Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon, the content, or the characters. I only own this storyline.

This is my first fanfic, so I NEEEEED you to review. Thanks!

The Race

It was an Indian summer in Berk. The pale blue sky was only partially covered by light grey clouds. It was a lovely, relatively warm afternoon. Everyone was taking full advantage of the rare weather. On the east side of the island, the village was gathered for dragon racing.

The arena was brand-new. The entire structure was on stilts, lifting the spectators up so they could see the action. On a large chair separated from the rest of the seating, sat Stoick, with Gobber sitting next to him. Standing up, Stoick turned to Gobber.

"Let's go check on the riders, Gobber."

Gobber, who was fiddling with his hook, looked up, slightly surprised.

"Oh. Alright, Chief."

They walked down the tall staircase and made their way to the dragon academy. The gate was open, and excited voices drifted out. As Stoick strode in, he called loudly and cheerfully, "Hello, dragon riders! How are we feelin' today?"

All the riders were painting themselves and their dragons. Hiccup looked up from painting Toothless's face.

"Hey, Dad! What are you doing here?"

"Aahh, just thought I'd check up on you."

Even Stoick was susceptible to the wonderful weather.

"I'm feelin' lucky," Astrid almost sang, stretching her arms.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that, Astrid," Snotlout announced loudly.

He turned and patted Hookfang's snout.

"Hookfang and I are going to win today."

Astrid laughed and put her hand on her hip.

"You two haven't won yet."

"Yes we have!" he said indignantly, "We won once. In Spring, remember?"

He turned back to Hookfang and stroked his snout, while the dragon blinked lazily up at him.

"I don't consider that winning. There was no competition. I was injured, and Hiccup was away…"

"Astrid!" said Fishlegs, frowning and patting Meatlug's head.

"Sorry, Fishlegs. But, honestly."

Snotlout puffed out his chest.

"Alright. We'll show you. It's on, Astrid."

With that, he leaped onto Hookfang's back and yelled, "Ok, Chief, are we ready to go now?"

Hiccup turned and muttered to Astrid, "Isn't it always on?"

She chuckled.

"Well, uh…" Stoick began, rubbing his hand together, "If you're all ready, I guess it's time to go. When you hear the horn…"

"Alright!" said the twins simultaneously.

"C'mon, girl," Fishlegs said as he slid onto Meatlug, "You're gonna do great."

She growled affectionately. Meanwhile, Stoick walked over to Hiccup and clapped him on the shoulder, making him stagger a little.

"Don't give Snotlout anything to brag about, son."

"Dad, I've been riding for two years. Don't worry about it."

"Yeah. 'Course. And…don't give Astrid any way, either. I mean…I know you like her and all, but –,"

"Dad!" Hiccup whispered, while glancing fearfully over at her.

"Oh, sorry. Anyway, do good, son."

He smacked his shoulder again. As Stoick and Gobber left the ring, Hiccup and Astrid leapt onto their dragons. Toothless made a few paces forward, eager for the competition. Snotlout seemed to be muttering a sort of pep talk to Hookfang. They could all feel the moment the horn rang getting nearer. All the dragons, even Hookfang, were shuffling excitedly. Toothless tensed his shoulders, ready to bound out the gate.

"Wait, bud," Hiccup muttered to him.

Toothless glanced up curiously.

"Astrid?" Hiccup said.

She looked over, eyebrows raised.

"After you," he said, and gestured gentlemanly toward the gate.

She grinned at him.

"Thank you," she said sweetly.

Just then, the horn rang.

She wasted no time and soared out the ring. Hiccup and Toothless were right after her, then came Snotlout and Hookfang, the twins on Barf and Belch, and finally Fishlegs and Meatlug. As they all came into view, the arena exploded with roars of excitement.

"Alright, bud!" Hiccup yelled over the cheers, "Let's check out the forest."

Toothless hummed his approval, and they turned around. The others were scouring the village. There were lots of places for their quarry to hide there, so the sheep tended to favor it, but there was also more competition because of it. Most of the time, Hiccup preferred to avoid the hullabaloo and look for the few sheep that could usually be found in the forest.

Sure enough, he found one in just a couple of minutes and another five minutes after that. He held one under each arm as they swung around and headed back to the arena. As they got near, Hiccup could hear his father's booming voice:

"Oh! Almost, Ruffnut!...Oh-ho! Good one, Astrid!"

Hiccup grinned. Nothing could make his dad more un-Stoick than dragon-racing.

Soon, he was right over the arena. He flew low and gently dropped the two sheep into his net.

"Ha-ha! Hiccup is the second scorer! 1 for Astrid, 2 for Hiccup!"

By the time Stoick called the score, Hiccup was already out of the arena and flying to the village. Sure, he did like to know he had a secure score early on, but that didn't mean that he didn't like to join the hullabaloo every once in a while.

And it definitely was a hullabaloo.

Snotlout and the twins had got their hands on the same sheep, and Tuffnut and Snotlout were wrestling over it 30 feet in the air while the horrified-looking sheep dangled between them, its horns held in the jaws of Hookfang and Belch. Meanwhile, a flock of sheep was being pursued by Fishlegs, but every time he flew low to get the one with the target, Astrid swooped down and scattered them.

Finally frustrated enough, Fishlegs shouted: "Oh, come on, Astrid! Not fair!" to which she responded: "All's fair in battle, Fishlegs!"

"But this isn't battle!" he said exasperatedly.

"It is to me!" she laughed as she swooped down and snatched up the sheep.

"Grrrrr…" Fishlegs grumbled angrily as she turned around and flew towards the arena.

On the way, she met Hiccup.

"Looks fun out there!" Hiccup called.

She laughed again.

"Yeah!" she said and looked over her shoulder in time to see Tuff bring his hammer down on Snotlout's helmet while Ruff cheered him on.

"I think I'd better go end that fight…" Hiccup said and grinned.

"Go for it!" she said before flying off.

Hiccup leaned down, flattening himself against Toothless's back. He patted the side of his head.

"Ok, bud; we're goin' in."

Toothless growled, and they both narrowed their eyes as Toothless began flapping his great black wings harder. As they neared the others, Toothless tucked in his wings, and they shot towards Snotlout and the twins like an arrow. The distinct whistling sound of a night fury shooting through the air made the other three riders look up. But it was too late.

Hiccup reached out and embraced the sheep. His momentum dragged its horns out of the two dragons' mouths. He heard their heads smack together loudly behind him.

"Ha! Good job, bud!"

He reached down and patted Toothless, who purred back. The sheep seemed to bleat its thanks. They wheeled back around to the arena and dropped the sheep into their net.

Over the next 15 minutes, the game never let down in intensity. The twins got into two more fights: one with Astrid and another with Snotlout. Hiccup managed to pluck several sheep from under Snotlout's nose, which seemed to greatly annoy him, much to Hiccup's amusement. And Astrid stole Fishlegs' sheep three more times.

"Astriiiid!" he wailed furiously the last time as they all raced back to the arena to drop their sheep off before the last lap.

"Sorry, Fishlegs!" she called over her shoulder "You know it's nothing personal!"

Suddenly, Hiccup, who was already holding a sheep, saw an opportunity.

"Hey, Toothless," he whispered, "I've got an idea."

Astrid was only 40 feet from the arena. She was close to winning: she was only 5 points behind Hiccup. Once she added this one to her score, and then if she got the black sheep, she would win for the first time in three games. Just a little closer…

She gasped as she suddenly felt a powerful tug beneath her. Stormfly screeched. Astrid looked down and saw Toothless's black belly. Hiccup and Toothless were coasting upside down, and they had snatched her sheep! The next moment, they had flipped over and she saw Hiccup grinning.

"Hiccup!" she yelled in anger and disbelief.

He looked back, still grinning.

"Sorry, Astrid. All's fair in battle, though, right?"

She stared in shock as he threw both sheep into the net. The next moment though, she shook it off. No. She was going to win. Forget about him and just focus. Just three more sheep and then the black one, and she would be victorious.

It was getting down to the wire. Fewer sheep, more excitement, and antsier riders and dragons. Fishlegs got in the zone and earned three more points. Once, when Hiccup was flying low over the stables, Astrid swooped in haphazardly next to him, almost hitting him with Stormfly's wing.

"Whoa!" he yelled as he gripped his saddle.

Then he glanced up and saw her face. Her eyes were fixed on the ground in front of her, but they didn't have any less effect on him.

"Oh no," he thought.

He decided to stay out of her way for a while, and flew off to look somewhere else.

Astrid did find two more sheep, but Snotlout had made a lot of gains while she was searching. He was now almost even with her: just a one sheep difference.

"Don't worry, girl. We're gonna find that sheep. We can do this." She told Stormfly encouragingly.

Stormfly chirped her agreement.

"Astrid!" she heard Hiccup say to her left.

"I'm busy right now, Hiccup!" she yelled irritably, keeping her eyes fixed ahead.

"I know!"

Frowning, she glanced over. He was flying a little below her and holding out…a sheep! He had an apologetic smile on his face and extended the offering out to her at saddle-level. For a moment, she stared at it. But then, she reached out, grabbed it, and flew off to the arena.

Hiccup gazed after her and sighed.

"Well, at least I tried," he thought.

No sooner had Astrid tossed the sheep into the net, than the final lap was called. Gobber had already set up the catapult, and was ready to fire the black sheep when the riders came around.

"C'mon, Stormfly!" Astrid urged as they sped toward the cliff near where the sheep would be launched.

Hiccup had already taken up a secret position on the wall of the sheer cliff. Toothless had dug his claws into the cracks, and they quietly awaited the release of the sheep. The plan was that they were going to shoot out of nowhere, startling everyone else, and grab the sheep. Above them, they could already see the other riders bustling to get closer to the catapult. Hiccup and Toothless waited tensely for the right moment to appear.

"Almost. Easy, bud….Hold, Toothless…Ok, NOW!"

Gritting his teeth as he dug his claws in, Toothless bounded up the cliff face, flapping his wings as he went, picking up momentum till they let go. They flew straight up, gaining speed. Above him, Hiccup could see the sheep being released, Astrid rushing forward, Fishlegs and the twins tangling…But he was going to reach it. He could feel it. His speed was perfect. No one would be able to get it before him.

As he came within 10 feet, Toothless stretched out his front claws…

And then Snotlout suddenly appeared, flying straight at them.

The collision was like a being struck by a log. There was a cracking sound from both sides: Hiccup's forehead had met with Toothless's skull, and Snotlout's helmet made contact with one of Hookfang's horns. Hiccup's eyesight had gone white and then all crackly for a few moments, and he had the unexplainable sensation that gas had exploded inside his head. He felt like he needed a moment to take everything in. So when he slipped off Toothless's back, he wasn't really so concerned.

But everyone else was. He heard people gasp and scream his name, his father and Astrid loudest among them. Toothless roared and clawed through the air at him as they free-fell. Despite the initial daze, Hiccup was used to falling and knew what to do.

He reached out his hand to Toothless, who promptly spun around so his back faced Hiccup. The heavy dragon quickly caught up, Hiccup hooked his foot into the stirrup, and they easily went into a vertical climb. Astrid drew even beside them.

"Are you ok?" she asked worriedly.

"Huh? Well, yeah, I'm ok," he said, rubbing his forehead.

When they reached the top, Fishlegs flew toward him.

"Whoa, are you ok, Hiccup? Do you have a concussion?"

"Oh no, I'm fine, Fishlegs. Thanks."

Ruff chimed in: "Duuude, that was a tough hit. And look, he's totally getting away with it!"

"Uuh, what d'you mean?" Hiccup asked, still a little fuzzy.

He glanced over at Astrid, who was staring off in the direction of the arena with an even more disbelieving face than when Hiccup had stolen her sheep.

"It means," she said slowly, "That Snotlout's got the black sheep!"

"What?!" Hiccup said and squinted at the arena.

Sure enough, the beefy boy was riding to the arena with a black sheep in his monstrous nightmare's claws.

Hiccup gritted his teeth. That was enough. It really was on now.

"Are we back on it, guys?" he asked, glaring after Snotlout.

"Oh yeah!" said the twins.

"Absolutely!" said Fishlegs.

"Go get him," said Astrid.

He glanced at her quickly, then back to the prize.

"Right," he said as he flattened himself against Toothless's back.

Toothless took that as the cue.

They were off, racing to the finish. But Hiccup and Toothless were way ahead of the rest. The world was starting to blur as they gained on the red dragon. Out the corner of his eye, Hiccup could see his father leap to his feet, pounding his fist in the air. But Hiccup couldn't hear anything. His wings were too loud. Snotlout turned around too late.

CRASH again! This time, however, Hiccup made sure to press himself tightly against Toothless. Snotlout howled in pain, and the crowd roared. Hiccup looked down. The black sheep wasn't with Snotlout anymore, but it wasn't on the ground either. He looked up to see Astrid hurl it into her net.

"Astrid wins!" Stoick yelled.

The crowd whooped and cheered. Astrid landed on the net bulkhead and dismounted Stormfly. She pumped her fist in the air and grinned. She looked so happy, Hiccup didn't even really mind losing. Besides, he owed her anyway. And there were other things he was more concerned with right now.

Both he and Snotlout landed their dragons and faced each other. Snotlout glared at Hiccup as he rubbed his nose.

"What is your problem, Snotlout?" Hiccup asked loudly, holding out his arms.

"My problem? My problem is that you just crashed into me and my dragon," Snotlout said defensively.

"You crashed into me first! On purpose!"

"No way! It was an accident!"

Hiccup snorted loudly.

"Yeah, right. And I'm a terrible terror. Listen, Snotlout, I have had enough of you. Y'know, for years, I've overlooked it. I've worked with it. I thought: 'Hey, y'know, that's just how he is'. And I've sucked it up. But not anymore! You put my life in danger and Toothless's, and that's not ok!"

Snotlout looked slightly taken aback, but he quickly regained his bearings.

"I never put anyone's life in danger!"

Hiccup laughed a sharp, dry laugh and retorted, "Never? Snotlout, you wouldn't know it if you killed someone. Do you know how many times you've risked the team because you were being so reckless? You don't think about anyone but yourself."

"I do not! I work for the team!"

Snotlout was starting to look like he was swelling with rage.

"Are you sure?" Hiccup asked, raising his eyebrows and leaning forward, "Because I remember you saying, on many an occasion, that you always look out for yourself first. 'Snotlout is Number One'!"

Hiccup shook one finger in the air. Snotlout gripped Hookfang's horns and gritted his teeth.

"Oh, yeah?! Well, I don't see anyone pointing out when Mr. High-and-Mighty Dragon Master makes mistakes!"

Hiccup scoffed in disbelief.

"I am not a 'dragon master', but you, Snotlout, are the furthest thing from that!"

It appeared that was the last straw. Both their eyes glinted with anger. Snotlout gripped Hookfang's horns harder and leaned forward. Placing a hand on top of his saddle, Hiccup raised himself in his seat and narrowed his eyes. Their dragons growled at each other and clawed the grass.

"My bet's on Hiccup," Gobber muttered to the Viking next to him.

"Enough!" shouted Stoick, making both young men jerk their heads upward.

"That's enough," he said and then proceeded to come down the stairs.

When he arrived, he stood in between them.

"Alright. Let's deal with this…" he began.

"You saw what he did!" Snotlout blurted out, pointing an accusatory finger at Hiccup.

"You saw what he did!" Hiccup responded, gesturing to Snotlout.

"Yes, I saw what both of you did," Stoick said seriously, "But the first thing I saw was you, Snotlout, crash deliberately into Hiccup when he didn't have the sheep."

"But we crash into each other all the time," Snotlout pointed out, gesturing to the other riders standing on the bulkhead.

"Well, yes. But with Hiccup's…special condition, I think we should be a bit more careful, don't you think?'

Snotlout wasn't about to argue with the chief's mandate. He scowled and glanced at Hiccup.

"Yes, Chief."

"Alright. Now that's settled…," Stoick said, clapped his hands together, and then announced in a raised voice, "Let's all head to the Great Hall for some celebration in honor of our victor, Astrid!"

The crowd cheered. Now that a fight was off the table, food seemed the next best thing. As Snotlout flew away, and everyone began leaving the arena, Stoick looked over Hiccup carefully.

"You alright, son? Head ok?"

"Yeah," Hiccup muttered, "Look, I'll see you later, Dad. I just need a fly."

He turned Toothless in the direction of the sea. Stoick looked a little disappointed.

"Oh. Well, I'll see you tonight then."

"Yeah, ok, Dad."

The pair took off into the air, flying out to the flat blue sea as the sky turned pink.

When Hiccup refers to Toothless's wings as his own, it's deliberate.

Also, PLEASE REVIEW! FIRST FANFIC!