A/N: Snotlout is probably my least favorite character, but I had a story with a few chapters from his POV and I got a lot of positive feedback, and its kind of fun to play with his inner monologue, so I thought I would write a few stories dedicated to him. Enjoy!
Great, just great. I've made my peace with the fact that Hiccup, (Hiccup!) shows me up all the time, mostly because of that dumb night fury, but now? Now I've got this new guy showing me up all the time, too! To make matters worse, Ruffnut, the only respectable woman for me to date now that Astrid is clearly off the market, has an obvious and insatiable crush on the dude. Pffft. What does he have that I don't have?
Tall, handsome, strong…. My subconscious answered me. Shut up, brain! I'm handsome! I'm strong! This is dumb. I do have something he doesn't have! I have been a dragon rider for 5 years, mastering the art of flying with Hookfang, my monstrous nightmare! This chump's only been a dragon rider for like, 5 seconds. Showing him up should be easy. I'll show him, I'll show everyone at Thawfest. He'll be eating my dust, and then everyone will stop admiring this new guy and remember that I'm still the best. Me, Snotlout! Eret will be crying to his mommy, and I'll be back to being #2 in the village, and Ruff will finally realize that I'm the only Viking for her.
It was a beautiful summer morning on Berk. The terrible terrors woke me up again, but for once I wasn't annoyed by those dumb little dragons. Today was the start of Thawfest! And this year? This year I would show them all! I'd been secretly and tirelessly training with Hookfang, and we were ready! Eret and Skullcrusher don't stand a chance against all this!
I got up and admired my Viking muscles for a moment, taking a second to kiss each bicep. This is my year, I said to myself. I can feel it! Of course, I've won more than my fair share of Thawfests, but this would be the first year that Hiccup isn't competing. As chief, his duties have shifted to judging and overseeing the games. His loss! I'm not even jealous that he is the chief of Berk when I see all his lame responsibilities. Nah, I'll just continue to let everyone admire me for being one of the original great dragon riders.
I made my way to the arena where the Thawfest games are held. On the way I made sure to wink at the ladies as they wished me good luck. All the attention was putting a strut in my step. Eat your hearts out, ladies, I thought to myself as I neared the arena. My spirits were nearly crushed, however, because as I drew closer, I could see the gang getting ready for the games, and Eret and Ruffnut were deep in conversation. About what, I don't know, but Ruff had that same dumb, love-struck, look on her face as always when she talked to Eret. I could feel my neck grow hot as my temper began to flair inside. I have got to beat this guy, I just have to!
Astrid was stretching nearby and saw me walking up. She took one look at me and followed my gaze to where Ruff and Eret were talking, then looked back at me with a knowing smile. "Jealous much?"
"What, me, jealous? Of that dude?" I mocked laughter, "He's not even a real dragon rider. Pfft."
Astrid rolled her eyes at me. "Really?" was all she said before shaking her head and going back to her stretching.
I found Hookfang already in the arena. He seemed to be as pumped as I was this year. Fishlegs was sitting with Meatlug, giving her reassuring words of encouragement. Those two boulders never did well at Thawfest, but Fishlegs never seemed to mind. He was so enthusiastic and happy just to participate, it made me want to throw up in my mouth a little. All that cutesy, everyone is happy, everyone is cool crap didn't do it for me. Then again, I'd been brought up being taught that winning is everything. I glanced up to the stands that were beginning to fill with spectators and saw my dad, Spitelout, had already taken his honorary spot on the platform. He nodded when he saw me and I nodded back. He could be tough, but he always had my back.
The whistling sounds of the famous night fury broke my thoughts as Hiccup and Toothless made their appearance at the arena. Still to this day, shouts of "Night Fury!" could be heard anytime they showed up. It seriously got old sometimes. Toothless landed on the chief's platform of the arena and everyone in the crowd grew silent out of respect for the new chief.
As Hiccup gave his speech for the beginning of Thawfest, rambling on about the 'spirit of friendly competition' and how 'everyone is a winner' (gag) I caught Astrid again out of the corner of my eye. She always hung on his every word now. She stood smiling proudly at her soon to be husband. I've about had it with all this lovey-dovey crap, I'm ready to win some events already! I was snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Hiccup ask everyone for a moment of silence to mourn the not so distant death of his father, Stoick. I humbled myself for a moment remembering the ultimate sacrifice he made for us. Stoick had been like a second father to me. He was my uncle, and my chief, after all.
After a few moments, Hiccup announced the beginning of Thawfest. Everyone began to cheer. It had been a long winter and we were all ready to welcome spring.
"Snotlout, Snotlout, OY! OY! OY!" I shouted, pumping myself up for the games. It wasn't long before the first events were announced. We would start with the traditional, non-dragon games. I usually rocked these events harder than everyone, but this year with Eret competing, I wasn't so sure. First up would be the ax throwing event. Usually Astrid was my biggest competitor for this challenge, but as we all took turns throwing our axes, it became obvious that Eret was an excellent ax thrower as well. By Thor's beard! Is there anything this guy can't do? I knew I had to be better. I put everything I had into those events. Ax throwing, log rolling, and the sheep lug. I managed to win the log rolling event, but Eret kept me on my toes, proving to be a tough competitor. He won the ax throwing event without trouble, and even managed to win the sheep lug, just barely. It was 2 to 1, and I was losing.
This is crap! I had to win! There was too much at stake. It wasn't over yet, we still had 3 dragon events, and clearly I had the advantage. Eret and Skullcrusher would be no match for me and Hookfang!
We took a break for lunch before the dragon events, and I overheard Ruff talking with Eret. When we first picked up the dragon trapper, he always seemed annoyed by Ruffnut's advances and obvious crush on him, but lately he seemed to be at least learning how to tolerate her. They actually seemed to be becoming fairly good friends, if nothing else.
"That was amazing!" Ruff was saying while sitting next to Eret, her hand placed on his bicep (gag again). "I've never seen anyone beat Snotlout at the sheep lug!" She looked admiringly at his face, anxiously awaiting his reaction.
"Oh, it's nothing, really." He had responded coolly back to her. "Dragon trapping was hard work, you know. I had to learn how to run and carry heavy equipment to be able to trap dragons."
"Uh huh…" was Ruffnut's reaction, resting her chin on her hand and looking awestruck. "What else are you good at?" She winked.
Eret just shook his head in annoyance and looked up in time to notice me standing there. "Good game so far, eh Snotlout?" He smiled smugly at me. "I'm really looking forward to the dragon games." He stood up and walked toward me, offering me his hand, "It is so great to have some real competition; it makes the games more exciting." Ruffnut was watching so I reluctantly took his hand, giving it a friendly shake, then pulling him close so Ruffnut couldn't hear me.
"I'm going to win this, just stay outta my way!" I said in a low voice, so only he could hear.
He pulled back and looked at me with that same smug look. Oh, what I wouldn't give to punch that smug look right off his face! "Marvelous! Nothing like a good rivalry in competition to make things interesting!" I could feel my fist clenching. If this bozo keeps trying to make himself look better than me, I might just punch him for real.
"Why don't we make this even MORE interesting." I said to Eret, a smirk playing on my own face. I eyed him to see if he would take the bait.
"What do you suggest, my friend? Eret's eyebrows arched, I had caught his interest.
I searched my head quickly, bringing my fingers to my chin. "Hmmm" I stalled. A million things ran through my head. How about if I win, you leave Berk for good! Or how about you stop talking to Ruffnut! That's what I really wanted to say, but I knew that Hiccup wouldn't allow for Eret to be banished as they had become friends and the whole isle of Berk had accepted him. I also knew I couldn't stop Ruff from talking to Eret. Come on, Snotlout, think!
Cliff Hanger! I have a few ideas on what the bet should be, but I would LOVE to get some fresh opinions! What would you like to see? Let me know!
