Outcasts. If there was one thing Hooligans hated, it was the Outcasts. And if there was one thing Outcasts hated, it was the Hooligans. The two tribes hated each other with a hatred unexplainable my most youths on Berk.

Most, besides, Astrid Hofferson, and Hiccup Haddock.

Astrid only knew what Hiccup told her, and Hiccup only knew what his father told him. Astrid could never get much out of Hiccup...he never liked Alvin, especially talking about him. Astrid figured the only reason Hiccup didn't speak was because Hiccup didn't know, since Stoick wasn't completely open-minded about the subject, either. Stoick was...well...stoic about the whole affair.

Still, though, Astrid wondered. She had a lot of time to wonder as the Outcasts lead her and Stormfly on until it was dark. The Outcasts made a camp and sat around it, keeping Astrid close and in-view, while at the same time, keeping her as far away from them as possible.

Stormfly and Astrid were separated. To keep Astrid contained, the Outcasts actually tied her to a tree. To. A. Tree. Astrid felt so useless as she couldn't even more her arms when she tried. They didn't bother gagging her, and she didn't bother speaking. She wanted to keep Hiccup away from the Outcasts, and speaking would only draw him to them.

After a while of feeling helpless, watching as her dragon was in the same position as she herself was in, Astrid found herself approached by Alvin and Savage. And by the looks on their faces, it wasn't going to be a pleasant pep-talk.

"So, Astrid, I believe," said Alvin. He laughed when Astrid glared at him. "Yes, Hiccup spoke of you before." He eyed her, moving down so he and she were eye-level. "Where is he?" Alvin asked.

Come on come on come on, what would Hiccup say? Astrid thought to herself. Hiccup always knew exactly what to say to Alvin to make him angry...and it worked. If Astrid could do something like that, maybe it would give her an advantage.

"If I knew, I wouldn't tell you," said Astrid. She mentally slapped herself. That was the worst possible thing she could have said. Luckily, though, Alvin didn't see it as much. Was that good or bad?

"You care about him," said Alvin. "Remember, Astrid, I saw how you reacted when I shot him and his precious dragon down." (We Are Family Part 2) "Never forget it. You were so...so worried, about him."

Astrid glared harshly, but she didn't speak. She didn't trust herself to speak anymore. It would only make it worse.

"And he cares about you," Alvin went on. "I saw the way he shouted with both fear and anger, and actually ordered his dragon to kill me right there and then." (Heather Report Part 2) "You two care about each other. If I had the boy, getting him to talk would be no problem, because I have you."

Astrid, without meaning to, gasped sharply. Alvin was right.

"And if he still refuses to talk," said Alvin, "I can just get you to do it. I know you would talk if it meant me sparing his life. Of course, it wouldn't do much good, and I won't have to have your help. You don't know half as much as the boy. And he would never let you get hurt."

Astrid gritted her teeth, but her eyes betrayed her. They were filled with terror, and she knew it. Hiccup would rather let Alvin kill him then let Alvin even touch her.

"Aren't you going to say something, Astrid?" Alvin taunted.

"Yes," said Astrid. "What happens when neither of us speak?"

"What do you mean, 'when'?" asked Alvin in a sweet-sounding tone. "And what's this about 'neither of us'? I know 'iccup will speak on your behalf. And not to mention your life. I'll go to him first. And after that, I'll move to you, if it fails." Alvin leaned closer, just a few inches away from Astrid's face. "Which it won't."

"Alvin the Treacherous," said Astrid, suddenly feeling bold, "if you so much as lay a hand on Hiccup, I will promise you, you will never forget it, forever regret it."

"Hiccup would say the same thing about layin' a hand on you," said Alvin. "Sorry, but I see right through it. You're terrified, girl. Terrified, because you know I'm right. As far as I'm concerned, you and Hiccup are both as good as dead."

"No wonder now where you got that name 'Treacherous' from," said Astrid. "I was expecting something a little more intimidating."

"I'm sure you were," said Alvin. Astrid's boldness withered away at the sure-sounding tone of his voice. "But just Alvin," said Alvin. "Alvin the Treacherous. It's better than Hiccup the Useless."

Astrid was shocked. She hadn't heard anyone say that name since the battle with the Red Death. She'd heard it been said after the battle, of course, but just not said as it pertained to Hiccup's name now.

"He's not Hiccup the Useless anymore," said Astrid.

"Then who is he?" asked Alvin. "Moreover, where is he? He's supposed to be saving you, isn't he? Isn't that what friends do?"

Astrid tried to reply, but she found she couldn't, so she merely changed subject. "Anything's better than Alvin the Treacherous," she hissed. "Actually, anything's better than just Alvin."

"You'll regret that, girl," said Alvin.

"Oh sure I will," said Astrid.

Alvin was about to react. Astrid was afraid she had said too much. She was afraid he would kill her right there, when something stopped him. From out of nowhere came a horrible hissing sound. Looking over, Astrid saw what she feared she would see. Changewings, now about eight of them.

She couldn't help herself.

She screamed. She screamed as loud as she could. She feared the screaming would never stop, either. She couldn't stop it. She told herself to shut up, but she just couldn't. She kept screaming, until finally she screamed herself hoarse.

But it didn't stop the Changewings.

If anything, it had cheered them on.