Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, the last couple of weeks has been busy due to Thanksgiving plans. It took up a lot of time and I needed a long break afterwards. Anyway here's the next chapter and I hope it's good for you all. So, enjoy.

Chapter 5: Demonstration

"Dad, I'm fine!" Hiccup protested from his spot on the chair, watching as his father paced around the floor inside their home.

"Fine?" that managed to stop the chief in his tracks, causing him to turn and face his child, with a skeptical expression. "Hiccup, first you say you woke up in the forest, then you couldn't remember a thing, nor could remember blood on your hand. Now I hear from Gobber that you managed to not only beat Snotlout in a fight, but apparently you out muscled him."

The next hour after his spar with his cousin happens to be a whirlwind for Berk's heir. Once everyone managed to recover from their shock he was bombarded with questions from the others, asking what had happened and how he managed to do that. Well, the twins were astonished and impressed with their display; Fishlegs, Astrid, and Gobber were the ones who were concerned for the display given. Mainly Astrid as she knew everything that was going on previously.

After checking over Snotlout and finding him ok Gobber told the kids to wait for him to wake up, and if he didn't to take him to Gothi. After that he grabbed his apprentice and walked him out of the academy to find his father. After telling him everything so far, including the fight, they instantly went to the Haddock household where we find them now.

"Isn't it supposed to be a good thing that I managed to beat him?" Hiccup responded in a near joking manner, which is true. Being smaller than him, it would be unlikely to beat Snotlout, but he managed to now, so shouldn't it be considered a plus?

Stoick sighed at that, pinching the bridge of his nose, "On a regular day, yes, but after all you've told me it just makes it all that concerning."

"You didn't see what I saw Stoick," Gobber responded, being behind the teen. "With one hand he managed to twist Snotlout's arm without trouble, and I believe your nephew was using all his strength to fight out of it...it was shocking to say the least."

"Can you believe I got lucky?" Hiccup asked, but then Gobber came up and grabbed his right arm, showing the lankiness as he shook it some.

"Forgive me for saying it, but with this?" the Blacksmith said before letting it go. "And let's not forget about that strike you received."

"Strike?" Stoick questioned, looking at them in confusion as that part seemed to have been omitted.

Hiccup winced as he didn't want that brought up, but Gobber just nodded as he crossed his arms, "Yup, Snotlout struck him really good in the belly...yet Hiccup here managed to stay on his feet and shake it off like it was nothing."

Both of the chief's eyes rose in shock, not sure if he heard it right and even had trouble believing it…but coming from Gobber only more than confirmed it. With Hiccup having a small body it's easy for him to crumble from hard strikes, but hearing he managed to withstand it? "Are you ok?"

Hiccup didn't answer, causing Gobber to turn to him, "Show him."

"Do I have to?" the teen asked, getting an all too familiar look from his mentor. Sighing, as he knew what that look was, as it was more like an order instead of request. And from experience it was best not to disobey Gobber, as it could be just as worse than his father. It wasn't like he didn't want to show his dad…It's just that he hates having his skin exposed as it only more affirmed how scrawny he is, and it's just plan embarrassing. Still, it was going to happen, by his own hand or another. Getting up he reached down to the bottom of his tunic before pulling it up, revealing his scrawny, yet slim, belly.

Stoick looked at his son oddly, curious as to why he was doing that as he couldn't see anything but pinkish flesh, "What is this about?"

"Stoick," Gobber responded, knowing his friend wouldn't get it. "Hiccup got hit in the belly by Snotlout but look...no marks or even a bruise forming at all." After pulling the young heir out of the academy the blacksmith asked to see his stomach, to see the damages that punch did, but to their surprise didn't see anything at all. Both were stunned as once more were rendered speechless.

Stoick took a closer look, and slowly both eyes rose up in confusion, "That...That can't be, there's nothing, but...are you sure he got hit?"

"He did, I saw it," the blacksmith responded.

"And I felt it," Hiccup dropped his tunic thankfully. "And believe me Snotlout doesn't hold back punches, and anything I would get from him would leave a mark." He himself still didn't understand it himself; how could he just not show any kind of mark from the strike? It was odd...yet now that he thought about it Hiccup recalled to earlier, when Astrid found him and when she punched his arm. He could barely feel any pain, when in the past he would always cry out and rub at the aching limb.

"This is concerning," Stoick said, still not able to make out what this could mean. He then went back to pacing, trying to collect his thoughts and try and figure out what the answer to this could be. If it was anyone else, he wouldn't be as freaked, but this is his son and it made things even worse. It only made him want to get to the bottom of it even more. He continued to pace around the house, yet something else became apparent as he stopped, doing another once over of the small building. "Where's Toothless?"

"Yeah, I just noticed that, still can't find him lad?" Gobber responded as the two grown men looked at the teen, who mentally cringed as that part is being addressed. There was no way he wanted to tell them what Toothless did, not till he could understand it himself. He didn't want to think what his father's reaction would be if he found out and knowing the chief it would be big…and bad. He had to cover up for his dragon, although he needed to be careful as Gobber is good with catching onto his lies.

"No, I haven't...He must be around here somewhere," his voice came out leveled, and breathing consistent, yet mentally sweating on the inside.

A deep sigh came out of Stoick, "That's not like him...he's always by your side no matter what...I'll have people go out and look for him-"

"Just leave him be," Hiccup said, catching himself before he quickly said it, and giving himself away. Yet, that earned the confused glances from the two, putting him back in the spotlight. Thankfully his mind thought quickly for a response. "I know Toothless, if he's gone for this long it could be for a reason...he'll come back, he'll want to fly eventually."

The two older males look at the kid in question, Stoick, starting to somewhat buy it, but Gobber wasn't as convinced. His mental radar picked up on the teen trying to avoid something, and this was piquing at him. He wanted to say something but decided to see how this would play out, as Hiccup would give up much more if he was unaware that he's watching.

"Alright, but if he isn't around any sooner, I'll send people to look for him," Stoick responded as Hiccup reluctantly nodded. "Back to the original topic...I might have to have Gothi look you over again."

"Dad, I'm fine," Hiccup responded back in earnest. "I don't feel anything wrong, no fever, aches, or pain. If Gothi couldn't find anything on me on the first visit, what makes you think she could find anything?"

"Hiccup being able to get suddenly stronger, and able to take a punch without getting marks is concerning. If it wasn't for you waking up in the forest with no memory this could actually be a good thing.

"I admit, I was surprised during the fight," Hiccup explained, father and son not noticing Gobber walking off to the side. "Hel, I'm surprised and glad that I managed to beat Snotlout in the first place. Besides, how do we know it wasn't a fluke?"

"One way to find out," Gobber suddenly said. "Catch!"

Hiccup turned around, only to see a large axe sailing over to him. The teen's body reacted as his arms reached up and caught it, standing his ground and slightly stumbling. Thankfully the weight of the weapon didn't knock the air out of him, "Gobber what was that for?"

"How does that feel?" was the response.

"What? Like you threw a heavy piece of metal at me," Hiccup complained, as he was glad there was no pain, but didn't like have weapons randomly tossed to him.

"Is it heavy?" Gobber asked once again, making the kid raise an eye in confusion. "How does it feel?" he asked again.

Hiccup was silent as it finally dawned on him as he looked down at the weapon in his hand. Both eyes rose upon realizing that he's holding his father's axe, which happens to be the biggest, and heaviest, weapon they had in the household. Usually when it came to handling weapons in the forge the teen needed to use both hands, and arms, to handle the weapons due to their weight. When it came to his father's axe, he would have trouble just holding it up...yet this time around the usual weight disappeared. Yes, it's heavy but not like it used to be. He's able to hold it by the handle with both hands, not having to cradle it, making his eyes raise up in shock.

"Great Odin's ghost…" Stoick said in a low voice as he watched his son handling his axe with ease. The chief knew how much the weapon weighed and how his son had trouble handling the weapon when he had to interact with it. Yet seeing no grunt, or grimace and seemingly he's handling it like it was made of Gronkle Iron. "How are you doing that?"

"I...I don't know...it...it feels heavy but...not as heavy as it should be," Hiccup marveled as he couldn't take his eyes off his hands, which are holding the weapon easily without effort.

"Just how much stronger are you, Hiccup?" Gobber asked in curiosity, surprised himself and wanting to know the truth. Hiccup looked up in silence and just shrugged.

Stoick approached his son with a questionable look, placing a hand on his shoulder, causing them both to look up at the chief. "Let's find out."

At the academy a couple of Vikings could be seen placing some wooden Outcast targets near one of the cage doors. Setting them up evenly spaced apart and making sure they were well balanced. Hiccup stood a few yards away from them, head down casted and hand rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment as he is being watched by many eyes. Up above outside the metal roof cage several Vikings stood, peering inside, waiting for this demonstration to start.

At some point the Dragon Riders had to carry Snotlout to Gothi, along the way many others saw and asked what happened. Astrid and Fishlegs wanted to keep things on the downlow but of course the Twins had to brag about what they saw, about how their heir managed to not overpower Snotlout but knock him out. The ones that heard it were in disbelief, mainly as the twins always came up with stories...yet the twins said they were serious about it, and the way it came across just seemed to stick with them. Then Stoick told a couple of the Vikings to gather a few of the Outcasts targets, but when asked Stoick just said a demonstration. That only more than fueled the twin's story somehow after the twins got a few words in about what could be happening. Word quickly got around about what their heir did and that made them all curious, so here they were, waiting to see this demonstration.

Hiccup didn't like having an audience, especially with what his father proposed. He didn't want to be embarrassed if this didn't work out, as the last thing he wanted was to lose respect for failing...oh how he just wanted to be invisible right now.

Just then Gobber and Stoick came over, putting down a rack filled with axes a few feet from the teen. Turning to them Hiccup swallowed a gulp in his throat, "Dad do they really have to be here?"

Stoick stopped to look up at the crowd that had formed. True, he wanted to keep this a secret, but to be honest, if this turned out to be true, he thinks it's best for others to see the new skills Hiccup somehow acquired. He mainly saw this as a way for him to garner some more respect, besides it would be bound to get out sooner or later...but he could see his son's point of view. Yet, chances if told to leave there would be a straggler who would see, and spread the news further.

Sighing he looked back down, "Sorry son, my fault on that. Yet I think this would be good…chances are this could get out either way, rather have it now or later?"

The teen groaned, not wanting to admit that he saw some logic in his father's words, "Please don't let this go wrong."

"Don't worry lad, you'll blow their minds," Gobber smiled, trying his best to lift his apprentice's Spirits.

"Yeah, what could go wrong...last time I had an audience like this I lost at Thawfest," Hiccup said softly, remembering the last time he had a crowd watching him like this. Now it seems like that day is repeating itself once more.

Meanwhile up in the crowd many people were talking amongst each other, curious as to what could be going on. Mainly as they weren't allowed inside and had to watch from above. Nearby the Riders could be seen together, looking down at their leader in curiosity. All were Surprised that they weren't allowed down but decided to accept it, although Astrid wanted to be down there with her friend for emotional support. Who knows what could be going on through that mind of his.

"Sucks not being allowed down there," Ruffnut responded, both she and her brother sitting down and letting their feet hang down on the inside.

"Yeah, we saw him and his crazy strength first, shouldn't we get a front row seat?" Tuffnut responded back in complaint.

"Well from the looks of things, it might get dangerous inside," Fishlegs responded back, glad to be on the outside. "Besides, judging by those weapons chances are they will need open space to do what they need to do and-"

"Ok, ok, we get it," Ruffnut responded back, rolling her eyes.

"This is concerning," Astrid responded with folded arms, causing everyone to look over at her.

"How so?" Tuffnut asked curiously. "After seeing Hiccup beat up Snotlout earlier, seeing another display like that should be exhilarating….wow, speaking of which…"

Everyone saw the male twin looking past them, causing them to follow his gaze. To their Surprise they found Snotlout slowly walking over to them, hand clutching the side of his face, looking a bit out of it. "Wow, surprised to see you're up," Astrid responded, not expecting him to be up and about.

"My face is aching…" Snotlout groaned as he kept nursing the bruised and somewhat swollen cheek. He didn't' know why but he woke up in Gothi's hut yet couldn't understand what the elder said. Despite her warning he walked out but was confused as to where everyone else was. He was then redirected to the academy...yet others looked at him oddly, which made him confused. "What happened? I can't remember much."

"Hiccup knocked you out," Tuffnut responded proudly.

"What!?" the burly teen responded, eyes shooting open as he couldn't believe this. He was about to call them out on it when the fight from earlier came back to him. How their fight seemed one sided at some point, but quickly turned as not only did his cousin avoid him but managed to overpower him. The last thing he could remember is an incoming fist before blacking out. "What, that can't be what happened."

"It is," Tuffnut said, backing her brother up, before pointing down to the center of the academy. "And we're about to see him do more."

Both of the burly teen's eyes rose as he went over to the edge and was surprised to see Hiccup down in the center. "What is-"

"Not sure," Astrid responded back, almost knowing what he's going to say. "But we know it's going to be something big." With that all the conversation ended as they looked back down, deciding to wait.

Back down inside the academy it looked like things had been finished being set up. Stoick gave the two Vikings helping him a nod, messaging that they were dismissed. Once they left, he looked back down at his son, "You ready?"

"I would be if I was told what to do," Hiccup responded back, with a raised eye, not having been fully told of that part.

"Right," the chief nodded as he pointed to the axes, and then the targets, which spanned about three-fourths of the academy, a good few yards. "First, you're going to take those axes and launch them at the targets, throw them as hard as you can and try to at least aim for the head or chest."

"Really?" Hiccup couldn't help but say, instantly getting memories of Thawfest with the axe throwing contest. How he couldn't even hit the target nor manage to throw it the required distance. Feelings of deja vu creeping up on him as this could be a repeat of that same situation, making it worse for him. He looked around, and took scope of the situation, the same situation, nearly the same crowd, and mostly the same people watching. Perfect, just another mirror image. "Why this?"

"Just call it a hunch or a test," Gobber responded as he motioned for the axes, stepping back some.

"You can do it son," Stoick responded as he patted his child on the shoulder before moving back, out of his way.

Hiccup sighed as he saw his father and mentor move a few paces away, taking a few moments to look around above, seeing all the eyes on him. This was it, the onetime to either surprise everyone, or make a fool of himself…again. There was no backing out of this, so he had to follow through with it. He looked forward, seeing the Outcast Targets, five of them to be exact, all of them lined up and spaced out five feet from one another. Looking over he found five axes resting on the rack. Remembering his father's words, this was the first test...only made him curious as to what the next ones were.

Where's Toothless when you need him? Why can't he come and save him like the time during his final exam? Deciding not to put off the inevitable he went over to the rack and picked up one of the axes. He could feel the weight of it in his hands, surprised to find them light, yet he knew these were the same axes used during Thawfest.

How ironic.

Yet, unlike last time this felt lighter than before, he could actually wield this. Good thing, as it means that sudden new strength of his hasn't left him. Maybe he could do this, it had to work. Deciding to run with this new bout of confidence he walked forward some, placing the axe on his shoulder, holding it with one hand. Already people were surprised to see their heir handling the axe with ease, especially when they remember past experiences he had.

Taking a few breaths Hiccup gripped the axe with two hands, now holding it in front of him and concentrating on the target to his far left. Taking a few deep breaths to ease himself and try to allow some kind of focus. Once he felt ready enough he held it with his left hand and pulled it back, surprised he's able to do it with one handed, and not fall back. Grunting he used all his strength and flung the weapon forward, the axe spinning and sailing across the academy at top speed.

*Thud!*

Many gasps left the mouths of spectators, Gobber and Stoick included as they witnessed that not only did the axe not hit the ground but managed to hit the target! The sharp edge embedded itself right into the wood of the target, more specifically right in the chest area. If it had been a live enemy then it could have well be a kill shot. They all had no idea how that was possible, yet it left them all speechless.

Which included Hiccup himself.

"What in Thor's name…." he couldn't help but say aloud, eyes wide and mouth dropped some. Soon enough the spectator's started to chatter at what they saw, and that was only the first throw.

"Hiccup," Stoick then said, causing the teen to turn around. The chief's shocked expression showed, and Hiccup could see it, yet didn't get to say a word as he saw his father's head motion to the rest of the weapons. Taking a few seconds to absorb this he nodded before making his way over and picked up another axe.

Returning to the same spot he repeated the same motions before pulling his hand back and grunting as he hauled the axe forward once more, with much ferocity. Once more the weapon sailed across the academy and hit its mark. The Axe embedded a bit higher now, near the throat, and caused the target to move some. The murmurs from before grew louder upon seeing that, as everyone, Hiccup included, were surprised to see that he repeated the move again.

*Thud*

*Thud*

Two more axes flew across the academy over the next couple of minutes, hitting the targets in the nearly same position, every throw stronger than before and moving the targets, swaying, and moving as he did. Everyone was shocked with each strike and were now waiting in anticipation, seeing this new display of strength coming out of nowhere and amazing them all. Hiccup is holding the final axe and looking at the final target, taking a few deep breaths as this is the last one.

Before anything could start, he felt a familiar hand touch his shoulder, looking back and finding his father. The chief looked down at his child with an amazed look, "Last one son...give it all you got."

"Yes," he nodded, knowing what to do. Receiving a nod, the chief stepped back to give his child some room. He took a bit longer than before preparing himself, eyes closing and taking deep breaths. After a minute Hiccup moved the axe back, taking a step forward and grunting heavily as he put everything he had into this last throw. He mentally gasped as something was felt within as he did so but didn't get a chance to question it as he flung the axe across the academy for the last time. Yet this time was different as it seemed to move faster this time.

*Thud!* *Creeeeaaaaaak!*

Large intakes of air were taken by everyone else as they watched the axe embed itself right in the head of the target...but that wasn't all. Apparently, the force of the impact caused a deeper cut of the wood, shifting the balance and causing it to fall back and clatter on the ground.

"Great Odin's ghost," Hiccup breathed out as his eyes rose at that, as he was still in shock at what he did. There was no way he could have done that, not before, yet here he is, five axes thrown and hit their marks with each one. That last one being a testament of this newfound strength he seemed to have. Those dummies are a lot heavier than one would expect, yet he managed to knock it over with ease...this more than confirmed that something strange was going on with him...but that only made it that more confusing.

He was knocked out of his train of thought as his father gave a hearty laugh and clasped a hand on his shoulder, "Wow, I don't know what happened...but it seemed like Odin blessed you with some new skills."

"M-Maybe…" Hiccup said, not really sure how to properly respond. Yet now he could hear positive chatter coming from the crowd watching, some even gave some claps as they were amazed at the display.

"If you could do this, it makes me wonder what else you can do," Stoick gave a smile as he was anxious to see how strong his son had gotten.

"I can hardly wait," Hiccup sarcastically thought, knowing that this was going to be a long day.

Somewhere on Berk, inside of a dark and confined cave a figure could be seen sitting down, unmoving. If one were to see them, they would think they were dead...well they would be half right. The figure from the night before found sanctuary within this cave, away from the light of day. It would just need to wait here before making its move...and what it planned on doing would return him to full strength slowly.

A small cackling could be heard as it remembered the encounter from the night before, the boy he found not standing a chance against him. The memory of stalking and toying with him brought much glee to him…then he focused on one particular part. If it could, it would lick its lips at the memory of the boy's blood, how good it felt tasting it as he bit down into his neck. It was enough to invigorate him some more and restore some of its strength…sadly he didn't get enough to maintain him the way he wanted. He would have taken some more but the boy needed to be alive….plans were being followed and the kid will be important to him.

"Soon...very soon kid," its voice came out, echoing throughout the cave. It just needed to bide its time and wait for the perfect moment.

The teen may be having fun with his new gifts, but little does he know of the true curse he held.

A/N: Hope you like, now the village knows about Hiccup's new found strength. Yet only Gobber and Stoick know about him not getting hurt after Snotlout's punch. This is something I had planned and it will lead to something big. I don't want to say more as it would be a spoiler. Things will be getting heated up in the on coming chapters. I'll try and not take too long with the next one, despite having to make more alterations to the overall story plan. Please let me know what you think, as feedback helps. Till next time.