Everyone just stood there completely dumbfounded, because somehow Bard had prevented Hiccup from moving.

"I'm not believing what I'm seeing folks, but it seems as if Bard is indeed very powerful," said Mulch.

"I'm confused, Mulch," said Bucket.

"You aren't the only one, Bucket," said Mulch and then turned to Gobber. "Can you shed some light on this?"

"I can only tell you that this is a perfect example of why the entrance exam isn't rational," Gobber explained as he held the information on both Hiccup and Bard.

"And why is that?" Mulch asked confused.

"Since we are on the individual matches it is now easier for me to provide you with information on our final competitors," said Gobber. "Both Hiccup and Bard have extremely strong powers, but Hiccup been a technopath had an unfair advantage when it came to the practical test. Bard may have failed the practical exam to get into the Hero Course, but since he also applied for General Studies who probably figured that would happen. Here is incredibly strong, but the entrance practical test consisted of fighting robots it gave huge advantage that those who had physical superpowers they could show off. Despite his abilities Bard never stood a chance at passing."

Bard was concentrating hard on Hiccup. "My you're certainly strong-minded, though that is to be expected you have to rely yourself on the mind as I do. However, eventually I will be able to gain control and then all I have to do is make you surrender."

Slowly Hiccup began to raise his arm.

"What's going on?" Mulch asked looking at Gobber. "Hiccup looks as if he's about to surrender."

In the stands, the members of Class 1-A while watching this I was starting to get worried.

"What's Hiccup doing?" Fishlegs asked stunned.

"I don't think he has any choice in the matter," said Ragnar.

"It's always as if he's possessed," said Speedfist.

"Bard is in fact a telepath, in fact he is the strongest telepath I've seen in quite some time," Gobber explained. "He so powerful in fact that is actually able to control an individual's body, but Hiccup's mind is so strong that it takes longer than normal."

"So you're saying that he would have already won if he was facing someone with weak mind?" Mulch asked.

Gobber nodded. "This is a mere battle of wills more than anything else and we'll see if Hiccup is able to overcome it. In terms of combat skill, Hiccup stands a much better chance but that only if he is able to overcome Bard's will."

Hiccup was aware of everything that was going on and he was doing everything to fight back against Bard's control.

'This certainly confirms my theory, he is a telepath,' said Hiccup gritting his teeth mentally. 'Explains why he was sent to me, I did have an unfair advantage during the practical tests. It's very difficult to concentrate, but unfortunately I cannot plan in order to prevent this from happening.'


Before the match began Sven was explaining everything to Hiccup about his experience with Bard.

"So here's a telepath," said Hiccup.

Sven looked at him. "You knew?"

"All the evidence pointed to that conclusion, but your testimony certainly proves it," Hiccup sighed. "Now I need a developer countermeasure, but I don't have much experience with telepaths."

"Fortunately there is a way to break his control," said Sven. "During round two I don't remember anything except for the very end of the battle. I think we were running away after Bard took Tab's headband. I bumped into another person then it was as if I woke up, it was me again and suddenly I was able to think clearly."

"Sound as if experiencing some kind of pain is able to snap you out of the mind control," Hiccup concluded.

"Maybe, but it is only a guess," Sven admitted. "The problem is we don't know how much of a shock it takes to break his spell and in a one-on-one match you can't count on an outside force intervening to help you."

Hiccup smiled. "Your information was quite helpful and I might have come up with a way to fight back."

"Just promise me you beat this guy from me and you," said Sven raising his fist towards Hiccup.

"Count on it," said Hiccup and bumped fists with him.


Back in the present, Hiccup's arm was halfway up and he was struggling to fight back the words that Bard was trying to force him to say.

'I didn't have much time reconfiguring my visor, but it's the only way for me to brake control,' said Hiccup. 'My only way to get out of this is if Toothless able to locate the frequency if he doesn't I'm going to lose this.'

Bard just stood there smiling as he knew that Hiccup will was weakening. "You've lasted longer than I expected, I'll give you that. However, I have my own dreams of becoming a great hero, but first I need you to lose for me."

"Frequency found," said Toothless.

Bard's eyes widened. "What the—"

Hiccup then suddenly experience an electrical shock which immediately snapped him out of Bard's mind control. Hiccup panted heavily, because the electric shock had been quite uncomfortable.

"What's this? Hiccup has somehow broken Bard's mind control!" Mulch cried.

The entire crowd cheered.

"Nice going!" Ragnar cheered.

"I was about to freak out," said Fishlegs.

"But how did he free himself?" Bucket asked.

Gobber smiled. "I think I have an idea. Before the match began he must gathered information, realising that Bard was a telepath. You see he has instructed his own AI program and it is linked to his nervous system, Toothless muscle introduced an electrical shock that caused Hiccup's mind to be reset."

Hiccup panted. "Nice try, but it's not over yet."

Sven placed a hand over his heart. "That just about killed me."

"This is impossible," said Bard as he attempted to use his powers, but he couldn't read Hiccup's mind let alone control it. "I can't control your mind? I can't even read it, what did you do?"

Hiccup smiled and his holographic visor activated. "It took some time, but Toothless was able to measure the frequency you used to control my mind and then he blocked it. In short you have no control over me at all."

Bard gritting his teeth. "I take it that monkey told you everything."

"The only confirmed my suspicions," said Hiccup. "I noticed during the Obstacle Course Race that several people were lifting you up to avoid Range's ice. Plus your resentment to me was another key factor, I began to wonder why you have such resentment to me. You mentioned that you didn't make the cut and that's when I realise that your powers were useless against robots while I was just the opposite. After Sven conferred my theories I immediately began to tinker with my visor allowing Toothless to isolate the frequency you use and then block it, you would then give me an electric jolt snapped me out of your mind control."

Bard didn't look particularly pleased. "You're certainly a smart one."

Mulch looked at Gobber. "Boy that that kid is quite the Brainiac."

"Shouldn't be expected, we actually did an IQ test on Hiccup to determine his brain power," said Gobber. "That's when we discover that is probably one of the 10 smartest people on the planet which means he's the smartest person in this entire stadium."

Everyone began to chatter amongst themselves.

"He's that smart?"

"Shouldn't be surprised considering he's Technora's son."

"I knew Hiccup was a nerd, but I do know and how much until now," said Dogsbreath.

"It's using his head that got him out of that mess," Ragnar pointed out. "Most heroes would use brute force to take down their foes, but Hiccup comes up with strategy, analyses his opponent and then takes them down quickly and efficiently."

"He certainly the one to watch out for," Astrid agreed.

Hiccup's eyes then immediately began to glow as he unleashed his cables which moved at his will. "It's time that we end this!"

The cables and immediately wrapped around Bard before he could do anything, he then suddenly felt himself being lifted off his feet and was spun around. Hiccup then immediately released Bard and he was sent flying straight out of the ring.

Everyone just stood there completely speechless.

"Bard is out of bounds!" Midnight announced. "Hiccup advances to the next match!"

Immediately the crowd cheered.

Bard just laid there on the ground remembering what some of his classmates talked about after he revealed his telepathic abilities three years ago. There was some mixed responses, mostly because people feared that he would be easily be able to control their minds.

Constantly felt as if people treated him like the bad guy, because his powers would make in the perfect villain. Truth was he had no intentions of becoming a villain and instead wanted to be a hero, but now those dreams were ruined.

"And now we have our first victim in the finals which means that Hiccup Haddock from Class 1-A is heading to the finals," said Mulch.

Fishlegs sighed with relief. "That was so nerve wracking."

Ragnar chuckled. "It's just like Hiccup do you surprise to keep his opponents off balance."

Clueless smirked at Snotlout. "Is not the only one that he outsmarted, huh?"

"Shut up, Clueless," Snotlout growled he narrowed his eyes at Hiccup. 'That nerd had already come up with a perfect plan to be opponent. He's definitely aiming for the top and he made a complete fool out of that guy.'

Gobber smiled. 'Boys just like his parents, strategic and resourceful. He knew that he could only bring the items he created and yet no time to build any more. Instead he adapted his visor and had Toothless assist him.'

"That last match was certainly a test of will and Hiccup prove that he is spirit was stronger as well is it brainpower," said Mulch. "Now let's put our hands together for our two competitors."

The crowd immediately clapped their hands.

Hiccup smiled. "Thanks for the assistance, bud."

"No problem, but it was a close one," said Toothless as holographic image appeared on his visor. "It was risky."

"I know, but I had no time for any of the plan," Hiccup admitted. He then immediately looked at Bard, just as there in silence. "Why do you want to be a hero? What's driving you?"

Bard just merely walked off. "You can't help things that your heart longs for."

Hiccup felt a bit of kinship with him. 'You and I are the same, it was only dumb luck that I was facing against robots. If you were facing actual people I doubt that I could have succeeded. Though I don't think any number of words I say could help.'

Bard was making his way to one of the entrances feeling a little depressed.

"You what are some out there, Bard!" said a voice above him.

Bard looked up and saw some of his classmates waving at him from the stands.

"We're proud of you," said a young girl.

"You didn't tell us you are that good."

"Yeah, you're the star of our program."

"I can't believe that you nearly defeated the dude that was in first place earlier."

A guy from his class immediately pointed behind him. "Listen to them."

Bard looked up and saw several heroes talking about him.

"He's the most powerful telepath I've ever seen," said a hero who resembled a large lizard. "He could easily capture dangerous villains in an instant, I wish I had his power."

A woman in a mask shook her head. "I can't believe they stuck him in General Studies, those idiots."

A guy wearing a streamlined outfit his arms. "Well, there are a ton of applicants each year and I guess sometimes people slip through the cracks."

Two robotic he was also discussing his debut.

"If only he had more combat experience."

"Yeah. I bet he would have dominated. What a waste."

His classmates and looked back down at him.

"Bard, do you hear that?"

"It's great, they think that you're incredible."

Bard just stood there completely stunned, but then he focuses attention on Hiccup. "Depending on the results, they might transfer people into the Hero Course remember that. Even if it didn't work out this time, I'm not giving up I will get onto the hero track and get certified. And once that happens I will become a better pro than any of you."

"Best of luck then," Hiccup smiled.


Stoick was waiting for him at the entrance and he's beamed at his son.

"Good work out there, son," he said proudly.

"Thanks, but I was very close to losing," Hiccup admitted.

"But you won and that is what matters," he said dismissively. He then took a deep breath and looked at him. "I heard a few things that he said I get the feeling that you sympathise with him."

Hiccup nodded. "It was only dumb luck that we were facing robots in the entrance exam, if we had been battling against real people I would never have passed."

Stoick nodded. "I know there's been a lot of debate on how we can recruit more heroes. Some people believe that their powers would indicate whether they would be a hero or sidekick, but has some of your friends have proven even the lamest of powers can be useful. I imagine after this little display Berk will possibly rethink on the entrance exams."

"So that people like Bard won't get singled out?" Hiccup asked.

"There's even discussions that they might increase the number of applicants to the Hero Course," said Stoick. "But right now I think that you should be more focused on the matches. Don't forget whoever wins the next round is your next opponent."

Hiccup nodded. "I had better not miss it."

Stoick smiled as his son ran off.


Hiccup soon made his way to the stands and soon joined the others.

"Good work out there, Hiccup," said Fishlegs as Hiccup sat down.

"I doubt any of us would have been able to withstand his telepathic powers," said Ragnar.

"Thanks, guys," Hiccup smiled and then he looked at Sven, who nodded and he returned the gesture.

"And now onto the second which," said Mulch as Ranger and Tuffnut made their way onto the field. "First up we have a young hero with skills from the Hero Course is Tuffnut Thorston versus an early front runner in the competition, who is known as the ice master and guarded a will cause on recommendations, it's Ranger Iceburn! And now let us begin the second match of the finals! Begin!"

Tuffnut didn't waste any time and thrusted his hands forward immediately unleashed line which wrapped itself around Ranger.

"It's time to take you for a spin!" Tuffnut as he began to spin around.

"It looks like that Tuffnut is trying to get Ranger out of bounds! A brilliant opening move from the underdog!" Mulch cried.

"Sorry," said Ranger.

Then suddenly the ground beneath his feet began to freeze and it speeded towards Tuffnut and suddenly the entire stadium shock.

Stoick was making his way back to the stands when the place shock. "What the heck is going on? Is it an earthquake?"

Everyone in the stands were completely speechless, because Ranger had created a massive ice block that encased Tuffnut. It was so huge that it reached its way towards the stands and was taller than the stadium.

The heroes on security duty just stared openmouthed at the structure.

"Holy crap," said Armstrong.

Ranger's body was covered in frost, but Tuffnut's slime was now frozen solid and he was able to shatter it to free himself. Tuffnut was shivering like crazy and was unable to move a single muscle as the ice surrounded him.

"Don't you think you went a bit overboard?" Tuffnut asked.

Midnight had avoided getting struck by the ice, but only just, she then turned her attention onto Tuffnut. "Tuffnut are you able to move?"

Tuffnut looked at her. "Are you kidding, obviously I can't?"

Midnight then raised her hand in the air. "Tuffnut has been mobilised, Ranger advances to the second round."

Everyone in the stands were completely speechless at Ranger's power, Tuffnut didn't stand a chance. Took some time to free Tuffnut from the ice and Hiccup just sat there, completely overcome with his next opponent's power.