Toothless cooed, slowly approaching his best friend who laid tightly in his father's grip, trembling with both relief and fright. He nudged Hiccup's back, the only thing exposed from his father's big hands. Stoick felt the dragon's presence and released his son slowly, but steadied his weak frame in his arms.
Hiccup smiled up at his best friend, reaching his hand out slowly. Toothless's muzzle met him in the air, nudging his hand further. "Hey, b-bud," Hiccup whispered, his voice damaged and fainter from the earlier use. Toothless showed of his gums as he growled, nuzzling Hiccup's side. Hiccup chuckled, sitting up in his father's lap. He scratched the back of Toothless's ear flaps, moving down to his chin. He smiled at his best friend's delighted expression, but remembered the black blur. "D-did you save me bud?" Toothless pulled away, smiling as he nodded and jumped around the two with happiness.
Hiccup couldn't help but laugh at the silliness of his dragon, though it was adorable. "Atta boy," Hiccup chuckled, hugging Toothless's neck once he stopped in front of him with his famous smile. "I don't know what I would have done without you, thank you," Toothless cooed, closing his eyes for a brief second before opening his right eye, peeking up at his rider's father. Stoick patted the dragon's neck but pulled away as Toothless pulled out of Hiccup's grip, licking him to death.
"Aww-Toothless! Come on bud," Hiccup laughed, playfully pushing him away. Toothless continues on with showing his happiness, in the night fury way, until he heard a voices calling from behind them. He pulled away, looking at the slobbery filled rider a foot away. Hiccup rolled back on his back, using his dragon's head to support himself, only to cover Toothless's head up with his own saliva. "You didn't think you would get away with that now would you?" Hiccup teased, mimicking Toothless's sassy face.
A pair of arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him in for a bone crushing hug. He choked, his arms in front of him and his eyes wide. But the pair of arms quickly pulled away, followed by a disgusted voice. "Eww," Astrid said, opening her arms to look down at the saliva filled clothes. Hiccup chuckled, only to have someone trip him over Astrid.
The two lay awkwardly on top each other. He tried to push himself up but slipped with his hands on the soft grass, crashing his lips against hers. Their eyes widened and as Hiccup made the move to pull away, Astrid snaked her fingers around his neck, pulling him closer as she deepened the kiss. Hiccup chuckled, kissing back for a second before pulling away, having some saliva from each other lips. Thanks to Toothless.
Hiccup managed to get his balance back and roll over to the side, ending up beside her. Toothless stood over the two of them, saliva dripping from his wet tongue that exposed half of his gums. He looked at the two with wide eyes, one hand on Hiccup's stomach and the other beside Astrid's body. And there he went again.
"Toothless!" Hiccup laughed, pushing him away with Astrid, both laughing crazily as his dragon drenched them with saliva. He sat up, leaning his body on his hands. Astrid copied his move, both of them smiling at each other.
"Okay break it up you two," Stoick chuckled, patting Toothless's head. "Let's get going, and you," He turned towards Hiccup and pointed at him. "Need to get ready for your final task," Hiccup groaned, falling back down with his arms spread.
"Already?" Stoick nodded, walking away with a smile plastered on his face. Toothless walked over to Hiccup, laying his head down on Hiccup's stomach, licking his chin a little. "Don't you dare-
"I see you're finally ready," Stoick chuckled, taking a zip from his mead. Hiccup rolled his eyes, sitting down by the table.
"No thanks to mister licker here," Hiccup said, gesturing to the dragon sleeping by the fire pit. Toothless growled. Hiccup ignored his warning and turned to his plate of chicken. "What do I have to do to pass the final task?" Hiccup asked, looking up at his father as he took a bite.
"Well," Stoick scratched the back of his neck. "You have to pass all the parts, including the surprise by the end."
"What parts?" Hiccup asked, ignoring the 'surprise', knowing he wouldn't get it out of his father even if he tried.
"Hand to hand combat, bow and arrow, axe throwing and the good old bludgeon game," Stoick paused, smiling at the game. "Then there's the last part. Sword fight," Hiccup wasn't surprised or nervous, since he was a well-trained swordsman, but knowing his father it always had a catch when it sounded easy. "You will fight against your cousin and your friends and to test you we have decided to put you up against Berk's best swordsman. You won't get to know your opponent before the final finally comes," Hiccup nodded, taking in the information.
"But would it be fair for me fighting my friends, or even Snotlout?" Stoick looked at him confused. "I mean, Berk was invaded for two years and I had three years to practice while you were fighting for lives without any other opponent against you than starvation."
Stoick nodded, thinking. "I'm sure Spitelout taught him well in his younger years. Don't you worry," Stoick smiled, standing up to get his sword. "It will give you advantage anyways and secure you the victory of the final task," He said, walking towards the front door. He took his helmet from the table and said, "Finish up, we will be waiting in the academy."
"Alright, see you there," Hiccup called out before stuffing his mouth with a forkful chicken. He quickly ate up his food, swallowing it down with some water before standing up. "Come on Toothless, we have a busy day ahead of us," Toothless groaned in a dragon's tune, standing up lazily and following his rider to the academy.
"Nice of you to finally show up," Gobber said with an unamused look. Hiccup chuckled, barely catching the axe he pushed against his chest. He ignored his saying and followed him into the middle of the ring where several stations where set up.
"I guess axe throwing first then?" Hiccup muttered, holding the axe in his hand, examining its weight. Definitely not Gronckle iron.
In the middle of the ring stood his friends, besides Heather, all of them holding an axe as they stood before his father, waiting for him. Hiccup made his way to stand beside Fishlegs and Gobber went by his father. Stoick smiled at the audience.
"The final task has finally come. The final task to prove that my son is worthy enough to take the title after me. Worthy enough to protect the hairy hooligan tribe from any future harm," The crowd cheered and dragons roared, watching from the air or next to their riders. "First up, Axe throwing competition! Gobber," Gobber stepped forward and the crowd quieted to let him speak.
"The rules are simple. Hit the center with your axe and you're up for the next task. Stand behind this line and passing it will disqualify you," The teens nodded, grabbing their axes harder before lining up. "Astrid Hofferson," Astrid withdrew her axe, focusing on the target on the other side of the ring. She took a deep breath, bringing her axe back with enough force before throwing it forward, losing it midair in a perfect aim.
"Astrid Hofferson makes a perfect throw!" Mulch whistled, speaking through a horn to make his voice become louder and easier for everyone to hear. Astrid smiled, looking at the target before sitting down on a bench.
"Fishlegs Ingerman," Gobber called out for the teen. Fishlegs stepped forward, his hands trembling in fear. He wasn't fit for this kind of task and he would do anything to avoid the humiliating moment. But there was no way of escaping something he was already a part of.
Fishlegs took a deep breath, rising his axe that shook violently in his grip. The stares from every Viking was on him, sending more pressure through his concentration. He closed his eyes, taking with him the force to throw the axe before releasing his hold on the handle and waiting for a few seconds before opening his eyes once again.
"And Fishlegs passes the test as well! Give it up for Fishlegs Ingerman!" Mulch laughed, cheering on for the husky Viking. Fishlegs smiled, sitting down beside Astrid who patted him on his back, congratulating him.
"Next up we have Ruffnut Thorston!" Gobber announced, looking at Ruffnut who threw her axe in the second his eyes landed on her. The axe flew through the air, heading any other way but towards the target. Ruffnut cheered in the silent air, cheering for herself after having cut of long-bearded Gunnar's hair. Gunnar held his lose hair in his hands, looking down at it in disbelief. Ruffnut high fived her brother before sitting down with Fishlegs and Astrid, her smile never fading.
"Uh…," Gobber gasped. He shook his head before breaking the silence. "Next up we have Tuffnut Thorston," The sound of metal hitting the ground was heard. All eyes turned to Tuffnut who looked at Gobber with a bored look.
"Well I'm out, Ruffnut stole my target," He shrugged, sitting down on the bench next to his sister, leaning back against a drain with his legs crossed and arms behind his head.
Gobber sighed, turning back to the crowd. "Next up we have Snotlout Jorgenson!" Snotlout smirked, looking at Gobber.
"Oh please, I can do this in my sleep," Snotlout bragged, throwing the axe over his shoulder. Hiccup opened his mouth to comment back. "Shut up Hiccup," Hiccup backed up, holding his free hand up and the murderous weapon with his other.
"Just throw the axe already!" Astrid shouted from the bench, a few Vikings agreeing with her.
"Okay, okay, sheesh!" Snotlout readied his axe, smiling up at a few girls who fainted. He threw his axe, watching it confidently hit the center of the target. Snotlout snickered, turning to Hiccup. "Good luck beating that, fishbone."
"Ahaha, hilarious," Hiccup laughed sarcastically, waiting for Gobber to speak up.
"Lastly, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third," Hiccup ignored Snotlout laughing at his name and stared at the target, remembering back to his practice with Camicazi.
"Remember," Camicazi had said. "Take deep breaths and use all the time you need-"
He let the air go through his nostrils, down his lungs and back out a short second after. He repeated his way of calming down his tensed body before narrowing his eyes, moving the axe backwards with his arm going ninety degrees to his side. He closed his eyes, before opening them once again and throwing the axe towards the target.
"And Hiccup makes a perfect throw!" Hiccup smiled, standing back up before walking over to his father, standing in front of him in a line with his friends.
"When I say your names, please step forward," Stoick said. "Astrid Hofferson," Astrid stepped forward. "Fishlegs Ingerman," Fishlegs stepped forward. "Snotlout Jorgenson," Snotlout stepped forward. "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third," Hiccup stepped forward. "You four are to continue until the last challenge. If you lose a task, you're out," The teens nodded. "Next up, the aiming competition!"