-JenniferTjandrajana

Astrid eyed her opponent, shield held high and axe grasp firmly in her hand.

A look of determination cast over her face.

Her opponent, Snotlout grasped onto his sword, his own weapon of choice.

Of course like any brave Viking warrior, he wielded a shield ornate in a black and white design.

Astrid's shield had a simple turquoise and beige design. Simple, yet quite an attractive shield to use in battle.

Astrid cast her eyes onto her opponent, who was grinning with boastful confidence.

A wink from the dark haired boy made her groan.

In the span of two years, Berk had made some rapid changes.

Because the wretched Dragon Queen was defeated, Berk's frequent raids cease to occur.

Word about a young Viking defeating the Dragon Queen had spread across the Archipelago.

Yet, no one on Berk knew who he was. However, they were ever so grateful for his deed.

After three hundred years, the war between Vikings and dragons was over.

Now that the raids stopped, the dragons that used to overpopulate Berk had flown elsewhere, leaving only the dragons used for dragon training.

Although the dragons no longer attacked, it didn't mean Berk shouldn't be cautious.

Surrounded by hostile Viking tribes, there was a possibility any one of them could attack.

So it was better to be prepared.

Ever since the war had ended, Berk had been quiet. Too quiet.

Good entertainment hadn't been well known on Berk. It had always been a place to kill or be killed.

The Chief decided the village of Berk would hold tournaments where young Vikings battled against each other.

A way to prove their worth to their clans.

It had evolved to a sport, and the village loved it.

Sometimes the dragons used for dragon training would be included.

Indeed, vicious dragon fights were dangerous, injuring Vikings. But getting a wound really was a badge of honour.

The whole village gathered around the arena for the afternoon tournament.

All were rooting for the best fighter to take home glory. Most of them knew how much of a strong, skilled fighter Astrid really was.

Hel, she's won countless titles previously.

Both opponents slowly circled one another, anticipating the elder to blow the horn, commencing the tournament.

Up in his grand Chief throne, Stoick cast his eyes to the young fighters.

He stroked his thick red beard, debating which fighter would win this afternoon's title.

They were both incredible fighters.

Around the stands, spectators were chanting 'fight' as the two fighters stood in the centre, facing each other.

Stoick rose to his feet, raising his hand to silence the crowd.

Once the crowd fell silent, the red haired Chief grinned widely with eagerness.

"Let the tournament begin!" he announced, spreading his enormous arms wide.

Once the elder blew the horn, the crowd resumed to their boisterous state of chants and excited shouts.

Astrid leapt back as Snotlout charged forward, sword parried.

The blonde shield maiden lifted her shield.

Taken by surprise, Snotlout sprawled to the ground as his opponent collide her shield against his.

The dark haired teen groggily got up, only to be welcomed by Astrid's blows.

When Astrid wasn't aware, Snotlout took the opportunity to attack.

With an energetic warrior cry, he dashed forward, sword held high.

Sensing her attacker, Astrid whirled around and swiftly slashed her axe against Snotlout's sword with graceful movements.

The crowd roared wildly as both opponents reacted against each other's blows.

Swiftly, they thrust their weapons with confidence.

The sound of metal scraping drowned beneath the spectators' raucous shouts.

"You know, we don't have to fight," Snotlout strode around his opponent, casually; "We both know I'm the better fighter. So I deserve to take home the glory,"

Astrid scowled, letting out a dry laugh.

"In your dreams, Snotlout,"

With a grunt, Astrid swiftly swung her axe aiming for her opponent's head.

Snotlout quickly dodged then raised his head, smirking.

"Ha! You missed!"

The blonde shield maiden rolled her eyes. She muttered something under her breath then jump back as her opponent swung his sword.

"I hate to break it to you but I'm going to win," she somersaulted gracefully then faced the dark haired teen.

A look of determination formed over her sweaty, puffed face.

"I don't think so, babe," Snotlout chuckled as he circled around his opponent, anticipating for her to attack.

Astrid circled around him, eyes narrowed.

"No one can stop me," she grunts, thrusting her axe forward, "Not even you. I'll always be champion. I'll always make the Hofferson stand proud. Now, move,"

Snotlout swung his head back, laughing dryly.

"Oh yeah? Even that coward Finn Hofferson," he taunted.

Rage burned through Astrid at the mention of her uncle-an honorary warrior she had always looked up to.

He was a warrior so incredible that he brought nothing but pride and glory to the Hofferson household.

Alas, he lost his life during a dragon attack when Astrid was a child.

Humiliation was what was earned to the Hofferson Clan. Determined, Astrid wanted to earn back the glory her family deserves. Nothing could stop her.

Astrid scowled angrily at the dark haired teen's insult. She screamed, jabbing her axe against his chest.

"You think that's funny, do you?!" she yelled angrily, only making Snotlout tremble, "My uncle was not a coward! He was a Hofferson; a warrior. I won't have you disrespect him!"

Irately, Astrid swung her axe, letting out an angry scream that jolted the spectators out of their seats.

Dodging her attacks, Snotlout peered up at the stands to see his father, Spitelout glowering at him.

He knew how his father hated failure. Hel, failure was a disgrace to the Jorgenson clan; Snotlout's failure was a disgrace.

The Jorgenson were a competitive clan and were aggressive and boastful too.

Snotlout swallowed an anxious lump in his throat. He had never mentioned to anyone how he feared his father at times.

The man really had high expectations for him and failure could consequently result to a beating, possibly a punishment much worse.

Snotlout faced the blonde Viking, determination brimming on his flustered face.

"I'm the best fighter on the island," he declared boastfully, then shot his opponent a glare, "No, wait the whole archipelago. You think I will allow a Hofferson to beat me?"

Astrid scoffed, "Try me,"

Snotlout swung his sword swiftly, only to have Astrid collapse her axe onto it.

Their gaze proved it all; they wanted the title as Champion more than anything. They wanted to bring home pride to their clans.

"You think I'll let a girl beat me?" Snotlout sneered, holding his sword against Astrid's axe.

Astrid grunts, pushing her axe against Snotlout's sword.

"I can easily beat you," she said through gritted teeth.

When Snotlout pulled away, Astrid slashed her axe against Snotlout's sword.

With a grunt, Snotlout parried his sword forward then swung his sword, completely missing Astrid's chest.

Astrid backed away, then sprinted forward, pinning her shield against Snotlout, who got knocked down.

The crowd roared in the background, making Astrid grinned wildly.

"Do you wield?" her voice was challenging with a hint of mockery, "Get up and fight me. Get up and fight a Hofferson," she peered at the boy with a smug grin, "Or are you a coward? Now, you don't want to disappoint your dad, do you?"

Groggily, Snotlout motioned his head towards the stands where Spitelout had his arms crossed, glaring.

The Jorgenson boy held his head back, letting out a mocked laughter.

"Me? Disappointing my father? Oh, come on! That's Useless' job to disappoint his,"

At the mere mention of Hiccup, Astrid stomach flipped upside down.

Pain ripped her heart in two, remembering the boy who changed her life. The boy who was banished for befriending-

Astrid shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts.

"Get up, Jorgenson!" Astrid demanded, "Fight me if you're not a coward!"

Groaning, Snotlout got up and with one swift move, he side stepped as Astrid charged forward, axe raised high.

Quickly, Snotlout moved closer, pressing his opponent's weight with his shield.

For the next minutes, the crowd watched with anticipation as the two Vikings attacked and dodged each other, fighting for their title.

Snotlout was knocked down a couple times by Astrid's powerful battle axe swings.

When the blonde female wasn't looking, Snotlout would attack from her from behind, who was quick to react.

"Looks like Astrid is winning," Gobber declared.

He was seated on Stoick's right side, often commentating on the tournament.

Stoick hasn't been listening. Instead, his mind was floating elsewhere, clouded with thoughts.

His son had been on his mind constantly.

Although he was presumed dead, Stoick could never forget about him.

Banishment had been a mistake, and he regrets it.

All because he had been too stubborn to care or listened to the only family he had left.

Now, Stoick was the only Haddock left. That was the sad but heartbreaking truth.

Remorse tormented him every time he thought about his poor, deceased son. Rage would replace it every time he thought about the damned beast that mauled him to death.

One day, Stoick swore to have his vengeance. One day, his son will be avenged.

Stoick grasped onto the handles of his seat as he watched the fighters with anticipation.

There was no time to dwell in his sorrow. Right now, he needed to focus on choosing a champion.

Right now, he needed to play his part as Chief of Berk, not a grieving former father.

Down below, Astrid was on her feet dodging against Snotlout's quick attacks.

She moved forward, pressing her shield against her opponent, who leapt back, avoiding her blows.

The fight went on for the next twenty minutes with both opponents commencing to dodge and strike each other.

"Give up now, Snotlout?" Astrid challenged, striking Snotlout's shield with her axe.

The dark haired Viking scoffed, "No. Not until I crush you like a bug, Astrid!"

Axe slashed against sword while Vikings chanted in the background.

"You hear that?" Snotlout leapt back, "That's the sound of sweet victory. They're totally rooting for me," he glanced at the crowd with a content sigh, "Now, if you just surrender and let me win..."

Astrid scoffed, tightening her grip against her axe.

"Ha! Keep on dreaming, Snotlout," she grunt, swinging her axe against Snotlout's blows.

Their movements grew swifter that they were nothing but a blur in the spectators' eyes.

Then to the audience's surprise, both fighters dropped their shields.

The sound of shields clattering on the ground sent a ripple of silence through the arena.

With anticipated silence, the crowd watched in awe as Astrid leapt, avoiding Snotlout's attacks.

When he wasn't looking, Astrid charged forward ready to strike.

With a swing of her axe, her blow sent the sword to slip out of the Jorgenson boy's grasp.

As he went to retrieve his sword, Astrid stuck out her foot, causing the brunet male to collapse on the ground.

Completely defenceless, Snotlout groaned as he was pinned to the ground by Astrid.

Snotlout stared at the axe pointed inches away from his chest.

A victorious smirk appeared on Astrid's puffed face.

Pressing a foot on her defeated opponent, the Hofferson girl sneered at him.

"So how does it feel to be defeated by a girl?"

Left defeated, Snotlout muttered something bitter to himself. He raised his head then dropping it on the ground, groaning.

"And Astrid wins the tournament!" Stoick declared, hauling out of his seat.

The arena of spectators exploded to triumphant shouts and applauds.

Pride beamed over Astrid's face as she embraced her moment of victory.

By the stands, she could see her parents cheering the loudest.

Her eyes beamed brightly as the crowd continued to praise her triumphant effort.

Some amble down to the dome arena and hoisted her in the air.

Chanting of her name ripple through the arena as the crowd carried her out of the arena doors.

Although she did enjoy her victory, Astrid couldn't help but feel grief stirring in her heart.

Hiccup.

He had been on her mind constantly and day by day, his absence was torturing her.

Seeing him once more was all she ever wanted. All she ever wished.

"Hiccup," she muttered, lowering her eyes sadly, "Please come back. It's not the same without you,"