Freya's POV

Just keep smiling. You haven't seen him in a long time, maybe he's changed.

"Freya?" Ryker gasped.

"That's my name," I confirmed with a forced grin.

His nose was scrunched up, as it always did when he was put on the spot. Clearly he was thinking of what to say. His lack of response irritated me. I knew I had caught him off-guard, but still! He hadn't considered that we might meet, as the potential leaders of the Dragon Hunters?

Calm down, Freya.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Forcing out any self-doubt, I took the lead. "I could ask you the same thing, brother," I stepped towards him.

He frowned. "I thought it was quite clear," he grumbled, returning back to normal as the shock slowly wore off.

"Yes, attacking Hiccup - one of my sources of information on what's happened - is very useful, thank you," I retorted sarcastically, ignoring the hypocrisy. Locking my eyes on Ryker's, I tried to signal to Hiccup to leave with my hand. He didn't move an inch.

"Well, your source is unreliable and most definitely biased," he countered. "People will say anything to please someone."

"Well, I was spying on them at the time so there was no way he knew to 'please me'." I mumbled, slightly embarrassed that I'd have to admit to doing that. Hiccup took a small breath but Ryker didn't acknowledge it.

"You do know that he was the cause of Viggo's death?" he shot back, ignoring the fact I had just proved him wrong. I rolled my eyes, trying to get under his skin.

"Yeah, no. Which source told you that?" I placed a hand on my hip. He seemed shocked by my sass. Last time we saw each other I had barely said anything, too awkward to interact. Well, I still am, but I got much better at faking.

"Johann-" he began, but I cut him off right there.

"Well there's your problem!" I snapped. "Please tell me you didn't believe him after he and Krogan betrayed Viggo?" His eyebrows shot up. I forced my face to remain neutral. "According to multiple dragon hunters, and a witness, Johann ordered Krogan to shoot the entrance to a one-way cave to seal him in," I explained smoothly.

Furious, Ryker turned to Hiccup accusingly. "He was there, though. If you're so sure, sister, then explain that!"

"I'm sure he could do a thousand time better job than me," I explained, turning to Hiccup.

"Viggo tricked me into going... to this island. He said that he poisoned Toothless and only he knew the cure," he forced out, surprised that the pressure had been put on him. "He wanted my help in getting revenge."

"You expect me to believe that?" Ryker yelled, holding up his sword. My eyes widened.

"Um, yeah," I cut in, his eyes now piercing mine, "both sides say so. Ask any guard that was there. Maybe even the ones who shot Viggo?" I knew he couldn't do that, I had knocked them out cold at the news, but that wasn't important.

Ryker looked as if he had been slapped. I looked past him and saw Swiftstrike quick at work.

"Why didn't he tell me?" he murmured.

"You guys were never close," I retorted, pinching myself to hold back my anger. "I'm sure your relationship didn't get better when he, the younger brother, became chief instead of you. I bet you didn't even tell him you survived?"

"Oh, and I suppose Viggo told you then?" Ryker snapped, avoiding my point.

I smirked, and it grew when I saw that Swiftstrike had managed to dissolve the bolas. "No, but I check my facts."

That did it.

Ryker lunged, but I pulled up my cloak.

"That stupid cloak won't save you!" He growled, randomly lashing out with his sword. The blunt side hit my waist, sending me crashing to the floor. Yelping in pain, I opened the cloak slightly so I could see. Ryker sent a fist to my stomache.

"Fighting doesn't bring him back!" I yelled, dodging more lunges.

"I never liked you," he growled. I knew that, but it still stung. My satchel was flinging about madly and slipped off my shoulder.

"Stop!" I shouted. He kept attacking. I saw Swiftstrike's shimmer, and I ran towards her.

"Get back here!" he yelled. Sending a blast of acid at his feet, Swiftstrike revealed herself. He gaped as I got on, encouraging her to leave. There were blasts behind me, but I ignored them. I completely covered my face, trusting Swiftstrike to get us out, as she vanished as well.

"I knew you were a traitor!" Ryker screamed at us. "Riding a dragon! Viggo would be disappointed!"

Each point was like a stab to the heart. I could hear Hiccup and Astrid saying something behind me, but I wasn't paying attention. I had completed my mission. I now knew that Johann and Krogan ordered the death of Viggo, where it happened and how.

Yet in such a small space of time, I had lost the only brother who carved about me. Mother was always distant, even colder in her grief. The Dragon Hunters acted like I didn't exist, being almost a decade younger than my brothers.

I shivered. I was all alone.

No, I have Swiftstrike, I reminded myself as she flew quickly. I heard the sound of shots being fired and people lunging out the way, but I wasn't paying attention.

I really do turn everyone away from me, I thought, remembering Ryker's words last time we crossed paths. I should probably give up now. Swiftstrike won't want anything to do with me, I added. My eyes glassed over, I was barely able to see infront of me.

A single tear rolled down my cheek. Removing my hood, I wiped it away.

Swiftstrike cooed, and I tried to listen to her reassurance. I smiled slightly, watching the waves roll as we flew aimlessly. The stars winked at me, each a light making their way through the darkness. Only now did I relax my tense muscles. My legs had been shaking since Ryker had screamed after us - but I only just noticed.

"Thank you, girl," I murmured, giving Swiftstrike a long pet. She purred, and I couldn't help but grin. I sat up, stretching, enjoying the flight as Swiftstrike flew gently over the waves.

There was no rush. We lowered, able to feel the light spray of the waves. Each drop was refreshing against my skin, but I couldn't help but feel bad for Swiftstrike. Out of nowhere, I take her from the Edge to a dangerous island full of dragon-haters for my own benefit. Watching the waves did little to soothe me. I longed to swim alone, so Swiftstrike didn't have to deal with me, but I knew that was foolish. If I got hypothermia I would only be more of a burden.

I didn't want to, but I knew I would have to consider the future. Where would I go now? I could leave the Dragon Hunters to survive in the wilderness. They probably wouldn't even notice I was gone. But what of Mother?

What did Swiftstrike want?

"I can take you back home," I murmured. "Do you want to go back to the Edge? I'll stay away."

Swifstrike snorted and shook her head, hitting my face with her side horns.

I smiled slightly. "I'll take that as a no, then. I'm glad you're with me."

We flew through the night, eventually landing on a small island. I didn't bother making a shelter or fire. I was exhausted.

Viggo was gone. Ryker wanted to kill me. Mother's distant and cold. The Dragon Hunters barely know I exist.

"Why is my life such a mess," I muttered. "At least I have you, now. I'd be alone otherwise."

Swiftstrike nuzzled my arm. After a moment she stopped, sniffing the air. She growled.

"Grroooooww!"

I tensed at the dragon roar. Swiftstrike camouflaged herself. Mounting her, I pulled up my hood but left enough space so I could see. I knew that floating eyes would probably scare them away.

There were a large group of dragons flying towards me, but the roar wasn't from any of them - there was another dragon, hidden in the shadows. Swiftstrike growled louder, the vibrations ringing through her chest. As I searched in the dark, Swiftstrike sped up, flying upwards.

"Stay back!" I yelled, trying to sound tough.

"Freya, where's the Dragon Eye?" I froze. The voice came from behind me and I turned. All I saw was black. Stars were blocked and there was a blast of plasma. I growled at the night fury, glaring into its acid eyes. It snarled back at me, clearly holding a grudge.

"The what?" I shouted back.

"The Dragon Eye! The thing you stole, that had a lense!" Hiccup snapped. I paled, though I don't know if he could tell.

"The tube thing with my family crest on?"

"YES!"

"Um..." I mumbled. Spines were shot beside me and I forced myself to stay calm, instead glaring at Astrid.

"Where?" she demanded and I flinched.

"In my satchel."

There was a suffocatingly thick silence. Only the gentle wing beats disrupted it. Then everyone spoke at once.

"What?"

"In the base?"

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Of course."

I cringed and the dragons shook from the noise. My head pounded. Stroking Swiftstrike, I tried to focus, despite my exhaustion. We needed a way out and I doubt that the dragon riders would be very empathetic. We could drop and camoflague with the waves, dodging fire until we got distance-

"You're coming with us," Hiccup stated, pulling me from my thoughts, but I already had a plan. I grinned.

"Not a chance!" We shot upwards, dodging blasts as we were hard to hit, before attacking the gronkle. Swiftstrike blasted twice and the gronkle swerved, dropping its rider. There was a blast beside us and we dived, rolling and breaking through the waves. From beneath we blindly shot up, the water sizzling as it met acid. Invisible, we shot up and away, smirking slightly.

There was a roar and I was lifted by my shoulders. I yelped, pulling at strong claws gripping my cloak.

The damn night fury! It could ecolocate!

But I didn't have time to worry or beat myself up about it as I was whacked on the back of the head. Darkness clouded my vision.

The last thing I saw was a the group of dragon riders hovering around me.

***

I hoped you liked the confrontations!

Who's side are you on?
Freya?
Hiccup?
Ryker? <-- (I have my doubts)