"Alright," said Astrid, facing the large wooden board in the corner of the Clubhouse, overlooking Fishlegs' research they'd pinned over the large map of the Archipelago. Her teammates and Berserkers waited patiently to hear what their next move would be. "Let's point out the obvious here. Hiccup was drugged with orders to harm us. That's… been proven pretty clearly already. That means the enemy might be hanging by to keep a close eye on what's going on and how their master plan is unraveling. So, I think the first thing we need to do is scout the island for uninvited guests." Astrid spun around to face her friends, uncrossing her arms. "Ruff, Tuff, you're up."
"Oh, come on," groaned Tuffnut, whining his displeasure for everyone to hear.
"I don't wanna hear it," snapped Astrid, gesturing at them to go. "Just do as you're told. Snotlout, Dagur, you guys flank the coast. Leave no stone unturned."
"Yes, ma'am," said Dagur, saluting. Astrid nodded and turned to the remaining of the group.
"Heather, Fishlegs, come with me," she ordered, walking past them with her sky-blue eyes glaring blankly at the horizon line in the distance.
"Uh, where?" asked Fishlegs, shrugging questioningly.
"We're gonna go have a little chat with Hiccup," said Astrid, turning halfway around, the gloomy expression on her face indicating she took no pleasure in any of this.
Considering her leader and lover as the bad guy in this story was torturing her. But Astrid knew she had to put her feelings aside and focus on her task as a second-in-command and warrior. If she were to get to the bottom of this, she'd have to ignore her emotions to have a clear judgment – to analyze the state of affairs like someone who wasn't taking part in it. There was no side to choose, she had to remind herself that.
"We'll see if we can pull anything out about Johann while he's still under the effects," continued Astrid, meeting Fishlegs' uncertain gaze.
"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" asked Heather, coming closer. She shared the same unspoken worry as Fishlegs, recalling how Hiccup had struck a specific weak point on Astrid.
"No," admitted Astrid, sighing. "Let's just keep in mind that this is not the Hiccup we know."
Heather and Fishlegs met her fierce blue eyes and nodded determinedly, understanding her point. This wasn't the Hiccup they all knew. Not the protective, compassioned, heroic Hiccup that had always been so selfless and willing to do whatever it took to protect the people he loved, no. This was a twisted reflection of the enemy with their leader and friend's face. He was a puppet, without conscience or mercy. They had to keep that in mind and not let the sight fool them by what lied underneath the surface.
Astrid, Heather, and Fishlegs entered the stables, the harsh light of the cloudy sky giving the place an uninviting glow as it shined the inside with a gloomy grey. They came up to Hiccup's cell, the violet eyes glowing as fiercely as a few hours ago.
"Astrid!" cheered Hiccup, all too joyful to Astrid's liking. He stood up and approached the gate, resting his chin on the thick wooden bar while he grasped the door's wooden grill. "Heather? Fishlegs? My old pals… To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"Urgh," groaned Astrid, looking away in disgust. Smugness was definitely not his color.
"This is not him," whimpered Fishlegs, toying with his hands nervously. "And I don't think I like it."
"Oh, I know I don't like it," said Heather, bringing her hands on her hips, glaring at Hiccup who only replied with a smug grin, knowing all too well the effects he was creating. Heather walked closer to the cell. "Now, Hiccup. Tell us what you've been told to do or else..."
"Oh, Heather," said Hiccup in a sing-song, taking her poorly. "Always with the threats. Always ready to go to great lengths to help your own cause, aren't you? But why should I tell you a thing? You've always been two-faced, sly, and untrustworthy."
Heather held his gaze with a dangerous glare, fists tightening to her sides. Astrid crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes on Hiccup, knowing exactly what he was trying to do. Fishlegs stood at Astrid's side, eyes round while he listened to his leader and best friend talk this way. The real Hiccup would never speak such words, especially not to a friend and ally... not a person he cared about.
Hiccup smirked at the expression painting on Heather's face, slowly growing from angry to hurt. "But you can't blame yourself for that, can you?" he continued, backing away from the door and deeper in the shadow of his cell. "No one can. You're deceitful and fickle by nature; always prone to be secretive and lying to people that have already proved worthy of your trust." His voice started to tune-up, becoming less taunting and more aggressive. "You're ready to abuse the trust of your friends and hurt them to further whatever agenda you have." Heather blinked, fleeing his toxic eyes. "You have shown plenty of times to mislead and guilt-trip the people you care about just for your own personal gains. But you're not ashamed of that, are you? You're proud of your abilities with deceptions, maybe even to the point of feeling superior? Mmh?"
"That's enough!" shouted Astrid, placing herself between Heather and Hiccup, glaring down her leader who only held her stare challengingly.
Heather stepped back, turning away from Hiccup, head down. She held her upper arm, mixed feelings boiling in her gut at the painful truth of her true nature. She wanted to snap at Hiccup and tell him he was wrong, that she wasn't that kind of person anymore. But that would be a lie. She knew herself and he was right, about everything. She didn't feel ashamed of her nature despite the damage it had caused around her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and Heather turned to meet Astrid's concerned gaze.
"Heather, don't let him get under your skin," she warned, knowing all too well how she was feeling. "This is not him, remember that."
"He's still right, I…" started Heather, lost for words.
"He's trying to break us apart," said Astrid, placing herself in front of her while Fishlegs joined in at her side. "This is what they're trying to do. They're trying to divide us by drowning us into our own guilt and misery - playing with our minds to cloud our judgment."
"Physiological torture," said Fishlegs, nodding thoughtfully. "Interesting."
"Fishlegs, how about you and Heather head back to do some more research," suggested Astrid, eyeing her best friend who was clearly still upset. If Hiccup was to twist their minds, she'd rather not have anyone get too close to him to fall for his games. Fishlegs placed his hand on Heather's shoulder, dragging her attention on him and managing to make a short-lived smile appear on her lips. Astrid nodded. "See if there's any way we can accelerate the venom's effects or find a cure that could cancel it before he gets to us all."
Heather and Fishlegs headed back out, away from Hiccup. Hiccup growled from his cell, grasping the bars.
"Don't you walk away from me, Heather!" he called out aggressively. Heather froze, refusing to turn around and look at him. "You're only alive because of me…"
Fishlegs prompted her to move forward before she embarked on another guilt trip, disappearing on the other side of the massive metal gates, leaving Astrid alone with Hiccup.
Hiccup grunted in frustration, pacing in his cell.
"Alright," hissed Astrid, closing the distance between her and the cell. "On with it. And save your pathetic tricks. I won't let you get to my core a second time."
"Are you so sure about that?" said Hiccup, the sick smile reappearing as he approached the door. Astrid got even closer until their faces were only inches apart. "You always have to act so tough, don't you?"
"How do we fix this?" she asked. Her hard expression softened as she stared into his eyes, the absence of the emerald-green making her heart tighten. "Hiccup, I know you're in there. This isn't you. Please, help me out."
Hiccup held her stare, shifting from one eye to another. There was a pause and Astrid's heart slightly lifted, thinking she might have made a breakthrough and managed to reach him and emotionally make the real Hiccup resurface. But the mocking laughter quickly sank her hopes. It was almost like she'd been swimming for the surface and could finally see the dancing rays of the sun piercing through the water when something dove down at her and pushed her back further into the dark black water.
"You guys always needed my help, didn't you?" he said scornfully. "You could never find the answers on your own. You think you could do this by yourself. You can't, can you? You can't live without me. You'd all be dead if it wasn't for the runt of Berk. You might be strong and all, willing to fight for what you believe and blah blah blah. But in the end, when the chips are down… you always crawl back to me. It's always the same old story."
"Maybe," said Astrid, backing off. "Maybe we would all be dead. Maybe the world would already be dominated by Johann if it wasn't for you. You're the only one who has ever been able to stand between Johann and his rule. I want to save you, Hiccup. You're not one of Johann's. You're one of us."
"Am I now?"
"Krogan – Viggo and Johann," said Astrid, locking her gaze with his. "They're using you against us. You need to snap out of it before you cause any more harm!"
"A little too late for that, don't you think?" said Hiccup, lifting his chin, strings pulling on the corners of his mouth like he was proud of his work.
"Fine," snapped Astrid, balling her fists. "Then we'll just have to wait for the venom to wear off. For as long as that takes..."