Chapter 49. A Chief Protects his own.
BERK/BLACKSMITH STALL - SUNSET
[The GANG joyrides past GOTHI'S house, scattering her assortment of terrible terrors. She waves a fist at them as they sweep past, WHOOPING AND CHORTLING, leading us down to... THE UPPER PLAZA, where a GATHERED CROWD of Vikings and their dragons are cued up outside of Gobber's BLACKSMITH STALL, awaiting their turns. Stoick maneuvers through the crowd, spouting JOVIAL GREETINGS in passing.]
"Well, you seem happy." Said Eugene.
"Probably because he thought he could Retire Early." Jack Snickers quietly to Eugene.
"Honestly, wasn't he still young enough to even retire?" Asked Kristoff.
"Incase you knew guys, Hiccup is basically a prince version of the Vikings of Berk and Stoick is King. And if I remember correctly Royally Stoick is at the right age to pass down the throne to Hiccup like me being queen at the age of 21." Elsa explained to them knowing well what it's like to be royalty.
"She's not wrong at all, In Viking Culture. Us Heirs and Heiresses having taken up the Chiefdom meant you're next in line to the throne or was well enough to fit to lead." H, said having remembered all the chief training his dad gave him.
"Hiccup is right and as Chief myself, once the Heir or Heiress has reached the age of 21 we have the right to claim chiefdom in Viking Culture." Dagur said and all those who are leaders of their own tribes or kingdom all nodded in agreement.
"Wow, being born royalty sucks." Fred stated.
"Can't blame you for disagreeing." Hiccup said sighing knowing he was not yet Ready however he was given a pat on his shoulder by his older self. ( Pre Hidden World. ) and told him that it'll be okay once he got the hang of it and always knows that he wasn't alone in this.
"Hey, Don't worry once you get the hang of being chief for a year you'll get used to it." Chief Hiccup said as Hiccup nodded knowing in his timeline he will be him in a year.
"And always remember that you're not alone in this." Older Hiccup put an arm over Chieftess Astrid and Seeing this as well looking over the Gang ( HTTYD 2. ) Nodded and smile at his two older self.
"Thanks guys I appreciate it and also thanks for reminding me that I have friends that will gladly help me lift this huge burden off my shoulders." Hiccup said.
"No problem me." The two said causing those near them hearing them in giving advice to HTTYD 2 Hiccup Laugh.
[He makes a bee-line for GOBBER, who is busily grinding a metal dragon tooth into shape. A Zippleback waits patiently, his head cocked open like a car hood while the other head watches, sympathetically.]
"Dragon dentistry! Who knew!" Said H, Gobber smiled in approval. The dragons closest to the blacksmith nudged him in thanks. They did appreciate their teeth.
"DENTIST FOR DRAGONS?!" Gape Rapunzel.
"Now that's Something you don't see everyday." Gogo popped a bubblegum.
"This is definitely something New to us." Awe A and the gang agree.
As for the Dragons they now once the Red Death is dealt with they'll no longer worried about dying in The Infection of Cavity.
STOICK: Any sign of him?
[Gobber flips up his welding guard, revealing a matching area of unsoiled skin.]
"Nice Mask." Nodded Hiro.
"T'ank ye lad." The older Smith said.
GOBBER: Ah, he's probably flown off the edge of the world by now.
"Well that's definitely something Hiccup would do." Snorted Dagur.
"Oh definitely Dagur." Alvin Laugh.
GOBBER: You sure you want that kid running the village? You can still delay your retirement.
"Wow thanks for the support Gobber!" Said all the Hiccups Sarcastically as they rolled their eyes however the One arm and one leg Viking missed out the Sarcasm.
"W'y T'ank ye Lads!" He Exclaimed and All the Hiccups facepalmed as all Laughed.
STOICK: Oh, he's ready. You'll see.
"Thanks dad!" H, said to Stoick who pulled his family close as their seat was next to them.
[A SUDDEN EXCITEMENT in the crowd heralds Hiccup and Astrid's return. They touch down on Toothless and Stormfly.]
STOICK: Haha! There he is! (to Gobber, proving his POINT) Huh? The Pride of Berk!
H, smiled at his new title.
"Pride of Berk huh?" Smirk Hiro.
As for Pre teen Snotlout was astounded. He thought that Useless just called himself after that first viewing of him defeating a giant dragon in the upcoming Future however that but as it turns out, apparently everyone called him that. Or perhaps, he pondered, his father was just saying that because he was' Useless' dad. Yeah he reassured himself yeah that was it.
[Hiccup stows his helmet and heads toward Stoick with urgency.]
GOBBER: Who finally decided to show up for work. Yaaaaay.
"You don't sound too happy, Gobber! Is that sarcasm?" Asked Hiccup. Gobber shrugged.
HICCUP (dodging Gobber's playful hits): Sorry. Got held up. (privately, to Stoick) Hey, Dad, could I have a word?
STOICK: Something you're itching to tell me?
HICCUP: Not quite the itch you're thinking of, but yes.
[Stoick hands him an apron and guides him to the front desk.]
STOICK: Good man! Now, lesson one. A chief's first duty is to his people. So...
"And, you're STILL not listening to me, five years in the future. Glad to know that hasn't changed."
Stoick mentally strangled himself.
[Stoick changes the rune on the "being served" placard.]
"That is also new." Said H, and his older selves smirk.
"Haven't seen anything yet." Hiccup grinned.
"Yeah his right, some of those contraptions are still being designed and work on progress in that time." Chief Hiccup stated.
"Although the placards are something we haven't come out yet." Hicc pointed out.
As for Older Hiccup and Chieftess Astrid They smile sadly even though they no longer made saddles for Dragons ever since they left. They still keep those placards as part of their Smithing Business with Gobber.
The older Gang's Dragons sensing their Former Riders Sadness and they went to comfort them causing them to give a sympathetic Smile and pat their former Dragons.
STOICK (CONT'D): Forty one? Forty -
HICCUP: Could we just talk in private for-
STARKARD: -That's me! That's me! I'm next! (pushing his way through) I was ahead of you! Excuse me, I've been here all day!
[STARKARD reaches the counter, giddy with excitement.]
STARKARD: Okay, I want one of those high seaters, with lots of spikes and a big stowage compartment.
"Is he talking about dragon saddles?" Asked Fred. H and Gobber shrugged but those who are from the future grin.
STOICK: Absolutely! You got it, sir!
[Stoick spins Hiccup around, steering him back into the shop.]
HICCUP: Dad, this is actually a little more important than building saddles.
STOICK: Ah-ah! Lesson two. No task is too small when it comes to serving your people. Excuse us, Grump.
[They step over the tail of a large, snoring oaf of a dragon, stirring him awake with a fussy start.]
GOBBER: Grump! You let the forge die down again!
Gobber stared in astonishment. He had a dragon? The future Grump bumbled lazily over to him, nuzzling his future master's hand. Gobber smiled, rubbing Grump's nose.
[Grump coughs a slug of molten lava into the forge. It splatters everywhere, igniting a rash of fires. Hiccup side- steps them with a yelp as he gathers materials in the back of the stall. Gobber pulls the fire extinguisher, dumping water everywhere.]
GOBBER: That's it, Grump. You're going up for adoption!
"Dragons for Adoption?" Snickers Jack.
"Yeah I don't think that's ever an Option." Joke Kristoff.
[Stoick fills a toolbox with tools from Hiccup's workbench.]
STOICK: One of these. And this...
HICCUP: DAD -
STOICK: - There you go! Go on. Have away.
HICCUP: But, seriously, I really need to tell you about this new land we came across.
GOBBER: Another one?!
"I wonder how many you've found!" Exclaimed both F and Fish excitedly.
"Oooh, A lot!" Grinned Hicc and the other older Hiccups awing not only the two Ingermans but also H.
[Fishlegs walks in, followed by the Twins and Snotlout.]
FISHLEGS: Any new dragons?
[Stoick slaps a sheet of leather onto a dragon mold, and hands Hiccup pencil. Exasperated, Hiccup begins tracing an outline as he speaks.]
HICCUP: We didn't stick around to find out. These folks weren't particularly friendly.
Some of the vikings grumbled "You can say that again."
"Yeah, those are anything but friendly." Said Tadashi.
"Though you gotta admit that the destruction is awesome!"
"Yeah Totally wicked!" ( Guess who. )
GOBBER: Oh, really? Your Night Fury and Deadly Nadder didn't bring them cheering to the rooftops?
[Gobber spins his prosthetic arm dispenser.]
Everyone smiled at the invention, knowing it was Hiccup's. Gobber grinned at it.
HICCUP: No, this was different. Not the standard run-for-the-hills hoo-hai I've come to enjoy. These guys were trappers. Dragon trappers.
"You like terrorizing Vikings?!" Giggled Anna in mock disapproval.
"Wow Hiccup who knew you had it in you." Teases Hiro.
"Yeah Hicc how come we were never allowed to do such things?" Tuff and Snot Asked which cause all The Hiccups facepalmed while most of the audience around them laugh.
ASTRID: You should've seen their fort. All blown apart and stuck in giant spikes of ice. It was weird.
HICCUP: I've never seen anything like it. And worst of all, they thought we did it!
[Gobber pops off his prosthetic tongs and selects a wire brush from his dispenser...]
GOBBER: Y'know, you two are gonna get yourselves in SERIOUS trouble one of these days. Not everyone appreciates this way of life.
[...Which he uses to brush his mustache and eyebrows.]
Everyone started cracking up. "You're gonna poke your eye out one day!" reprimanded Aunt Cass.
Gobber shrugged. "Occupational hazard."
"Of course you'll say that!" Snort Hiccup. (HTTYD 2)
[Stoick takes the sheet of leather to the table saw...]
STOICK: Gobber's right, son. Best we keep to our own. Besides, you'll have more important uses for your time
[- And pulls a lever, starting it up.]
STOICK: (sing-songy, under his BREATH) Once we make the big announcement!
[Hiccup pulls the lever, shutting the saw down.]
HICCUP: They are building a dragon army.
"Wow, you can be serious!" Said Tadashi.
"And here goes the bombshell!" Sigh Chief Hiccup while Confusing H, Hicc and Hiccup when Older Hiccup nodded.
[Silence fills the stall. Vikings exchange worried glances.]
HICCUP: Or at least the guy they work for is. Dargo Bloody-Fist or something.
Stoick glared at Drago. The glare was returned with equal ferocity. Everyone else was chuckling at Hiccup's bad memory.
[Stoick's eyes widened. He turns to Gobber, with a growing alarm.]
TUFFNUT: I'll bloody his fist with my face if he tries to take my dragon!
"So, your blood from your face will be all over his fist?" Asked Fred, unimpressed.
"Exactly!" Said Tuff, and Tuffnut. ( RTTE and HTTYD 2. )
*Facepalming* Lout said. "Idiots." He muttered.
RUFFNUT: Or mine.
"You have the same dragon!" Cried Tadashi.
"Nevermind Tad, we had given up questioning the twins." Sigh Hiccup. ( HTTYD 2. )
"Yeah with those two, you'll never know." Stated Older Hiccup.
TUFFNUT: You're such a moron.
"Hey!" Was heard before multiple sounds of someone being punched was heard.
FISHLEGS: A beautiful moron.
SNOTLOUT: Yeah...
[Ruffnut grumbles, revolted by their advances.]
Ruf did this in synchronisation with the future her on screen and with the present out.
Older Hiccstrid found this surprisingly hilarious and turned around to the shadow where some strange guffawing sounds could be heard.
R, and Ruff all gagged, pushing their perspective Snotlouts as far away from themselves as they could.
And F, Fish and Legs were all leaning away from the teens so far they ended up falling out of their chairs, leaving several people tittering.
[Stoick grabs Hiccup by the shoulders, wide-eyed and intense.]
STOICK: Bludvist? Drago Bludvist?
HICCUP: Uh, yeah. Wait. You know him?
"And here we are!" Grunted Chief Hiccup which confusing most of the audience.