stone carving of a Viking, the figure towering above them, intricately detailed with a fierce expression and mighty weaponry.
"Wow! How does that look?" Tuffnut called out with excitement, his eyes sparkling with pride.
"Beautiful," Ruffnut replied, her admiration evident in her tone as she tilted her head to take in the statue from different angles.
Hiccup stepped forward, curiosity piqued as he examined the craftsmanship closely. "You got this just for the academy?" he asked, brushing his fingers over the cool stone.
"Yeah! We got it from trader Johann. It cost us our great-grandfather's skull," Tuffnut explained, his voice drifting as he recalled the bartering, "but we managed to keep his clavicle."
"Wow! It's really about time you guys started taking some pride in this place," Hiccup said, a warm smile spreading across his face, pleased to see his friends contributing to their home.
However, Hela leaned in. "Something tells me they didn't pick it for decoration," she said, her voice laced with skepticism. She frowned, feeling her nose tingle and stuffy.
Just then, proving her intuition right, Tuffnut shouted, "Duck!"
"What?!" Hiccup exclaimed, confusion etched on his face.
At that moment, Belchbarf, in a fit of excitement, launched a fireball directly at the newly unveiled statue. Hiccup and Tuffnut barely had time to react, diving out of the way just in time to avoid being singed.
"That was awesome! I wanna have a go!" Snotlout yelled, enthusiasm bubbling over as he sprinted to his dragon, Hookfang. Without hesitation, he climbed onto Hookfang's back. "Fire!" he commanded.
In response, Hookfang unleashed a massive fireball aimed at the stony target, followed closely by Stormfly and Shadow, who joined in with a flurry of sharp tail spikes. Meatlug, not to be outdone, released her own fireball, painting the sky with flames. Toothless, anxiously waiting for his turn, attempted to fire but only managed a sneeze that harmlessly missed the statue entirely. Troels sneezed right after, sending a fiery blast that nearly singed Snotlout's eyebrows.
"Oh, that's strange," Hiccup remarked, furrowing his brow as he approached the chaotic scene, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Yeah!" Hela added, her own sneeze prompting a moment of shared confusion among the group.
"Hey! Could you have your dragon cover his mouth when he sneezes?" Snotlout shouted amidst the chaos, his irritation palpable as he brushed soot off his clothes.
Ignoring Snotlout's complaint, Hiccup turned his focus back to Hela, concern creeping into his voice. "You okay?" he asked, studying her closely, noting the slight paleness on her face.
"I'm fine. It's probably just the dust all that firing kicked up," she reassured him, though her voice was slightly strained. "I'll head home and finish that sketch I was working on last night," she said, mounting Troels.
As she rode away, Hiccup watched her leave, worry etched across his face. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, hoping that a bit of rest would do her good.
~~~~
Hiccup and Dawn soared through the crisp, blue sky, making their way home from the dragon academy atop their dragons. Dawn's keen eyes spotted a splash of color in the plaza.
"Look at those flowers! They're stunning," she exclaimed, pointing towards the bunch of brilliantly colored blooms that swayed gently in the breeze.
Just then, Toothless let out a loud sneeze, his body jerking in the air. He swerved dangerously close to Dawn and her dragon, Shadow.
"Woah! Hey! What are you doing?" Dawn asked with a hint of alarm in her voice, trying to keep her balance.
Toothless, unable to regain control, flailed around desperately, another allergy-induced sneeze erupting from him mid-flight. It was clear he was struggling to stay aloft.
"It's not me," Hiccup shouted over the chaotic whir of wings and the wind. "Uh, okay, Toothless. Waahhh!"
Before Hiccup could react further, Toothless lost his battle with gravity and crash-landed headfirst into the ground. Hiccup was catapulted off his back, rolling across the soft earth before coming to a stop. Quickly recovering, he scrambled to his feet, concern racing through him, and rushed over to check on his dragon.
Dawn swiftly followed, her eyes wide with worry as they both knelt beside Toothless, who lay dazed but unharmed.
"Toothless, are you okay, bud? Talk to me! Toothless?" Hiccup gently nudged his dragon. A worried frown crossed his face as he continued, "Maybe he's got a cold or something. Do dragons even get colds?"
Just then, the high-pitched squeak of a terrible terror interrupted their thoughts, capturing their attention.
"Whoa, look at that," Dawn said, her tone turning anxious as she observed the creature struggling to maintain altitude. The little dragon, clearly in distress, flew haphazardly past them, desperately trying to keep itself airborne. With a sudden thud, it crashed to the ground just a few feet away, landing in a heap at the Vikings' feet.
Dawn rushed over. She cradled the sneezing terrible terror in her arms, her eyes filled with concern. "Well, whatever it is, it looks like he's got it too," she said, looking worriedly at Hiccup.
Hiccup nodded gravely, recalling how Hela had also been sneezing earlier at the arena. "I think Hela and Troels got it as well," he said with a sigh, realizing that something was definitely amiss.
~~~~
Gobber stood beside a crackling fire, a pot of bubbling, unknown green liquid simmering ominously over the flames. The air was thick with an odd, pungent aroma that wafted through the room, making Hela and the two Night Furies look even more sick. Both dragons swayed slightly, their vibrant scales dull in the flickering light, as Hela coughed, a grimace crossing her face.
"This will fix them right up," Gobber announced with a confident grin. He deftly grabbed hold of the pot with his hook, the metal glinting ominously in the firelight, and brought it closer to the three afflicted beings.
"What is it?" Hiccup asked, concern etched across his brow as he sat near Toothless, trying to offer him some comfort. The dragon's large eyes blinked wearily, emphasizing just how poorly he seemed.
"It's best not to ask," Gobber replied cryptically, placing the pot down with a heavy thud. The contents sloshed and emitted a thick, bubbling sound that did little to reassure Hela. "Whatever you do, don't touch it."
Hela frowned, her expression mixed with suspicion and irritation. "I'm not drinking something I don't know the ingredients of," she declared, her voice laced with a slight cough that interrupted her words. Hiccup quickly got to his feet and fetched a small cup of water, which he handed to her with a reassuring nod. She took a grateful sip, the cool liquid providing some relief to her throat, and continued with a hesitant tone, "Especially when it looks like that," gesturing at the pot filled with the bizarre green concoction.
Toothless let out a sudden sneeze, causing a spray of the thick, viscous green muck to splatter across Gobber's shirt. The dragon's large eyes widened in shock as he realized the mess he had just made.
"Thank you, Toothless," Hela said, allowing herself a small sigh of relief at the dragon's rather timely distraction sneeze.
Gobber glanced down at his shirt, his expression quickly shifting to one of dismay. "Well, that's ruined," he grumbled, peering at the splatters with evident frustration. "I'll never get that yak to vomit again."
Hela's face twisted in disgust at Gobber's crude comment, her stomach churning at the thought.
In that tense moment, without warning, Astrid and her sister Dawn burst through the door, their faces a mix of urgency and alarm.
"You gotta see this!" Astrid exclaimed, her voice urgent and filled with concern.
Hookfang, Meatlug, and Belchbarf flailed through the air, struggling to maintain control as they sneezed uncontrollably. The vibrant colors of their scales glinted in the sunlight, but their erratic movements painted a chaotic scene in the sky. Their riders, Snotlout and Fishlegs, gripped the reins tightly, their faces a mixture of panic and determination as they tried to regain control of their mounts.
"Easy, easy! Whoa!" Snotlout shouted, his voice rising above the cacophony of flapping wings and dragon sneezes. Hookfang, unable to focus, collided with one of the enormous torches that illuminated the village, sending embers flying as he spun helplessly around it, trailing smoke from his nostrils like a malfunctioning firework.
Meanwhile, Belchbarf zipped past in a wild dash, narrowly dodging the tight rooflines of nearby homes. The wind from his wings created a gust that rattled the shutters and sent a few loose items tumbling to the ground. Fishlegs screamed in horror as Meatlug performed tight spirals, almost as if caught in an unpredictable dance.
"Help her, Hiccup!" Fishlegs yelled in desperation, his voice tinged with fear. "She's sick! Whoa! And I'm about to be!" Just as he finished his plea, a powerful sneeze from Meatlug shot them downward, and Fishlegs barely managed to cover his mouth as they plummeted to the grass outside Hiccup's house, landing with a soft thud.
Hiccup, standing nearby, surveyed the frantic scene with wide eyes, a realization dawning on him. "It's spreading to all the dragons," he muttered, a mix of concern and urgency in his voice. He quickly turned to Gobber, who was scratching his beard in thought, his brow furrowed.
"How do we stop this?" Hiccup pressed, urgency coloring his tone.
After a moment of contemplative silence, Gobber's eyes lit up with a flash of inspiration. "Gothi!" he exclaimed, breaking into a grin. "She'll know what to do!" With that, he set off in search of the village healer.
~~~~
Gothi inspects Hela's eyes and mouth just as she did with Toothless and Troels. Satisfied, she takes a handful of bones and tosses them on the floor, observing the result.
"I've heard Gothi could tell you when you're gonna die, just by looking at your fingernails." Astrid states.
Fishlegs quickly hides his hands behind his back.
"I thought she looked at your eyes?" Dawn says.
Fishlegs quickly closes his eyes.
"Ah, that's just an old wives tale." Gobber interjects, "She looks at your tongue."
Fishlegs clamps his hands over his mouth. Gobber approaches Gothi to interpret her drawings. "She says they're reacting to something, like they're allergic."
"Allergic? To what?" Hiccup asks glancing at Hela in worry as she groans.
Gothi continues her drawing. Gobber continues to interpret, badly. "To a moose wearing boots. Shouldn't be hard to find."
Gothi looks at Gobber and whacks him over the head with her staff.
"I didn't think that was right." Gobber says rubbing his head.
Gothi resumes drawing with Gobber watching.
"Ahh, they're allergic to something new that's just come to the island." Gobber says translating correctly. "But that still looks like a moose."
Gothi hits Gobber on the head again.
"Well there are a lot of new things on the island. Trader Johann was just here." Astrid tells them as she sits down next to Hela and places her head on her lap moving her fingers through her hair. Hela weakly opens her eyes and smiles up at her.
Gothi sketches a response to Astrid. Gobber explains. "She says to get rid of everything, immediately. Otherwise it's just going to get worse, they are going to get sicker."
Hiccup looks devastated. He leans on Toothless, giving his friend a reassuring hug.
~~~~
At the front of a long, eager line of Vikings, Sven hefts his gleaming new axe, surveying the enormous pit that yawns before him. He lets the axe slip from his grasp, sending it plunging into the depths below. Nearby, Dawn and Gobber stand alongside Hiccup, their expressions a mix of encouragement and apprehension as they oversee the event, ensuring that every new item is being disposed of properly. Astrid, meanwhile, has opted to remain behind, dutifully caring for Hela, leaving her friends to handle the task at hand.
"I know this is hard, guys, but I promise you, you're doing a good thing," Hiccup reassures the crowd, his voice steady and filled with conviction. He gestures earnestly, his arm extending toward the next Viking in line—a woman adorned with a heavy leather tunic, who steps forward, a bulging sack punctuated by dozens of intimidating spikes clutched tightly in her hands. The tension in the air is palpable as another female Viking follows closely behind, advancing with a beautifully woven basket filled with her own items, ready for disposal.
"It's the least we can do for them!" adds Dawn, her enthusiasm shining through as she kicks a small stone into the pit as if to emphasize her point.
Snotlout, wearing an expression of reluctance, steps up next, casting one long, lingering gaze into his beloved mirror as if memorizing the image of his own reflection. "Goodbye, beautiful," he murmurs wistfully before unceremoniously tossing it into the pit, the sound of shattering glass echoing around him.
Behind him, Fishlegs is desperately leafing through the last pages of his treasured botany book, clearly in a state of panic. His face is filled with concern as he mutters to himself.
Evidently frustrated by his distraction, Ruffnut leans over Fishlegs' shoulder, her voice laced with exasperation. "What are you doing!? Throw it in already!" she urges, her arms crossed over her chest.
Fishlegs clings to the book, eyes scanning the pages frantically, refusing to look up. "I'm sorry! But this botany book is an absolute page-turner! I just have to find out how it ends!" His voice rises in desperation, as though the fate of the world hinges on his knowledge of plant life.
Ruffnut rolls her eyes dramatically, her shoulders drooping in annoyance—time is slipping away, and there's no time for his antics! With a swift motion, she reaches in, snatching the book from his hands. Fishlegs' eyes widen in horror, his mouth agape as he watches the precious book disappear from his grasp.
With a defiant smirk, Ruffnut strides purposefully to the edge of the pit, tossing the book in carelessly, her smug grin radiating triumph as she turns back to Fishlegs, who stands frozen, watching his literature fall into darkness.
"I don't see you throwing anything into the pile," Hiccup interjects, turning his gaze suspiciously toward Gobber, who stands a few paces away with his arms crossed defensively. Hiccup wags an accusatory finger at him. "I thought I caught you purchasing something from Trader Johann."
Gobber shakes his head vehemently, eyes wide with feigned innocence, but Dawn steps in to bolster Hiccup's claim.
"He did!" she exclaims confidently, pointing an accusing finger at Gobber. "He bought silk from Johann!"
Hiccup persists, a grin creeping onto his lips as he demands, "Hand it over, Gobber." He extends his hand expectantly, waiting for Gobber to comply.
Gobber's brow furrows deeply, a sheepish look spreading across his face, clearly guilty. "Can't do that, Hiccup. It's currently in use," he whispers, leaning closer to Hiccup as if sharing a secret. "It's my skivvies. They're glorious!" His eyes shine with misplaced pride as he shakes his fists excitedly, a childlike joy bubbling up within him. Hiccup glares back at him, a mix of disbelief and frustration etched on his face.
"Fine," Gobber concedes dramatically, his shoulders slumping. He lumbers off toward a small cluster of massive boulders, seeking privacy amid the rocky terrain. A moment passes before his hand pops up above the height of the stones, flinging a bright pair of purple shorts over the rocks and into the pit. Almost immediately, he reemerges, shuffling back into view and adjusting his pants with a dejected expression clouding his features.
"I could have gone my whole life without seeing that," Hiccup remarks dryly, his face contorting in disgust as he watches Gobber shuffle away.
Dawn nods in agreement, her expression mirroring Hiccup's words as they both stand there, momentarily stunned at the absurdity of the situation, watching Gobber walk away, a faint sense of embarrassment lingering in the air.
~~~~
The next morning, Astrid slowly sat up in Hela's cozy bed, sunlight filtering through the window and casting warm hues across the room. She had spent the night over, a small sacrifice to keep Hela company and to offer her some comfort during this rough patch. Astrid wore a determined smile as she turned to Hela, trying to lift her spirits despite the circumstances.
"Hey, how are you feeling today?" she asked gently, her voice laced with concern.
Hela let out a groan, a harsh cough erupting from deep within her throat, making her body shudder. "Like I've been hit by Thor's hammer," she replied, her tone humorous yet tinged with genuine discomfort. As if on cue, she sneezed violently, her wings unfurling with a force that sent Astrid tumbling off the edge of the bed. "Sorry about that," Hela said sheepishly, watching as Astrid scrambled to regain her balance. "It's getting harder to control my powers the sicker I get."
"Yeah, I can see that," Astrid said, glancing up at the charred mark on the ceiling, the stark evidence of the fireballs that had fired off during Hela's previous sneezes and coughs. It reminded her of the chaotic energy that could erupt when Hela's powers started to slip from her grasp.
Nearby, Fenrir hopped onto the bed, nuzzling his head gently against her stomach. His big, sad eyes seemed to understand Hela's struggle, sharing in her unease. Hela ran her fingers through his thick fur, offering him a soothing reassurance. "Everything's going to be okay, buddy," she murmured, her voice softening as her affection for the wolf poured out in her touch.
~~~~
In the small, rustic barn adjacent to the house, Stormfly and Shadow were sprawled on the ground, their heads hanging low, radiating dejection. Dawn knelt by their side, her heart aching for the two creatures, each one restless and unable to find comfort. She reached out, patting their sides gently, her fingers brushing against their sleek scales.
"Poor girls! You can't seem to get comfortable, huh?" she said, her voice filled with sympathy. After a moment's thought, a spark of realization ignited her enthusiasm. "I know what'll help!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet with newfound energy, turning towards the wall where supplies were stored.
In a split second, Dawn ducked just in time to avoid the barrage of tail darts launched by Stormfly. The darts struck the wall with loud thuds, embedding themselves into the wood and leaving a small trail of scattered straw in their wake. As she straightened up, her eyes widened in shock at the unexpected attack, only to find Stormfly gazing at her with weary eyes, a hint of apology flickering in her gaze.
Dawn felt her expression soften into an understanding smile. "It's okay, Stormfly. I'm a soldier, after all. I've been shot at before," she said playfully, striking a mock Viking pose to lighten the mood. Her antics earned a small twitch of acknowledgment from Stormfly, lifting the heavy atmosphere just a bit more.
~~~~
The group of teens, minus Hela, gathered in the heart of the town, flanked by their sick dragons, their scales dulled and eyes lacking the usual spark of vitality. The atmosphere is thick with anxiety, and Fishlegs, ever the worrier, stands on the outskirts with his arms folded tightly across his chest, a deep furrow creasing his brow. "We've managed to rid our dragons of everything we got from Trader Johann, but they're still not getting better," he says, his voice trembling slightly as he gazes down at his companion, the once-lively Meatlug, now slumped and listless. "In fact, they're getting worse!"
Stepping forward with purpose, Hiccup takes the lead, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Okay, okay, let's strategize," he suggests, halting in front of Hookfang, whose fiery spirit seems dimmed. He gestures animatedly, trying to piece together the puzzle of their dragons' ailments. Astrid and Dawn lean in, anticipation mixed with anxiety etched on their faces. Snotlout, however, leans against the sturdy back of Hookfang, a scowl etched into his features as he stares off into the distance, frustration radiating from his posture.
"Maybe there's someone else who bought something from Trader Johann but hasn't tossed it into the pit yet," Hiccup theorizes, his tone tinged with hope. His mind races through the possibilities.
Astrid steps closer, her irritation bubbling under the surface. "Yeah... There must be someone who didn't want to let go of whatever they bought," she agrees, the weight of the discovery heavy in her words.
Snotlout's anger ignites further, fists clenched tightly as he begins to pace. "If I find out who's holding onto that stuff, I am going to be furious!" His hands whirl in an exaggerated motion, his voice climbing to an intimidating shout. "Hookfang was so sick that I spent half the night cleaning dragon barf off our walls!"
"Yeah?" Tuffnut pipes up, his tone grave and somber, drawing the group's attention. Ruffnut stands beside him, her gaze fixed sadly on Zippleback, who remains unnaturally still. "Well, ours is dead!"
The gravity of Tuffnut's proclamation sinks like a stone among them. Shockwaves ripple through the group—Astrid gasps audibly, while Dawn flinches back in horror, Hiccup blinks in disbelief, and Snotlout's mouth drops open in stunned silence.
"Just kidding!" Tuffnut quickly reassures, shrugging nonchalantly as though it were all an elaborate prank. His mirth falters for a moment. "But, honestly, he's really not that much fun anymore."
Ruffnut nods in somber agreement, her expression a blend of disappointment and concern. "He just sits there. He won't blow anything up!"
Relief washes over the other teens momentarily, but their horror is quickly reignited by a sudden shriek that pierces the air, shifting their focus. They turn as they see Thornado making a thunderous descent next to Hiccup's house, Stoick confidently perched upon his back.
"Hiccup! Make sure you add this to the Book of Dragons!" Stoick bellows as he dismounts, his face flushed with excitement and concern. He strides purposefully toward the group, his brow furrowing as he takes in their desolate expressions and the bedraggled state of their dragons, too fatigued to lift their heads. "Never fly on a stomach full of undercooked mutton! The Shivering Shores will never be the same," he continues, his voice a mix of authority and jest.
Drawing nearer, Stoick's expression shifts to one of deep concern. He leans in closer to Hiccup, trying to gauge the seriousness of the situation. "What on earth is going on, Hiccup? What's wrong?"
With a hesitant breath, Hiccup grapples for the right words to convey the gravity of their predicament. "It's the dragons, Dad. They're, um..." he stammers, glancing around at his friends for support.
Astrid jumps in to help, her tone urgent. "They're sick! And getting worse," she explains, her eyes wide with fear.
Stoick's gaze sweeps over the group, his expression deepening as he notices Hela's conspicuous absence. A knot of anxiety twists in his stomach. "Every dragon?" he asks, dread lacing his voice.
~~~~
Stoick carefully placed another heavy log atop the already smoldering fire pit, the crackling of the embers a stark contrast to the tension filling the air. Swallowing his concern, he made his way towards Hela's room, his heart heavy with worry. As he settled onto the edge of her bed, he watched intently as Astrid gently laid a damp cloth on Hela's hot forehead.
"What happened?" Stoick's voice was steady, but it betrayed the urgency he felt. He looked over at Hiccup, who had just entered the room and stood framed by the doorway, looking distraught.
Hiccup shook his head slowly, the lines of distress etched deeply into his features. The weight of his friend's and sister's suffering hung heavily on his shoulders. "Ugh, I don't know! Gothi says they're allergic to something new on the island, but we've searched everywhere and think we've removed everything that could be a trigger."
Stoick paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He knew that panic wouldn't help. "We have to consider every possibility," he urged Hiccup, searching his son's eyes for any glimmer of hope.
"But if they aren't getting any better..." Hiccup's voice trailed off, frustration seeping into his tone.
"Then that means something must still be lurking around here, making them sick," Astrid interjected, her brow furrowing with worry as she brushed a strand of hair from Hela's face.
The oppressive atmosphere thickened, and their shared conclusion hung momentarily over them like an impending storm when they were suddenly interrupted by a series of heavy, wheezing sounds drifting from outside. Stoick's heart raced as he recognized that familiar noise. "Thornado?" he exclaimed, a mix of dread and concern flooding his voice.
He sprang to his feet, propelled by instinct, and sprinted outside. As he rounded the corner of the dwelling, he caught sight of Thornado sneezing violently, sending shock waves rippling through the air. Stoick instinctively pushed Hiccup and Astrid backward to shield them from the force of the blast, fear etched across his face as he edged closer to Thornado.
"Sneezing! That's the first symptom," Hiccup observed, his eyes widening with realization.
Stoick's mind raced, grappling with the shocking turn of events. "He was perfectly fine until we returned!" The implications of Thornado's illness were alarming.
Hiccup glanced up, his thoughtful gaze locking onto Thornado, and a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes. "Um, we should retrace our steps," he suggested, his voice steadying as he tried to think logically through the chaos surrounding them.
~~~~
Stoick stood tall next to Hiccup, Astrid, and Fishlegs, as they began to retrace the steps of his recent return to Berk. The atmosphere was charged with urgency.
"Well, this is where I landed," Stoick announced, gesturing to the quiet, unassuming meadow, where the grass swayed gently in the breeze.
"Okay, look around for anything unusual," Hiccup instructed, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a sense of trepidation.
The group dispersed, each member searching for anything that might indicate an encounter with Thornado. As they combed through the grass and inspected the area, Fishlegs suddenly spotted something peculiar and pointed. "Does that count?"
Meanwhile, at the base of a small grassy hill, the twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, were engaged in their usual antics. They crouched low, barely able to contain their giggles, before launching themselves at each other in a head-first collision. They bounced back, landing on the soft earth, laughter echoing into the air.
"I'm seeing stars!" Ruffnut exclaimed, her eyes wide with amusement.
"No way! Me too!" Tuffnut chimed in, a broad grin on his face.
Astrid, however, shook her head in disbelief, a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips as she observed their behavior. "Hmm... Nothing unusual here," she muttered, rolling her eyes. Her gaze drifted to Hiccup, who was peering intently in their direction, lost in thought. "What is it?" she asked, sensing that he was onto something important.
Ruffnut followed Hiccup's stare and noticed a dense cluster of vibrant blue flowers atop the hill behind her. Just then, a small Terrible Terror flitted by, happily munching on the leaves.
Hiccup, ever the cautious dragon rider, suspiciously plucked one of the unfamiliar flowers, holding it up for the others to observe. "Uh, does anyone remember seeing these flowers before?" he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
"They were here when I got back," Stoick replied, casting a wary glance at the flowers.
Fishlegs scurried over, his eyes lighting up as he broke a stem off Hiccup's hand, eager for a closer look. "It looks an awful lot like the Blue Oleander. I recognize it from my botany book, chapter eight." His enthusiasm bubbled over as he relished the opportunity to share his knowledge.
However, Hiccup's expression darkened as he pressed for more specific information. "I-is there anything specific you can remember?" he asked, his voice laced with anxiety.
"They're very beautiful, very soft, perennial," Fishlegs gushed, clearly in his element as he detailed the flower's characteristics. But then a wave of panic washed over him, and he added urgently, "And... Poisonous to reptiles!"
Hiccup's eyes widened in horror, comprehension dawning on him. "Which means poisonous to dragons!"
In a reflexive panic, Fishlegs flung the flower away as if it were on fire, mimicking a dragon in distress. Hiccup struggled to maintain his composure, grappling for a solution but feeling the weight of urgency pressing upon him. "This is serious. Uh, did your book say anything about a cure?" He turned to Fishlegs, desperation evident in his gaze, but Fishlegs dropped his eyes, shaken.
"I don't know because somebody made me throw it in a pit!" he retorted, his voice edged with frustration.
Impatience boiling over, Hiccup threw his arms up in exasperation. "W-then go back and dig it up!"
Fishlegs nodded and hurried away, a determined look on his face, while Astrid stepped forward, her expression revealing irritation and concern intermingled. "I don't understand. Where did these flowers even come from?" she demanded, looking expectantly at Stoick and Hiccup.
The three of them stared at the flowers, their brows knit in confusion, until Tuffnut's voice cut through the air with an unexpected interjection.
"Mildew. I saw him plant them the other night," he declared nonchalantly, waving a hand as if discussing the weather.
Astrid turned to him, incredulous. "And you didn't think that was strange?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing in disbelief.
"No," Tuffnut replied defensively, though uncertainty seeped into his tone. "Well, maybe." The incredulous looks from his companions made him fidget. "I don't know! Quit pressuring me!"
Just then, Thornado growled and let out a thunderous sneeze, showering the area with dust and debris. Stoick ducked instinctively, then straightened up once the shock waves passed, his helmet slightly askew. He adjusted it with a determined look as he locked eyes with the teens. "Let's go pay the old man a visit,"
~~~~
"Well, so what if I planted some flowers?" Mildew smirked, a hint of defiance glinting in his eye as he turned to face Stoick, Hiccup, and Astrid. Cradling his sheep, Fungus, in his arms, he feigned innocence. "The town square has never looked better, if I do say so myself. I was merely attempting to spread a little beauty and happiness in our dreary lives."
The facade was obvious, a thin veil over his true intentions, and the trio before him was far from convinced. Astrid was the first to call him out, her skepticism sharp as a blade.
"Since when have you ever cared about beauty or happiness, Mildew?" she challenged, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes.
Stoick, standing tall with his arms folded across his broad chest, glanced at Astrid with raised brows, as if he anticipated her impending attack on Mildew. Hiccup, who stood slightly behind and to the side of Stoick, pointed accusingly at the old man, his voice rising in indignation. "You did this! It's your fault the dragons are suffering!"
As they held their accusatory stares, Stoick's expression hardened. He turned his attention to Mildew, the three of them closing in like wolves well aware of their prey's guilt, waiting for an explanation that Mildew was clearly struggling to provide.
"What? Me!?" Mildew stuttered, his surprise momentarily genuine. He cast an exaggerated gaze of innocence toward Stoick, desperate for absolution. "Surely you must be mistaken! I had absolutely no idea that these flowers possessed any special properties," he continued, his voice dripping with feigned innocence as he began to pet Fungus, the sheep blissfully unaware of the tension surrounding it.
Raising his hand dramatically, Mildew swore, "On my life, I did not intend to harm the dragons. You must believe me!" His words were laced with desperation as he attempted to squirm out of the mess he had created.
Stoick let out a deep sigh, his disbelief palpable. But he knew that without concrete evidence, his options were limited. He turned to Hiccup and Astrid, placing a reassuring hand on each of their shoulders as he ushered them toward the door.
"Let's go," he commanded, casting a final glare over his shoulder at Mildew, who maintained his act, his expression still one of faux innocence.
The moment they were out of Stoick's sight, however, Mildew's demeanor shifted completely. His face cracked into a wicked smirk, dropping the pretense like a discarded mask. "Ah, the poor, poor dragons," he chuckled to himself, stroking Fungus again with a glint of malice in his eyes, reveling in the chaos he had wrought.
~~~~
Back in town, Fishlegs jogs up the ramp to meet the others.
"Fishlegs! You found your botany book!"
Hiccup says, relieved and excited, hoping Fishlegs has some new, useful information.
Astrid jumps up, urging Fishlegs on. "Wh-What does it say?"
Fishlegs doesn't speak, instead cracking the book open and making tearful gasping noises.
Hiccup walks forward, trying to assuage Fishlegs so they can get back on track. "Calm down! Talk to me."
Marginally calmer, Fishlegs continues the hysterical panting, but goes on to tell them what he found in the book. "My botany book says that Blue Oleander is poisonous to reptiles! And dragons are reptiles!"
"We know that!" Hiccup snaps at the unhelpful revelation. "Was there anything else?"
"Not in here." Fishlegs sniffles, and shakes his head, pocketing the book, before replacing it with a larger one. "But I remembered the Book of Dragons talked about a dragon that feeds on the Blue Oleander. It's called the Scauldron."
He thrusts the book toward them. Stoick squints, leaning forward slightly, while Astrid blinks next to him, anxiously waiting to hear what Fishlegs has to say next.
"In a perfect world if it eats the flowers, maybe its venom can be used as an antidote, like with snakes and spiders. But alas, we do not live in a perfect world." Fishlegs' voice drops in hopelessness just before he opens the book and shoves it upward, showing them all a picture of the Scauldron. "Look! The Scauldron has no venom!"
Tuffnut steps up in astonishment to get a better look at the picture, still not grasping the gravity of the situation. "No... But it looks cool!"
Fishlegs becomes hysterical, lowing the book, and pointing furiously. "Don't you understand, the book says no venom!"
Tuffnut backs off, offended and angry, rolling his eyes and pointing at Fishlegs. "Okay, got it! No venom! Golly, write it on your forehead."
Any further fighting ceases, as Gobber's booming voice cuts in to join them. They turn toward him.
"The book is wrong!" He stalks out from the shadows of the forge to join the group. "I've dealt with a Scauldron before. They're sixty feet long, with razor sharp teeth!" He stretches his arms as far as they'll go, then brings his hook to his mouth, backing up his words to show the others how unbelievable the Scauldron is. "And they'll shoot boiling water that melts the flesh from your bones!"
The others watch, incredulous and fearful as he continues hobbling forward, more animated, voice growing to a shout. "The Scauldron has no fear. No conscience. But what the Scauldron does have is venom! And lots of it!"
Tuffnut closes his mouth, and decides this adventure isn't for him. Casually, he begins walking away. "I'm out!"
Ruffnut quickly joins him, pointing in agreement. "I'm with him."
The pair plod off, while Hiccup takes charge, authoritatively giving the others directions.
"Alright... You guys stay here and take care of the dragons and my sister," He directs the last part to Astrid who nods.
He marches over to Stoick and Gobber, while Fishlegs looks on nervously, still holding the open book. "What are you going to do?"
Ignoring Fishlegs, he continues to the men, commanding their attention.
"Dad? Gobber? Let's go find ourselves a Scauldron!" He turns, lit with determination and ready to lead the charge, while Gobber raises his arms in excitement behind him.
"I thought you'd never ask!"
~~~~
A single ship rocks gently in the sea. It's night; the only light comes from the stars reflected on the waves and the mists rising from the water.
"Well, this is an outrage!" Mildew stands by the stern of the boat, upset. "I dug up all the flowers! I did my part!"
Stoick and Hiccup stand at the other end of the ship. Two vikings row behind them.
"We're all out here because of you Mildew." Stoick says. He points at Mildew, "If we all have to put our lives at risk then so do you!"
Mildew begins to march forward, brandishing his staff. "You have no proof, Stoick! You can't blame me every-time something goes amiss with your..." He leans in toward Hiccup sneering. "...precious dragons. And where is Hela? Stoick, if you need someone to drag around why not pick her."
"Where my daughter is of no concern to you, Mildew. So I suggest you stop whining before I throw you overboard," Stoick tells him his fists clenched in anger remembering the state she was in.
Mildew scoffs and stalks past them. Gobber steps in at Stoick's side with a bucket in hand.
"Alright, Stoick." He passes bucket to Stoick.
"What's the plan?"
Stoick turns to Hiccup. "Hiccup, when Gobber and I secure the Scauldron's head, Sven will wedge its jaw open." He holds out the bucket to Hiccup, who takes it. "We'll need you to--"
"Drain the poison into this bucket. Got it." Hiccup finishes. He takes a breath. "Let's get started."
Hiccup steps to the side of the boat with brusque steps, sets down the bucket and picks up a basket of blue oleanders. He begins to walk across the deck at the same fast pace. "This is what Scauldron's eat. It'll draw them to the boat."
He leans over the rail of the ship and begins to sprinkle the flowers into the sea. They flutter down and rest on the surface of the water.
Time passes and soon the slow-moving ship has a trail of blue oleanders floating in its wake.
"Bah! This is not working!" Mildew stomps by behind Stoick and Hiccup, who are waiting at the rail of the boat. "It was a stupid idea to begin with!"
Hiccup moves to snap back at Mildew but Stoick intercepts him. "Easy son, that's not why we're here."
"But that is." Gobber says.
Stoick, Hiccup, and Mildew turn around and move to other side of the boat. A large, bright figure of a dragon can be seen moving just below the surface of the water.
The men on board follow its movements.
"Scauldron!" Stoick whispers.
The Scauldron breaches the water behind the ship to show off the spines of its back. It does so again at the ship's side, meters away from Sven at the oar.
Gobber turns to Hiccup once it submerges. "I may need to change my skivvies again."
Hiccup isn't listening. He runs to the baskets of oleanders, picks one up, and runs across the deck. "We need to lure the Scauldron on deck!" He scatters the flowers across the backend of the ship."
"Oh, that's great. Get it on the ship where it can," Mildew says shouting, "have at us all!"
"Gobber!" Stoick calls out. He bends down, picks up a bola, and tosses it to Gobber. "Secure its neck with this!"
Gobber catches the weapon and he and runs to the front of the ship alongside Stoick. Stoick has a catch pole in hand.
"I'll lasso his horn!" Stoick continues.
The men peer over either side of the bow, trying to catch site of the Scauldron. A moment of tense silence passes.
"Where did it go?" Gobber asks.
The silence continues. The sounds of breaking waves and creaking wood becomes more apparent. Gobber narrows his eyes at the strangely silent sea. The other vikings aboard the ship glance around themselves nervously.
An oar is suddenly ripped from Sven's grip. It's pulled away from the boat before it's sucked beneath the sea's surface entirely. The Sven cries out as he spies a spray of water moving quickly at the ship. It strikes the ship so hard the entire hull is thrown from the sea. Ship lands back in the water hard. Vikings are tossed around the deck.
From the ground, Mildew turns to see the Scauldron rise from the sea. It towers over him and the boat. Mildew cries out and scrambles away.
The Scauldron rises further out of the sea and steps onto the rim of the ship. The ship is tipped so violently that some vikings are sent sliding down the deck towards the end the dragon stands on.
"Hold on everybody!" Gobber shouts.
Mildew's fall is stopped when he hits the mast of the ship. Crates and supplies continue to fall past him.
Hiccup cries out as begins to slide down as well.
"Hiccup!" Stoick yells worried.
Hiccup's fall is stopped when Gobber reaches out and grabs his arm. "Gotcha!"
The barrels of blue oleanders tumble down past Hiccup. Mildew hollers as one is bumped off the deck and flies straight into his face. He throws the basket off him and spits out a mouthful of flowers.
The Scauldron sniffs and snaps at the flowers falling his way.
From the other end of the ship, Stoick realizes they can take advantage of its distraction.
"Gobber! Here's our chance!"
Gobber grins and they slide down toward the Scauldron. Stoick throws a rope at the dragon and it wraps around the horn. Gobber swings an anchor and it catches around the Scauldron's neck. The Scauldron panics and tries to jump back in the sea. The ship rights itself again from the loss of weight.
"We can't let the dragon get back into the water!" Stoick yells determined.
Together, Stoick and Gobber pull the Scaldron back out of the water.
"He's a strong one..." Gobber says grunting from the effort.
Stoick turns and hollers over his shoulder. "Sven! We need that barrel now!"
Sven rushes up with a barrel in hand. He slows as he approaches the massive head of the Scauldron. The dragon snaps at him.
Hiccup grabs the venom bucket from the ground. "I've got the bucket!"
"Careful son! You don't want to get that venom in you!"
"Yes, I know, dad. I'll be dead in twenty four hours."
The Scauldron is still snapping at the vikings. Sven carefully watches for an opportunity and tosses the barrel he's holding when the jaws are opened. The Scauldron bites down on it.
"Ha ha!" Sven celebrates victorious.
The Scauldron's jaws are too powerful and it crunches the barrel into pieces. It's tail raises from the water and poises to strike.
"Sven! Look out!"
The tail swings around and whacks Sven right off the ship. Sven screams and flies into the distances, landing in the water. Gobber and Stick keep pulling at the Scauldron's head and Mildew continues to cower behind the mast. Hiccup narrow his eyes as the dragon, determined. He doesn't see the tail rise from the water again, behind him.
"Hiccup, behind you!" Stoick yells out in panic. He releases the rope and dives for Hiccup. He pushes his son out of the way in time to be struck by the Scauldon's tail.
"Dad!" Hiccup exclaims his eyes wide.
Stoick clings to the thrashing tail. It smashes around, knocking shield decor from the hull of the ship, trying to shaking the Viking loose.
Stoick manages to pin the tail between his body and the top of the mast. "Daah! I--got his tail!"
Gobber struggles with holding the Scauldron's head alone. "Hiccup, grab your dad's line!"
Hiccup swipes for it a couple times before catching it. He hooks it on a peg and pulls. "Got it!"
"Pull him in! Use the mast to wedge his jaw open!" Stoick instructs them.
Gobber and Hiccup pull until the mast forced is between the dragon's open mouth. Mildew is still pressed against the other side of the mast and looks terrified.
"Mildew! Grab the bucket!" Stoick shouts grunting.
Mildew starts to protest, "Hold on! It's one thing for me to--"
"Grab the bucket or I'll throw you over board myself!" Stoick threatens done with his excuses.
Mildew whimpers. He shakily picks up the bucket rolling by his feet. Gobber and Hiccup strain to keep the dragon's mouth against the mast.
A mist starts to release from the Scauldron's mouth. It's preparing to fire boiling water at them.
"Everyone take cover!" Stoick bellows.
Mildew wastes no time. He throws the bucket away and runs. Hiccup drops the line and grabs a shield from the ground. "Gobber!"
Gobber joins Hiccup behind the shield. Mildew ducks behind a broken crate on the other side of the ship.
A high-pitched whistling fills the air in the moment just before the Scauldron releases its blow. The boiling spray tears through the mast, strikes the shield Hiccup and Gobber are behind and the crate covering Mildew. The mast falls sideways into the sea.
"Gaah!" Stoick falls with the mast and is submerged under water.
Hiccup throws the shield from him. "Dad!"
Gobber grabs Hiccup from running too far. The last line holding the Scauldron breaks and the dragon rears back, furious. It roars at Mildew, who is still cowering behind the crate.
"AHHHH!" Mildew shrieks. He tosses the crate aside and tries to run to the other side of the boat. The Scauldron follows him with an angry gaze and spots a blue oleander stuck to Mildew's butt. It shoots forward and nips the flower off of Mildew, piercing the old man's butt in the process.
Having gotten what it wanted, it returns to the sea and swims away.
Hiccup walks to the edge of the ship and watches it leave. "He's gone..."
Gobber and Stoick, who has climbed back onto the boat, walk up behind him.
"And you can bet the last place he's coming back to is this ship." Gobber states.
"We didn't get the venom." Stoick says dejected.
Mildew wails behind them. The three turn to see Mildew twitching on the ground, his butt still in the air.
"Yes we did," Hiccup says smiling.
"Get this poison out of me!" Mildew yells.
"Oh, we will."
~~~~
A full moon shines over Berk. It's a beautiful setting aside from the shrieks of pain coming from Gobber's forge. A curtain covers the window but the silloette of Gobber extracting the poison from Mildew can be seen from outside. The Berk teens stand in a line outside, waiting for their dragons' antidote. Some look uncomfortable with the noise Mildew is making, others look excited.
"Can you beleive we're all just standing around, waiting for something to come out of Mildew's butt?" Tuffnut questions a look of disbelief on his face.
From inside the forge, Gobber lifts a large, fan-like object from the wall and approaches Mildew.
Mildew spies the tool out of his peripheral and turns slightly, still laying prone on the table. "No-no-no! W-w-wait-wait-wait! Isn't there something," He let's out a nervous laughter, "a little smaller you could use?"
"Probably" Gobber says dismissively.
He raises the tool and brings it down on Mildew's butt. Mildew screams. It's easily heard by the teens outside.
Dawn turns to Hiccup, smiling. "That's the sound of our dragons and their Queen getting better."
Gobber walks out of the forge with a small pitcher. "I've seen a Nadder's spine slice through a man's eyeball like a grape. I've watched my own arm get devoured by a Monstrous Nightmare. But never, never, have I seen anything so disturbing... as that old man's bare behind! Here" hands pitcher to Hiccup.
Hiccup accepts the pitcher and Gobber walks past him.
"I'm going to the forest to scream."
"Way to take one for the team, Gobber." Hiccup tells him.
~~~~
Stoick returns home as Gobber's promised scream rings into the night. He steps inside to see Hiccup tending to Toothless. The dragon is still unconscious and breathing heavily. He looks towards his daughter room which has the door open, Astrid still tending to her and Troels; there's no change since the venom has been administered.
Hiccup sees his father. "Relax, dad. It's gonna be fine." He says hopeful.
Stoick turns and walks back outside. Hiccup rests his head on top of Toothless's.
Hela stirs her eyes opening. She groans trying to sit up but Astrid lays her back down.
"How are you feeling?" Astrid asks.
Hela smiles up at her, "Better now that I've layer eyes on you,"
Astrid role her eyes playfully and loving smile on her lips, "You're flirting that means the antidote worked,"
"It did," Hela agrees now sitting up. She faces Astrid again, "Thank you,"
"What for?" Astrid asks.
"Sticking with me throught this,"
Astrid smile, "just practicing my wedding vows. In sickness and in Health right?"
"Now look who's being a flirt," Hela says chuckling.
"Ugh, Get a room," Troels groan getting a laugh out of Hela.