Hiccup's New Life (Film Version)-III
Something for you to wake up to, Capital Punks.
DISCLAIMER:...I'm gonna stop putting these disclaimers here. Do you CPs honestly think I'd have to write this if I owned the franchise that inspired this story in the first place?
Chapter 25: Promises Made and Kept. Alta vs. Stoick!
INT. DRAAK: VILLAGE: HAIRKE'S HOUSE: ALVIS' ROOM-MIDNIGHT
ALVIS (WORRIED)
"I don't like that man, Daddy. Where's he going with Mommy?"
Hiccup shifts Alvis. He's cradling him.
HICCUP (SOFT)
"Don't worry, Alvis. They're just going to talk for a little bit. At least, I hope so."
ALVIS
"You think something bad's going to happen?"
HICCUP (DEADPAN)
"Well, like practically every other Viking ever, Stoick was never really one for conversation. He always preferred to let his fists or hammer do the talking for him."
Alvis gasps sharply. Toothless hits Hiccup with his tail.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
"Hey, don't worry; this is mommy we're talking about. I'd be more worried about him than her."
ALVIS (TORN)
"Are you sure?"
HICCUP
"Yep. Your mom's got a real knack for telling people off. Just ask your uncle Ruoy."
"Uncle Ruoy?" Alta asked. "So everyone that we're friends with is Alvis' uncle or aunt?"
"Well, he doesn't call Toothless, Bois, or Torch that so…I guess only the Vikings we're close with."
"It's hard to picture Ruoy as anything even closely affiliated with an uncle."
"Oh come on, Alta, he's mellowed out since he saw the counterraid. Of course, the fact that I kicked his rear end half a year ago helped too."
"If you hadn't sent out that shockwave, things would've been different, fishbone!"
"Sure, meathead, sure."
"Why you!"
"Enough with the testosterone, you two." Mask ordered.
Hiccup lays Alvis in his bed. Alvis looks at his hands inquisitively.
ALVIS
"Daddy, is that man really my Grandpa?"
Hiccup's eyes go wide. SIGH.
HICCUP (RESIGNED)
"In a manner of speaking, yes…"
ALVIS
"Why don't you ever talk about him?"
HICCUP
"It's…complicated. Your grandfather and I have never really had the best relationship. Looking back on it, I guess he was always more interested in being a chief than a Father.
He tucks Alvis in.
You know; less emotional involvement."
"Gee, now you're making it sound like Viking chiefs are the emotionless killers here." Niart chuckled.
"Well, everyone here knows, or refuses to accept, how cool dragons can be." Hiccup sighed. "Unfortunately, it seems that my old tribe, or least the invaders, is of the refusing section."
Meanwhile, Stoick pinches the bridge of his nose at his future self's foolhardy behavior. All the ways he could have gone about getting his son back, and he thought beating up the dragon who spared and saved his son's life was the best option?!
"Gods, what a fool I am."
ALVIS
"Uhm…I don't get it."
HICCUP (CHUCKLING)
"Me either, kid.
A small sad grin flashes on Hiccup's face.
I don't really remember much about how or exactly when it started; seems like he's been ignoring me my whole life. But I had heard it had a lot to do with the way your Grandmother died."
"That's right…Alvis has seen Mom's face; he knows what she looks like, so…" Hiccup pondered.
"Won't he at least have an idea of what she was like?" Alta asked.
ALVIS
"You said that before, with…Grandpa. But everybody was talking so fast, I didn't really follow…how did she die?"
Hiccup turns away, looking troubled.
ALVIS (CONT'D)
"Daddy?"
Hiccup SIGHS again.
HICCUP
"The truth is, Alvis… your mother and I wanted to wait until you were older to tell you this. We didn't think you would take it all that well, and…"
Alvis grabs his father's hand tightly.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
"You're happy here, right? I mean, with the way things are?"
"Again, foolish question, Hiccup…" Mask sighed.
Alvis smiles brightly.
ALVIS
"Of course I am. I have lots of friends to play with, lots of kids my own age, and the dragons are a lot of fun too! We get to play lots of games and we talk about being riders and-"
Hiccup chuckles in relief. He ruffles Alvis' hair.
HICCUP
"I'm glad to hear that. It makes me… really happy to know that you feel that way. Because, well… things weren't always like this…"
ALVIS
"I don't get it. Didn't you get to play with dragons too?"
"I did…if you count-ow ow ow ow ow…"
"You don't need to reply to everything they say, Hiccup."
"But my nose…" Hiccup nasally whined.
"You are so cute." Alta said blankly.
Hiccup quietly shudders and GULPS.
HICCUP (ASHAMED)
"Actually, no. You see, when I was your age, dragons weren't our friends. For a really long time, in my old village and lots of other places, even here, everyone was brought up to hate and fear dragons. We…fought them. We killed them."
A dead SILENCE fills the room.
ALVIS (HORRIFIED)
"W-What…?"
Horror and devastation cloud Alvis' face.
ALVIS (CONT'D)
"What do you mean? W-Why… why would you… you do something like that?"
Another SIGH from Hiccup.
HICCUP
"Well, ask around and you'll get quite a few answers. That is, if you're not tried for treason on the spot.
"Bad joke." Woh groaned.
"Bad joke." Mask groaned.
"Bad joke." Toothless groaned.
Triforce shook her head at the bad joke, but as well as the three's reaction.
Hiccup looks up at the ceiling.
Some'll say it was for protection, some'll say for payback, and then some'll say just because it was cool. We'd been doing it back on Berk for a long time, and I guess at some point, it became the big thing."
ALVIS (FEARFUL)
"D-Did you ever… kill a dragon?"
HICCUP
"Other than the Red Death? No, but gods know I tried…"
Hiccup clenches his fists as self-loathing wracks his body.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
"Like I said, it was the big thing. Nobody really liked how I turned out, and I felt that killing a dragon was the only way I could get any respect. I didn't have the happy life that you do now. I didn't have friends; the kids my age were jerks who just made fun of me because I was different and messed up a lot."
ALVIS
"Those were those other people, right? I didn't like them, either, especially that big guy and the lady."
Nobody could hold back chuckling at Alvis' blatant disapproval of the Hooligans. Then again, it shouldn't be surprising considering they broke into his home, suggilated Toothless, and demanded that his father go back to his old tribe with them.
Triforce rubbed Alvis on the head. "Like father, like son."
HICCUP
"Snotlout and Astrid? Yeah, trust me; they're worse once you get to know them."
It was quickly becoming clear to a jilted Astrid that as much as she would come to love Hiccup, she wouldn't be able to get him to return her affections anymore. Not that she felt too strongly for Hiccup; she just didn't want to lop his head off for cheating anymore.
Hiccup sighs and looks at Alvis fondly.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
"In the end, turns out I couldn't kill a dragon in more ways than one."
ALVIS
"You mean…Toothless?"
HICCUP
"Yeah, Toothless was the only friend I had. I had the chance to kill him, and I won't lie that there was a part of me that wanted to, but I didn't."
Toothless CROONS. Hiccup pets his head and scratches his chin.
HICCUP
"It turned out to be the best decision I ever made; I came to trust him more than I could really trust any of them."
"How ironic, Hooligans, that you would drive your heir to place his trust in your so-called worst enemy rather than his fellow humans." Mask scoffed.
Hiccup gently pushes Alvis back down into his bed.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
"That's something I want you to remember son – not just for when you take my place as chief, but for the rest of your life. You need to be true to yourself, and make decisions based on what you know is right, even if others disagree. Don't make the same mistakes I did."
ALVIS
"Daddy, I'm glad you're not a dragon killer…"
HICCUP
"Yeah, me too, son…"
ALVIS (QUIET)
"Daddy… you said Grandpa started ignoring you when Grandma Valka died. Is… is that gonna happen to me? Are you gonna ignore me if Mommy dies?"
Hiccup GASPS in shock before pulling Alvis close to him.
HICCUP (ALARMED)
"No, no, Alvis, don't say things like that! I'm not like my father, I would… never leave you alone like that. "
Alvis relaxes, but Hiccup's still shocked.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
"You, your mother, and Toothless…you both mean the world to me – it's as much my responsibility to protect you as it is to protect the village, the dragons, verything. Your mother, I love her… and it would hurt so… so much to lose her. But if it did, if something happened, then you would become my number one priority. I'd do everything I could and I'd spend every moment making sure you were happy and safe, and I would love you enough… for the both of us. I'd owe as much to you and to her."
ALVIS
"R-Really?"
HICCUP (WARM)
"I promise you, son…nothing and no one in this, or any, world could ever keep me from loving you…nothing and no one."
"Mask, are you crying?" Nogard asked.
"…Yes…why?" Mask sniffed.
"Just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one…" Nogard replied, wiping a tear from his eye.
Triforce waved her hand and tissues appeared for everyone.
"Thank you," Mask said.
Hiccup hugs Alvis tightly. Alvis clings to Hiccup.
ALVIS
"I love you, Dad."
HICCUP (WARM)
"And I love you, son, more than you could EVER imagine. Alright, come on, bedtime. We can talk about this more in the morning."
ALVIS
"But it technically is morning."
Alvis is right. The stars are fading and the sky is dark blue, instead of navy blue.
HICCUP (CHUCKLING)
"Alright, then, we'll talk when the sun comes up. Now, it's bedtime. Go on, call on your Terror."
Alvis turns to the open window and clasps his hands together.
ALVIS
"Fafnir!"
A pure green Terrible Terror flaps in and sets itself on the windowsill before flying in and landing next to Alvis.
HICCUP (PROUD)
"Alright, son! Way to go!"
"…Don't you think that you're giving Alvis too much praise there?" Mask said, before hundreds of eyes turned to him in annoyance.
"Really, Mask? Really?" Hiccup sighed.
"A touching scene like and just like that, you've ruined it." Alta groaned.
"…"
"Don't even say anything. Get lost." Woh spoke, waving her hand in a shooing motion. Valka didn't even want to beat him this time. She just looked at him with death in her eyes. Mask made a small mournful whimper before withdrawing.
Triforce sighed. As much as she was annoyed at Mask sometimes, everyone was taking everything a bit too far and she wanted them to stop beating Mask every time he spoke. Triforce slammed the floor, making those around her jump. Triforce stood up and glared at everyone.
"Listen, I know Mask ruined the moment, but take it easy on him. It's alright to tell him to be quiet and hit him every occasionally, but every time he speaks you tell him to shut up or try to hit him every time he appears. Mask is in charge you know, I'm just a helper. Me and Mask are both the same thing. Want to know what that is?"
"What are you two exactly?" Ruoy asked.
Triforce huffed and crossed her arms.
"Authors. We write and create stories and share them with others so they can read them. Sounds easy but it isn't. We have get ideas and write them out. Sometimes it takes weeks or a month or sometimes we give up. Being a writer is not as easy as it sounds like. Me and Mask, we're what some people call dreamers or daydreamers. We're always imagining new ideas or stories to do. And we're proud of it."
Triforce gave Hiccup a pointed look.
" Hiccup, you hate bullies because Berk bullied you, right? And the rest of you hate Berk for that as well, right?"
When they nodded, Triforce snorted.
"Seems like you're no better than them because you're doing the same thing to Mask, keeping him from speaking or making him scared to come out to tell you guys important stuff. And I hate bullies so I won't sit with any of you until you wise up and think before you do something."
Triforce left to sit next to Mask, leaving everyone to think about what she said.
Alvis and Fafnir are asleep. Hiccup kisses his son's brow and Toothless licks Alvis' cheek. They quietly exit the room. Suddenly, LOUD, quick footsteps. Hiccup puts a hand on his sword. Toothless gets into a defensive pose. Ot appears, relaxing them both.
OT (OUT OF BREATH)
"W-What's… going… on here? We… heard the yelling!"
HICCUP (SHEEPISH)
"Ah, yeah, sorry about that. Is… anyone else up?"
OT
"Oh, just about… EVERYONE ON THE ISLAND!"
Hiccup and Toothless look down in annoyed dread.
HICCUP
"Right, well sorry, and don't worry about it. Just some… unexpected guests…"
OT
"Well, I'd certainly like to know who'd choose the middle of the night to pay a visit!"
HICCUP
"SHHH!"
Hiccup points to Alvis room. Ot nods quietly.
HICCUP (BITTER)
"Eh, well, you know. Consideration for others was never really their strong suit."
OT
"'Was?' Oh, no. Not them! Not here! Not now!"
HICCUP
"It's them, and they are here, now. In fact, Alta's attending to them as we speak. Hey, can I get you to watch Alvis for a while?"
OT
"Sure. But where are you going?"
HICCUP (DARK)
"To help her attend to our…guests…"
"Oooooh, those Hooligans are in for it now!" Ruoy cheered.
"You think the chief's gonna beat them up again?" Niart wondered.
"Gods, I hope so!"
Triforce and Mask share a look.
INT. DRAAK: MAIN VILLAGE
Alta leads Stoick through the village. Everything in sight makes Stoick angrier and angrier.
ATLA
"Well?"
STOICK
"Well, what?"
Alta turns to face him. No expression.
ATLA
"I'd at least like to hear what you think of our little village."
STOICK (SCOFFING)
"I came here to take my son back. I have no interest in a tour of your little town of idiots."
Atla raises an eyebrow.
ALTA (SNIDELY)
"I guess that makes your son the chief idiot. He is responsible for creating all this, remember?"
"That hurt…" Hiccup groaned in mock hurt.
"Don't be a baby. You know what I'll mean."
"I do?"
"Hiccup…"
"You used future tense, not present tense, so…"
"Hiccup…!"
"Plus, I don't think I can create all those additions to Draak on my own, so-"
He was cut off by an irritated Alta pouncing on him. This time, however, he brought his feet up to Alta's midsection and lightly pushed, giving him leverage and ending up with him over her.
"Looks like I wmmph…mmm…" Hiccup moaned as Alta pulled him into a kiss. After a few moments, Hiccup closed his eyes, giving Alta a chance to flip herself over so she nded up over him. Though, Hiccup and Alta were way too into their kiss to concentrate on who won and who lost.
"I honestly wish Astrid and Ruffnut were here right now." Woh sighed.
"Why's that?" Ot asked.
"Because I want them to see what they don't, can't, and will never have with Hiccup that Alta does with him." Woh snickered, gazing in adoration at the sight of her favorite people in the theater kissing again.
Stoick GROWLS. Atla huffs and continues walking again.
STOICK (GROWLING)
"My son's no dragon-lover; he may be incompetent and scrawny but he knows better than to go around with blasphemous ideas in his head such as peace with dragons."
ATLA (MUTTERING)
"Well, at least there's that…"
STOICK (SEETHING)
"Watch your tongue, girl. You will speak to me in the proper tone."
"You'll get it when you earn it, Stoick." Hiccup replied.
"In case you forgot, your girlfriend can speak for herself, dragon boy." Alta said, looking at the screen from her place on Hiccup's chest.
"Of course, my-"
"Don't you dare."
Atla shoots him a defiant glare.
ATLA
"You're trespassing on our island and you're attempting to kidnap our chief, not to mention the fact that you threatened residents here, namely yours truly. I think I m using the proper tone for you."
STOICK
"We are not trespassing!"
They reach the docks.
ATLA
"Really? Where is your ship again?"
Alta looks around, mocking Stoick. Not a single ship has the crest of Berk on it.
"She has a point, chief. I don't see our ship anywhere…You think we used up all the wood on the boat when we were hitting each other?" Tuffnut asked.
"Knowing you two, it wouldn't surprise me." Astrid groaned.
STOICK (SHOUTING)
"Argh, forget that, I'm tryin' to tell it to you like it is! You think you have peace, that there can be peace with those beasts!? They're nothing but vermin that need to be exterminated!"
Alta turns around, visibly angry. She grips her head and massages her temples.
ATLA
"Oookay, let me see if I got this… dragons will never be anything other than enemies, and if we kill them all, we'll be happy?"
STOICK (SNORTING)
"Exactly."
Stoick nods to the village.
STOICK (CONT'D)
"Just look around, how can those monsters be beneficial to any way of life?"
ATLA (ASKING)
"So to dream of a life filled with anything other than war and conflict would be idiotic?"
STOICK (SMUG)
"Yer smarter than I thought, girl, for a backwards heathen thief. Unfortunately you were still stupid enough to try and bewitch Hiccup. But I'll take him home, and we'll relieve him of these sick thoughts you've shoved in his head. Now if you don't mind, kindly hand him over and we'll leave you… people be."
"…I'd like to kill him now. Can I kill him?" Hiccup asked rhetorically.
"Defending your mate's honor again, Featherstone?"
Hiccup gave Toothless a sharp look that caused him to recoil.
"Okay, okay…"
A sigh laced with frustration and exhaustion came from Alta as she turned back over to the ocean.
ALTA
"You know, I can't count how many times people have told me stuff like that – that I'm an idiot for dreaming the impossible. They say it's not gonna happen, to stop kidding myself, to wake up to reality…But who are they to say it's impossible?"
Alta sat upright when she remembered someone else saying those last few words. Hairke sat straight up in his seat. Both knew that voice.
FLASHBACK
Alta sits in a chair by the bed looking down at a painting she had just made. It clearly depicts a field of beautiful flowers, in a variety of colors. It was set right next to her house, with her and her whole family with big smiles right in front of it. The picture looks happy and cheerful, yet Alta could only stare at it with a forlorn frown on her face.
EIRA
"That's a beautiful picture, honey…"
"Mom," Alta said, tears coming to her eyes. She remembered this day. She never forgot.
EIRA (CONT'D)
"Just look at all those pretty flowers…"
Alta abruptly crumples it into a ball and tosses it angrily away to the floor. Alta pouts and curls up on her small chair, leaving Eira to stare between her and the abandoned picture.
"Why did you do that? That was a nice drawing." Hiccup said softly.
EIRA
"Alta, sweetie, why did you do that?"
ALTA (MUTTERING)
"It was stupid…"
EIRA
"But it was such a beautiful painting. Why on Midgard would you think it was stupid?"
ALTA
"Because…Ruoy…"
Eira testily shakes her head.
EIRA (MUTTERING)
"Oh, sweet Odin, I should have known. That child ought to have his mouth rinsed out for all the things that come out of it. Well, what did he say?"
ALTA (MUTTERING SADLY)
"Well, it was a dream I had…I wanted to plant a big field of flowers somewhere near the house. But Ruoy said it was too cold to plant flowers…He said I was a dummy, and to quit it with all my stupid dream stuff. Hmph, he's the dummy."
Ruoy looked up at this. "I remember, we were really young when this happened."
Alta nodded. "And I was right about you being a dummy."
EIRA (FIRM)
"Darn right he is! You don't listen to a thing he says, dear."
ALTA (ASKING)
"You…think I could…?"
Alta finally turns to her mother with eyes full of unshed tears.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"I could have a field of flowers near the house?"
EIRA
"Why not? It seems you still think so, if you're puttin' up all this attitude about it. And just as well you should. Where would this world be without dreamers, honestly?"
Everyone remembered what Triforce said, that she and Mask were basically dreamers. Guilt came though some of them. Not all, but some.
She slowly strokes Alta's short hair with her hand.
ALTA
"But even dad says it's pointless…the dragons are just gonna burn them during the raids..."
Alta turned away to stare back at the picture.
EIRA
"Then plant them and care for them again – just for the sake of wanting those pretty flowers near the house. The flowers may wilt, or be burnt or crushed, but the dream will still endure."
"I like your Mom, we would have along quiet well," Valka said, smiling softly.
Alta turns back to her smiling mother.
EIRA (CONT'D)
"Every great change and every new day begins with dreams… even if people forget that in their day to day lives. They may even speak otherwise, that all of the millions of dreams like yours have no meaning... but who are they to say it's impossible?"
Alta breathed out shakily, tears falling down her face.
MONTHS LATER
A dragon raid occurs in the background. Smoke and ash cover the sky. House are lit with flames.
ALTA (SHAKED CRYING)
"Mom, I'm sorry…"
ALTA (CONT'D)
"I couldn't get the flowers to grow in time. I wanted you to see them…before…"
EIRA
"It's all right, dear…"
Eira strokes Alta's wet cheek.
EIRA (CONT'D)
"You believed in your dream, and you worked to make it come true…that was more than enough."
ALTA
"But it didn't come true…Mom, I planted those flowers for you! I thought…the legend…"
EIRA
"Oh, sweetie…you know, what's a legend but another kind of dream? They might be, they might not be…but people believe, nonetheless. Believing in the impossible… perhaps foolish, but for the hope it gives, it's every bit worth it."
"You know, your Mom sounds really bright." Mask said. Before anyone could say anything, Triforce spoke.
"Remember what I said."
EIRA (CONT'D) (MUTTTERING)
"Believe in dreams…fight for them…until they become reality…and that inspires you to dream once more…That is how to truly live life."
Alta looks at the battle raging outside, the village bathed in flames, and the bitter clashes of dragons and Vikings as they fought with claw and sword.
ALTA
"Mom...I have...a new dream…"
EIRA
"Good, now promise…me…promise…yourself…always believe…always…dream…"
Eira's hand begins to fall.
EIRA (CONT'D)
"Until…dreams…are no longer…just…dreams…"
FLASHBACK END
Hiccup looked solemnly at Alta, who had buried her face in Hiccup's chest. He wrapped both arms around her tightly and laid his head on her crown. Hiccup sat up just in time for Woh to wrap her arms around the two. Toothless came over as well, crooning sadly for Alta. Valka, with Alvis in her arms, came over to the crying dreamer. Alvis slowly, but surely wormed his way in between the two and tried to swat at Alta's chest, but he didn't have enough space to do so. They all sat there, surrounding Alta with love and sympathy.
"…I'm really sorry you had to see that again, Alta." Hiccup said as he kissed her head. She gripped his tunic tightly, unable to say a word.
"…She'd be proud of you, lass." Valka spoke softly. "She'd be proud of the young woman you've become, and the mother you'll become."
"Mom's right, Alta. I mean, if it weren't for you, who knows how lowly I'd think of myself? You brought me out of that funk I was in, destroyed most of the doubts that prevented me from thriving, and because I was no longer afraid of what I could do, I was able to convince Toothless to fly to the nest."
"You gave dragon boy here something to protect, girl." Woh cooed. "He already had Toothless and Alvis, but you completed his family. There's no question Draak'll change for the better because of you."
"You're…you're all just saying that…" Alta cried. Hiccup placed a finger under Alta's chin, lifting her eyes to his. Smiling, he leaned and kissed the tears away from her eyes.
"Aren't I a sucker for romance…" Mask sighed to himself. "I'm making Hiccup make guys who really love their girlfriends look bad right now."
"I'd never make you sad intentionally, Alta, but you look so cute when you're crying." Hiccup sighed. Alta blushed, before letting out a chuckle that turned into a giggle. She smiled at Hiccup and kissed his lips once more. Alvis finally had enough room to swat at Alta's chest and babble while tears ran down his eyes.
"Maaaaaaaaaaaa…" He droned. Alta had to laugh at that before placing a chaste kiss on Alvis' lips.
(YES, PARENTS CAN DO THAT TO THEIR CHILDREN, UNTIL THEY GET TO A CERTAIN AGE…then it becomes weird…)
(That was Mask)
She turned to Toothless and kissed his snout, causing the Night Fury to tilt his head in confusion. She leaned backward and gave Woh a kiss on the cheek. She beckoned Valka down to kiss her cheek as well.
(WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! ALTA CAUGHT THE KISSING BUG?!)
(Mask again)
"I love you…I love you all so much…"
"And we love you, Alta, more than you can imagine."
"Are you certain of that? I can imagine pretty big, dragon boy!"
Hiccup laughed. "That's my dreamer."
ALTA
"A utopia for humans and dragons – that was my dream. But who'd have thought that somewhere out there, someone else was dreaming it too? What can you say about a dream that more than one person believes in, especially if they're willing to give their life to see it come true?"
She turns to face an exasperated Stoick. He crosses his arms.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"Maybe it's not as idiotic as you think."
STOICK (CONDESCENDINGLY)
"If you believe that, then you're ten times the idiot I thought you were, girl."
SLAP! Stoick stumbles backwards and falls.
ALTA (SCREAMING)
"And you're a hundred times the daft bastard I thought you were!"
Stoick looks in shock at a furious Alta.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"I have dealt with idiots like you ever stinking day of my life, but you are by far the most cruel, most idiotic, most hateful person I have ever met! And I barely even know you!"
STOICK
"N-Now, hold on, let's not turn this into some pointless argument."
"Yeah, that slap made you backpedal real quick, didn't it, Hooligan?!" Mask growled.
Triforce just raised an eyebrow at Mask, but agreed with him nonetheless.
ALTA (SHOUTING)
"Pointless? I'd think I was raising a legitimate point in how poorly you treat your own son and ignore everything he says and how you don't even seem to care!"
People begin to exit their homes, looking towards the two.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"He bled, sweat, and cried to make you proud, and you repaid that by making him feel he was unsafe in his own home, to the point where you drove him away! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
STOICK
"Look, your sentiment for my son in trying ta make me feel like a monster is appreciated, however fake it might be. But I assure you, I can work out Hiccup's problems with me myself."
ALTA
"So you admit it. You are a monster!"
Stoick's eyes widen in indignant rage.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"Heh, you're willing to consider this as more than just some teenage angst. Congratulations, you must feel like father of the year!"
STOICK
"That is not what I meant, you little brat."
ALTA (SCREAMING)
"Then what is it? What is it that you mean, what is it that you want? That's the question on everybody's mind, what is it gonna take for you to acknowledge that your son is worth something? What does he have to do for you to at least treat him like a human being?"
STOICK (SCREAMING)
"Shut up!"
The trees shake. Several dragons wake up and ROAR in irritation.
STOICK (CONT'D)
"You don't know anything, you impudent little child! Not about me, or the relationship with my son! You couldn't understand-"
ALTA (CHUCKLING)
"What I understand… is that you think some self-induced guilt trip and one to two words of apology is going to get you out of this crusade of destroying your son's trust in you! Do you honestly believe that it's possible for you to get out of this with both your son and your precious pride intact?"
STOICK
"I just wanted Hiccup to succeed!"
ALTA
"Really? Please tell me, is this coming from the mighty chief of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe or Hiccup's role model father? Cause from where I'm standing, I can't really see the difference!"
Alta starts pacing.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"All I'm hearing is the ignorant brute, the short-tempered moron, the fat son of a half-troll who'd care more to sail off to his death on endless hunts than spend a minute with his awkward child! Back then, would it have really hurt that much to at least pretend you cared?"
STOICK
"Now wait just one-"
ALTA
"Hiccup can't help the way he was born, he can't help that he's small and skinny, but he still has so much to offer regardless, and you're too… too Viking-ly to see that!"
STOICK
"Okay! So, I'm not the perfect parent! Who is!?"
ALTA
"Newsflash, mighty Stoick the Vast! Nobody's the perfect parent, certainly not my father. But he at least tried to make an effort in loving and raising his child. Now what do you think that says about you!?"
Alta YELPS in pain and clutches her stomach. Stoick stands, stupefied. Alta takes a few deep breathes.
"What happened?!" Hiccup shouted, along with a lot of other people. Many Viking mothers, who knew that pain at some point their life, knew exactly what happened.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"I cannot even count how many of Hiccup's ideas, the same ideas you and your people called ridiculous, have turned out to be beneficial to Draak. But let me give you a little look at it from his point of view. Do you know how many times he had hoped, when he was younger, that one day you would see what he had accomplished and he'd finally hear the words he had broken himself to get out of you? Or on the other hand, how many times he screamed in agony when visualizing the fear of losing his best friend and eternal damnation at your hand? Every day he would see this beautiful paradise and could only feel torn over whether you'd approve of it or not!"
Alta marches up to Stoick. He slowly retreats again.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"Look, I get it, the word 'sweet' isn't exactly in any Viking's mental dictionary and emotions are a losing battle for you. But understand, if not by my feelings, then Hiccup's, that what you have done to him, the child who has always trusted you, admired you, emulated you, is nothing short of unforgivable."
STOICK
"But I-"
ALTA
"From the moment when Hiccup came into this world, you've been crushing his spirit, his hopes, and his innocence. You and your precious little tribe of warriors, all of you just went and turned your backs on him because of a little thing like appearance. And now, twenty-one years later, you come around expecting him to clean up your messes. And you're surprised to find that he refuses and prefers to stay here where people give him the respect he deserves because he's made such a huge positive difference?"
Alta's fists clench tightly.
ALTA (CONT'D)
"Seems to me you didn't need that jerk Snotlout to ruin everything – you did that all on your own! Now do us all a favor and STOP TRYING TO BLAME EVERYONE ELSE!"
Alta quickly exits. Stoick lowers his head, shame clouding his being.
"Never make a pregnant woman mad. They're a force to be reckoned with," Triforce said before muttering, "Never ran out of the room that fast in my life when my mom got angry at my step-dad when she was pregnant with my baby sister."
Another one down, thanks to Triforce Dragons.
Seriously, Capital Punks, Triforce has been essential these last few weeks. It's looking like I can finally get back to weekly updates thanks to her.
DON'T TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY FOR ONE SECOND. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT LIFE WILL THROW AT US.
Next time, we'll have It's Now or Never! Facing the Past.