HTTYD "Reboot" (alternate timeline)

Chapter 12: Burning revelations

Berk, village

The time was coming for the final trial. Astrid and Snotlout have both spent the majority of it training for the final challenge. Hiccup on the other hand spent most of his time studying or training with Toothless. He had also occassionally conversed with his father, though Stoick told him to focus on his preparations. He had also tried to talk more to his two more potential allies when it came to his stance on dragons: Fishlegs and Ulfhild. He noticed that despite Fishlegs being a bit of a coward, he had deep respect for the dragons and even seemed to admire them. This checked out as Fishlegs was always a huge fan of knowledge. Hiccup was hoping he could use the incredible amount of knowledge he learned from working with Toothless and the incomprehensible amount of potential knowledge to be gained from befriending more dragons to persuade Fishlegs to be on his side. Ulfhild on the other hand seemed strangely non-aggressive towards dragons despite coming from not just clan Jorgensson, but the leading family of the clan, house Jorgensson. Her father, mother and older brother were all notorious dragon slayers, while her younger brother was working hard towards becoming one. Yet Ulfhild seemed far less interested in killing dragons. His cousin's mind worked in strange ways, though she seemed strangely less enthusiastic about combat recently. Hiccup assumed it was because of her violent outbursts in the past. He guessed seeing what her madness did to Ruffnut not long ago seriously affected her desire to kill dragons. Hiccup however had no faith in getting Snotlout, Astrid or Tuffnut to believe him, so he needed to wait until the final trial. Today was the day. Today, it would be decided between him, Astrid and Snotlout, based on the fight with the smaller Nightmare. Hiccup prepared himself, stashing the strange herbs that pacified dragons, several cut pieces of eel, an extra layer of fireproof clothing and his new helmet. He looked at the sun, he needed to get to the arena. He exchanged some greetings with other villagers on his way there. At the entrance, he saw Astrid stretching before the trial. Facing away from him, Astrid was just finishing tying her shoes. Hiccup momentarily considered staying quiet for a bit and watching, but he was not like his cousin Snotlout, he had some decency. So he instead called out to her.

Hiccup:"Oh, hi Astrid."

She stood straight up and cracked her neck a little before turning around and facing him. She kept a stone cold impression, perfectly concealing her mixed feelings of hatred and attraction. On the one hand, her nightmare  and her discovery of his cheating flashed in her mind again. On the other hand, she was still attracted to his clever mind, inner strength and unfailing determination. No matter what, he kept trying to prove himself, using whatever was at his disposal to make up for his physical worthlessness. Astrid found herself drawn to his will and courage, things she secretly lacked in her insecurities. To her, he was like who she pretended to be: unyielding, determined and brave. But she could not forgive the fact that he was cheating in the trials. Conflicted between emotions, she barely maintained a neutral, annoyed expression as she responded.

Astrid:"Hey, Hiccup."

Hiccup:"I just wanted to say, uhh, good luck today?"

Astrid scowled, offended he thought she needed luck but also... happy he cared enough to say it? What was this feeling? Did she hate him, or love him? She couldn't dare guess.

Astrid:"As if I need it!"

She caught herself, realizing she may have been too harsh.

Astrid:"But, uhh... thanks?"

Hiccup:"No, uhh, no problem?"

Snotlout:"Not to worry, you're both going home dissapointed today."

Snotlout emerged around the corner, cracking his knuckles. Astrid rolled her eyes, sighing.

Astrid:"Oh great, just what I needed."

Snotlout:"Well, if you ever need me, you know where I li-"

CRACK!