Chapter 36

Astrid's POV

I was just staring at Alexi openmouthed. All of us were. Never in my right mind could I have seen this outcome. Alexi looked in our direction and merely smirked. Drago was still being restrained and was now cursing Alexi till the end of the Earth.

"Just throw him in one of the empty dragon cages." Alexi said in a nonchalant manner.

"Alexi what has gotten into you?" I question.

"Nothing really. It's like I said before. Why be second in command when you can be in command." Alexi simply stated.

"YOU"LL NEVER GET AWAY WITH THIS! MY FOLLOWERS WILL FREE ME!" Drago shouted as he limped in the cage.

"What followers?" Alexi questioned and at that we all looked around. Indeed no one was coming to Drago's aid.

"WHAT DID YOU DO!" Drago shouted as he banged against the cage.

"Just a little mind control drug keyed to me, slipped in their food." Alexi commented as she produced a bottle of green liquid. She then turned to me. "Don't worry sis. I never put any in yours."

"Where the hell did that woman get a mind control drug?" The twins asked in unison.

"Now that's all Drago's doing actually." Alexi replied causing Drago to yell "WHAT!"

"If you all must know." Alexi said as she lounged on the throne while pointing at Drago who was turning purple with rage. "This idiot gave me a job a couple of years ago to research the King's lost things. My surprise when I came across a recipe for the mind control potion the witch wanted to use against the first King and the dragons. Of course I kept it hidden. I made it and tested it out on some of the others in the compound."

Alexi took great joy in telling all of this. She continued after Drago was done shouting curses for a second time. "Now where was I. Oh yes." She said while flicking some dirt from underneath her nails. "I continued adding the potion to the food and I soon had most of the compound under my control, with the exception of Drago and Eret, and of course you Astrid, but I realized that the first King had hidden the antidote."

At this point Alexi picked up the Heart's stone and placed it in the left armrest of the throne. We heard some gears grinding and then a hidden compartment was revealed containing a stone tablet. "Behold, the antidote." She said and the opened her hand causing the tablet to slip from her grasp onto the stone floor where it shattered into pieces.

"Oops" Alexi said in mock astonishment.

A smirk made her way across her face. "Now that takes care of that. On with the coronation."

"Alexi when the hell did you become so heartless!" I shouted darting forward only to be restrained by her men.

"Oh dear sister. I've always been this way." Alexi stated. "I just hid it well." A shrug followed. "Why would you even care. It was always 'What Astrid wanted' from our parents. They never cared, and I played the dutiful big sis all too wonderfully for any of you to catch on. Now the moment comes where I can seize ultimate power, do you really think I'd pass up on that?"

"No offense Astrid but your sister is insane." Snotlout whispered to me.

Alexi clapped her hands getting the attention of everyone in the room. "Now let the real coronation begin." She says loudly. Those under her command started cheering. "The world will soon have a new Queen!"

Ryker who had picked up the crown where it had fallen was about to bring it up the steps of the throne when he paused.

"Ryker, any day now." Alexi said impatiently.

"It's just….. Should it have a crack?" Ryker asked confused while pointing at the orange gem.

"WHAT!" Alexi screamed and quickly grabbed the crown. As she examined it the tear shaped gem cracked further and then fell in tiny pieces to the ground.

"I don't think amber is supposed to do that." I heard Tuffnut whisper to Ruffnut who I could see nodded. Soren was quiet by my side and when I looked down I saw him gazing through a broken window. But I could see nothing there.

Alexi bended down and picked up a tiny piece. I saw rage cover her face as she yelled "GLASS!"

"WHERE IS THE DRAGON JEWEL!" She shouted in anger. "WHERE!"

Many flinched back and then she rounded on us. To be more precise Fishlegs. "YOU THERE HISTORIAN. WHERE IS MY DRAGON JEWEL!"

Fishlegs sputtered as he held his palms out. "ANSWER ME!" Alexi shouted.

"I don't know." Fishlegs squeaked out. "Grimbeard could have taken it out and hidden it in another location."

Alexi was positively fuming.

'She can't take the throne without all ten items present.' I think to myself as realization hit.

Then Drago started laughing as he had figured it out as well.

"Find me my jewel!" Alexi shouted and was about to turn around towards her men.

"Geez what a hag." Soren now commented loud enough for all of us to hear.

Alexi turned to Soren. "What did you say boy!"

Soren gave his best impression of an 'innocent Toothless look' and then said. "In the words of my crazy uncle. Anger is not a good look for you. You'll regret all your actions one day."

Alexi now positively livid pointed her gun at Soren. I quickly step in between them. Alexi was still pointing the gun. "Big words little boy. And who is going to make me regret anything? Your daddy? Oh wait. He's at the bottom of the ocean."

It was in that moment that a gunshot rang through the throne room. Alexi screamed as the gun was shot from her hand. She gripped her now bleeding hand and turned along with everybody else to the doorway.

There stood a figure whom we were all happy to see once again. "What is it with everybody assuming I died?"