━━ chapter four
holey ground

✿✼:*ﾟ:༅。.。༅:*·ﾟﾟ·⭑

━━"Quick! Before he gets away!"

"Cut him off! Hott! Cut him off!"

"What does it look like I'm trying to do, Asrifth?!"

Valkyrie spun Zephyr in the air, blinking in surprise at how fast their target was getting away. Hiccup arrived next to her, gaping, "I didn't think he could move that fast!"

"How does he do it?!" Valkyrie was breathless just watching him go. She dived Zephyr down to try and cut Gobber off to the left, pulling up just in time. He skidded to a stop, his peg leg catching dirt and grass. Seeing Valkyrie, he spun and ran the other way.

"You won't catch me alive!" He declared.

"Hott!" Val shouted.

Her brother understood. "Spikemoth, spine!"

His Deadly Nadder flicked her tail. Armed with multiple spikes, she sent them Gobber's direction, and he was cut off yet again. Turning around, he glared at Stoick approach him. "I won't do it, Stoick!" He held out his axe as a defence. The chief sighed, annoyed. "And you can't make me!"

The group of them landed, Hiccup, Valkyrie and her brothers, Hott and Asrifth. With their dragons and Stoick, they surrounded Gobber so he had nowhere to run. "None of you can make me!"

"Gobber!" Valkyrie threw her hands up. "It's just a bath!"

They prodded him to the trough waiting. Backing him up until he had no choice but to fall in. Gobber stamped his peg leg, knowing full well what they were doing. "A Viking is supposed to smell this way! It's a badge of honour!"

Fleecy and Meecey had come to see what the commotion was all about. The two Terrible Terrors hovered together by Gobber, but with one whiff of his stench, they squawked and almost passed out in their desperation to fly away.

"It's for your own good, Gobber!" argued the chief, frustrated.

"Actually, it's for the good of the town," said Hiccup.

"Yeah," agreed Asrifth. "Sorry to give it to you, Gobber, but you really, really stink."

"Now, get in the tub!" Stoick pointed angrily to the trough.

Gobber glowered. He didn't move.

Behind him, Snotlout and Hookfang landed, ready to help. "Hookfang!" cried the Jorgensen. "Toss him in the tub!" The Monstrous Nightmare growled, determined. Then, with a flick, he launched Snotlout right off his saddle and into the tub. "HOOKFANG!" He turned to his dragon, scowling. "Every━single━TIME! Doesn't this get old for you?!"

Hooking sent him a mischievous side look.

Hiccup took this chance, while Gobber was distracted, to slip off Toothless saddle and give him a quick hand gesture. The Night Fury nodded and started to wrap around the blacksmith as he cried, "I won't do it, Stoick!" Hiccup turned to Valkyrie, and a silent conversation passed. She nodded subtly, understanding. She readied Zephyr.

"Now, Val!"

Valkyrie pulled Zephyr up to a hover. Gobber frowned up at her, confused when Toothless hoisted him up and chucked him into the tub. Stoick ran to keep his best friend down. "Fishlegs!"

The pudgy Viking and his Gronckle, Meatlug rushed over with a bucket of water from the well. "Soap and water!" He poured it over━

A frown was on all of their faces when only just a trickle of water fell, dropping onto Gobber's forehead. Even he found this unusual. He glanced up, "Is that it?"

Stoick scowled up at the boy in his saddle, "You're gonna have to do better than that, son!"

Fishlegs hugged the bucket to his chest, "I can't, sir!" he said, upset. "The well! It's run dry."

Valkyrie set back down, startled. She wasn't the only one. Hiccup and Stoick shared an uneasy glance. They had dug that well just weeks ago. It was fresh; at least, it should be. She hopped off, joining up with Snotlout and her brothers as they all made their way over.

"What do you mean?" she asked Fishlegs.

He shrugged. "I don't know! I went to fill up the bucket and nothing was there!"

Valkyrie took a sharp breath, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach.

✿✼:*ﾟ:༅。.。༅:*·ﾟﾟ·⭑

━━Hiccup wasn't a bearer of good news. The teens all gathered in the arena, frowning with their fingers juttering nervously. Droughts and famines were never good, and they've sure experienced some. When rationing starts, so did fear, and that turned out more of a problem than the lack of resources.

"Okay," Hiccup paced the stone ground, a scowl of thought settled deep on his brow. "We need to figure out a way to keep Berk supplied with water until a new well can be dug ..." he stopped, arms crossed. "Ruff, Tuff━" he turned to the Twins, "━strap on the wash tub and head to Lars Lake to fill it."

Tuffnut scoffed out a laugh. "Okay," he propped his hands on his hips. "But that thing's pretty big. I mean, it's bigger than Ruff's butt━" his sister frowned at him, and checked her backside herself (Valkyrie sighed, shaking her head), "━it could take a while. Week or two."

Ruffnut realised the insult soon enough and she punched her brother in the collarbone. Tuff hit the floor with a yell.

Hiccup arched a brow, "Uh━I was assuming you would use your dragon ...?"

Tuffnut got back up, fixing his helmet back on his fair head. "Why would you think that?"

Hiccup stared at him. "Because━" he stopped himself, and sighed. He face-palmed. "Okay ... moving on ... Val, Astrid, Snotlout, head to the mountain streams and fill as many canteens you can."

Valkyrie slumped. She didn't want to be grouped off with Snotlout, especially when he was grinning to himself: "Mountain streams━" he was dumb enough to set a hand on her shoulder, "━hey, Val━"

She grabbed his wrist and twisted it, throwing him over her shoulder. "No!" she told him as he screeched.

Hiccup winced. He met Val and Astrid's glowers, "Please don't kill him while you're out there."

"Can't promise anything," said Astrid.

"Yeah, there are a lot of unexplored caves, you know..."

"Guys."

"Fine!" Astrid rolled her eyes.

Hiccup nodded, satisfied. Finally, he set his gaze on the last of them to be paired off: "Fishlegs, Meatlug, you're going to help me figure out what happened inside that well."

Fishlegs was very hesitant. "Um ..." he turned to his Gronckle, setting a tender hand on her neck, "you may not know this, but, Meatlug and I don't do well in tight spaces."

The chief's son sighed, wondering how he's managed to deal with this for as long as he has. "Let's just do it, okay?" he told them all, and they nodded.

Valkyrie, Snotlout and Astrid made their way to their dragons and together, took off towards the Berk mountains. They split up with the Twins as they took a left to grab the wash tub and head to Lars Lake while Fishlegs and Hiccup returned to the town.

It didn't take long to reach Raven Point, soaring around Gothi's mountain. The three of them took to the Cove first, knowing there was a fresh-stream there already. They would have to boil it with their dragons' fire to make it drinkable, but it was a good start.

Setting their baskets of canteens down, Valkyrie, Astrid and Snotlout worked to fill them as much as they could. It was silent for a while, which the girls very much appreciated. All of them were worried for what caused this, and the outcome━in their experience, it was never anything good. Maybe some new tunnel dragon; a menacing Boulder Class.

But, like usual, the peace and quiet for Valkyrie's thoughts never went on long enough. Soon, as Snotlout capped his twentieth canteen, he opened his mouth to speak his usual obnoxious words, "You know, Astrid, Val, I've been thinking ..."

Astrid threw her head up to the heavens, "We've talked about you thinking, Snotlout. It's not good. For anyone."

"It's not good, for anyone," he mocked, setting the canteen in his pile within his basket by Hookfang. Propping a hand on his hip, he turned back to the girls and said, "Who says we have to give this water away?"

Val stood up, securing the clay lid of the pot she held. She arched a brow, not sure where he was heading with this. Astrid looked equally as confused. "What are you talking about?"

"It's simple supply and demand," said Snotlout smugly, "follow me here━" he swiped one of his canteens up and approached them. "The people of Berk are parched, desperate for fresh water, and who's got all the water?" He held up the canteen, proud. "Snotlout, that's who. Ha! I'm gonna make a fortune!"

"Remember the last time you tried to charge people for things?" Valkyrie set the canteen in her pile. She glared at Snotlout. "Changewing Eggs."

"Still Fishlegs's fault."

She rolled her eyes, scoffing.

Astrid finished filling her canteen up. She joined the conversation with an incredulous, "You're gonna charge people for water? That's the dumbest thing I've heard."

"Is it?" Snotlout countered. "Do what you want, Astrid, Valkyrie. Just don't ask me to cut you in later!"

They gathered more water from the streams leading out of the cove and deeper as they dared into the mountains. Soon, they had multiple baskets full of water for Berk and returned feeling a little better for the likes of their town than they had before. Snotlout continued to brag about his magnificent plan all the way back to the village, Hookfang carrying a basket in each foot. Snotlout held a third in his arms. Valkyrie and Astrid decided to ignore him, like usual, not wanting to amuse his stupid, self-centred plans.

Reaching back to Berk, they saw the Twins had actually done their job, and Gobber was handing out a bucket each to a line of Berkians with fresh water. Valkyrie landed down first and saw her brothers waiting. She gave them two canteens; enough for their family on rations. And then another few specifically for the Sanctuary; they had plenty of thirsty, sick dragons to keep well.

Asrifth decided to help her cart her baskets of canteens to the centre of the plaza. Zephyr lugged a second in his teeth while Valkyrie held her third over her back. As they walked, she asked him, "Have Hiccup and Fishlegs found a solution?"

"Nope," said her brother, "Hiccup fell in."

He said it so casually, it caught her off guard. "What?"

"He's fine," said Asrifth. "He and Toothless are searching down in the tunnels. Boulder━" he whistled for his Gronckle, and he hovered over, setting down so Asrifth could place the basket of canteens on his saddle. "Good boy."

Valkyrie set up shop near Snotlout, having a glower on her face to see him holler to the village:

"Water! Water! Water!" he held one of the canteens up for everyone to see. "Get your Snotlout's Mountain Fresh Water here!" Mrs Ack handed him a chicken in trade for the canteen and set off. "Ha!" Snotlout grinned, triumphant down at the hen. He glanced back at Valkyrie who arrived, hands on her hips. "This is too easy." He placed the chicken down into his wagon. He leaned against it. "Who's dumb now, Valkyrie? They guy with the big cart full of loot? Or the girl with the big mouth full of hot air?"

She scoffed, turning to face him. Her lips were chapped with the lack of water, and her voice a little hoarse, but that didn't stop her from snapping, "You are taking advantage of innocent people, Snotlout."

Behind her, Asrifth went to help Astrid and Hott with her baskets. Valkyrie opened her basket, eyeing Snotlout reach for a canteen in his and hold it out. "Innocent thirsty people," he corrected and she rolled her eyes.

"This is not what Hiccup wanted us to do."

"Yeah? Well that's what makes him Hiccup, and me, Snotlout!"

"Ha!" Valkyrie laughed dryly. "That's just the tip of the iceberg, believe me." When he wasn't looking, she snatched up three canteens and chucked them to the Vikings waiting. Snotlout gaped, outraged.

"Hey!" he pointed a fat finger at her, annoyed by the smirk on her face. "You're cutting into my profits!"

"Oh, yeah?" Valkyrie jutted her hip out, brow arched. "What are you gonna do about it, Snot-face?"

He clenched his hands into fists. "That's not my name!" he seethed.

Valkyrie feigned confusion. "Oh! I'm sorry. Was it ... Snot-Hat? Snot-Lip? Snotty-Dotty?" At each nickname, his anger grew, and so did her amusement. She gathered more of his stock and chucked it to eager villagers.

Snotlout stamped his foot whining. "Stop it!"

"Stop what, Snotty-Potty-Dotty?"

"Stop stealing my produce!"

"Oh, your produce. Do you own the water now?"

"This water, yes."

"I don't think the gods would be happy with you saying that, Snotty-Potty-Dotty-Fotty."

Valkyrie laughed as Snotlout went at her. She stepped aside, grinning as he stumbled. She promised Hiccup she wouldn't kill Snotlout, but she didn't promise to not stir him up. As the day went on, they continued to pass out the canteens. Valkyrie and Astrid continued to argue with Snotlout charging, and snuck a few chucks of his canteens to villagers for free, which only surged his anger (and their amusement). Asrifth and Hott helped them out, simoultaneously passing out canteens and keeping an eye on Mak and Erik who were helping Gobber gather more buckets. They were acting very mature for themselves, and Valkyrie was a little proud. Fleecey and Meecey were hovering over their shoulders, chatting to each other.

It would have to be noon when Valkyrie heard the whispers.

She was caught off guard, almost dropping the canteen she passed out. She froze, and all fun left her system. She recognised that whispering. She thought she must've imagined it, but then it returned again, under her boots and following it, was a familiar rumbling that made her stomach drop.

Her eyes widened. The rest of the village stopped and started to frown, confused by the shake. But Valkyrie, Astrid and Snotlout knew. They immediately stopped and raced to their dragons. Hott and Asrifth followed. They weren't trained Dragon Riders, but they knew something was up.

Valkyrie spun around and her heart stopped to see her youngest brother, Erik stop in the centre of the pavillion, frowning at the shaking water in his bucket.

"Erik!" she shouted, leaving Zephyr and running to him. "Get out of there! Get out of there━now!"

She managed to snag her arms around his waist just in time. Tugging her brother back, they rolled across the stone as it broke away in front of them. She kept him behind her, scrambling back as out of the explosion of rock and debris, shot forth a small Whispering Death. Valkyrie held her arm out, covering her brother from the dragon. It was a small Whispering Death, but it was still hug, and it glowered down at them with that menacing milky-white gaze she hoped she wouldn't have to see again.

"Zephyr!" shouted Valkyrie back at her dragon as the Whispering Death opened his maw━

The rings of fire would have burnt them if it weren't for Gobber. He rolled in front of them with a shield and took the blow with the metal. Valkyrie held Erik close to her, closing her eyes and holding her breath (because Gods did Gobber stink).

In this time, Zephyr rushed forward and snagged the two siblings back. He cooed, checking whether they were okay before scowling up at the Whispering Death who was being drawn back by Gobber. With a mighty roar, the Windstriker leapt up with his wings and baslted the dragon's skin with boiling hot breath. The Whispering Death shrieked at the burn bubbling on his scales and dived back down into the earth.

"Get him out of here!" Valkyrie turned to Mak who had helped his younger brother up. "Asfrith━"

"On it!" he rushed Boulder forward and the youngest Frode's leapt up onto his back. Erik was sobbing a little, terrified by what he just experienced.

"Find Mum and Dad," Val told him. "And evacuate the Sanctuary!" He nodded, and they were off.

Snotlout helped Valkyrie stand back up, their argument now behind them. They eyed the ground for the Whispering Death, and saw the burrows of dirt surface, heading straight for their water canteens. Hott pulled Spikemoth out of the way and into the sky. Snotlout screeched when his canteens were carted up into the air.

"HEY!" he shouted at the Whispering Death burrowing underground. "YOU BREAK IT YOU BUY IT!" it must've heard him, because the parting of dirt slowly turned around and back towards him and Valkyrie. "Okay," he whimpered and tugged her along. Zephyr helped and grabbed the back of their vests and armour in his talons, "Store's closed!"

The Windstriker chucked Snotlout towards Hookfang, who caught him on his saddle. Valkyrie hoisted herself up onto her own and joined up in the sky with Astrid and Hott. Snotlout pulled Hookfang in beside them. The warning horn blasted out, echoing along the grounds.

"Where's Fishlegs and the Twins?!" asked Valkyrie, turning Zephyr around and motioning for them to get into formation. Her eyes widened to see not just one Whispering Death, but two more rampaging cross the houses and walks. Berkians screamed and tried to fight or ran, hoisting their produce and children to get them somewhere safe.

Stoick was organising a defensive line in the middle of town. "Hott, Astrid━!" she pointed down at them, and the two Deadly Nadder riders knew what she meant. Together, their dragons sent a volley of spikes around the Vikings, hopefully to keep back the Whispering Death's━even if just for a little bit.

"We need a gas line!" Valkyrie cursed, searching for the Twins. "Snotlout━light up those spines; not enough for it to spread, but enough to keep the Whispering Death's at bay. We need to protect that part of town. Hott, Astrid, guide the Whispering Death's away with fire and spines into the sunlight. Zephyr and I'll provide help from above, but we'll find the others."

They all nodded, and off they went. For someone who didn't particularly like being a soldier anymore, Valkyrie was good at it. Gritting her teeth, she and Zephyr shot up higher into the sky. She checked the sunpath; Whispering Death's hated the sun, and to their luck, today, Berk was covered in it.

Val got as high as she could, trying to count the Whispering Death's. So far, there was just three, but that was a lot in one place. It made her worry that there could be more. How? She didn't know, but it wasn't good. They were smaller than the last one they faced, perhaps adolescents.

There was a screech to her side. She gasped and looked over. One of the Whispering Death's were heading right her way, tail wipping around and around. "Ze━"

She didn't have to finish. A blast of molten lava knocked the dragon aside and there flew Fishlegs. "Yeah!" he grinned. "Good one, girl! Impeccable timing as usual."

Val smiled, relieved. "Fishlegs! Thank the gods. Where are the Twins. Is Hiccup out of the tunnels yet?"

"Uh," he hovered in next to her, "I don't know and I don't know. What happened?"

"I don't know," together, they dived down through town, on the look for the missing Dragon Riders. "They just came up out of the ground━there!" she pointed at Spitelout cowering from the jaws of a Whispering Death. Zephyr blasted the creature and it shrieked as it dived back underground.

Astrid joined up with them. "Where did these Whispering Death's come from?"

"I don't know!" Valkyrie said again, trying to locate the others.

"And why are they so much smaller?"

"They must be hatchlings," said Fishlegs.

"Well," Astrid turned Stormfly around. "That's good news, right?"

Fishlegs winced. Valkyrie sighed, "What is it?"

He twiddled his thumbs, "Well, actually, it's not. Newely hatched Whispering Deaths can be more deadly than adults. They don't have control over their jaw muscles or their spines. They're kind of like out of control saw blades."

Astrid glowered at the dragons, "Sounds about right..." she grumbled, sarcastic.

"Keep on going, guys," said Valkyrie. "We need to keep them away from the town. Use the sunlight, we know they hate it. Grab shields━try and disorientate them. I'll stay on the search for the Twins."

They split up again. Valkyrie took Zephyr to the left of town; she hadn't checked that area apart. Meanwhile, the Whispering Deaths were still causing mayhem. Hott was doing his best with Snotlout to keep them contained, but they were glad for the return of Astrid and Fishlegs. Their chances grew even better when there was a high-pitched shriek that rocketed through the earth, and out of one of the Whispering Death holes, came Hiccup and Toothless.

"Yes!" grinned Val, relieved.

Finally, she found the Twins. "Ruff, Tuff!" she shouted at the on the necks of Barf and Belch. They were just hovering there, watching the destruction with pleasants sighs. "We need to keep them above ground; they're easier to hit. We need an ex━" she realised they weren't listening. "What are you two doing?"

"Whispering Deaths," sighed Ruff, smiling dumbly. "I could watch them all day..."

"The way they rip through solid rock," Tuffnut wiped away an imaginary tear, "it's glorious..."

"Oh, for the love of," Valkyrie pinched her brow. "Just do as I say ..." she faltered to see a Whispering Death rise up right behind them. "Uh ... guys?"

They spun around. Tuffnut yelled in alarm and Barf sprouted out a wave of noxious gas. The Whispering Death shook her head and dived back down, a little dizzy.

"Snotlout!" Valkyrie shouted as the boy and his dragon passed. "Time to flush them out!"

"Hel, yeah!" he agreed. "That's the one that took my water!"

She sighed, but let him be. He and the Twins took turns to flush out the holes, bringing forth all three of the Whispering Death's back to the surface. As they did, Valkyrie shot after Hiccup and Toothless, wanting to make sure they were okay.

Hiccup now had his Gronckle Iron shield, and he looked a little relieved to see her, too. She matched his pace, barely, and he said, "The Whispering Death tunnels drained all of our water."

"Yeah," she muttered, "kind of figured. We need to keep them in the sunlight."

He showed her the shield, "Why do you think I have this?"

She shrugged, batting her eyelashes, "Just wanted to make sure."

Together, they darted after the Whispering Death's. Using the reflection of his shield, Hiccup seared their eyes and skin with the sunlight, and it caused for them to cry out and dash away. Darting back and forth, they veered them away from the village. The others soon joined them, blasting shots and spines here and there.

Soon, it seemed like they were winning.

The Whispering Deaths were disappearing off to the mountains.

Seeing them go, Tuffnut sighed sadly, "I'm going to miss those guys. They were dangerous but cool at the same time." His sister nodded, agreeing. "Kind of like me." She turned her nose up at that.

But Hiccup frowned. "I dunno," he murmured. "I don't think this is over yet. Not by a long shot."

Snotlout threw his head back and whined, "Stop being so negetive! Enjoy the moment, Hiccup, buy some water━whoa!"

The whole earth shuddered around them.

Zephyr shrieked, rising up higher in alarm. Valkyrie looked down, feeling the mountains and rocks shake. This was bigger than the Whispering Deaths━this was something else. Her heart began to race, hearing as though a scream was coming up from the earth, getting closer and closer.

Fishlegs squealed, hunching as small as he could in his saddle. "W━what is that?"

He got his answer soon enough.

The explosion almost rocketed Valkyrie off her saddle. She clung on, diving away from the rubble and looking over her shoulder. Her scream caught in the back of her throat. Her eyes grew so wide, she was scared they'd might fall out.

Out of the earth, from the rock and grass, was a ... she didn't even know what it was.

She's faced the Red Death; seen the size of the Queen of Dragons. But this was something else. A monstrous dragon, far taller than half of the sea stacks and cliffs on Berk rose forth before them. It was a Whispering Death, but except it was pure white with a menacing tail and armoured shell of scales. His wings blasted forth winds and sent the Dragon Riders askew, and his eyes were a blood-shot, curtailling red.

"Uh ..." Hiccup staggered on Toothless, "... so that was what I was afraid of."

"What━" began Snotlout, pointing at the huge dragon, "━and I repeat, in the name of Thor, is that?!"

"Uh..." Hott's voice was caught in the back of his throat, as well. He stared up at the monster, bug-eyed. "My nightmares."

"That's really not helping, Hott," snapped Astrid, but it was weak with her fear.

"Uh... suggestions, anyone?"

"Run? offered Hott.

"Hide?" added Fishlegs.

"Scream?" whimpered Snotlout.

The great big Whispering Death growled through his deathly-sharp teeth and dived his body down towards Snotlout and Fishlegs. They screamed as they parted, spinning out of the way on their dragons and barely clinging on. The dragon darted past them, heading straight for the town.

"Fishlegs?" Hiccup pulled up next to the Viking and his Gronckle, a little pale to the cheeks. "Is that in the Book of Dragons?"

Fishlegs made a few incoherent noises.

"Fishlegs!" Hiccup didn't have the time for this. "Is that thing in the Book of Dragons?!"

"U━uh━d━definitely not."

"Are you sure?!"

"Yes, Hiccup! I'm certain I would have remembered all-white Boulder Class Titain Wing Whispering Death with bright red eyes that bore hole right through your very soul!"

Hiccup gritted his teeth and turned his attention back at the monstrous dragon heading straight for their home, "Toothless!" he shouted. "Plasma blast!"

The purple fire hit its spot. The great big Whispering Death spun around and was furious. He opened his mouth and let loose a bone-shaking, blood-curtailing, ear-raking scream. Their dragons shuddered and cried, shaking their heads and desperately trying to stay aloft. The scream was disorientating them, keeping them away as the dragon continued his stalk to the town.

Uncupping his ears, Valkyrie could barely hear Tuffnut through the ringing of her own, "Screaming Death!" he announced, grinning. "I love it━whoa!" he ducked as the other three Whispering Deaths they had drawn away came flying back over their heads. "Okay," he muttered, "maybe love is too strong a word..."

"Hiccup!" Astrid exclaimed, looking far more scared than Valkyrie has ever seen her. "What are you going to do?"

Hiccup scowled, trying to figure out a plan. "You guys worry about the Whispering Deaths. I'll try to keep the Screaming Death busy."

"What?" Valkyrie shouted through the ringing of her ears. "By yourself? Are you crazy?"

"Okay, have fun━see you!" Snotlout said instead and shot away like an arrow.

Valkyrie didn't want to leave him all alone in this. Hiccup met her gaze, "I'll be fine!"

"Odin's piss!" she argued. "Did you see that thing?"

"Valkyrie!" he grew frustrated. "Go!"

She glared at him, but they had no time to argue. With a swipe of Zephyr's flight path, she and the others followed after Snotlout, ready to get the Whispering Death's out of Berk with a few taunting cheers and fires.

✿✼:*ﾟ:༅。.。༅:*·ﾟﾟ·⭑

━━Valkyrie didn't listen.

She was going to hear about it afterwards for sure, but she wasn't going to let Hiccup take this dragon on by himself. While the others took care of the Whispering Deaths, Valkyrie shot Zephyr up into the clouds and soared back over towards the village. She thought she got away with it until Hott appeared in next to her.

"Hi," he greeted.

She jumped, "Wha━? Hott!"

"What?" he frowned. "You seriously think I'm going to let my sister do something stupid without me? Come on, Spikemoth! We've got a Screaming Death to fight!"

She squawked and bounced her head in reply, and so the brother and sister raced to get to Hiccup and Toothless. And it seemed they got there just in time. Valkyrie gasped to see Hiccup stranded from his Night Fury on the ground, the Screaming Death hovering over the both of them.

"Hott━"

"On it!" He dived down with Spikemoth, "Spikey━tail-fire!"

It was a new trick he and Spikemoth had been working on, and it was quite impressive. Hott pulled back as Spikemoth flung her tail downwards and in the nick of time, set her own spines on fire. Like flaming arrows, they soared to the screaming death and nicked him at the side of his crown.

They bounced of the scales, but they got his attention.

He roared up at them.

As he went to go after Valkyrie's brother, she and Zephyr took their turn. Valkyrie wanted to see how well a Screaming Death's scales could withstand a Windstriker's boiling heat flame. Getting close enough while he was distracted with her brother, she had Zephyr strike.

His flame only covered a short amount of distance on the scales, but she grinned to see them bubble and sink down into the dragon's flesh. It shrieked, spinning back around.

"Zephyr!" she shouted, pulling him upwards. "Up! Up! UP!"

The Screaming Death chased them as they entered the clouds. She spun backwards, soaring back down into a sky-dive. Valkyrie stayed close to her dragon's neck as always as they shot down vertical, lying flat on the saddle. As she and her dragon levelled, she risked a glance back and saw the Screaming Death following at her tail. She gasped and urged Zephyr to go faster.

It would have gotten her if a Thunderdrum wasn't there to catch his attention away once again. Thornado shrieked at the Screaming Death in defiance with Stoick on his back. Together, they soared up and in their place, dived Hiccup and Toothless, rocketting the Screaming Death aside with a plasma blast.

"I thought I told you to be with the others!" Hiccup shouted at Valkryie angrily.

"Yeah!" she answered back. "And I didn't listen! You're welcome!"

Together, they soured up to regroup with the others. Valkyrie hovered next to Hiccup as the Screaming Death stopped to catch his wits. "What have you learnt?"

"Uh, well, you're going to love this," said Hiccup. "The Screaming Death doesn't actually hate sunlight. He's drawn to it."

"Oh, lovely."

"But it's something we can use against him," he then said. "Let me draw him to the sea stacks. Dad, you stay and watch the Whispering Deaths. Hott, Valkyrie, stay behind and cover me, but at a distance. You got it?" he added the last sentence to her specifically. She nodded. She wasn't lying this time. "Okay, see you soon." As he passed, he added, "Thank you."

Valkyrie grinned, triumphant.

Hiccup caught the dragon's attention with his shield, and he and Toothless led the massive Whispering Death through the sea stack maze. Thornado and Stoick turned back to the village, not after giving pointed glares to Hott and Valkyrie to make sure his son stays alive. It wasn't long before the rest of the Dragon Riders rejoined them, and they all followed at a distance, watching Hiccup outsmart the Screaming Death━like every other dragon before.

He and Toothless waited until the last minute before shooting up the length of a sea stack. The Screaming Death was unable to copy the manouver, and ran head on into the rock at such speed, it cracked.

He slumped to the ground. Unable to move from the rocks under his wings. The other Whispering Deaths came to his beck and call, slipping under his wings and carrying him away from Berk.

The Dragon Riders watched the Screaming Death go, all of them knowing━deep down━that this wasn't the end of it.

Hiccup hovered up with his friends. He turned to Hott. "You know, you weren't bad today."

Hott grinned. "Thanks."

Valkyrie pursed her lips. She tilted her head, a smirk coming onto her lips. "You know, Hott, with these new threats, we need more Dragon Riders."

His eyes widened as he realised what she was insinuating. He pointed at his chest, mouthing, me? She nodded. Hiccup smiled at the way her bother's face lit up. He glanced down at his dragon. "You hear that, Spikey? We're Dragon Riders, now!"

She squawked, delighted.

"Ah━not so fast," Hiccup held a finger up. "You gotta be sure you want it. It's a lot of training, a lot of danger. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of that Screaming Death, nor the Outcasts."

Hott pursed his lips. He squared his shoulders, looking much older than he was. "I'm ready," he said.

Good, Valkyrie thought to herself. Because I have a feeling the rest of us aren't.

✿✼:*ﾟ:༅。.。༅:*·ﾟﾟ·⭑

a/n: this is so rushed, but omg!!! HOTT HAS JOINED OUR BESTIE GANG! and we've finally met the Screaming Death!!! that's such a badass dragon, like, dUDE. I wrote this in like a few hours, considering my wifi has finally started working after the second time it's gone out, so i think over five thousand words in a few hours is pretty neat, even if it is rushed.