Green-eyed shadow
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot.
KEY
'Thoughts/memories'
Emphasis/yelling
*Symbiote speaking*
*Symbiote think-speaking*
(A/N: Let's get started quickly, right?)
Review responses
Umbra Lycan: Thanks, I like to try to spice things up occasionally.
RedTokyo95: Me too, but I'm on a tight schedule. I'm glad my DM helped.
tysonhousemovers: Great to have you back. Astrid will most likely be both enraged and happy, respectively. Me too.
Guest: Psychotic? Kinda, I was trying for Yandere. No doubted about that.
Back to the action!
Chapter 19: Shared Fate
Nar POV
Late night, Hiccup's home treehut
*No*, the candlelight flickered, making the shadow of a young man shake. "C'mon, bud", Hiccup pleaded with his symbiote, "Please?". *But this is my personal stash!*, Avarice's visage frowned at his host. "We promised we would help Astrid any way we could", the teen held out a large vial, "We gave Mr. Hofferson our word". *No, you did!*, the symbiote pulled away, *So leave me out of this!*.
Hiccup dropped himself at his desk, slumping down in his chair, "What if I compensate you?". Avarice narrowed his eyes, *Hmm…*, thinking deeply on his host's offer. "I heard from mulch and bucket that the fishermen are still catching fish this close to the freeze", outside his small collection of treehuts, the air was getting colder. "There's bound to be a lot of fish heads among the scraps?", the news roused Luna from her nap.
'Ooh, I like the sound of that!', her visage emerged from his other shoulder. Avarice looked between his host and the other, *Ugh, Fine, I better get this back and more*. Hiccup held up the vial, a small tentacle sprouted from Avarice's 'neck'. The limb snaked its way over to the bottle, then began to drip greenish clear liquid. The fluid trickled in, *There, no more!*, he stopped when it filled to the neck of the vial. "Thanks, bud", Hiccup corked the bottle and set it down on his desk. *Yeah, alright*, the teen nestled into his bed, *Sleep well, brother*. Avarice seeped back into his host, but Luna remained, 'Pleasant dreams, little spark'. She stroked Hiccup's head with her tentacle before nestling under his chin to rest herself.
The next day
"Mornin' Hiccup!", Agnar greeted the teen when the wall's gates swung open.
"Morning", Hiccup hefted on his small backpack and looked around, "Where's Bob?".
"Up here!", the bushy bearded guard leaned over the railing to surprise the teen.
"Morning, nice to see you guys", the other friendly watchmen returned his greeting.
"Yup, I got Sven and his boys to cover my shift over at the Hoffersons", bob shrugged after guessing what Hiccup was about to ask, "Just promised them I'd buy them a round of mead at the great hall come lunch".
"Anyway, Gobber's been askin' for you over at the forge", Agnar shouldered his axe, "Iric's with Magnus talkin' over some business".
"Okay, thanks for the heads up", the guard grunts and nods, letting Hiccup jog towards Gobber's forge in the distance.
The forge
"'ere we are, laddie", Gobber rolled out a cart stacked with thin squared black metal plates, "I already built yur' wall out back". Hiccup inspected the plates, turning one over in his hands, "Yeh' mind explainin' wha' yur' gunna' do wit' 'em?".
The apprentice turned around and grinned, "Sure, Gobber, we'll show you".
Thud-thud, "An' done", Gobber finished hammering a few plates to the wall.
"Okay, now stand back", the blacksmith hobbled away, "Luna". His other emerged from his back, 'Yes?'. "Just like we practiced", the draconic visage nods and turned to the wall. A building whistle made Gobber's blood run cold, "Go", Luna unleashed a torrent of neon green flames. The firelight bathed the host in soft green light, "Okay", his other stopped burning her target. Gobber watched as his apprentice walk up to the plated wall, then sees him wipe the plates with his hand.
"Wha' in Thor's name?", the plating wasn't damaged by the dragon's fire.
"Neat, huh?", Hiccup showed his clean hand .
"'iccup, my boy, dragon-proof shingles?", Gobber finally realized what Hiccup invented.
"Yup, and if can stand up to night fury fire, why shouldn't it handle anything else?", the teen shrugged.
"Yeh mind if I used this first batch on tha' forge?", Gobber held his hammer attachment hand.
"Of course, why not?", Hiccup's reply made the blacksmith smile wide enough to show his stone tooth.
"Hiccup, are you in there?!", the two heard Astrid calling from out front.
"I'll just take these inside", Gobber stacked the removed shingles back onto the cart, "Go on, laddie".
Hiccup fixed his clothes and walked around the forge, "Yeah, I was just…", the teen's words died in his mouth.
Astrid stood smiling at his stunned state, in her new attire, "How do I look?". The girl swayed side to side, her black overdress and white tunic-dress flowed with her motions. "I got a new hangerok, nice color, right?", Astrid showed off its black color, almost matching his pants and coat.
"W-what… h-how?", he was speechless.
"My mom had a few of her old dresses that fit me", Astrid spun around, "Only white, like you".
"Like me?".
She nods, "Yes… why not?".
"Yeah", Hiccup cleared his throat, "Why not?". Hiccup reached into his coat pocket, "Which reminds me", he pulls out a vial filled with clear liquid. "Here, I got-", before he could say another word, Astrid snatched in from his hand in a blink of an eye.
"A GIFT!", she squealed, "A gift for me, really?!".
"Uhh… yeah?".
"You got me for me, I love it!", Astrid turned the bottle over in her hand, "Thank-you-thank you-thank-you… what is it?".
"Here", Hiccup cleared his throat while taking it from her, "Ahem, let me…". He uncorked the vial and handed it back to Astrid, "Go on".
She gave it a whiff, "Ugh, it's wonderful… gift?", her nose scrunched from the bittersweet smell.
"Astrid, it's what you'll need if you want to keep that fragment of Avarice", Hiccup ushered her on, "Go on". The blonde swallowed hard before bringing the bottle to her lips, she took a breath and poured the liquid straight down her throat.
"Agh, it's not as bad as Gothi's potions", a pleasant aftertaste followed the bitter flavor, "Not that bad". Astrid recorked the vial, "I'll get used to it", then handed it back to Hiccup. "With that outta the way, onto our date!".
"Training session, Astrid", he corrected, "Training and meditation". She frowned but bounced back quickly, looping her arm in his before walking towards the eastside of Berk.
Later, Near Shamus's farm
"Here's a good spot", the teens stopped at the edge of the herdsman's land, the small clearing was within earshot of the workers. "Let's begin with a few rules", Hiccup sat down on a stump, forcing Astrid to stand before him. "The first and absolute rule is, you are forbidden from eating people's heads", the blonde was surprised, "Outcasts and other evil doers are an exception to this rule… under special conditions".
"Eating people's heads?".
"Yes, something about what's inside sates Avarice's hunger for a long time", Hiccup shrugged. "The difference between you and me is that I was born special, so I can make more of what he needs and I only to need to eat a few foods that help with that", he brushed back his hair. "You on the other hand, can't", Astrid's shoulders slumped, "That's why I made a deal with Avarice, he makes that supplement and I replay his kindness". *Kindness, bah!*, the host groaned at his symbiote's grumpiness.
"Okay, any other rules?", Astrid motioned for him to continue.
"A few, but we'll get to those later", Hiccup stood up and stretched, "Let's get started with some beginner lessons". He took a few steps back, then powered up, *Switching on and off your power*. Avarice pops his knuckles and rolls his shoulders, *It'll feel weird at first but trust me, you'll start to crave that feeling*.
"My turn?", the host nods to her, she sets down her satchel and approaches. Astrid takes a breath, "Ooh, okay, here I go". Symbiotic flesh seeps out, quickly enveloping her frame before growing. The slime formed up, becoming a female of similar build to Avarice.
Most of her body was white like him, but her black markings were splotchy like before. Unlike her previous powered up form, the black splotches were symmetrical, coating her inner thighs and her torso sides. Her collar and inner arms were also blotted, drastically different from Avarice's black stripes and markings. Her dread-growths had changed too, appearing more like large flexible quills than a wiggling mass of tentacles. Avarice watched her stretch out her arms and legs, then open and close her hands, *Well, how do you feel?*.
Astrid smiled to show her needle-toothed grin, *Wonderful, powerful*.
*I know, right?*, Avarice held up his hand before turning it around, *I still haven't gotten bored of the feeling*.
While he admired his clawed hand, Astrid walked closer, *Both of us, we're different now…*. She pressed her hand against his, examining the slight difference in size, *But together, we're the same…*. Astrid turned slightly before interlocking her fingers with his, *Right?*.
He blushed, then quickly unlocked his hand from hers, *Uhh, Y-yeah, I… yep?*. Avarice composed himself, *I guess we can skip the beginner lessons, since how easily you handled moving around yesterday?*. That thought made Astrid's joy fade, *We'll start sparing and power control so other time, for now I'll check just how much you can control using your strength and speed*.
*How?*, she asked, still gloomy from remembering how she attacked Hiccup.
Avarice grinned, *Catch me!*. Before Astrid could react, he swung back his arm, the tentacle latching deep into the woodline and reeling him away.
*Hey!*, she broke into a sprint and chased after her partner. Astrid's irritation gradually faded as she realized how fast she was running, her body feeling light and sensing little to no drain on energy, *Ooh*. She looked up and sees Avarice swinging himself between the trees, his slime tendrils keeping him ahead of her despite her speed. *Hmm*, Astrid vaulted after her next stride, then flung her arm froward like Avarice.
To her surprise, her limb transformed into a tentacle and latched on to a branch he used. Avarice looked behind himself, *Interesting*, pleased she had managed to mimic his control.
Unfortunately, Astrid was too preoccupied with showing off that her next swing had missed, *Huh?!*. She tucked and rolled before skipping on the ground, making Avarice stop at the next branch.
*Astrid, are you alright?*, he waited until she got to her feet. What he didn't expect was her sending out both arms to latch on to either side of his perch, then launching herself like a slingshot. She collided into him, *Oof!*, sending them flying up through the treetops. The pair crashed back through the trees and landed just outside of the tree line past raven point.
Astrid recovered first, *Caught you by surprise, huh?*, she tilted her head while straddling him.
*Yeah, yeah*, Avarice sat up and shoved her off, *Very funny*. He twisted his neck, emitting audible pops, *But that was still dangerous*.
She dusted leaves off her white skin, *C'mon, we both know that wouldn't leave a scratch on us, yours especially*, Astrid purred.
Avarice shook off his awkwardness from her 'compliment', *Right, let's move on to training?*, his reaction made her frown.
Meanwhile, Berk's great hall
"Okay, has anyone else have something they'd like to voice?", Stoick declared towards the council members at either side of his throne and to the gathered audience of hooligan tribesmen. A few raised their hands from the smaller opposing half, as did some from the council table, "Anything different from what we'd already heard?". The hands raised slowly disappeared back into the crowd, "I see".
Stoick raised his wooden hammer, "But Chief, how can w-!".
The chieftain snapped his head towards the blathering Knut, "You already said that!".
"Aye!", voiced Gobber, clearly having enough of the same slander and threats against his apprentice and his newly revealed fellow host.
"But!", more members from the supporting crowd shot angry glares at the Thorston, not even his fellow opposers gave him help.
"You're not gonna saying anything but nonsense again!", snapped Gunther, irritated like the blacksmith. Agreeing mumblings from the supporting crowd emanated with his counter, "You can word it anyway you'd like, it makes no sense, Knut!".
"With that out of the way, this part of the meeting is over", Tap-tap, the larger crowd sighed in relief as Stoick ended the proceeding. "Since no new evidence has been brought forward, Astrid Hofferson's sentence remains unchanged", Gunther relaxed, "She's free to stay in the village, but monitored by guards or Hiccup and not strictly required to remain under house arrest". Irritated murmurs came from the opposition, "Until Astrid violates the trust of the tribe, she's free to be part of the village". Stoick brings the conference to a close, "Meeting adjourned". The chieftain father felt resentful that his son's former sentencing ended differently.
Raven point
"That's enough strength training for today", Hiccup clapped his hands together, Astrid dropped the log she was using for standing press exercise.
Thud, "Now what?", both teens had powered down only their heads.
"Now, agility", Hiccup fully powered up, *We'll go for a bit more difficulty*. He held up his arm, planning on using his spike shot ability for the challenge. His forearm wiggled but couldn't form a coat of spikes, 'Hmm?'. Avarice tried concentrating harder, but the result was the same, 'Bud, what's going on?!'. *I'm not sure, let me try…*, the symbiote tried to help, *Strange, we seem to have lost that ability*. 'What, how?!', Avarice groaned as he continued his inward discussion with his friends, leaving a readied and fully powered Astrid confused. 'Luna?', she awoke from her nap. 'Yes, little spark?', Luna emerged from Avarice's shoulder and join the silent conversation.
*Hiccup?*, her fellow user held up a finger, wordlessly asking her to wait.
'So, what now?', Avarice thought-spat at his symbiote. *I don't know, try forcing it!*, the other replied. Luna 'shrugged' her visage, 'Try it, I don't have any other suggestion'. Avarice frustratingly huffed, *Fine!*. The user threw his hand forward but the spike-coat didn't form, *C'mon, c'mon…*. He flung imaginary shots at a tree, hoping his power would manifest by force.
Astrid looked on, worried that something was wrong with her 'friend', *Hmm*.
*C'mon, one more time!*, Avarice readied another attempt. Thu-thunk, 'Yes, wait… what?!', the spikes that were stuck into his target were on the wrong side. He followed where they came from, *Astrid?*, the female host outstretched arm was coated with smaller spines.
*Whoa, how'd I do that?!*, she gasped.
*That's what I'd like to know too…*, Avarice stood completely stumped by the development.
A few days later
The village was lively after Hiccup had let Gobber renovate his roof with his 'black steel' shingles. Iric and Shamus were wondering why a blacksmith so set in his ways would want to change his forge, his sanctum of fire and metal. Hiccup asked them both to join him one day, "Mr. Ingerman, Shamus".
"So, Hiccup, why'd you call us here", the carpenter asked for himself and his friend.
The teen smiled, "This", he powered up and sprouted his wings. Avarice flew up and hovered in place, then unleashed a stream of napalm at the forge's roof.
"Thor almighty!", Shamus stepped back, "What's he doing!".
"Just watch", Gobber's voice surprised both Iric and Shamus.
"Gobber?!", the blacksmith pointed his hook towards his forge just intime for the user to douse the flames with a flick of his wings.
"See, nuthin' ta' worry 'bout", the two men eyed the roof, the metal shingles unscathed by the fire. Avarice landed next to Gobber and powered down; "Ma' apprentice was nice 'nough ta' let me 'ave 'is first batch 'o 'is 'fire-proof' shingles". His uncle patted Hiccup's shoulder with his hand, "Thanks, laddie", then went back inside his forge.
Iric and Shamus grabbed Hiccup by his shoulders, "Can you make enough for me next?!".
"No, me first!", Shamus countered, "C'mon kid, I know you've been talking about making your bed more comfortable". Hiccup opened his mouth to speak, "I'll pay you in the best wool I got… and I give you a personal discount!".
"Wait a minute, I'm next", Iric pulled Hiccup away, "I'll double your next batch of wood… Hel, I'll throw in a whole barrel of linseed oil!".
"Whoa!", the teen broke free, "No need to compete, we'll make enough for both of you". Hiccup brushed his hair back, "I just need to ask Gobber for help to make both your orders faster". He walked back into the forge, both Iric and Shamus followed to help convince the blacksmith.
The next day
It only took a day for the news of Gobber's now dragon-proof roof to spread through the entire village. The tribe wondered where such an advancement came from, Gobber's answer had a distinct response. The villagers who grown accustomed to Hiccup and his friends, were pleasantly amazed. However, those who were still distrustful of the heir grew even more bitter.
When the chief's hut was renovated, many hounded Gobber for a chance to speak with his apprentice. Iric stepped in and gave his fellow craftsman his peace, taking on orders on behalf of their shared helper.
"Here you go", Stoick held out his hand to receive the last payment from his new neighbor.
"With that settled, welcome to your new home", the chief handed off the pouch to Iric, "Why don't you step inside and have a look around?". Stoick opened the door for the couple before he followed them in, Iric meanwhile made his way over to the hut's backyard.
"Alright, Hiccup", the teen was packing away the tools and gear, while Astrid sat nearby watching.
"How'd they take it?", Hiccup hammered shut the crate.
"Happy, as per usual", Astrid got up and help him carry it, "C'mon you two, Gyda's been callin' us for lunch".
"Understood, sir", Hiccup looked over to her, "Thanks for helping me".
"No worries, I like being close to you", she coyly smiled, "Mr. Ingerman?".
"What is it, Astrid?", the carpenter led the two back to his home.
"Would Mrs. Ingerman mind if I joined Hiccup?", her question took the other teen by surprise.
"Not at all, she has been askin' to have a word with you recently", Iric shrugged.
"Really? thank you!", Astrid squealed with delight.
Next morning
Spitelout's bags fell from his hands, villagers moved around him as they went along with their business. The Jorgenson patriarch looked up to his second floor in ruins, blindsided by the sight as he just returned from his hunting trip with his son and their friends. To make matters worse, they had returned with less than what they had hoped for.
He slowly made his way inside, dropping his bags at the door before ascending the stairs. Spitelout grabbed the knob to his upstairs bedroom, bits of leaves crunched under his boots. He opened the door, then walked into his room in shambles. Most of his furniture was in pieces, the only thing relatively untouched was his bed. The Jorgenson walked up to the gaping hole that was his front wall and ceiling, each step crushed more leaves that had blown in through the cold winds.
"What in Thor's great name happen?!", Spitelout bellowed out, catching the attention passersby. "Did a raid happen while I was gone, why was I tha' only one hit!", he kicked out debris, getting the attention of a few more villagers walking by.
"Nope, Hiccup was fighting and… well your house wasn't the only thing destroyed", the worker thumbed over to the sky torch being repaired. Scaffolding was erected around the new pillar, the small crane carefully it held up while the builders worked on the mechanisms below that hoist it up. Both the crane's structure and the scaffolding's joints were made of black metal, the Jorgenson recognized the foreman as one of Hiccup's supporters.
"Stoick's runt broke ma' house… again?!", more villagers that stopped shrugged. "Gah, where's Stoick, when I get him…", Spitelout marched back into his house, continuing to blather out threats and obscenities.
Meanwhile
'I can't wait to show Hiccup!', Astrid walked through the village looking to surprise Hiccup with her new silver broches and winter cloak. "Hey there, gorgeous!", a familiar voice made her stop mid step, "I haven't seen you around?". Astrid tightens her hands into fists and turned around, "Astrid?!", surprising Snotlout. "Wow, I didn't recognize you", he leered at her, "Did you get all dressed up for me?". Under her cloak, her fragment started to seep out from restrained rage, "I knew you'd toss out that loser eventually, and get with a 'real viking' like me". That set her off, she lunged at Snotlout, pinning him up against the wall, "Wha?!".
Astrid finally stopped fighting, letting symbiotic goo ooze over her body, "I'm going to enjoy this", she hissed before her head was enveloped.
Elsewhere in Berk
"I see, well settle things with Iric and he'll get everything started", the berk chieftain shook the fisherman's hand.
"Stoick, where are ya'?!", he groaned when he heard Spitelout's voice.
"Jorgenson, you're back", the chief dryly sighed.
"Yeah, and ta' a destroyed house!", the patriarch marched up to the towering chieftain, "I heard it was yur' runt's fault!".
"Yes, I know…", Stoick replied, "and as such, I've already asked Iric to help you rebuild it".
"What? Ya' think I'm letting that demon-lovin' wolf help me?!", he spat.
"Yes, but if you have a problem with him, I do have the money from when we took up a collection", Stoick held out a pouch filled with coin.
"Bah, I don't need yur' pity", Spitelout stomped away, leaving the chief holding the bag in his hand. A few seconds later, the Jorgenson came marching back, snatching the pouch out from Stoick's hand and trudging away while grumbling.
"Finally, let's get back to business", he sighed in relief, "I'm sure Iric and Magnus can help you get some ideas". Stoick led the fisherman back through the village, but a high-pitched scream made them look around. Spitelout stopped and groaned, running off towards where it came from.
Village center
The Jorgenson patriarch looked around, reaching where he had heard his son's cry. Thud, Snotlout skips out of an alley, rolling to a stop on his back. His father rushes to his son but a tall symbiote female reaches him first. She grabs Snotlout by the collar and hoists him up, then slams him against the side of a building. The user holds him up with one hand and stretches out her other, Shink, forming sharp nadder claws.
"Oi!", Spitelout marches up to Astrid, getting her attention.
Tu-tu-thud, a row of spikes cuts across his path, *A few more steps and your welp gets his manhood hacked off*. Astrid fires off a long sharp spike from her free hand into the wall, pulling it out from beside Snotlout's head and holding it like a knife. More villagers are drawn by the commotion, Stoick and his clients emerge from the crowd.
*Astrid!*, Avarice appears with Iric and Magnus in tow.
*Hiccup, there you are!*, she sighs contently.
The user walks out from the audience, *As much as I like seeing Snotlout in agony…*. He looks to both Jorgensons, *And I do*. *He's still a member of the tribe, so I'm forced to ask you to let him go*, his request makes Astrid frown.
Her scowl quickly changes to a devious smile, *Sure, I'm willing to let this brat live, but I want something in return*.
Avarice narrows his eyes, *Which is?*.
Astrid grins a cheshire-like smile, *I want you to date me!*.
*What?*, the user froze.
"What?!", Snotlout gasped.
"WHAT?!", the crowd screamed.
*That's right*, Astrid relaxes her hold on Snotlout, letting him breathe. *I want you to go out with me, for real*, she deactivates her spike shot power. *Not because of some contract or because someone tells you to do it*, the female user sighs, *But because you want to*. *Whatever your answer is, I'll let this troll go*, she lowers Snotlout.
Everyone around silently watched Avarice, waiting for his decision. Gunther and Brenna made their way to the front of the crowd. Iric and his family watched on from inside the throng, the carpenter and his wife viewed Hiccup as another son. Gobber already could guess his apprentice and nephew's answer but kept quiet. Magnus and Shamus were convinced what Hiccup would say, growing close the teen as Iric's helper and friend. Moments passed as everyone waited for Avarice to answer, he powered down his face and took a long deep breath, "Astrid… will you be my girlfriend?".
*YES!*, She tossed up Snotlout and lunged at him. Powering down her face and grabbing his head, Astrid planted a deep kiss on Hiccup's mouth.
*Blah, Disgusting!*, Avarice revolted at the sight. 'Oh shush, you!', Luna chastised the symbiote. Most of the tribe surrounding the two hosts erupted in cheers, Stoick and Gobber shouts were filled with pride. Gunther felt a mix of fatherly outrage and pride, sharing Brenna's joy that their daughter found a good young man.
Thud, Snotlout groaned as he lifted himself up, "Ow". He shook away his daze, "Wha'?!", then sees Astrid and Hiccup kissing. Looking around, he sees the tribe cheering on his crush and former victim engage in a passionate liplock. "Ohh…", the sight made Snotlout dizzy, before he promptly fainted.
The next day, Evening, The Berk wall
"Do you have everything, Sweety?", Gunther handed over the last basket to Astrid. The father wanted to see his daughter off as she went with Hiccup. Bob and his crew watched the Hoffersons say their farewells, saddened that things had gone the way they had.
Flashback, hours earlier
"A plague, a plague your runt has released onto us!", Howled Mildew. Spitelout's returned friends vocalized their support, bolstering the opposing half of the tribe. Spitelout watched on silently, his uncharacteristic quietness made the other council members uneasy, "It'll spread throughout our tribe!".
"Is that so bad?", Iric spoke up from his seat, the murmurs quieted, "We've seen how easily Hiccup has dispatched dragons and raiders". Gunther nodded from inside the audience, "I seen him tear a nadder in two from the jaws". "But I don't want to see him as a weapon for our war with the dragons but as a warrior like us", he rose from his seat, "Protecting our home and tribe". The crowd erupted in conflict, some warning of destruction and others speaking of protection.
"Monsters, monsters will become of us!", shouted the bitter old man.
"Oh, we wouldn't say that", a familiar disembodied voice silenced the room. Everyone looked around, trying to find where Hiccup was. A faint gurgling hum drew their attention up, a figure descended using slime that gradually changed from the colors of the room to white.
"Hiccup?", Stoick watched him touchdown before the council table, "How long were you here?".
The teen smiled a sharp toothed grin, "We sneaked in when everyone was coming in". He cleared his throat, "Let us begin by saying that it is our fault Astrid got a part of us". Mildew and his support cried out, the guards working security pushed against the rowdy mob. *SILENCE!*, Luna roared when she emerged, making them slink back. "We know where it came from…", everyone waited for him to continue, "And it won't happen again".
"Be that as it may, Gunther's daughter still broke the tribe's trust", Knut's declaration brought dread to Hiccup, Gunther and their friends, "She can't remain in the village". Stoick and the rest couldn't answer the Thorston's argument, "Cast her out".
The Haddock chief turned to Gunther, squeezing his fist in frustration befor calming, "I understand". The host and draconic visage cast their eyes downward, "I'll handle Astrid after I speak with Hiccup".
"Meeting adjourned", Stoick hammered his mallet.
Flashback end
"Here you are, Sir", Hiccup handed Gunther a rolled scroll, "Just in case you want to pay us a visit?".
The hunter unrolled the map, "Clever boy", he smirked.
"You can give it to my dad for safekeeping, just in case", Hiccup hefted up his back.
"C'mon, darling", Astrid called out from the gate.
"Take care, you two", Gunther waved them off, "And no funny business!".
"I wouldn't dare, Mr. Hofferson!", the haddock teen squeaked.
"I was talking to my daughter, Hiccup", the blond chuckled, "I know I can trust you, my boy". Astrid pouted at her father and grabbed the embarrassed teen, "Brenna wants you two to stop by tomorrow morning for breakfast!". Bob chuckled as the Hofferson girl dragged Hiccup pass the gate.
(A/N: Same power, same fate… what'cha gonna do? The Jorgensons sure know how to screw things up, eh? Oh well, at least Snotlout got put in his place. Hiccup's black steel is now being used to both beautify the village and reduce the damage dragons can do… well for those who learn to deal with change, or even welcome it.)