The Shadow's Bane

Double In Play

Astrid's POV:

When Tuffnut said the words "another brother", that was enough on its own to get my curiosity kicking. Which was also when I realised that Hiccup wasn't telling me something.

Well he may not be the greatest listener so as Evil Jim had just stated, there was one thing he was good at: keeping secrets.

I should know that better than anyone. The signs of hidden truth were as obvious as the Terrible Terror singing on the rooftops ever since Hiccup had told me to stay in the village as he had dashed out earlier this evening to find Jim.

It reminded me of the time when he had insisted I stayed at the Edge after being blinded by that fire.

"Astrid, there is no way you're flying in your condition. All right?" He had said. "I am sorry. As leader, I am putting my foot down."

But because we were both stubborn, I had still ended up coming with him. "Remind me never to put my foot down," he said once he had no choice but to take me with him on Toothless.

He should know by now not to hide anything from me or tell me what to do.

"Wait. Did you hear that?" I suddenly asked when a distinguishable rattling sound came from inside Hiccup's house.

At my warning, Hiccup let go of my hand and started edging towards the door cautiously. Then it came again. "Hiccup," Fishlegs said. He ignored him which was when I began to follow Hiccup since I heard the noise first.

"Astrid, what are you-"

I saw him before he could stop me. "Jim?" I asked. Because there standing with his back facing us by the fire, was someone who looked like Jim... Until he turned around.

"But you're supposed to be at the Dragons Academy," Hiccup said for me. "Unless..." Just then, who we thought was Jim turned around with that evil and unforgivable smirk on his face. "You..." Hiccup loathed.

"Me?" Evil Jim feigned. "Oh but dear Hiccup. Who's to say that I am the real Jim while the Jim you knew all along was actually me?"

"How dare you?" I said, wishing I had Heather's axe with me to hit him in thst devilish face of his. "Jim is our friend-"

"Then what am I?" He asked me, spreading his arms out wide. "Tell me, Astrid Hofferson, have I killed anyone yet? Jim and I, on the other hand, are not so much different than you think. Heed my warning, Hiccup Haddock. Because that choice will fall upon you to make."

"You may have not killed anyone yet, but as far as I know you almost made Jim crazy and go all dark side, thus almost doing things that he would regret-"

"And not to mention brewing trouble in Berk," Fishlegs added. "If you are the real Jim then why are you doing this? You're the Trollhunter."

For a moment, it looked as if Fishlegs really had got through that thick armour of his for a second. Until that evil smile came again. "Sorry," he said. "But it looks as if I've got a troll to hunt. And now that the Mark is my Sigil, it won't be long till Jim Lake Junior realises that he is a fake. Always was. And always will be. Without that anti-armour, he is nothing," he snarled. Which made me think.

"Oh yeah?" I said. "Then what are you without it?"

I was the one smirking this time. "Aren't you the clever one, Miss Hofferson. Without me, Jim would never have been able to defeat Gunmar, let alone Angor Rott. And you know that Hiccup," he said.

"I will know which side you are on when I see you at the battle field. Don't think for a second that that pesky fool of a dragon can save your life when you do."

Next to us, Toothless gave out a low growl in warning. Preparing to defend us in a moments notice.

"Oh no. Hiccup!" Fishlegs cried. As if on cue, Evil Jim made a leaping dash towards the roof, shattering the planks on impact.

"Hiccup?" I asked when he didn't saying anything further. Only stared up at the night sky with despair visible in his green eyes. The eyes that I had fallen in love with over the years. "Hiccup, what are you thinking? You don't seriously believe that pyshco-path, do you?"

Next to him, Toothless lay his head on Hiccup's lap as Hiccup continued to stare unmoving at the night sky that we could now see through the gaping hole in the roof above us.

"To be honest, Astrid," he finally said. "I don't know. For all you know Evil Jim could be right. What if we have been trusting the wrong person all along? For all you know, we have."