How To Train Your Dragon Short AUs
Story VII; Power & Tech;
Characters: Hiccup Haddock, Stoick the Vast Haddock (mentioned), Gobber, Astrid Hofferson, Fearless Finn Hofferson
Ships: Hiccstrid
Series Description:
This is a series of short stories that may or may not have any bearing on each other. They all relate to HTTYD using their characters and will all be AUs. Please enjoy!
Description:
Astrid Hofferson is not your normal teenager. She has a secret. A rare trait passed down from generation to generation makes her a superhero. So you can imagine her surprise when she's given the chance to huntdown Deathgripper alongside a Super she's never heard of before… someone going by the name Night Fury… (Superhero AU, Dragons Don't Exist)
Disclaimer:
I do not own How to Train Your Dragon. I am but a humble fan trying something I haven't done before please spare me their wrath and lawsuits, I wouldn't have much to give them anyway.
Identities dictionary
Defenders- Superhero organisation created by Stoick the Vast
Night Fury- unknown Super
Nadder- Astrid Hofferson (power of strength and speed, the powers of her parents)
Flightmare- Finn Hofferson (ability of flight)
Deathgripper- Grimmel the Grisly (large technological knowledge and has a mind altering neurotoxin)
Rumblehorn- Stoick the Vast Haddock (has indestructible skin)
Blacksmith- Gobber (has the ability to command technology)
Nightmare- Snotlout (super-strong)
Dynamic Duo- Thorston twins
Gronckle- Fishlegs (immovable at will)
Power & Tech
Berk, Defenders Tower
Astrid stepped into the room, there were a number of Supers gathered around the table, each had eyes that were rimmed red despite the masks covering them. The light was focused on a projector set into the center of the table, a blue glow escaping it and providing an image of Rumblehorn, head of the Defenders. Blacksmith, his large form was at the far end of the room, cleared his throat, glaring around the room and gaining silence.
"We lost contact with Rumblehorn while 'e was huntin' down Deathgripper… the Defenders can't afford ta risk oth'r villains using this against us. I've selected a pair of Supers ta head out and find Rumblehorn, tha rest of you are ta pick up tha slack. If a villain makes a play do yer best to clean it up quickly, but ask fer help if ya need it." Turning on his heel Blacksmith stepped towards the Tower's window overlooking the city of Berk. "Nadder, Flightmare stay behind will ya? Everyone else get back ta yer patrols."
Astrid's boots clicked along the metal tiles. The Dynamic Duo, a pair of twins slid past her, a muscle head, Nightmare, and a husky hero, Gronckle were just a few to pass by her. Finally she stood next to her uncle, his blue lit and sleek black detailed suit was nothing compared to The cerulean blue with gold detailing of her own. Silver shoulder pads hang off her while a crest of spikes decorated the chest of her suit. A spiked skirt hangs from the belt at her waist where a number of pouches sit unfilled.
Blacksmith looked very different close up. He ran most of the ops alongside his apprentice, someone Astrid didn't often catch, though she knew Nightmare loved to call him fishbone. Blacksmith was heavyset, he was missing an arm, and a leg, but his defining aspect was his large size and the way the machines seemed to float around him, letting him monitor a number of screens at once.
"How can we help? If you want us to go after Deathgripper-" Astrid steps slightly closer her hands rising from her sides. A hand bumps into her chest and her uncle glares at her.
"You want us to watch over Rumblehorn's city right?"
"Not completely. Night Fury will join Nadder to hunt down Deathgripper, the villain won't be expecting that, and we need him as far off the game as possible if we want Rumblehorn back in one piece." Blacksmith's ginger ran across a screen and the pad shot away, papers scattering and disappearing around a corner. "You and I need to be on standby. Deathgripper will be watching over us, so I'll stay here and you'll take over Rumblehorn's patrol route. Night Fury has a new design that will let himself and Nadder slip away unnoticed. They'll take care of Deathgripper, I'll keep track of their progress and we'll respond with the Defenders strike team as soon as they've found him. Nadder, please go to the Forge, you'll find Night Fury there he has a couple of toys for you."
Astrid's eyes reached for her Uncle but his hand waved. Spinning on the ball of her foot she left. She was shaking beneath her armoured suit. This was her chance. Rumblehorn being captured was terrible, and the pit in her stomach had only grown as she realised she was to find Deathgripper and the lost Defender Leader alone… but her heartbeat steadied, she can do this.
A hiss escaped the doors and Astrid stepped into the darkness. A few white lights shining in a corner as a voice, nasally, cut through the silence. A mechanical click, than a whir followed. The white lights shuddered and an ethereal purple glow replaced them. The lights returned and out from around corner stepped a sleek glossy obsidian black armoured Super, a gleaming silver faceplate and silver secondary, detailed with a deep red and the source of the purple glow coming from almost neon lights on the armour, the eye slits, and the main chest piece. Astrid's breath caught in her throat, her eyes are wide drinking in the details of the armour, and her mouth hangs open
"Nadder!... Hi… Hi Nadder… hey Nadder… hi…" the black metal covered arm slides up to rub at the back of his helmet and the faceplate's gaze slips away from looking directly at Astrid. Clamping her jaw shut and setting it into a thin line she narrows her eyes at the figure before her.
"You're Night Fury?" The hand stops moving and the faceplate quirks up towards her again, ever so slightly.
"Yes." His voice hardens. "Were you expecting someone different?"
Astrid's blood boils at the comment, she remembers what it was like for her, and what does he know of a struggle like that. Biting down on her tongue Astrid let's her eyes focus in on him, his back pulls taunt putting him taller than her.
"I was told you and I are going after Deathgripper, and that you have something for me." Twisting around the metal clad Super picked up what appeared to be a steel rod with a handle at one end a pair of buttons. His hands place it into hers, making certain her finger loop around it before he releases.
"This is an axe, designed for you, not dissimilar to the style Rumblehorn uses. I took into account your power set, so it'll withstand the force of your blows, but it can also enhance its speed. The axe blade might be able to phase through objects, something I know you haven't learned yet. The first button activated the blade unfolding it from this end." Night Fury's hand taps the weapon. Astrid's eyes widen as she listens. "This second button sets the blade to match and than speed up from your current vibration… you haven't come around so I don't know how well that function works but I know the blade does…"
"Thank you." Astrid leaned up, the way he moved, his voice, and even this weapon… it was like there was memory clawing at the back of her mind.
"We should get going. The Striker is in the vehicle bay."
Defenders Tower, Vehicle Bay
A black two-wheeled machine with a light sheen on it sat right in their path. Astrid eyes the thing, it looked almost skeletal, and the wheels seemed far larger than need be. While Astrid's steps faltered, Night Fury's were consistent. Throwing his arms wide and spinning on his heel the man faced off with Astrid.
"May I introduce The Striker, my Quick Reaction Vehicle…" Astrid's eyes of were flicking along the shell, wheels, and frame, uncertainty working its way into her mind. "I promise it's safer than it looks. I built it with my own two hands and the help of G- Blacksmith."
"Alright." Astrid stepped closer, but her foot felt like a weight, something settled in her heart and Astrid realised what it was… fear. The machine looked barely capable of handling one person let alone keeping them safe in a crash. How were two supposed to fit on their safely… heat bloomed on Astrid's face as she figured out their riding situation. By now Night Fury has mounted the bike, and Astrid has to avert her eyes from his ass, gods why now! His hand extended out to her and she almost felt like the faceplate had mellowed, showing some of its wearer's expression beneath, and it wasn't pity or annoyance, but understanding.
"Let me show you?" Astrid's heart fluttered. And she stamped down on it. Slapping away his hand she climbed on behind him and kept her hands on his shoulders. The lights, even the world around them, flickered purple for a second and a thrum set itself off between Astrid's legs. The floor shifted away, the large wheels glimmered purple on the inside, and a purple glow emanated from the machinery.
"What was that?" Astrid's voice is light, not biting. Her face relaxed underneath her mask. The armoured man in front of her feels warm to the touch, heating Astrid further as she notes she can practically see the way the metal pulls against his body beneath the armour, as if it were a second skin.
"Cloaking field, it runs on the thermal energy the bike's engine outputs. Efficient and hard to notice since it sucks the heat bloom in that's generally created when powering a cloaking field. It'll stop almost any technology, possibly a Super or two, from being able to spot us. When Flightmare goes out we'll slip in behind him ride til I get a ping off my tracker." Astrid's head followed the points, cutting short at the end like a derailed train.
"Tracker?" She could feel his shoulders and back tighten from their close proximity.
"Yes. The Defenders requires one be placed in every Super's suit when they join. It's what allows Blacksmith and I to link communications, note positions, monitor vitals, the whole lot. D- Rumblehorn has a nasty habit of trying to get rid of his, so we made an advanced version that we were going to switch to at some point, it is better hidden and has a dummy lead or two for people looking for trackers and wires specifically."
"So there's one in your fancy armour, and in my suit too?" The edge in her voice caused him to turn:
"It deactivates when the suit isn't being worn, wouldn't matter though anyway everyone's identity and address is locked away on the Tower's mainframe, one which is controlled and secured only by Blacksmith and myself. It's even completely disconnected from the internet so there's no way to hack it without a hard connection, which would mean getting into the Tower, past my defences, at least a dozen Supers, and Grumpy… gods that dog is scarier than most villains." Astrid knew all that, yet something in her mind was fighting the logic, wondering if this mysterious Night Fury has ever ventured to her home, or her school, anywhere she could have caught a glimpse of the face. The vehicle bay's doors slid open and a massive rev tore through the garage, a blue and black detailed car sped away, fire burning out of the rear of the car. "Hold on."
The thrum of the engine in between Astrid's legs suddenly jumped in tempo and her arms pooped around Night Fury's stomach. It was like she'd left her stomach and organs back in the garage as the small bike screamed past Flightmare's car weaving and dodging the traffic as Night Fury merged them onto the main freeway.
Wind pulled at Astrid's hair, struggling to grasp at her. The sky was clear, a few fluffy clouds lazily drifting around in a sea of blue. The sun wasn't too far up, Rumblehorn had gone missing during the night, he'd been in Deathgripper's hands for hours, there was no telling what could have happened in that time. Squeezing Night Fury's torso Astrid pulls herself tighter to him, mouth close to where she hoped his ear was.
"Let's get moving, if this thing can go faster we need to push it. Deathgripper's venom could do real damage to Rumblehorn if we don't find him fast." The wind roared in her ears snatching at her hair and the scenery around them blurred into barely defined smudges or colour.
Deathgripper's Lair
The click of shoes echoed, bouncing around the room, their direction's clarity becoming lost in the ocean of noise created. Papers are scattered along with a number of broken needles and vials. Even a metal harness that the tall thin pale skinned man often used on his underlings was broken at the joints. The indestructible skin of Rumblehorn was legendary, and Grimmel had underestimated the legend far too much for his own liking. The noise halted and Grimmel leaned over his captive.
The armour was clearly a mix of the old Supersuit designs of cloth and spandex mixed with more modern armour and utility designs. The plates were seamless, bending and shifting together like a purpose built machine. The axe and hammer were easily made by the same person, a level of quality Grimmel had seen before, but could never attribute to whom it belonged. Every edge spotted not even a single marring outside the combat Grimmel had engaged in to capture his prey. What was most interesting was the way the helmet defended being removed. It appeared to use some level of nanotechnology to combat brute force and tactical approaches with ingenious solutions. His minions were currently patching up a number of wounded, but none dead, of their group after attempting to remove the piece of equipment Grimmel was certain would hold the key to his plan.
Thin, lanky fingers slide along the mask, noting the pattern and grooves of the leather and metal. The seams were stitched by machine, the thread was a nylon fibre, probably similar to survival cord in strength. The metal plates of the helmet were magnetised to the base, or at least bonded separately so as to be removed at will. Finally skin meets skin and Grimmel cracks his hand across the larger man's cheek.
"Wake up Rumblehorn, I've decided we should try for a more civil approach to our misunderstanding, how does that sound?" This dark green eyes were trying to burn Grimmel to a crisp through sheer force of will, but the man's lips remained locked. The glimmer in Grimmel's eyes falls away, and his slightly upturned lips pull tight. "I had thought even the great Rumblehorn would no when to give something to his enemy, even if only to buy him time… as it stands you will only delay the inevitable. My venom will find its way within you, and once it has you will be no better than the creatures who your helmet had wounded. Now tell me before I decide to get another vial, where is the Night Fury?"
"I will tell ya nuthin' he has nuthin' to do with any of this. Night Fury doesn't work fer me. He's on his own, plays outside the law. If you want him, you'll just h've ta be smarter than him." Rumblehorn's eyes were as hard as steel, locked with Grimmel's.
"I do not like being lied to Rumblehorn." Grimmel draws away from the large hero and turns towards a small cart wheeled off to one side. "Night Fury has been my most elusive prey when it comes to hunting Supers. Most of you make it easy, Callum attention to yourselves, working alongside or outside the law, fitting to patrols, patterns, regularity… and yet Night Fury follows none of these. His interventions in crime ridden neighbourhoods is sporadic. Sightings of him are uncommon. His power set is unknown. He strikes from darkness, fading into the night. There is not a criminal who has escaped his justice. Yet one day he is there, than others gone. He dismantles entire gangs over the course of a week, than the next sighting is in another country. It breaks every rule the Supers have held to, and when she asked for me to find him, I had to oblige. So imagine my surprise when I find that you and he are connected. So I'll ask one more time Rumblehorn… where is Night Fury?"
The needle draws close to Rumblehorn's eye, a drop of purple liquid hovering from the tip. Grimmel moves it forward, pointedly taking his time. Rumblehorn's expression hardens, and then pain.
"AHHAHAHHAAAHHHHHHH!"
Berk, Downtown, Night Fury & Nadder
The cloak was still hiding them from sight, as Night Fury ducked the pair between two cars and launched them through an intersection. Slipping into an alleyway he killed the engine's power. The bike lowered to the ground and the world around them shimmered.
"Need to let it cool down for a bit. Powering the cloak only siphons so much heat, don't want to burn him out."
"Him?" Night Fury turned, she could almost see the quirks of his eyebrows.
"The Striker, I prefer to refer to him with male pronouns, I never understood why most people suggest everything have female pronouns. I have no issue with it, I just felt that male pronouns fit this bike better." Astrid but her lip as a laugh bubbles within her.
"You're pretty weird. But I'm wondering, why have I never heard of Night Fury before?" His shoulders pull back, making him sit straighter on the bike's back. The silver faceplate of his armour was turned so one of the purple gleaming eye slits was locked with her sapphire orbs.
"You haven't heard of me because I haven't wanted to be heard of. My father never really approved of the whole Supers thing, so I've kept as low of a profile as possible. Keeps the old man from worrying himself grey and me from losing my mind from being sidelined against my wishes when my Uncle goes out on patrol regularly." Astrid's eyes widen.
"You're Uncle is a Super?"
"So is my unofficial uncle, in a way you could say being a Super is the family business. Though you know that about well as I do, don't you?" Astrid's fingers dig into the metal, cold and unbending despite her strength.
"I should know?"
"You're uncle is a Super, Flightmare, and I met your parents once, a long time ago… I guess I should say sorry for your loss, but I've learned that it seems hollow after awhile no matter the person saying it." It was like a well was bubbling up within her as she struggled to shunt the sudden flood elsewhere.
"You're right…" A beep draws both pairs of eyes to the bike's display.
"We've got a hit, three miles out, the abandoned warehouses." Astrid's eyes hardened and she looped her arms around his metal torso as the bike hummed to life beneath them.
"Why do bad guys always set-up in abandoned warehouses and workshops?" Night Fury leans in, the world shimmering once more before they slipped out of the alley and blasted away.
"No clue. But I have a feeling this is trap, so be ready for anything, Deathgripper isn't a joke if he can take out D- Rumblehorn." Astrid pulled closer as the shapes around them blurred further and the wind clawed harder at her suit.
Deathgripper's Lair
Looking at the blinking monitor Grimmel couldn't help the way his lips twisted upwards. It was however still too soon for him to play his final cards. Eyes flicking down to the hero, his helmet and mask still stubbornly stuck to his body, but head lolled to the side. His large form no longer struggled and pulled at the bonds but was completely limp.
"It seems my prize has come to collect you, I am not yet prepared. I'll see him later though I can't make it too easy on him and his guest. I hope you don't mind waiting a bit longer Rumblehorn, we'll continue this little chat at another time." Grimmel waves his hand and the black clad forms with the silver collars with vials of dim purple liquid attached slide out of the darkness. Grimmel glances over his shoulder, eyes hard as rocks, and sharp as blades. "Make it convincing, delay them while I retreat… it is time to prepare for phase II of my plan."
Berk, Abandoned Warehouse District, South Side of the Island
"Deathgripper uses coerced civilians, while they're under his neurotoxin they have no capability of free will. Target the control collars on their necks, leave the rest of them alone. We don't want to leave them broken. They'll hit hard through, don't underestimate them they use some kind of material that enhances kinetic energy of their strikes and protects them." Night Fury's tone is tight and his muscles are clenching beneath the armour, and Astrid still doesn't understand exactly how his armour works. The Striker slides to a halt and the engine cutting instantly and the world refocusing as Night Fury launched into the air and his left arm shifting into a large cannon, purple lightning arcing between two conductive rods and a high pitched whine resounding through the air. A pulse reverberates pulverising the large double doors and sending them swinging. Astrid's jaw drops as Night Fury simply strolls through the blackened and charred remains of the metal doors. Rushing over, the air smelling burnt as she flits to his side the pair is faced with Rumblehorn, unresponsive on a table at the far end of the warehouse's ground floor.
"I must admit my prey, you have outdone yourself this time." Both heads shot up. Deathgripper, his black hood and leather mask concealing his features. He stands on a catwalk, eyes glaring at them, a hand on a crossbow holstered at his waist. "When I set about hunting you Night Fury I had thought it would be a simple task to draw you out, yet you never took the bait. Other Supers cleaned up the messes I made for you, civilians were never harmed, and yet I could feel as if you were close by… I wasn't expecting to have such little time though. A true testament to your wherewithal and resourcefulness that you could find me before I wished. Now you must choose. There are two of you, but my henchmen outnumber you ten to one. Will you let me escape and leave the other and Rumblehorn at their mercy Night Fury? Or will you let your perfect record be broken to protect Nadder and the Defender's head? Your choice Super…"
Deathgripper shot across the catwalk, heading away from the two Supers. Men and women clothed in black suits with red highlights and thick burnished silver collars and gauntlets seem to appear from the shadows. They surround the Supers, white eyes clouded purple at the edges as they raise their clawed metal fingers.
"I can take care of these guys, get Deathgripper." Astrid went to rush forward, a hand catching her shoulder. Night Fury's purple glowing eye slits narrowed at her.
"We do this together, win or lose. Deathgripper's time will come but there's too many of them for either of us alone. I won't leave you to do this alone." Heat bloomed in Astrid's chest the axe slipping into her hand as henchmen darted forward. The world slowed as Astrid ducked low and swept the axe through the first's collar. Twisting around the second her hand shot out catching the back of her outfit and pulling her into a line with another of the enemies.
Night Fury's left arm shifted into a hammer glowing purple and a low whine filled the air, Astrid's eyes being drawn to the weapon. Jumping off the ground, Night Fury brought down his arm. Purple energy pulsed across the ground, cracks running through the cement floor and sending the group of twenty enemies into the air. Kicking off the nearest one, the world still running at a quarter of its speed, Astrid darted from henchmen to henchmen pulling their collars and leaving them to drop to the ground.
Astrid's leg sweeps over the ground knocking the legs out from another directly behind Night Fury and she pounces. Ripping the collar from his suit Astrid smirks. The glint in her eye catches Night Fury for a second. His head jerks up and his right arm slides into a more narrow, long version, much like a needle of the earlier weapon. The crackling purple energy shattered the darkness and smell of burned air reached Astrid's nose as she turned to see bolts of plasma colliding with the collar release mechanisms of the six enemies behind her at nearly the same time.
A symphony of groans fills the air and the people were rubbing their heads and limbs as they lay tangled together. Astrid looked back to Night Fury, but he'd already crossed the warehouse almost as fast as her and was with the locks on Rumblehorn. In a flash of a blue blur Astrid was at the other Super's side and pulled the restraints while showing as much effort as she would give in opening a pickle jar.
The two Supers draw Rumblehorn off the table and head out of the warehouse. The sun was starting to slide beneath the the horizon of the cityscape on a nearby island. Night Fury's hand locks with Astrid's around Rumblehorn.
"Thank you Nadder, I couldn't have taken those enemies as quickly as I did without you." Night Fury released her hand and placed it next to his ear. "Blacksmith this is Night Fury, we have Rumblehorn and twenty out of it civilians Deathgripper was using as minions, we could use a pickup and some medivacs, Rumblehorn isn't looking to good."
Astrid remains watching him as the flutter of chopper blades filling the air and descending onto the ground. He slid Rumblehorn into the hands of Gronckle and another Super before heading back to The Striker, the bike having been left untouched. Astrid shot over to his side as he reached the bike, her skin was burning beneath her suit at the compliment from earlier.
"You know it's rude not to offer the lady a ride home after taking her out." Night Fury's faceplate twisted from the bike to the teenager beside him, yet seemed unphased by her sudden appearance.
"M'lady would you be suggesting this was a date?" Astrid's face burned brighter and her body began to shuffle slightly as her mind raced with the implications of her own words. "If so you're right, but either way… You did an amazing job, want to join me on the way back to the Tower?"
"Yes." She slid on behind him, and she insisted that her heart was only hammering in her chest because of the recent action, not from her proximity to this unknown Super and fellow teenager, that definitely wasn't it.
A/N;
Hope you enjoyed this short one shot, it will be continued I was going for a mix of Incredibles, MCU, and Teen Titans. Grimmel is set up like Slade, MCU inspired the technology of Night Fury's suit and I hope you all realise who Night Fury is. Astrid I thought worked best with a bit of speed and strength given how she is portrayed in the show, it makes her a bit like Quicksilver and Captain America. Obviously the Tower is a blatant reference to the original Teen Titans, not Teen Titans Go, that can go and hide far from me forever. Don't know when this will get posted, but I hope you enjoy I will be continuing this at some point. Thanks for reading!
-Six out!
