Hey, everyone! I'll just cut to the important stuff…
This story will follow the BASIC plotline of HTTYD 1. Some parts may be word for word with the movie. Some will be completely my own ideas, as this is in OUR modern universe, and, of course, stuff needs to be changed to make sense. However, these first two chapters are mostly explaining about the camp Hiccup is going to and other mandatory stuff. At the end of chapter two, though, the action will get started, so don't worry. :-)
I am going to call Hiccup 'Hiccup' throughout the entire story, even though his REAL name is Hadley. Because really no sane person in our world would name their child 'Hiccup'. But, just so you aren't confused, I'll call him by his Viking name.
Enjoy!
Welcome to Camp
The whole thing began out of an abrupt comment over a dinner of yak stew.
It was Hiccup's last day of eighth grade at Berk Middle School, and his father had came home early to celebrate the end of school and start of summer. But the 'celebration' really just consisted a few quiet clangs as spoons thunked against their bowls, and the occasional slurp of stew.
Finally, Hiccup's father, Stoick, had said something.
"Hadley, I have a job opportunity this summer. The job has an even better pay than the one I have now. So for the next few months, I'll be out of the house. A lot."
Hiccup's hand froze holding his spoon to his lips. "But, Dad... we don't need anymore money. Look at our house... our things..." He gestured to the fine china that lined some shelves, extravagant family tapestries, and the enormous size of the Haddock residence. It was, it seemed, far too big for a family so small.
It appeared that Stoick hadn't heard him. Or maybe he had just ignored his son."You're going to high school in the fall, son. That's when you start to become a man. You can handle yourself at home alone for a few days."
He was right. Hiccup was past being used to it, as his father was the CEO of Haddock Institutes, which took a lot of time to execute. However, the thought of yet another drawlingly long summer locked away at home was not appealing to Hiccup. Not at all. So that's what caused him to blurt out, "What about camp?"
Stoick swallowed another spoonful of stew. "What about it?"
Hiccup shifted in his chair. "Well... what if you sent me there this summer? I make the age group this time."
Hiccup had been referring to a popular camp called Camp Dragons. Hiccup had finally turned fourteen in February, making the minimum age limit. Since Stoick would already be out, and he certainly had enough money to enroll Hiccup in camp, there really was no reason not to consent.
"I don't know, Hadley...," said Stoick doubtfully. But Hiccup had pressed on and on about the matter for the next few days until Stoick had finally complied. He would go to camp starting June 1st.
And that was how Hiccup found himself staring at a sign, far away from any civilization, on a hot, sweaty day.
This is it, thought Hiccup as he observed the wooden piece. He tried to keep up his usual cover of bright exhilaration, though it was drooping in his anxiousness. You're finally here.
He swallowed.
Don't mess it up.
Today was the day that Hiccup Haddock finally got to go to Camp Dragons. The day he had been yearning for ever since school had ended earlier in May. He would be here for two and a half months. Two and a half months to prove his worth, and hopefully go back home with maybe a friend or two more. He wasn't asking much. Just that he would be eyed as a little more popular than he was now. Hiccup the Useless, the kids sometimes called him. Not a great nickname, he knew, and he was set on getting a better one. Such as Hiccup the Useful. Hiccup the Awesome, Hiccup the Cool, just to name a few. He had to do well at camp this summer, or high school would turn out just like middle school.
It wasn't that he so much regretted his request to come to camp, but he did admit that he was a bit nervous of how things would turn out. And nervousness wasn't a nice feeling. No, not at all.
A hand clamped down on his shoulder. "You ready, son?"
Hiccup looked up at his father. "Me? Yeah- of course, Dad. Why wouldn't I be?"
Stoick seemed not to hear him as he too stared at the sign. Camp Dragons, it read in messy splotches of red and black. "We'd better get going in, then, before we're later than we already are."
Hiccup had accidentally forgotten his notebook at home, only to discover that fact twenty minutes later in the car. Hiccup had claimed that he absolutely needed to have it at camp, causing them to have to double back and retrieve it. They had arrived at camp a half hour later than they were supposed to.
Stoick steered Hiccup on through the arch that led into the camp. The parking lot was outside of the boundaries, as Camp Dragons didn't need anymore campers accidentally run-over (yes, it had unfortunately happened once before).
Hiccup was met by a bustling racket of noise one could expect at a camp. Kids tore by, laughing and chasing after each other. Camp counselors tried to get the campers under control, imminently failing. Even though Hiccup was inside the camp, he could see that they were surrounded by a vast wood of rich green trees. There were also some cliffs lining the top of the forest. This caused his mind to wonder if the camp made the kids go in the woods for the activities. Hiccup wasn't bothered with being outside- in fact, he loved it- but too much physical exertion tended to exhaust Hiccup, and he didn't want to look weak in front of the others.
"Hadley... Hadley."
Hiccup whipped around to where Stoick was staring down at him, looking faintly annoyed. Hiccup had the impression that his father had been calling his name more than just a few times.
"Yeah, Dad?" said Hiccup, pulling himself back to reality.
Stoick pointed a meaty finger to a giant wooden building. "You need to get going to the Great Hall. There will be a list with your name on it, and also what cabin you're in. I bet your cabin mates are already there, so hurry on now, lad. I'll see you at the introduction ceremony later."
Hiccup nodded. "Alright. Well, I'd better get going, then. I'll see you la-"
But Stoick had already walked off to talk to a couple of counselors, leaving Hiccup alone.
He sighed, and shifted his backpack. His other luggage had been sent to camp ahead of time, but Hiccup had some personal items that he wanted to bring himself. He glanced down at his attire. He hoped he was dressed properly for camp. Was a green T-shirt, a brown jacket, and jeans alright?
Of course it's alright, Hadley, he chided himself. Stop worrying. Just go in there and find your cabin. Things'll turn out fine. Right?
He couldn't muster a truthful answer, so he stepped forward and began to walk to the Great Hall, the place where all campers first stopped to see if they were on the A-team or the B-team, what cabin they were in, what counselor had they gotten, etc.
As soon as Hiccup came inside the doors, he was nearly knocked over by a swarm of workers who had just ended their lunch break. Hiccup was nearly trampled upon considering the size of these men and women. Since Hiccup was on the smaller side, these sort of things happened a lot, and he managed to squeeze by without too many additional problems. The workers didn't even know he was there.
Panting, Hiccup pivoted away from the group and looked around for the papers that Stoick had told him would be stapled on the wall. Where is it, where is it…
He then saw some white on the wall to his left and turned to it, hoping he had found the right thing.
Fortunately, he was correct. They were the right papers that would tell him where to go. He hurried closer to them and studied them until he found his name underneath a cabin called 'Blacksmiths.'
...
A-TEAM (Leader: Gobber the Belch)
.
BLACKSMITHS' CABIN (partnered with WEAPONS)
Counselor: Gobber the Belch
.
Campers:
Finnegan Ingerman
Hadley Haddock
Spencer Jorgenson
Timothy Thorston
...
Hiccup couldn't stop staring at the list. Spencer was here? He shivered, hoping he had misread the text, but it was still there. Spencer Jorgenson, Hiccup's not-so-dear cousin, was in his own cabin.
Hiccup had known Spencer was going to Camp Dragons, too, but he had hoped that he would be in a different cabin than him. He had prayed that his cousin would be placed far, far away from him. But, no. Hiccup's rotten luck was shredding up all of his hope.
And who was 'Gobber the Belch?' Whoever he was, he didn't sound too friendly… not too friendly at all…
Hiccup prayed that maybe he would be allowed a little bit of luck this time. Just a little that would let his counselor not favor Spencer above the others- like every other time this sort of thing happened. Just the smallest drop of good fortune that would get him through Spencer's abusing this summer.
With yet another heaving sigh, Hiccup checked the list again to see who else was on the A-team with him. There were two cabins per team, after all. Maybe he would recognize a name from the other list.
He read,
...
A-TEAM (Leader: Gobber the Belch)
.
WEAPONS' CABIN (partnered with BLACKSMITHS)
Counselor: Spitelout Jorgenson
.
Campers:
Astrid Hofferson
Rachel Thorston
Heather Oswall
...
Hiccup gaped.
Astrid.
Fireworks could've gone off in his head for the exhilaration he felt.
She was on his team? The beautiful, tough, incredibly talented teenage girl was on his team? Hiccup could hardly believe it.
Astrid Hofferson went (or used to go, as school had ended) to Berk Middle School with him, along with Spencer. Hiccup had had a hopeless crush on her since the third year of Berk Elementary School that had carried on for many years. And he was to be on the same team with her? He fought off a grin, but it eventually shone through. Maybe his luck was turning after all! Now he was really determined to prove himself this summer. Because maybe Astrid would look at him at just the right time… and maybe she would be impressed with him… and maybe that would lead to a friendship… which might grow into something bigger…!
But before he could get too excited, he remembered something: the Weapons' Cabin's counselor's last name was Jorgenson. Just like Spencer's. Hiccup prayed that it wasn't Spencer's father, Sidney Jorgenson. It was just a coincidence that they had the same last name…
However, deep down, Hiccup had the feeling that it was his uncle. And that wasn't good news. Not at all.
Hands gripping the straps of his backpack, Hiccup turned away. He could worry about that later. After all, this Spitelout wasn't his counselor. He wasn't even the main counselor. Gobber was. So... maybe he shouldn't be that concerned after all.
Distracted, Hiccup stumbled over to the exit. He was so lost in his thoughts that he ran into a gigantic man who was strolling by outside.
"OOF!" said Hiccup as he crashed into the guy. The man acted like Hiccup was a feather. In other words, like the boy hadn't had any impact at all.
"Whoooo, slow down there, laddie," said the man, straightening himself as Hiccup pulled back. "Yeh could hurt yerself if yeh don't."
Hiccup's head snapped up in surprise. He knew that accent! But, why... how...? "Mr. Gerald! What- what are you doing here?"
Mr. Gerald was Stoick's best friend since boyhood. He ran a mechanics shop in Berk Town Square, and Hiccup often helped out there on the weekends. He was, as Mr. Gerald called him, his 'apprentice.' That suited Hiccup just fine. And Hiccup was surprisingly very talented in the forge, which was a plus. He was at last skilled at something, which made those sweaty hours all the worth it.
"Mr. Gerald? Who's that?" the man asked. "I'm Gobber. Gobber the Belch, camp counselor of the Blacksmiths." He scratched at his big blonde mustache.
Hiccup stared up at him in disbelief. "Wait, wait, wait- you're Gobber?"
It wasn't that he was disappointed... he was more shocked than anything else. He tried to gather this new information… So… basically, he would spend his summer in the company of the man he had worked for through the entire school year. Well. Wasn't that great…
"'Course I am," said Gobber cheerily. "And I believe yeh're in my cabin. Well, welcome to Camp Dragons, Hadley. I was just on my way teh the Blacksmiths' Cabin. Yeh can walk with me."
"Erm- alright."
The two continued walking in the direction of the Blacksmiths' Cabin, Gobber as merry as ever, and Hiccup slightly uncomfortable at the situation.
"The other boys are already unpacking," Gobber told him, "as yeh got here a wee bit late. But not teh worry, yeh still have time teh catch up... well, hopefully."
"That's comforting," Hiccup muttered.
"Well," said Gobber. "It's not so much what yeh brought that makes a difference... it's how yeh're built. I mean... do yeh really have enough strength and efficiency to unpack everything yeh have within ten minutes?" He looked over Hiccup's scrawny figure. "I mean... looking at all of..." He made a vague gesture towards Hiccup's body. "This."
Hiccup threw his hands up. "You just gestured to all of me!" he complained.
Gobber gave a noncommittal shrug. "Now, Hadley, yeh're thinking about this all wrong... at camp, it's not what's inside that counts, but outside."
Hiccup made a face. "Thank you, for summing that up."
"No problem!" smiled Gobber. "Alright, back teh the cabin... yes... the reason I'm not there already is that there was a slight mix up in the Weapons' Cabin, our partner cabin on the A-team. Yeh'll meet them in just a little bit. Anyways, one of the girls- Heather, I believe- was promised to be on the other team. Her brother- one of the counsellors on the B-team- refused to have kin on the 'enemy' side. Enemy side, as if... heheh... Well, it's all fixed up now! It did take a little bit to sort out, though. The paperwork part Camp Dragons can be a bit disorganized, and that's where the problem probably started. But, there's nothing wrong with a little messiness! It's what makes us Dragons! Proud teh be called one fer five years now. Yeh will be too, Hadley, I just know that yeh'll like it here. All boys do, I know me and yer father did. Yeh'll do well here, too- ah, here we are!"
Not even breathless from his monologue, Gobber strutted up to their cabin door and pulled it open for Hiccup. Hiccup nodded in thanks, then stepped inside.
Three other boys were making a ruckus inside, whether it was fighting over the top bunk or whose pillow was whose. They didn't even stop when Hiccup came in.
However, they did stop when Gobber shuffled in behind Hiccup and yelled, "Alright, now, settle down, boys!"
The three immediately froze mid-argument and turned to their counselor. Though they didn't know who exactly Gobber was, they could tell that he had authority over them. Hiccup studied each boy. There was Spencer, his cousin, who was on the beefy side; a skinny guy with really long dreadlocks; and an anxious-looking husky boy with blonde hair. Hiccup recalled everyone's names- Spencer, Finnegan, and Timothy- but he didn't know who was who, save Spencer.
"Alright, then," said Gobber. "Since we're all here, I think we can start making introductions teh each other..."
"But we already have," the guy with the dreadlocks said dumbly.
"No, yeh haven't. See this fishbone here?" He nudged Hiccup, who gave him a horrified look at the nickname. "Yeh haven't met him yet. Me either, come teh think of it. Well, I'm Gobber, yer counselor for these next few months at Camp Dragons." There was a slight pause. "Well, go on, then, introduce yerselves... and properly, boys, no more shoving each other around. Fer tonight, at least."
Spencer stepped up, smirking. "I'm Spencer... nice to meet you, Hadley." However, his sneer suggested that it was not nice to meet him at all.
The skinny boy looked stunned. "Woah! How'd you know his name was Hadley? You have got to teach me your secrets, Spence."
"That's Timothy," the husky guy said, inclining his head towards the other guy. He had a squeaky, nervous sort of voice. "I'm Finnegan." He stuck out a hand, which Hiccup gladly shook. Finnegan looked the most sane out of the three, and Hiccup decided that if he had to be friends with any of them, Finnegan would be his first choice.
"Hadley," said Hiccup, and Finnegan nodded in acknowledgement.
Gobber rubbed his hands together. "Well, now yeh can just forget those names, boys. Because here at Camp Dragons, we have nicknames for everybody. Fer example, my name outside of Camp Dragons is Gerald, not Gobber. But, at Camp Dragons, my real name is Gobber the Belch. See?"
Spencer crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Do we get to choose our own new names?"
Timothy bounced with excitement. "Ooh, yes! I'll choose something like Sleuther or- or Conqueror of All, or-"
"I've already picked out yer names," Gobber cut in, ignoring Timothy. "I think yeh'll like them fair enough."
The boys started to stir excitedly, turning over ideas in their heads. Hiccup was truly exhilarated at the prospect of another name. He had always hated his own name, as it could also be used as a girl's, which earned even more teasing. But with a new name, he could be a completely new person. A better person. A more popular person. He could do anything. He loosened his grip on his backpack straps, feeling a little less nervous. This would turn out great, he could almost feel it… Fate was finally shining the spotlight on him…
"Timothy," began Gobber, facing the said boy, who straightened in his excitement.
"Yessir!"
"Yer new name is..."
Gobber placed a dramatic pause.
"TUFFNUT!"
Timothy- or Tuffnut now- cheered. "Woo! Sounds dangerous."
"Yer twin sister, Rachel, I think, is now called Ruffnut, just fer reference," continued Gobber. Hiccup's heart fluttered at those names, and he hoped that he'd get as cool a name as Tuffnut did. "And now, Finnegan..."
The boy swallowed. "Uh... yes? Sir?"
"Yer name is now... Fishlegs."
Fishlegs gaped, making an undeniable similarity to his name. "F-Fishlegs?!" he spluttered. "But- but-"
Tuffnut sniggered. "More like Guppylegs..." That earned a laugh from Spencer, making Hiccup set his jaw. He had had more than enough experience of being laughed at, and knew that Fishlegs must've been feeling awful at the ridicule.
"Spencer," said Gobber. "Yeh're now known as Snotlout."
The boy nodded after a moment, smiling a little. "Pretty cool."
Gobber turned to Hiccup, who was now watching this in slow motion. He heard his heart pound so heavily, it could've exploded with the tension. But it didn't. Not yet. He needed to hear his name first.
"Hadley..."
His shaking fingers crossed.
"You are now..."
Hiccup's eyes squeezed shut in prayer. Please, please, please, please, please…
"...Hiccup!"
And just like that, every hope and dream for this summer crumbled to pieces.
Gobber's voice rang in his ears.
"Hiccup!"
Hiccup.
Hiccup.
As his fuzzy mind sunk back into reality, he became distinctly aware of Snotlout and Tuffnut jeering at him. Even Fishlegs wore a pitying look as he glanced over Hiccup.
"Hiccup?" Snotlout howled. "Hiccup? HA HA HA HA HA! You do realize that a hiccup is a mistake?" He laughed some more. "Well, there's nothing more fitting than that for- ah- Hiccup the Useless."
Tuffnut grinned in response, doubling over with his snickers.
Hiccup couldn't keep a miserably shocked expression off of his face. Out of all the names, Gobber had chosen Hiccup. Hiccup. Out of every... single... one... He would've even gone with Guppylegs. After all, it was better than a name that literally meant 'mistake.'
Hiccup distantly turned away to the last vacant bunk. It was underneath his cousin, Snotlout's, bed. Oh joy, thought Hiccup sarcastically. Today must be my lucky day. Ignorant fathers, embarrassing nicknames, and I probably won't even be able to sleep well tonight.
Forget what he had thought earlier. He had absolutely everything to worry about.
Alas, even in our own universe, Hiccup has the worst of luck…
I hope you're enjoying this so far! Updates will be weekly, most likely on Friday, but I might switch it up a few times. And to answer a few questions you guys might ask, YES, Toothless will be in here (and come in within the next two chapters), YES, Astrid will make an appearance next chapter, and NO, there will not be any dragons in here. Also, next chapter, a lot about the camp will be explained, so don't worry if you don't understand what the "A-team" is, or what is Stoick's importance to the story... you'll see.
Suggested story of the week: 'How to Train Your Hiccup' by thepurplewriter333.
See you next time!