Reviews as of 1/6/15:
Mark (Guest) : Hiccup is still human, he is still Midgardian, because it is essential in my point of view for him to remain human amidst all his special skills.
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Guest #2 : Y I do this? Y not!? I'm the author and I love doing it! I'll try to make a faster update, I don't want to compromise my writing. I want it to be a good read for you and your fellow readers.
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killerbull27 (Guest) : Thank you for the review! :D
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Disclaimer: Any characters mentioned are all under copyright. This work is purely fan-made.
Title: From Asgard to Midgard
Author: Scarabeye 3000
Chapter 9: 'Fly like a butterfly, sting like a- A BLOODY DRAGON!'
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Berk
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"Hiccup!" Stoick held his son's shoulder as Sharpshot squirmed away from the Heir, "Hiccup! Are you alright? What's happening- your eyes!"
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"Calm down dad," Hiccup released Sharpshot and his eyes returned their normal greenish hue, his father held his cheeks in his hands and wiped each of his eyes with a calloused thumb. "It's an ability my master taught me."
"But- how- who? Why?"
"I'll tell you another time, we have more pressing matters right now," he puts a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder and the older man visibly calmed, "Father, the Bog-Burglars I believe are being forced into a Coalition- the other Viking tribes have heard of our victory against Drago and is forming a coalition against us."
"How did you know this!?" his father's astonished face filled his eyes, "They asked for peace and- I see now."
Hiccup's eyebrow raised as Stoick released him and paced the top tier where the Chief and his Lieutenants are given a special space in the Arena. The Chief sat down deep in thought, his son approached and stood beside him, suddenly his father looked at him with a full gaze and sighed. "So, I was right- they wanted you all along."
Stoick stood up and looked around as he saw the Bog-Burglars entering the arena, they were an organized lot, the Champion would enter first, then the Vanguard, then their Chieftess, then the Heir, followed by their rank and file guards. But he noticed one thing they all did in synch, as soon as they entered all eyes swept the arena, some looked up and down, others looked at the construction, others seemed to linger innocently, but he caught some look up directly at their perch and keep the gaze fixed where Hiccup sat. He turned back to his son with a grim stare, "What else did you find out son?"
"-the Bog-Burglars are being pushed into the Coalitions, but the Uglithugs and the Meatheads seem to be pressuring them."
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"I should have known," Stoick sighed and sat down tiredly, "Alliance is such a double bladed sword, to both the trusting and the trusted- anything else you have to say son?"
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"We still have time father, if they fail to get me-"
"-which they will fail of course."
"Right, ok, then Camicazi would enter and demand a fair fight with me, if she wins we both know what will happen- if I win-" he stopped and looked stumped at his father, "I- I don't even have an idea what will happen if I win this stupid game-"
"So, if they want a fair fight between you and her then their only choice is to do a holmgang-"
His son looked at him puzzled, "I haven't heard of that before."
The Chief shook his head and rubbed his great beard, "It is an old ritual duel between two combatants of equal or sometimes non-equal status, for both Camicazi and you, the title of Heir of Chiefdom puts you both in high regards, therefore eligible for an honored holmgang, that would take place probably in an island of their choosing. It's complicated, we will discuss further about holmgangs if it comes down to that. For now, the duel with your cousin comes first, go on my son, make me prouder of you."
Hiccup obediently nods and rushes down to the armory just below two floors near the entrance gate of the arena , his father settled in his seat as Bjornn and Lugnut stood behind him, Spitelout took a seat on the left side of Stoick just below the elevated platform the Chief's seat is perched at.
"You were right Lugnut, the Bog-Burglars are planning something, but to what end we do not know yet."
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"We should have sunk their ships in the bay-" Ruff and Tuff's father hissed as he threw a scathing look at the Bog-Burglars sitting just a few tiers below them.
"-or we can just send them your children Lug."
Lugnut nodded and gave a naughty grin, "That's actually a good idea."
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"Do we even know their motives my Chief?" Bjornn interjected as the horns sounded, signaling the beginning rituals of the duel, "They don't just bring their ruling class at Berk just to attack it later, it seems they haggled too hard then they would just turn and raid us."
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They all saw Gobber into the middle of the arena and began to expound on the reasons why the duel is even taking place. A misunderstanding between cousins, a pride wounded by a few words, an honor to be satisfied, all things that must be said before the bleeding can proceed.
"I know, it's very inconsistent with the protocols for an alliance, regardless, the Bog-Burglars are known for their burglary skills and their- yak shit! That's it!" Astrid's father slapped his forehead as realization dawned on him, Stoick and the rest looked at him as if he was possessed and had grown an extra head.
"What do you mean 'that's it?"
"-think about it, if all goes well, then they have Hiccup married to Camicazi and the blanket of security that Berk will provide with him, if they don't succeed with that, they can go to the Coalition formed by the Uglithugs and Meatheads, and provide them with information garnered from their first hand experience here."
Stoick, Spitelout and Lugnut's mouth all hung open as the plot unfolded before them, "Damnation! They're not obviously honoring the truce, and the terms of the alliance by going behind our back. We must Blood Eagle them as an example to others by their treacherous notion towards Berk!" Spitelout banged on his arm chair and his muscles visibly shook from concealed rage.
"Blood eagle? That's your bright idea?"
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"I don't see you making any coherent suggestions Bjornn," Spitelout sneered, "Just speculations and all talk- this is a time of action."
The addressed man bristled and was about to approach his offender when Stoick looked up and saw his son stepped out into the ring, he had made a decision, he would listen to his son, value the time he has left with him and perhaps, be a good father upon which he so richly deserved.
"No, we will wait for my son's decision-" the Lieutenant's silenced as their Chief stood up and began to clap as his son was introduced, "-my son knows what he is doing. Trust him."
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"I have no idea what I'm doing here..." Hiccup mused to himself as he blushed from the roots of his hair to the tip of his toes, never did he expect that such a spectacle, no thanks to his cousin of course, would attract the whole island of Berk. Given, that the additional people that have joined the Chiefdom of Berk and settled here have filled the arena, but most old faces he could see cheered for him. He was never used to their gaze, to their stares, even in Asgard he never craved their attention. Only their approval, his master's approval, which he so lavishly given.
He looked up into the stands and saw in the raised pedestal his father discussing in whispered tones with Spitelout, Lugnut and Bjornn.
No doubt discussing about what he just had told his father, thankfully, none will be said of his unique abilities he displayed in front of his father. Gobber, excitedly raised his prosthetic hand towards him and began to introduce him, "On this side, we have Hiccup, son of Stoick, Chief of Berk. The first human to ride a dragon in 300 years!"
Armed with his two Asgardian blades, aptly named Agni and Rudra, both forged in Asgard and given magical properties for one to resist the enemy, the other to smite it down. His armor, painstakingly made from brass scales interwoven together to form a seamless, almost dragon like carapace to compliment his green colored finery, with brass shins and cross guards with the thinnest leather gloves one could carry. It allowed him maximum movement, with the utmost protection from his adversities.
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Thunderous applause reached his ears as another gate, exactly adjacent of him opened and out came his source of renewed misery.
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Snotlout, armed with his best leather armor, strode inside the arena in the midst of the cheering crowd. Armed with his trusty spiked mace, and wooden shield emblazoned with the crest of Berk, he walked upright, with confidence and most dangerously, without fear or uncertainty. In the times of his disappearance, his cousin definitely changed for the better. Obviously, still full of himself since they wouldn't even be inside the arena if he would have learned to listen, he saw now that in some aspects, Snotlout had changed.
Gone was the uncertainty and the overbearing confidence, his eyes, while insulting and condescending that afternoon has lost all traces of that naivety. Truly, they share the same blood, albeit less than half, but still cousins in their eyes and in their parent's eyes. The burly young man's eyes focused on Hiccup, like a Nightmare trying to intimidate its prey, his back was hunched, his muscles almost popping from his leather bindings, in a match of strength he would definitely lose against his cousin.
"On this side then," Gobber's loud voice carried over to the stands as the crowd renewed cheering brought forth the revelry to a crescendo, "-the challenger! Snotlout, son of Spitelout, second in command of our Chieftain!"
He raised his mace in acknowledgement as Hiccup remained rooted to the ground, his prosthetic digging deeper to the hard ground as he tested the stability of his false leg.
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"The rules are as follows, since both being of noble born and have such great importance to Berk, both shall not be allowed to deal a killing blow-!" the blacksmith raised a second finger and continued, "Second! The duelers will be given three blood hits! Anything more is considered a violation, and a reneging in the terms of the duel. Third! No help- especially with dragons, may be permitted and no limits on weapons that can be used." Gobber opened his hands and gestured for the two of them to approach him and they do so, "Both combatants may yield even if they have not satisfied their three blood hits! "
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People nodded their head as they agreed to the rules, satisfying honor is one thing, but losing one's life to satisfy it, especially someone so precious as Berk's greatest fighters is a grand folly to any tribe or people.
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Gobber stepped away and nodded to Lugnut who finally hits the large gong behind Stoick's seat, it's sound reverberating through the whole Dragon Arena.
"BEGIN!"
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"I see you haven't run away yet Hic- I'm really surprised you managed to shook off your 'Useless' epitaph."
"Why don't we just stop?" Hiccup also leveled with his adversary and began to move to the right, "I'm not really thrilled to fight you."
The larger Viking grinned and raised his mace at him threateningly, "You haven't drawn your sword, giving up already dear cousin?"
"It was never a battle to begin with," they circled each other as the Heir shrugged his shoulders and sighed, "This is just a waste of time." , 'I have the Bog-Burglars to deal with too!'
"I'm a waste of time now? Heh! You have insulted me further with your words Hiccup, I'll make sure to break your 'other' leg this time," Snotlout began to move to the right twirling his weapon and carefully circling Hiccup as he toyed with the hilt of his twin short swords, "Are you sure those toothpicks can even hurt me like you said you would? It looks like I'm going to break those damn things-"
"Why don't you give me a clean shot of your chest and we'll see-" he ducked as the larger Viking took a tentative swipe at him which he easily eluded, "-was that it cousin, it seems you've grown slower with your size. Getting old too is such a-"
"HRRAAHHH! I'll stomp your face with my fist- you mangy cur!" Snotlout's face turned red as he charged blindly towards Hiccup. Expecting the charge, everybody gasped at what he did, because instead of shielding himself or running away, the smaller of the two also charged at him head on. They were even more astonished as the mace came down for a bashing swing, the Heir of Berk simply gripped his sword. The knuckles on his hand turning white as he grasped the handle tightly, drawing it quickly from its sheath, he then aimed the underside of his sword's hilt to the base of his cousin's weapon effectively deflecting the attack, his other hand simultaneously drew the other one and with extreme control and precision, ran the blade through one of the small slits in between Snotlout's shield, hitting him squarely in the upper arm, blood sprayed out from his puncture wound as pain wracked the whole left side of his body.
'Odin's beard! Shit!' Snotlout cursed under his breath, 'It freaking hurts!'
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"Hiccup has First Blood!"
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The crowd cheered all around them, egging them on as the smaller of the two retracted his sword from the damaged shield and both fighters stepped away from each other for a little respite.
"Do you still harbor doubts about my 'toothpicks' cousin?" Hiccup asked coyly.
The addressed young man simmered, but kept his temper in check, "You're an asshole dear cousin!"
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Snotlout tied a piece of cloth to stop the flow of blood on his wound and quickly took his damaged shield from the ground, immediately they began circling each other once more, both fighters eyeing the other warily, their gazes never wandering far.
"You got lucky that time."
The Heir smiled and licked his lips, "I'm pretty sure that's not just luck, your losing focus Snotlout-"
"Don't tell me what to do!" he retaliated pointedly, "You think you can just come in here and be the hero? That's good and nice, and I have sure asked forgiveness for what I used to do to-"
"No, you didn't asked forgiveness yet-"
"-shut up!" he shouted as Hiccup kept smiling at him, "I was about to court Astrid you dummy, and now your here- how in Hel am I supposed to do that with you around!?"
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"Wait, don't tell me this is about Astrid!?" the duel stalled as he stood up straight, color draining from his face, "-your fighting me because you like her too?"
Snotlout grinned and huffed, blushing a bit, "Sure! I mean, look at her- with that kind of face, those swaying hips and perfect body to boot. Why wouldn't I? She's the perfect girl for me and we were getting on nicely until you came back again."
Now the tables were turned, it was Hiccup that seemed to lose focus, he resheated his sword while shaking his head in disbelief and eyed Snotlout with a different eye, "Tell me Snotlout, is this an emotional thing- or just an itch."
His cousin saw his chance to do some damage and said, "Probably just an itch- I mean look at that nice piece of Viking ass waiting at the stands- can't really wait to sink my teeth into-"
Hiccup came suddenly charging at him, running full pelt as if he still possessed both his legs, his eyes were wide with controlled rage and fury as he ran to his cousin head first and with no indication of stopping or control. The larger of the two was surprised at the situation, with blinding speed he was upon him so quickly like a familiar Night Fury. Quickly doing a double draw of his twin swords, he smashed the two swords parallel to Snotlout's shield. Their weapons connecting with a loud crash and bang, with the bigger Viking prepared for the assault, he easily braced his weapon in front of his shield and squared his shoulders at the charging young man. Easily outweighing Hiccup by probably twice of his own weight, they collided with one another as they met head on and smashed each other into the furious charge. Surprisingly he grinned at his smaller cousin, with this distance and the both of them pushing against each other, his swords embedded into the wooden shield, how could he evade a point blank swing from his mace.
Tasting a victorious hit, he raised himself to full height and was about to prepare for a side swing when he felt he couldn't even move his weapon. Too late to notice that the charge made by Hiccup was another feint, he finally saw the mistake of bracing his weapon to his wooden shield. Hiccup in a mask of blind fury used his momentum to bury one of his short sword again to the edge of his shield, trapping the shaft of his mace and leaving Hiccup's other sword free to-
Blood spurted from his right hip as Hiccup quickly capitalized from the confusion and mistake his cousin just found himself into easily poking him with his free sword.
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"Hiccup gets Second Blood!" Gobber shouted himself hoarse as the arena thundered and shook with the crowd's cheers and applause.
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As the crowd egged them on, Hiccup seemed oblivious to it all, he was burning with righteous fury, "You asshole! I can't believe you were thinking about Astrid like that! She's an honorable young woman and I ought to-"
"Relax, your ranting Hiccup," Snotlout breathed heavily as they circled each other again after tying another piece of cloth on his right hip. "You really like her, like her... right?"
He nodded as the larger of the two relaxed and pointed his weapons down, "Well, at least that's clear-" he suddenly swung at Hiccup and caught him off-guard at his left side. The spikes from the mace embedded themselves at his upper arm as he screamed in pain. With his skin raked and bleeding, the Heir stepped away as his cousin made no move to follow him. That asshole practically disarmed him with words, he had grown careless and confused because he lowered his guard around him, because they were talking about her, and they are obviously not playing here unlike when they were kids.
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"Snotlout takes his First Blood!"
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Remembering that his cousin still has the same blood as he, almost the same capacity for subterfuge he realized that he must always be calm, and in truth his cousin is really skilled if he would just concentrate at the task at hand and just forgetting that the world is not as big as his head. So, he re-sheaths his twin swords and pinched the round wounds with his fingers for a few seconds, he looks at Snotlout again and sees his cousin like never before. His eyes were clear, they looked like his, and their depths held something- a seriousness in them that he didn't know his relative was even capable of.
"Hiccup, I want you to take me seriously for now-" his cousin's voice was like a whisper, but the message was pretty clear and it rang loud from all the voices clamoring for some more steel and blood, "I want you to swear, that whoever wins in this duel- wins Astrid."
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"W- what!?" his mouth dropped open and he was honestly not expecting that.
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"Cousin, I apologize for my past behaviors... there its out in the open, now listen-" Snotlout's eyes held his as it shone with an inner strength his cousin is suddenly showing to him, "-fight me with all of your strength. All your skill, don't toy with me!"
"-but I'm not-"
"Shut up!" the larger Vikings voice sounded hard in the midst of the riotous cheering and heckling, "Fight me Hiccup! Show your skill! So that no one will question you- and that my soul would know peace that Astrid belonged to a much better man. Now show me your skill cousin, give me what I ask and I shall be satisfied!"
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As he began to approach Hiccup, Snotlout grips his spiked mace tighter, he remembers his wrong deeds when they were still whelps, then in their teen years all the hits and bruises he had, he gladly imparted it to him without feelings of guilt or remorse, all his shortcomings in the dragon arena, in his life, everything was because he was the cousin of Hiccup Haddock. Because he was next in line to a Chiefdom he didn't even want. So when he came back, he was very much relieved, and with that relief came the thought of being inadequate. As a villager, as a potential leader of his people, an inadequacy that grinds him from the inside, culminating in a careless duel that they're currently satisfying as of late. Inadequate too since, being second place never did sit well with his father, as a child he was taught every single time to hate him, to make him look bad, to make him useless in the eyes of the other people.
But, after all that, at the end of the day he never did feel it in his heart, he never could anyway, deep inside he knew he was like him. Smart, funny, and have an inner strength to have their own identity.
They even shared the liking for the same girl, but he knew her attention was only for him now. He wasn't blind, he wasn't even as thick as they thought him to be. He's just a great pretender, but now all the pretending will stop, they're already nearing the height of their lives and what has he got to show for himself. Nothing, absolutely nothing, and that battle with Drago was a big eye-opener for him. In the duration of the battle, a heavy feeling in his gut made him think that, he's not such a perfect Viking after all.
He was afraid, afraid to lose, afraid to see his own weakness unfold before him, he was afraid to even die for Astrid. It is this fear that crippled him and he just shook it off and blamed Hiccup again, the others or anything else that might come his way. He pretended he wasn't afraid and that teared him up inside, the obvious lies and fake pride he puts out in front of everyone. Snotlout stopped the tears about to burst forth as he neared Hiccup, his eyes hidden as he looked on the ground.
He had been held back enough all his life by his pretending and roundabout lying to himself that it has to stop, and the only way to stop it is to confront Hiccup. Looking like a fool, brave, or anything else they might say... against such a skilled and mighty adversary, he wouldn't mind losing now, and frankly, now that its come to this, he actually didn't care anymore.
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Be brave, he could almost hear his dead mother say.
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Well, too late to back out now. He huffed, his muscles bulging and veins showing as he raised the heavy spiked mace above his head, crashing it down to Hiccup as he came within striking distance of the weapon.
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His weapon caught air as Hiccup vanished in a cloud of dark smoke that suddenly billowed under his cousin's armor, Snotlout stood up straight, shocked and dumb-founded. He was right here a second ago, then- poof! he's nowhere to be-
"AAAHHH!"
The audience gasped as the large Viking screamed in pain, red blood splashing upwards as a shining red blade materialized where Hiccup used to stand, it spun as if held by somebody and it clipped Snotlout's armor, piercing the hard leather armor and shredding it, slicing it like it was made from churned butter. The cut extended from his stomach going up to his right shoulder, the red blade reached the apex of its hit as another one, a blue colored one spun after it in a different angle and arc, and looks as if held again by somebody. The blue and red blades spun with blinding speeds as a humanoid blur appeared in the middle of them while Snotlout is shredded by his adversary. Materializing slowly as if coming out of the smoke he exuded, Hiccup jumped and spun in mid-air suspended by his momentum as he aimed the blades again towards his cousin. The sound of pain from Snotlout and metal clanging was simply too much as some spectators looked away as the Heir seemed to butcher his cousin.
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"STOP HICCUP!" Gobber shouted over the shouting and clamoring crowd, he ran towards the middle as the bloody spectacle finally stopped, "STOP! You've won already! Don't KILL him boy!"
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Landing as he spun in place, Hiccup clanged his twin short swords together and quickly re-sheaths them. Snotlout, landed flat on his back in the ground, his shield damaged beyond repair, his weapon's shaft cracked, his leather armor shredded and unusable, while blood trickled down from his two major wounds. The blacksmith quickly reached him and attended to him, as he looked at him, he sighed deeply as Snotlout breathed normally by himself, "You gave us a scare boy-"
Other Vikings rushed to the arena to take care of the fallen as they assessed his damage. Although in serious pain, he was outside of danger since his wounds are mostly superficial, the worst of them were the two deep cuts running from his stomach up to his right shoulder and another from his right chest to his left upper arm. Bandages were produced as a stretcher was also brought forth, Hiccup approached Snotlout and kneels down to him. Opening his eyes a bit, he grits his teeth as he saw his victorious cousin peering down on him, "I guess you win Hic-"
"Yeah, I guess I did-" Hiccup bit his lip and asked, "So- uh- are you satisfied?"
The larger Viking closed his eyes and nodded without speaking, he coughed and his wounds opened again wracking his body in excruciating pain, "Hiccup, I have to tell you something."
"What is it?"
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He didn't answer, but he gestured for him to kneel closer, with his face dangling above Snotlout's he finally whispered, "I leave Astrid to you- don't hurt her, or I'll break your nose-"
"-of course, I won't... I'll die before that happens," he smiled a genuine smile at him and was about to stand up when a hand caught him, "Oh! One more thing Hiccup-"
Hiccup's back was in front of Gobber as the blacksmith approached the two cousins, suddenly Hiccup yelped in pain and backed away from Snotlout. He was clutching his eyes and was sputtering curses to his vanquished foe, dropping to the ground and rolling around while shouting expletives at him, "Oh! If you weren't already wounded I'll drive my swords through your head- you miserable sack of muck! Ow! MY EYES! You POKED me you jerk!"
"What's wrong Hiccup!? What happened?"
With a miserable face, and red-teary eyes, the young man pointed to Snotlout accusingly, "That scum poked me in the EYE!?"
The blacksmith looked down at the bleeding cousin and saw that his eyes were already closed, his middle finger and pointing finger were raised and as he was taken away by the two Viking medics, a toothy grin appeared on his lips as soft laughter can be heard in the middle of Hiccup's cursing.
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Laughing a little, he pats Hiccup on the back and raised his head to the crowd, "YOUR WINNER! HICCUP HADDOCK the 3rd!"
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More cheers were given, clapping and sounds of merry-making as he was presented to the crowd. Even Stoick stood up from his chair to clap at him, exclaiming words of praises and slapping Spitelout in the back. "Don't fret Spitelout, your boy was amazing he was still alive after what Hiccup did."
"I know," the black haired Viking Lieutenant gave a small grin, his signature scowl never leaving his face, "We Jorgensons never feel fear."
From where they sat, the other Riders of Berk stood and pumped their fist into the air, it was spectacular to watch Hiccup fight. No wonder, Astrid said to herself, whatever I did this morning was never enough. The skill and control he showed us today is a sound proof of his training, skill and abilities. She couldn't even imagine the damage he could have done if he were hitting Snotlout to kill. Still, breathing is better than dead, and she was surprised to know that even if the larger cousin seemed very much hurt and his wounds were life-threatening, it was deemed safe to put him in a stretcher with Mulch and Bucket, to be taken to the healers, meaning his life is not in danger. Just, royally banged-up and wounded lavishly, albeit almost all superficial.
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On the Bog-Burglar side, everyone also cheered, to have such a husband for their Princess was definitely a treat. However, Bertha, Camicazi and Kalina were silent, the Chieftess and her daughter looked at their Champion and asked, "Did you see that Kalina? Can you counter it?"
"It's something I've never seen before," the large woman breathed deeply, trying to calm herself as the pending fight pits him against such an unbelievable fighter. "-It's going to be hard."
"He might accidentally kill Kalina-" Camicazi shook her head and looked at the older woman, touching her calloused hands tenderly, "Sister, I can always fight him now- not you or anyone else in our tribe."
"No," Kalina shook her head in disbelief, "Please, Lady Camicazi, do not deny me of the chance of a lifetime. A battle to the death with him would be... it would be glorious, and my mother's honor would not be ashamed."
The Heir of the Bog-Burglars bit her lip as their Champion stood up, her zweihander held on her right hand as she walked down to the gates that would grant her passage into the Dragon Arena.
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Hiccup, on the other hand, rubbed his eyes as the last attack of Snotlout took him by surprise.
"Damn him and his bullying-" he shook his head as his eyes finally cleared, but the lingering pain in the back of his skull remained, a painful reminder of his cousin's abilities to inflict a last minute damage, "-he never changed."
"Caught you by surprise did he?"
The young man nodded as he cracked his knuckles and nodded at Gobber, "Are you sure you've recovered lad? Your next bout is already waiting-"
Another nod for confirmation and Gobber signals the trumpets to be sounded, as the whole Dragon Arena flooded with the sound he scanned the watching throng and found what he was looking for. A beautiful young woman, sitting in the stands just below the raised platform where Stoick always seats, her long blonde hair is braided he can see where he stood to gaze upon her. She seemed to feel his gaze when she looked down and their gazes met perfectly, both blushed at the same time as Astrid brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and huffed bashfully.
Even with his eyes hurting, he could feel his heart jumping to his throat. By the Gods, what have this woman done to him to make him feel this way. The Warriors Three and even Heimdall teases him about it.
Sighing heavily, he feels a prickling feeling on his side, the same feeling you get when someone is looking straight at you. Almost afraid to look, he swung his head anyways and saw Gobber leering his eyes at him. Catching him staring at her, he sidled next to him as the gates opened for his next opponent, "You might want to focus on this woman your fighting, instead of the woman your fantasizin-"
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"Ok, ok," he stretched a bit, his body felt relaxed as his body remembered the training he had in Asgard. He watched as the Bog-Burglar Champion walked into the ring, the watching crowd cheered on with renewed vigor as a prospect of a second duel today made watching both fights a really special treat. She finally reached him where he stood and he looked up at her, the Viking woman was a good 2 feet and a half higher than him Her arms were like those of a male, her flaming red hair now braided into a single knot while she wore her best leather armor with shoulder pauldrons made from, copper or maybe brass, who knows.
Gobber raised his hands again and began to introduce the combatants, "People of Berk,today is a very special have seen the duel between cousins and Heirs, now we see the duel where the fate of our Hiccup would be decided."
"As you all know, our young man here had just finished fighting his cousin," he cleared his throat and looked at Hiccup pointedly, "In consideration, we will offer him an hour of respite."
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"No, I'm fine-" he rolled his shoulders showing he's all fine, stretching his arms left and right, he was trying to convince Gobber that he was alright, "-look, I'm not even winded!"
"Are you sure boy!?" the blacksmith insisted as his eyes bulged out, trying to make him say otherwise, "Are you REALLY sure that you don't NEED rest!?"
He nodded again as the peg-legged old man face-palmed and sighed, he turned to the challenger and raised his hand, "In this side, we have Kalina Berthadottir, Champion of the Bog-Burglar tribe."
Claps and cheers for Kalina were heard as she took tentative swings of her zweihander, testing the feel on her hands, and the weight of the weapon. Acclimatizing herself with the sudden actions she will certainly undertake against him. Speed would be important, since most of his technique relied on speed and skill, he doesn't look to be particularly strong so there's no precaution needed against that. It's just that his moves are all odd-angled and they seem to outwit the enemy using his particular moves.
Kalina grinned as her gloved hand rubbed the sword's hilt, "He be a feisty one eh?"
Hiccup spreads his legs apart and looked at his enemy's body language, her posture is good, the sword's weight seemed to be made of straw when she swings it left and right. Her movement are almost the same as Bjornn Hofferson, with both fighters using the same fighting technique. Kalina seems to be using a zweihander, while Bjornn used a two-handed Celtic Claymore, but still their stance, their technique seemed to be the same. Regardless he must win this duel, or their newly found peace would be plunged into chaos.
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"The rules for the duel are as follows," Gobber still standing in the middle ran off the basics of the duel, "Unlike the first duel, this is now until one party wishes to yield, is knocked out, or unable to continue the fight. No killing blows can be given, and none shall be received. No help- again, especially from Dragons, and spectators-" he warily eyed the Thornston twins as both smiled innocently, "-right, and spectators will ever be allowed. Is that understood?"
Both nodded as the blacksmith ran to the sides while nodding his head to the signal horn.
The large horn from a forgotten slain dragon sounded as Gobber's voice was easily heard, "BEGIN!"
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Kalina looked at him and smiled dangerously, "My Princess needs a husband- I guess your it."
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To be continued.
Author's note:
This story is progressing real nice, and the ideas kept pouring in. They just keep pouring into my mind and I have to write or it will be lost in my mind forever. A few questions that I would like to address,
1. Why is Hiccup an amputee here?
Ans: It's canon (no harder argument). His leg is a direct connection to Toothless (without Hiccup he can't fly, but without Toothless he can't fly either).
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Cheers,
Scarabeye3000
