Chapter Thirty Seven

Once, there were two brothers who lived in a kingdom. One brother was destined to take the thrown like their father. The other was destined to be treated as an outcast for the rest of his life. The brother destined for the thrown walked in their father's footsteps, becoming a strong and confident leader. The other learned the arts of magic and fell to a life of crime and trickery. When the brother destined to become kind took the throne, he was forced to execute his brother for his crimes.

The brother who was executed had stolen from his own family in a desperate attempt to survive. His brother, the king, would never understand what he had suffered from over the years. The king had regretted his decision to execute his brother from then on. He blamed himself for all that had happened, and in the end, took his own life out of guilt. The kingdom fell apart shortly after, due to a lack of proper authority and leadership.

Why am I telling you this story? Well, because something similar happened not that long ago. One brother was destined to rule a land, while the other, was treated like an outcast. Their names? Thor and Loki. A few years ago, they were nothing more than myth and legend. But that all changed when a stranger appeared in New Mexico, and nearly turned a small town upside down. Thor had become more than just a legend on that day. He fought alongside the Avengers, and became one himself during the battle of New York, after taking down his brother, Loki.

I never really told Hiccup or his friends about Thor and Loki. Honestly, I wasn't sure how they would react to knowing that the two Asgardians were real. Hiccup would have probably taken it well, and Astrid. But Fishlegs, Snotlout and the twins… I had a feeling they would freak. The twins, especially. If they knew that Loki was real, and had already tried taking over the world once, I had no doubt they would take his side without hesitation.

"Alright, this is gonna go just like we practiced," I said as Snowfire soared over the island of Berk.

Over the last few days, we had been working on a new trick that I discovered recently. It had only been a month since graduation, and it was early June on Berk. The weather was still cold, but that didn't stop me from trying something completely new. Something risky, and stupid.

'Are you certain this will work?' Snowfire asked, sounding more anxious than ever.

I clasped my hands together, all too willing to go through whatever the world hurtled at me. Snowfire made a good point, though. This wouldn't be the first time I made a leap of faith, and it probably wouldn't be the last time she had to catch me in mid-flight.

"Yeah, let's do this!"

Before she could even argue, I clasped my hands together and suddenly jumped off. Snowfire looked on with unease as wind whipped past my face. A sense of panic suddenly washed over me, until suddenly, I felt the change. Doctor Bruce Banner had once told me that the change would happen under extreme pressure.

Scales ran up and down my arms once again. All I had to do was focus on the panic. And that was when the change began to take over. I was lucky not to have anyone with keen eyes other than Snowfire watching. Because at that moment, I realized what was happening. It felt weird, at first. Like something was running up my arms and replacing them with powerful legs. It felt like time had slowed down as I almost reached the ocean.

'Pull up!' Snowfire screeched, flying closer than I expected. In less than a second, I felt something tug at my back. The panic was replaced with awe as I realized that they were wings. The huge, bat-like wings of a Night Fury. My eyes widened in amazement as I suddenly soared above the ocean. Well, more let the wind carry me until I finally crashed into it. 'And this is why you should not take so many risks,' she muttered once she had pulled me out of the water and landed on a nearby sea stack.

"Ugh," I muttered crossly. My head was throbbing by the time I changed back into a human. I didn't even know what to think of what just happened. Or how I had changed from a dragon to a human so quickly. "I really wasn't expecting that kind of an outcome," I admitted.

'You changed into a Night Fury,' Snowfire said once I relaxed enough.

"I changed into a dragon!"

I couldn't believe what I was saying, but it was true. Changing into a dragon… who would've thought it was possible? Now I was left with the task of figuring out to tell anyone about this. A human turning into a dragon might not be accepted as much on Berk.

'Are you upset by this?' Snowfire blinked in confusion, until I shook my head. I guess… some things were meant to happen.

Changing into a dragon was something I had not expected, but yet some part of me did. Since my father had used dragon DNA in the serum, it only made sense. Yet, the fact that he had gotten his hands on dragon DNA left me wondering how that happened in the first place. A lot of things weren't adding up. Had something similar to what happened to Hiccup and his friends happen to him? I knew now that the worlds were more connected than we first realized. Tony explained in the simplest way possible that that was how we were able to meet.

"I'm just worried about how everyone in the village will react," I admitted warily. "I mean; they might freak out a little if they see a human turning into a dragon. Especially given their history."

I hated to judge them, especially Hiccup's father, but some things rarely changed. I knew that there were a few people on Berk who wouldn't be so accepting of that kind of change. Others such as Snotlout's father might see me as more of a monster than as a human. That thought alone sent a shiver of unease through me.

'If he truly loves you, then he will accept whatever changes come,' Snowfire reassured me, pressing her snout against the back of my head gently.

I sure hoped that she was right.

Unfortunately, the peace didn't last when we returned to the village plaza. My eyes narrowed when I caught sight of Snotlout sneaking around the corner of a house, a look in his eyes that told me he was up to no good.

"Wonder what he's up to?" I asked no one in particular.

Glancing at Snowfire, I shrugged and decided to figure out what the Jorgenson boy could possibly be doing this time.

Snotlout was a lot like the twins. He may be a bit smarter, but not by much. What he liked to do was pull off pranks on Hiccup or Astrid. Anything to make them look bad in public. Only this time, he was up to something different. Snowfire kept her distance to not give away my position, and as I kept following him, I realized that Snotlout was heading straight towards the cove.

My eyes narrowed as I went from tree to tree, keeping a safe distance from him. Eventually, he climbed down the rocks that led towards the cove. And as I peered over the rocks, I realized with a start that the twins as well as Fishlegs were there.

"So, does everyone know what the plan is?" Snotlout asked once everyone was gathered with their dragons.

Fishlegs was the only one of the group who looked uneasy.

"I don't know… this doesn't feel like a good idea, going through the portal without Hiccup or Astrid, or Alex," he admitted guiltily.

"Ah, come on, Fishbones!" Snotlout retorted, "Haven't you ever wanted to see what the other world has to offer? I for one, am eager to find out if there are any other dragons around."

"Not to mention, we wanna cause some good ol' destruction," Tuffnut added.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see some things blow up," Ruffnut said cheerfully.

'Those hatchlings are about to risk everything,' Snowfire snarled as she caught up with me.

I only nodded in agreement, realizing that she was right. They didn't even know how to turn the portal on and off, right? I really hoped that was the case.

Watching Snotlout try to figure out the device would have been amusing, if it wasn't for the fact that he was using it for the wrong reasons. My fists clenched before I realized we weren't alone. Spinning around, I noticed that Astrid was standing right behind me, looking equally surprised as Stormfly greeted us.

"Alex, what are you doing here?" she asked once she realized that none of us were really alone.

"Making sure those clowns don't get themselves into trouble," I replied, gesturing to the cove.

Astrid narrowed her eyes and followed my gaze, until realizing who I referred to. When she finally spotted Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Ruffnut and Snotlout standing around the cove, I could see her hands balling into fists with annoyance.

"I cannot believe they would pull this kind of stunt off!" she exclaimed, though her voice was quiet enough that they wouldn't hear.

"Astrid, it's Snotlout and the twins we're talking about. I'm guessing that they're the idiots behind this plan," I pointed out.

The shield maiden didn't need to be told twice about what sort of antics they often got themselves in.

"So, how do you suppose we stop them?" she asked once it was clear they weren't going to stop.

Fishlegs was the one who figured out how the portal turned on and off. I had to give him credit, he was a lot smarter than he looked. Then again, he was the one who had memorized the Book of Dragons.

"Wait, let them go through," I whispered, earning a look of surprise from her and Snowfire. "Maybe this can be a lesson to them, teach them not to meddle with things that aren't theirs."

Astrid looked doubtful, but at least she didn't argue. Stormfly was the only one to stay behind as Snowfire followed us into the cove. Once the four Riders had activated the portal, they, along with their dragons, went through. That was when Astrid and I followed them, with Snowfire close behind.

For a moment, we were all greeted with nothing but emptiness. I blinked a few times to try and make sense of what was happening. This definitely didn't feel right. Normally, when I went through the portal, it was almost instant to reach my world.

'The air is different around here,' Snowfire warned us.

I really didn't want to know how the world could smell different, or feel different. But to my surprise, and disbelief, it did.

"How is that possible?" Astrid asked, pulling out her axe and gripping it tightly.

"I don't know, but I get the feeling we aren't in Kansas anymore." Astrid and Snowfire gave me incredulous looks, and I rolled my eyes. "Movie reference. You really need to see the Wizard of Oz."

Astrid only rolled her eyes before she caught sight of what looked like an ancient looking building. I noticed with a start that these buildings were all around us. We had been standing around in a field that overlooked what looked like an old, grand looking city. I pulled my phone out my pocket, and my eyes widened when I realized that it read 'No Service' on one corner of the screen.

"What do you need that for?" Astrid asked after noticing my phone.

"Don't you think it's a little strange that there's no service here?" I asked, ignoring her question.

'It is no stranger than those humans walking over there,' Snowfire pointed out, looking at the people who were walking along a stone path.

I followed her gaze, and noticed that many of the people were dressed in really fancy looking outfits that could easily pass for a renaissance fair. What really caught my attention though, was the fact that some of the people were dressed in outfits that reminded me of someone from Berk.

Astrid and I exchanged quick looks before we made our way to the street. I already got the feeling we weren't on Berk anymore, or anywhere from my world. A few clues gave away the fact that this world was completely different from what either of us were used to.

For one thing, the buildings were old, yet looked new. Hiccup once told me that Berkians would have to replace their homes after dragon raids. The people were really fancy looking, with their clothing that made them look like they were from Ancient Rome or Greece. And we were soon standing in the middle of a marketplace, with people shouting at one another to get the best prices.

"Okay, where are we?" I asked, crossing my arms as a few people stopped to stare at Snowfire in utter shock.

She only glared back; it was a stare that would have sent anyone running in the opposite direction.

'Attack me, and I will freeze you all,' she growled, drawling a protective wing over me.

Astrid gripped her axe even tighter, if that was possible.

The people staring at us had gawked at Snowfire, clearly not sure what to make of her presence.

"Why does the beast protect you?" one of them asked, and I glared at him. "Are you not one of us? Are you her guardian?"

Astrid stiffened when his gaze fell upon her. She looked as if she was going to be sick when the man speaking pointed me out.

"Of course not!" Astrid snapped, looking offended that they would even suggest such a thing. "The last person I would ever be guardian to is her."

"Excuse me?" I retorted, shooting Astrid a death glare. "I wouldn't even need a guardian."

I didn't realize until Snowfire nudged me with her snout that a crowd was beginning to gather. Astrid's eyes narrowed with fury as she looked at me.

'Fighting will get us nowhere,' Snowfire snapped, ignoring the looks everyone was giving her.

To my relief, the fight was broken up when someone emerged from the crowd. Someone who looked a little too familiar for my liking.

"May I help you, young ladies?"

Astrid's jaw dropped as she looked at the handsome looking man standing in front of us. It seemed like she recognized him in a heartbeat, especially when she released her grip on her axe.

"F-Fandral the Dashing?" she asked in utter shock.

"Ah, it appears as if I have an admirer," he replied smoothly. "And just who might the lovely shield maiden be?"

"Astrid Hofferson," she replied without missing a beat. "And might I add, it's a huge honor to meet one of the Warrior's Three."

"And you are?"

I flinched when Fandral looked at me expectantly. Snowfire bared her fangs at him, but even that wasn't enough to make him flinch. I hated to admit it, but this guy was brave for standing up to a dragon.

"Alex, Alex Hendrickson."

Fandral's eyes widened with recognition at my name.

"Ah, Lady Hendrickson!" he repeated, earning looks of confusion from both me and Astrid. "Heimdal has had his eye on you for quite some time."

"Heimdal?" Astrid and I said at the same time. "We are so not on Berk anymore, or my world," I added.

"Of course not. You are on Asgard," Fandral corrected us, earning a look of pure shock from Astrid.

I swore that if I watched her any longer, she might have passed out from sheer shock. This was definitely not how I expected our day to go.

'How is that possible?' Snowfire asked this time, and it was Fandral's turn to look on in amazement.

"The beast speaks? And here, I thought we had seen everything."

Snowfire only glared at Fandral as he chuckled in amusement. I winced after realizing that calling her a beast was probably the dumbest thing he could have done. Even Astrid looked horrified that he would have said that.

Without warning, Snowfire suddenly lunged and pinned Fandral under her talons. The crowd of people from earlier were watching in astonishment as she glared daggers at him. But as I kept watching, praying that she wouldn't do anything to risk our lives, I realized that she wasn't trying to hurt him. This was just her way of intimidating him.

'Do not call me a beast!' She ended the last part in a roar. I braced myself for whatever Fandral would do after that. Considering he was part of the Warrior's Three, I had no doubt he was able to take on a dragon twice his size. His eyes locked with hers, and an eerie silence fell upon them. 'I am more than just a mere beast,' she added in a low warning growl.

"Indeed you are." To our amazement, Fandral only laughed as Snowfire finally let him up. "She is quite impressive."

"Sir, is there any way of getting us back home?" Astrid asked once the tension died down.

Fandral furrowed an eyebrow at that, clearly surprised that she would went to get back home so soon. Honestly, I was expecting Astrid to want to explore this place.

"I am afraid the only one capable of doing so, is Heimdal," Fandral explained once he stood up. "But fear not, for I will take you to him. After we meet with the Warrior's Three, and Lady Sif."

'This will not end well,' Snowfire muttered with a roll of her eyes.

I only nodded in agreement, wondering what Snotlout, the twins and Fishlegs were doing at this moment. Or Hiccup, for that matter. I knew that he would be worried sick about all of us, with no indications to what was going on. I just hoped that this didn't end as badly as I was bracing myself for. Asgard was no place for mortals, especially when it came to mortals like us.

AN: I'm back! Yep, I'm back from an awesome trip to Bermuda. The island was beautiful as always, and we got to see all sorts of wildlife. We even saw some green sea turtles swimming around our cruise ship :) Anywho, what did everyone think of this chapter? I was sort of planning things to g this way, especially given what Alex has been through over the past few months. It's about time her powers become more developed ;)

Sil - Yep, she finally did. The one-shots are over, which means we'll be leading to a completely different series. And yeah, it is kind of a shame they couldn't show up XD Everyone's expressions would've been hilarious.

dracologistmaster - Thanks!