Soul of the Sky (HTTYD Runaway Fic)

When Worlds Collide

Astrid
I slammed the hilt of my axe into the cell door. "What's going on?" I yelled through the bars. The sounds of dragonfire continued, punctuated by the snap of metal and wood being broken. I could hear dragons outside, their noises provoking memories I hadn't thought about in a long time. Every blast reminded me of Hiccup. The boy I'd loved, who I hadn't been able to save. Killed by a Night Fury six years ago. I fingered the black scale attached to the hilt of the weapon he'd given me.

The gesture had been more noticeable than I'd thought. "Thinking about Hiccup?" Fishlegs murmured in my ear. A few months after Hiccup's death, Fishlegs had found me crying in the cove. I'd told him about my crush, and how I'd regretted every time I'd ignored the bullying instead of helping. It turned out we had something in common. He and Hiccup had been close when they were younger, but Fishlegs had drifted away once the bullying started in fear of becoming a target himself.

We both regretted not being better people. We stayed out late that night, telling stories about the crazy young Viking who had burned down the village on a regular basis. Now six years on, he had been my closest friend on Berk and the only person who knew how I had felt about Hiccup. The twins and Snotlout were also part of what we termed the 'gang', but we understood each other the best. And he'd also turned out to be an excellent strategist and a good person. Who knew?

A/N: No, there shall be no shipping Fishstrid. Sorry. I just don't really see them as a couple. Close friends, yes, but not romantic. BTW all of the teens are friends, they've matured and aren't the same people they were six years ago.

I was about to reply when I heard a clatter from outside the cell. We exchanged glances, gesturing to the others to move away from the door. Just in time, as it crashed open and almost crushed Snotlout. Someone else was pushed inside and the entry was blocked again as the door slammed shut. All five of us stared at the stranger, on the defensive. They were dressed in black armour that looked like dragon scales, and their face was obscured by a helmet. Snotlout looked over at me. His eyes conveyed a clear message. Attack?
Then we were all startled out of our minds when the stranger spoke in hesitant, heavily-accented Norse. "W-who are you?"

Hiccup
"I could ask you the same thing." the blonde girl answered, her eyes challenging me. I adopted a nonchalant pose. "The awesomest person on Midgard." Whoops, that was probably an ill-advised response. All five Vikings stared at me. "What, do I have something on my face?"

The one who had spoken before glared at me. "Talk. I know you speak our language, so do it. Weird dragon noises aren't going to endear you to anyone. Who. Are. You?" Uh oh, hadn't meant to do that. When you speak Dragonese for six years, it's hard to get back to using Norse. "Well, that....depends on w-where you come from." I answered, stumbling over the words. "I-in this part of the Archipelago, I'm k-known as the 'Dragon Master'. And you?"

All five of them took a step away. "The Dragon Master?" the tall one asked. "Like, the one who can control the dragons? Johann's mystery weaponmaker?" I sighed. I hadn't wanted rumours about me to get around, but I'd needed the leather to repair Toothless' tail. "You know of m-me, but I b-believe I am at a..." I trailed off, searching for the right word. "Disadvantage?" one of the Vikings suggested. "Disadvantage. I don't know who you are." They looked at each other, caution written in capital, bold and underlined letters across their faces.

Eventually the girl sighed. "I guess it's only fair. But before we tell you anything, we agree on a truce. We won't attack you if you don't attack us." I looked at her oddly. "I d-don't recall there being a w-war." Momentary alarm. Wait, was there? I hadn't been to this part of the Archipelago in years.
She glared at me, tapping her axe against the stone wall. "I promised the chief I'd bring them back alive. I'm not taking any risks."

"Deal." That word brought back memories, memories of a scared fifteen-year-old. The child I once had been. I extended my hand. She stared at it warily as if I was handing her an eel, but reluctantly shook it. "Okay, now we have a t-truce. Who are y-you and where do you c-come from?" And why the Helheim are you in Alvin's cells?

"My name is Astrid Hofferson, heir of Berk."

A/N: *insert dramatic music* The crossover you were all waiting for! It has happened! And because I'm evil, the chapter ends here. *runs away from angry readers with pitchforks* BYE TOOTHLETS!

Edit from future Isarn09:
Yes.
I know.
This chapter is bad.
But I have no more ideas now than I did then.
Excuse me.