Disclaimer: I don't own the Dreamworks Dragons Series. The series is property of Netflix and Dreamworks animation studios. I do own Hella (my version of a female Hiccup) and her older brothers Ragnar, Asger, and Cuyler.
Author's Note: I got an idea that wouldn't go away. In this story, Hiccup is a girl and her name is Hella. She also has three older brothers. I've also decided to have her be paired with Fishlegs. I know that there are quite a few female Hiccup stories, but I think mine is worth people's time.
Pests
Our story begins on the Isle of Berk, an island located in the northern regins of the Archipelago. There was a village on the island where many people have lived for seven generations. The village had many things such as hunting, fishing, farming, and a charming view of the sunset. The village seems perfect, but no place is perfect. In the case of Berk, the problem is the pests. While most places have problems like mice, rats, locusts, or mosquitoes, Berk has... Dragons.
The dragons frequently attacked the village and stole their food and livestock. These attacks would lead to the villagers fighting back and the buildings being wrecked. Most people would leave, however, the people of Berk are not most people, they are Vikings and Vikings have stubbornness issues.
This particular night was a dragon raid. Many Viking men and women brandished their weapons as they charged into battle against the fire breathing beasts who were stealing their food and livestock. Leading the charge was Stoick the Vast, chief of the Hooligan tribe. Joining him were his three sons, Ragnar, Asger, and Cuyler.
Ragnar, the eldest son and future chief of the Hooligan tribe, was eighteen years old and had wavy red hair that he kept in a low ponytail, green eyes. He fairly close to the height of his father and had a muscular build. He wore a sleeveless tan tunic, brown pants, a black leather belt with a buckle that bore the Berk crest, brown fur boots and black leather wristbands. On his belt was a sword, his weapon of choice, and on his back was a scar in the shape of claw marks, which he received from a Flightmare dragon when he was nine years old. The fact that he was the first to stand up to a Flightmare and survive earned him the title "Ragnar the Indestructible".
Asger, the middle, was seventeen years old and had short auburn hair, brown eyes, and was about the same height as his father and older brother. His build was muscular as well, but not as much as his older brothers'. Asger wore a brown long sleeved tunic, dark-brown pants, fur boots, and a brown belt. He also had a leather holster around his torso which he used to carry his weapon, a spear, around. He also specialized in first aid and always stopped to help those who were injured during a raid, earning him the title "Asger the Compassionate".
Cuyler, the youngest son, was sixteen and had brown hair, which he kept tied up in a low ponytail, and hazel eyes. Unlike his brothers, Cuyler had a more athletic than muscular. He wore a dark-green short sleeved tunic, tan pants, a brown vest, leather wristbands, and fur boots. He carried a quiver full of arrows over his one shoulder and a bow in his hand. There was hardly anyone on Berk that could match his accuracy. His aim was so perfect that many of the villagers referred to him as "Eagle Eye Cuyler".
All three were amazing fighters, but together, especially with their father, they were a force to be reckoned with. Stoick and Ragnar worked together to command the warriors while Asger defended and applied first aid to the wounded and Cuyler shot down as many dragons as he could with his arrows.
As the Vikings fought off the dragons, Cuyler noticed a figure running through the village and dodging fire blasts and debris. It was a skinny young girl of fifteen with long auburn hair that ended just past her shoulders and green eyes. She wore a green long sleeved tunic, a brown vest, brown leggings, and brown boots. Cuyler recognized her right away as the youngest member of their immediate family, their younger sister, Hella; or Hiccup, as the rest of the village referred to her, on account of her small size.
Cuyler rolled his eyes and told his father and brothers, "Hey, dad, guys, don't look now, but it looks like our little Hiccup is loose again."
"What?" Ragnar asked and then looked in the direction where his youngest brother was looking and, for sure, there was his little sister running through the village.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Asger whispered.
Once Hella made it to where her family was, her father grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt collar and shouted, "Hella?! What is she doing out again? What are you doing out again? Get inside! Boys, get her to the forge and make sure she stays there."
"On it, dad," said Ragnar and then he took his sister by the hand and led her and their brothers to the forge.
Together, the four siblings raced through the village, narrowly escaping being hit by catapults or dragon fire. At one point dragon came close to them at one point, only to be knocked away by Asher's spear. Finally, they reached the forge, where they were greeted by the blacksmith, Gobber. Gobber was a large, muscular Viking man with a blonde braided mustache and a missing right hand and left foot. Hella had been his apprentice ever since she was small, smaller than she is now. Stoick did not want her learning to fight, so he had Gobber take her under his wing and teach her how to be a blacksmith.
"How's it going, boys?" Gobber greeted the boys. He then noticed his apprentice and said, "And nice of you to join the party, Hiccup. I thought you'd been carried off."
Hella replaced her vest with her work apron and started putting things on the shelves as she said, "Come on, Gobber, now you're just being ridiculous. I'm way too fast for them to catch. Besides, they wouldn't know what to do with me even if they did catch me."
"Well, they need toothpicks, don't they?" Cuyler joked.
"You're a riot, Cuyler," Hella sarcastically said, "And, Gobber, stop calling me Hiccup; I hate that nickname."
"But it suits you," said Gobber, trying to make the girl feel better.
Suddenly, several Vikings came to the forge and asked for their weapons to be repaired or replaced. Hella took some of the repairs and started prepping them for the heat while Gobber hammered away at others or brought new ones out. Hella's brothers were still curious about why she was outside during the raid.
"What were you doing outside anyway?" Ragnar asked, "You were supposed to be back at the house."
"I was back there," Hella explained, while she continued working, "But a Monstrous Nightmare saw me, so I had to hightail it out of there. Nearly got hit by Nadder spines and Gronkle blasts on the way here."
"Yikes," said Asger, shuddering, "Maybe dad should start taking you to the Great Hall to wait out the raids from now on."
"That better be a joke, Asger," said Hella, heating up the weapons, "It's frustrating enough that dad won't let me train to be a warrior and that I'm looked at as a screw up. I don't need to be viewed as a damsel in distress on top of that."
"I was just expressing concern, Hiccup," said Asger in defense, "It's what big brothers do."
Hella was about to tell her brother not to call her 'Hiccup' when they heard someone shout, "Fire!"
The siblings all looked outside and saw that a dragon had set a building on fire. As if on cue, the fire brigade arrived on the scene with a large tank of water and several buckets. Among them were some kids around Hella's age whom she also knew quite well, Fishlegs Ingerman, Snotlout Jorgenson, her cousin, the twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston, and Astrid Hofferson.
Hella used to play with Astrid all the time when they were little, but that all changed when they were six and the Flightmare took the life of her uncle Finn and ruined her family's honor. Ever since then, Astrid poured herself into her training to become the best Viking Berk had seen, restore her family's honor, and take her revenge on the Flightmare. Astrid had become so obsessed with becoming the best that it cost her friendship with Hella.
Snotlout was the son of her father's sister, Ashildr, and her husband, Spitelout Jorgenson. Snotlout and Hella were not really that close friends, but Hella always did try to do her best to get along with him. Unfortunately, he responds with giving her a hard time. She did get along pretty well with his older sisters, Alvilda and Brenna, though.
The twins she found to be fun to hang out with at times when when she was little, but other times they could be really annoying. They this nasty habit of pulling pranks on everyone in the village; most of which involves destruction. Because of that, the village often them as more of a neusence than Hella.
Fishlegs was nice to Hella all the time, but he was also shy and awkward around her. Her brothers suspected that Fishlegs might have a crush on Hella.
As her friends and cousin along with the rest of the fire brigade did their job and put out the fires, Hella watched in awe. Part of her wished that she could be doing the same job as them instead of fixing weapons. Unfortunately, her father would not have it because, in his eyes, she was not strong enough to be a warrior.
She continued to watch the fire brigade until Gobber grabbed her from behind and pulled her inside as he said, "Don't even think about it, young lady."
"Oh, come on, let me out," Hella begged, "I can help."
"You are helping," said Ragnar, "By fixing those weapons."
"Please, guys," Hella begged again, "I need to make my mark."
"Oh, you've made plenty of marks," said Gobber, "All in the wrong places."
"Besides, Hella, dad wants you safe," said Asger.
"Just two minutes," said Hella, "I'll kill a dragon, my life will get infinitely better, a guy might even ask me out."
"Not on our watch, sis," said Asger, "We're not about to let anything bad happen to you."
"Besides, you can't lift a hammer, or swing an axe, or aim a bow," Cuyler pointed out as he counted with his fingers.
"You can't even throw one of these," Gobber added as he held up a bola.
"Need this!" said Ragnar as he snatched the bola and threw it at a Gronkle, tangling it's legs and causing it to fall to the ground.
"Nice shot, bro!" said Cuyler, "As usual."
"Never doubted you for a second," said Asger.
"Why would anyone?" Cuyler said, still admiring his oldest brother, "Ragnar is the top top warrior and the future chief."
Hella rolled her eyes at Cuyler boasting about Ragnar and said, "That is cool and all, but I've invented a tool that can make even someone like me a capable warrior."
Hella removed a tarp and revealed what appeared to be a miniature catapult. Her brothers and Gobber all looked at the machine in confusion while still giving the warriors weapons.
"What is that?" Asger asked.
Hella smiled proudly and said, "I call it "The Mangler". This baby launch bolas farther and faster than an average human."
Right after she explained that, the machine fired and a bola went flying. Hella's brothers and Gobber we're able to avoid the bola, but another man took the hit and fell unconscious. The brothers cringed and Asger rushed to check the man's injury. Ragnar, Cuyler, and Gobber looked annoyed at the girl.
"You see? This is exactly the kind of thing we were talking about," said Ragnar.
Hella readjusted the machine and said, "It was just a miles calibration issue. Easily fixable."
"Listen, Hella, if you ever want to get out there and fight dragons, you need to stop all... This," said Gobber, gesturing to Hella's entire body.
"But you just pointed to all of me," said Hella.
"Exactly," said Cuyler, "Stop being all of you, it's annoying."
"You're annoying!" Hella snapped.
"You're the annoying one around here!" Cuyler snapped, getting in his sisters face, "You can't follow the simplest instructions and stay put!"
"Oh, you're one to talk!" Hella snapped, "You always do the opposite of what you're told! Someone tells you to go left and you go right!"
"Oh yeah?" Cuyler retorted, "At least I don't wreck the village and cause the dragons to steal a bunch of our food! The entire village could starve if we don't have enough food!"
"Your appetite doesn't help!" Hella snapped back, "I've seen you eat about as much as a Gronkle!"
"Are you calling me a glutton, Hiccup?!" Cuyler asked.
"How many times do I have to tell you never call me Hiccup?!" Hella shouted.
"Alright, enough, you two!" Gobber said, getting in between the siblings, "Cuyler, go shoot some dragons. Hella, those swords need sharpening."
The two siblings glared at each other before walking away from each to do the jobs they were told to do. As she sharpened a sword, Hella inwardly swore that one day she would get out and kill a dragon like her father and brothers. Her hope was that by doing so, she would prove that she was not helpless or a burden. On Berk, killing dragons was everything. There were many different dragons, each worth a different level of glory. Taking the head of a Deadly Nadder would get a viking at least noticed. A Gronkle, being tougher, is worth more attention than a Nadder; many have even gotten dates after taking one down. There is also the Hideous Zippleback, two headed dragon. Because of the two heads, this dragon is worth twice the status of the Nadder or the Gronkle. The next is the Monstrous Nightmare, a dragon that only the best Vikings fight because it sets itself on fire. How, none of these dragons compare to the ultimate prize, the Night Fury. The Night Fury was the most dangerous of all the dragons. This dragon never stole any food, had never been seen, and never missed it's mark. No one on Berk had ever killed a Night Fury, that was why many Vikings wanted to be the first; Hella especially.
"Hey, sorry about Cuyler," Ragnar said to Hella, "He can be a bit of jerk, but you know he really does care about you."
"It doesn't feel like it," said Hella, "I swear, sometimes I think he only puts up with me because he feels he has to. Just like dad."
"It's not like that," said Ragnar, "He and dad just doesn't know how to express their feelings the right way."
"Maybe you're right," said Hella, "But still, it feels like the only way I can get anyone's approval is if I kill a-"
"Night Fury!" a man shouted as a purple blast destroyed a watch tower.
"Get down!" another man shouted.
Hella watched as the Night Fury fired more shots and destroyed more towers. It was hard to really see, but every time the dragon passed by, Hella could just barely make out it's shape.
Gobber quickly replaced his hammer hand with his axe hand and told his apprentice, "Man the fort, Hella. They need me out there."
"I'm coming with you," said Ragnar, following Gobber. As he walked passed his brothers, Ragnar called, "Asger, Cuyler, make sure Hella stays in the forge!"
"Okay!" Asger called as he defended a villager from a Gronkle.
"You got it, bro!" Cuyler called, firing arrows at passing dragons.
Ragnar nodded and then told Gobber, "Let's do this."
"Aye," said Gobber. He then turned to his apprentice and said, "Hella, stay. Put. There." Hella shot him an annoyed look and Gobber simply said, "You know what I mean."
"Look, just stay here where it's safe. Okay?" Ragnar said, and then he and Gobber let out battle cries and ran out to join the fight.
Hella looked outside and saw that her other two brothers seemed to be too distracted with their own fights to really pay much attention to her. This was her only chance to get away and go after the Night Fury, and she was going to take it. So, she quickly grabbed the manger and ran out of the forge through the village in search of the perfect place to shoot it from. Several villagers saw her running with her invention and wondered where she was going; unfortunately, her brothers were not among those who noticed her. The villagers continued to fight the dragons while Hella finally found the perfect place to setup her invention. It was a high point overlooking the entire village, complete with a perfect view of the watch tower that Hella knew the dragon would strike. Hella setup the mangler and waited for the dragon to show up.
"Come on, give me something to shoot at," Hella whispered to herself, "Please, give me something to shoot at."
Hella waited anxiously for the Night Fury's form to show up so she could shoot it. She wanted this so badly. The way things were, taking down this dragon could finally prove to her family and the people of the village that she was not a burden. Finally, her waiting had paid off, because Hella heard a whizzing sound and looked in the direction of the tower. She saw a purple blast destroy the tower and then followed the dragons shape. Once she was sure that she had a lock on the dragon, Hella pulled the trigger and a bola went flying. Unfortunately, the force was so strong that it made her fly backwards and land on the ground. Hella looked up after hearing a screeching sound and looked up to see the dragons' shape going down.
"I hit it?" Hella asked in disbelief. She then smiled and cheered, "Yes! I hit it! I hit it! I shot down a Night Fury! Did anyone see that?!"
She then heard the sound of wood breaking and turned around to see an angry Monstrous Nightmare glaring down at her.
"By that, I meant humans," said Hella, nervously as she backed away slowly.
The dragon continued to advance on the girl as she continued to try to get away. Seeing no other option, Hella turned around and ran away screaming back to the village, the dragon right on her tail breathing fire at her.
Back at the village, Stoick and a few other Vikings had three Deadly Nadders trapped in a net. They were getting ready to kill the dragons when Stoick heard a girl's scream and looked up to see his daughter being chased by a Monstrous Nightmare. His sons saw that as well and freaked out.
"Hella!" the boys screamed. Unfortunately, they were unable to get away from their own battles.
Stoick let out a sigh and told his men, "Do not let them escape!" And then he rushed to help his daughter.
Hella raced through the streets, dodging the fire blasts, until she was forced to take cover behind a pillar. When the fire stopped, Hella breathed heavily as she slowly looked around the pillar to see if the dragon was gone. What she did not realize was that the dragon was behind her and preparing to attack. Just before it could, however, someone tackled the dragon away from Hella; that someone was Stoick. The dragon tried to breathe fire at Stoick, but nothing came out.
"You're all out," said Stoick, and then he repeatedly punched the dragon until it flew away.
The boys finally made it to Hella and Asger looked her over as he asked, "Hella, are you alright?"
"Yeah," said Hella.
"Wish I could say the same about the tower," said Cuyler as the tower fell apart and rolled down the docks, "And the docks."
The siblings all turned around and saw Stoick glaring at them. Hella broke the silence by saying, "Sorry, dad."
Everyone looked up and saw that the dragons that escaped were flying away with a good amount of their food and livestock. Hella merely gulped and then added, "Okay, but I hit a Night Fury."
Ragnar looked down at his sister and asked, "You really think now's the time to be making up stories?"
"I'm not making it up!" Hella snapped, "I really did hit it! You guys were busy and I had a clear shot! It went down past Raven Point. If we get a search party together, I'm sure we can-"
"Stop!" Stoick yelled, causing her to flinch. Stoick softened his tone and said, "Just... stop. Every time you step outside, disaster follows. Can you not see that I have bigger problems? Winter is almost here and I have an entire village to feed!"
"Well, between you and me, the village could do with a little less feeding. Don't you think?" Hella asked sarcastically, making a few Vikings feel self-conscious.
"This isn't a joke, Hella! Why can't you follow the simplest order?" Stoick asked. He then turned to his sons and asked, "And you three were supposed to be watching her! How is that not one of you could keep her in one place?"
"Gobber needed back up," said Ragnar, "But I told Asger and Cuyler to keep an eye on Hella."
"Hey, don't look at me," said Cuyler, "I thought Asger was watching her."
"And I thought you were watching her!" Asger shouted at Cuyler.
Ragnar groaned at his brothers and Hella said, "I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. I see a dragon and I have to kill it. It's who I am, dad."
Stoick sighed and said, "You are many things, Hella. But a dragon killer is not one of them. Now get back to the house." He then said to Gobber, "Make sure she gets there. The boys and I have her mess to clean up."
As Hella walked through village with Gobber, several of the teens started laughing at her and mocking her.
"Quite the performance!" Tuffnut said with a laugh, "Seriously, that looked awesome. Can you teach me and Ruff how to do that?"
"I don't think so," said Hella, "That was accidental. I don't know that I could teach anyone to do that on purpose."
"Still, cool," said Ruffnut, smiling.
"I have never seen anyone mess up that badly," Snotlout teased, "That helped."
"Thank you, thank you. I was trying," Hella sarcastically said, while Gobber pushed Snotlout to the ground.
The other teens made comments such as "epic fail" or "destructo girl" or "how embarrassing for Stoick and his sons". Astrid and Fishlegs remained silent as they watched Hella and Gobber walk away. Fishlegs wanted so badly to go to her and cheer her up, but he just could not muster up enough courage to do so. Astrid considered going to comfort Hella, but felt she was the last person Hella might want to see.
As they got closer to the house, Hella said to Gobber, "I really did hit it."
"I'm sure you did, Hiccup," said Gobber, not really believing her.
"Dad never listens!" Hella vented.
"Runs in the family," said Gobber, "Your brothers can be that way too you know."
"Yeah, but he usually listens to them. And often when he listens to me it's with this disappointed scowl; like someone skimped on the meat in his sandwich, or something like that," said Hella as she reached the door. She then did her best impression of her father said, "Excuse me, barmaid, I'm afraid you brought me the wrong offspring. I ordered a fourth extra large boy with beefy arms, extra guts and glory on the side to go with the three I have. This, here... This is a talking fishbone girl."
"Now, you're thinking about this all wrong," said Gobber, "First of all, your father was proud to have a baby girl. Second, Stoick isn't ashamed of you, he's just trying to protect you. You're not the same as your brothers; they're warriors and you're not."
"Thank you for summing up my problem," Hella sarcastically said.
"Look, Hiccup, the point is stop trying so hard to be something you're not," said Gobber.
"I just wanna be one of you guys," said Hella as she opened her door to go inside, "And stop calling me Hiccup."
With that, Hella went inside the house and shut the door. Gobber just stood on the porch for a bit, thinking about what she said about wanting to be one of the Vikings before walking away. Unbeknownst to him, Hella had secretly snuck out of the house through the back door and ran off into the woods in search of the Night Fury that she shot down.