I'm super excited for this chapter…and the next, like, five chapters after this one! This sequence is one of the best in the film. Hope you all enjoy my portrayal of these wonderful scenes!

Review Replies:

Ferdoos: Thanks! Here's the next chapter.

cas000q1: She is kinda creepy! That's what happens when you get too obsessed with being the best!

Toothless is best: Yep! You were this story's 100th and 200th reviewer. That's quite an accomplishment!

faisyah865: Yeah, she didn't do herself any favors with thoughts like those!

Guest (anonymous): I can't express how happy I was to wake up and see such encouraging words first thing in the morning. Thank you for writing a review that brightened my day! I like to think that as long as I update this and Wheel at least once or twice a month that will be enough. Some of my other stories haven't been updated in almost 4-5 years.

Well, I do watch the movie as I write this story. For the in-between (Hiccup-only movie scenes) moments, I just think "What might Astrid be doing while Hiccup is doing this?" and then I put it into words. Then, as I write those scenes, Astrid's personality forms and I just write that all down. I'm glad that it's believable because I wanted this story to be realistic and canon (though, it will probably diverge a bit soon…maybe).

Next chapter starts…now!

Chapter 36: Deciding the Victor

The day had finally arrived! Today, the Elder of the village would be choosing this year's top student from the dragon training class. As with every year, the top two students would be competing, vying for the coveted honor of killing the dragon, most likely a Monstrous Nightmare, in front of the entire village. Astrid was ready. There was nothing more she could have done to prepare herself for this moment. Briefly she wondered how shocked her parents would be to see that she was going head-to-head against Hiccup, but she pushed those thoughts from her mind and, instead, imagined how proud they would be when Gothi chose her, their daughter, as top student.

By the time Astrid arrived, a crowd had already started to gather in the spectating areas above the arena. She met Hiccup and Gobber in the main tunnel and waited for instruction. Today would not be like every other day. Today was for show and Gobber, having done this many times before, knew exactly how he wanted to stage the teens' entrance.

"I will introduce you both to the crowd first. Stay put until you hear cheers then enter the arena. Really take it all in! This is your big moment!" he instructed to both Astrid and Hiccup.

As promised, Gobber then entered the crowd and Astrid listened closely as the spectating Vikings grew quiet. "Welcome! Today is a very special day of training. This year's top two recruits, Astrid Hofferson and Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III will soon take the floor in a show of skill and ability. Following today's display, our very own Elder will decide which one is worthy of the honor to kill his or her first dragon in front of all of you. Now, without further talk, I present our two top candidates. My fellow Vikings, here they are! Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Astrid Hofferson!"

Astrid led the way, running out and drinking in the explosion of cheers. She circled around, looking up at the faces of her fellow Vikings who had been anxiously waiting for the arrival of this glorious day. Sweeping her eyes over the crowd, Astrid looked for any signs of her parents. They had to be there somewhere, but Astrid did not know where; they had not told her where they'd planned to stand in the spectating area today.

Behind Astrid, Hiccup's entrance was slower, almost reluctant. She turned back to see him shuffle in with a recognizable expression on his face. He would rather be anywhere than here. It shouldn't be too hard to claim this victory.

Overnight, Gobber and some of the other buff male Vikings had worked to set up the wooden barriers. Usually, the barriers were used as obstacles under Gobber's instruction. Today, however, there would be no instructions. Both teens would need to make their own decisions based on all they had learned in training.

Gobber had directed Astrid and Hiccup to stand side-by-side facing toward the dragons' cages. Which dragon will it be? Astrid wondered. Maybe the Nadder or the Zippleback…something tricky but not as tough as the Nightmare.

Not giving his top two students any clues to which dragon they will face, Gobber walked between all the cage doors. "Hiccup. Astrid. Remember your training…and good luck." He stopped at one of the doors, released the lever and left the arena floor just as the dragon burst out of its cage. The Gronckle! Now, what's the best way to handle this one? She retreated behind one of the barriers to formulate her battle strategy. Okay, first, don't lose sight of it. Remember, Astrid, she coached herself, dragons are ruthless. They sense a weakness and you're dead! Finally she decided to inch closer slowly and then attack the dragon head-on. That way, she could showcase both her stealth and her attack abilities.

Diving from her current position, she hid behind another barrier closer to the Gronckle as it circled the arena looking for its attackers. It wasn't until she had positioned herself in her new location that Astrid noticed him. Hiccup had clearly been hiding out behind this very barrier. Astrid briefly noticed him smile before she knocked his shield aside. Don't think we are allies, Hiccup! This is war! "Stay out of my way! I'm winning this thing," she told him, gripping her axe tighter and getting right up into his face. Get the message? She didn't say that out loud, though. Her actions should've been clear enough. Astrid didn't wait around for an answer. Now wasn't the time to worry about such trivial things. Briefly, though, she did wonder about his new horned-hat. When had he gotten that? He'd never had one during training. Those thoughts were quickly forgotten. It wasn't Hiccup that Astrid needed to worry about today…at least not yet.

Closer and closer, barrier after barrier, Astrid crept to the unsuspecting Gronckle. Axe gripped tightly in hand, she somersault-dived behind one last barrier. "This time! This time for sure!" she reassured herself. Peeking out to be sure the Gronckle had not changed spots again, Astrid screamed out a battle cry and, axe raised high, she jumped the last remaining barriers.

Before she could attack, though, Astrid stopped to behold the sight in front of her. Hiccup was cowering near the passed-out Gronckle. I told him that I was the one to win this today! He never listens! She fumed as he gestured nervously to the dragon and the weapons lying splayed out around him. Astrid's anger exploded. Slamming her axe sharply on the ground, she screamed out, "NO! YOU SON OF A HALF-TROLL, RAT-EATING, MUNGE-BUCKET!" as she swung the axe around, attacking the air surrounding her.

High above them, the Elder, a short and mute woman, tapped her stick down onto the stone floor on which she and all the other spectators stood, but Astrid paid no mind. She was too frustrated by today's performance and too worried that her parents had just seen everything. They had to have known now that Hiccup had been besting her throughout training. It wasn't until the Chief called for order that the cheers died down and Astrid relaxed slightly. Even she knew that when the chief wanted something done, it was foolish not to obey. He was quite an intimidating man.

The Elder had made her decision and now it was time to hear it. Astrid watched as Hiccup tried to sneak off again just as he always did after training, but this time Gobber, with the hook he was wearing, caught Hiccup's fur vest and dragged him back, placing the boy down on the ground behind him.

Hiccup stammered an excuse about being "kind of late for" something. No, not this time you don't! You will tell me now why you are running of everyday! Positioning her axe just below his neck, Astrid confronted the boy. "What?! Late for what, exactly?"

Astrid never did get her answer as the chief called for quiet, stating that the Elder had decided. Gobber moved between the two teens, separating them. Both Astrid and Hiccup turned toward the Elder and the Chief and waited for the verdict. First, Gobber raised this hook above Astrid's head. Normally, he would've pointed down at the girl, but he didn't want to slice open her head, so he leveled off the hook above her (something that Astrid was grateful for). The girl stood up straighter and puffed out her chest in an attempt to look like a true victor. Unfortunately, it didn't work as the Elder gave a simple shake of the head. No? That's a…no? All her hopes and dreams had just come crashing down. That must mean then…

Gobber then moved to point down at Hiccup and the Elder smiled and gave a nod of approval. I can't believe this! Hiccup is the top student, the Elder's choice?! No! Everyone immediately broke into cheers for Hiccup's achievement. Everyone, that is, except Astrid.

Astrid seethed, sending glares across the way toward Hiccup. If looks could kill, Hiccup would've been long dead-reduced to ash from the girl's fiery gaze. Gobber's right. You've done it, Hiccup. You have embarrassed me in front of my parents. There's no way to fix our broken family ties anymore.

The other teens rushed over to celebrate Hiccup's victory, but Astrid stayed back. That should've been me. I should've been the one being cheered for and celebrated.

Everyone left quickly from the arena. No doubt going to the Great Hall to continue celebrating, Astrid scoffed. She most definitely was not in the mood to join them. There's no way that I can face my parents now. Not after everything that has just happened. She left the already-empty arena and headed for the one place she knew that she could find solace. I need to be alone now, just me…and my axe.

Yep…super late again. Only (at most) three more weeks left of having two jobs and then I have three months off from my day job. Yay!

Coming Up Next: "I just need time to think. What am I going to say to my parents? No doubt they are going to ask about this. What am I going to do?" A noise sounded in the distance. "It sounds like it's heading this way. What is making that sound?"

Next Chapter: I dunno why I still try to make predictions. I'm so busy that they are never accurate anymore. Well, I'll try again…I might try to have chapter 37 posted on Saturday night after 10 PM US East Coast time.

Thank you all for reading and supporting Try To Be Brave!

Posted: May 27, 2014