Chapter 25: A Specialist's Beginning
Hey everyone I'm back. I saw your review and I am glad I managed to blow you all away. All your eagerness and anticipation helped inspire me to get this next chapter out ASAP. I think you'll be surprised by what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves in Magix many years ago, as an elderly man was walking through an alley.
"Better get back before it gets too dark." He said when he was on his way into the orphanage when heard the sound of a baby crying out.
Confused he follows the noise to see a baby placed in a basket near the orphanage. Located right above him was a lit torch.
"How did you get here?" The old man asks as he moves the torch to look at the baby when he noticed a blue crystal necklace around its little neck.
"You poor thing. All alone." He said picking up the basket and bringing the baby inside
As he placed him down he looked at the necklace. "Hmm never seen anything like this before." He reached to try pulling it off when almost instantly the baby started crying loudly but when he put the necklace back, he stopped crying.
"Well you certainly seem to like that necklace quite a bit." The old man chuckles. "You're a brave little one to have a fire right over your head and not be afraid. Since there doesn't seem to be a name, I'll call you, Ragnar."
Smiling Ragnar giggled as his necklace shined.
When the light dies down we see a teen Ragnar flying through the air on Toothless as he was flying as far away from Red Fountain as possible.
Falling back Ragnar rests against Toothless' back. Roaring concerned Toothless sees he was still struggling.
"Don't even think about it, Toothless. I don't want to be anywhere near that place." Ragnar said covering his eyes with his arm.
Frowning Toothless had no idea what to do, Ragnar was hurt that was clear but he had no idea how to help him.
As Ragnar closed his eyes a bright light shines as he sees Daphne for a brief second.
"Ragnar don't run away." Daphne's voice calls out.
"Huh?" Ragnar sits up. "Did you hear that?"
Looking at Ragnar confused, Toothless had no idea what he was talking about.
"Ragnar." Her voice calls out. "Follow me."
Confused Ragnar steers Toothless in the direction.
At Alfea, the Winx were sitting in the kitchen trying to recover from the lecture Farragonda gave them while Malinda and Vito were making a few dishes.
"So how bad was it?" Vito asks.
"Oh the usual "What were you thinking? You made a fool out of our school, and if you do it again I will take away your magic." We got lucky this time." Stella lists.
"How are you holding up Bloom?" Malinda asks but she got no response.
Turning around they all saw Bloom and Kiko sitting by the window.
"Uh ma'am I don't think Bloom is in much of a talking mood." Flora said.
"That's fine, one thing I've learned from raising Ragnar is if kids don't want to talk about their feelings, they'll be more than happy to eat them." Malinda said putting a large pasta dish down and Vito put the sauce on it.
"Bloom we got some food if you're hungry." Vito calls out.
"As tasty as that looks I don't think Bloom is in an eating—" Before Tecna could finish Bloom had walked over and grabbed herself a plate.
"Never underestimate the power of food." Vito chuckles.
Deciding not to let the food go to waste the other Winx had decided to get some food.
"Uh I'll be right back." Flora said grabbing a plate.
As she snuck to the hallway, she held it out for Mirta who happily took it before hiding in the corner so no one saw her.
"So sweetie, are you doing alright?" Malinda asks but Bloom didn't say anything making her sigh.
"I don't suppose Ragnar has called any of you?" Stella asks.
"Not since the exhibition, he's probably still angry." Vito shook his head.
"Well he and Bloom were lied to I get why." Flora said walking back.
"It's more than that, Brandon or the guy who used to be Brandon was Ragnar's best friend. If it wasn't for him Ragnar might've dropped out." Vito said surprising them.
"How did Ragnar ever get into Red Fountain?" Bloom said talking for the first time since the mess.
"Well as you girls probably figured out we're not exactly the richest family." Malinda said.
"My Great Grandfather Vito opened up a restaurant in our hometown and for generations that place has been in our family. He passed his recipes onto my mother who passed them onto me and my sister Nelly." Vito explains.
"You see Ragnar had always wanted to get out into the world and see new things. He loved being our hometown but, I think part of him wanted to see what else was out there." Malinda said.
"Well there were other schools besides Red Fountain." Musa said.
"Oh we know but uh…Ragnar wasn't exactly the person you saw today." Vito said.
Flashback:
We find ourselves in the lobby of a school as Ragnar sat there with his papers in a folder. While Red Fountain had certainly some muscle and other physical traits right now he was just a skinny average teenager. Nothing bad, but nothing good either.
Looking around he saw tons of climbing and exploring gear hanging on the walls, sitting alongside him were a few other teens hoping to get in, but the difference was many of them were better built.
"Oof says here the last student fell off a cliff. Almost makes you think twice about enrolling here huh?" Another asks looking to Ragnar.
"Nope." Ragnar shook his head.
"Ragnar, the headmaster will see you now." The secretary calls out.
Standing up Ragnar takes a deep breath as he enters the office.
"Hello sir. A pleasure to meet you." Ragnar said shaking his hand.
"Well Ragnar, why do you want to join my school?" The Headmaster asks.
"Your school has an amazing travel program sir. I'd love to be a part of the adventuring course. Traveling around, seeing the world, helping others. It's the dream." Ragnar smiles.
"Well let's see what we got here." The Headmaster said as Ragnar sat down and handed him the forms.
"My parents filled out all the legal stuff. If this works I can start as early as next semester." Ragnar said.
"Well test wise you're pretty good." The Headmaster said making Ragnar smile. "Says here you're adopted."
"Uh yeah, I was in an orphanage until I was 3. Never knew my birth parents." Ragnar clarifies.
"I see." Looking at Ragnar's papers he saw he had been rejected by 3 other schools like his not to mention his physical results making the headmaster shook his head. "Sorry son."
"Look just give me a chance." Ragnar begs.
"You'd be ineligible on your physical skills alone. Our adventurers are expected to carry near 100 pounds of gear and equipment. You can barely do 50. Sure, you're great test-wise, but my school requires all my students to be able to handle both mental and physical." He explains.
"Next semester isn't for a few months I can bulk up." Ragnar assures.
"Sure you could." The Headmaster said in a sarcastic tone.
"Isn't there anything you can do?" Ragnar asks.
"I'm doing it. I'm giving you a chance to rethink your life." He said slamming REJECTED onto Ragnar's forms.
Soon it was the dinner rush at Vito's as they were hard at work trying to get everyone their dinner.
In the back, a newly pregnant Nelly was helping Anna in the back while Vito and Malinda were hard at work in the kitchen.
As the door opens, Ragnar walks to the counter.
"Hi mom, hi dad." Ragnar calls out.
"Ragnar great timing, quick grab an apron we need an extra server out there." Vito calls out.
"Sure thing." Ragnar said going to grab his apron.
"So how'd it go? You're back earlier than we expected." Malinda asks.
"And until further notice." Ragnar said putting his rejection forms down.
"Well, I didn't think that school was that great anyway." Malinda said.
"Maybe the 5th time will be the charm." Vito said.
"Yeah." Ragnar said.
"Ugh this crap is disgusting! You call this food!" A voice calls out.
Turning around they saw a customer arguing with a waitress.
"Sorry sir, what seems to be the problem?" She asks.
"I'll tell you what my problem is you people thinking you can charge us for this garbage!" He snaps getting everyone's attention.
Growling Ragnar tightened his fist hating this guy's attitude.
"Sorry do you want something else?" She asks.
"Why would I want to eat more of this garbage?! I want my money back!" He snaps.
"Uh we bill you at the end." She said.
"Oh so you think I'm an idiot huh?!" He said startling her.
"Hey take it easy she's just doing her job." Ragnar said trying to calm the situation down.
"You call this a job? Please all you have to do is write down what people want and she couldn't even do that! This place is so stupid." He complains.
"Hey you wanna shut up! These people are trying to enjoy their meal. If you don't like the food either order something else or get the hell out! Because no one wants to hear your stupid whining!" Ragnar yells pointing to the door.
Glaring the man turns around revealing he was much taller and muscular than Ragnar.
"You talking to me Shrimp?" He glares.
"Ragnar don't." Malinda said.
"I don't see any other assholes ruining everyone's day." Ragnar gestures.
Growling the man cracked his knuckles and threw a punch making everything go black.
Later that night, Ragnar was groaning in pain as he had a black eye and was picking garbage off him.
"Once I pulled out my big knife that wimp was running." Anna smirks.
"Yeah if only you had come after he beat me up and threw me in trash, Grandma." Ragnar said sitting down.
"Ragnar why couldn't you just leave it alone?" Vito asks.
"Oh please I bet you guys wanted to tell him to shut up just as much as me." Ragnar said as Malinda pressed frozen peas to his eye making him flinch.
"Whether we want to is not the point. There is a big difference between what we want to do and what we should do." Malinda lectures.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so tired of everyone looking down at me like I'm the wimpy little loser." Ragnar groans.
"Another rejection?" Anna assumes.
"Yep." Ragnar sighs.
"Ragnar I know you want to see the world but…the world is dangerous. I don't want you to get hurt." Malinda said.
"Mom, how can I prepare myself if no one will even give me a chance?" Ragnar asks.
"Oh you'll find something." Malinda said hugging her boy close.
"And hey, until you do you're still one of our best servers." Vito chuckles trying to cheer him up.
"Thanks dad." Ragnar said when Uncle Felix came in.
"Well I just the new catering flyers out, hopefully this will get us some more business." Felix said showing the last one.
"Hey look at that, if people order our food then maybe you can see more places that way." Nelly said as Ragnar took the flyer.
"Yeah…yeah that's great. I'm going to bed." Ragnar said getting up.
"Can you take the trash out before you do?" Malinda asks.
"Sure Mom." Ragnar said.
As he went outside, his family watched him and frowned.
"You think he'll be okay Mom?" Vito asks.
"Rejection is always hard, but eventually you get over it and get better. He just needs time." Anna sighs.
Outside Ragnar was struggling to pull the enormous trash bins to the dumpster.
"Come on. Move." Ragnar growls before tripping over and falling to the ground.
Looking up at the night sky he reached to his shirt and holds up his necklace.
"I wonder if you guys had any big adventures?" Ragnar asks.
As he slowly sat up the catering form fell out of his pocket.
Throwing the trash away, Ragnar didn't notice Daphne watching over him.
"Sometimes to really help people you just need a little push." Aiming her finger at the paper, Daphne coats it with magic before sending it flying into the air.
As the flyer rode the wind it flapped everywhere before finally arriving at Red Fountain with the mail.
Walking out Codatorta grabs the flyer along with all the mail before walking inside to Saladin's office.
"So how goes the applicants?" Codatorta asks putting the mail down.
"Oh not enough people to make the student quota this year. We need a few more students." Saladin said.
"Perhaps we can branch out to more kingdoms." Codatorta suggests.
"There's an idea, but I think we need more. I say…we open our tryouts to the public." Saladin declares surprising him.
"The public? Sir if we did that we'd be running out newbies left and right." Codatorta said.
"We'd set a few requirements so we can weed out the bad ones. A standard fee and a few tests over one weekend should be more than enough. Plus it'll give our new students something to watch. Maybe one of the applicants can make it in." Saladin said.
"Maybe but we can't get the regular Red Fountain cooks to prepare meals for something like this." Coadatorta said.
Pausing to think, Saladin noticed the flyer. Picking it up he smiles. "Well then, how about we just hire some caterers?"
Flashback End:
"So Saladin hired you guys to cater the Red Fountain tryouts?" Flora asks.
"Yeah and when Ragnar heard he practically begged us to let him tryout. However, we didn't have enough money to cover the entrance fee." Vito asks.
"So what did you do?" Tecna asks.
"We struck a deal with Saladin, if he let Ragnar tryout, we'd take a decent chunk off the bill for catering the tryouts and lucky for us he said yes." Malinda said.
Peeking her head out, Mirta listened in on the story.
"Wow, Ragnar really is amazing." Mirta smiles.
"You know…he kinda reminds me of you, Bloom." Stella said.
"Yeah Ragnar was as driven to get into Red Fountain as you were to get into Alfea." Musa said.
"Wow…I guess you're right." Bloom realized.
"We only saw Ragnar in a few events but what we did see, was amazing." Malinda smiles.
Meanwhile with Ragnar, he and Toothless had followed Daphne's voice and he ended up in a barren, dead wasteland area.
Looking around Toothless was shocked by all the ruin and pain.
"I've heard of this place. It's called Domino, it used to be a great kingdom but now nothing it's the saddest most miserable place in the whole world. Perfect place for someone like me." Ragnar sighs.
Gathering some twigs and branches, Ragnar made a fire to warm him and Toothless up.
Sitting down Ragnar laid against Toothless as stoked the fire.
"I can't believe it, my best friend." Ragnar frowns.
Grumbling Toothless looks to Ragnar.
"We're not gonna stay here forever Toothless, we'll head home soon." Ragnar said.
Roaring Toothless nudges him.
"Look this is a lot, Sky was my best friend he helped me when I needed it most." Ragnar frowns.
Curious the Night Fury looked at him interested.
"This happened a while before I met you. I had been rejected by so many schools and my parents had managed to get me a shot at Red Fountain. It was a dream come true, but I was scared out of my mind." Ragnar explains.
Flashback:
It was the day of tryouts for Red Fountain and as Ragnar walked in there were at least 100 more applicants hoping to get in.
Making their way to the check-in tables, all the applicants were given outfits to wear as the Specialists watched this with interest.
"Wow Sky, I can't believe they're actually doing open tryouts." Brandon said.
"Remember here, you're Sky and I'm Brandon your squire." Sky whispers.
"Right uh why are we doing this again?" Brandon asks.
"Please Brandon, this might be my only chance." Sky begs.
"Alright, but just this once." Brandon said.
"Thanks man." Sky said as he walked in only to see Ragnar walking around looking at a map.
"Hey you!" Ragnar calls out getting their attention.
"Me?" Sky asks.
"Yeah you guys are students here right?" Ragnar asks.
"Sort of, we just go accepted." Brandon said gesturing to their uniforms.
"Lucky." Ragnar said.
"You in the tryouts?" Sky asks.
"Yep, so what's your deal? You get in the normal way?" Ragnar asks as Sky looks at him curiously.
"Wait, do you know who I am?" Sky asks.
"Should I?" Ragnar asks.
"No i-it's fine. What's up?" Sky asks.
"Can you tell me where the main grounds are?" Ragnar asks.
"Uh yeah just go down that hall and take a left." Sky points.
"Thanks uh…what's your name?" Ragnar asks.
"Brandon, my name's Brandon." Sky said declaring his fake name for the first time.
"Oh nice to meet you Brandon I'm Ragnar." He said before running off.
"If that guy is in the tryouts he's not gonna last long." Brandon said.
"What do you say we go watch? Maybe our 5th member will be there." Sky suggests.
Shrugging Brandon followed him.
Soon Ragnar and all the other applicants were dressed in a short sleeve green t-shirt, dark green cargo pants and standing in rows.
"Alright Applicants line up!" Codatorta said as he and Saladin walked by them. "Now for the first time in Red Fountain History we have decided to do open tryouts to get in, but make no mistake this will not be easy. We will push all of you to your limits and by the end of this weekend only the best will become Specialists."
"Now before we begin I'm willing to offer all of you a chance to get in right here right now." Saladin said gesturing to a stone wall with a flag at the top however the wall had only small pegs barely big enough for a few fingers. "If you can make it to the top of the wall and grab the flag you will get a full scholarship to Red Fountain."
Hearing that a ton of applicants ran to it.
As the first applicant ran to it, he was about to scale it.
"Hold on." Saladin said stopping him. "You seem to be missing something."
Turning around Codatorta brought two large metal weights. "These represent all the qualities we value at Red Fountain: strength, discipline, loyalty and courage. You will need all of these to reach the flag." Saladin said as he strapped the weights to the applicant's arms.
Stepping back everyone watched as the applicant tried to scale it but the weights were proving too much and the small holes made it even harder resulting in him crashing to the ground.
"Oof." Everyone winced.
"Anyone else think you have what it takes to pass this test? No one has gotten that flag in 17 years." Saladin informs.
Hearing that all the applicants got nervous about their chances.
"Then let's begin." Saladin declares.
Watching the tryouts all the Red Fountain students including Brandon, Sky, Timmy and Riven were watching the show.
First was the training course and as Ragnar tried to climb the rope ladder he missteps causing his foot to fall through and dangle.
"Ragnar get back up there!" Codatorta yells.
The next test had them crawling through mud and while Ragnar thought he was doing alright at first, another applicant bumped him making him smash face first into it.
Finally it was sparring, and almost everyone was loving that with one punch Ragnar fell to the ground every time.
"Yikes." Sky cringed while Riven and a few others were laughing.
"Look that loser, he can't even take a punch he's like a giant ragdoll." Riven mocks.
"Hey Raggy the Ragdoll." Another declares giving Ragnar his horrible nickname.
Hearing that, Ragnar hung his head in shame. He wasn't even in the school and everyone was already making fun of him.
As all the applicants came back from a run they see Codatorta holding a small blue bird in a cage.
"This next test you will try and catch this bird. Whoever catches it and brings it back to me gets a break from the next event with an automatic pass." Codatorta said opening the cage and the bird flew out.
Instantly all the applicants scrambled to get it while Ragnar was still catching his breath.
Running around they tried to corner the bird from every angle but it was too fast.
Looking around Ragnar noticed some sunflowers in the garden.
As the other applicants ran around trying to catch the little bird it flew around avoiding all of them.
"Hey what's that one doing?" Brandon said as Sky spotted Ragnar picking sunflower seeds.
"Why isn't he trying to catch the bird?" Sky asks curiously.
Turning around Ragnar walked back with a handful of sunflower seeds whistles. Turning its head the bird saw the big handful of food and almost instantly the bird flew down towards him and started eating out of his hand.
"Dig in little fella." Ragnar smiles shocking everyone as he walked back to Codatorta. "Here's your bird sir." Ragnar hands him back before walking away to enjoy his break.
"Wow that was pretty clever." Brandon chuckles.
"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar." Sky smiles.
As the first night came to an end all the applicants including Ragnar were resting trying to figure out how they were gonna make it through the rest of the weekend.
"Alright boys eat up." Malinda said as they all got their trays of food.
"Hey where's Ragnar?" Vito asks.
"He's probably just resting." Nelly said.
Grabbing some food his mother sets a big tray aside for him.
Outside Sky was watching the applicants, some were stoked thinking they were getting in for sure, others were groaning wondering what the heck they were thinking and the rest were just nursing their bruises and injuries.
"Yikes I don't see any of these guys working out on my squad." Sky cringed when he heard the sound of crackling flames.
Turning around he saw a small light near the lake.
Curious he walks to it and sees Ragnar using the light from the fire to help him wash the bruises off him.
"This was the most humiliating day of my life." Ragnar said.
"I didn't think you were that bad." Sky calls out startling him.
"Please don't hit me!" Ragnar flinches.
"Whoa, whoa easy I'm not gonna hit you." Sky said holding out his hands in defense.
"Oh you're that Brandon guy." Ragnar recognizes taking a deep breath. "Sorry every since that name Raggy the Ragdoll name was thrown out everyone's been hitting me just so I fall to the ground."
"Sorry to hear that." Sky said sitting across from him. "But if it makes you feel better I thought you did alright."
"What was I thinking? There's no way they'll make me a Specialist. All anyone is ever gonna see me as is a wimpy little nobody and nothing else." Ragnar sighs.
"I know what that's like." Sky mutters under his breath.
"So what's your deal Brandon?" Ragnar asks.
"Well I…I'm a squire to Prince Sky." Sky lies.
"A squire nothing wrong with that." Ragnar said.
"Well it's not the flashiest title. So why do you want to be a Specialist? You wanna fight monsters?" Sky asks.
"If I tell you do you promise not to laugh?" Ragnar asks.
"I promise." Sky nods.
"I didn't try out because I wanted to fight, I'm not a very good fighter as you might of noticed. I wanted to get out and see the world and the Specialists are the guys who go everywhere. They're the guys who are the first to spring into action. People think because not many of them use magic they're not as good as the fairies or witches but I think they're better. They don't have powers or really anything special, but they got the guts to hold their own against the world and go to every corner of it to help people. That's the most amazing thing to me about this place." Ragnar said making Sky smile.
"Wow you just inspired me to like this school." Sky chuckles.
"Well glad I could help someone." Ragnar chuckles.
As both boys laughed Sky looked at the applicant and smiles.
"You're alright Ragnar." Sky nudges.
"You're not too bad yourself Brandon." Ragnar said.
For the next hour, the two of them talked around the fire smiling, laughing and in Ragnar's case sharing stories.
"So this asshole just snapped at the waitress in front of the whole restaurant?" Sky asks.
"I know right. I finally had to tell him to shut up." Ragnar said.
"I don't blame you." Sky said.
"I got a black eye but he finally left." Ragnar said.
"If I was there I would kicked that guy's ass." Sky said.
"Thanks Brandon. You'll make a great Specialist." Ragnar smiles.
"So will when you get in." Sky assures.
"You mean IF I can get in." Ragnar sighs.
"Hey you can do it." Sky said putting a hand on his shoulder. "Your family believes and I'm rooting for you too and when you get in, you'll join my time."
While Ragnar didn't do so well he got a new friend out of this nightmare.
The next day as all the applicants were doing their morning warmups, Ragnar's family was setting up the breakfast tables.
"Come on ladies move it! I've seen cemeteries livelier than you!" Codatorta said as Nelly looks over to see Ragnar struggling.
"He's holding up pretty well." Nelly said.
"Only the second day. He's gotta make it to tomorrow." Vito said.
As the other Specliasts got some food, Sky, Timmy, Brandon and Riven were talking.
"You don't seriously think that Ragnar guy can make it in do you?" Brandon asks.
"I don't think, I know he is." Sky said.
"Are you out of your mind? Look at him, he's like a walking toothpick. He's barely keeping up." Riven points to Ragnar doing jumping jacks.
"Riven's got a point, I mean I bet one of those other guys might be good additions to our team." Brandon gestures.
"We have enough muscle." Sky said.
"You don't win fights with thinking outside the box. You need guts." Riven said.
"He's got you there." Timmy said.
Walking up to the applicants, Saladin's staff glowed for a few seconds making an object appear in his hands.
As the applicants got down for pushups Saladin tossed it towards them.
"Explosive!" Saladin yells as the applicants scrambled to get away but one kicks it making it roll near Nelly making her scream in fear.
"Aunt Nelly!" Ragnar scrambles towards her as fast as he could and threw himself over it to protect her from the blast. "Get away! Get back!" Ragnar yells.
But after a few seconds nothing happened. As they slowly popped their heads out Ragnar looks to see the explosive wasn't even set.
Looking at him, Saladin couldn't help but smile impressed.
"Is this part of the test sir?" Ragnar asks confused.
"Yes it was." Saladin smiles.
"Ragnar, you saved my life." Nelly smiles giving her nephew multiple kisses on the cheek in thanks.
"Hey cut it out." Ragnar chuckles.
Nearby Sky smirks looking at the other three. "Now that's guts." Sky points out.
"He's still not gonna make it." Riven said.
Flashback End:
At Alfea, Ragnar's parents told the Winx about that morning and needless to say they were all shocked, even Mirta.
"He jumped on a bomb?!" Stella said.
"While the other applicants ran away like cowards one knocked that bomb towards my sister and Ragnar sprinted in to try and save her." Vito said washing the dishes.
"It was the bravest and scariest thing I ever. I thought grandma was gonna have a heart attack." Malinda said.
"I'm having one right now." Musa said.
"At that moment we saw just how brave my little boy was. He might not have been born a royal but he was willing to do so much for the people he cared about it didn't matter. And when he got inside he had the biggest happiest smile I ever saw. He made it." Malinda sighs.
"That's quite the story." Flora said.
However instead of feeling inspired by it, Bloom just hung her head down.
"Thank you so much for the meal." Bloom said putting her plate down.
"You feeling better Bloom?" Vito asks.
"I think I just want to be alone for a little bit." Bloom said walking out of the room right past Mirta's hiding spot.
Curious Mirta saw the hurt look on her face and slowly got up and followed after her.
"Well as nice as this was girls we need to get home. Need to open up tomorrow." Malinda said.
"Oh let me help you." Musa said.
"Thank you." Malinda smiles as Musa went to join her at the dishes.
Narrowing her eyes, Stella glared. 'Using the parent angle huh Musa?'
Back at Domino, Ragnar was walking around gathering more firewood for the fire.
"Yeah turns out that bomb wasn't even armed. Saladin used it to test us. Boy did I get an earful from mom and grandma for that stunt." Ragnar sighs making Toothless chuckle.
"Yeah it's funny now. My family lecturing me in front of the whole so embarrassing." Ragnar groans throwing the sticks down near them. "Before I knew it the second day was over and I had barely made an improvement. It was the last night and the results were being posted and well…that was when I made one of the craziest choices of my life." Ragnar said sitting against Toothless.
Flashback:
Huddled in front of a board all the Applicants looked at their scores.
"Yes I made it!" A few said while many others were disappointed. Ragnar included.
Seeing his scores barely making the middle hurt him.
"It was a worth a shot." Ragnar frowns as he walked away to see his family waiting for him.
"You did your best sweetie." Malinda said.
"And after today you're definitely my hero." Nelly said.
"Even if you didn't make it, we're all so proud of you." Vito said.
"I just wish I tried harder." Ragnar said.
"Sorry Ragnar but all the tests are done." Vito said.
"I need to be alone." Ragnar turned to walk out but as he walked out the door he heard something bang against the floor.
Turning to it his eyes widen seeing the arm weights from Day one.
"Not every test." Ragnar said grabbing them.
As the moon was high in the night sky, the lights around the school lit up as Ragnar approached the wall.
The flag waved high in the air at the top of the wall.
"Instant scholarship to the student who can make it to the top and grab the flag." Ragnar recalls.
Reaching for the wall, he tried to get his hand in but he didn't have enough room and fell down before he even got off the ground.
"Dammit. I can't even get my hands to grip this stupid wall." Ragnar groans.
Swinging his arm, the weight hits the wall, and heard something fall.
Eyes widening Ragnar looks to see a piece of rock fell off and saw some gravel on the weight.
"That's it." Ragnar grins.
Loosening the straps Ragnar retied them so the weights were tied to his hands.
Swinging his hand, he smashes the weights against the gaps and more rocks fell making the gaps bigger.
"I'm getting to the top of this wall even if it takes me all night." Ragnar said declared.
Getting to work Ragnar smashes the weights against the wall again and again making the gaps big enough for him to fit his hands and legs through them.
Hours later as the sun rose, Sky walked out to see how Ragnar was holding up.
"Ragnar? You okay buddy?" Sky calls out but got no response.
Suddenly he heard the sound of rocks breaking.
Turning to the wall his eyes widen in shock.
"Headmaster Saladin!" Sky yells running to get him.
Soon everyone was coming out to see the commotion: the students, the applicants, the staff and even Ragnar's family and boy were they surprised at what they were seeing.
At the wall, Ragnar was more than three-quarters of the way up.
Slamming the weights into the wall until the gaps grew big enough Ragnar was slowly making his way to the top.
"How is this possible? A shrimp like that shouldn't even be able to hold those weights up." Riven said in disbelief as Timmy adjusts his glasses.
"That's because it's the other way around. He's using the weights to wedge into the gaps, the very thing that should be weighing him down is the only reason he's still up there." Timmy said.
"He must have been at this for hours." Brandon said in awe.
As Ragnar slams the weight into the wall gravel falls under his foot making him slip making him dangle by one hand.
"Ragnar!" His family panicked.
"He's done for." Riven said as Ragnar struggled to hold on.
"Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall!" The other applicants chanted.
Hearing this Ragnar couldn't help but let it get to him. He was so close but so far. His hands were aching from the climbing, his stomach hungry from his small dinner last night and worst of all everyone was against him just waiting to see him fail.
"Come on Ragnar you can do it!" Sky yells getting his attention. "You said you wanted to be a Specialist well this your chance! All that's standing between you and this school is that wall!"
Looking down Ragnar saw him run to the base of the wall.
"Are you really gonna give up when you've come closer than anyone else?! If you give up now you'll regret it the rest of your life. Now get that stupid flag!" Sky yells.
"Come on baby! Get that flag!" Malinda yells.
"You can do it!" Vito said as the rest of his family joined in.
As Ragnar tried to pull himself up he felt something touch his shoulder.
"Don't give up." Daphne's voice rang in his ear.
Mustering up all his strength Ragnar growls with determination responding to the encouragement as he yanks the weight back up towards him.
Slamming them into the rocks he began clawing his way towards the top.
Little did he realize there was orange shine in his eyes.
"I'm not giving up. No. No. NO!" Ragnar roars.
Getting closer and closer, he was in arm's reach of the flag.
Slowly reaching his arms out everyone gasps as Ragnar lunges with the last bit of strength he had left and swipes the flag causing everyone to applaud and cheer.
"He did it!" Sky cheers.
While Riven looked out in disbelief he growled. Ragnar, the biggest wimp of all the applicants conquered the toughest challenge in Red Fountain.
As Ragnar made his way down he looked to Sky and showed the flag.
"I never doubted you for a second buddy." Sky smiles.
"Thanks Brandon." Ragnar smiles weakly.
Walking towards him, Saladin looked up at the large gaps in the wall and then to Ragnar's hands which were covered in bruises and were dripping in blood.
'He must have been pounding against the rocks for hours, but even through all the pain, he wouldn't stop until he reached that flag. He may not be the strongest but I've never seen a Specialist with such grit in my entire life.' Saladin thought.
"Uh Sir?" Ragnar said nervously.
"17 years I've seen some of my best students attempt this wall and fail, never once did anyone think of an idea like this. You're a clever one, Ragnar was it?" Saladin asks.
"Yes sir." Ragnar nods.
"Well, I made a promise to my applicants at the beginning of all this. If you can make it to the top of the wall with the weight and grab the flag you would get a full scholarship. Never let it be said I'm not a man of my word." Saladin reached into his pockets and pulls out some papers for him. "Congratulations."
"I-I'm in? I get to be a Specialist?" Ragnar smiles widely.
"I look forward to seeing you in classes." Saladin said handing Ragnar the papers.
Flashback End:
"After that, I got assigned to Sky's team like he promised. He was the only one who believed in me, while everyone else laughed and made fun of me Sky stuck by me. I thought it was because he was a nobody like me, but I was wrong." Ragnar finishes.
Looking at him amazed Toothless puts his tail on Ragnar's shoulder.
"Thanks bud, but I don't know what to do anymore. I mean he lied to me for so long. Did he even mean all that stuff?" Ragnar asks.
"I meant every word." A familiar voice said.
Turning around he saw Sky and Skullcrusher land behind.
"Bran—I mean Prince Sky." Ragnar glares. "How'd you find me?"
"I remember your notes. Rumblehorn's are excellent trackers as long as they have a scent and lucky for me you left this behind." Sky said holding up Ragnar's ant-magic sword.
"So not only are you a liar but you took my stuff too." Ragnar said taking his sword back. "Well you made the trip for nothing."
"Ragnar just please let me explain." Sky said walking towards him but Ragnar held sword up stopping him.
"I don't want to hear anymore lies." Ragnar glares.
Roaring Ragnar saw Skullcrusher and Toothless move in between.
As Toothless looks into Ragnar's eyes he was telling him to give Sky a chance.
Narrowing his eyes Ragnar walked back to the fire.
"You can explain from right there." Ragnar said stabbing it into the ground.
"Look I'm sorry, you have every right to be mad at me, and you need…no you deserve to know the truth. The whole truth." Sky said.
"Sit." Ragnar points as Sky sat opposite the fire with Skullcrusher right behind him.
"You have to know I had asked Brandon to switch names with me before we had even met. I wanted a clean slate when I was at Red Fountain and since no one knew what I looked I figured it would work." Sky admits.
"So the guy I thought was the Prince was actually your squire." Ragnar said.
"Yep, Brandon's a good squire and helped me through everything." Sky said.
"So how come you never told me? Did you not think you could trust me?" Ragnar asks.
"Ragnar it was different when I met you. When you and I met at Tryouts you didn't even know who I was I didn't get that chance with Timmy and Riven. But with you, I had a chance." Sky said.
"Chance for what?" Ragnar asks confused.
"To have a real friend." Sky admits surprising him. "Look as a Prince I had access to literally anything I wanted, but I was miserable. I couldn't tell if people wanted to be my friend for me or for my money and then there was my father. The strict and overbearing King. Whenever I wasn't learning the millions of lessons he wanted me to know to be a great ruler he was controlling every minute of my life. He was the one who pushed me into the engagement with Diaspro."
"Wait, that girl Bloom was fighting is your fiancé?" Ragnar said surprised while Toothless just cringed.
"Unfortunately, but I didn't approve of it because I don't love her. That's why I liked hanging out with you Ragnar. I understood everything you were going through because I felt like that." Sky said.
Hearing this Ragnar slowly calmed down.
"I wanted to tell you but the truth is I was scared. I thought you liked hanging out with because you thought I was just Brandon, a regular person hoping to be someone great like you and I didn't want to lose the first real friend I ever made." Sky confesses.
"I'm your first friend?" Ragnar asks not expecting that.
"Well until I screwed it up." Sky sighs. "You remember that night? You and I sat around a fire just like this. We talked, laughed, shared our dreams, that night something just clicked. You were my best friend and I'm truly sorry I never trusted you enough."
"So why did you pick me for the last member?" Ragnar asks.
"I watched you during the tryouts. Sure the other guys were stronger and even faster but you were better than any of them. During the bird challenge, you showed brains letting the bird come to you instead of just chasing after it like the others. When Saladin dropped that fake bomb while everyone else ran you dived in to save your Aunt without hesitation, you showed how much you care for others but the most amazing part was when I saw you conquer Saladin's Wall. You didn't have a way up so you made one. You showed some amazing out-of-the-box thinking but more than that you showed me how determined you were to get in. Right then and there I knew you would make a great addition to the team and you would a great friend." Sky smiles.
"So all these years you weren't lying about that. You really thought of me as your best friend?" Ragnar asks.
"Yeah truth is Ragnar I'm just like you. I came to Red Fountain because I wanted to prove I was more than just a Prince and you wanted to prove you were more than just a nobody. I-I know I can't ask you to forgive me completely for what I did, but can you at least give me chance to redeem myself?" Sky asks.
"Well, if you really mean I know how you can prove it to me." Ragnar pauses.
"Anything I'll do it." Sky said.
"Well there's this trust challenge that Toothless showed me. If you do it, I'll give you a chance." Ragnar said.
"Sure what is it?" Sky asks.
"You gotta eat a fish." Ragnar starts.
"That's not so bad." Sky said.
"That he ate first." Ragnar points as Toothless barfs out a fish head.
"You're kidding right? This is just you messing with me right?" Sky cringed.
"Yeah I wish I was." Ragnar shivered at the memory. "If you can keep one bite of that down, we can be friends again."
Looking down at the fish head, Sky took a deep breath and took a big bite out of it.
Making multiple gagging noises, Ragnar watched as Sky struggled to keep it down before finally swallowing it and shuddering.
"Wow I underestimated you." Ragnar said as Sky stuck his tongue out.
"Ugh I can't get the taste out of my mouth." Sky said as Ragnar chuckles.
"Oh yeah it doesn't, you're going to be tasting that all night." Ragnar said patting him on the back. "You're a good friend Sky and I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"Are you kidding? I deserved it. And besides one bite is a small price to pay to get my best friend back." Sky said.
"But just to be clear don't expect me to call you Prince Sky or your majesty from now on. Just Sky." Ragnar said.
"You drive a hard bargain but deal." Sky said.
As Ragnar straps his sword to his hip Sky walks up to him.
"Hey I know we just fixed our friendship and all but I gotta ask…can you make me one of those?" Sky asks pointing at Ragnar's dragon armor.
"Sky." Ragnar smirks.
"What? That thing is awesome." Sky chuckles.
"I don't Sky, now that I know you're rich I might have to start charging you for my services. Let's see: dragon scale armor, jetpack, dragon lessons, and a surcharge for putting up with you for so long. Ooh I might need a calculator." Ragnar said messing with him.
"What? Ragnar?" Sky groans making Ragnar laugh and walk away.
"Sorry Sky liars have to pay double." Ragnar jokes walking towards Domino.
"Come on I told the truth, I followed you all the way out here, I ate the fish!" Sky said following after him.
Seeing this both Toothless and Skullcrusher laugh seeing the two friends begin to patch up their relationship.
As the two of them approached Domino, Ragnar and Sky were still messing with each other.
"You know I wish you were still Raggy the Ragdoll." Sky chuckles.
"Yeah I bet then you could bully me into making you one." Ragnar chuckles turning to him.
Laughing both smile when Sky noticed something.
"Hey Ragnar, you're glowing." Sky said.
"Uh that's not really something you say to a guy." Ragnar said.
"No look." Sky points to his chest and he saw an orange light glowing from under his armor.
"It can't be." Ragnar reached under and he saw his crystal was glowing.
"Your necklace." Sky said shocked.
"It's never done this before." Ragnar said holding it out and as it got closer to Domino it seemed to be glowing brighter.
"What's happening?" Sky asks.
"It's reacting to something here." Ragnar said equally confused.
"But what?" Sky asks.
"I don't know…but I know someone who might." Ragnar said putting the necklace back around his neck before running back to the dragons.
"Where you going?" Sky asks running after him.
"I gotta get to Alfea, I gotta tell Bloom about this." Ragnar said.
"Ragnar wait." Sky said stopping him. "Listen before you go, can you give her a message for me?" Sky asks.
"What do you want me to say?" Ragnar asks.
"Tell her I'm truly sorry and I plan to tell her everything. She's the most amazing girl I've ever met." Sky said.
"You know Sky you might have a shot to get her back." Ragnar smiles running back to Toothless. "Toothless we're going back!"
Hearing this Toothless smiles seeing his rider was back to his old self.
"We gotta get to Alfea, let's get some fish in you and fly on over." Ragnar said.
Smiling excited Toothless gives Ragnar a big lick grossing him out.
"Ugh I still hate when you do that." Ragnar cringed while Toothless laughs.
Nearby Sky and Skullcrusher watched the two of them take off and laugh.
"He's my best friend what are I gonna do?" Sky shrugs.
At Alfea, Malinda and Vito were walking out.
"It was a pleasure meeting you girls. I hope we can do this again sometime." Vito said.
"If you ever want a free meal and good company come visit us." Malinda smiles.
"I might take you up on that." Musa smiles.
"If you come on Thursday's we do Karaoke night. That's Ragnar's favorite night." Malinda giggles.
"You don't say?" Musa said interested.
"Oh yeah he's always the first to grab the mic." Malinda said.
"Let's see do we have everything?" Vito asks when Stella spots his basket.
"Here you might want this." She said holding it up.
"Thank you." Vito smiles taking it.
"Oh and uh if you see Bloom tell her I hope she figures out what to do." Malinda said.
"We will." Flora said as they left to go home.
"You know after hearing that story I gotta admit, Ragnar has my respect. Even when everyone said no and turned him down he didn't stop trying." Tecna said.
"Yeah I wish courage like that." Flora said when Mirta ran in.
"Girls! Girls! You gotta come help me stop Bloom!" Mirta said.
"Mirta what are you doing? Someone might see you." Flora said.
"Bloom wants to leave Alfea!" Mirta said.
"What?!" All of them said shocked.
"S-She said after the situation with Sky or Brandon or whatever and after hearing about Ragnar fought his way into Red Fountain she said that everyone is special, everyone but her and then she went to room to pack her things." Mirta stutters.
"But she is special." Stella said.
"You gotta help me talk some sense into her." Mirta said.
Not needing to be told twice they ran back to their room to stop Bloom from making the biggest mistake of her life.
However, when they arrived at her room, they were too late.
Open the door they saw all of Bloom's things were gone, looking around frantically they saw a note.
"Please take care of Cloudjumper for me. I only had him for a brief time but that dragon was a good friend." Tecna read.
"Bloom." Flora said hurt.
On the bus heading back to Gardenia, Bloom was looking out the window with a depressed look on her face unaware that Ragnar was flying right past her going in the opposite direction.