=Astrid's POV=
{Tuesday, May 31, 2022-4:20 pm}
(Archian Preparatory)
I don't think anyone knew what to say or do after the scene that just took place. I know for me; I went to the bathroom and then as I was coming out, I got grabbed with a hand over my mouth. The first thing I got told was not to panic, and everything would be okay. I got dragged out of the school and taken to be hidden in the woods behind the Dragon Training field. I saw Johann and got worried; he told me that I wasn't the target this time, but needed to get something else. For an hour, not much happened; I was gagged and guarded. A couple of people were in the forest with us. There were two guys, a large bald one with a mustache and small goatee. The second one was shorted, full head of hair and around the lips mustache that connected to the beard. These two were the ones guarding me, but I don't think they were bad. The shorter one had knelt in front of me, appearing to whatever was over my mouth and making sure my hands' restraints were tight.
However, he told me not to be afraid because everything would be okay. I wasn't going to believe him, but then he said he and his brother weren't the bad guys and only part of this on Hiccup's orders. A failsafe in case he wasn't around to protect her. Hearing that; I couldn't believe anything else. Hiccup was always on the phone saying something about handling business and wouldn't tell me what. I had to assume he was talking to these brothers, and also; they did protect me. When Johann went to hit me for whatever reason, the taller, bald guy stopped him and warned that if I was marked up; the boy would be far less understanding and wouldn't cooperate. Johann backed off and stepped away until it was time. I heard Toothless's roar; then Johann grabbed me and pulled me out with a knife to my neck.
I remained calm, but I was scared. I could see a lot of people on the field; Hiccup went all out when I was taken. Everything happened so fast, but it came down to me learning that Hiccup knew more about all this than Spitelout and Hoark. Hiccup had been doing quite a bit of detective work under the radar and found something my father had been trying to find and protect. I realized the rest was that Drago wanted this thing, and killed my parents to get it. Also, that my heart pendant; the locket was the key to a safe where my father had all the maps to find this Dragon Eye. However, Hiccup was a step ahead and found it first. Johann kidnapped me to get it from Hiccup. I also learned that Johann and the people he's working for are responsible for Red Death too; I saw that tick Hiccup right off. As expected, everything came down to the moment where Johann ordered Hiccup to give up the Dragon Eye for my safety.
I knew it was a sacrifice, but my parents died because of that thing; trying to find it and make sure it wasn't in the hands of those who would abuse its power. I couldn't let Hiccup trade it for me. I told him not to do it, and I would die if needed. Johann taunted Hiccup, asking if he would give up his future over it. I saw a look in Hiccup's eyes as he said he wasn't giving anything up; then he threw it hard. Johann released me, and I ran to Hiccup quickly. Toothless came out and made sure the Dragon Eye was out of reach before Hiccup ordered it's destruction. And that's exactly what Toothless did; he fired a powerful blast to turn the Dragon Eye into nothing at all. And here we were now; standing in shock at what just transpired.
Johann whipped around, facing Hiccup now; a deadly look in his eyes. "Get behind me," Hiccup said as he pushed me behind his figure. "Stand with the others. I'll deal with this," I nodded and hurried back with the group. Who was I to argue with Hiccup? Sure, he owed me and several others an explanation, but I knew this wasn't the time.
"You have a nasty little habit of interfering in matters that don't concern you," Johann stated coldly.
"And you have a bad habit of never shutting up. Why in the name of Odin would you tell me that the Dragon Eye is what you needed to put another plan to destroy my home into motion? Did you honestly think I'd just give it up?" Hiccup asked him.
"Well, threatening the girl to get it from you seemed like a good idea at the time…" Johann muttered.
"I've known since you walked out with her what this would be about. I knew you'd tell me to have Toothless back off because you've always been afraid of him," Hiccup informed as Johann tensed seeing Toothless walk by him. "This little move," Hiccup twirled his finger around in the air, "Wasn't me telling him to back off; I had him hide in the stables and sneak out the back into the woods, then come around to be across from me," Johann glared hard. "You were never gonna get the Dragon Eye. Even if I handed it over to you; Toothless was ready to attack you from behind,"
"Clever boy…" Johann remarked.
"You gave yourself away by asking me if I was going to give up my future. I knew you weren't going to let Astrid go," Hiccup shrugged. "That's why I threw the Dragon Eye," Johann tightened his fists. "I knew you'd let her go to catch it, but then like I said; Toothless was ready. And now no one can ever use it again,"
"Meddling in things that don't concern you are going to get you killed one day…" Johann charged at Hiccup and tackled him down.
"Hiccup!" I yelled in concern for him.
"Dad! Do something!" Snotlout told his father.
"No," Gobber stopped them. "It's Hiccup's fight. Johann tried to use Astrid against him; it's personal now,"
"We need that guy in custody," Hoark informed.
"Oh, don't worry. The lad won't let him go," Gobber chuckled.
"I fail to see how any of this is funny to you, Gobber!" Valka screeched.
"You don't know your boy as well as you think you do, Val. Tell me, do you think if you had been used against Stoick; he wouldn't fight out of anger to the person who took you?" Gobber asked.
"Well, when you put it like that…" Stoick said. "Yeah, Hiccup's doing what I would,"
Johann slammed Hiccup down hard on the ground; then punched him a few times in the face before bringing back his arm and revealing a dagger up his sleeve. Johann brought it down as Hiccup moved his head to the side, avoiding the blow by inches. Hiccup got Johann back with his leg, then kicked again to get Johann off him and on his own back. Hiccup stood up panting. Johann rose he charged again, Hiccup and Johann ended up on the ground rolling around and fighting one another.
"You will regret the day you ever crossed me," Johann stated.
"My only regret…Is not seeing you for the lying, traitor you've always been sooner," Hiccup remarked as Johann hit him in the face before getting up and standing over him. Johann pulled a gun and loaded it as he pointed it at Hiccup.
"Goodbye, Hiccup Haddock," Johann said. Suddenly, Toothless fired a blast from behind, knocking Johann away from Hiccup, and allowing him to get up.
"Thanks, bud," Hiccup smiled. Toothless warbled and helped Hiccup up. Johann began to recover as Hiccup walked up to him with a cold look in his eyes. Johann coughed a few times.
"You'll be sorry…" Johann spat as he went running at Hiccup again. Hiccup just rolled his eyes in annoyance as he stepped to the side and threw his arm out to stop Johann; then bring his leg up and kick him to his side. Hiccup approached with an emotionless stare. "You can't stop what is to come," Johann warned.
"Oh, you mean the King of Dragons?" Hiccup informed. Johann's eyes widened. "I know what you wanted the Dragon Eye for; to lead you to the Bewilderbeast. The king of all dragons holds the ability to take control of other dragons. Your boss planted the Red Death on Dragon Island; the first attempt to gain control of the island. But me and my meddling Night Fury discovered it before you could act, and we defeated it. It was meant to be a distraction to buy more time for you to find the Dragon Eye, which would be used to locate the Bewilderbeast,"
"How can you know all this?!" Johann demanded.
"The Dragon Eye was an ancient Viking artifact created and owned by the Dragon Hunter Tribe. A large group of Vikings would trap and hunt dragons for their claws, teeth, skin to make a profit. Dragon killing was a lucrative business back then before the war ended because tribes would do anything to rid themselves of the dragon raids. It stands to reason that the Dragon Eye was used to locate every type of dragon around; to find the rare ones which would be worth a substantial amount of money," Hiccup explained. "When the war ended because Dragon Trappers and Hunters had no business, so what better way to employ their skills than to find a dragon who could make others do what it wanted?"
Johann glared at him. "Your boss is a madman who wants world domination with dragons. To make people bow and follow him, and get rid of those who don't. Few people remember the roots on which we started, the Viking history that we all come from. Of course; many people follow the legends too. However, none of that matters anymore. I've ensured that the Dragon Eye will never be owned by anyone, so, therefore; it can never fall into the hands of those who would abuse its power,"
"You'll be sorry, Hiccup Haddock," Johann warned. "Mark my words…You can't stop-"
"Yeah, yeah; you've already said it. I can't stop what's coming. Well, you know what…I defeated your Red Death, so bring it on. Give me whatever you got, but know this," Hiccup said as he picked Johann up by the collar and held him there. "This is my home, and I will defend my island and the people who live here. I will fight until the day I take my last breath," Johann stared in shock. "You will never win as long as I'm alive, and you can mark my words on that," Hiccup threw him down and started walking away.
"That's it? You're done fighting?!" Johann yelled.
"You aren't worth my time or energy," Hiccup informed with his hands in his pockets as he headed towards the group.
"I wonder if I'm worth it if you knew what I did to her in the hour she was gone…" Johann said. Hiccup froze mid-step.
"What?" Hiccup asked, not facing him.
"You heard me; she's a feisty little thing, but fun…" Johann taunted. "Maybe I should have finished the job and just raped her,"
"Oh, no…" Dagur said nervously.
"What? What's happening?" I asked.
"Johann hit the spot with Hiccup that no one should ever touch if they want to live," Dagur whispered to her.
"What do you mean?" I inquired.
Heather leaned towards me, putting her hand up to cover her mouth. "Rape is a ridiculously sensitive subject for Hiccup because Olivia was raped. And Johann is talking about the fact he should have raped you to make Hiccup furious with rage," she said as I gasped. Oh, Gods! How could I forget about that! No wonder Hiccup had stopped instead of walking away.
"No matter. Another Should have, could have, and would have moment gone by," Johann grinned. Hiccup whipped around with a murderous look in his green eyes. I've never seen it before, and it was a little terrifying, to be honest. Hiccup elbowed Johann in the chest; then hooked his leg around Johann's to make him fall. Hiccup pivoted his foot fast and span around to sidekick Johann towards us. Johann hit the ground and slid back into the stable wall. Hiccup grabbed Johann's shirt and dragged him to the ground before putting his hand over the man's neck in front of us.
"That's it, Hiccup…Kill me for what I did to her…" Johann pushed as Hiccup tightened his grip on Johann's neck. I rushed forward and put my hand on Hiccup's shoulders.
"Hiccup! No! Don't do this, don't listen to him!" I pleaded.
"He tried to kill you…" Hiccup stated coldly. "He wanted to rape you!"
"I know. I know, and I was terrified. But you saved me," I reminded. "You saved me like you always do because you promised you'd keep me safe and always be here when I needed you. Let him go. You can't kill him; it's murder, and you're not a murderer. You'll go to prison, and I need you, so please don't do it…" Hiccup's glare remained, but he released Johann and rolled onto his feet to step back. I put my hands on Hiccup's chest and began to push him away more. "Look at me, babe," I pulled his attention onto me. "It's okay, Hiccup. See? I'm alright…He can't hurt me anymore because I'm with you,"
Hiccup's eyes softened a little as I put my hands on his cheeks and turned Hiccup so his back was to Johann and couldn't see him anymore. "Did he touch you at all?" Hiccup asked.
"No. It was just to bait you to attack him, Hiccup. He never touched me; the guards told him that it wasn't part of the plan when he tried to come near me," I explained.
"Would have if they weren't around," Johann muttered. I saw the fire in Hiccup's eyes kick up as he Hiccup turned and punched Johann hard, this time, knocking him straight into unconsciousness. Johann went limp in Hoark's arms.
"Would you get him out of here please?!" Stoick ordered. "I don't know how many more times Astrid is going to be able to use herself as a distraction for him…"
"Hiccup…Hey, it's okay. Over here, look at me…See, he's gone. It's alright…Relax…" I soothed while making him look at me. Hiccup wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my shoulder.
"You don't know how scared I was seeing the knife against your throat," Hiccup whispered.
"Everything's okay now…It's over. It's all over now, right?" I asked.
"Yeah. It's over," Hiccup nodded.
"Are you okay?" I looked over at him after we pulled from the hug.
"I'll be fine. Are you?" Hiccup inquired.
"I am; I could really use a shower, a-and then maybe some more time in your arms?" I tried.
"If that's what you need; then consider it done," Hiccup responded as he whistled for Toothless. The Night Fury came over, and Hiccup got on his back.
"Hiccup…We need to talk about all of this," Spitelout reminded.
"Look…I know you have some questions, and I promise I'll tell you everything…Just give me some time," Hiccup asked.
"N-," Hoark began.
"Hoark," Spitelout put a hand on his shoulder. "It seems like Hiccup has things under control, and can provide a lot of information. I think we can afford one more day to give him a little time to relax after today,"
"Tomorrow after school, in my office," Hoark stated.
"Done," Hiccup nodded as he helped me onto Toothless's back. "Home," he said as Toothless got in the sky and Stormfly followed. I held onto Hiccup and tried to relax. All I wanted was to be held by him after all this.
. . .
=Normal POV=
{5:30 pm}
(Berk; Haddock Manor)
After arriving home; Hiccup and Astrid put their dragons away and got inside the house. Upstairs, Astrid grabbed a change of clothes and showered in Hiccup's bathroom while he took care of Runa. Now, Astrid was out of the shower while Runa slept in her crib until a bit later. Hiccup had changed out of his school uniform and was laying on his bed when Astrid came out dressed in something comfortable.
"I know you're curious about everything, and want an explanation as much as Hoark and Spitelout do," Hiccup sighed a bit. Astrid crawled into the bed and lay against him. Hiccup wrapped his arms around her securely as she relaxed.
"Right now, all I want is to be held by you and know I'm safe," Astrid informed.
"I told you I'd do anything to make sure you're out of harm's way," Hiccup reminded.
"No…You told me to trust you that everything was taken care of, and from this day forward; I will never doubt you again," Astrid said.
"I'm hurt that you doubted me at all," Hiccup closed his eyes. There was some silence between them. "Astrid, I'm sorry for keeping secrets from you about the things I was doing. You were already in danger, and I didn't want to risk you knowing anything else that-," Astrid put her finger to his lips.
"You told me; the less I know, the better. If anyone suspected I knew something about whatever you were doing; I would have been a bigger target. You were protecting me, Hiccup. You did keep secrets, but they were to keep me safe, so I'm not mad," Astrid explained.
"You aren't?" Hiccup looked at her.
"No. How can I be? Hiccup, you uncovered what they wanted and beat them to it. Sure; I got taken for an hour, but you saved me and destroyed that thing. You got information that not even Hoark was able to obtain. You outsmarted the enemies and won…I'm proud of you," Astrid smiled. Hiccup leaned down and kissed her deeply. Afterward, they cuddled closer.
"The Dragon Eye might be gone, but Drago is still out there. And he is a threat, unfortunately. I don't doubt he had someone watching today's events. And Astrid…There's still a lot you don't know about the things I've done. One day, I will tell you everything. But until that day; I swear to you everything I've done and still doing is for the good of everyone. I need you to trust me on that," Hiccup said.
"You have it. Just promise you'll be alright," Astrid asked.
"I promise to try," Hiccup agreed. "This is dangerous work, but I'm confident that it will bring peace when it's over,"
"I believe in that," Astrid nodded as they kissed again and snuggled up. Soon, Astrid fell asleep. Hiccup stared up at the ceiling while she slept.
I've got Drago's attention as his biggest threat. This battle has only just begun.
