Astrid Hofferson: A Different Story

The New Dragon

Berk
A few weeks later

"Okay, now remember, gang we're only taking absolute necessities to Dragon's Edge," Hiccup said.
"I guess we're leaving you behind, Fishlegs," Snotlout said.
"Come on. You're better than that, Snotlout. Oh, wait. No, you're not. Come on, girl, you can do it. Lift with your legs," Fishlegs said.
"Fishlegs, do you need all those rocks?" Astrid asked.
"Yes. Berk granite has a nicer finish. And trust me, you want the nicer finish," Fishlegs said.
"What are they doing?" Hiccup asked pointing to Ruff hitting Tuff on the head with maces.
"No idea," Astrid replied.

"Not bad. That's a two. Do it again. Yeah, three. I still think we could do better," Tuff said.
"Yes, we can!" Ruff shouted.
"Ouch! Oh, yeah, that is a four. Yep. One, two, three, four," Tuff said.
"I'll tag it and bag it," Ruff added.
"I'll tell you what any of you four need anything, I'll be right here!" Tuff exclaimed pointing at Ruff and nothing.

Stoick, Gobber, Bucket and Mulch walked up to the riders. Stoick looked very frustrated.

"Which one of the usual suspects was out sinking boats on their dragon this morning? I have my suspicions," he said.
"Sinking boats?" Astrid asked.
"Bucket and Mulch saw the whole thing. And don't try convincing me that there's anyone else in the archipelago who could pull something like this off! Well? I'm waiting," Stoick impatiently said.
"It was me, Chief! I couldn't control myself. I had to do it. What's wrong with me? Why do I do things like this?Why doesn't anybody do anything to stop me?.Can't you all see that it's a desperate cry for help?" Tuff cried.
"What are you talking about? None of that happened," Ruff said.
"I know that. But I always wanted to confess to something. Had a play. I didn't overdo it, did I?" Tuff asked.
"Yeah. I mean, overall, you seemed grounded, but still it was a little hard to believe," Ruff replied.

"Dad,the truth is, we've been together all morning. It couldn't have been one of us attacking the ship," Hiccup said.
"Well, if it wasn't one of you, I'd say, we have a much more serious problem on our hands," Stoick suggested.
"Rogue dragon rider?" Astrid asked
"Not good, not good at all," Fishlegs said
"No, it isn't. And we need to find out who it is," Hiccup said.
"What's the crazy plan?" Snotlout asked.
"Bucket, Mulch, can you remember where the rider was sinking the boat?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes, why?" Mulch asked.
"We're going to that boat," Hiccup replied.
"That answers my question," Snotlout said.

A few minutes later
On the ship

"Okay, gang, let's spread out! Try to find anything tying into the dragon!" Hiccup shouted.
"I've been thinking about this rogue dragon rider," Astrid said.
"Dagur?" Hiccup asked.
"It makes sense. If Dagur has a dragon and is attacking ships, then who's to say we won't be next?" Astrid asked.

"Hiccup! You got to see this!" Fishlegs shouted.
"Astrid keep searching the boat," Hiccup said running over.
"Look at these gashes," Fishlegs said.
"Those are some deep gashes. Any idea what it could be?" Hiccup asked.
"This dragon is extremely powerful. It has the slashing attack of a Speed Stinger yet from the depth of the strikes it appears to be as strong as a Typhoomerang," Fishlegs relied in amazement.

"You guys, you find anything else?" Hiccup asked shouting.
"This ship has been stripped of everything valuable," Astrid said.
"Who ever did this must have wanted what these guys had," Snotlout said.
"Nothing over here. Right, sis?" Tuff asked.
"Nope, nothing," Ruff said.
"Zilch. Not a thing in front, behind, or to either side of us," Tuff added.
"You know I can see that, don't you?" Hiccup asked.
"Alright, alright, but we get to keep it," Ruff said.
"Yeah, finders keepers. Losers...I... losers don't get this 'cause it's way too cool for a loser," Tuff said.
"A barb!" Fishlegs exclaimed.
"That looks like one of Stormfly's," Astrid pointed out.
"Which means the dragon we're looking for could belong to the Sharp Class. In fact, I'd bet my Meatlug on it! No, no, don't worry, girl. It's just an expression. I'd never do that," Fishlegs said as Tuff grabbed the barb.
"Tuff, can I have this for a minute?" Hiccup asked.
"No," Tuff said putting his hand on the top of the barb.

"Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Hiccup asked looking at the barb.
"Oooh! Good game, Hiccup! You think of something, and we'll try to guess what it is. If we do, we get a prize. Alright? Think away, my good man. And let the game begin," Tuff said.
"Hmm. Let me see. I'm thinking you two are muttonheads," Snotlout said.
"Yes! I win!" Tuff exclaimed.
"I was actually thinking, if we find the dragon, we find the rider. And I have a pretty good idea of how we can find the dragon," Hiccup said.
"How?" Astrid asked.
"All I'm saying is that my idea involves Bucket," Hiccup said mounting Toothless.

Berk

"Sharp! Did I say that it's sharp?" Bucket panicked.
"I know, Bucket. We've gone over that 20 times," Astrid said.
"Well, it's got a very long tail... and it can tie itself into a knot with two large wings to slice the mast," Bucket explained.
"So?" Hiccup asked when Fishlegs finished drawing the image.
"I've never seen anything like this in Book of Dragons or Bork's papers," Fishlegs replied.
"But there is one place we haven't looked yet," Hiccup said.
"Where?" Astrid asked.
"The dragon eye. Can you get Stormfly?" Hiccup asked.
"What are you thinking?" Astrid asked.
"I don't know but I don't like it," Fishlegs replied.

"So, I'm thinking, since Stormfly is also a Sharp Class..." Hiccup started
"Her magnesium blast could possibly illuminate some information about this new dragon," Fishlegs finished.

"Stormfly, easy now. Just enough to light it up," Astrid said.
"Deadly Nadder. I must have missed this the first time around. Who's got some chalk? I have to translate it," Fishlegs said.
"Fishlegs, now's not the time," Hiccup said changing the dragon eye lenses to show a different dragon.
"Speed Stinger! One of my favorites. There's always so much to learn," Fishlegs said.
"Oh, my Thor! Can I go?" Snotlout asked.
"Snotlout!" Astrid scolded.
"What?" Snotlout asked.
"That's it!" Ruff shouted.
"It's called a Razorwhip," Astrid said.

"Okay, Fishlegs, do your thing," Hiccup said.
"Okay. Razorwhip. "Sharp Class dragon. Long, spiny, barbed tail.
Very aggressive. Very dangerous..." he started.
"Yeah, we got that. Give us something new," Snotlout interrupted.
"You want to do this, Snotlout?" Fishlegs asked.
"Duh! I would... but I'm just... you know... I don't feel like it right now?" Snotlout stammered.
"Continuing on, this symbol indicates that it can use its tail to wrap around a victim and literally squeeze the life out of them. Unless it's in a hurry. Then it just slices you in half," Fishlegs continued.
"Punch me, because I must be dreaming," Tuff said.
"Fishlegs, is there anything about this dragon that won't kill us?" Astrid asked.
"How about its eyeballs?" Ruff asked.
"No. Poisonous tears," Fishlegs read.
"Poisonous! I love it!" Tuff shouted.
"Yeah. Poison's fantastic. Fishlegs, is there anything that might help us locate it?" Hiccup asked.
""Top speed, mating rituals, oral hygiene, feeding habits..." Fishlegs said.
"Wow, wow, wow, wait. Go back to that one," Hiccup ordered.
"Oral hygiene?" Fishlegs asked.
"No! Feeding habits. If we can figure out what this thing eats, then we might figure out where it eats," Hiccup explained.
"Sea slugs!" Fishlegs exclaimed.
"Where?" Tuff asked frightened.
"It eats sea slugs," Fishlegs said.
"Slugs? I hate those slimy monsters. They're just snails without homes. Giant homeless snails!" Tuff screamed
"We've come across a few islands out there that are just crawling with sea slugs. Hopefully, our Razorwhip's feeling hungry," Hiccup said.
"And hungry for sea slugs, not Vikings," Astrid added.