Apex Predator
Back at HQ Rapunzel had shut herself in her room. Archer tried to come in after her to console her. But she didn't want her so close. She looked at her trembling hand in horror. The hand she had nearly used to strangle the life out of her best friend.
When Pitch had used his magic on her she'd found herself back inside the old building Gothel had kept her locked away all those years ago. Then who she thought was Gothel appeared. Cackling and declaring that she would imprison her once more. Use her to remain young and beautiful forever. Limelight wouldn't take that sitting down and fought back.
The images of Archer's bruised neck assaulted her mind. Dark ugly marks she'd left there. If Fury hadn't shown up…
Her attention was snapped to her quarter's door opening. And in walked Frost.
"Are you ok?" he asked in concern.
"Yeah…how did you get in? I told the door to not let anyone in."
"I can override your command. Higher authority," he said casually. She only nodded in understanding as she stared back at her hand. Frost came over to her bed and took a seat on the edge. "You sure you're ok?"
Rapunzel remained silent. Her thought in chaos and disarray. "I nearly killed her," he muttered out miserably.
"It wasn't your fault. That was Pitch twisting your fears," Frost said firmly.
"And I let him," Limelight said sharply. "I let him and I nearly killed someone," she whispered out.
"Hey, look at me," he said grabbing her shoulders and turning her to look into his face. "Don't give in to the fear. This is what he wants. To break you without lifting a finger. Don't make his job easy for him," he said keeping his expression serious and firm.
Rapunzel was little surprised. She'd never seen Frost so serious. He was usually very playful. But his face and voice was stern and strong. And earnest.
She processed his words and gave a small nod. "Frost?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"How do you fight against his fear?" she asked.
Frost pursed his lips as he tried to explain. "You just got to remember it's not real. You got to push passed it. Don't give in. Have courage," Frost explained. Rapunzel mulled over his words. Trying to think of what exactly he meant. "It helps to drown out that fear with something else," he added.
"Something else?" she asked.
He nodded in confirmation. "A memory. A good memory," he explained. She let the idea circulate in her mind. It didn't sound so hard in principle. But was it that easy?
"Thank you Frost," she said honestly as she looked up into his eyes.
"No need to thank me blondie," he said with a warm smile. But then it changed into a mischievous one she was accustomed to. "But if you really wanted to show your appreciation…well a kiss is always a good way to go," he suggested waggling his eyebrows.
Rapunzel flinched and blushed in surprise. Frost laughed at her reaction. "Just kidd—"
His words were cut off as she brought her lips to his. He was surprised. He certainly hadn't been expecting this to happen. He was just joking. He remained perfectly still as she hesitantly moved her lips against his. But soon he reached his hands around to the back of her head and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss.
Rapunzel didn't know why she actually kissed him. Maybe it was because he'd been so sweet in trying to help her. Maybe it was because she wanted some comfort. But one reason she did know was because she was drawn to him. She always had been, but she just couldn't figure out why.
Merida was in front of the supercomputer while Fury typed away. He was ignoring her completely. She was trying to apologize. She bit her lip nervously and rubbed her hands together as she tried to find the right words.
"Fury," she began. He didn't respond. Didn't even stop his work. She could tell he was mad at her. "I just wanted to say…I'm sorry."
At that Fury's fingers stopped. He turned in his chair to face her. "Why did you go out alone Ms. Dunbroch?" he asked her.
She stiffened at his question. She didn't want to say that she'd been trying to avoid him. "Ah was just trying to find our enemies," she said with a shrug.
"Then why didn't you tell Frost and I? We're supposed to be a team," he asserted.
"I wasn't thinking ok?" she snapped. She just wanted to apologize. Why was he being so difficult?
"Maybe you should do that from now on," he replied coolly.
"What is your problem!?" she asked in anger.
"My problem is we're supposed to trust each other. We have several big time bad guys here threatening the lives of the people in my city and I'm supposed to count on you," he spat back.
"There ye go. You keep spouting that word. 'Trust'. 'Trust this, trust that'. How am I supposed to trust a man whose face I can't even see?!" she shouted at him.
He stood up from his seat. "This is what this is about? Just because you don't know what I look like?! WHO CARES! We have more important things to worry about than satisfying your curiosity!"
"This is more than my 'curiosity'," she said sourly. "You can order us around because you can reveal our identities at any time. But ye keep Rapunzel and I in the dark. You don't trust us so why should I trust you?"
"I've shown you our base. I've given you access to the database and even provided you with my own technology. How is that not enough?"
"It just isn't!" she cried in frustration. Her feelings for him and her anger were mixing and battling inside her mind. Her heart was clenching and warring with itself as images of Hiccup flashed through her mind.
"You nearly died Merida," he said suddenly. She flinched as the words struck her. But it was the way he said it. She could sense the pain in his words. The quiver in his voice.
"And if you had, it would've destroyed Limelight." And me, he added in his mind. "So if you can't work with us then go. And you keep Archer out of our way and out of my sight," he commanded icily. Merida's eyes widened in surprise. Fury only turned around and sat back in his chair before swiveling away from her and back toward the screen.
"Your security pass is being revoked. Get out," he said lowly.
Pain lanced through her chest. He was kicking her out and off the team. She'd been coming to see the Cove as a second home. One where she could get away from her troubles and just be Archer. It felt as if she was being rejected by Hiccup again. Someone she had begun to have feeling for was turning his back on her again.
Hot tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away and walked off.
Fury didn't turn around. He simply kept his eyes and focus on his work.
As Merida made her way to the garage she ran into Toothless who came up to her excitedly with his fishy toy in his mouth. He wagged his tail and whined at her, beckoning her to play with him. But she kept her head down and strode right passed him. Toothless' ears drooped in disappointment and he whined sadly.
The next few days were tense and awkward at the cove. Rapunzel having discovered of Archer's expulsion from the team was outraged. She threatened quitting as well but when she spoke to Merida she was told to stay with the team in case Gothel hurt anymore people. She agreed albeit reluctantly.
Additionally she felt awkward around Frost now. They didn't do much the other night besides kiss but it made her feel guilty. Her and Jack weren't quite official yet but if felt like she'd betrayed him.
At night Fury would stay in the Cove while Frost and Limelight patrolled the streets. His teammates could tell he was shaken up by having to expel Archer. But insisted he was fine.
Merida was in a haze during her works days. Everything around her seemed dreary and miserable. It seemed Hiccup had taken to ignoring her. It was like he did all in his power to remain as far as possible. She guessed he was repulsed by something about her she couldn't fathom. But she persevered through the pain and helped in the preparation for the party their companies were going throw. They'd be inviting a few celebrities and other big company owners who could make it.
The day of the party she had Rapunzel help her with her makeup and dress.
"So what's the plan then Dragon man?" Pitch asked mockingly from their base of operations.
Drago growled at Pitch in annoyance. He'd grown weary of his insults. His patience was beginning to wear thin. "Our leader has returned. He's taken over the plans," he replied gruffly as he sat in his chair and waited for their allies.
Pitch only smirked and snorted. Glad to see he wasn't in power anymore. He hated Drago. The man believed his science was so superior to his dark arts. He'd been the one to nearly destroy two of their enemies. Not Drago's robots.
The door to their meeting room opened and in walked Gothel. She was carrying two stones in her hands. Pitch and Drago immediately stood and looked at the stones.
"So those are them?" Drago asked curiously.
"Yes. He was successful. Only one remains," she said with a nod.
"So where is he?" Pitch asked raising an eyebrow.
"He said he had a party to attend," Gothel replied shrugging an arm. "But he's left instructions on how to proceed. The sword needs to be found and soon. The time is almost upon us," she said seriously.
Drago and Pitch nodded. They listened intently as Gothel began going over the instructions.
Hiccup was waiting at the top of the stairs while his guests waited below. It was agreed that he and Merida should make an entrance together. His advisors thought it would show a more united front. So he waited anxiously for Merida.
He sighed at how difficult things had become between them. Both as themselves and their alternate identities. But he determined that he couldn't be responsible for her. She was too reckless. Too much of a loose cannon. So he figured expulsion was the best option.
But deep down he knew it was also because he didn't want to lose her.
Not like how he lost Keiko.
"Hello Hiccup. Sorry I'm late," came a familiar voice behind him.
He took a breath and put on his best smile. He turned around to greet his partner. "Not a problem Merrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr—" his brain sputtered as he took her in. Merida was wearing a deep pine green crushed velvet ball gown, with long sleeves and a draped off-shoulder neckline. She had a double-boned wrapped bodice with a simple pleather-belted waist. The skirt flared extravagantly towards the bottom, piling together in wide, pleated folds where it hit the floor. The dark green hem was intricately embroidered with a shimmering motif of Celtic knots.
Her hair had been straightened and was styled into luscious voluminous curls that Hiccup wanted to curl his fingers around. Her eyes had a light layer of eye shadow. A small splash of red just above the eyes followed by a dark smoky blue that drew attention and made her eyes pop. All in all…god damn! Why wasn't he with her again?
"Hiccup?" Merida asked questionably.
Hiccup blinked in surprise as he realized he'd been staring dumbly at her. With his mouth hanging open. And looking like a dork. "Oh…its fine Merida," he said rubbing the back of his head. "You look great," he told her.
She smiled gratefully. "Thank you. You look handsome yourself," she said looking at his lush black suit with a dark green tie. Very handsome, she thought to herself.
"Than—thank you," he stammered out. He blushed red and cleared his throat. "So? Shall we?" He said extending his arm. She smiled and nodded before linking her arm with his. And together they walked down the stairs and into the sight of their guests.
Everyone gasped as they saw them. They looked good. Not only that they looked good together.
"Thank you all for coming," Hiccup said aloud. "I want to say welcome and enjoy yourselves as we celebrate the merging of Haddock Industries and Dunbroch Corp," he said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"And I'd like to propose a toast to a powerful partnership that will last for years to come," Merida added.
Everyone smiled and clapped at their words before turning to mingle and catch up with associates and business rivals.
Merida smiled as she walked with Hiccup down the stairs and onto the ballroom floor. They walked to their seats as everyone else also began to take their seats as well. When they got to their table Hiccup pulled out her chair for her. She smiled gratefully before sitting down.
Hiccup sat beside her. And though he tried he couldn't stop staring at her. She was beautiful. She looked like she should be royalty. He never wished he wasn't a super hero more than in his entire life than now.
Merida's faced burned as she noticed Hiccup was staring at her. She watched him out of the corner of her eyes. He was making her nervous. She tried not to show it as she took a sip of her champagne. Though truth be told she was happy he was looking at her again. It felt like he'd been ignoring her existence.
Eventually Hiccup managed to tear his eyes away from her and focused on his meal before him. So everyone around them dug in as they spoke and talked about events and business deals. Many suggestions of a fundraising event was tossed their way which they agreed to.
Soon enough an hour passed and everyone was finishing their meals. The musicians started playing their songs and soon a man asked Merida to dance. She smiled and accepted, not noticing a very peeved looking Hiccup watch her being led to the dance floor.
So Merida danced with her partner, trying to ignore and forget about the troubles in her life. And while she did she thought of Hiccup. The way he looked at her. She could see the adoration in his eyes. It confused her. Was he still into her or wasn't he?
Ugh…men! She thought to herself in exasperation.
Another man asked her to dance after a song ended and she accepted. As she looked around the dance floor she saw Hiccup dancing with another woman as well. Jealousy churned within her as she saw him flash her that stupid grin of his.
He never smiled at her like that anymore.
"May I have the next dance Ms. Dunbroch?" came a deep rumbling voice behind her.
Merida stiffened and went wide eyed at the voice. It was all too familiar. She turned around slowly and was met with a dark nearly seven foot wall of a beast of a man. Her head slowly drifted up as she looked into the feral, predatory smile of her greatest foe. Both as Merida and Archer.
"Mor'du"
New chapter feel free to review.