The Brother Sister Challenge

It was a very pleasant Friday morning at the Haddock house and the house was buzzing like a beehive as Hiccup, Boden and Una were busy trying to complete the chores.

As their mother Valka had stated before they could have fun their chores had to be done and they'd to be done correctly. Even their father couldn't do his job as Chief unless his half of the chores were done correctly or Valka would severally embarrass all of them. Furthermore she'd carried out that threat more than a few times so it wasn't a bluff.

Her children a little out of breath all fell into line before their mother oldest to youngest about a quarter to nine as she was going over a checklist with them to make sure all their chores were done.

"So you all clean your rooms properly?" she asked them to which they nodded and all replied in unison.

"Yes, Mom/Mommy!"

"Hiccup you collect all the firewood and properly stored it correct?"

"Yes, Mom!"

"Boden you swept and dusted the whole house correct?"

"Everything is dust and grim free, Mom!"

"Una you did all the laundry correct?"

"Wash, dried, folded and put away properly, Mommy!"

"And you all worked together to do to the dishes right?"

"We all worked together to wash, dry and put them away!" they again said in unison.

"And you all completed your dragon chores as well?"

"Yes all our dragons chores are all complete as well!"

"And looks like your father did his half by getting our share of our weekly supply of stables," Valka glanced over shoulder with a smile. "So it looks like everyone and everything is done correctly. So your free do what your plans for what you had for today."

'Yay!" they cried in delight but their mother held a hand to silence them, "But you need to tell me what you're doing first."

"Well there no Academy business today. So we were going to get a few things from our tree house and spend the day at Lover's Cove and just have a day to ourselves there. If that's not a problem, Mom." Hiccup said in a hopeful voice to his mother.

"Yeah, Mom. We've had so much to do with the Academy we haven't had any time just for us in a long time or slip away to our tree house or Lover's Cove!" Boden admitted sadly.

"So we figured we get some of our possession we keep at the tree house and just have a sibling day at Lover's Cove. Don't you think we deserve that, Mommy?"

"Yes, you all do. Just make sure you're all back before dark and in time for dinner."

They're hugging when the front door was knocked and they all looked up and Valka looked a little embarrassed. "Oh I forget it was my turn to host the Berk Brunch Club this morning!"

"Don't worry, Mom! Before we get going we'll help you get things settle for you and the other moms!" Hiccup told his mom as he and his siblings went right to work.

Hiccup went to the door and greeted very politely the other moms. "Good morning and welcome to our humble home. You all look so lovely this morning. Come in. Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Milun, Mrs. Luka, Mrs. Sarryck, Mrs. Carlieff and Mrs. Marta," as Hiccup led in his mother's circle of friends.

"Thank you, Hiccup, you are too kind. Valka! Nice to see you again!" called out the first woman he'd addressed as Mrs. Anderson. She had long dark blond hair and hazel eyes was dressed in an indigo top with a very dark red skirt.

"Bloodthorn, nice to see you again. How is Numbskull doing with his latest experiments?

"He's trying to crossbreed different fruits from two different islands in soil from two other different island using water from the UDS and compost made from the dragons dropping," she replied.

"Well that sounds like a genius idea to me and I'm totally in awe by the work you and your husband been doing to try and improve the food on our island. My brother and sister always like seeing others trying to think. Una likes anything to improve our diet really. Since she's tired of eating the same old thing every day!" laughed Hiccup.

"As we're sure is most of the island Hiccup. You and your siblings own intelligence is such a gift and an inspiration. We're really impressed when you deduced how lightning works.

My husband and I adore when people uses their brains and not muscles to solve problems. So also solving the Treasure of Hamish II was equally impressive to us."

"Yes, that actually impressed all of us. And I was greatly honored to paint your threes true painting as well as honor Hamish II and his sister Helen's request. Now that was a great honor," spoke a woman with curly black hair with greenish hazel eyes in a brightly colored outfit.

"We're honored that you painted the truth, Breezy. And by doing so helped bring about new traditions. Care for some of my famous berry juice, ladies?" asked Boden politely as he brought over a tray with some goblets and started to pour each a glass of his berry juice the only thing he could make.

"You three are gifted in so many ways. You're all so smart, well-mannered, and compassionate and then you can tame dragons plus those blessing from the gods. You three are very remarkable in so many ways. You're parents are really lucky to have all of you and you them." Lily Luka compliment them making all the children blush.

"Well, everyone is lucky to have someone who loves them and you're all lucky to have wonderful children of your own. Even though we're sorry that for Lily, Romi and Remi you must raise your children on your own.

I also apologize that my powers weren't trying to invade your privacy; however they did showed me how you lost your husbands. And I do again apologize…"

"Una, dear it's alright," Romi a tall woman with a long cornflower hair in a side ponytail and forget-me-not blue eyes stopped her. Her best friend with straggly dirty blond hair with lavender eyes and a beauty mark nodded in agreement only to smile at the little girl before speaking gently.

"Yes, as your mommy reminded all of us at each of our Brunch Club get together that while you and your brothers we're gifted by the gods with the powers of love, empathy and to be a bridge between worlds, you don't have complete control and still learning how to use them." Remi's voice was gentle as well as sympathetic which made Una feel calm. So she knew she hadn't done something wrong.

"We all understand that the three of you as your mother told us at best have only 10% control of your abilities. The rest is exceedingly random and takes a lot of self-control and force of will to make it work when you want it too.

Therefore none of you need to feel shame or embarrassment if you get something that might tell you something about us." Ewe Sarryck assured them all kindheartedly as she pulled her rust colored locks from her dark ocean blue eyes full of kindheartedness and thoughtfulness.

Feeling better the Hiccup, Boden and Una still stayed around long enough to help get the table set as well as get the food for the brunch set up before receiving one more set of hugs and kisses from their mother before leaving for their sibling day.

"You really are the envy of Berk, Valka. You're the luckiest woman on all of Berk," Lily spoke enviously to Valka who'd been watching her kids departing backs and was startled at the comment.

"What?! Why would you say that? Why would I be the envy of Berk? Have you forgotten how many years I was considered the nut of Berk for opposing dragon slaying and then how many years my children been torment? Why would I be envied all of sudden?" she inquired with a lot of doubt and some laughter in her voice as she took her seat at the timeworn wooden table.

"Well, maybe you're thinking of only the fools of Berk who can't get their fat heads out their fat asses and don't get what matters," replied Breezy as they finished filling their plates with their brunch food as Valka made sure everyone had both a glasses of berry juice and her hot chocolate.

"I think you need to clarify from the start and not the middle what you're all trying to elucidate to me?" she requested as she sipped her son's berry juice.

All the moms sighed heavily and Bloodthorn began gradually what all the mothers thought and felt collectively when it came to Valka and her family.

"You know we've had this little club for how many years now? I'd say about since the time Hiccup was 12? It came about for the reason that you're lonely and needed someone to talk to and didn't have a friend since you felt like the odd one out."

"Yeah, you've not had a friend of your own since your childhood friend Frigha Grul well…" Breezy really couldn't say it out loud since it was such an awful thing and uncomfortable topic to begin with.

"You can say it, Breezy." Valka looked at her friend sharply even though she took a deep breath steadying herself for the dark memory of what happened to her friend. "I know there are more than a few days that are basically taboo to speak about in the village.

My husband forbade people to speak of the night Cloudjumper took me to spare himself and the children of what he thought could've happen to me. Though that was pointless given what was going on in secret," she took another deep breath to again steady herself before she could get out the next few words.

"Though the day I've forbidden the village to repeat is Hiccup's own birth which he is to never gonna find out about. Seeing how both he and I nearly died and I never want him to know how he was born!"

There was an unearthly silence for a few moments as it took a few moments for Valka to regain her composure of the traumatic event of her going into preterm labor and nearly dying and losing Hiccup all in one night.

Once she collected herself again she spoke of another traumatic day in her life but this one she felt should be spoken about for different reasons and not concealed which it had.

"On the other hand the day my childhood best friend did the unthinkable and commit suicide? Because she was bullied by the villagers for being the so-called unforgiveable sin of being different? I do wish people would talk about it more. Like not keep it as a skeleton in the closet.

If we could remember her and learn from the mistakes that lead up to such a senseless death then I wouldn't be half as worried about my own children who I will finally confesses have their own inner problems.

However, that doesn't leave our circle, understood? They each deal with their own mental battles every day of their lives. On the other hand they're all an extremely susceptible to depression. Especially given what their lives been like already!

Therefore if the village would remember what happens when you push someone to far it could result in someone taking their own life? I wouldn't worry nearly as much about my own children killing themselves!" she was crying very hard as the other moms held her tightly.

"It's alright, Valka we all understand what's it's like to worry about your kids. Every now and then we worry since we lost our husbands how they're doing without their dads." Lily informed her despondently.

"I know that it can't be easy for any of you. Lily trying to raise two sons without your husband or for you Romi or Remi either."

"Well, I think the hardest part was explaining to our children what happened to their dads. I mean at least Lily could explain to her sons their dad died of a weak heart," Romi pointed out as Lily thought about how her beloved husband died about three and half years ago when his own heart attack him for some reason.

"So at least her sons had some resolution and knew more what happened. But our daughters? We don't exactly have that closure since we don't really know what happened to either of our husbands.

Just one day our husbands go fishing and they never come home. All we know is they can't be alive after three and half years." Remi whispered with a gloomy sigh.

"At least you have your aunt to help you Lily and you two have your older brothers to help you as well." Valka replied thoughtfully to the widows.

"Yes, my Aunt helped already raised me after my own father died for the same reason as my husband so she knows how to raise a family. So I'm grateful for that."

"And my brother Mulch is helpful and Bucket good for his sister too and both love their nieces very much." Romi agreed and Remi nodded favorably as well

"My husband alright since he's silent for now. Nevertheless I know there will come a day he'll break it and I wonder how that will change the marriage and how we raise our daughters," spoke up Ewe clearly not looking forward to that day at all.

'But again back to this point why I am the envy of Berk?" Valka wanted to know curiously as they all took a sip of her hot chocolate.

"You said it once before," Bloodthorn reminded her as she wiped her chocolate mustache. "You've a good husband who loves you for you, three happy healthy wonderful children and a good life. You've all you need in life.

You've a home, love and family. You've all your heart and soul needs so really what more do you need? Despite all the bad stuff you've had to endured in life you still have so much love and happiness at the end of the day. So you really are to be envied since you can still smile despite it all."

Smiling, "I never thought just because I've the simple but necessary things in life that I was to be envied, however I guess when you've all you do need that really matters in life you really are to be envied."

"It's amazing how wise you really are, Valka and what you've taught all of us and what your children really have taught this village if more would just listen. It's not just the dragons they trained it's what their teaching us about what matters in life!" exclaimed Breezy passionately.

"Yeah, like the three of them have already taught us something very important through their actions of what they lived before the dragons even came out of the UDS.

You're family and your children have already taught so many and many more should learn this lesson quickly if you ain't got love then it like standing alone on a rainy day with all the windows shut on you." Breezy continued on in a dreamy tone and Lily persistent as she spoke in the same dreamy way.

"They've shown us what truth faith in life is and that every now and then life is like trying to climb a mountain and then it turns out to be a grain of sand. Because what we've all been searching for in life been in our hands all along.

Because when you figure out love is all you'll ever need everything else in life seems so small."

"Yeah, because it so easy in life to get lost and think all the problems in life are too big it like getting swallowed up by raging river. And you feel so helpless and unable to change anything. Just like it seemed your children couldn't change anything about the world around them for so long," Ewe reminded Valka.

"But then they realize they couldn't spend all their time worrying about all the things that could go wrong," Romi started and Remi finished. "They realize time flies by way too fast so you better make it count right here and now. Because you won't ever get it back."

"Because your right in my family we do realize love is all that really matters and when you do have love everything else in life does seem so small," Valka smiled proudly about that before titling her head back and breaking into song about her children.

Valka did have a habit at the Brunch Club of at least singing one song and with her amazing voice everyone couldn't wait till she spontaneously broke out into whatever song came to her at the moment.

"I hope our children never lose their sense of wonder may the get their fill to eat but also keep their hunger.

May they never take one single breath for granted and may the Gods forbid love every leave them empty handed.

May they always feel small as they stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes on them may one more open for them.

Let them promise us they'll give faith a fighting chance and when given the choice to sit it out or dance.

Let them DANCE. Let them DANCE.

We hope they'll never fear those mountains in the distance. That they'll never settle for the path of least resistance. That they'll remember living is about taking chances but their worth taking.

That loving might be a mistake at times but it's always worth making. That they shouldn't let some hell-bent heart leave them ever bitter. Or when they ever feel close to selling out always reconsider.

And when you gaze up at the beautiful skies above do more then give them a passing glance. And remember when given the choice to sit it out or dance.

DANCE. DANCE. ALWAYS DANCE!

Time is real and it's in constant motion always we are always rolling along.

Tell me do we all want to look back at our youth and wonder where those precious years have gone?

May they always feel small as they stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes on them may one more open for them.

Let them promise us they'll give faith a fighting chance and when given the choice to sit it out or dance.

Let them DANCE. Let them DANCE. I hope they always DANCE!"

Valka finished with her normal round of applauds with she accepted with her normal humble smile. "Thank you. I'm always glad to provide a little entertainment at our little get-togethers. Though usually my singing is usually followed by wait your all yearning for the most at the time. So what are you all yearning for the most?" she asked in her knowing way.

They all smiled in a knowing way and laughed before replying all together, "We wished to have what you possesses. The most prized thing on the island."

"Now what do I possesses that you are saying makes me the most envied woman on the island? I think we all can agree we all have many things that we all need in life. Home, love and family, but what do I have that you don't?"

"Well, you and Stoick have something that no-one else has on this island or in this world or any of the Nine Realms!" Bloodthorn began with great envy in her voice.

"Yeah the thing we all long for as moms on this island that makes you the luckiest woman and mother on the whole island of Berk," Breezy added in a cryptically.

"Okay why don't you stop speaking in riddles and just spit it out?"

"You have Hiccup! He's only the best big brother in the entire Nine Realms! I mean anyone with any sense can see it. Any mother can see that!" Lily blurted out which shocked Valka.

"You're all jealous I have Hiccup as a son and he's a big brother to Boden and Una?"

"Well look at how well he does the job? And he's way better at that then he and his siblings are at taming dragons. I've never seen in all my life someone whose as wonderful and loving as a big brother as he!" Ewe spoke with great longing in her voice.

"You keep talking how you want Boden and Una to spend time with our kids? The truth is our kids keep speaking how they long to have their own older brothers or sisters that they envy Boden and Una having in Hiccup!" Romi educated Valka who was very surprised at this news.

"And we wish we all had someone like Hiccup for our children. We don't know what Stoick told him before you had Boden but every time we see your three children together? Well it's a true miracle to behold and we only wish we could have that same magical miracle for our own children is all, Valka." Remi responded with a long sigh.

"That's why we all envy you so much Valka you are truly the luckiest woman alive. Even if you did almost die giving birth to Hiccup you are so lucky to have the husband you do and the amazing children you have." Bloodthorn spoke for all of them.

Valka was taken aback and feeling a mix of pride for herself but also sympathy for her fellow mothers and wishing to grant their wish. "Well, fate works in mysterious ways.

Somehow I think we are all about to get what we want very in a little while. Still let's talk about tomorrow playdate for Boden and Una. I've a very strong feeling you'll all be back tomorrow night and we'll be talking about how to make your wish for amazing big brothers and sisters for your kids coming true. Till then let's enjoy the rest of our brunch, shall we?"

So the moms of Berk continued with their brunch club and not knowing how true Valka's words would be as it did seem fate worked in mysterious ways for sure and like wishes could come true.

Very late the next morning almost noon in fact was when Hiccup got to the Dragon Academy alone and the other Riders were ready to pounce on him for his tardiness.

"Where in the name of Asgard have you been, Hiccup? According to the sundial you're over three and half hours late! Can't you tell time at the age of 15?!" demanded Snotlout looking ready to punch him.

"Sorry I'm a little late. I had a few things to do before I could get here."

"What could be so important that you being so late, Hiccup?" Tuff asked with a snicker as Ruff was also snicker ready to twist a knife into his back

"Yeah you being late actually is making us look good. Usually we're the ones late and irresponsible but we actually got here early today. So what's your excuse?"

"They're not lying either Hiccup. Ruff and Tuff actually showed up an hour early. So it's quite astounding you're late when you usually here an hour before anyone else shows up," Fishlegs pointed out.

"I had things to do with my brother and sister before I could get here, guys. They had a playdate with the children of the moms in my mother's Brunch Club and because my dad had to go to an early chief meeting and Mom woke up with a minor cold it fell on me to get them ready and take them."

"That's the worst most pathetic excuse to blame it on those two stupid shadows glue to your hips! Why can't they just take care of themselves for once? They can't need you for everything and you make more of this big brother thing then there needs be!" snapped Snotlout irritably.

"Excuse me, Snotlout, but I did have a lot to do! Because Dad was gone and Mom was sick I had to be the one to make breakfast, help them get dress, mend a rip in Una's dress and then help them brush their hair.

Then I had to give Mom her cold medicine and feed all the dragons. After that I had to take my siblings to meet the other children where the playdate was being held and stay a little while to make sure they're okay.

So again I'm sorry if taking care of my family and my siblings is a little inconvenient to you guys! But as for being a big brother not being a big deal?

Let me tell you something Snotlout! My job as a big brother is the hardest job in the world! Training dragons compared to being a big brother is a cake walk! You'd never ever understand what I've to do and I'm responsible for each and every day!" he screamed at the gang wrathfully.

They just laughed at him like he was making a mountain out of a mole hill like it wasn't as big a deal as he said it was. For once even Astrid didn't seem to be on his side.

"Hiccup, I've spent a lot of time with you and I don't see how being a big brother is as hard as you make it out to be. And I've spent a lot of time with you and your siblings."

"You're just hanging out with me and my siblings, Astrid. None of you have siblings of your own to take care of! None of you are responsible for a younger siblings. You don't have to be a teacher, protector and provider. You don't have to fight the fight I have to every day! To make sure your family never falls! You don't get what the mission is!"

"Mission? Fight? Now I know you're crazy! Please Hiccup! You're really pulling our leg. We could all do this older sibling thing with our hands tied behind our backs." Snotlout said with a bark of laughter.

"Yeah, it be a piece of cake," the Twins agreed while snickering.

"Really don't see what the big deal is. How hard could it be to be an older sibling really, Hiccup?" Fishlegs said in his own dismissive way.

"I'm with them on this one. It's like not a big deal."

"Then if none of you think it's a big deal what our big brother does every day are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?" called out a voice very similar to Hiccup's.

Coming into the arena were Boden and Una rushing to embrace their brother and they looked a bit angry and furious.

"If you all like to think what our BBBFF does each day as joke I think it's more than time you took a walk in his shoes. It just so happens we have the perfect time and way to do it. Don't we Hiccup?"

"Oh yes, thank you, Odin and the fate itself," he said rubbing his hands as they all did.

"Huh?" the Riders didn't get what was going on.

"You see at yesterday Brunch Club our mother's friends were all saying how much they envied that I was my mother son and such a great big brother to my siblings and how they wished their children had their own great older siblings. Now we can temporary grant that wish, can't we, Boden, Una?"

"Oh yes, we can, Hiccup. Since you have all gladly volunteered to be big brothers and sisters and the kids we're playing with today told us how much they wanted as wonderful a big brother or sister as what Una and I have.

So since tomorrow Sunday we shall say for next two weeks or 322 hours you shall be our mother's brunch club friends' children temporary big brothers and sisters. Won't that be loads of fun?" Boden spoke in a slightly sarcastic way. He had a strange gleam to his dark green eyes as he said this. In fact all three of them did.

"And since I had a dream last night that these children will one day be the Riders of your own dragons' future children I'll be telling you tomorrow which will be your temporary siblings based on my dream!"

"So we shall talk it over with the moms tonight and draw up the rules of the challenge and so you'll go through we'll make the challenge interesting. If you do survive and it's easy as you think it's the three of us will be your slaves for a week.

But if it turns out we are right? You'll be our slaves for a week. So are we all in agreement?" Hiccup finished to the group who'd been stunned silent after all this exchange and then they all nodded.

"Great see you here at eight tomorrow morning! Sleep well you're gonna need it!" they laughed sarcastically and headed home.

Well the meeting at the Haddock house with the Haddocks, the moms and surprisingly the Anquetils didn't start well nevertheless it sure ended well with everyone knowing this would start poorly on the other hand in the end going go down like a treat with a happy ending.

The next morning when the Riders showed up at the Arena with their dragons they found Hiccup and his siblings waiting with ten little kids all having a large knapsacks with them.

The kids looked between the ages of ten and five and there were more girls than boys and they all for now just looked quiet and nervous so the Riders didn't know what to expect as they all were sizing each other up.

"So we shall do some introductions before we give you your siblings and go over the basic rules of this challenge," Hiccup began as he walked over to the Riders giving them a journal as Una gave one to the kids.

"We're giving everyone a journal that they're to write their thoughts and feelings in everyday about how each day is going and please be honest about your feelings. Una will read the kids journals every morning and I'll read the Riders journals. Boden will see to the dragons.

Now the two basic rules are during these two weeks the kids are your siblings in every sense of the word. Therefore they'll be living with you and that means everything I have to do for Boden and Una you'll be expect to do for them.

The second rule is you cannot ask me for advice. You're all to learn the meaning of siblinghood on your own for the next two weeks. So it's basically your own your own and figure it out on your own." Hiccup informed them.

"I'll still be keeping tabs on the dragons again to make sure they're not stressed out or hurt during the time period of this challenge." Boden informed them.

"And we have some activities planned to help but otherwise you are to act like it's a normal day for all of you and just see where the cards fall." Una informed them.

"Now with the introductions," Hiccup called them up in pairs and made basic introductions.

First up where Brimstone and Bloodfire Anderson ages ten and five. Brimstone was a boy with greasy blond hair, stormy gray eyes and dressed in bright green and red. His younger sister looked just like her mother however wore her hair in long plaited pigtails and dressed in a saffron and tangerine outfit.

The next pair was Birger and Ria Milun ages 8 and 7. Birger had curly goldenrod hair and the same eyes as his mom and wore two different shades of green. Ria looked like her mom only her jet black hair was straight and eyes brown and she wore brilliant red.

After them came Lanon and Larkin Luka ages 7 and 6. Both of them had honey colored eyes but Lanon had dusky black hair and Larkin had the same colored hair as their mom Lily. Lanon wore a dark green and burgundy outfit and Larkin's was light green and orange.

Then came the Sarryck daughters Alle and Velika ages 8 and 6. Alle the older one had long raven black hair in long braided pigtails and wore a purple and green outfit and her eyes were ocean blue. Her little sister had rust colored curls with red hair ribbons, light sky blue eyes and wore a dress of rustic colors.

Then came Mulch and Bucket's nieces who like their mothers had the same birthday so they thought themselves as sisters. Creel was Mulch's niece and Gala's Bucket's niece. They both were 8 years old. They looked like mini versions of their mothers' right down to how they dressed.

Once basic introductions were made then Una told the children who was gonna be their 'older' siblings based on who their future dragon was gonna be.

So Astrid got Bloodfire, Birger, Ria and Larkin. Snotlout got Brimstone and Velika. Fishlegs Alle and Lanon and the Twins got Creel and Gala.

Hiccup and his siblings sole advice was for them to at least try and get to know each other and told them that was the only advice they get from them. Because once they walked out of the arena they're on their own.

Well neither party exactly got off on the right foot that was for sure as no-one was really sure how to talk to each other. And then it came to lunch time and the kids looked at the Riders asking them what was for lunch.

Snotlout being himself said. "I'm going to Great Hall. Don't know what you're all doing but I'm getting my own grub. See you."

"Um Snotlout did you already forget? You have to take them with you. So I think we all better go to the Great Hall for lunch," Astrid reminded him.

"But… you can't be serious…" looking at the kids in disbelief. Grumbling a few minute. "Fine. Get on."

"Um, is that real safe? I mean none of them been on a dragon before. Maybe we should walk to the Great Hall instead Snotlout?" Fishlegs suggested and he looked even more disbelief.

"But it's like gonna take us over an hour to walk then and only five minutes to fly!"

"But we can't let them get hurt by flying untrained, Snotlout!" Astrid pointed out and he grumbled again as they started to walk and then more trouble started for everyone.

"Um can you help us carry our bags? This is really heavy. I think I pack too much! Please?" Creel whined too Tuff who looked at the little girl like he couldn't believe she was asking this of him.

"Um why should I carry your bag? You're the one who over packed it. You should've not pack it with so much stuff you couldn't carry it."

Then Alle start to bombard Fishlegs with questions and even rip his book from his hands and wouldn't give it back and only asked more questions.

Velika wanted Snotlout to give her a piggyback ride. Ria wanted Astrid to hold her hand and Bloodfire was nervous about something and seemed to want Astrid to comfort her and all the boys were arguing about something and still Creel and Gala were trying to get the Twins to help them with their bags.

Needless to say it was the longest walk to get lunch. And the rest of the day only got longer. The kids want to play and the Riders didn't want to play and when they begged them instead to show them what they knew they didn't do that either.

When they got home they didn't help set up a space for them in the house and for the Riders parents who been informed of this situation by their chief weren't exactly happy with the two week living arrangement.

The Riders and their new siblings' first night was harder than the day. The kids turned the houses upside-down. They got into everything, broke a lot of stuff and invaded everything that was private.

If that wasn't enough there was also a lot of bedwetting, being scared of the dark and trying to climb into bed with the Riders and none of the Riders knew what do or even wanted to deal with kids.

The next morning the kids expected the Riders to make them breakfast and they're so tired having got no sleep they really didn't want to make breakfast and couldn't believe it only been one day.

They barely managed to get to the arena where they found the Haddocks all smiles and they asked very cheerful. "So how did day one go?"

Of course the Riders lied and said everything was great and this was still easy and not a problem at all. And the Haddocks could easily see they're already eating crow but choose to act like they didn't know they're lying through their teeth.

"Well, glad you all are doing so well. We are doing our first bonding activity today. It's a rather simple thing. We're going to do some fishing then have lunch then have some swimming lessons. Let's see how well you do at that, shall you?" Hiccup asked with a bit of a cocky look he just couldn't repressed.

Now the Riders were forced to somehow get the kids safely on their dragons and make sure they could keep them safe and not fall off as they flew to the fishing spot.

But then they realize the point of this was to teach the children how to fish and swim. This required great deal of patience, understanding, and a lot of encouragement.

Hiccup was again a natural as he was taking his time and was patiently showing his brother and sister how to set up their fishing poles then cast out and then sit and wait.

The other Riders knew they couldn't ask Hiccup for any advice so had to do this on their own. But trying to teach something was harder than they realized. It was very hard to control your temper and frustration when your siblings had trouble understanding what you thought was simple and easy.

Or helping them by showing them again and again. Or giving them encouragement and building up their self-esteem and when they felt really down having make them not feel down.

The kids weren't enjoying themselves at all. They thought this would be a great experience and would've enjoyed it even if they didn't catch anything but the Riders ineptness at knowing what being a good big brother or sister was made them feel so miserable they didn't enjoy the fishing.

Or at lunch how they still didn't really talk to them or want to get to know them and didn't really talk about themselves so there was still no real bonding going on.

Thus far the challenge wasn't going well for either side and even teaching swimming was bad though at least no-one drowned in the water but the kids were start to cry and the youngest girls threw a few tantrums which of course none of the Riders knew how to deal with.

By the fourth day the Riders were cracking and feeling they'd really bitten off more than they could chew and didn't even know how they could possible deal with the rest of the ten days.

"This has been the worst four days of our lives! Can't we just throw in the towel and admit Hiccup won?" Tuff suggested as he was flossing Belch's teeth.

"I'm ready to admit defeat as well. I rather be a slave then deal with this anymore." Ruff admitted as she brushed Barf's teeth

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I rather tell Hiccup he was right then deal with this another day of failure!" Snotlout admitted as he was running a file on Hookfang's spines.

"Yeah we all got in over our heads and we just can't do this!" Fishlegs admitted regrettable as he was scrubbing Meatlug clean.

"Even I feel like loser and I hate the feeling," Astrid confessed as she was brushing Stormfly's spines and glanced at the children who looked bored on the other side of the arena.

"Mind if we give you some advice that might help you in this challenge since you're more than a little lost?" spoke up a voice behind them.

Wiping around the Riders saw Skullette and Firefang standing behind them with looking at them with half amusement and half disappointment.

"You know never thought I see the Riders of Berk give up on a challenge after a few bad days. Or just not ask for help when they're a little lost." Skullette shook her head sadly.

"We can't ask Hiccup for advice remember?" they told her.

"He's not the only one on Berk with a sibling you know. And also maybe you should've learned from your own mistakes by now. But we'll be happy to both give you advice and point you in the right direction." Firefang replied.

"Huh? You guys?! Why help us?! Don't you see yourselves as their big sisters?!" the Riders asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, we see ourselves as their sisters, but we also want to see you all learn something important too. And don't want to see you fail or let those kids down either. Besides in teaching you'll learn and in learning you'll teach," Skullette replied.

"Huh?" they all gaped at them for a second time.

"Teaching and learning goes both ways it means. The teacher teaches the student and student teaches the teacher. You're all a little lost because you've never been in this situation before and never had to put anyone before yourself before. Never had to be responsible for anyone but yourself before.

But the main thing about being an older brother or sister is you have to put your needs aside and think of someone other than yourself. It's your siblings needs that matter. And you're the role model the one who must be the example and show them the way.

Consequently selfless duty calls for you to put your own wants and needs aside in the name of someone else. Someone who you love and love and admires you." Firefang explained patiently and slowly to the dumbfounded teens.

"On the other hand, you also have to make time to do what they want to do as well. As well as learn to listen to them. Not just hear them but listen to them. You haven't even really talk to them let alone listen to them. Nor have anyone of you been selfless at all." Skullette informed them once more all of them looked taken aback at the sisters' words.

"Also you haven't even become their friends and a brother or sister should also be a friend too. Therefore try and keep those things in mind. That a big brother and sister is a role model who must be self-sacrificing, a good listener, protective and good friend. Who's willing to teach but also willing to learn."

"Is that all the hints you're gonna give us?" Astrid wanted to know and they nodded.

"We gave you enough hints and push in the right direction now see if you can figure out the rest on your own. See you later," as they took off on their own dragons.

After thinking about it long and hard they all came to the conclusion the first thing they really had to do was really get to know who their new siblings were as people and perhaps the best way to do that was to do something fun.

"Let's have a beach party! There that white sandy beach on the far side of the island. It's really nice and seems like an ideal place to have fun and just relax. Tuff and I go there all the time to have fun," Ruff suggested.

"I can have my mom makes us all a big basket of the best food ever for a great lunch for a beach party." Fishlegs suggested.

"We should do something the kids wanted to do so why don't we ask them if they have some kind of games they wanted to play and I'll get what they need." Snotlout offered up stunning everyone.

"That's amazing for you, Snotlout. I'll get the rest of things ready and the dragons ready." Astrid informed everyone.

That beach party was finally the turning point in the challenge. The Riders cooked the food and helped the kids with the food they could cut or too big for them. They did provide a little music for the kids who finally started to have a good time.

They even played a game the kids had invented call "Dodge the Fireball" which was just dodge ball with the ball painted to look like a fireball. The Riders had such a fun time everyone was roaring with laugher and smiles when the game ended.

Then the Riders asked the kids to tell them stories about themselves so they could finally get to know them and it went back and forth as the kids shared stories about their families and who they were and so did the Riders.

Then the kids finally feeling a little bonding going on ask the Riders to help them with some problems they did have. As if they really were their big brothers and sisters and could possible help them with these problems.

Bloodfire told Astrid she really struggled with reading as she never could spell well and words looked strange to her and Astrid agreed to help her with her problem.

She also agreed to help her other new siblings with their respective problems as well. Birger was very good at organization and giving out directions but for the life of him was terrible at geography or follow them on a map. Ria had a klepto habit and Larkin was very bad a math.

And with that the rest of the Riders became committed to help their own siblings with their personal problems.

Fishlegs' siblings Alle and Lanon respective problems were because Alle was so clumsy she couldn't dance and wanted help with that and Lanon was also terribly at math as well.

Snotlout's sibling Brimstone and Velika's problem was Brimstone was actually a stutterer and Velika was scared of the dark and had night terrors wanted help overcoming that.

The Twins' new siblings Creel and Gala each had a fear of their own. Creel was deathly scared of bugs and spiders and Gala was petrified by loud noises.

Therefore the Riders agreed to help their new siblings with their problems and in turn their siblings decided to help their older sibling with their problems. Which at first they didn't comprehend what that meant.

However the next day they understood it was assisting them working on their faults. Afterwards the following days passed more easily as things started to click between the teens and the kids to the point they started to develop genuine sibling feelings.

Without a doubt by day 9 not only had things gotten to the point they're defending their new 'younger brothers and sisters' if someone was bullying them, or stopping them from doing anything dangerous, they could even finish each other's sentences.

On day ten they're even teaching them the basics about their dragons and how to take care of them since according to Una one day they'd be the Riders of their own dragons' children.

As day 14 was approaching everyone was beginning to feel very sad and depressed because they're having too good of a time now and really didn't want things to end.

But then came the end of the 322 hours and everyone was gathered at the arena to say their goodbyes but it was so depressing it was like a very thick black rain cloud and all the Riders went up to Hiccup.

"Okay we get it now. You win. Being an older sibling is indeed the hardest job in the whole Nine Realms!" they told him all together but they seemed to be holding something back before they all continued with tears in their eyes. "But it's also the most fun and enjoyable thing in the all the Nine Realms too! And we wish it didn't have to end!"

Hiccup smiled and looked at Una who was smiling as she just heard the same thing from the kids and Boden smiled as the Dragons just told him about the whole thing from their point of view from the past two weeks.

So then the Haddock siblings all smiled and said. "Well guess what? You're stuck with the job for the rest of time. So congratulations!"

The 15 people in the arena all looked at the three Haddock siblings like they'd lost their minds and all just said collectively "HUH?!"

"Well, during these past two weeks Skullette and Firefang have been very busy writing up a lot of copies of the official document to make it official both in the eyes of Berk and Gods to make you all siblings." Hiccup explained.

"And Dad, Mom and all the other moms have already given their blessing and been working out a really cool ceremony which will take place tomorrow in the Great Hall to make it all official."

"As a result everyone gets what they wanted. You all get to stay big brothers and sisters, your younger siblings get to keep their older brothers and sisters and our mommy's friends finally don't have to envy Mommy anymore now that their children have good big brothers and sisters for their own kids.

So it's a win-win for everyone!"

"You played us! You knew this was gonna happen before you even issued the challenge didn't you?!" the Riders accused the Haddocks who just laughed.

"Really what else was gonna happen when love and siblings are involved?"

The next day in the Great Hall everyone was gathered. The Haddocks, the mothers of the kids, the dragons, Gobber, the Anquetils, the Riders and their new siblings.

The Great Hall had been beautiful decorated and there on the table were some fancy looking documents that all matched the one Stoick was reading from. And even Hiccup and his siblings were taking part in this as they insisted in being part of the Vow of Siblinghood as this Ceremony was being called.

Stoick had done his best to look his very best as had everyone else since it was such an important ceremony and he was gonna make sure all the kids gathered here understood that.

Stepping proudly before the group of young teenagers and their younger siblings he was bursting with pride as their mothers were all having liquid pride streaming down their faces as they sat to the side with the dragons also baring witness and for once Gobber wasn't doing anything stupid but sitting quietly.

"I cannot express what an honor this is for me today to hear the commitment all of you are making to each other and what it truly means for yourselves, your brothers and sisters and whole family that is Berk itself. It's frankly very overwhelming.

I would like everyone now to take step forward now with their siblings. And please take a moment to embrace the joy that is both family that can only come from a brother and sister. Now are all of you truly ready to take the Vow of Siblinghood before the witnesses of this island and before the Gods of Asgard?"

"We are!" everyone replied at once.

"Then all of you repeat after me."

"That we the brothers and sisters of Berk solemnly swear in the name of Odin and all present to take full responsibility for ourselves, our friends and most of all our little brothers and sisters."

"That we the brothers and sisters of Berk solemnly swear in the name of Odin and all present to take full responsibility for ourselves, our friends and most of all our little brothers and sisters," they repeated back.

"That I will love and protect my younger siblings and teach them how to live honorably as I have done before them."

"That I will love and protect my younger siblings and teach them how to live honorably as I have done before them."

"We will be faithful to our families and love and honor them. And be willing to lay down our lives for them if the need arises."

"We will be faithful to our families and love and honor them. And be willing to lay down our lives for them if the need arises."

"We will teach our younger brothers and sisters to love with all of their heart and mind and strength. And train them to honor authority and live responsibility."

"We will teach our younger brothers and sisters to love with all of their heart and mind and strength. And train them to honor authority and live responsibility."

"Together will confront evil, pursue justice and love mercy. We will treat others with kindness, respect and compassion. And work diligently to provide for both our siblings and needs of our family and community."

"Together will confront evil, pursue justice and love mercy. We will treat others with kindness, respect and compassion. And work diligently to provide for both our siblings and needs of our family and community."

"To always remember to forgive those who wrong me and reconcile with those I have wrong. Remember to walk with integrity to be answered either the gods or fellow friends or siblings."

"To always remember to forgive those who wrong me and reconcile with those I have wrong. Remember to walk with integrity to be answered either the gods or fellow friends or siblings."

Stoick finished reading from paper now and everyone slowly step forward to sign the paper of what he just read. Once it was signed they step back because the ceremony wasn't finished just yet.

"Now that each of you has committed and signed this Vow you are bound by your words to live it out. Therefore I have a warning for all gathered in this room. For now that all who are gathered here know exactly what you are to do and have just made the vow before the people in this room and before the eyes of Odin and the Gods of Asgard themselves?

You are doubly accountable for your actions from here on out. For I can assure you like I told my own son before his first sibling was born that while this may seem easy right now. That you have confidence right now in this moment in what you just committed too, because right now because at this moment nothing has happened yet.

There have been no challenges, no controversy and no conflicts. No dangers, no risks and nothing to truly test you yet. But I can assure you the time for all that will arise and the battle to make sure you and your family will not fall will come sooner than you think.

For that you will need courage a courage that you don't even know how to describe it. Not until you're put to the test will you really know or understand what you just truly have committed too.

But for now we are thankful for all of you taken up this vow for the younger generation to have protectors, providers and teachers and that most importantly we are all family bonded by friendship and love. So for that Berk is most grateful.

Thank you."

And with that everyone took their copy of the Vow. It would be hung in everyone house and the copy Stoick read from be hung in the Great Hall.

After the ceremony there was small party and then everyone got on the dragons and flew into the sunset and at least one thing was true. Home, Love and Family just got much stronger on Berk that was for sure.