Skai stood on the outskirts of the dragon training arena, observing the chaotic scene before her. Hiccup was overseeing the training session, surrounded by a group of eager dragon riders. The twins, Tuffnut and Ruffnut, were engaged in their usual antics, and Snotlout was trying his best to outdo them.

Skai couldn't help but laugh as she watched the twins and Snotlout make fools of themselves. Tuffnut swung his axe wildly, barely missing Ruffnut, who retaliated by shooting a blast of fire dangerously close to his feet using a Terrible Terror. It was a classic display of their sibling rivalry, each determined to prove their superiority.

Curiosity got the better of Skai, and she turned to Hiccup, who was standing beside her, wearing a knowing smile. "Is this some kind of delay tactic?" she asked, still chuckling.

Hiccup nodded, his gaze fixed on the commotion in front of them. "Oh, definitely. Sometimes, it's hard to get these three to focus on anything serious. They tend to make a game out of everything."

Skai raised an eyebrow. "They're quite the entertainers, I must say. But do they always go this far?"

Hiccup chuckled, shaking his head. "You have no idea. This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you stick around long enough, you might witness some truly crazy antics."

At that moment, Fishlegs, the resident dragon expert, joined the conversation. "Oh, you should have seen the bet Tuffnut and Ruffnut made last week," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Skai's curiosity piqued further. "What kind of bet?"

Fishlegs leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Let's just say if Tuffnut won Ruffnut had to swap clothes with him, But if Ruffnut won, he had to swap clothes with her."

Skai burst into laughter. "What was the point of that? It sounds absolutely ridiculous!"

Fishlegs shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "To this day, no one really knows. It's just another one of their crazy schemes."

As the dragon training session continued, Skai couldn't help but feel a sense of joy. The chaos and laughter were infectious, and she realised that being a part of this motley crew might just be the adventure she had been seeking; and it certainly worked out to be more tolerable than the other three morons back in Caelin.

She turned to Hiccup, a sparkle in her eyes. "Well, if craziness is the price of being a part of this group, count me in. I'm ready for whatever comes my way."

Hiccup smiled warmly at her. "I have a feeling you'll fit right in, Skai." And so, Skai embraced the laughter and chaos. She was still amazed by the sheer power and grace of the dragons, but her attention was soon diverted by the approaching figure of Ruffnut. Ruffnut had a mischievous grin on her face as she walked up to Skai.

"Hey, Skai!" Ruffnut called out, excitement evident in her voice. "Do you know anything about hand-to-hand combat?"

Skai blinked in surprise. "Well, I guess I could hold my own, but I've never really had to back home. Why do you ask?"

Ruffnut's grin widened. "Oh, you're in luck! We were just discussing the possibility of a little friendly sparring. We thought it would be fun to see how long you could last."

Tuffnut interjected, unable to resist joining the conversation. "Yeah! You know, a little test to see if you're as tough as you seem."

Skai's eyebrows shot up. "And who, pray tell, would want to spar with me?"

Snotlout, who had been listening nearby, stepped forward with a confident smirk on his face. "I'd be more than happy to oblige, Skai. And don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

Skai couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Snotlout's flirtatious tone. She replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, how generous of you, Snotlout. I'm sure I'll be just fine."

Tuffnut jumped in, unable to contain his excitement. "This is going to be epic! A clash of the titans!"

Ruffnut nodded, joining her brother. "We'll be the commentators, providing live commentary on this legendary battle."

Skai couldn't help but chuckle at the twins' enthusiasm. "Alright then, I suppose I'm game. But who will be the referee of this...spectacle?"

Tuffnut and Ruffnut exchanged glances before simultaneously pointing at themselves. "Us! We'll make sure everything is fair and square," Ruffnut declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Skai nodded, a mixture of nerves and excitement bubbling within her. "Alright, let's do this." And so, the stage was set for an unexpected showdown between Skai and Snotlout, with the twins taking on the roles of enthusiastic commentators.

The dragon arena was abuzz with anticipation. Hiccup and Fishlegs, initially annoyed at being dragged into this spectacle, found themselves unable to tear their eyes away from the unfolding battle. They sat to the side with their dragons, their interest piqued.

Snotlout, with a confident smirk etched on his face, stepped forward once again. "Alright, Skai, get ready to be amazed. I'm going easy on you, remember?"

Skai responded with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "Oh, I'm trembling with excitement, Snotlout."

As the battle commenced, Snotlout lunged forward with a powerful punch, aiming to catch Skai off guard. However, with a graceful flip, she effortlessly evaded his attack, leaving him swinging at thin air.

Tuffnut couldn't contain his excitement. "And Snotlout swings...and misses! Skai shows off her nimble footwork, dodging that punch with ease!"

Ruffnut chimed in, adding her own brand of fascination. "Wow, Skai is like a dancing shadow, always one step ahead!"

Snotlout, undeterred, swung again, hoping to catch Skai off balance. But to his surprise, she blocked his punch with precision and swiftly pushed him back with the palm of her hand before he could even blink.

Tuffnut couldn't help but let out a loud cheer. "That's some serious power! Skai counters with a masterful block and sends Snotlout reeling!"

Ruffnut, grinning mischievously, joined in the fun. "Looks like Snotlout just got a taste of his own medicine. Skai is a force to be reckoned with!"

The fight continued, with Skai displaying a combination of agility, speed, and technique that left the spectators in awe. She effortlessly evaded Snotlout's attacks while countering with her own calculated moves, leaving him on the defensive.

Hiccup and Fishlegs exchanged impressed glances. It was clear that Skai had some hidden talents, and they were starting to see her in a new light. She was nowhere near powerless and it clearly showed.

As Snotlout's breath grew ragged and his movements became sluggish, he finally called for a time-out, gasping for air. "Okay, okay, I need a breather. Just give me a moment to catch my breath."

Tuffnut seized the opportunity to interject. "And Snotlout taps out! Looks like he underestimated Skai's skills. Can he recover from this beatdown?"

Ruffnut chuckled, playing along. "I don't know, Tuffnut. Skai seems to be in a league of her own. Snotlout might need a miracle to turn this around."

Despite the friendly banter, Skai showed concern for her opponent, helping Snotlout regain his footing before the match resumed.

The battle raged on, with Tuffnut and Ruffnut's commentary adding a layer of excitement and humor to the spectacle. Skai's skill and finesse continued to impress, while Snotlout fought valiantly, determined to redeem himself.

Little did they know that this seemingly playful contest was about to become a turning point, not only for Skai but for the dynamics of the dragon riders of Berk as well, when Astrid stepped into the arena.

A satisfied smile played on Skai's lips, knowing she would have won regardless even though she really held herself back. She didn't want her strength to accidentally break a rib or two. Snotlout, on the other hand, looked a bit worse for wear, nursing a bruised ego along with a few bruises on his arms.

Just as the twins were catching their breath, ready to announce the winner, Astrid stepped into the arena with Stormfly behind her. Her hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing blue eyes surveyed the arena. She had caught the tail end of the match and was curious about what she had seen. "Hey, what did I just miss?" Astrid asked blandly.

Ruffnut had a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Oh, you missed quite a show, Astrid. Snotlout here got his butt kicked by the new girl," she said.

Snotlout rolled his eyes, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, yeah. It was a fluke. I'll get her next time," he muttered, his pride wounded.

Astrid raised an eyebrow and looked at Skai with a hint of challenge in her gaze. "Is that so?" she asked. "Well, if you're as good as they say you are, how about a match against me?"

Skai's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Astrid to challenge her, especially not after their first meeting. But Skai wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when it came from someone who didn't seem to like her. She was stubborn that way and refused to be seen as a coward. It was why she jumped Fog Trench; because she was challenged, and she would easily do it again to prove anyone wrong.

A smile tugged at the corner of Skai's lips as she responded, her voice laced with confidence. "Sure, Astrid. Why not?"

Astrid's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the subtle retaliation in Skai's response. "Fine.

But I have to warn you, I won't hold back, and neither should you."

"Deal," Skai replied firmly. "No holding back."

As the two warriors faced each other, the crowd around them grew silent. The tension in the air was palpable. Skai and Astrid locked eyes, their expressions focused and determined.

Without a word, the battle began. Skai moved with grace and agility, her fists never clenched but ready for action. Astrid, on the other hand, relied on her strength and technique, her movements powerful and deliberate. The clash of their blows echoed through the arena, and the crowd watched in awe as the two warriors went head-to-head.

Skai's agility allowed her to dodge Astrid's powerful strikes, using her opponent's momentum against her. Astrid, impressed by Skai's skills, pushed herself harder, determined to find an opening. The arena filled with the sound of fists meeting flesh and the occasional grunt of exertion.

However, untrue to her word, Skai was still holding back. It didn't matter how good or strong Astrid was, she didn't want to use her strength at full force lest the risk of accidentally killing her. But no one needed to know that.

Minutes turned into what felt like an eternity as they fought, neither willing to give an inch. Skai's movements were precise, quick, and calculated. Astrid's strength was unmatched - according to everyone else - her blows packing a powerful punch. It was a clash of styles, a battle of wills.

As the fight raged on, Skai couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Astrid. She had expected that Astrid liked a challenge but she was proving to be even more formidable than she had imagined. To Skai, it felt more like getting flicked than being punched but she knew that she couldn't afford not to hold back. Not unless she wanted everyone to become suspicious.

With a renewed determination, Astrid intensified her attacks, attempting to push Skai to her limits. Skai, refusing to yield, matched her intensity blow for blow. The clash between them grew more intense, the battle becoming a whirlwind of fists and determination.

In the end, the match remained unresolved, both warriors standing their ground, Astrid marked by bruises and sweat and yet Skai remained as calm & clean as ever. It was unbelievable. A crowd of vikings had gathered outside during their match, their admiration for both Skai and Astrid evident. Skai pretended to pant heavily, and Astrid extended her hand towards Skai, a smile on her face. "You're good, Skai. I underestimated you," she admitted, "you may have to show me those moves sometime."

Skai accepted Astrid's hand, a sense of camaraderie forming between them. "You're not too bad yourself, Astrid." The crowd erupted into cheers, clapping and whistling as they surged forward to congratulate and praise Skai for her impressive display of combat prowess.

Amidst the clamor, Eret, the seasoned Viking warrior and ex-trapper, made his way through the crowd. With a polite yet commanding tone, he asked the enthusiastic Vikings to back away and give Skai some space. Respectful of Eret's authority, they complied, stepping back to allow Skai a moment to catch her breath. "That was pretty impressive, little lady," he said, a hint of awe in his voice. "You'd definitely make the shortlist. Where did you learn those skills?"

Skai smiled, a touch of pride evident in her face. "Actually, that was only my second time in combat."

His eyebrows shot up in astonishment. "Only your second time? You're clearly a natural. Truly impressive… I reckon I might have to steal you away so you can show me those moves of yours if Astrid doesn't get to you first."

"Thank you," she said, genuinely grateful for his kind words.

As they continued their conversation, Hiccup observed them and felt a sudden tug in chest. It made him feel sick in a way, seeing how close Eret was to Skai like that and - he didn't know why - he wanted nothing more than to push Eret away from her.

Trying not to come across as rude, Hiccup approached them, coughing to alert them of his lresencd. "Uh, hi… Excuse me," he said, clearing his throat. "Eret, can I steal Skai away for a moment?"

Eret turned towards Hiccup, giving him a friendly smile. Oblivious to the tugging feeling in Hiccup's chest, he nodded. "Of course, mate. Just give a holler if you want me."

As Eret walked away, Hiccup felt a wave of relief wash over him. He turned to Skai. "You were amazing out there," he said, his voice filled with admiration.

Skai blushed, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Hiccup. That means a lot coming from you."

Hiccup chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Skai. "Well, you've certainly impressed Eret, and that's no small feat. He's one of our best."

Skai's smile widened, a sense of accomplishment filling her. "I'm honored," she replied, her voice tinged with excitement. As they shared a moment of rapport, the sound of laughter and celebration echoed around them. Skai couldn't help but feel a surge of belonging, surrounded by her newfound Viking friends and their dragons.

Valka stood above the arena with Cloudjumper crouched by her side, observing the scene unfolding below. Her keen eyes followed the interactions between her son and Skai. A gentle smile played on her lips as she noticed the way Hiccup's eyes sparkled whenever he looked at her and how he seemed so lively and excited to speak to her. It was a sight that reminded her of a younger Stoick when he first took an interest in her.

As she watched Hiccup engage in conversation, Valka couldn't help but feel a pang of bittersweetness. Her heart ached for her beloved husband. She wished, in that moment, that he could witness the extraordinary man their son had become in the last few months; and especially how happy he seemed over the past couple of days.

Valka's gaze shifted from Hiccup to Skai, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and warmth. It was clear that she had made an impression on Hiccup. Valka could see the way Hiccup's gestures became more animated, his smile brighter when he spoke to Skai. It was a sight that filled her with a sense of hope and happiness.

She whispered softly to herself, her voice a mix of longing and contentment, "Oh, Stoick, if only you could see him now. Our son has become a remarkable leader, and his heart has found a kindred spirit in a new friend. She possesses a fire that matches his own."

Valka's smile widened as she continued to watch the pair. She knew that Hiccup had always carried a weight on his shoulders, the responsibility of protecting their village and the dragons they had come to love. But seeing him open up, allowing himself to be vulnerable in the presence of Skai, filled her with joy.

With a sense of renewed purpose, Valka made a silent promise to herself. She would support Hiccup and Skai, nurturing their connection and fostering the growth of their bond. Stoick might be physically absent, but his presence lived on within their hearts; guiding them towards a future filled with love, strength, and unity.

As the wind whispered through, Valka's gaze never wavered from the scene below. She remained a silent observer, her heart full of love for her son and the remarkable young woman who had captured his attention. It seemed, from what Valka could tell, that they would forge a path forward; overcoming obstacles and embracing the boundless possibilities that lay ahead.