Heather walked into the Clubhouse where Astrid and Fishlegs hung out leaning over their research and dropped a leather satchel on the table. The loud clink dragged both Riders' attention on the bag and watched Heather step back from her find, crossing her arms over her chest with a displeased expression painting her face.
Astrid narrowed her eyes suspiciously on one of the many capsules that had rolled out the bag, knowing the toxic violet color anywhere.
"Just as I suspected," said Heather while Fishlegs joined her side to analyze the content. He lifted up one of the transparent tubes for observation, obviously amazed. "I searched his hut for more clues. Found this hidden under his bed. Viggo knew exactly what he was doing..."
Astrid had been standing in front of the large board for the majority of the day, trying to come up with solutions despite having assigned said task to Fishlegs. She was exhausted. She hadn't slept since Hiccup's invitation to clash. The situation was still too surreal for her. She'd never been trained for this and the lack of ideas for action was draining her.
"Astrid, the concentration of the venom from these capsules is extremely high," said Fishlegs, dragging the shieldmaiden's attention back on them and inviting her to take a closer look. Astrid approached her teammate, wondering what news this find could contain.
"What does that mean?" asked Astrid, grabbing one of the capsules, watching the liquid spin like a waterspout trapped in a bottle. "Are you saying he might remain like this longer than average?"
"I can't be sure," said Fishlegs, blinking rapidly. "The concentration, it's… it's off the charts. I've never seen anything like this. And there's no record of it being tested on humans. The effects could persist for days. Maybe weeks. I'm not sure. I don't mean to be an alarmist but... the effects could last longer than we originally thought."
"Well, this can't be good," said Astrid, abandoning her straight posture and allowing her shoulders to drop in discouragement.
"Did you at least manage to make him talk?" asked Heather, taking a seat.
"Not exactly." Astrid shook her head, pressing her fingertips against her forehead. "Not about what I wanted him to talk about. He's got a way with words, let me tell you..."
"Those evil geniuses," commented Fishlegs, putting down the tubes, evidently as frustrated as the rest of them. The difference was that he was always rational and decisive and not lashing out in anger like the majority of them. "Viggo found the perfect way to tear us apart from the inside."
"Which is why I'll be giving direct orders to everyone not to go anywhere near Hiccup unless told otherwise," said Astrid, hopping up to sit on the edge of the table next to the satchel full of tubes containing the Deathgripper venom. "It doesn't take much and he's got us all turned around."
"Good thinking, Astrid," said Fishlegs. "I've been looking for a cure or anything to snap him out of it but like every other venom; all we can do is wait till it wears off. Since it's being used as a drug rather than poison, I'm afraid only time will tell."
"That could take a while," said Heather, sighing.
Astrid shared her concern but her thoughts were quickly interrupted when Snotlout, Dagur, and the twins landed outside the Clubhouse, dismounting their dragons and joining them inside.
"Did you find anything?" asked Astrid, hopping off.
"Apart from a few footprints on the Northside, nothing," replied Snotlout, lifting up his hands as if he was proving they'd truly come back empty-handed. "Looks like those evil-doers did what they had to do and then left."
Astrid sighed, a little disappointed. She wished they had stronger leads. Anything at all. But at the same time, knowing the island was secured, reassured her. She had to find some positivity in all of this after all.
Dagur came up to Heather, placing a hand on her sharp shoulder blade.
"How's our little brother?" he asked, his voice sympathetic.
"Not exactly brotherly if you ask me," she said, scoffing.
"He tends to try to get inside the mind," explained Fishlegs, shrugging at Dagur who'd raised his eyebrow questioningly.
"Psychological warfare?" asked Tuffnut, slapping his hand on Fishlegs' shoulder excitedly. "Awesome!"
"No, not awesome!" snapped Astrid, turning to the twins who'd started getting real hyped. She had no doubt they'd rush to the stables to get a try of Hiccup's treatment first chance they'd have. "He's trying to divide us by messing with our feelings. Whatever he says, you cannot listen to him."
"Urgh," said Tuffnut, rolling his eyes.
"Buzz-kill," added Ruffnut, sharing her brother's poker-face.
"You stay away from him," ordered Astrid, making her command clear. "In the meantime, we need to stay alert. Krogan and his men could attack at any time. As long as he's under, Hiccup technically works for the Hunters."
"What if Hiccup's actually possessed?" suggested Tuffnut, eyeing his sister who nodded her agreement.
"That's the most muttonheaded thing you've ever come up with," said Fishlegs, poked-faced compared to the twins who seemed genuinely pleased with their idea.
"Oh, really, Fishlegs?" said Tuffnut, taking a lady-like pose with a hand on his hip while he made zigzags up and down, snapping his fingers with attitude.
"Tuff, Hiccup isn't possessed," said Astrid, sharing Fishlegs' displeasure that the twins still came up with ridicule suggestions when they'd already found the rational explanation to the situation. "He was poisoned and hypnotized to work for the enemy."
"Oh, so now you're the authority on the subject?" said Tuffnut, crossing his arms over his chest while he grimaced her way.
"How about you two start checking on our defenses," she said, gesturing outside. The twins whined but left nonetheless, hopping on the saddle and taking off to complete their newly assigned task. Astrid sighed when they were gone before turning to the two Berserkers. "Heather, Dagur, your help would be greatly appreciated."
"With our brother acting all weird and demonic?" said Dagur, cocking his eyebrow with a small smile stretching on his lips. He scoffed. "We're definitely staying."
"Thank you," said Astrid, nodding gratefully. "You have no idea how much better I feel that you two are here. You can take tomorrow's first patrol shift. I'd prefer no one be alone out there right now. We don't know what Krogan's next move will be." They both nodded their comprehension. Astrid turned to Fishlegs who kept on studying the venom capsules, fully absorbed by the content. "Fishlegs, you're relieved from duty. You've done enough for today. Get some rest."
"What about me?" asked Snotlout, watching everybody leave to their hut and elsewhere while he remained without orders.
"You can bring our prisoner his meal of the evening," said Astrid, shoving him a plate with meat and vegetables Heather had made in extra for Hiccup.
"Oh, so now I'm a servant?" complained Snotlout, rolling his eyes.
"Just do it," said Astrid, walking to her Deadly Nadder to take the first shift of patrol of the evening. "But be careful. Don't stick around. He's acting like a snake."
"Pff," said Snotlout, taking her poorly with the plate in hand. "I can handle it. The Snot's got this. There's nothing that scrawny one-legged Viking can say to me that will squeeze the brain out of this thick, beautiful skull!"
Astrid left without another word, taking off for her patrol shift and leaving Snotlout with the most dangerous task of them all.
I know I'm slowly killing you from the inside, and yes, I am enjoying this ( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡• )