Astrid stood in her office, arms crossed over her chest, as she scanned her board. Notes, pictures, newspaper clippings and article printouts, etc were pinned on the board as Astrid looked over them. Files and notes were left scattered on her desk, and some papers were even taped on the wall.
Astrid sighed as she sat back down on her chair, glancing at her laptop, where various tabs were open, displaying different articles and paused footages.
"Just what the heck are you, Nightfury." She muttered, as she took out her notebook.
Flipping through the pages, she found a blank page, and started writing down her thoughts that swirled in her mind.
"Nightfury, highly skilled and possesses high combat iq. Possibly well versed in public security, with how he stealthily moves around the city without anyone ever noticing him. He's very likely an ex-military.
He's strategic, and calculated. Extremely brutal, with few surviving an encounter with him. And those that do survive, are more often than not left with severe trauma.
His current targets are The Outcasts, and anyone related to that gang. He's attacking their associates, slowly weakening them and disrupting operations. He acts in the hot zones, strategically picking his targets, and taking them down with efficiency." Astrid noted, writing them down in the notebook.
As she scribbled down her notes, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for his precision and skill.
She had first hand experience of how deadly this vigilante can be, when he had saved her from her assailants.
Astrid's hand subconsciously drifted to her right arm, at the spot where a buckshot had grazed her, a reminder of the night when Nightfury had saved her life. A mix of gratitude and frustration swirling within her.
"He's a vigilante. He works against the law." she muttered, as if trying to remind herself of why she's pursuing him.
Astrid sighed, as she put her focus on her laptop, sifting through the open tabs, until one tab caught her eye. The tab displayed an article, detailing one of Nightfury's previous acts. The event, in which the vigilante had saved a number of trapped women from a sex trafficking ring, and had taken out the people involved in the criminal activities.
Her gaze lingered on the pictures of the women, all looking terrified but also relieved.
Nightfury had saved these women, while law enforcement weren't even aware of them in the first place.
Astrid closed the tab, and leaned back on her chair, looking back at the board.
"His hands are invoking justice." She muttered, remembering the words that Detective Frost had once told her.
Her gaze lingered on the various things pinned on her board, her eyes trying to trace some connection between the various pieces. Nightfury, his actions defied characterizations.
He was both a murderous brutal vigilante, and, by some perspective, a hero.
Her thoughts swirled with the contradictions. Nightfury's actions were wrong, yet a part of her understood the intent behind those actions. The vigilante undermined the law. But what can she say when the law itself can't help everyone.
Astrid's gaze drifted to various newspaper clippings on the board, highlighting a case of many of Nightfury's victims. Criminals who hadn't been prosecuted by the law, due to lack of evidence. The very same criminals who have ruined who knows how many lives.
Many families had been left devastated, feeling that justice had not been served. That is until Nightfury had come along.
Astrid knew of countless similar situations. Cases that had crumbled due to loopholes in law, investigations that had been stopped due to the lack of resources, prosecutions avoided thanks to influence and bribery. The law had its limitations. And sometimes, it felt like the system was more focused on protecting the perpetrators than the victims, especially if the said perpetrators held a position of power.
Nightfury, on the other hand, operated outside of such limitations.
He didn't have to worry about warrants, legal rights, or courtroom technicalities. He was a force in and of himself, driven by his own moral code and sense of justice. Affecting those who are responsible directly.
But it is also what makes him so dangerous.
Because the justice he delivers is his own sense of justice. Without the checks and balances of the law, Nightfury was free to dispense his brutal justice, without any regards for due processes or accountability.
He represented a dilemma. A cold blooded killer, who conducts his actions in the name of justice. But, he also bore proof of the deficiencies of law.
Astrid sighed as she leaned back on her chair. She felt like she was getting torn between two opposing forces.
She knew she shouldn't be feeling anything for her target. That he is a criminal who should be taken down before he can cause any long lasting damage. But at the same time, she felt a sense of intrigue, an attraction dare she say, for him.
But how can she ignore it, when she herself has experienced Nightfury's protection.
He had come just in time to save her from her assistants, while the police were still far away. And she was unsure if she could have survived even if police arrived there in time.
Astrid's thoughts swirled with the memories of that night. The feeling of helplessness, the desperation, and the sight of Nightfury's masked face as he took down her attackers.
That night had left her shaken, but also grateful.
Astrid shook her head, her mind torn between duty and curiosity.
"What's wrong with you, Astrid?" She muttered,"You're an agent, not a fan girl. Your focus should be on stopping Nightfury, not admiring him."
But the words felt hollow. She felt as if she was missing something.
Astrid stood up from her chair, pacing around the room as she tried to process her emotions. She couldn't let her personal feelings get in the way of her duty.
Nightfury was a criminal, whom she had to bring to justice.
A criminal who could do what no law man can do.
A criminal who holds too much power in his hands.
A criminal who has shaken up the criminal world of Berk to its very core.
A criminal who will bring more harm than good.
A knock on the door broke Astrid out of her thoughts. "Come in." She called out, glancing at the door.
The door opened and Snotlout stepped inside. The short raven haired man looked... off in her eyes. As if he's spooked or nervous.
"Astrid, you might wanna see this!" Snotlout exclaimed.
Astrid was curious by this, and she followed after Snotlout, as they both made their way down the hallways and towards the cafeteria.
In the hall of the cafeteria, many people were gathered near the TV, murmuring amidst themselves as they watched something. Astrid and Snotlout pushed through the crowd, eventually reaching in the front, with the blonde letting out a gasp once she saw what's being shown on the TV.
"As you can see, we have got a situation downtown. Civilians are on the road, clamoring and rioting. They are dissatisfied with the current state of law enforcement, dissatisfied with their lack of action. People are claiming the police aren't doing enough to stop the crimes. They're calling for Nightfury to take action." The news anchor announced, while a live telecasted scene on the TV displayed the situation.
The streets were flooded with protesters, with the entire downtown area ablaze with chaos. Their voices raised in anger and frustration, signs and banners waving above the sea of heads, reading "Justice Now!","Why Can't Law Help Us!","We Demand Justice!","Justice for Berk!","Nightfury is our only hope!", and "Nightfury, Save Us!"
Police officers in riot gear formed a barricade, trying to hold back the surging crowd, and get the situation under control, barely containing the relentless tide of bodies from pushing forward.
"We demand justice! We demand Nightfury!" The crowd erupted into cheers, their chants growing louder and more insistent.
Astrid's gut twisted as she watched the news.
"Nightfury! Nightfury!" The rioters' chants echoed through the news telecast.
Astrid glanced around, noticing how several of her colleagues were giving her a side eye while whispering amongst herself. She knew they were talking about her. Nightfury, after all, was her case. She hadn't managed to catch him in time, and now the situation has escalated so far.
"Astrid?..." Snotlout called out, placing his arm on her shoulder.
But Astrid didn't respond, her eyes were once again focused on the news, as the anchor continued to give updates regarding the event.
Astrid could only watch. This was the influence of Nightfury.
He represented an enigma. One that undermines the authority of law, in favour of invoking brutal vigilante justice. And now, the public opinion is shifting more in the favour of this enigma, idolizing him.
Astrid couldn't help herself as her mind raced with the potential consequences.
If Nightfury continued his crusade, would others also follow in his footsteps? The very thought sent a shiver down her spine.
Astrid couldn't help but wonder if Nightfury was also watching this, seeing what his actions have brought out, his effects on the public opinion. Or is he simply hiding, waiting for his next move?
The scene on the TV cut back to the news anchor. "We're seeing widespread unrest, not only in downtown, but also across various other parts of the city. While some are more peaceful, rest have the protesters clashing with police.
Emergency services are stretched to the limit, as they struggle to handle such a large-scale event." She announced,"We've received statements from some of the rioters, who claim to be fighting for justice and accountability.
One protester, who wished to remain anonymous, posted on social media:
'We are tired of being ignored and marginalized. Tired of inaction. Tired of the system not holding those who are guilty accountable. If the law won't give us the justice we deserve, then we will snatch it by ourselves.
And in this unfair world, only one person is doing what's necessary, and the system has decided to dub him as a criminal. And it's the Nightfury.
The Nightfury is our only hope for change.'"
The anchor's expression turned somber as she looked up. "These sentiments are echoed by many on social media, who see Nightfury as a symbol of resistance against a corrupt system.
However, others have condemned the violence and destruction, calling for peaceful protests and dialogue."
The news anchor paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing,"We will continue to bring you updates on this developing story as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we urge everyone to remain calm and stay safe.
And for further news, keep watching NTV."
The news broadcast ended, with advertisements now being displayed in its place. The murmurs and whispers amongst the crowd gathered in the cafeteria sounded even louder now. While Astrid stood in the middle of it all, with a blank expression. Snotlout looked at Astrid with concern.
"Astrid, you okay?" He asked, shaking her shoulder slightly.
This seemed to finally snap her out, as she let out a gasp. She glanced at Snotlout, her breathing short and rapid, her eyes wide.
"I,... I-I need to go." She managed to mutter, before she peeled away from the spot.
"H-Hey, wha- Astrid! Wait!" Snotlout called out after her, as he tried to follow after her, but to no avail.
By the time he had managed to get past the wall of people crowded around him, Astrid had already disappeared. Snotlout looked around, but the blonde agent was nowhere in sight.