Chapter 8

The day of the final event, the tension in the air could almost be taste. Everyone was ready for the event, as never before had the Jorgensen had been so close to fall. Most of the side events were showing less than lack luster performance, as everyone was either talking about, or betting on the outcome of the upcoming match.

This, disinterest promoted Stoick to change the plans for the day, moving up the event time. Making it midday, rather than late afternoon. This helped ease some of the building tension, but it was still growing. And by the time the final event had begun, everyone in the village was out watching. Even Mildew, who rarely came down to the games, was out to see if such a thing was possible.

"Welcome all," Stoick shouted over the roar of noise that had filled the stands, as they wanted for everything to start.

It took a few moments but silence finally fell, and Stoick spoke again, "Welcome all again to the Thaw Feast games, and to the final event. And I must say, I have never been more surprised or over joyed to see such great competition between our competitors."

"As you all know we have a three way tie. Snotlout with two victories in the Viking challenges. Hiccup with two, both in the new dragon Challenges. And finally Astrid with one in each," Stoick said, his voice carrying out over the crowd.

A roar of noise and cheering met these words. People were blowing horns, and banging drums. While others still were clapping and stamping their feet. Stoick chuckled at this, and before waving for quiet again.

"Now in order to be fair, the final challenge will have aspects that both a Viking and Rider shall need to be able to use. So Gobber if you would," Stoick said directing everyone attention to Gobber who was standing by a rather large map that had been painted on the wall.

"First, our contestants will begin in here down in the arena, and race out of it through the first challenge, the log roll event, then they shall scale the cliff behind the arena itself while dodging falling rocks. At this point their skills as riders will come into play, as they reach their dragons at the top of the ridge," Gobber said pointing to the cliff edge high above them, were some of the people could just make out Toothless, Stormfly, and Hookfang sitting and waiting.

"Now, once they have reached their dragons, each of our contestants and their dragon will race out and circle the Berk Flag ship currently moored out at the Light Rocks. They shall then make their way back here dodging and weaving through sea stacks, before crossing the finish line back here where they began. Only the Viking and dragon that work together best shall be able to win this competition." Gobber said, before looking down into the arena itself, "are our three contestants ready?"

Hiccup and Astrid, waved, while Snotlout just gave an annoyed jerk of his head. Hiccup chuckled at this, but turned his attention to the ramp that they would have to climb, while dodging logs on. Astrid on the other hand, was shooting a silent glare as Snotlout.

Stoick then moved to the side and raised his hand, "Now, I want a clean race, Three. Two. One. GO!"

With a roar, the race began. Snotlout though deciding to try and take an early lead, gave Astrid a shove. Thus knocking her into Hiccup. Thus giving Snotlout a very early lead as he hoped, allowing him to ducked under the logs without a problem, and was soon scaling the cliff. Astrid and Hiccup were after him a few moments later.

Hiccup dodged the lodge going around the edges of them, while Astrid leapt completely over them. Astrid's bold move allowed her to take the lead on Hiccup, and she was next to start scaling the cliff. Hiccup followed last of all, but he was not out yet.

Snotlout by this time was nearly half way up the cliff, but his weight was slowing him down a little even with his greater strength. Astrid on the other hand, with Hiccup was closing in on Snotlout. But as they climbed several people above them hurdled down small rocks at the group. And unlike the other two, Snotlout was a rather large target, and took more than a few hits.

And by the time he had reached the top, Astrid was nearly level with him, while Hiccup was only seconds behind her. But that lead, would mean little unless Snotlout's skill at flying, and directing Hookfang had improved. Still though Snotlout was the first off the cliff with his dragon, Hiccup and Astrid only now seconds behind him.

Next came the part that would show the dragons speed, and how well the riders knew how to push their dragons forward. To no one's surprise, Astrid and Hiccup soon pulled up next to Snotlout, and soon began passing him. At which point though, Snotlout decided it was time to play a little dirty. He directed Hookfang as to collide with Astrid and Hiccup.

Hiccup was out of range of Snotlouts attack, but Astrid on the other hand was more than close enough to be hit by it. Hiccup as such had enough to dodge out of the way of both Snotlout, while Astrid was knocked about along with Stormfly.

"Hay, watch where you're going," Astrid yelled, as her and Stormfly were thrown about a little bit.

Snotlout grinned, though and yelled back, "I have won every Thaw Fest game since I could walk, I will not start losing now! Now get her Hookfang."

Astrid, along with Stormfly rolled in the air, dodging completely out of Snotlouts way. It did not really matter if they were faster, as at this close range, it was hard to dodge an attack. And it would only that one solid blow to land, thanks to Hookfang's large size, to knock the pair out of the race. Hiccup not willing to leave Astrid by herself swopped down, causing Hookfang to flare his wings.

"Get a move on," Hiccup yelled to Astrid, as he and Toothless leveled off.

Astrid nodded, yelling to Stormfly, "Come on Stormfly, we need to get out of range of Snotlout and Hookfang."

This was proving to be more than a little difficult. Even though Astrid and Hiccup still had the faster of the two dragons. Hookfang's sheer size, and weight, made any of his movements to run into them, something they had to avoid, or risk being knocked out of the air.

Astrid finally tired, of playing fair decided it was time to return fire. Swooping back she had Stormfly angle as to knock Snotlout out of his saddle, and just barely missed this to.

"Oh, now it is on," Snotlout shouted.

Hiccup knowing there was nothing he could, especially knowing Astrid's temper, and Snotlouts own pride. Decided it would be best just to finish the race, at which point he could easily deal with Astrid and Snotlout, or better yet, let his father deal with them. Not his best plan, but it was better than nothing at the moment.

"Come on buddy, we can help those two sort out their difference later," Hiccup said to Toothless, "Right now I think we would end up getting caught up in the fight more so than helping solve it."

Toothless gave a look back at Astrid, and Snotlout, before nodded. Together, they flew off at high speeds soon circling about the Flagship, before turning back and heading towards the arena. They passed by Snotlout and Astrid, whole had stopped their attacks on each other and were focusing on racing again. But by this point, it was impossible for either of them to catch up.

With his lead, Hiccup and Toothless were more than able to outdistance Snotlout or Astrid as they began their circling back towards the finish line. They wove through the Sea Stakes without a problem and soon came in for a landing, crossing the finish line of the race.

"And we have our Winner, Hiccup and Toothless have taken the prize," Stoick said, to the crowd, not really shouting as most everyone could easily see what had happened.

It was only a few moments later that Astrid, and Snotlout showed up again. Astrid leading Snotlout by a little bit. They both looked rather annoyed with each other and themselves. And Hiccup wisely felt it would not be a good idea to say anything till the next day, when Astrid and Snotlout would hopefully feel calmer.

Stoick smiled at Hiccup, "well done Son. You have done something even I have failed to do. But don't let it go to your head."

"Don't worry dad, I beat the Green Death, how is a small thing like this going to go to my head, if that doesn't," Hiccup replied back grinning.

"Fair enough," Stoick said, "After giving out the prize, I think we should throw a small party. Even if the event does not have any meaning in the long run. It will always be fun to stick it to them."