Righteous (A Modern HTTYD AU)

~8~

"I'm confused," Tuffnut said as he stared at the map Hiccup had rolled out on the table. Ruffnut was still slightly indignant, but less so than she would have been had Hiccup let her cool down on her own without suggesting wreaking some havoc. That was the twins' speciality after all.

"This is strategically placed," Hiccup said, rubbing his hand down his face. "Trust me."

"Not like you trust us," Ruffnut grumbled.

"With good reason," the Night Fury retorted. The twins paused, then snickered.

"Good point."

With that out of the way, Hiccup rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. "We attack here. No casualties, not until I give the word. Property damage, at worst."

"How severe can the property damage be?" Tuffnut asked. "That's an important detail, Hiccy."

"I don't care. No casualties."

"Strange," Fishlegs said, crossing his arms. "The Night Fury doesn't want to kill anyone? Why's that?"

"Strategy."

"Strategy's lame," Ruffnut said. "Just go for it!"

"I'm trying to hole some people out. Happy?"

"Heroes?"

"Yes."

"But wait, if you have a hunch on who they are, why no casualties?" Tuffnut asked, scratching his head.

"It doesn't help our cause to just murder them, at least in front of civilians. Our cause is to prove that they are weak and incompetent. Make the people think and defend themselves."

"So...property damage and then murder?" Ruffnut said expectantly.

"When I say so."

"Who do you suspect?" Fishlegs asked as the twins cheered and scampered off to get geared up. Hiccup glanced at him. "I know, I know, you said 'I'll see', but I prefer to know what I'm doing."

"We're not killing anyone. If my plan works, we'll either know the heroes' identities or have a solid connection to them."

"So they're in the area you marked." The Gronckle tapped the map. Hiccup nodded. "Okay. I trust you. I suppose knowing that you know is enough, isn't it?"

"It'll have to be," Hiccup responded. He turned around, looking for the twins. "Get geared up. The sooner we get this done, the happier I'll be."

~

"Did someone order a serving of double trouble? 'Cause you're about to get served!" The twins whooped as they jumped from the roof, landing easily on the ground and lifting an assortment of objects off the ground. The civilians erupted into chaos at the sight of the Zippleback twins while Hiccup and Fishlegs marched down the street, looking side to side.

"Anyone specific?" Fishlegs asked.

"Nice try."

"Just trying to get on your same wavelength, Night Fury." Hiccup rolled his eyes, though it was lost under his helmet. Toothless perched on his shoulder, tail flicking.

"You go left," he finally ordered the Gronckle. "I'll cover over here."

"You got it." Fishlegs veered off to the right while Hiccup went to the left, ignoring the terrified civilians.

He saw her inside the building before she saw him, but only by a few seconds. Astrid was on her feet in an instant, yelling something to her companions, who instantly scattered.