Hey guys! How're ya doing? This chapter really took me long to write. These past weeks were crazy and I barely had any free time. I know how bad is waiting for the new chapter for weeks. So, please, forgive me. Okay so, now the reviews!

Dynonutt96: I'm so happy that this is your favorite fanfic :D

Mariah: That would be hilarious! I don't know where I can put that scene or if I can find a place to put it. I don't want to give any spoilers about the future chapters now :)

Hiccstrid105: Everyone knows that! Well, except Astrid and Hiccup :'D

And for everyone else who reviewed. Thank you very much! I'm happy that you like this story!

Chapter 14: The First Lesson

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Hiccup blinked his eyes open. The rays of the sun were filling the room. He turned the alarm off and slumped back on his bed. Yesterday's events flashed in front of his eyes. A smile tugged the corners of his lips. Flying was amazing!

There, in the air, he forgot about all of his worries- it didn't matter who he was, he wasn't worried about his dad finding out his secret, or about his feelings for Astrid. He was feeling… free.

And now he was going to feel all of that again. But this time he wouldn't be a passenger. He would be the one guiding the plane through the skies, all by himself. He wanted to see Berk from the sky again, soar in the clouds, and watch the sunset.

The young engineer sighed happily. He couldn't express how grateful he was that Gobber decided to teach him. To be honest, he didn't think he could have learned to fly watching videos on the internet. But he was too stubborn to admit that.

Hiccup sat up, stretched and began getting ready for work.

The auburn-haired man couldn't wipe the smile off his face. When he entered the building, people were giving him weird looks. It wasn't normal to be smiling out of nowhere and on Monday no less.

"Hey, Fish," he greeted cheerfully when he entered the room. Fishlegs eyed him weirdly and then said.

"What happened? Why are you so happy?"

Hiccup shrugged. "Can't I just be happy?"

Fishlegs looked at him skeptically. "First of all, you're not a morning person. And secondly, it's Monday. As much as you love your job, you still hate Mondays."

Hiccup took off his backpack and sat on the chair. He couldn't argue with Fishlegs. He wasn't a morning person and he hated Mondays. Seriously, who in the Midgard loved Mondays?

However, there was no way he would tell Fishlegs about the plane. The blonde man was his best friend but he was awful at keeping secrets.

"I'm just happy, that's all."

Fishlegs eyed him for some time. He knew that Hiccup was lying. The husky man smirked.

"You weren't this happy since that date with Astrid," he said casually, turning back to his computer and continuing his work.

"Yeah," Hiccup said a love-struck expression on his face and then stopped. "Wait! How did you know about it!?" He didn't remember telling Fishlegs about it! How did he find out!?

Fishlegs laughed at his friend's reaction when Hiccup was still watching him baffled.

"I saw you when we were walking in the park with Meatlug," he said and after some time, added. "I think you were enjoying yourselves."

Hiccup glared at him. "We were just having a picnic when Toothless and Stormfly were playing. That's all."

"I don't think so," Fishlegs answered nonchalantly. He would not let Hiccup get away with this.

"I think my dad will be overjoyed knowing that you're slacking because you decided to discuss my love life," he answered. He didn't like using his dad for getting what he wanted, but now he really wanted to drop the subject. Actually, this time, Hiccup didn't even know if he was using sarcasm. His dad was very interested in his love life and was urging him to find a girl since he was seventeen.

Fishlegs just raised his hands in surrender and continued to work.

It was the lunchtime. Fishlegs had already gone to the cafeteria. A lot of work had piled up since Hiccup was working on his plane, so he had to finish one of his projects before going for a lunch.

When he entered cafeteria he was surprised to see Fishlegs and Astrid sitting together and talking like old friends. He smiled at the sight and went to them. He was happy that two of his good friends were getting along.

Many would have felt jealous in this situation, but not him. He trusted Fishlegs and besides he had eyes for another girl (but of course he would not admit that).

"Hey, Hiccup!" Astrid said waving at him and he waved back. Hearing her Fishlegs stopped talking and turned around.

"I see you're finally done," the husky man said. "One of these days, you're gonna overwork yourself."

"Nah, I don't think I will," Hiccup answered sitting at the table. Fishlegs rolled his eyes.

Hiccup remembered shy and self-conscious Fishlegs from the High school. He had been a husky boy, who had preferred spending his most time in the library. Well, not many things changed. He's still nerdy and shy, but he had busted some confidence. He wasn't shy to talk to other people and loved making new friends. And sometimes, the husky man even teased him!

Hiccup actually liked this Fishlegs more. He was snapped out of his thoughts when his friend nudged him.

"Hey, Astrid," he greeted. When he saw her, he just couldn't look away. Even in her pilot suit and usual braid, she was looking gorgeous. Since a few days ago he discovered about his feelings, everything that Astrid did was looking beautiful and graceful for him.

When Hiccup acknowledged that he was staring, he awkwardly cleared his throat. "So, um, how's your training?" he asked trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Well, we all are training hard. Today guys decided to take a day off. But I'm still training, cuz I need to do my best," she answered. Heather was saying that she was pushing herself too much. But she was determined to win this championship, and she would do everything for that to come true.

"Don't worry. You're one of the best pilots in the whole Archipelago! You're talented, smart, brave, and determined! I'm sure you can pull this off," he said enthusiastically. Astrid felt her cheeks heating up. Hiccup also realizing what he had just said blushed furiously. But he didn't want to take his words back. He meant everything he had said.

"Thanks," Astrid said blush still present on her cheeks. Fishlegs was just watching their interaction with amusement. It was obvious for everyone that they both had feelings for each other. Well, but it wasn't obvious for them.

"So, um, how're your projects," Astrid asked in order to kill the tension.

"Oh, they're great!" Hiccup beamed. "I began working on this new project-" he began talking about his new project, but Astrid wasn't listening. Instead, she was looking at him. How he was throwing his hands enthusiastically, or the gleam in his eyes when he was talking about something he loved. When he was shrugging his shoulders, Astrid wondered if he knew that he was doing that. His crooked smile, or when he-

"Astrid, are you listening?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course," she answered. Well, she wasn't listening. She was too deep in her thoughts to listen, but of course, she would not tell that to Hiccup.

"Um, we have to go," said Fishlegs looking at his watch. "The break almost is over."

"Oh, in that case. See you later, Astrid," Hiccup said standing up.

"See you later."

When Hiccup's work was over he headed straight to Gobber's. He was eager to sit on his plane again! Yesterday, when they were done with the testing, they left the plane in one of the hangars. Hiccup was hesitant, fearing that it may be stolen. But Gobber assured him that no one even remembered that place and it was safe. The mechanic also put a big lock on the hangar, just in case.

When Hiccup arrived, he saw Gobber waiting outside.

"Hey, Gobber," Hiccup greeted when his mentor entered the car.

"Good evening, laddie," the blonde man greeted back and closed the car door. Hiccup began driving.

"Eager, aren't we?" Gobber asked, seeing the auburn-haired man tapping his foot. Hiccup was truly eager to fly the plane. But it wasn't the reason he was tapping his foot. He was just nervous, very nervous.

"Yeah," he answered with a small smile.

Gobber laughed noticing his nervousness. "Ah, don't worry, laddie! I know it was yer dream since ye were little! Everything will be fine!"

"I hope so."

After some time, they arrived. Hiccup went to the hangar and opened it. The plane was there, unharmed. He got into the aircraft, and Gobber followed him.

"Hey Ally," Hiccup greeted and the monitor lighted up.

"Good evening, sir," the AI answered as the program started. On the screen began appearing random information about the plane.

"Ally, can you do the pre-flight checks?" Hiccup asked fastening his seatbelt.

"Ah, laddie, I donnae think it's a good idea," Gobber interrupted from the behind.

"Why?"

"Well, what yer gonna do if there'll be problems with tae program and it'll da tae checks wrong? We'll crush!" he wanted to continue but Hiccup interrupted him.

"Gobber, when I was making Ally, I did tests. She passed 121 tests and there were no problems. So don't worry."

"Then what will ya do, if you'll fly another plane, which hasn't that program of yer's? How yer gonna do tae checks?" Gobber tried to reason.

"I have been working with aircraft of my life. I think I'll be able to do them," Hiccup answered. He was working on aircraft since he was a child! He was sure he could do some checks! He was even offended that Gobber thought about that.

"Then be it yer way," Gobber muttered, clearly not pleased.

"Everything is working right, sir. We're ready to take off," Ally informed.

"Okay, laddie. Now ya need tae adjust the flaps to tae proper angle fer takeoff. 10 degrees will da great." Hiccup placed his feet on the pedals and did as he was told.

"Great. Now, push tae fuel mixture knob completely in and advance tae throttle slowly." Hiccup did that and saw on the screen that the engine's RPMs (revolutions per minute) increased. The aircraft began moving.

The plane turned to left, so Hiccup pushed the right pedal. The aircraft drastically turned to the right.

"Careful. Ya need to do that gently," Gobber said quickly, noticing that Hiccup wanted to panic. The auburn-haired man calmed down and slowly pushed the left pedal and the plane straightened. After some zigzagging, Hiccup was finally able to turn to the runway.

"Good job! Now ya need tae gain speed. I think 60 knots will be okay. When ye'll notice the nose lifting off the ground, gently pull tae stick back," the old pilot instructed.

"Wait!" Hiccup began panicking. Sure, he was ready to drive on the ground. But in the air!? He wasn't ready! "Aren't you gonna teach me first!?"

"I believe in learning on tae job!" the mechanic answered cheerfully. Hiccup gulped but still did as he was told. The aircraft began gaining speed. It was nearing the 60 knots.

The nose of the plane began lifting.

"When I'll say, pull tae stick back. Remember, when tae plane will be maintaining climb speed, apply proper rudder, or we'll crash." Hiccup was panicking. The sweat dripped from his face. He needed to focus! He could do this!

"Now!" cried Gobber. "Pull tae stick!"

Hiccup pulled the stick and the plane began raising. All the time Hiccup was carefully applying the rudder.

Gobber noticed that they were already at a safe height above the ground and they had a positive rate of climb. So he instructed. "Return the flaps tae neutral position, laddie."

Hiccup followed the instructions. The plane was airborne.

"Good job, Hiccup!" The old pilot exclaimed happily. "Ya did it!"

Hiccup couldn't believe it. He was able to take off and they were still alive!

"I did this…," he said disbelievingly. "Yes, I did it!"

He threw his hands up in the air in happiness. Suddenly, the plane jolted right. He had accidentally hit the pedal.

"Don't get too excited, lad. Now, pay attention tae artificial horizon and attitude indicator. Ya need tae keep the plane level. If ya'll fall below it, raise tae nose. Remember, be gentle," Gobber said.

Following Gobber's instructions Hiccup also learned how to turn and now was guiding the plane through the skies. He was still nervous and was trying to not zone out. Every few seconds he was glancing at the flight instruments, fearing that something will go wrong.

After flying for twenty minutes, he relaxed a bit. He allowed himself to peek a glance outside the cockpit. The feeling from yesterday returned. Hiccup was gazing at Berk with awe. Of course, he already had seen this, but the sight still amazed him. He thought that he would never get tired of this.

The young man saw the park, his home, the plaza, and the other buildings. It was interesting, did the-

The plane suddenly jerked left and Hiccup fell on his arm. The screen became red and began beeping. That meant only one thing-something went wrong.

"We hit a turbulence. The plane lost control, we're falling," was heard Ally's voice. If they weren't in this situation, he would have done a sarcastic remark. But now he was too terrified.

"Oh my Thor! We're going to crush! We're going to crush!" he yelled. All the calmness was now replaced by pure terror. "It's all my fault. It's all my fault! I should've never taken my eyes from that screen! We're going to crush! And it's all my fault!"

The plane was spiraling down, and Hiccup was hyperventilating, which wasn't helping the situation.

"We're away from the ground 1km. Your heart rate had increased, you need to calm down and handle the situation, or else you'll die. In this cases, medics suggest to take deep breaths," informed Ally. Hiccup had decided to wear his jacket and the gloves, just in case. That's how Ally knew his heart rate.

"This time I agree with her!" Gobber yelled returning to his senses. "Ya need tae calm down!"

Hiccup was taking deep breaths and it had helped. He began nodding his head indicating that he was listening.

"700 meters," the program said.

"Now, ya need tae hold tae stick," Gobber tried to say calmly, but his voice broke a little. He couldn't let the lad know that he was panicking too. The spinning, red lights, beeping, and program's countdown wasn't helping.

"600 meters."

"Turn tae flaps tae 30 degrees."

"Isn't it too much!?" Hiccup yelled panicking.

"500 meters."

"DO AS I TOLD YA!" Gobber couldn't hold his calm demeanor anymore. They were going to crush elsewhere!

"400 meters."

Hiccup did as he was told. His hands were trembling, and he couldn't do anything faster.

"300 meters."

"Pull tae stick back! As much as ye can! Pull it back!" Gobber yelled.

"200 meters."

Hiccup held the stick firmly and pulled it back with as much force as he could. The plane quickly went up and Hiccup fell back on his seat. When they were on a safe altitude he leveled the plane. He was doing all that on automat, not realizing his actions. He was still shaken.

Gobber was the first one to recover from the shock.

"We're alive! Laddie, ya did it! Ya did it! There was a moment I thought we're gonna crash!" he exclaimed happily. He was very proud of the lad.

"Wow, I'm overjoyed that you have so much faith in me," Hiccup answered sarcasm oozing from his words. Gobber laughed.

"Ah, I see yer sarcasm returned. Ya'll be fine."

Hiccup sighed and leaned back on his seat, still checking the flight instruments with the corner of his eye. He had just realized that they were going to crush, because of him. He should've been attentive and should have never taken his eyes from the screen. And then, when they were falling, he began panicking instead of taking the plane under the control. He should never let that happen again.

"I think it's time fer us tae land," Gobber's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yeah, you're right."

He flew around the runway five times, and then he was finally able to be in the right position. He reduced the airspeed and lowered the flaps.

"Now, the hardest part begins." Gobber's comment didn't help at all. He knew that the landing was the hardest part, but it would be great to hear some encouragement.

"Lower the nose and watch tae numbers on the runway," the old pilot instructed. There was a problem.

"Um, Gobber. I can't see the numbers." The plane's lights were on, but he couldn't see any numbers. Probably, since the paint wasn't freshened, the numbers erased.

"Well, that could be a problem. But donnae worry, we'll manage," Gobber said trying to think a way of helping Hiccup to land. The old pilot could've landed without the numbers. After all, he was a professional pilot. But it would be extremely hard for Hiccup-the person, who was flying a plane for the first time in his life!

"Sir, I can help you to land without numbers," said Ally.

"Laddie-" Gobber began but was interrupted.

"Gobber, now it's not the time for your protests. We need to use every help we can get," Hiccup said. "Okay, Ally. Help me to land this plane."

"The landing is long. Lower the nose of the aircraft" was heard Ally's monotonic voice. Hiccup lowered the nose. "The landing is short. Raise the nose of the aircraft."

Hiccup continued following Ally's instructions, perfecting his angle, and the plane neared the ground.

"Now, laddie, raise the nose slowly, pulling back tae stick," Gobber said. He did that, and after some time, the wheels touched the ground. The landing was a bit bumpy but it was normal for the first time. After driving for some time, Hiccup pushed the breaks and the plane came to a stop.

"Well, I admit it. That program isn't completely useless," Gobber muttered. Hiccup turned to him with a smirk on his face. The old pilot rolled his eyes and got out of the plane. The auburn-haired man followed him.

Gobber was nervous. He feared that Hiccup would never want to fly a plane again. His first flight wasn't the best exactly. He knew the lad was stubborn. But having a near death experience could change his mind. He should've been more careful. He should've taught him first. Now the lad's dream would be crashed.

"So, uhm, laddie," he began scratching his chin with the prosthetic. "I'm sorry, I should've taught ya first. I'll understand if ya'll never want tae sit in a plane again."

Hiccup's head snapped towards Gobber, his eyes widening.

"What!? No! Gobber it's my dream! It was my dream since the first time I saw a plane! I want to be a pilot! Well, almost dying at your first flight, wasn't what I expected. But that will not stop me!" Hiccup exclaimed, throwing his hands wildly in the air.

Gobber smiled proudly. Many would've broken after that type of an incident. But not Hiccup. The lad was stubborn as his parents. The old pilot patted the young man's back, affectionately.

"C'mon, laddie. It's already late. Ya need to get rest since tomorrow we're gonna fly again."

Hiccup smiled and got back into the plane, guiding it to the hangar.

The end of the chapter. I can say that we'll meet the Night Fury soon…