Howling Echoes - A How to Train Your Dragon Story, The Echoes, Book 1

Chapter 54: Lost Cause

   Hiccup let out a yell and Toothless fired into the sky.  Viggo and I glanced at each other in confusion.

   (P.S.  I was too sad that they killed Viggo in the series to kill him here.  So...sorry not sorry!)

   "Is that it?"  Johann asked, towering over us.  "Your pathetic plan fails and a frustrated yell will be your final words?  I expected more from Hiccup Haddock the Third."  "Just because a plan fails doesn't mean it's pathetic,"  I muttered to myself.  Viggo chuckled beside me.  

   "Actually, it was Viggo's pathetic plan that failed."  Hiccup amended.  Viggo made that weird expression again - that narrowed-eyed-hurt-angered-unfigureoutable expression.  "And by the way, I wasn't yelling in frustration."  He smiled slyly.  Johann glanced up to see...something round, maybe apples(?) on fire getting poured out of Barf and Belch's mouths.  "Coming in hot, and blowing out snot!"  Tuffnut yelled.

   "Is that seriously his catchphrase now?"  I asked, despite the situation.  Hiccup laughed.  The twins spiraled into the air and started spewing gas.  We held our breath and flew into the air, Viggo on Toothless as Frostflake refused to let Viggo go anywhere near her.  We exhaled again as we exited the gas.  "Glad you guys could make it."  Hiccup said.  "Now will you please witness our record!?"  Tuffnut yelled, upside down.  Judging by his tone, he'd been working on this whole 'record' plan of his for a while.  "Wait is that Vi...ggo?"

   "Explain later, blow someone up now!"  I called.  The twins grinned at each other.  "Fire in the hole!"  Tuffnut yelled as the gas exploded.  

   We landed at Defenders of the Wing Island.  Luckily, we managed to talk Mala into at least letting Viggo survive from his wounds, even if they'd let us take care of him after that.  Mala kept a close eye on Viggo, and it was fairly obvious he knew he wasn't welcomed but being healed anyway.  Well, it wasn't exactly like the island was keeping it a secret.

   "Great, now how do we explain this mess to Stoick?"  I asked.  The twins burst out laughing.  "No idea, but that's going to be even funner to watch then telling him about Johann!"  Ruffnut laughed.  "Right, sis?"  Tuffnut agreed.

   "Well, he'll live."  A Healer said.  "But, with all due respect, Queen Mala, is it really wise to be curing this man with all he's done?"  Mala send a sharp glance our way.  "I have been assessing that myself, but as long as he remains not a threat whether by death or by the change of allegiance we have something to celebrate.  Besides, this is Kiara's choice to make."

   I inhaled sharply.  "Why her?"  Another Defender demanded.  "And this is where I'm seeing myself out, thank you so much Mala."  Mala nodded with a wink.  Frostflake growled at Viggo, making it clear to him that he should probably stick to riding with Hiccup and Toothless.

   It felt so weird, flying alongside Hiccup and Viggo.  The last time I flew with him...I winced.  Not long after he had fallen into the volcano, leading to everyone assuming his death...but then again, I had assumed it, too, instead of checking for proof.  But inside an active volcano...eh, no thank you.

   "I truly appreciate all you've done for me, especially after our rivalry, Kiara."  I blinked.  "Are you talking to me?"  I had spaced out, thinking Viggo was talking to Hiccup.  "Now he is,"  Frostflake growled.  "And I don't like it."  "Calm down, if you get too heated up you're too cold to chill."  I patted her head.  "Not.  Funny."  Frostflake growled.  "Oh, come on, can't I get away with a joke?"  Viggo drew back and watched this.  He could only listen to me, which probably made it all the more assuming on his part.  

   "No.  Especially not with him here."  Frostflake snarled.  "Frostflake..."  I sighed.  "Do you know where they might have taken Whiplash?"  I asked Viggo.  "As luck would have it I do."  Viggo nodded.  "Well, then we have to get him back right away."  Hiccup said.  "Especially with all the babies back on the Edge..."

   Viggo looked at me.  "Babies?"

   "Dragons."  I clarified.  "One of which came out of your egg.  Thanks a lot, we now have two Death Songs to deal with, also.  Except one knows the definition of fish is food, not friends."  Hiccup shook his head.  "Oh, what?"  I snapped.  "As soon as we get there he's gonna get bombarded by babies anyways, don't think he should have a heads up?"

   "I think I'm thirsty,"  Frostflake said.  "And that we're here."  I inhaled sharply.  "Sooo I'll be in my hut..."  Frostflake started to veer off from the others, but Hiccup and Toothless quickly blocked us.  "Hey T, how ya been?"  Frostflake asked.  He chuckled.   "Oh no you don't, he's your family, your problem."  "Fiiiiiiine."  I groaned.  

   We got into the clubhouse, and...well, it was a bit of a mess to explain.