When Ragnar and Dalia got back following behind them was a majestic herd of Qilin, their curiosity piqued by the humans riding their kind.
Ragnar though saw this as a golden opportunity. 'Well, it's not smuggling if they choose to get in, is it?' he thought, a smirk playing on his lips.
He dismounted, passing Dalia to his mother. "Do you guys want to ride them?" He pointed back towards the Qilin with his thumb.
Elliot, eager to experience the magic, walked towards one of the creatures. The Qilin sniffed him, then lay down, offering its back.
"Woah, easy!" Elliot exclaimed as the Qilin rose, carrying him. "Love, try it!" He urged Sicilia, his inner child bubbling over with excitement.
Sicilia, a smile on her face, mounted another Qilin. "Is Dalia coming with us?" she asked. Dalia nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with delight.
"Can we ride one too?" Ororo asked Ragnar as she walked beside him, with the other kids trailing behind her, looking at Ragnar with expectation.
"Go ahead," Ragnar said, crossing his arms. "But if the Qilin doesn't want you to ride, don't force them." The kids cheered and ran towards the majestic creatures.
"You're not coming?" Ororo questioned, turning to Ragnar, her brow raised in suspicion.
"No," Ragnar replied, a faint smile gracing his lips. 'Can't act with you guys here,' he thought. He couldn't risk anyone knowing his true plan.
"Don't let them make any trouble," Ragnar added, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.
Ororo eyed him with suspicion. "Yeah, of course, they aren't like you." She had a feeling Ragnar was up to something.
"Come on, let's go," Akila urged Ororo, pulling her towards the Qilin. "The others already got on one."
Ragnar turned his attention to Ying Li and Ying Nan. "Do you guys want to ride one too?" He raised an eyebrow, his smile tinged with mischief but in his heart he was praising Akila's perfect timing.
"Yeah, no, we still need to guide you guys," Ying Li responded, her gaze drawn to the children, a pang of envy tugging at her heart. She also longed to experience the thrill of riding a Qilin.
"Maybe you guys can guide us while on a Qilin," Ragnar teased, tempting them further. "Or did you guys prefer to walk?"
Ying Li's eyes widened, and she turned to her sister, seeking permission.
"We still have a mission," Ying Nan whispered, a touch of wistfulness in her voice. Riding a Qilin was an honor, a privilege reserved for those who had earned the trust of the creatures.
"I mean, if you don't ride one, you both will be left here," Ragnar pointed out, his grin widening.
"He's right. And don't you want to see Guang Bo's shocked expression if he sees us riding a Qilin?" Ying Li whispered to her sister, pulling her toward the Qilin excitedly.
"That's an interesting sight to see," Ying Nan chuckled, unable to resist the allure.
"Are you guys ready?" Ragnar asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Go!" Ragnar yelled as the Qilin, a powerful surge with energy, sprinted across the field making the kids scream in excitement as Ying Li and Ying Nan couldn't help but smile, experiencing the speed and grace of these magnificent creatures.
"Are they always this fast?!" Elliot exclaimed, hugging the Qilin's neck tightly, his voice filled with a mix of fear and exhilaration. When he didn't hear Ragnar's response, he looked back, a worried frown creasing his brow.
"Where is he?" Elliot asked Sicilia, his eyes searching for their son.
Sicilia, her gaze scanning the horizon, couldn't help but notice Ragnar's absence.
A concerned look passed between Sicilia and Elliot. They knew, with a sinking feeling, that their son was probably up to something.
•-----•-----•-----•-----•
Astrid gazed across the water at Berk, its silhouette a familiar beacon against the darkening sky. She could even see the Vikings, silhouetted against the flames of their forges, preparing for the nightly dragon attack.
Astrid's gaze shifted upwards, her anticipation growing with each passing moment. "Remember to focus on the black dragon," she reminded Skadi, her hand stroking the creature's scales on the top of its head.
Skadi, her loyal companion, grunted in acknowledgment, her head rising from the water, her senses already tuned to the approaching dragons.
"Maybe now, after this," Astrid whispered, her voice soft, a hint of longing in her tone. "Maybe then, we can finally live in peace."
Astrid let her gaze linger on the village, imagining a future where dragons and Vikings could coexist, a future where the constant threat of conflict would finally fade away.
To pass the time, Astrid checked the Omniverse Chat Group System Upgrade requirements, playful competition among her group, they had challenged themselves to complete their missions, a playful race to see who could reach the goal first.
[Omniverse Chat Group System Upgrade]
[Wyrmling 3/5]
[Loony Lovegood 4/5]
[Shitori Sona 5/5]
[Son of Plane 5/5]
[Viking Warrior 3/5]
"Sona's already done and Luna already left me behind," Astrid thought, her fist clenching, a spark of determination in her eyes. "But that doesn't mean she'll be the next one to complete the requirements."
"And I'm sure not the last one," Astrid chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She focused on the list, her gaze landing on Ragnar's completed missions. A grin spread across her face, as she prepares to make fun of him.
[Viking Champion]: @Golden Dragon Don't you have any more missions to do, you're getting left behind.
[Golden Dragon]: I'm busy! I'm doing something important!
When Ragnar answered he was already inside the suitcase with a Qilin on his side, showing the place. "How about it? Isn't it big! I didn't lie to you, did I?" He stroked the Qilin's fur, a playful twinkle in his eyes.
The Qilin, her eyes wide with disbelief, surveyed the grass fields with a skeptical gaze. Despite Ragnar's invitation, she couldn't quite believe that this seemingly ordinary box held a space larger than her entire dwelling.
"How about you explore and look around first?" Ragnar suggested, his voice filled with a playful confidence. "I'll take your son inside." He patted the Qilin gently, his touch reassuringly.
The Qilin, finally convinced, turned and nuzzled against his chest before rushing into the field, eager to find a suitable spot for herself and her son to live.
Ragnar watched her go, a smug grin spreading across his face. 'One Mythical Creature down,' he thought, a thrill of satisfaction coursing through him. He had a plan, a grand scheme to fill his suitcase with Mythical Creatures, following Luna's footsteps.
Although the Qilin in the Marvel Universe wasn't as magical as in Luna's world it was already enough for Ragnar...for now.
Ragnar filled with enthusiasm hummed a tune and got into the shack climbing the stairs. He knocked on the ceiling, the suitcase opening with a satisfying click. He then peered outside.
The baby Qilin, trembling, lay sprawled on the grass, its large, frightened eyes fixed on Regulus.
But as soon as it spotted Ragnar, it let out a desperate cry, scrambling towards the suitcase, its tiny body shaking with urgency.
Regulus, lounging on the grass, rolled his eyes at the Qilin's naive trust. The creature was running right into the hands of the very person who wanted to steal it away.
"Come here, little guy," Ragnar said gently as be reached out, and scooped the Qilin into his arms before getting back inside.
Regulus, a low growl rumbling in his throat, slammed the suitcase shut with a resounding thud. His gaze, filled with a fierce protectiveness, locked onto the woman approaching.
[Viking Champion]: Oh, really? And what important thing is that?
"Oh, really?" Astrid scoffed, her sarcasm dripping from every word. She looked up, hearing the thunderous roar of dragons as they descended upon Berk.Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't rush to join the fray. She was waiting for one specific dragon.
[Golden Dragon]: Inviting Mythical Creatures inside my suitcase!
Ragnar answered, a proud smile on his face. He was carrying the baby Qilin down the stairs when he paused, his eyes widened as he saw the message from Astrid.
[Viking Champion]: So you're fooling those innocent animals, that's important?
Astrid's gaze remained fixed on Berk, her eyes scanning the village, witnessing the growing damage to the houses and barns. Her hand tapped impatiently on Skadi's scales, her irritation growing with each passing moment.
"Where are you?" she muttered, closing her eyes, concentrating her senses on the faintest hint of the Night Fury's familiar sound.
[Golden Dragon]: I didn't fool them, my suitcase is big enough to even carry their entire tribe!
Ragnar defended himself, but his bravado faltered as he looked down at the baby Qilin's big, trusting eyes. He felt a pang of guilt but his shamefulness was too strong.
Ragnar coughed, clearing his throat. He stepped out of the shack, a sigh escaping his lips as he gently lowered the baby Qilin onto the ground. 'Definitely didn't fool them,' he thought, with a mischievous grin.
[Viking Champion]: Huh
Astrid just scoffed as she didn't have time for Ragnar's antics. She heard it, the unmistakable sound of the Night Fury charging, its wings tearing through the air before unleashing a blast of plasma.
Astrid opened her eyes, a grin spreading across her face. A black streak, a blur of speed and power, spat out an indigo blast.
BOOM!
The Night Fury, in a single, devastating strike, destroyed a wooden post tower.
"Let's go!" Astrid shouted, her voice echoing with excitement. She leaped onto Skadi's head, her eyes fixed on Berk. She tracked the Night Fury's movements, but it was too fast, a shadow against the starry sky.
"Interesting!" Astrid whispered, a smile playing on her lips. This was a challenge, something that pushed her, something that reignited the thrill she felt when she first gained her Asgardian physique and Skadi for her things had gotten too easy, too predictable.
Astrid looked down at Skadi. "It's time to announce our presence," she said, her voice filled with confidence, her hand gripping one of Skadi's spikes.
Skadi's nostrils flared, responding to Astrid's command. She dove into the water, a dark huge silhouette disappearing into the depths.
[Shitori Sona]: @Golden Dragon you aren't smuggling animals right?
Sona asked, her voice laced with suspicion. She and the other members of the Chat Group knew how much Ragnar loved collecting magical creatures from their world. She even suspected he might have asked her to capture some dragons if it were possible to send living creatures through the mail.
[Golden Dragon]: Smuggling? Don't talk nonsense! It isn't smuggling if I didn't force them inside the suitcase!
Ragnar shook his head, crossing his arms. He watched as the baby Qilin rushed back to its mother, a sigh of relief escaping him.
Although the Qilin had agreed to enter the suitcase because it sensed something familiar in him, a connection to the Great Protector, it was definitely not smuggling.
Sona's lips twitched, her fingers tapping on her desk. 'Yep, this guy definitely smuggled animals alright,' she thought, shaking her head. She glanced at the information on her desk, a complete background check on Hyoudou Issei, weeks have passed and she still doesn't know what to do with him.
[Beast Tamer]: @Golden Dragon smuggling isn't good, you're a bad dragon.
Luna pouted, her voice filled with a mixture of disapproval and concern. She spent so much time with magical animals, she understood that forcing them from their homes could cause them stress, even death in worse cases.
[Shitori Sona]: Bad Dragon +1
[Heir of Body Sect]: Bad Dragon +1
Huo Yuhao chuckled, his laughter echoing through the meditation chamber. He was often amused by Sona's playful banter and the others' modern world. It was so different from his own, yet he found it fascinating.
But one thing was clear, it didn't stop him from making fun of Ragnar.
[Viking Champion]: Bad Dragon +1
Astrid answered in her mind, a smirk playing on her lips for her any time was a good time to team up against Ragnar. She held her breath while Skadi plunged deeper into the water, gathering momentum for her grand entrance.
Meanwhile, in Berk, Stoick shouted, "Put out that fire!" His gaze swept the sky, searching for the elusive Night Fury.
"We need to kill that damn dragon!" Stoick roared, his voice laced with frustration. Every time the Night Fury attacked resulted in destruction and loss.
"That's impossible, Stoick," Gobber shouted, his hammer smacking a dragon on the side of its head. "No one's even seen what it looks like."
Stoick clicked his tongue, his eyes widening as he heard the Night Fury preparing to strike again. "Take cover!" he yelled, raising his shield and axe.
The Night Fury's gathering plasma felt like a death knell, making the Vikings scrambling to find cover. But just as the blast seemed imminent, something far more shocking happened.
A colossal dragon, a creature of such immense size and power that it dwarfed even the largest dragons they had seen, erupted from the water, crashing onto the side of Berk with a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves through the village.
"RAAAWWRRR!" Skadi roared, her voice a deafening bellow that seemed to crack the air. Every one froze from dragons to vikings were stunned in silence.
A blast of crystal ice erupted from Skadi's mouth, a blinding sheet of glittering frost that encased the side of Berk, a towering icy wall.
"What in Odin's name is that?" Gobber stammered, his jaw slack, his hammer forgotten.
Skadi's nostrils flared, her head tilting, as she looked up into the sky. Her eyes dilated, commanding something to get down.
The Night Fury, its eyes mirroring Skadi's, seemed to obey instinctively as it flew in front of her in daze.
Then a gasp rippled through the crowd as they saw Astrid launch herself from Skadi's back. With a mighty leap, she soared through the air, aiming for the stunned Night Fury.
"I got you now!" Astrid whispered, a grin in her lips holding the Night Fury's neck with a firm grip.
Toothless, his consciousness jolted awake by the sudden attack, shook his head, fear flashing in his eyes but he felt something clinging to his neck, so he looked down with wide eyes and saw a human dangling over his neck.
"Grraawh!" Toothless bucked and thrashed, desperately in panicked.
"You gotta do better than that," Astrid whispered as she reached out to the Night Fury's chin scratching it to find its weakness.
A wave of disorientation washed over Toothless, a strange mix of comfort and suspicion. Before he could decipher what was happening, a shock struck him. His eyes widened, his wings faltered before he closed his eyes and then ceased their motion entirely. He plummeted towards the ground, unconscious.
"Oh, No!" Astrid exclaimed, holding Toothless tightly as they fell. But then dragons swooped in, catching them before they crashed, carrying them safely to the ground.
"Thanks!" Astrid shouted, waving to Skadi. Her gaze met the dragon's dilated eyes, a clear signal of their connection. She leaped onto one of the dragons, which flew towards Skadi.
"Astrid!" Stoick's voice echoed across the clearing, a mixture of fear and disbelief. He had never seen anything like this ice-breathing dragon, with an immense size.
Astrid, jumps off the dragon, and stands tall atop Skadi's head, her gaze unwavering. "This is the end of the war," she declared, her voice ringing with authority, meeting Stoick's eyes with unwavering determination.
Astrid scanned the stunned crowd, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief. She knew how stubborn Vikings could be. She was no different.
"We are not enemies. We are not rivals. We are neighbors." Astrid paused, her gaze sweeping across the faces of the Vikings, searching for a flicker of understanding, a hint of acceptance, her gaze landing on one person, Hiccup. "We can coexist. We can learn from each other. We can build a future where dragons and Vikings can live in peace."
The Vikings remained silent, their faces etched with a mixture of skepticism and wonder.
They had spent their lives fighting the dragons, seeing them as a threat, a force to be killed and to hear Astrid speak of peace, of coexistence, felt like a betrayal of everything they believed in.
"You don't understand!" Stoick shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "These creatures, they are dangerous! They destroy our homes, they kill our people!"
Astrid met Stoick's gaze, her expression unwavering. "Then let us learn to understand them. Let us learn to respect them. Let us learn to coexist. It is not too late to change our ways. It is not too late to choose peace." As she talked she noticed the doubt lingering in their face but she wasn't surprised, rather she was prepared.
"From this moment on, our war with the dragons is over!" Astrid declared, her voice filled with authority echoing across the island, 'It's a good thing I brought her here,' she thought. As if in response, Skadi let out a thunderous roar, a sound that seemed to reverberate through every part of the island.
Every dragon in Berk, as if sensing a shift in power, descended from the skies, lowering their heads in submission to the mighty Skadi, they all knew she was stronger than them, stronger than the Red Death.
The Vikings exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes drawn to the docile dragons spread across the ground, their heads bowed in deference to the colossal dragon.
They looked back at Astrid, standing tall atop Skadi's head, a beacon of change. This night, they knew, would forever alter the course of Berk's way of life.
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