Symphony of Shadows

67. Bolt

A/N: Sorry this chapter took me so long to get out. If I had the chance to be a full time writer, I would say yes in a second.  Trust me. But alas, life calls. Anyways, I'll hopefully get the next chapter out next Sunday at around 10pm American Eastern Standard Time:) Enjoy this one!

Her shoulders weighed heavy with every flap of Stormfly's wings. The Submaripper's limp body sent a spear into her heart. It had been their only hope, an unkowing martyr. Astrid prayed to Odin that it would be given mercy by the gods. She didn't know what happened to dragons in the afterlife, but she could only hope it was a better life than this one.

There had to be a way other than the Submaripper to stop Viggo, but Astrid couldn't think of an another solution.

"What are we gonna do now?"

Ruffnut's dejected voice mirrored Astrid's own sense of hopelessness. The Outcasts were gone but Viggo still laid siege on Berk. The fireballs weren't as frequent but they were still on target. Most of the village had been destroyed—the only building still standing was the Mead Hall supported by the mountain. But even it wasn't left unscathed as fallen boulders lay near the entrance. Thankfully, the doors weren't blocked by the massive stones. One less thing they had to worry about.

Toothless approached and she sighed in relief at Hiccup's presence. They'd figure this out together. His eyes were alight with curiosity and she knew there was an idea brewing in that big beautiful brain of his.

"What are we thinking, babe?"

Ruffnut scoffed in mock annoyance.

"Yeah let's play 'ignore Ruffnut'. I love that game."

Tuffnut smirked deviously and pretended to inspect the air around his sister.

"Yeah me too! I love that game! I never knew the wind could talk though. Suspicious..."

Ruffnut rolled her eyes and Astrid's lips twitched into a small smile.

Typical twins.

But Hiccup didn't seem like he was listening to the twins antics. Instead, he pulled out a flask from his saddlebag. Astrid wondered how deep the bag was for him to carry around so many trinkets. It was like a sack on Snoggletog. Yet, the flask was rather unimpressive as everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Snotlout and Fishlegs joined the group, stumbling upon the odd moment.

"Uh, Hiccup, I don't think mead is gonna get us out of this one."

Snotlout, ever the wiseass, commented.

Hiccup shot him a patronizing look and shook his head.

"It's not mead. It's acid. Changewing acid to be specific."

Snotlout's sneer oozed with false confidence.

"Right. Yeah, I knew that."

Ruffnut giggled and Astrid flashed him a knowing look. But the low whistle of a fireball launching through the air quickly killed the light mood. 

Hiccup's face was set in determination before he tugged the visor of his helmet down. She was sure her expression matched his. It was now or never. 

He turned to Snotlout and the twins.