About an hour before the Fighting Festival, Heather and Ruby were busy gathering ingredients in the forest.
"Gather up anything that might be edible okay," said Heather. "We can sort through them later."
"All right," said Ruby.
Ruby then began looking around the forest and found an entire patch of mushrooms.
"How lovely," she said and then she noticed a large shadow covering her.
She screamed and Heather immediately rushed towards her.
"What's the matter?" she said.
That's when they saw a large planned sprouting in the middle of the mushroom patch. It had multiple coloured petals and was about half the size of Heather.
"What a lovely looking flower," said Heather as she leaned in towards it.
However a second later it spat out pollen directly over them and the two girls screamed in shock.
Elsewhere the Fighting Festival was beginning and Hiccup and the others were preparing themselves.
"First up is the elimination round," the referee announced. "I will be acting as the referee, the roars of this round are extremely simple. Knock your opponent out of this ring, throwing them out is by pushing them out is too or send them flying as long as it's bare handed. The eight contenders that are still standing, will move on into the finals. Now then let the brawling begin!"
No one waste any time and immediately began engaging with one another. Two contenders were now actually wrestling with one another.
"I'm going to come out on top this year!"
"You took the words right out of my mouth!"
However, Magnus appeared beside them and immediately grabbed them by the helm of their shirts.
"Now beat it," he said and ritually through them out of the ring.
Hiccup merely stood there noting that everyone seemed to be engaged in combat. Then someone grabbed his shoulder and he saw a snivelling looking man smiling at him.
"I think it's about time for weaklings like you to get out of here," he said.
"Funny I was going to say the same thing to you," said Hiccup as he immediately grabbed his wrist.
Then to the man's bewilderment he was immediately tossed out of the ring.
Snotlout looked immensely bored as he began punching anyone who came anywhere close to him.
"This is so boring," he said yawning.
Fishlegs was literally running around the arena trying to avoid a fight.
The twins themselves were also engaged with combat, but they were having a hard time considering that the can get anywhere near one another.
Toothless was watching intently. "If this is the competition so far the guys and have it easy."
Also in the arena was the long black haired man that pointed Hiccup and the others to the arena. He was currently winning his share of fights, though he was merely avoiding them rather than punching them.
Ake was doing his share of punching with his opponents. "Careful," he said.
Gael was also tossing his opponent out of the arena easily.
Hiccup soon found himself back to back with Snotlout.
"Snotlout, make sure you pull your punches we don't wanna kill anyone," Hiccup reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Snotlout grumbled. "Though it does take all the fun out of it."
Snotlout eyes were then drawn to a man about his size wearing a leather jacket.
"Like my footwork? Just try and keep up," he said as he punched his opponent constantly.
Snotlout then began to make his way towards him.
Fishlegs then made his way over to Hiccup. "Hiccup aren't you enjoying yourself a little too much?"
Hiccup looked at him. "I'm trying not to arouse suspicion."
"Isn't there easier way to get Heather's Gideon?" Fishlegs asked.
Hiccup looked at him. "What would you have me do, steal it?"
"Uh, no," said Fishlegs.
Hiccup nodded. "Then I suggest you get your head in the game."
A very large and tubby man then charged at a young woman wearing a cloak and hood.
"You and I are going to make sweet music together, baby," he said with a lustful look.
The woman however merely raised her hand and the moment his fat stomach slammed into it, he was sent straight out of the ring. The woman then began moving around the contestants dealing them powerful blows and not the great few out of the ring.
She had went behind one of the competitors and dealt a powerful backwards spinning kick and then need another competitor right in the chin, before she grabbed hold of his shoulders and pushed herself up and kicked him in the chest. She then propelled herself over the competitors and kicked another one across the face and then punched another.
That one punch cause a chain reaction as he knocked into more competitors including the twins and Fishlegs noticed too late that they were heading straight towards him as well. When they hit the ground a giant crowd of dust covered them.
"Talk about moves as fast as lightning," said the referee. "This one girl just knocked 10 men out of the ring all at once!"
"Whoever she is she is pretty skilled," said Hiccup.
"Betty doesn't get a lot of dates," Snotlout smiled and that's when Hiccup knows that he was wearing a leather jacket.
"Where did you get that jacket?" Hiccup asked suspiciously.
"Let's take a look at whose left in the ring," said the referee and everyone saw that there were only seven people left standing.
"The seven of them," said a spectator.
"So what do we do now, that's not enough for the tournament?"
"There's one more who hasn't gotten knocked out of the ring!" someone pointed.
That someone was Fishlegs, who was floating on top of his pillow and a lot of people were booing him.
"That was close," he groaned.
"Hey, no fair! He can float!"
"Rule him out!"
The referee looked at the crowd and rubbed his chin. "Well, I do admit that it's unfair, but he's not using any weapons. I'll allow it!"
Snotlout smirked. "Aren't you lucky, played dirty in still won."
Hiccup shrugged. "Not how I would have done had."
Fishlegs moaned. "I really don't like cheating."
"And now we will hold the lotteries to decide the match ups, the eight finalists should head to the waiting area," the referee announced.
Soon they were all in the waiting area and immediately the referee pulled out a set of straws.
"Come on up and draw your lots," he said. "The first round will be contenders who will each draw the same letter."
Snotlout moaned as he waited the back of the line. "Can't they just hurry up and get to the finals already?"
Hiccup looked at him. "Be careful what you wish for, you might be knocked out of the first round."
"Please I know that I'm going to win this," said Snotlout.
Fishlegs looked queasy. "My stomach, the stress is killing me."
Eventually everyone drew their lots and the referee was about to announce the match ups.
"All right folks am going to announce the fight cards," said the referee. "The first matchup is Gael versus Dorothea!"
They all turned and looked at the girl whose name turned out to be Dorothea, the same one that thrashed every single guy in the preliminary round.
"Hey, it's that girl from earlier," said Fishlegs.
Hiccup frowned. "I don't know what it is, but I feel as if I know her from somewhere."
The girl looked at them briefly before she turned her head.
"The second matchup is Ake versus Magnus," the referee continued.
"I know him," said Fishlegs. His eyes widened when he realised who he was. "Now I remember, he's a Dragon Knight. I saw him with Gilthunder what's of times."
"The question is what is he doing in a Festival like this?" Hiccup frowned. "The last thing we want is to be recognised."
Fishlegs looked at Hiccup. "You didn't enter us in our real names?"
Hiccup looked at him. "Do you really think I would do something so careless?"
"And here is the first matchup, Skull versus Grizzlelegs," the referee announced.
Fishlegs looked at Hiccup. "My name is Grizzlelegs?"
Hiccup shrugged. "I was pressed for time." He then turned his eyes to Skull, who turned out to be the handsome young man who earlier. "Skull? No, it can't be him."
Snotlout frowned. "Hang on, I haven't heard the guy called out my name yet."
"He hasn't called out my either," Hiccup added.
Then their eyes widened.
"And the final match is Harold versus Spitelout!" the referee announced.
"Looks like were in the first round," said Hiccup looking at Snotlout.
"I'm more concerned with the names you've given us," said Snotlout.
"They are a bit obvious," Fishlegs agreed.
Hiccup shrugged. "I know, but I had very little time to think on my feet."
Ake then approached them. "Hey, you look an awful lot like the guy on the wanted poster," he said looking directly at Snotlout. He then turned and looked at Hiccup. 'And Gil did say that the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins was a scrawny looking young man. It couldn't be.'
Hiccup and the others looked at him fearing that the cover had been blown.
"Nah, you two guys have got totally different names," he said smiling. "Sorry, my mistake. What's the matter with me? They would be in a Festival like this one."
"Looks like we fooled him," said Hiccup.
"Something tells me he's not the brightest weapon in the armoury," said Snotlout folding his arms.
However, Gael was looking directly at the three of them and narrowed his eyes, because he knew exactly who they were.
Soon the first round was beginning and the twins had decided to sell souvenirs to the spectators in order to earn a little gold.
"The first round of Vaizel Fight Festival is about to begin everyone!" the referee announced. "The rules are simple, matches are won by submission or KO. Fall out of the ring and you lose automatically! Let us go to the first match, it is Gael versus Dorothea!"
The two competitors then made their way onto the ring and everyone cheered.
Ake looked at Gael. "Gael… I'm a little surprised to see you out here. What about protecting Amber?"
"That is Princess Amber," Gael corrected and then continue to make his way onto the ring. "Respect her title."
Ake shook his head.
Amber was among the spectators watching intently.
"Standing at 7 feet tall and wearing 400 pounds, Gael!" the referee announced and everyone cheered. He then turns attention onto Dorothea. "Standing 5 feet 9 inches and wearing an undisclosed amount, Dorothea!"
Everyone cheered, which was not advising considering that she was the only girl competing.
The referee then turned towards her. "Hang on miss, the hood is fine but you're going to have to take off the cloak. I have to make sure that you're not hiding any weapons just to be safe."
Dorothea then immediately discovered her cloak and Hiccup and the others gasped, because the outfit she was wearing was the same as Hiccup's Tavern uniform.
"Hiccup that outfit isn't it—" Fishlegs stared.
"It's my Tavern uniform," Hiccup gasped.
The twins' mouths dispelled wide open.
"That can't be Princess Ruby," Ruffnut gasped.
"She doesn't know how to fight," said Tuffnut.
"I find it hard to believe that Ruby would leave Heather alone by herself," Hiccup frowned.
"Yeah, that is a bit off," Fishlegs admitted.
"Okay, my eyes will be tied to this first match folks," said the referee as he raised his hand. "Here we go, let the first match begin!"
Dorothea then immediately rushed over towards Gael and began to deal him some very quick punches in his chest.
"Dorothea is too fast for Gael and she let loose with a barrage of punches," the referee announced.
However as daughter kept on punching a strange purple substance began to cover Gael's chest. Dorothea immediately stopped her attack and watched as the substance began to cover his entire body.
"I cannot allow myself to be defeated. It ain't anything personal," said Gael and suddenly the same substance began to form of force field around him and appear to be so strong that she cracked the arena. "This is my magical ability, Wall."
"Judging from that guy's power…" said Snotlout.
Hiccup nodded. "He's another Dragon Knight."
Dorothea then immediately began to punch his force field relentlessly, but was having no effect.
"You're too late, sweetheart," said Ake folding his arms. "Half-ass magical ability and physical attacks won't work on him at all. When he's like that all you can do is wait for him to stop it or hope that he runs out of mana at some point down the line. She should have tried to end this before completely covered his body."
The force field was now expanding slowly pushing Dorothea out of the arena.
"My Wall is a symbol of my resolve to protect Princess Amber," he said as he expanded the force field even further. "I insist that you leave the ring."
Dorothea was trying to hold back the force field, but she was inches away from being knocked out of the ring.
"Thanks to Gael's mysterious power Dorothea is in big trouble!" the referee announced.
"I will be advancing through the final round, it Princess Amber were to come and it I would bring anyone to their knees," Gael announced. "Even the Seven Deadly Sins, even Hiccup himself!"
Dorothea then immediately clenched her fist. "We'll see about that!"
She then immediately punched the force field with everything she had and began to crack and then shattered. Gael was completely bewildered and he was so stunned that he was ill prepared for Gael the charge straight towards him. She then punched him right beneath the chin and sent him flying out of the ring and of the giant rock.
The sudden attack at also caused her to fly off and Hiccup and the others just stared at her dumbfounded, because standing before them was not Ruby but Heather.
"Gael is out of the rain by default to the winner is Dorothea!" the referee announced.
Everyone then cheered.
"She broke through Gael's Wall with her bare hands," he said stunned. "But how?"
He then turned his head and saw Amber was leaving the crowd.
"This sweet young girl took that hulk of a man with a single punch!" the announced astonished. "This year's Fighting Festival is one to remember folks."
"I can't believe my eyes," said Hiccup.
"Nor can I," said Fishlegs.
"There is no way that it's her," said Snotlout.
Heather then started to make her way over towards them. "I was hoping to stay hidden just a little longer," she said as she jumped off the ring.
Hiccup shook his head. "But how? How could you shrink down to human size and wears Ruby?"
Heather looked around and gestured for them to follow her.
They followed her all the way towards the waiting room which was thankfully empty.
"So where is the Princess?" Fishlegs asked the moment they all entered.
"I'm here," said a small voice.
Then Ruby's head popped out from one of the pockets, she was the size of someone's little finger and apparently she was completely naked.
"Hello," she said nervously.
"What? When? How?" Hiccup spluttered.
"It happened just after you guys went to town, Ruby and I were gathering ingredients for dinner in the forest," Heather explained. "And then…"
Heather then began to remember when they came across that giant flower and how it's break them with a strange pollen.
"What was that?" Heather coughed.
When the pollen finally dispelled, Heather then discovered that she was human size as a result her clothes were just way too big for her leaving her completely naked. She then immediately covered herself up in embarrassment and the same thing could happen to Ruby, who was holding her earring.
The two girls looked at one another and screamed in shock.
"That flower shrunk us!" Heather gasped.
Back in the present, Heather had just finished explaining how they shrank.
"I ended up having to borrow Ruby's outfit for the time being," Heather explained.
"But then we didn't have any clothes available that could fit me," said Ruby looking completely mortified.
"Okay that answer the question how you shrank, but how do we return you guys to normal size?" Hiccup asked.
"Sounds like it was a Shrinking Violet," said Fishlegs folding his arms. "They are since out pollen to protect themselves, but it should wear off in no time."
"Let's just hope that they returned back to normal after the Festival," said Hiccup looking at them. "We're going to have a large explaining that happens."
"It would certainly be a sight to see," said Snotlout dreamily.
Heather immediately stormed at him and grabbed him by the helm of his shirt. "Do you find this funny Snotlout?" she glared.
Snotlout immediately shook his head. "No, of course not!"
Heather then immediately dropped him. "You're lucky that not Astrid, she would have sent you flying for over 50 miles!"
Hiccup then looked at Heather. "Why didn't you mention anything earlier?"
Heather looked at him awkwardly. "There wasn't time to explain plus it was a bit embarrassing."
The twins then entered the waiting room.
"Fishlegs, your match is about to begin," said Ruffnut.
"You better get ready," said Tuffnut.
"How's the match going?" Hiccup asked.
"Not a lot to say," said Ruffnut.
"That musclebound idiot is getting scratched," said Tuffnut.
The twins were exaggerating, Magnus was completely worn out and Ake even have a single scratch on him.
"Come on, now stop being stubborn and throw in the towel," said Ake.
"No!" Magnus growled with frustration. "It's not over!"
Ake sighed. "Now that's a problem, I'm not like Gael. I didn't really want to use this on a civilian." Suddenly as many Tornado began to swell its way around his arms. "But I would hate to be cruel to you by not finishing this quickly."
"Say good night!" Magnus roared as he charged towards him with his fist raised.
"You put up a good fight," said Ake.
Ake then immediately punched Magnus and he literally sent him flying with a tornado like punch. Last time anyone saw Magnus he landed in the town, where ever he is survived the impact was yet to be seen.
"And the winner is Ake!" the referee announced.
"He's going to be the one to watch out for," said Hiccup.
"And next up is our third match Skull versus Grizzleleg!" the referee announced.
"My turn, huh?" Fishlegs groaned.
"Not exactly original the name," said Heather.
"I was in a tough spot," Hiccup admitted.
Snotlout looked at Heather. "Where you get the name Dorothea anyway?"
Heather huffed. "Belong to my mentor."
Hiccup looked at Fishlegs. "I'll hold onto Chastiefol offered."
"Thanks," said Fishlegs handing him his pillow.
Fishlegs then made his way onto the arena.
"Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 300 pounds, Grizzlelegs!" the referee announced as Fishlegs stepped up to the plate. "Standing 5 feet 9 inches also and weighing 200 pounds, Skull!"
Skull then stepped up to the plate and folded his arms.
Meanwhile Gael had just regained consciousness and found him so face-to-face with Amber.
"Gael? Will you wake up already Gael?" she snapped. "Up lummox!"
Gael groaned and immediately sat up straight. "Princess Amber, my apologies."
"Honestly you got sloppy," said Amber shaking her head. "If I had known this would happen, I would have brought Gilthunder."
"You okay there Gael," said Ake as he made his way down the slope. "Hello to you to Princess Amber."
"Ake," said Gael. He then turned his head away from him. "Would you rather be watching the fights?"
"I already no longer to be facing the next round, not much point watching the others entered the semifinals," said Ake folding his arms. "The real question is why you're all the way out here with Amber?"
"He and I are looking for Ruby," Amber answered.
Ake stared at them. "Are you kidding? Princess Ruby is here?"
"Most likely." He then noticed that the both of them were looking up towards the arena. "As well as the Seven Deadly Sins."
The match between Fishlegs and Skull was now underway.
"Now let the fight begin!" the referee announced.
"This is the first time I've seen Fishlegs fight without a weapon," said Heather looking concerned.
"I've only seen him do at the one time," said Hiccup.
Fishlegs then immediately took up a fighting stance.
"So what's he going to do?" Heather asked looking at Hiccup.
Hiccup just stood there in silence.
Fishlegs then immediately charged at Skull, but he tripped over a stone and fell face first. Everyone laughed upon seeing Fishlegs trip and tumble and Heather and Snotlout groaned.
Skull then immediately began swinging his fist towards Fishlegs, who quickly uses levitation power to get out of the way.
"That was close," he said.
Snotlout narrowed his eyes at him. "You've got the weight advantage!"
Hiccup looked at him. "You're forgetting that he's never really fought at close quarters. If he's going to win this, he's going to rely upon his magical ability."
Skull then immediately performed a leg sweep and Fishlegs dodged yet again and he chuckled slightly.
"You're quick on your feet, I'll give you that," said Skull as he raised his arms. "We're not going to win this fight by defence alone."
'He's right,' Fishlegs agreed. 'I can't just stay on the defensive, I'll have to use my Disaster powers to make any of my attacks stronger.'
"How is his magical ability supposed to work?" Snotlout asked looking at Hiccup.
"Disaster, gives Fishlegs the ability over life-and-death. To put more simply a simple cut and he can turn that into a fatal wound," Hiccup explained.
Snotlout gulped. "Good thing I'm immortal."
Heather looked at Hiccup with concern. "He's not going to kill is he?"
Hiccup shook his head. "No, but you make the injury quite severe forcing him to step down."
Fishlegs and immediately began to raise his arm and to concentrate his powers on Skull. However, Skull seem to be completely aware of this and then immediately struck Fishlegs before he had a chance to block or to avoid the attack. The attack was strong enough to send him flying out of the ring and into the others.
"Grizzlelegs is out of the ring! Skull wins!" the referee announced.
Skull smiled at Fishlegs. "Next time you should move a lot faster."
Fishlegs moaned as he picked himself up. "He knew what was about to do."
"Next up is the last matchup of this round of the finals!" the referee announced. "It's Harold versus Spitelout!"
Back at the base of the slope both Amber and Gael had just told him about the true identities of three of the competitors.
"Bold on, that scrawny guy is a member of the Seven Deadly Sins, he is Hiccup?" he gasped. "Then those guys were…"
"That's right," said Gael as he picked himself up. "Snotlout and Fishlegs."
Ake stared at them. "Wait, are you serious?" He then immediately looked back to the ring. "I can't miss this!"
"Hold on, don't go causing a commotion until we find Ruby!" Amber ordered.
"Right back at you," said Ake without looking back. "If Helheim breaks loose and you were in the Festival you're going to be sorry!"
Amber and Gael looked at one another confused.
Ake was rushing back to the ring, not to engage the Seven Deadly Sins, but rather to watch them in action.
"I finally got a chance to see the power of the legendary Sins up close and personal," Ake laughed eagerly to himself.
Hiccup had given his blade to Heather and both he and Snotlout were now making their way onto the ring preparing to fight.
"Hang on, no weapons it against the rules!" said the referee turning on Hiccup.
"Oh, this," said Hiccup as he held the hand of his blade that was strapped to his back and reveal the broken and blade. "It's only for show."
"Oh, in that case I will allow it," the referee nodded.
"Standing 6 foot and 1 inch and weighing 110 pounds, Harold!" the announcer announced. "Standing 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 170 pounds, Spitelout!"
Snotlout smiled. "I'm really going to look forward to this."
"I hope you're ready," said Hiccup as he cracked his knuckles.
The entire crowd cheered with aspiration as their fight was about to begin.