Into the Archipelago(HTTYD one-shots)

What Did You Just Say?

"You guys get the Snow Wraiths out of there, I'll go after Ryker!" I holler, watching the hunters scramble to safety below. I wait till the other riders are out of the way before taking off. I catch sight of him giving orders to his men, pulling back on Toothless. "Ryker! Looks like your in a tough spot this time!" I shout, grabbing his attention. Out of the corner of my eye I see a silver dragon swoop out of the sky, familiar metal clinking sounding from the beating of the wings. "Heather," I breath. So it's true. She is working for the hunters!

"Sorry Hiccup. We gotta go," she sneers, snatching up Ryker as she dives down. I step on it, repositioning Tothless' tail fin to add more speed. Ryker says something to Heather, which I don't take as a good sign, before unleashing arrows in our direction. His quiver is empty after only three, so I take this as my chance, finally having a shot at capturing the leader. A shot at putting an end to this. For good.

"Nice flying, Toothless." I encourage, earning a warble. "Now, it's our turn." Toothless takes aim. I hear the whistle of the blast as it grows inside his mouth. Suddenly, Stormfly pulls up in front of me. I assume she saw Heather turn the corner and decided to go after her after securing the Snow Wraiths, but didn't see me take the turn as well, flying right into my line of fire. "Astrid! Look out!." I shout, in a panic, maneuvering around her, glad she's joined me in the chase.

"Hiccup, no!" she calls after me. I ignore her, needing to focus, and not completely understanding her plea, but too preoccupied to spend time thinking about it. Maybe she's just afraid I'll accidentally hit Heather, instead of knocking them out of the sky. I've done it once. I can do it again. Toothless has amazing accuracy anyway. Toothless' plasma blast forms in his mouth, the whine building. "Hiccup! Heather's with us!" I hear Astrid shout behind me.

My mind fogs over, my eardrums seal shut, and I become motionless. The whistle of Toothless' blast tickles my ears, and I pull back on his saddle to stop him... a little too late. The plasma blast sails past Windsheer as she turns out of sight. My brows furrow, and I whirl around to face the blond girl behind me. "What did you just say?" I bark at her.

Her guilty expression confirms that I heard correctly. I knew something wasn't right the minute she ditched me... she ditched me... when we were scoping out the Snow Wraiths earlier. She had lied to me. She had played me for a fool. I had told her I relied on her. Stupid. But of all people... Astrid lied. I push Toothless forward, wanting to get back the the Edge, wanting to put as much distance between us as possible.

I land in front of the others, stepping off of Toothless. "Did you secure the Snow Wraiths?" I ask in a harsh voice, my hands balled into fists so tight, that my knuckles turn white over the bone.

"Safe and sound." Fishlegs answers, uneasy by my tone, the others more skeptical of my sudden mood change.

"Hormonal?" I hear Tuff lean over and ask Ruff, who just shrugs.

"Are the hunters gone?" I demand. I hear Astrid land a few feet away. From the corner of my eye, she slides off of Stormfly and stays put, a defeated look on her face. She doesn't dare step toward me as she normally would, but instead casts her eyes down and remains mute. I can tell the others feel the tension. "Are the hunters gone?!" I shout louder.

"They disappeared around the side of the glacier. We couldn't find them," Snotlout speaks up. 

"Did you catch Ryker and Heather?" Ruffnut asks, hopeful, clasping her hands together.

"Why don't you ask her?" I spit, gesturing to Astrid with my chin. I can tell my choice of words stung, but I'm too upset right now to care. She opens her mouth and shuts it again, no words coming out. "Lets go. Astrid has some confessing to do." I mount Toothless, my eyes watery with rage. "Now!" I order when nobody moves.

No one speaks, but the silence is so loud I swear my eardrums are going to explode. I can hear every word their not saying, and it's driving me insane. But at the same time, it's like everyone is holding their breath too, and I know that if we don't get to the Edge soon, I'm going to scream. The longer we fly the more of the riders seem to disappear. I know there are still all eleven of us, but it feels like it's just Astrid and I, as she breathes humid air down my neck. Then the words come. Not the riders'. Not Astrid's. Mine. Over and over again, continuously in my mind.... 

"I rely on you."

Thank you for reading!! Hope you liked it. Please vote and comment. I am taking requests/ideas. That would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Love,

hiccstrid_lover_98