Based on a dream I had weeks ago, sorry if the plot is rushed but I didn't want to stray too far from my subconscious 'vision' lol. I have no idea how this would fit into any of the movie / show plots or timelines, probably before the second movie at least... Can't wait for the third movie though! I don't own Dreamworks, How To Train Your Dragon, or anything of importance here.
The island was in more chaos than normal in preparation for the showcase of the chiefs. Berk was often left out of the contest, being so far from the other lands and having more urgent matters to deal with. But with the recent epidemic of pests being more manageable of late, Stoick decided it was time to once again prove his tribe's might. As a show of good will he insisted on hosting it. The other leaders agreed, but were unsure what the tiny island could offer in such a competition. This wasn't a gathering for peace talks-it was understood that no fighting would occur during the festival season-but a celebration of the power and riches of the lands. Three weeks were spent displaying the feats and features of the participating tribes. In keeping with tradition, Stoick and Hiccup wore a ridiculously flashy get up. Their typical armor was decorated in an gaudy display of paints and feathers.
For the sake of that same tradition, Stoick had ordered that all traces of dragons be wiped from the main village. Everyone worked to build stables on the north side of the island, with feeding stations and some roaming space. "The pride of Berk is our people. Other tribes will flash their excess, but we will stand for what we are. We are vikings! And we will win like vikings do!" the people cheered at this. "For our sake, we must hide the dragons."
"What?" Hiccup was more surprised than anybody at his father's declaration.
"Others won't understand our way of life. Riding around on fire-breathing giants will be taken as a threat. While I wouldn't mind scarin a few of the chiefs, I don't want this to turn to a power-play."
"But that's the whole point of the contest!" Hiccup argued.
"And we'll win our way. With our strength as a people, as a tribe! Now we need to lengthen the docks for our guests." And so the days went on building more and more to accommodate the chief's plans.
The first week of competing was easy enough for the people of Berk. Years of hunting dragons gave them an edge in the athletic contests that were held. From rock climbing, to hurdling, and even the races. "Throwing a rock was nothing compared to launching a duel-headed axe at a monstrous nightmare," one of the competitors commented. A few of the visitors rolled their eyes. Everyone had heard the rumors of dragons harassing the Berk citizens, but many didn't believe the tall tales of hunting parties in a crumbling village. Only the oldest or most superstitious considered these stories to be based on real events.
"Not even close," Stoick agreed. It had been less than a year since he had last fought a dragon on Berk, but he remembered it well. His son, Hiccup, shot him a defiant look. "Let's get on with the next match!" he announced.
Hiccup waited for the crowd to thin before approaching his father, "Dad, we need to tell everyone the truth."
"There will be time for that, Hiccup. But we don't want to scare off the competition too badly," he joked, more to himself than his son.
"But we could win this, so easily with our-"
"No! We will compete as we always have and win with honor. Now go check in with Astrid and Fishlegs to see how the 'flock' is doing." Hiccup was in charge of the stables when the matches weren't taking place, being the best dragon trainer in Berk. He understood the need for tradition in these celebrations, but it was irritating to keep the dragons locked away. A few decorative feathers got stuck in his hair as he made is way to the stables.