THIRTEEN:

"Between us, we can take the school."

Everyone froze as they heard Hiccup's words. They looked at him and saw his lips curled up in a small smile. Tuff nudged Ruffnut.

"He's smiling," he murmured. "That is never a good sign..."

"No-because a smiling Hiccup is a Hiccup with a plan," Fishlegs said wisely.

"Hey-you've been smiling at me. A lot..." Astrid accused him but he winked.

"My only plan has been to be kind to you and hope you may give me a chance," he said. "The Valentine's card, remember?"

"That was your plan?" she asked him incredulously. Suddenly his expression fell.

"Um...yes?" he said, his voice wavering. She grinned.

"Gotcha! And it was a great plan-because genuine sincere emotion plays better than a million false cards!" she told him and he heaved a sigh of relief. Heather sipped her chocolate.

"Okay, guys-how do we take the school?" she asked thoughtfully. "I mean, not to pour cold water on your plan-whatever it is-but Atali has no end of hangers on and people who think she's wonderful. And the guys are admired because they are strong and confident and are great role models."

"No they aren't," Astrid interrupted her. "They're petty bullies and cruel people who are mean and vicious to people who don't match up to their own personal standard of perfection. And people need to really understand that."

"But they believe their own propaganda," Fishlegs sighed.

"Unless we given them something else to believe..." Tuff realised. His twin stared at him.

"What?" she asked grumpily, trying to retrieve her drink which he was waving around in the erroneous belief it was his.

"Tuff's right," Hiccup explained. "Atali and Mindy are weakened. And three of their group have defected...and would be perfectly within their rights to claim her place." Fishlegs raised his hand.

"Not wanting to be a pernickety entomologist but...when Queen Bees fight, it tends to be to the death..." he said worriedly.

"My money is on Astrid," Heather immediately said with a grin.

"Yeah-I wonder if they have a designer casket ready for Atali in 'her' colour?" Ruff added snidely. The others stared at her. "Metaphorically," she explained as they all relaxed.

"Don't worry-I am not killing anyone...physically," Astrid agreed. "But a bit of reputational mauling wouldn't go amiss..."

"Look-Astrid is far prettier than Atali, far smarter and definitely wittier, sassier and more interesting," Hiccup said.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," Hiccup replied with a grin. "So we restore her to her rightful place as Queen Bee of the Senior Year and take everyone down several pegs."

"How?" Dagur asked thoughtfully. Hiccup sighed.

"I'm open to suggestions. Anyone?" he offered as the doorbell rang and he rose. "I'll get it-it should be the pizzas..." Then he left. But in a few moments he was back, staggering under a giant pile of pizza boxes with two figures in tow, helping him carry all of Stoick's side orders. "Thanks," he said gratefully as he slid the boxes onto the table and the two shapes nodded a greeting at the gathered teens.

"Hiya Asti," Finn said, grinning. He was carrying a six-pack of lite beers. "I won't intrude on your friends but Stoick and Gobber asked me round for pizza and frankly, it's the best offer I've had all week. And of course, I asked if I could bring my friend round..." And he winked. The man next to him raised his head, his face shadowed by a Berk Marauders Baseball cap. Dane winked.

"Hey, Astrid," he smiled. "How have you been?"

"Oh my Thor, oh my Thor, oh my Thor...." Ruff squealed. Fishlegs squeaked and Heather blushed scarlet. The film star raised an eyebrow over his twinkling blue gaze.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"No-I need mouth to mouth resuscitation immediately!" Ruff said and then she blinked. "Sorry-my body made me say that," she apologised.

"I think you're their first ever film star," Astrid explained with a smile as Hiccup stared. Finn stuck his hand out.

"You're Astrid's boyfriend, eh?" he asked and dumbly, Hiccup nodded, automatically shaking his hand.

"Um...yes, Mr Hofferson. Pleased to meet you," he said tonelessly as Finn grinned and clapped him on the shoulder, almost knocking him sideways.

"You protected my niece's honour," he said with pride in his voice. "And though I am certain she can fight for her own honour, I was impressed when I heard of what you did. Considering how poorly most people in this school have treated her, you're a refreshing reminder not every teen is a selfish ass!" Hiccup blushed.

"I really didn't do so much apart from get in a brawl...along with Ruff..." he admitted, stoically not looking at Astrid. "I mean, she was a completely insane Amazon-just keep her from the condiments..." The female twin grinned, suddenly slightly bashful. Dane gave her a wink.

"Worthy of one of Freya's Valkyries," he commented. "Eh, Astrid?" Smiling, she agreed.

"Especially if they have a crazy, inappropriate one," she added. Finn shook his head.

"No no no no no!" he said firmly. "I mean, Astrid is one thing..." But Dane looked at her and then at Heather and Ruffnut. And then he smiled.

"Are you all doing anything tomorrow afternoon?" he asked as they all stared at him.

"I have nothing in my calendar!" Ruff announced immediately. "Ever. Until the end of time..." Her twin immediately slapped a hand over her mouth before she could say anything else.

"AP Biology and then Study..." Astrid murmured. Hiccup nodded as well as did Heather.

"When does Biology finish?" Dane asked, his blue eyes twinkling.

"One fifteen," Hiccup answered, frowning.

"Dane...what are you planning?" Finn asked and rolled his eyes. "I knew I was going to regret making you an Executive Producer..." But the film star smirked.

"I think Astrid's friends deserve to visit again..." Dane pointed out. "And we were planning on shooting that extra scene with the Valkyrie..." Finn made a shushing gesture. "And you haven't asked her yet?"

"Asked who what?" Astrid said, puzzled. Dane grinned.

"We looked at the rushes and discussed with the screenwriter that you were awesome!" the movie star told her warmly. "So we decided to bolster the role and shoot some more scenes with Thor and the Valkyrie." Heather and Ruff stared at her and the female twin frowned.

"Um...Ast? Something you wanna share?" she asked cautiously as the other blonde glanced over at Finn.

"Uncle?" she asked and Finn nodded.

"We visited the set on Saturday, before the dance," he explained. "One of the actors didn't show and Astrid took her place-as the Valkyrie. And she was amazing. So we wanted to expand the role. It would involve a few more days on set-which we could try to arrange after or before school..." Heather squealed and Ruff looked like she was about to explode with jealousy-but Dane winked at her.

"And we could maybe get your friends non-speaking roles as other Valkyries?" he suggested, causing Ruff to lunge at him and plant a sloppy kiss on his cheek. Then she backed away and blushed tomato red.

"Sorry..." she mumbled.

"And that is the first time I have ever seen my sister speechless," Tuff commented. "You sure you don't want to take her on? Permanently?" Dane chuckled.

"I'm good, thanks," he said. "She seems...enthusiastic..."

"Oh, you have no idea," Heather commented dryly. And then she looked over to Finn. "Is this for real, sir?" Finn nodded, still inspecting his niece.

"Oh yes," he said distractedly. "Asti?" She looked up, her expression uncertain.

"I'll mess it up," she murmured. "I mean, I'm not a proper actor, just someone who happened to be in the right place to help you out..."

"And sometimes in life, being in the right place at the right time is everything," Finn advised her, walking to stand inches away and leaning close to her, taking her hand. "You don't have to do it if you don't want, of course, but you are talented. You learned your words perfectly and you acted like a dream. Dane said he felt like he was opposite a ten year pro once the cameras were rolling. And that was you, Asti. You got a chance and you absolutely nailed it." She looked up, her eyes anxious.

"I don't want to mess anything up for you, Uncle," she told him softly but he gave a wide grin.

"I wouldn't allow it if I didn't have absolute faith in you, Asti," he assured her. "Notwithstanding that you are a Hofferson, you are determined and smart and just amazingly talented. I will sort out your contract and we'll get the script to you. But you cannot tell anyone that you are in the film..." Heather nodded but Ruff looked like she was about to burst into tears. But Hiccup gave a small smile.

"Can they at least take pictures for BerkBook and Berkchat?" he asked suddenly. "From their 'set visit'?" Astrid frowned.

"What is going on in that brilliant brain of yours, Haddock?" she asked him suspiciously and he grinned.

"The beginnings of a plan," he said. "Part one is making you the most desirable friend in Berk High-and being on the legendary set of 'Son Of Odin' is a big part of that. Part Two is ensuring that we become positive role models, meaning we are able to show what we can do. And Part Three is shining a very harsh light on the deficiencies of those the students currently think of as their heroes. Which means Fish and I may need to trawl some social media and dig out some things that they would rather remain buried..." Finn looked at him and then he chuckled.

"You know, Asti-you have a remarkable group of friends," he chuckled. "Come on, Dane-I'll introduce you to my old school friends. And they are very very Berkian..." The movie star grinned at the assembled teens.

"Before we go, I'll make sure you can get all the pictures you need for your plan," he said. "And on the set. Anything to help a friend!" And he winked at Astrid before grabbing the ultra meaty pizza that Stoick had ordered as well as a couple of sides and Gobber's special 'triple garlic' bread and heading for the Den. The teens all stared after them and Ruff visibly drooled.

"Oh Loki...me like..." she slurred and then she wiped her mouth. "Sorry-what just happened? I think I had a mass hallucination..."

"Nope," Heather said dryly. "You did just make a total idiot of yourself in front of Dane..." Fishlegs frowned.

"And did we actually get invited to the set tomorrow afternoon?"

"Sounded like it to me," Tuff said, watching his sister grin madly. Dagur chuckled.

"If Ruff can survive that long without exploding..." he commented.

"No chance," Tuff muttered as Hiccup moved to Astrid's side, seeing her looking downcast, though he couldn't understand why. He gently touched her arm.

"You okay?" he murmured as she shook her head.

"Can I raise the dragon in the room?" Heather asked and looked carefully at Astrid. "Did you actually take part in the film? As an actor? And met Dane then?"

She looked around the group and for the first time, her confidence wavered. She hadn't wanted to conceal the visit from her real friends but there had been limited chance to speak without other people overhearing-and Finn had been very adamant that she couldn't tell anyone that she had been in the film. But Hiccup gently took her hand.

"Is it any surprise?" Hiccup asked gently, seeing her discomfort. "She is a complete Valkyrie! She always has been."

"And now 'The' Valkyrie," she admitted, her face apologetic. "I'm really sorry but Finn made me promise that I couldn't tell anyone, that it had to be a secret..." But surprisingly, Ruffnut of all people burst out laughing.

"So when Atali was being bitchy about you not taking us to the set, you had already been and she was dissing someone who was actually in the film!" she laughed as Heather smiled as well.

"It's funny when you think about it like that," she admitted and looked at Astrid while the twins explored the pizza boxes. She beckoned her to sit. "But now the cat's out of the bag, could you tell us what it was like? Because it must have been really cool!" Smiling, Astrid slid into the seat next to Heather and pulled Hiccup into the seat on her other side.

"It was amazing!" she began...

oOo

The next day, Astrid met Heather in the car park. The twins were squabbling in her car because she had given them a lift but both were dressed up per Hiccup's plan-though Tuff's idea of dressing up meant he was wearing his vintage 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' tee-shirt with jeans and a duffle coat while Ruff was in a knee length green Prom dress with a Bolero black leather jacket and Doc Martens over thick black woollen tights. Dagur was sitting patiently beside them, squashed, in his leather gilet, sleeveless shirt and dark jeans and boots. Heather was her usual groomed self in a silver-grey skirt, blouse and Preppy cardigan and Astrid was in a short brown leather skirt with dark leggings, her knee length boots, a white silk blouse and pale blue blazer. She looked the others up and down.

"Good," she murmured. "Though Ruff is going to cause some raised eyebrows. That is waaaay out there..." The female twin immediately raised her hand.

"Don't leave me hanging!" she asked her friend and Astrid grinned, high-fiving her. "Look-I didn't get my Valentine's Dance-thanks to those asses-so this dress is too good to waste..." Astrid frowned.

"You weren't even wearing that at the dance," she pointed out. Ruff shrugged.

"I would have..." she said defensively. "Except the other dress was cooler...and is still covered in ketchup..."

"...and Hiccup's arrived," Heather commented with relief as the familiar car pulled up and parked in the disabled space. The doors opened to allow Fishlegs and Hiccup to get out-and Astrid's eyes widened as she caught sight of her boyfriend. Fishlegs was looking geeky in a brown sweater, white check shirt and brown cords while Hiccup glanced up a little self-consciously and saw Astrid's expression.

"Um...is everything okay?" he asked as Astrid smiled. He was in black skinny jeans, boots, deep red shirt and a black leather jacket. She nodded.

"It is now," she reassured him. "You up for this?" He nodded.

"I'd be pretty pathetic if I wasn't as this was my idea," he mumbled. "You?"

"Same," she told him. "I've spent three years not attracting attention because that ended up with being made miserable or picking gum out of my hair-it's weird to be going all out to get attention." He smiled.

"To be honest, I thought you wouldn't go for it," he admitted. "But you are a brave and fearless Valkyrie!"

"You're not going to drop that, are you?" she smirked as he grinned.

"Never," he assured her, taking her hand. The others gathered around them, bags and coats on hand. "Let's go!"

They entered together, walking through the Hallway with confidence and determination-and the other students responded and moved out of the way. There were jaws dropped at Ruff's outfit and a few whistles from doe-eyed freshmen as Hiccup walked self-consciously past. Astrid and Heather grinned at his embarrassment, even though both could appreciate he was a handsome young man. And the girls could also feel the trail of appreciative eyes on them as they proceeded down the Hallway.

"Pathetic!" Atali's sneering voice rose above the hubbub as they walked past her without even sparing a glance. Fishlegs was looking self-conscious but Tuff was grinning and high-fived a small geeky freshman who was staring at his tee-shirt with admiration. Snotlout snorted in disgust as Dagur steadily met his eyes as he walked past but his eyes trailed after the tall shape of Hiccup, narrowing as he plotted more woes for his cousin who had to be the brains behind the entrance. Astrid glanced up and saw Hiccup stare steadfastly ahead, his eyes focussed and she realised that he was concentrating on navigating the hallway without getting bumped or jostled or casually tripped. Automatically, her hand found his and gently squeezed and she saw his eyes flick over to glance at her, his lips tilting in a small smile.

"And you know, no one is looking at her," he murmured to her and she smiled as well.

"But a lot of people are looking at you, Haddock," she murmured back. "Don't go getting any funny ideas..."

"Getting no ideas at all," he replied quickly. "Now shall we go to class?"

oOo

The morning went smoothly with English and History relatively straightforward. Atali and her cronies were huddled together at the back, hissing whispers at Astrid or Hiccup as they volunteered answers but they ignored her, confident in the fact they had each other. During break, Fishlegs had confirmed with various teachers that they were happy for tutoring offers to be sent out and at lunchtime, BerkBook and BerkChat had tutoring offers uploaded from Hiccup, Fishlegs, Tuffnut and Astrid. It had taken a little persuading, for Astrid was reticent after so long of being taunted for her smarts, but Hiccup had persuaded her that if she wanted to prove she was better than Atali, then using her gifts to help others, rather than just herself was the way. And, of course, that immediately made her feel more guilty for hiding her visit to the set from Hiccup but he had just smiled and admitted he understood her reasons. And then they had needed to get Tuff to promise not to teach anyone how to demolish anything.

They sat together at lunch, quietly in the furthest corner of the canteen, not pushing themselves forward like Atali and though they could hear the popular group sneering at them, they were very clear that they didn't want to rise to it-even when Thuggory knocked Tuff over and deliberately spilled ketchup on his precious tee-shirt. Though he had backed off rapidly when Ruff stormed to her feet and advanced to protect her brother. Tuff had grinned as she pulled him up and sighed.

"We knew they were going to play dirty," he admitted. "But no one mentioned sauce. And at least it wasn't my 'Captain Kronos' shirt."

"Look, they'll probably go for Hiccup next," Ruff murmured. "You and Fish wanna set things up?" Nodding the male twin headed off to the bathroom-ostensibly to try to clean his shirt but in reality to prepare for the next part of their plan. Fishlegs drifted out as well and then, when they returned, Hiccup rose, giving a small wince and rubbing his amputated leg. Astrid looked up at him.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked and he gave a small shrug.

"Sure...is a strong word," he admitted. "Call it a strong hunch...well, a moderately strong hunch..." She sighed and brushed her hand against his.

"Take care, Babe," she murmured. "I don't want you in a dumpster or in hospital when we're meant to be elsewhere." He grinned at her.

"I'll do my best, Milady," he smiled and headed out. But she felt her heart sink as Eret, Snotlout and Thuggory all immediately got up and headed after him. She nodded to Tuff and Fishlegs and the husky boy opened his laptop and began streaming from the webcams they had placed in the nearest bathroom. Breathlessly, the whole group clustered around him as the tall shape of Hiccup walked in, his slight limp obvious. He went to wash his hands-but immediately the others burst in and surrounded him, backing him up against a wall. He swallowed.

"Um...hi guys," he said clearly enough for the microphones to pick up. "Can-can I help you?" Snotlout sneered and jabbed his chest with a very rough finger.

"I want a word with you, Haddock!" he sneered. "It seems someone just can't take a hint..."