Heart of a Dragon (A Hiccup x Astrid HTTYD AU Fanfic)

Chapter 25: Smooth Sailing

For the scrimmage, we were separated by groups when all the teams were announced, we were given time to get to know our teammates.

Thankfully, Fishlegs was on my team and there were three others, "Uh... Hey. I'm Hiccup Haddock III, a freshmen." I introduced myself but there was silence, "I'm Fishlegs Ingerman, also a freshmen." Fishlegs followed breaking the awkward atmosphere, "I'm... I'm Melvin Lyons, freshman." one of the guys said, he was taller than me by a few inches, I shook his hand.

I looked at the other two, "I'm Erasmus Townsend, freshman too." I was surprised of how tall he was, about the same height as Fishlegs.

Then the last one stood up and he was huge, I mean HUGE!, "Woah! You're tall." I commented and I saw him smile, "So what's your name?", "Chandler Thorston." he replied, "Thorston?" I remembered knowing some girls with that last name so I pulled in him and whispered a question, "Do you know Tasia and Rebecca Thorston, by any chance?", "Uhm... They're my cousins.", "Oh! I now understand why you're that tall. It runs through the family." I joked and I saw him ease up a bit.

"What positions do you play?" I pointed at Melvin, "Guard.", "Nice. You?" I looked at Erasmus, "Forward.", "And Chandler, center?" he nodded, "Nice. This team is complete position-wise." I told them, "I'll make sure to bring out your A-game. Trust me, okay?" I declared and they looked at each other before nodding.

Coach E called us all back, "I hope you guys talked with your teams. The rules are simple, play against all of the teams. Race to 11. A basket is a single point where ever it was shot from. The team who tops the standing will have a great advantage when it comes to the selection. Aim for the top!" everyone was hyped up by the words of Coach E, "First game will be Team 1 and Team 6." he announced, "Team 6. We're up." I told them and I saw all the other freshmen kinda fidgety.

"I need to say something." I thought, "Hey. Don't worry. Just do your best. Let's just play, how we usually play. I'm sure you're all good." I tried encouraging them, each of them exhaled and Fishlegs smiled at me, showed a thumbs up.

We went to the center and I see the other players of the other team, they were all taller than me. "This is gonna be fun." I smiled as the ball was thrown up in the air, Chandler easily tapped the ball towards me, "Let's go!" I dribbled the ball past the half court line and the guy who was guarding me, was provoking me to shoot so I did, swished.

Narration:

Hiccup was extremely vocal on the court, talking and instructing his teammates making sure everyone can show their skills.

Their offense flowed through Hiccup giving pinpoint passes to open teammates, he also served as the anchor of their defense, not allowing the other point guard to make any plays.

Since the start, Hiccup was giving off intense pressure which inspired his teammates to do as well. The other team can't seem to find an answer on the onslaught that Hiccup's team was delivering.

Everyone on Hiccup's team scored and it surprised the other participants and spectators there, of how a team who was mainly made up of freshmen was able to beat a team of sophomores. They won their first game with no problem at all, 11 - 3.

Hiccup's POV

"Nice game, guys." I high-fived each of my teammates, "It was because of you, we just followed your lead. You were awesome." Melvin told me, "Yeah. If it was not for you, we wouldn't have won." the other two freshmen followed, "The Night Fury strikes again." I heard Fishlegs remarked, "Don't call me that." he just laughed at me, "Let's do this again in the following  games." I told them and they all nodded in agreement.

Me and my teammates went to the bench where I left my things, "Rest up as much as you can." I reminded the others, it was like I was their dad.

"Nice going, bro.' I heard a loud shout from behind, I saw the Thorston twins cheering for their cousin, "You have very supportive cousins." I chuckled, "They just like to embarrass me in front of other people.", "That's what cousins do." I put my hand over his shoulder as we watched the next game.

While watching the ongoing game, I pulled a packet of chocolates from my bag. I started munching on them to give me energy for the next couple of games.

I offered it to the others but they all declined, "More for me." I muttered as I continued throwing one after another in my mouth, I turned around and I saw Astrid looking at me, "You want some?" I mouthed while holding the packet up to my face, she nodded so I took an unopened one from my bag and made my way to her.

"Here.", "Thanks." she smiled, "Good game, by the way." she praised, "I just don't want to let you down." I pointed at the headband I'm wearing, "SHEESH! Too much sweetness." Heather voiced out, "Go back to your game." Amanda acted annoyed, I laughed at her reaction before returning to my teammates.

- - - - - 

It was our fourth game already, we won the second by 11 - 4 and third game by 11-3. "Ready guys?" I asked, we walked to the court, our opponents were composed of two guys as tall as Chandler but with bigger build.

The game started and Chandler lost the jump ball, first time today. So they were on the offense while we were on the defense. "Switch!" I screamed when I saw the screen coming, Fishlegs was able to tap the ball away and it went out of bounds and it's our ball.

"Nice one." I told him as we inbound the ball, I was instructing directions to the others. "You're locked down now. You'll never be able to get pass me." The one guarding me said, I decided to have an isolation play so I dribbled a couple between-the-legs.

I continued with a hesitation move to the left when he followed I quickly cross-overed towards the right, when I was all alone I attacked towards the rim and I saw the two giants manning their middle, I saw Fishlegs cutting from the left side so I spun to the right while passing the ball to my left where Fishlegs was, the two followed and it was too late when they realized what I did, Fishlegs easily laid the ball in.

Since the one guarding me continued running his mouth, I decided to continue scoring on him, a couple three pointers, a lay-up or two, a jumper on the middle.

He only finally shut up when on the last play of the game, I broke his ankle with a hesitation move and shot a midrange jumper while he was still on the floor trying to stand up. We won the fourth game 11 - 5.

"You just destroyed that guy." the freshmen were all hyped up, "One more game and we will be the top team." Melvin beamed in happiness. "He might leave the school after what you did." Fishlegs teased, reminding me of the instance in 'THE PIT". "Shut up. Let's win it all." I declared.