7A/N: Sorry for the really late update. But here's where the real planning begins to go down for Hiccup and Ripper. They're about to move up in the ranks of the crime wars of L.A.
000
"So why aren't you celebrating with Henry?" asked Heather. She and Ripper were back in her apartment, sitting on bar chairs that were right next to her marble counter in the kitchen. Well, he was sitting and sipping from his glass of Pinot Noir wine from 2002. Heather had her own glass of Chardonnay in hand while she was cooking their dinner for tonight.
"He said he needed some time to think what we're going to do next and ways of building up his image ... plus it's more fun with you anyway" he said with a wink. She replied with a playful eye roll making sure he saw it.
"But I'm sure he discussed it with you? I mean you are technically his second in command."
"I'm his only second in command. We gotta work on building up a gang. Now, I know Hiccup and I can easily take on the Hooligans, Meatheads, Bog Burglars, Outcasts and Berserkers combined ... but since he wasn't up to it, I told him to start scouting around for potential members" he said, getting off the counter chair and walking over to the fridge.
"Did you guys have any people in mind?" asked Heather as she took out the roast chicken from the oven.
"A few. People who we've dealt with in the past and didn't double cross us" Ripper replied, taking the bottle of wine and refilling his glass. "They're mostly small time dealers who are also looking for a way into the big leagues. And with the 200k we've just received, they'll be idiots if they don't join us."
"Aren't you worried that they might try and kill Henry and take the money?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean..." she said as she placed the roast chicken dish on the counter "...if he's going to hire them by showing them the 200k for proof, and since he's by himself, won't they try and kill him?"
"No they won't. Besides, if they do ... I'll kill 'em" Ripper said with a knowing smile. "If they value their lives, they'll know that if they kill Hiccup, they'll have to deal with me" he said, maintaining eye contact with her. "It would be the same case if people knew you were dating me."
"And you know very well that I don't want to mix my current job with your line of work. Besides, wouldn't that make me leverage for whatever hair-brain scheme you and Henry come up with?" she asked as she set out the plates.
"And that is why you are technically the brains of our little group" he said, raising his glass. Heather smiled in reply, and went back to the counter to retrieve her own glass.
"To a new beginning" she toasted.
"To a new life" Ripper said in response as they dinged their glasses. "Now come on, even though what you made looks delicious, I really want to get to desert" he said, pulling back her chair for her to sit down.
"But I already made some and it's in the fridge" she said, sitting down.
"The desert I'm thinking of happens in the bedroom ... or anywhere private for that matter" he said with a wink, and she knew all too well at what he was referring to ... and she honestly couldn't wait. If he and Henry kept having more successful deals such as today, there would be a good chance she might end up pregnant.
Luckily she was already taking birth control pills for that already.
000
"As you can see Mr. Haddock, we have a wide range of cars" the man said as he guided Hiccup through the show-room of luxury sport cars. "But in the end, it all depends on the man who's buying the car. We have a few Porsche's in the back for the 911 enthusiast. We have a few Ferrari's as well, if you're part of the playboy group ... oh and a few Lamborghini's if you're interested in something wild and untamed?" the man suggested. But Hiccup wasn't paying attention as he already had his eyes set out on a galaxy blue Aston Martin DB9 ... the 2012 model to be exact.
"How about the Aston over there?" he asked.
"That is the last Aston we have in stock, sir. And ain't she a beauty" he said as he led Hiccup over to where the car was in the marble tiled room. "Most people have forgotten the class an Aston Martin brings to a party. Most want to arrive these days in Lambo's that blaze fire through their exhausts, or people who want to screech their tires as they're leaving a club or party or even restaurant for that matter" he lectured.
"Fortunately I'm not like most people" and for once Hiccup felt good saying that. "Mind telling me the specs?"
"This specific model has the all new AM11 6-litre engine; developing 510 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds. Yes I know, it's not that impressive among the Pagani's and Lambo's and Ferrari's ... but that's not the point of this kind of Aston."
"Otherwise I would have gone for the cars you just mentioned. But I'm not here for them. I'm here for the Aston. So, how much will that be?" he asked.
"One hundred and seventy five thousand ... that's without tax of course" the man said, leading Hiccup to his desk.
"How about I give you one hundred thousand up front and the rest, including tax, the next month?" Hiccup suggested, placing the brief case he had with him on the table.
"I see you've come prepared. And does your father know about this purchase?"
"You know very well what my father knows of me" Hiccup shot back.
"Indeed. I should inform him about this, but ... I haven't had enough business here in a while that you're my first customer in two months" the salesman pondered.
"And besides, my second in command will be planning to get his car from here as well. Don't ask me how I know. I just know" said Hiccup.
"Well, alright then. I'll take the one hundred thousand up front here." That was Hiccup's cue to open up the brief case, in his general view, and placed the packs of fifty notes onto the table.
"One hundred thousand in twenties. Take my word for it" he said. The salesman took one pack of them and weighed it in his hand, making sure the total number of packs added up to one hundred thousand.
"It seems you've just bought yourself a new car" he said, smiling as he put away the money and took out a few documents. "I'll just need your signature to finalize the purchase" he said, handing Hiccup a pen. He took it from his hands and proceeded to read the contract. He was taught to always read the fine print, to make sure there aren't any hidden catches somewhere the dealer could rip you off. Luckily this dealer wasn't like the others. He was an acquaintance of his dad's, but he could keep a secret. He knew he wouldn't tell Stoick about his purchase, or even ask him where he got the money from. Subjects as that were better left closed.
After reading the contract, he signed his name at the bottom of the piece of paper. "Thank you Mr. Haddock" he said, taking the paper and filing it under in Hiccup's new folder. He unlocked a drawer at his desk and pulled out the keys to the car.
"Before I forget ... I'll pay you the rest of the money as soon as I get the funds. The timeline for next month is just an estimate, but I should be able to pay you before then" said Hiccup as they reached the car.
"That's perfectly fine, Mr. Haddock. I hope you enjoy your new pride and joy ... by the way, whatever happened to that Mustang I sold your father? Still keeping it?" he asked.
"Of course I am. Never going to get rid of a classic like that" Hiccup said, patting Michael on his shoulder. Michael Callaway was the salesman's name, and the owner of the show-room he's in. Hiccup had known him for a good five years; so he was extremely confident that he wouldn't tell his father about his little purchase.
"Good lad. Now, drive carefully, you here me?" he said as Hiccup opened the door.
"You know me. I would never try and damage this car" he replied, before getting in and allowing that glorious engine come to my life as he turned the key in the ignition. "Sounds just like I dreamed it would" he said as he felt around the steering wheel; getting familiar with that classic leather that smelled of history, elegance and pride of a proud car firm. "By the way, could you do me a favour? By which I mean I will pay for the result" he said.
"Of course Mr. Haddock. What is your request?"
"Hiccup then took a notepad from his inside suit pocket and a pen and quickly scribbled down his idea. "Could you get that on a number plate for me? I'd like to have it plated on when I come back to pay for the rest of the car."
"Will do. I'll give my buddy a few calls and he'll get it registered" said Michael, tucking the note into his pocket. He then walked over to the door where the cars are delivered and with a press of a button, the metal door opened as Hiccup slowly drove his car out.
"Pleasure doing business with you" Michael said as he drove out. Hiccup sounded his horn reply as he made a left turn and was now heading to his main destination. He was heading to downtown L.A. He was sure his part time supplier of guns would want in on the future he was planning. And what better way to show up in a new car? With the money from just one deal? He also had ties to the drug world and could supply decent qualities of ecstasy, heroin, crystal meth ... the lot. But at the same time, he figured that he and Ripper would need a new house. Something that stands out and screams "I'm successful" but not enough to draw too much attention; especially from the other crime gangs.
He most undoubtedly didn't want his father or anyone else in his old gang finding out that he was the new boss on the block.
He pulled outside a bar that had five big guys waiting outside, talking. They had tattoos on their arms, Hiccup could make the outline of a pistol under their shirt, tucked into the hem of their pants, and that they had stopped once they saw him pull in front of the bar. Luckily he had his mask and voice manipulator on, since he couldn't trust any of them yet.
"I'm here to see Dwight" he said, getting out of the car, briefcase in hand.
"Do you have an appointment?" one of them asked.
"No. I need to see him" Hiccup replied, walking to the door, but was stopped when a six foot six, young white man stepped in front of him.
"He's not seeing anyone today. Not unless you have an appointment" he reiterated.
"This is a business proposition that I want to discuss with him only" Hiccup stood strong.
"Well then, I guess we have a problem" the man said as he gestured to the others to move in and surround him. "We only take orders from Dwight; not from some washed mob criminal from the 50's" he laughed, as did the others.
"Well considering your mom would have thrown herself at me to fuck her back then, thank you so much for the compliment" Hiccup retorted. The man stopped laughing as a quick flash of anger overtook his eyes.
"You little son of a bitch!" he said as he prepared to punch him.
"Only one man can piss off people so easily with sarcasm!" they all heard a voice rang as the door to the bar opened. "Take it easy, boys. I know the dude. He's cool. Now move aside and let him in" Dwight said, as he left the door open for Hiccup to walk in. Hiccup flashed the men a smug smile from underneath his mask as he walked past them, followed by Dwight.
"You know, one of these days ... that big mouth of yours is gonna get yourself killed" he said, sitting down at his own personal corner. "Anything to drink man?" he asked as he stopped a passing bartender.
"Not today Dwight" Hiccup said as he placed his briefcase on the table.
"Are you asking me to sell whatever's in that case?" asked Dwight.
"Not exactly" Hiccup replied as he opened the case discreetly, making sure it was for Dwight's eyes only. He saw his friend's eyebrows move up and inch and he quickly closed the case. "I need your help" he stated.
"Well ... if you're looking to get rid of that money, I'm the right guy for the job."
"I'm hoping you'll come work for me. Ripper and I have just hit a huge score ... over 70% pure heroin. We already sold one brick for two hundred thousand. And there's more coming. I want you and your crew in on our plans" Hiccup explained.
"You want me ... Dwight 'King' Larson, to work for you?" he asked, looking skeptical.
"Is it the fact that I'm Hiccup? The disgraced son of Stoick the Vast and the Hooligans?"
"Nah man ... well maybe a little, but it's just me and my crew have been doing well. What makes you think we'll work for you?" he asked, sitting back and folding his arms across his chest.
"Look Dwight ... the only reason I came to you is because you are the only one we've dealt with in the past who hasn't tried to kill us. And we can't do this alone. But because Ripper and I made the deal go through, with many others to come, we need a crew; men who'll stick by us through thick and thin; men who we can count on ... men like you" Hiccup spoke, and he meant every word of it.
"Hiccup, dude ... I like. I really do. But what kind of image would me working for you give me? People will think that I'm desperate!"
"That's why I've come with a name ... plus how can you not notice what I'm wearing?" he gestured to himself.
"I thought you came back from a play or something" Dwight joked.
"I go by the name of Night Fury now. And that's what I plan to stick by. No one except you, Ripper and your men will know if you decide to join us" he tried to reason, but still saw the doubt in Dwight's eyes. "I know I'm asking a lot from you right now ... but when I came to you ... you saw how weak and desperate I was; determined to make a name for myself; to get into the business. I'm finally in it. And I'm asking you to come work with us. You can go under the assumption that you're working for Night Fury. But in truth, we'll be helping with each other. You guys will definitely get cuts from our deals, and we can also help you in the gun trade as well. It's a win win for us both, Dwight. So what do you say?" Hiccup asked. He was incredibly anxious because if he refused to help him, there would go his only chance of creating a real gang.
"Will you let me drive that beauty of yours outside if I say yes?" he asked.
"By the time our third deal arrives, you'll be able to buy one" Hiccup answered. He could see Dwight was simply holding back his answer on purpose. Either way, it was still nerve wrecking.
"What will be our cut of the deal?"
"Your gang will get 30% of the cut, and from there you can split it as you feel like. But this means that we also get access to your suppliers of drugs and guns and with the names Ripper and I'll be establishing, your rivals will make sure to stay clear of you and the Night Fury" Hiccup enticed. That was another one of his gifts from other than being smart. He knew how to get people to see eye to eye with him. "So what do you say? Do we have a deal?" he asked, extending his arm.
"First accept a drink and then I'll accept" Dwight replied, getting one of the bartenders to come over.
"There'a always a catch with you, isn't there?" Hiccup asked.
"There's always a catch with everyone in this business, Hiccup" he replied with a smug as Hiccup placed down his order.
000
"Any luck Fishlegs?" Astrid asked as she looked over her friend's shoulder as he worked on the laptop.
"The image is a bit blurry ... but nothing that I can't handle" he said, his fingers typing furiously at the keyboard.
"That's what I like to hear" she replied with a smile and grateful pat on the shoulder and left him to continue with enhancing the image. She had Fishlegs hack into the camera of a petrol station that overlooked the road leading to the junkyard. Her best guess was that the people who took it had to have come on that road and gone back the same way. All Fishlegs had to do was see if the same car passed the camera in a short time span.
"Any news on Snotlout" Tuff asked as he laid on the couch with a beer in his hands.
"I think I heard Stoick's voice on the other side of the house?" Eret said.
"Either way, he's screwed. Don't know if the Chief will even let him work with us" said Astrid.
"Knowing Snotlout, he might beg to try and redeem himself ... and that's by killing the person or group who stole the drugs" Ruff said, examining her nails.
"So what are we going to do with the people who stole from us?" asked Fish, eyes not leaving the computer screen.
"Ooh, maybe we can tie their hands with some chain and hang them from the ceiling ... or maybe we can threaten them with a chainsaw!" Tuff suggested.
"How about cut off their fingers one by one and shoot them in the knees with a shotgun?" Ruff suggested, equally ecstatic.
"Guys! We'll be handing him or them over to the Chief. If they're still alive after that then you can decide" Astrid broke up their idea train.
"I think I found something!" Fishlegs called from the table, and Astrid was the first person at his side.
"What did you find?" she asked as the others joined them.
"You see this Ford Mustang?" Fishlegs pointed to the screen. Astrid squinted her eyes to focus on the image and saw that it was a 1967 Shelby GT500 in a blaze red paint job with the signature stripes going down the middle.
"Yeah?"
"This exact same car passes the petrol station going back to L.A about one to two hours later. And of all the cars that have passed at the same time as that car, none of them returned. So by power of deduction, those are the thieves" Fishlegs explained.
"Thieves?" Eret asked.
"I can make out two people in the car but because of the quality of the camera, I can't zoom in enough and try to enhance it ... sorry."
"That's alight. You got us the car and that's all that matters. There aren't many Shelby GT 500's of that year around here. The number plate is also a dead end right?" she guessed and he nodded in response.
"Okay guys!" she announced turning around to face them. "We're looking for a 1967 Shelby GT 500 of a blaze red colour. We'll inform the Chief first and then head out. We pull over every Mustang of that description, got it?"
They all nodded.
"Good, now come on. It's time to show them what happens when you mess with the Hooligans" she said as she grabbed her keys. The others followed her as they made their way to the paved driveway in front of the house where the cars were parked. Astrid and Ruff hopped into her car while the guys got in the black Lincoln SUV. "Okay guys, the plan is to split up. Ruff and I will take Santa Monica while you guys look around downtown L.A, got it?"
"Got it" they all replied.
"What if we don't find them?" Fishlegs asked over the radio.
"Then we keep searching until we find them. We won't let these bastards get away with stealing from us" she hissed as she shifted the car into first gear.
000
Hiccup was ecstatic. With Dwight, his crew and his connections, his own future as a gang boss would take off. He already had an outstanding second-in-command who had proven his loyalty the moment he walked out of his dad's house with him. He pulled out his phone and went to Ripper's contact information.
"Hello, this is Ripper. As you can see I'm unavailable but please leave a message" the voice recorder went off and the familiar beep.
"Hey Ripper, the deal went through. Dwight and his gang will be working for us. I'm heading back to Heather's now" he said and hung up. But that's when it hit him. When he had asked Ripper to drop him off near the car show-room, he said he'd be going to Heather's to celebrate. "Maybe I should just head back home" he said to himself since he didn't want to be scarred by the image of Ripper and Heather having sex. He stopped at a red light, giving him a chance to plan out the future deals.
Mr. Maverick did say he'd contact him again, so that would be an extra 200 hundred thousand there. Dwight and his crew specialize in distributing cocaine and crystal meth so that would also bring in a ton of green. He estimated that by next month, they should have enough money to buy a nice house in Santa Monica; probably something up in the hills, overlooking the city.
"I've always liked the skyline of L.A" he muttered.
There weren't any cars going the other way, a few lights in the distance but nothing else. But that's when he became nervous when two cars passed him. They were a black Camaro. The windows were tinted, but he saw the number plates. He knew the Camaro belonged to a dangerous blonde. If his memory served him right, they never operated during the night; or on extreme rare occasions. And if they were ... they wouldn't be looking like they needed to get to a place in a rush.
This was a hit or worse. And it was the worst possible time to start becoming paranoid.
"I can't believe I'm about to do this" he muttered as he turned to follow them, from a safe distance of course. But following someone in an Aston Martin wasn't entirely discreet.
"I gotta find out what they're after" he said as he pulled out his phone again. Being a tech wiz did come with many benefits, such as allowing him to hack into his former friends com's and hear what they're saying.
"...D... you see anything ... Ruff?" he heard Astrid's voice.
"Nope. Don't see any blaze red Mustang" Ruff said. His heart dropped. There would only be one reason why they're searching for a blaze red Mustang.
"SHIT!" he yelled as he smacked his hands on the steering wheel. Honestly, he did want to know whose drugs they stole. "Well the only explanation is that Snotlout hid them" he muttered. But that still didn't stop him from the blatant fact that he stole from his old gang.
"How come Fishlegs couldn't get a good picture of the number plate?" Ruff asked.
"Apparently the camera wasn't that good and couldn't focus much onto the car" Astrid explained.
"So we have no idea who they are?"
"We can only speculate" replied Astrid.
Hiccup let out a small breath of relief. They didn't know who stole the drugs, just the description of the car they were in. That still wasn't good. That meant they'd be looking for that exact car. And since these were the Hooligans, with the fact that they stole over one million dollars worth of drugs, they wouldn't stop hunting them.
"Better get the down payment for that house now" he said as he turned off at the following traffic signal. He had to get Ripper first. He had the car and if it was in plain sight in front of Heather's building, then they'd both be screwed. He got Ripper's number on his screen and pressed the call button, but after about ten seconds was met with voice-mail.
"I'm really gonna regret interrupting them" he said under his breath as he pulled in front of the apartment building. He thanked all the Gods that were out there when he saw the Mustang wasn't parked on the streets. "Must be in the multi-storey car park" he said to himself as he stopped the car in the parking space in front of the building and went inside, removing his mask and rushing to the elevators.
000 (Meanwhile)
"Did you see that car that was following us?" Astrid asked as she looked into her rear and door mirrors to no longer see the car.
"What car are you talking about?" Ruff asked, as she leaned her elbow to get some air.
"There was a car following us ... an Aston Martin to be exact."
"Ooh, a rich guy. Maybe he could be an easy target?" Ruff suggested as she glanced to her mirror but the excitement went away when she didn't see it.
"It turned off at the last traffic light. I noticed it followed us for one whole minute before turning off."
"You're being paranoid, Astrid. It was probably some lawyer guy heading back to his luxury apartment" Ruff waved her hand dismissively.
"Not when he turned right and did the exact same thing again. I'm telling you, he followed us for a reason that I don't know of yet" she pressed on.
"If we go and search for this car, will it put your mind at rest?" Ruff asked.
Astrid smiled, "I'm glad you see things my way now" she said as she did an abrupt U-turn and made her way to the road that the Aston turned off on.
000
"How was desert?" Ripper asked as he hovered over Heather. He had the bed sheets up to his back, covering the both.
"Hmm, I could go seconds" she said with a mischievous smile as she pressed her hips against his now hardened length.
"Prepare for another out of this world situation, my lady" he muttered into her neck as he pressed into her, eliciting a moan from them both. However, the two couldn't enjoy it for long.
"Ripper!" Hiccup called as they heard the front door open.
"Fuck" Ripper muttered as he pulled out and laid next to Heather, pulling up the covers, just in time as Hiccup came to the room. "You really do have lousy timing, don't you?"
"Not when I'm trying to save your life, I don't" he said as he leaned against the doorway.
"What are you doing here anyway? Couldn't you see we were in the middle of something?"
"Be glad I called out instead of walking in on you two while fucking. Anyway, the Hooligans are on to us" Hiccup gave him the news straight away. Ripper stopped shuffling beneath the covers as both he and Heather stared with shocked faces at Hiccup.
"So they know it's us specifically?" Ripper asked.
"Look, after the deal with Dwight, to which he agreed, and after buying myself a new car, and saw Astrid's Camaro drive by me and you know as well as I do they hardly operate at this time of the night. So I decided to follow them and I hacked her com's. She and Ruffnut were looking for a blaze red 1967 Mustang. The one-"
"The we drive" Ripper cut him off. "Shit! This isn't good. We have to get out of here" he said as he pulled back the covers.
"WOAH! Wait until I'm out of the room will you!?" Hiccup yelled as he slammed the door shut.
"You did that on purpose didn't you?" Heather asked as he reached for his clothes that were strewn on the ground.
"He deserved it for walking in on us" he retorted.
"You're unbelievable" she threw a pillow at him and smiled as he simply ducked out of the way.
"But you still love me" he said as he slipped his pants on and went out the door.
"I seriously hope it was worth coming here and ruining my chance at seconds" Ripper said as he put on his dress shirt, smoothing out the crumples and retrieving his tie and suit jacket from the couch.
"They're searching for my car, Ripper! What if you had been on the road out there and they caught you?" Hiccup theorized. "They're looking for a blaze red Mustang from 1967. Now I don't know how many other 1967 Shelby GT 500's out there but my guess is not that many here in L.A" he said as he paced around the main room.
"Calm down will you. It's in the multi-storey car park, not on the streets" Ripper said as he put his dress shoes on and went to a mirror placed above Heather's work desk to straighten out his tie and make sure he looked good.
"They could be checking that as well. I'm telling you we have to get back to our apartment and work on buying a new house soon" he said as he opened the door to leave. Ripper grabbed his mask and fedora along with his pistol that he kept on him at all times.
"Alright, we'll head out first - I want to see this new car you bought, what is it?" he asked as they put their masks on and adjusted the voice manipulators underneath them. With a final look in the mirrors that made up the inside of the elevator's walls, they placed their fedora's on and walked out to the front entrance as soon as the elevators' doors opened.
"You're gonna love it. It's an Aston Martin DB9 in Ga-" he stopped himself as they walked outside. Two blondes were leaning against the car, staring right at them. Hiccup was thanking the Gods that they kept their disguises with them at all times.
"Are we going to a play, gentlemen? Or the opera?" Astrid snickered as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at them with amusement.
"Everyone's a comedian" Ripper muttered, but with the voice manipulator, it came out as the voice that people use when making ransom calls.
"They're even prepared for one. And apparently it pays well" Ruffnut said as she ran her hand along the hood of the car, up to the door mirror. Ripper saw out of the corner of his eye, Hiccup curl his fists into a ball; and apparently so did Astrid.
"You don't have to worry about us stealing your car-"
"Yet" Ruff butted in.
"-But this car happened to be the exact same one that tailed us for a whole minute before turning off down this road. So tell me, why were you following us?"
Ripper glanced at Hiccup who felt his gaze and even though they could only see each other's eyes, Ripper was giving him a look that said 'how thick were you to realize that they could follow you?' and he could tell that Hiccup was smiling sheepishly under his mask. "We're waiting" Ruff yelled.
"I got lost for a while and hoped ... by driving down the road I could find a familiar street" Hiccup said, but Astrid didn't buy it.
"Tell me one more lie, and I'll empty a round-" she pulled her jacket away to reveal a gun at her hip "-into the both of you. What were you doing following us?" she asked again.
"That's none of your concern" Ripper answered. "And if you want to start a gun fight-" He moved his jacket to the side and reached for his firearm, "-I'd be happy to oblige."
"Do you know who we are?" Ruff asked, laughing as she pulled two pistols from the hem of her pants and aimed them at the two of them. Ripper reached to pull his pistol out, as did Hiccup, but...
"Hands down!" Astrid yelled as she pulled her firearm and aimed it at Hiccup. Hiccup didn't miss the death threat in her eyes. If he or Ripper made one wrong move, she and Ruff would open fire. "I'm going ask you two again nicely ... who are you and why were you following us?"
"Isn't it obvious? They must have thought robbing us but decided against it. Unluckily for you guys, you picked the wrong car" said Ruff.
"Actually he was driving, he came to pick me up" Ripper cleared up for them.
"Oh, so he was going for backup ... I say we take them out now" Ruff said to Astrid.
"That would be a big mistake" a new voice said. They all turned their attention to the source of it to see another guys dressed in the same attire as Hiccup and Ripper aiming a Glock at the two girls. That's when they noticed two other, dark blue 2013 Range Rovers pulling up close to where they were with seven men getting out altogether and aiming their AK 47's ... all dressed in the same attire. "Sorry we're late boss" Hiccup knew exactly who it was. Dwight. He was not using a voice manipulator but that's because he never dealt with Astrid and Ruff before; or the Hooligans for that matter.
"What do you think you're doing holding up our boss?" he asked, looking at the two of them.
"And you are?" Astrid replied.
"That's on a need to know basis ... and you're not on that list" he said, gesturing with his Glock. "Now, you can either be good little scout girls and go home or me and my crew will help deliver you home" he said, and for emphasis his men raised their guns and aimed them right their heads.
"Who the hell are you guys?!" Astrid shouted at Hiccup, not lowering her gun and ignoring Ruff's hand on her shoulder as she told her it might be a good idea to back off ... for now.
"Boys, lower your weapons" Hiccup told his new crew. They gave one look to their new leader before lowering their guns to their waists, but kept their fingers at the trigger in case. He then looked down at Ruffnut and Astrid, his former acquaintances. That's when he realized that this was his chance to introduce himself as Night Fury. This was his chance to establish himself and his new gang. And where better to do it than in front of Ruff and Astrid ... most likely the future Chief of the Hooligans.
"You want to know who I am?" he asked as he walked down the stairs that led to the front entrance. Astrid didn't take her eyes off him as he walked down, holding that curious scowl. He almost felt like it was old times. As he got in her face he pushed the gun she held her arm down so that he wouldn't be staring down its barrel. "Do you really want to know who I am?" he asked again as he came within inches of her face, looking down into her eyes. As he bore down into her irises, he couldn't help but admire their beauty; the fire and determination behind them - even though it was projected as anger and confusion towards him ... and he marveled it.
"L.A is prime territory for a gang like mine to make a new start. And as you can see ... I think we have fair chance in the gang wars if we have two members of the infamous Hooligans' at my mercy" he began.
"Forgive me if I'm not wowed by your predicament" Astrid said with a shake of her head and an unimpressed look.
"That's quite alright. Even I wouldn't give two shits about some newcomer. I mean you must be thinking what can I do? Huh?" he asked, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Well let me tell you something blonde" he emphasized the 'e' in the word, "I'm not to be taken lightly. We're not to be taken lightly. The deals you have, the clients you hold oh so dear to you, and the people you work with, will all come crashing down when I'm through with you and your gang" he snarled in her face, although she didn't seem fazed by it. He was sure the extremely deep voice would send shivers up her spine but then he realized this was Astrid Hofferson.
"Why are you out for blood against the Hooligans?" she asked, not stepping away from him.
"Oh ... it's not just you I'm after. The Berserkers, Outcasts, Bog Burglars, Meatheads ... they'll come crashing down once I'm through with them. I know these may seem like empty threats ... but I've heard of you, Astrid Hofferson" he said and he saw the briefest moments of shock on her face.
"How do you-"
"Know your name?" he finished her sentence. "I do my homework, Astrid. Did you really think I was some two-bid boss who thought he could take over L.A? My dear, you will surely fail against me if you think like that" he said with a chuckle, walking around her.
"I have information on each and every single member of all the gangs here, and I intend on exploiting them to the bone" he warned. "That's how I should play isn't it? I mean, technically we're at a disadvantage since no one has heard of us-" he stopped in front of her and cupped her cheek in his hand holding her tight and right in his face. Ruff made a move and aimed her pistols at his head but stopped when she felt the barrel of a gun pressed against her skull. She glanced to her right and saw the man who had been standing next to Hiccup the whole time staring back at her with emotionless eyes.
"But rest assured ... soon everyone will know and fear the name ... Night Fury" he said, faces just an inch apart before releasing her and wiping his hand on his pants. "Now, please be so kind and leave before my men here decide to send a message to the Hooligans" he said. Astrid rubbed the spot where he held her by the face and nearly snarled at him. But she knew very well they were beaten this round. There were just too many of them; and whoever this man was ... he was not afraid to spill blood.
"Come on, Ruff. Let's get out of here" she said as she walked past the men and to her Camaro that was parked a few spaces down. Ripper tucked his gun back in while he came to stand beside Hiccup as he and their new gang watched the girls open the doors of the car.
"This isn't over!" Astrid yelled back, making eye contact with Hiccup.
"I was hoping it wasn't" Hiccup replied. "But be warned, Miss Hofferson ... I know everything about you. What do you know about me?" he left her with the question as she shot him a death glare and hopped into her car.
And in a few seconds, they were out of sight ... both girls weary of the new threat who calls himself Night Fury.
