The Lost King’s Legacy

The sky stretched endlessly overhead, painted with soft hues of blue and white as the group made their way back to Berk. The rhythmic beats of dragon wings harmonized with the rushing wind, creating a peaceful symphony that accompanied their journey. After parting ways with Stoick and Valka, who had taken a more direct route, the riders had settled into an easy rhythm, letting their dragons glide lazily through the vast expanse of sky.

Lexy, the Crystal Fury, flew with an effortless elegance, her crystalline scales refracting the sunlight into mesmerizing rainbows that danced across the group. She seemed almost otherworldly, her every movement fluid and precise. Lyra sat atop her dragon, her posture composed but alert. Her piercing green eyes scanned the horizon, a flicker of unease crossing her expression.

"Something feels… off," Lyra murmured after a while, her voice barely louder than the wind but carrying with an edge of certainty. Her hand lightly rested on Lexy's neck, her fingers brushing the smooth surface of her dragon's glimmering scales.

Hiccup, riding just a short distance away on Toothless, turned his head to glance at her. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone calm but curious. His sharp eyes followed her line of sight as he guided Toothless into position alongside Lexy.

Lexy let out a low, melodic trill, her ears swiveling as her wings adjusted subtly, her body tensing mid-flight. Lyra leaned forward slightly, her voice more deliberate now. "Lexy senses something below us," she said, her brows furrowing. "Movement—something deliberate, not just the waves."

Hiccup's gaze darted downward, and his expression grew thoughtful. "Toothless, let's take a closer look." The Night Fury let out a soft growl of acknowledgment, banking slightly to follow Lexy's lead.

Astrid, riding a few lengths behind on Stormfly, caught the change in formation and frowned. "Everything okay up there?" she called out, her voice cutting cleanly through the wind. Stormfly flared her wings, tilting to glide closer.

Lyra didn't look back, her attention fixed on the sea below. "Not sure yet," she replied, her tone steady. "Lexy's instincts are rarely wrong."

Astrid's expression sharpened, and she nodded. "Stormfly, let's get a better view." With a quick signal, she urged the Nadder to descend slightly, her sharp gaze scanning the ocean's surface.

The rest of the group tensed, their easy rhythm now broken as the dragons subtly shifted into a tighter formation. Ruffnut and Tuffnut, riding Barf and Belch, craned their necks to peer down at the glimmering waves, while Snotlout leaned forward on Hookfang, squinting suspiciously.

"You think it's something dangerous?" Fishlegs asked, his voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension. Meatlug rumbled beneath him, her large eyes darting nervously between the sky and the water.

Lyra's hand tightened slightly on Lexy's neck, her tone careful. "I don't know yet. But it's better to be cautious."

Hiccup, his gaze scanning the horizon, pointed suddenly. "There!" he said sharply, his voice cutting through the group's chatter.

The riders followed his gesture, and a collective tension rippled through them as a large ship came into view. It loomed in the distance, its dark hull slicing through the waves like a predatory shadow.

Astrid narrowed her eyes, her warrior's instincts flaring. "That's no ordinary vessel," she muttered, guiding Stormfly closer to Hiccup and Lyra.

Hiccup's expression hardened as he studied the ship. "Definitely not a fishing boat," he agreed, his voice low and cautious.

Lexy growled softly, her wings beating a little harder as she adjusted her flight path to match Toothless's. Lyra leaned forward, her green eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the vessel. "It's armed," she observed, her voice clipped. "That's not just a crew out for a leisurely sail."

"Armed?" Snotlout repeated, leaning dramatically over Hookfang's side to get a better look. "Maybe they've got treasure!"

"Or trouble," Astrid shot back, her tone firm. "Stay alert."

Lexy's growl deepened, her golden eyes narrowing as her muscles coiled beneath Lyra. "They've noticed us," Lyra said, her voice calm but edged with tension.

Hiccup straightened, his hand brushing the saddle strap on Toothless. "Let's stay close. Whatever this is, we need to be ready."

As they descended slightly, the details of the ship became clearer. Large ballistae were mounted on its deck, their sharp, menacing shapes angled toward the sky. Several figures moved purposefully across the ship, their actions too coordinated to be casual.

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Ruffnut whispered to Tuffnut, "Looks like a party. You think they've got snacks?"

Tuffnut grinned. "If by snacks you mean trouble, then yeah. Definitely snacks."

Astrid shot them a glare. "Focus, you two. This isn't a game."

Hiccup's hand tightened on the saddle. "Let's keep our distance for now. We don't know what they're planning."

Lyra nodded, her voice steady. "But be ready. Lexy doesn't trust them—and neither do I."

Before anyone could respond, the sharp thunk of a launcher firing tore through the air, a sound as sudden as it was ominous. A massive net shot upward, unfurling with shocking speed and precision, ensnaring Barf and Belch mid-flight. The Zippleback let out a startled, twin screech as its wings became tangled in the thick ropes. Unable to keep its balance, the dragon plummeted toward the ship below, thrashing helplessly against the restraint.

"Barf! Belch!" Ruffnut and Tuffnut screamed in unison, their voices rising in panic as their dragon hit the deck with a resounding crash. The twins tumbled off in a chaotic heap, groaning as they landed in a tangle of limbs.

"Get down! Now!" Hiccup barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. Without hesitation, Toothless folded his wings and dove toward the ship, his sleek form slicing through the air like a shadow. Lexy mirrored the maneuver, her crystalline wings catching the sunlight as she plummeted in a blur of light and motion. The other dragons followed suit, descending with a mix of speed and precision as their riders prepared for confrontation.

They hit the deck in a rush of sound and motion, the weight of the dragons causing the wooden planks to groan beneath them. Barf and Belch were still pinned, struggling against the ropes, but the remaining dragons formed a protective semicircle around them. Hookfang's tail lashed menacingly, Stormfly let out a piercing screech, and Lexy hissed low and sharp, her shimmering wings flaring wide. The air around her seemed to hum faintly, as though charged with unseen energy, and her golden eyes glowed with an intensity that sent a clear warning.

From behind a group of rough-looking men armed with harpoons and makeshift weapons, a tall figure emerged. He moved with an air of casual arrogance, the smirk on his face sharp enough to cut. His dark eyes scanned the scene, calculating, lingering just a fraction longer on Toothless and Lexy.

"Well, well," he drawled, spreading his arms as though greeting old friends. "Looks like I've hit the mother lode. What a haul!"

"Who are you?" Hiccup demanded, sliding off Toothless with practiced ease. His voice was calm, but the steel beneath his words was unmistakable. "And what do you think you're doing with our dragons?"

The man paused, one corner of his mouth twitching upward in mock amusement. He gave a low, exaggerated bow, his voice dripping with theatrical charm. "Eret, son of Eret, at your service. Finest dragon trapper in the business, and…" His smirk widened, his eyes glinting dangerously. "…the man who just caught himself the prize of a lifetime."

Lyra, still astride Lexy, leaned forward slightly, her green eyes narrowing. Lexy's tail flicked once, the crystalline spikes along it catching the light like daggers. "I'd rethink that if I were you," Lyra said, her tone cutting through the rising tension like ice. "You have no idea what—or who—you're dealing with."

Eret's gaze shifted to her, lingering for a moment on Lexy's shimmering form. The faintest flicker of unease crossed his face, but it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. "Well, aren't you a fancy one," he said, his voice laden with mockery. He gestured broadly toward the assembled group of riders and dragons. "But here's the thing—I don't take advice from dragon riders. Especially not ones who stumble onto my catch like a bunch of lost sheep."

"That's our dragon you've trapped," Astrid interjected, stepping forward with her axe resting against her shoulder. The sunlight caught the blade, sending a gleam across the deck that made several of Eret's crew shift nervously. Her voice was steady, but the underlying threat was clear. "Release them. Now."

Eret's smirk only grew as he crossed his arms, his stance defiant. "Not a chance. Do you even know who you're dealing with? Drago's going to love this haul. A Night Fury, a Nadder, and…" His gaze flicked to Lexy again, his voice lowering with undisguised greed. "Whatever that is—something rare, that's for sure."

Lexy bared her teeth, letting out a low growl that resonated with an almost musical undertone. The sound made Eret take an involuntary step back, but he quickly masked it with bravado.

"And as for the twins…" He gestured lazily toward Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who were still disentangling themselves on the deck. "Well, they might as well have 'easy target' stamped on their foreheads. Honestly, it's like I've hit the jackpot."

Ruffnut scowled, clambering to her feet. "Easy target? You're lucky I don't turn you into dragon bait right here and now!"

"Yeah!" Tuffnut chimed in, though he seemed more focused on brushing splinters off his pants. "And for the record, we weren't caught—we were… testing the net's durability!"

Eret barely glanced at them, his smirk fixed firmly in place as he returned his attention to Hiccup. "So, here's the deal," he said, his tone all business now. "You leave your dragons here, walk away quietly, and no one gets hurt. Drago gets his prize, and you don't end up regretting a fight you can't win. Sound fair?"

"Drago?" Hiccup's tone sharpened. "Who's Drago?"

Eret chuckled darkly, his gaze flicking between the riders. "Drago Bludvist. The man who's going to change the world. He's building an army—a dragon army. And these beauties are going to make him very happy."

"Army?" Lyra's voice was steady, but there was a faint edge of disbelief. "You're using dragons as tools ?"

Eret shrugged, his tone flippant. "Dragons are power. Drago knows how to harness that power. And if you're smart, you'll let me take these dragons without a fight. Trust me—it'll be easier for everyone."

Lyra's eyes narrowed, her hand tightening on Lexy's reins. "Power isn't something you take. It's something you earn. And you've earned nothing."

Eret opened his mouth to retort, but Toothless growled, a deep, menacing sound that silenced the entire deck. The Night Fury stepped forward, his glowing eyes locking onto Eret with predatory precision.

"Let them go," Hiccup commanded, his voice low but brimming with an authority that left no room for doubt. His hand rested steadily on Toothless's neck, the subtle motion seeming to amplify the threat. The Night Fury's throat glowed ominously, the unmistakable blue hue of a charged plasma blast building with every passing second. Toothless's growl reverberated across the deck, low and guttural, shaking the confidence of even the most hardened crew members.

Eret hesitated, his smirk faltering as he glanced between the determined riders and their imposing dragons. The faintest flicker of doubt crossed his face. His crew mirrored his unease, their hands inching away from their weapons as they exchanged nervous glances. The tense silence seemed to stretch on forever.

Finally, Eret exhaled sharply, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine," he said with exaggerated reluctance, his voice laced with irritation. "Take your dragons. But don't say I didn't warn you. Drago will hear about this, and when he does…" His smirk returned, though it was thinner now, tinged with a forced bravado. "Well, let's just say you'll wish you'd thought twice."

Hiccup didn't flinch, his steely gaze fixed on Eret as he held his ground. Toothless remained poised, the plasma blast still glowing faintly, ready to fire at a moment's notice. The air between them was electric, a tension that refused to dissipate until Hiccup gave a slight nod.

"Move," Hiccup ordered.

Eret gestured sharply to his crew, who scrambled to release Barf and Belch from the net. The Zippleback let out a low growl, shaking itself free as Ruffnut and Tuffnut clambered back onto its back.

"About time," Ruffnut muttered, glaring at Eret.

"Yeah," Tuffnut added, patting Barf's head. "Nobody messes with our dragon. Except us."

Eret leaned against the ship's railing, watching with an air of forced indifference as the riders regrouped. "This won't end here," he called out, his voice carrying over the sound of flapping wings. "You might have your dragons today, but Drago… he doesn't lose."

Lyra, seated firmly on Lexy's back, narrowed her eyes. The Crystal Fury turned her head, emitting a soft but menacing trill that made Eret pause. Lyra leaned closer to Hiccup, her voice low but resolute. "Drago Bludvist," she murmured, the name rolling off her tongue like a dark omen. "If he's building an army, this won't be the last we hear of him."

Hiccup's expression hardened, his jaw tightening. "No," he agreed, his voice steady but grave. "It won't."

With a signal from Hiccup, Toothless leaped into the air, his wings cutting through the sky as he took the lead. The other dragons followed swiftly, their wings creating a powerful updraft that rattled the ship below.

Lexy ascended effortlessly, her crystalline wings catching the sunlight and scattering it into brilliant patterns that seemed to dance across the sea. Lyra sat silently for a moment, her gaze lingering on the ship as it grew smaller in the distance.

Below, Eret watched the group disappear into the horizon, his smirk returning, though it was less confident now. He murmured to himself, his tone laced with intrigue. "Drago will want to know about them. Oh, he'll want to know, all right."

As the riders regrouped in the air, Astrid guided Stormfly closer to Hiccup and Toothless, her expression unreadable but her blue eyes sharp. "Drago Bludvist," she said, her voice carrying over the wind. "That name… it's not going to disappear, is it?"

Hiccup shook his head, his focus fixed on the horizon ahead. "No," he replied firmly. "And as soon as we get back to Berk, we're telling my dad everything. If this man is building a dragon army, we need to be prepared."

Astrid nodded, her grip tightening on Stormfly's reins. "Good. Whatever Drago's planning, we're not going to let it happen."