The Standoff

Krystal's POV

Krystal sits in the corner of the cage, arms wrapped around her legs. Shadow had been taken to a different section of the hunters' camp. Krystal just hoped that he was alright. Krystal constantly heard Changewing calls, so she could only assume the hunters were using Shadow to keep the Changewings from coming into the camp.

"Don't worry. Your one-legged lover will be here soon. I'm sure of it." Krogan appears, leaning against the cage door.

"No he won't. Hiccup knows better than that." Krystal says, more as if she was trying to convince herself. Part of her knew that Hiccup would come, but the other half was denying that Hiccup would trade something so valuable for her.

"Well, let's hope he comes anyway, or the Changewings will get a good supper tonight." Krystal gulps at Krogan's words. As he walks away, Krystal hugs her legs closer.

'Hurry, Hiccup.'

Hiccup's POV

"Everyone know the plan?" Hiccup asks. The gang nods.

"Okay. Once I get a hand on Krystal, light 'em up." The gang flies off to each of their respecting places and Hiccup urges Toothless to the spotted hunter camp. The sun was already starting to set. Toothless looks up at his friend worriedly.

"It's alright, bud. I'm going to get her back." Hiccup says, petting the Night Fury. "Let's go." The Night Fury and rider land a distance from the camp before walking forward. Hiccup could already see Krogan, but there was no sign of Krystal.

"Ah, Hiccup. So glad you could make it." Krogan greets, arms open.

"Where's Krystal?" Hiccup demands.

"The girl? Oh, she'll be with us shortly." Krogan replies. "But first, the Dragon Eye."

"Not until I see Krystal." Hiccup says, holding the sack behind his back. Krogan's eyes narrow and he motions behind him. A hunter comes forward, Krystal in his clutches.

"Hiccup!" Krystal shouts, staring at the boy.

"It's okay, Krystal. Everything's going to be alright." Hiccup says reassuringly. He thankfully didn't see any kind of injury on Krystal and the boy mentally sighs in relief.

"Now, the Dragon Eye." Krogan says once again. Hiccup tosses the sack towards the man, but not hard enough for it to cross the distance. As Krogan runs forward to catch the sack, Krystal runs forward, seeming to have understood what was happening. But as the girl passed Krogan, the man grabs ahold of her and yanks her back. Krystal let out a cry of surprise, then grew silent as Krogan presses his sword against her neck.

"Not so fast. Do you really think I was going to fall for that?" Krogan demands, glaring at Hiccup. The boy smiles.

"No, but you did." Krogan's eyes widen as the sack starts to smoke. Both he and Krystal jump aside as the bag explodes.

"NO!" Krogan shouts, thinking the Dragon Eye had been destroyed. The dragon riders appear, lighting up the camp. Hiccup runs to Krystal's side, who was coughing up dust from the explosion.

"Are you alright?" He asks, helping her stand. The girl responds by throwing her arms around Hiccup and kissing him. When they separate, Krystal smiles.

"Never better." Hiccup smiles.

"Let's get out of here then." Krystal's eyes suddenly widen. "What is it?"

"Shadow! They took him to a different part of the camp! I think they were using him to keep the Changewings from entering the camp. We have to find him!" Krystal explains. Hiccup nods, motioning for Toothless to follow in case they needed back up. The two riders run into the flaring camp, searching for the Scaleshifter.

"Shadow!" Krystal calls. A dragon roar is heard and Krystal runs ahead quickly.

"Krystal, wait!" Hiccup calls, but he quickly loses her in the smoke and fire. "Krystal!" Toothless appears at Hiccup's side, nudging the boy. Hiccup mounts Toothless and the dragon bolts forward. Hiccup's blood turns cold when a scream reaches his ears, followed by a roar.

"Krystal! Hurry, bud!" The two exit the smoke to find Krogan standing over Krystal, who was trying to crawl away. Hiccup sees the clothing around Krystal's right leg was torn apart, blooding dripping from the wound. A short distance away, Shadow was contained in a cage. The Scaleshifter had turned a vibrant red and was tearing at the cage bars furiously, eyes flaring at Krogan.

"Krogan, stop!" Hiccup calls out instinctively. The man turns to the boy, grinning evilly.

"Oh, don't worry, Hiccup. You'll be next after she dies." Right before Krogan stabs into Krystal's chest, a loud snap was heard. Both Krogan and Hiccup turn to see Shadow, standing at his full height and glowering down at Krogan, jaws wide. His screams were the worst thing Hiccup had ever heard in his life.