Part 3 – Chapter 21
In his head, all the possible things that could go wrong – no one listening, not being able to train the dragon, the Nightmare killing him, somehow the Vikings finding out about Toothless and – he forces his thoughts to stop. He can't bear to think about it.
As he grabs his shield, and picks up his knife, Snotlout is finally able to raise his head, though he still refuses eye contact with everyone. He remembers Hiccup's words from last night, that dragons are innocent, they don't deserve death. He wonders if Hiccup will follow through on those words, and if he'll be right.
Hiccup declares that he's ready, though he really doesn't feel like he is.
Stoick watches eagerly from the stands. He always knew that Hiccup had greatness within him, and now finally, he can let it out, and prove anyone who thought otherwise wrong. Today, Hiccup will turn into the man Stoick had always hoped he would become, a man in semblance to him.
The gates open, and the Nightmare breaks through. Snotlout thinks he might be imagining this, but… is it trying to escape? Shouldn't it be trying to kill him? He voices his thoughts absentmindedly, forgetting he's with company. "It can't be possible," Astrid mutters. The Nightmare gives up it's plans of escape, and turns it's focus to Hiccup. Hiccup drops the knife and the shield. Spitelout glowers from the crowd. The town screw-up was chosen to fight the Nightmare, and he can't even do that. He's embarrassing himself, and all the other trainees. He's embarrassing Stoick, and he's embarrassing him.
Hiccup seems to be calming the Nightmare, and Astrid's heart skips a beat. There's now way what she's seeing is true. Hiccup sees the Nightmare still doesn't trust him, and he knows it's the helmet. Snotlout's words, "You're one of them," rings through his head. Hiccup's annoyed that it always has to be Viking vs. Dragon, one or another. Why does he have to be one of many, choosing a side instead of choosing peace. His hands touch the helmet, the one that had belonged to his mother, and the woman's words rang through him again. He throws it to the side. Stoick stands up in shock. What in Thor's name is he doing? Throwing away what belonged to his tribe and to his mother? Hiccup's words ring true. "I'm not one of them."
Astrid is shocked. Snotlout is confused. Spitelout is furious. Stoick is hurt. "Stop the fight," Stoick mutters.
"No," Hiccup yells back firmly, "I need you all to see this. They're not what we think they are. We don't have to kill them." He sees the Nightmare's eyes grow wider, and its snout comes closer to his hand. He can do this. He really can. Snotlout and Astrid realize this simultaneously. Stoick is overwhelmed. He's infuriated with Hiccup for discarding his tribe. He's infuriated with Hiccup for choosing the dragons over his people. He's infuriated with Hiccup for defending the dragons, just as Valka had, while simultaneously, throwing her away with the rest of them. "I said, STOP THE FIGHT." Stoick's hammer hits hard against the steel fencing around the arena, breaking the Nightmare's trance, as it goes in for the attack.
Hiccup runs as fast he can, quickly escaping the fiery blasts. Astrid watches this all in fear, acting without thought, and purely instinct, adrenaline pumping through her, she lifts the gate using her axe as leverage. She slides under, and throws a hammer at the Nightmare, distracting it. Her only thoughts are, no, things cannot go wrong. Stoick sees what's unravelling and makes a beeline for the gate, lifting it up, and guiding the two teens to the exit. He's acting before he's thinking, and really, he's not thinking at all. Any anger he had towards his son has vanished in the moment, and his only concern is their safety.
Astrid is able to evade the dragon, but Hiccup can't seem to do the same. It isn't long before the dragon has him pinned. Hiccup thinks it's all over. Astrid is doesn't know what to think. Snotlout finds himself hoping that somehow, things will work out for Hiccup. Stoick can't help but wonder if this is really happening, or if it's all some sick nightmare. Spitelout watches, smiling sadistically. Hiccup will finally get what he deserves, and Spitelout will finally get himself an heir, and with it, the power and respect HE deserves.
Suddenly, a familiar whistle fills their ears. Stoick and Spitelout, along with all the Vikings duck their heads in fear, while Hiccup smiles. Snotlout finds himself sighing with relief. Astrid is lost in her thoughts. Toothless blasts his way into the arena and wrestles the Nightmare away from Hiccup.
The rest of the scene goes pretty much the same, with Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid against Stoick, Spitelout, and the Vikings of Berk. Snotlout stands back, not wanting to publicly pick a side, but he roots for Hiccup, the one who never hurt him. And if Hiccup says the dragons are okay, then maybe they are.