**Chapter 2: The Stench of Betrayal**

The sound of cheering and applause reached a deafening crescendo as Seraphina pulled the rope, releasing the bucket of liquified skunk spray. The crowd's joyous noise turned to shocked gasps and screams as the bucket's contents poured down onto Hiccup's head, covering him in a smelly, sticky liquid. The stench was immediate and overwhelming, causing the villagers to recoil in disgust. Hiccup, caught off guard, stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with shock and embarrassment. He tried to speak, but his voice was muffled by the laughter and jeers of the crowd. The villagers, who had just moments before been celebrating his victory, now pointed and laughed at his misfortune. The smell of skunk spray wafted through the air, making everyone's eyes water. Toothless, still trying to warn Hiccup, flew down towards him, but was too late. The young Viking was already covered in the smelly liquid, and the Night Fury was grabbed by a pest control officer who had appeared out of nowhere. The officer, his face expressionless, tossed Toothless aside, and the Night Fury was forced to fly away, desperately trying to escape the chaos. The crowd's laughter and ridicule grew louder, and Hiccup, humiliated and embarrassed, tried to make sense of what had just happened. He looked around, trying to find the person responsible, but Seraphina had already slipped away, her plan executed to perfection. She had pulled off the ultimate prank, and she felt a rush of satisfaction and pleasure. As the villagers continued to laugh and point, Hiccup's face grew hotter with shame. He tried to speak, but his voice was barely audible over the din of the crowd. The pest control officer, still silent, locked the village gates, trapping Toothless outside. The Night Fury let out a frustrated screech, but it was too late. He was now outside the village, unable to comfort his friend. The villagers, still enjoying the spectacle, began to chant and jeer, their voices rising to a crescendo. Hiccup, his pride wounded and his dignity bruised, stumbled away from the platform, unsure of what to do next. The smell of skunk spray followed him, a constant reminder of his humiliation. Seraphina, meanwhile, had already escaped the village, her smile still plastered on her face. She had pulled off the ultimate prank, and she felt a rush of satisfaction and pleasure. She had shown Hiccup, and the entire village, that she was not to be underestimated. As the chaos died down, and the villagers began to disperse, Hiccup was left alone, covered in the smelly liquid, his heart heavy with shame and embarrassment. He looked down at his clothes, now ruined, and sighed. His celebration had turned into a humiliating defeat, and he had no idea how he was going to face the villagers again. The village, once filled with joy and celebration, was now quiet and subdued. The only sound was the distant laughter and chatter of the villagers, and the occasional snicker at Hiccup's misfortune. The young Viking's eyes dropped, and he began to walk away, unsure of what the future held. The pest control officer, still standing at the gate, looked out at Toothless, who was perched on the gatepost, watching Hiccup with concern. The officer's expression remained impassive, but for a moment, he seemed to hesitate. Then, he turned and walked away, leaving Toothless to wonder what he could do to help his friend. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the village, Hiccup's humiliation was complete. He had been publicly embarrassed, and his reputation was now in tatters. The question on everyone's mind was, how would he recover from this? Only time would tell.