Yay! I'm still sporadic! (she said sarcastically)
The Flight Stuff:
The sun peaking in through the window, Hiccup was woken up. By this point, early morning rays were like a signal for her to wake up; she couldn't help it. As usual, Hiccup and Toothless set out for their morning flight, seeing Snotlout out with Hookfang as well. And as was the new usual, as they flew over the academy, they saw Gustav Larson inside. With straggly black hair, and a helmet like Snotlout's, he could've been mistaken for Snotlout's younger brother. In front of him was a fire, the thirteen year old panicking.
"Oh, not again", Hiccup muttered.
"That's gotta be a new record", Toothless said.
"Don't tell the twins that."
Swooping down beside the arena, Hiccup swiftly grabbed a bucket of water. Then they swooped up over the academy, and Hiccup put out the fire.
"Gustav", Hiccup chastised as Toothless landed. "How many times have we told you, you can't play in here?"
"I'm not playing? I'm dragon training", the kid said confidently.
"Poor kid", Snotlout said, as Hookfang landed. "Ever since I let him into my inner circle, he wants to be just like his hero; me."
"Gross?" Astrid arrived.
"And annoying?" Aric arrived.
"No. A dragon rider", Gustav said, his fists on his hips.
"Look around, kid", Snotlout intervened. "All of the dragon riding positions are taken. So, unless one of us kicks the bucket, you're out of luck."
000
(One week later)
"I'M GONNA KICK THE BUCKET!" Snotlout shouted.
"Uh, Snotlout, do you mind? We're having a Dagur meeting", Hiccup said. Everyone besides Snotlout was in front of a wooden board with a map pinned to it. She really wished he'd pay attention instead of freaking out over nothing.
"Dagur's here?!" Tuffnut exclaimed, and Hiccup had to stop herself from groaning.
"In the last week, I've seen three of the five sign posts of Valhalla!" Snotlout exclaimed.
" " "WE KNOW!" " " Everyone shouted, dragons included.
"You know?! And you're just standing there taking about stupid Dagur?! One of your bravest, and most treasured warriors, is about to leave this world FOREVER!"
"Look on the bright side. At least you'll be in eternal paradise", Tuffnut said.
"So will we", Astrid said blissfully.
"Joke all you want about me", Snotlout said. "But what about Hookfang? The thought of him without me for the rest of his life… it's just—"
"Are you done?" Hiccup sternly interrupted, becoming annoyed.
"No. Not even close. Though devastated, and still in pre-mourning, Gustav has volunteered to carry on the Snotlout legacy", he said, Gustav entering the academy.
"It's an honor", Gustav said.
"Please tell me he's not gonna fly around saying, 'Oi, Oi, Oi'?" Aric bluntly asked.
"That's a good idea", Snotlout said instead. "Gustav, make a note of that."
"Snotlout, the five sign posts of Valhalla is nothing but an old wives tale", Hiccup tried to convince.
"Oh, yeah? Then why have I seen the flying fish, the weeping rock, and the singing tree?" Snotlout listed, Gustav parroting his movements.
"You probably saw a salmon spawning, wet rocks on the beach, and a gust of wind", Fishlegs relayed boardly.
"Besides, the five sign posts of Valhalla are only supposed to happen to great warriors", Aric pointed out.
"Obviously. What's your point?" Snotlout said irritably.
"Even if it were true", Hiccup rolled her eyes, "Which it isn't. You can't just pick someone to replace you."
"Well you guys threw out my original plan!"
"To bury Hookfang alive beside you?" Astrid asked incredulously.
"He would gladly sacrifice himself for his beloved master."
"What did he just say?" Hookfang growled, raising his head from where it laid.
"I think he just called himself your 'master'", Shadowstar said.
Hookfang moved himself beside Snotlout, then angrily hit the boy with his tail, throwing him across the academy. "Ow", his voice was muffled from the pavement.
"Okay, let's just say for argument's sake, you have seen the three of the five sign posts", Hiccup conceded. "It doesn't mean anything. There's still two left?"
Just then a dead chicken fell from the sky, landing right in front of Snotlout's face planted body.
"AHHH!" Snotlout screamed. He got to his feet as fast as possible. "Oh no! OH NO! The fourth sign post; the bird of death!"
"It's not the bird of death", Hiccup placated. "It's just a dead chicken. It's…not the same thing? Right guys?"
" "Sure it is. Bird of death" ", the twins said simultaneously.
"We're on the clock, little man", Snotlout tapped Gustav's helmet. "We start your training immediately."
"Oh, fine", Hiccup groaned as she and the riders all mounted their dragons. "But the rest of us have to keep an eye on Outcast Island. While we're gone, try not to take anyone else with you to eternal paradise?"
"I make no promises", Snotlout said, then Hiccup, Aric, Astrid, and the twins all left, Fishlegs staying behind on Berk.
000
"Does anyone else feel bad for Gustav?" Astrid asked the group as they flew to Outcast Island.
"Why?" Tuffnut asked.
"Yeah, the kid's doing great for himself", Ruffnut added.
"Well, ever since Snotlout 'took him under his wing', he's become like a mini Snotlout. That doesn't disturb any of you?" Astrid explained.
"The only thing I'm concerned about is that he's gonna get himself hurt", Hiccup said.
"Outcast Island, dead ahead", Aric called out.
"Alright. Everyone remember, this is just a reconnaissance mission. Observe only", Hiccup said, and led the riders to a high platform far from where their enemies were. Hiccup took out her spy glass to get a look at what Dagur was planning, but when she looked through, there were too many Loki trees in the way. "Ugh, I can't get a good look."
With his own spy glass, Aric tried as well. "Well, they're definitely building something, and I'm guessing it's not good", he said.
"Alright. I say we blow it up", Ruffnut proposed.
"I say that's the best idea I've heard all week", Tuffnut agreed, before the two hit their heads together.
"Tuff, we've been over this", Hiccup said. "We don't shoot first and ask questions later."
"Of course", Tuffnut agreed. "We never ask questions."
"We'll keep an eye on it", she continued. "If it turns out to be something we have to worry about, then―"
"We blow it up?" Tuffnut asked.
"Oh, god…" Hiccup mumbled.
000
Back at the academy, Snotlout was about to teach his young replacement the ins and outs of being a dragon rider. Gustav stood at attention, eager to learn.
"Okay. Pay attention, Gustav", Snotlout started. "This is a Monstrous Nightmare", he directed to Hookfang standing in front of them. "The most lethal dragon in the known world. Not just anyone can handle one of these bad boys", he boasted.
"Whoa…" Gustav awed, his hand reaching out for Hookfang's snout.
Snotlout slapped it. "Ah! I'm sorry, I don't recall saying you could touch him? Did I say that?" Snotlout asked.
"Uh, n-no?" Gustav responded.
"The first thing we have to cover is the proper way to mount a dragon", Snotlout paced up to Hookfang's flank. "This has to be done in a way that lets the dragon know who exactly is the boss." Snotlout jumped onto Hookfang's saddle, Hookfang immediately taking off. They did a single loop around the academy, and then landed.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah", Gustav said cocky. "I've got this."
With a running start, Gustav went to jump on Hookfang the same way Snotlout did, but tripped over his own feet instead. Taking pity, Hookfang grabbed the back of the kid's tunic, and placed him on the saddle. Then they took off, Hookfang's tail hitting Snotlout in the back of the head.
"Okay, we'll work on that", he fixed his helmet as he stood back up.
000
When the riders got back from their scouting mission, they wanted to see how Snotlout and Gustav were doing. Heading to the academy, they took their seats on the lip of the arena where Fishlegs was viewing the action from above.
"Eyes front, recruit!" Snotlout shouted below. Gustav was on Hookfang as Snotlout instructed. "Now pay attention to everything I say!"
"Sir, yes sir!" Gustav responded.
"This should go well", Fishlegs commented.
"We're not too late, are we?" the twins arrived.
"Nope. Juuust about to get interesting", Astrid drawled.
"Oh, thank goodness. I hate missing violence", Tuffnut said.
"A Monstrous Nightmare, in the hands of a capable rider―a la me— is a weapon of unmatched fire power!" Snotlout continued.
"Yeah. On himself", Aric joked to the others.
"It must be treated with the utmost―"
Snotlout ducked, Gustav suddenly triggering Hookfang to shoot fire at him. Then at the riders, whom all ducked behind the lip they were sitting on. Snotlout stood up and brushed himself off, the riders all looking back over the lip.
"We'll work on that recruit! Was that fun for you?" Snotlout directed the question to Hookfang. The answer was more fire.
000
Next, the riders watched as Snotlout tried to teach Gustav how to feed Hookfang. It went about as well as the fire lesson.
"Feeding time is bonding time for a dragon and it's rider, Gustav. And this is how we bond", Snotlout instructed. "Hookfang, eat!" he then exclaimed, throwing the cod in his hand. Hookfang caught it with no effort needed, then spit the bones out in Snotlout's face. A tradition for the two really. "You're up, kid. Bring the heat!"
"This outta be good", Astrid muttered over to Hiccup beside her, and Hiccup would agree. Every dragon and rider was different.
Snotlout moved up, supposedly expecting for Gustav to follow, but the eager beaver stayed where he was.
"Hookfang, eat!" he threw the cod in the same fashion as Snotlout, but instead of landing in Hookfang's mouth, it landed on Snotlout's helmet.
"Oh no", Hiccup face palmed.
As expected, Hookfang rushed up to Snotlout and took Snotlout's entire body into his mouth.
"Okay, that's enough of this", Hiccup decided. "Hookfang, drop him!" Hiccup told Hookfang, and Hookfang's maw opened, Snotlout landing on his back. "Gustav, class dismissed! It's been a long day!" she projected down.
"Uh, yeah", Snotlout wobbled a bit as he gained his barrings back, standing up. "That's it for today, recruit. You did good."
Gustav ran off with no complaint. The next morning, however, as Hiccup and Fishlegs were consulting over a map, Snotlout walked in with Gustav, unfortunately deciding it was time for a speech.
"I have an announcement to make!" he said.
Hiccup's ears pressed down in annoyance. She was just about tired of this.
"I know this is gonna be hard on you all when I'm no longer here" Snotlout started. "Especially you, Astrid."
Astrid rolled her eyes.
"But I don't want any tears", he continued. "I want you to remember me with joy in your hearts. So, think of the good times we all had together." Snotlout paused, scratching his butt.
Hiccup raised an eyebrow.
"It is by the power vested in me", Snotlout continued, "That I now pass on the Hookfang horns to Gustav. Go with Thor, little man. For he will watch over you. With lightning bolts. And a giant hammer!"
Gustav ran forward and mounted on Hookfang, and that's when Hiccup really had enough.
"Okay, this has gone on long enough", she said, her hands to her hips. "First of all, YOU. ARE NOT. DYING!" she tried to get it through his thick skull.
Instead, Snotlout shushed her. "Hiccup, it's okay. Denial is part of the grieving process."
"Second of all, no one vested you with any power!" Hiccup continued.
"No one", Tuffnut backed her up from the box he was sitting on.
"And even if they did."
"Which they didn't", Tuffnut clarified.
"Gustav is in no way ready to be a member of this academy", Hiccup finished.
"That's right, Hiccup", Fishlegs supported. "There's way more to being a dragon rider than feeding it and getting on it's back."
"Neither of which he can do very well, anyway", Astrid added.
"None of us are perfect", Snotlout defended. "Except for me. Fishlegs is afraid of heights, the twins can't count pass nine, Astrid is in clear denial of her feelings for me―"
"Ugh", Astrid groaned.
"―Aric has obvious anger issues, and…"
Snotlout turned to Hiccup last, Hiccup wondering what exactly he was gonna say about her. He just looked her up and down. "Well, enough said."
"Ugh", Hiccup voiced, her head shaking.
Then Snotlout stepped towards Astrid, his hand reaching up for her cheek. "Oh, Astrid, what might have been―ack!" Snotlout squeaked in pain as Astrid twisted the hand backwards. "I won't feel pain in Valhalla", he strained, before Astrid finally let go.
"Snotlout!" Hiccup exclaimed. "For the last time, you are not going to Valhalla!" she yelled.
"RUN AWAY SHEEP!" Tuffnut shouted, and the teens turned to see a herd of sheep running into the academy. They ran towards Snotlout, surrounding him.
"The shepherds' curse", Fishlegs said. "That's…"
"The fifth sign post?!" Aric questioned.
"Oh, this cannot be happening", Hiccup put a hand to her head.
"AHHHH!" Snotlout screamed. "Avenge me! Have lamb for dinner!" Then he passed out.
"Is he dead?" Ruffnut asked, poking him.
"No, he's not dead", Hiccup stopped Ruffnut with her hand. "He just passed out."
The sheep had all disbursed, spare the one that was licking Snotlout, until he woke up just a few moments later.
"This is Valhalla?" he questioned as he sat up and looked around. "What a rip off!"
"Nope, still Berk", Hiccup bluntly stated. "You fainted."
"More proof that my warrior's body is failing me. I don't have much time."
"Oh, for the love of, Snotlout―"
"Hiccup, you have to let Gustav take my place."
"Gustav is not taking your place", Hiccup said, her decision final. "He's not ready."
"Well, train me anyway", Gustav spoke up from behind her, and Hiccup turned around to see him standing there with an angry look. "Isn't that what you do here? I thought this was a dragon training academy?"
"Well, Gustav", Hiccup started. "This academy was born out of timing, and necessity―"
"I though Stoick gave it to us", Tuffnut interrupted. "And said, 'it was just some training academy'."
"That's not helping", Hiccup grumbled. "Gustav, we learned to be dragon riders the only way we knew how. By doing. It was dangerous, fool hardy―"
"And awesome!" Ruffnut interrupted, this time stepping in front of Hiccup.
"Still not helping", Hiccup literally shoving her aside.
"I think what Hiccup's trying to say, Gustav", Aric jumped in, kneeling to the boy's level, "Is that you need experience."
"The rider needs experience, the dragon needs experience, and the rider and the dragon together need experience", Fishlegs added.
"I see", Gustav seemed to mull over, and then walked off and out the academy. Hopefully that was the end of that.
"Sorry, Hookfang", Snotlout then said. "I guess this means we're back to plan one. Ruff, Tuff, start digging", he ordered.
"Hiccup", Hookfang voiced.
"Yes?" Hiccup responded.
"Help him already", Hookfang huffed, his breath blown in her face.
"I'm trying, believe me", Hiccup warbled.
000
"Experience, huh?" Gustav muttered as he walked down the bridge from the academy. He'd thought Snotlout dying would be his ticket in, but apparently not. He needed experience. "I guess that means I need my own dragon", he surmised. Maybe if he trained his own dragon, Hiccup would finally let him in?
A few hours later, Gustav was wandering the forest, a satchel across his shoulder with supplies he would need. As he searched, he came across Terrible Terrors―no; he couldn't ride those―and a Deadly Nadder―too spiky―but they weren't the dragon he was hoping to find. Suddenly, a plume of fire shot out to the sky from afar. Climbing over some boulders, Gustav saw it. The Monstrous Nightmare. Perfect. It was chasing a boar, distracted by it. Sneaking up to it, Gustav remembered the words Snotlout said.
The most lethal dragon in the known world. Not just anyone can handle one of these bad boys.
"And I'm not just anybody", Gustav whispered to himself. With the Monstrous Nightmare's back turned, he jumped on it's back, hanging from one of it's spinal fins. The dragon's head turned to Gustav, seeing him on his flank, and with one burst of ignited fire across it's body, Gustav was thrown off into a tree. When next Gustav looked up, the Nightmare was in his face roaring.
Then it stopped, and sniffed at his bag. Taking out the trout, Gustav held it up to the Nightmare. Stepping back, it looked like it was waiting.
"Okay, feeding time is bonding time", Gustav quoted what Snotlout said, although with a shaky voice. Tossing the fish from one hand to the other, he rared himself to do what Snotlout showed him. With the strongest throw he could muster, he yelled, "EAT!" but instead of catching the fish, it landed on the dragon's snout. The dragon snarled. "Uh-oh", Gustav worried, before he ran, the Nightmare chasing. He couldn't run forever though, as he was eventually stopped by a wall of dirt and stone, a steep cliff up above. Gustav turned to look at his attacker, when he noticed the Nightmare stopped. Upon closer inspection, the dragon was sniffing at a trout. It must have fallen out of his satchel. The Nightmare took it, and looked at him.
"Yes", Gustav congratulated himself.
000
"Okay", Hiccup said, standing in front of a map of Outcast Island. The riders were in the academy around her, the twins digging a hole behind the group. "We're gonna need a diversion to get a closer look at whatever Dagur's building." Whatever it was, they had to stop it, but without knowing what they were up against that was nearly impossible without someone getting seriously hurt or killed.
"The flaming funeral pyre on my flaming funeral pyre ship should do the trick", Snotlout offered, and Hiccup shook her head.
"Whoa, hold on, hold on, hold on!" Tuffnut exclaimed from the hole he and Ruff dug. "I thought we were burying you two alive?! Fine! I'll start gathering wood", he said begrudgingly, quite annoyed.
"Yeah, and I'll start gathering pyres", Ruffnut said equally annoyed.
"Make way! Make way!" a roar sounded then, and a purple and yellow Monstrous Nightmare came barreling into the academy, Gustav thrown from his neck and in front of the riders' feet.
"I, uh, I meant to do that", Gustav said as he bounced back up. The adolescent Monstrous Nightmare he brought sniffed and explored the area.
"Uh, is it me, or did a tiny mini Snotlout and Hookfang just fly in?" Tuffnut asked, just before the adolescent shoved both the twins back in their hole. Toothless roared a warning for the youngling to calm himself.
"Gustav, what are you doing here?" Hiccup asked, her ears down in annoyance, tail twitching slightly, though Gustav couldn't read those things. She thought they finally got through to him?
"Well, you said you didn't have time to train me", the boy said, completely missing the point of what she'd said, "So I found my own dragon, and trained myself." Behind him, the Nightmare youngling was trying to lightly barbecue the twins. Toothless luckily ran in to reprimand him, grabbing and pulling at his tail.
"Gustav, I'm not so sure we have the same definition of trained", Hiccup told Gustav. That dragon had absolutely no clue what was going on.
"Look how he defies authority", Snotlout said proudly, much to Hiccup's frustration. "I taught him well. Now I can go in peace."
"Quit getting our hopes up", Astrid commented.
"Fellow dragon riders", Gustav turned in announcement, "I'd like you all to meet my dragon, Fanghook!"
Said Fanghook made his way up to Hookfang. "You get it?! It's like your name, but flipped!"
"Keep walking", Hookfang roared irritably, making Fanghook shrink back and scurry off.
"Fanghook?" Snotlout asked. "Are you serious? Don't you have any respect for authority?"
"Or originality", Hookfang huffed.
Hiccup decided to step in. "Gustav, we told you there's more to being a dragon rider than just riding a dragon." She kneeled down to his level, hoping for him to understand. "You have to form a bond; a friendship", she tried to explained to him.
"We have it! Test us; I'll prove it!" Gustav instead insisted, before running to Fanghook.
" "Test him! Test him! Test him, test him, test him!" " the twins chanted from their hole in the ground.
"Guys, really not helping", Hiccup stopped them as she stood.
Gustav grabbed onto Fanghook's leg, and the dragon youngling took off, zooming around the the inside of the academy, the riders needing to duck as he sweeped overhead.
"You know, it may not be the worst idea", Fishlegs whispered to Hiccup once they could stand straight again.
"No, I'm pretty sure it is", Hiccup turned. Neither Gustav, or Fanghook, were ready for any sort of test.
"Think about it. Look at Snotlout?" he directed to where their friend stood before Gustav and Fanghook, arms crossed and grouchy as he watched the two interact. "Maybe he needs to see how easily he can be replaced?" Fishlegs insisted.
"Enough said, I'm in", Astrid jumped in.
"It couldn't hurt", Aric agreed with a shrug.
"You know what… Gustav, you're absolutely right!" Hiccup announced, the boy swinging and hanging off of Fanghook's neck.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! He is?" Snotlout questioned.
"Yes, he is. Toothless?" Hiccup beckoned.
Toothless walked up to where she stood, and with a gesture to the ground he fired a small plasma blast leaving soot in it's wake. With her right foot, she drew an 'X'.
"Let's see you do a lap around the arena, and land on this mark", she said.
"Alright, Fanghook, fire it up!" Gustav cried, and Fanghook stepped back.
"Hmm, quite the stirring battle cry", Fishlegs mused.
"Eh, it's alright", Snotlout said.
Fanghook took off, hitting the walls of the arena left and right. Then, Gustav and Fanghook were heading for the 'X'. The riders had to run away as the boy and dragon overshot, heading straight for them instead. The two hit the cages, Fanghook a less than happy youngling as he laid on the ground.
"Dragon rider!" Gustav exclaimed, the boy okay as he popped out from behind the dragon's form.
"Woooow, that was pretty good..." Hiccup said, despite wanting to just rush over to Fanghook, make sure he was alright, and yank him away from Gustav's careless clutches.
"About as good as Snotlout", Aric put in.
"Maybe better", Astrid added.
"Maybe better?! Are you kidding me?!" Snotlout yelled. At least their Snotlout plan was working.
"Is anyone else tired of listening to Snotlout's ghost?" Tuffnut asked.
"Hey, I'm not dead yet", Snotlout countered.
"You're dead to us", Ruffnut countered back.
000
The next test for the kid was accuracy, and of course Hiccup had Toothless demonstrate, his cousin always showing off and bragging about the Night Furies' speed and accuracy. Where two Viking shaped targets stood, soon collapsed to the floor as Toothless shot them both with one plasma blast. Hiccup gestured for the kid's turn, and he picked the target up, the kid not strong enough to lift it all the way.
"Fanghook, fire it up!" Gustav cried that stupid battle cry Snotlout would never admit was actually kinda cool, and Fanghook―what a ridiculous name―fired, Astrid having to duck, and Gustav having to hit the deck too as his dragon completely missed.
"Weak-sauce. He didn't even hit anything", Snotlout said as Hiccup helped the kid up.
"Well, that's not quite true", Hiccup said, pointing out the sheep running around the academy, it's tail end on fire.
"Bravo! We're all set for the next sheep rebellion", he sarcastically corrected.
"But this time, we'll win", Tuffnut said.
"Okay, if you all are actually serious about him replacing me…" Snotlout started.
"We're just following the last wishes of a legendary warrior?" Aric interrupted him.
"Besides, no need to replace you", Tuff said, before shoving his face. "You're already gone" he laughed, until Snotlout punched him off. Then he went to Gustav, a challenge in his eyes.
"Let's just see how he does on one of our obstacle courses."
000
Snotlout followed Hiccup and Gustav as they flew to the forest, Gustav barely flying Fanghook. They were heading to an old obstacle course that was made when the academy only just started. If the kid couldn't even handle this, there was no way they were going to replace him with Gustav.
"Okay, on this course you start at those big pines, and then you―"
"Blah blah blah", Snotlout stopped Hiccup's explanation of the course. "If you think you're good kid, you'll keep up with me. FIRE IT UP!" he dove into the course.
"Hey! You stole my battle cry!" Gustav whined.
"Snotlout's school's in session, Gustav!" Snotlout yelled over the wind that roared as he and Hookfang zoomed through the course with ease. "And something tells me you're about to be expelled!" He looked behind, seeing Gustav keeping up, though barely, until he started bragging.
"Hey! Dead men talking! I'm on you like an eel on a three legged―Oof!"
Snotlout smirked as Gustav smashed into a tree branch, the kid left hanging there as Fanghook kept flying.
"Hahaha!" Snotlout had Hookfang land in front of Gustav, the kid struggling to even hang onto the branch. "You get a 'G'! As in fail!" he laughed.
"AHH!" Gustav then fell.
"Gustav!" Hiccup exclaimed, she and Toothless landing. She ran over to check on him, the kid having passed out. After getting him onto Toothless with her, they all flew back to the academy, Fanghook somehow finding and following them.
000
Gustav woke with a start, feeling wet and cold.
"Hey hey hey!" Ruffnut protested to Astrid who was holding a bucket above him. "Don't throw water on him! Tiny Snotlout will just shrink more! Duh."
Sitting up, Gustav rubbed the water out of his eyes. "How'd I do?" he asked, before standing up.
"Well, you lasted about two seconds", Snotlout said bluntly, scratching his butt.
"But hey, those two seconds, awesome", Hiccup praised.
"I gotta admit, you're gonna make a great replacement for Snotlout, Gustav", Astrid encouraged too, Ruffnut nodding beside her. He was so happy the riders were finally giving him a chance.
"Says who?!" Snotlout then exclaimed. Well, all except for one. For some reason Snotlout, the person who wanted him to replace him in the first place, was against him. It was kinda frustrating, and confusing. "Hey…wait a second…" Snotlout seemed to realize something. "You're trying to convince me I'm not dying! What kind of friends are you?" he accused, but that was ridiculous. Clearly, the riders just knew talent when they saw it. And thanks to his success in training Fanghook, they finally saw it. It wasn't all some trick? Right?
"Look, Snotlout, maybe you have seen the five sign posts of Valhalla?" Hiccup started, Snotlout really scratching at his butt as she talked. "And, maybe you are going to die someday? And, maybe you could stop scratching your butt while I'm talking to you?" she noticed.
"Sorry. It's just all this broad grass in my shorts", Snotlout said.
"And your shorts are full of broad grass why?" Hiccup asked.
"More importantly, why aren't yours? The twins told me it prevents saddle chafing?"
Hiccup's eyes narrowed, an accusatory look directed towards the twins. "Oh, they did, did they?"
Gustav was completely confused.
"They also let the sheep in, and sheep love broad grass?" The twins each had guilty smiles. She started stalking up to Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the two backing up. "A-and I'm guessing you're also the ones who dropped the bird of death", Hiccup accused.
"We have no idea what you're talking about?" Ruffnut denied.
Then four chickens were dropped on them from the sky, their dragon up above dropping them.
"Oh, I get it. So this means… I give up. What does this mean?" Snotlout asked.
Gustav would have liked to know too. What just happened? What did this mean for him?
"It means the twins were messing with you", Aric answered.
"Right. Right…And…"
"YOU'RE. NOT. DYING!" Hiccup screamed, her wings barring out like an angry dragon. Wow, could Hiccup get annoyed.
"I'm alive?" Snotlout asked. "I'M ALIVE! OH-HO-HO!" he began kissing himself. Ew. "Oh, thank you, thank you, Thor! Snotlout's too beautiful to die anyway." All around him, the riders were rolling their eyes or shaking their heads.
"And…my lunch is in my throat", Astrid groaned.
"W-wait", Gustav just realized, the reality of the situation crashing down on him. "So, this means, I can't be in the academy?" Hiccup and Snotlout both turned around, looking down at him. Or, maybe on him. "I just wanted to be a dragon rider so bad!" he practically pleaded.
"On one hand, I sympathize with your ruthless devotion to your goal", Snotlout told him.
"And on the other hand?" Gustav asked.
Snotlout got a mean smirk on his face, before literally throwing him out. Gustav hit the ground hard.
"Snotlout!" he heard Hiccup reprimand, but nobody did anything. He was officially kicked out.
She probably just did that because she thought of him as a kid. Too young. Too small. Not ready. The Chief walked passed him, strolling into the academy as Snotlout furiously chased the twins out.
"Dear, we need to talk" Gustav overheard Stoick say, he and Fanghook hiding as they spied. "Trader Johann just got back from Outcast Island. He overheard Dagur saying he's getting ready to test fire some sort of new weapon."
"That must be what we saw him building" Aric said.
"I'll take a couple riders, and we'll get a closer look tonight", Hiccup said.
"Alright", the Chief agreed. "But don't engage the enemy. This is a scouting mission. Not a battle mission."
Gustav's eyes lit up. "They might not engage the enemy", he turned to Fanghook. "But we will. And then they'll have to let us in." Gustav didn't care if they didn't think he was ready. He knew he was. And tonight, he was going to prove it.
000
For this mission, Hiccup had decided to bring Aric and Snotlout. Hiccup looked through her spyglass from where they had landed. Just like before, she couldn't see much passed the large thicket of Loki trees, but she could see a lot of torches, and torches meant people.
"There are a lot of Berserkers down there", Hiccup reported. "What's our diversion?"
"Allow me", Aric said, then took off.
As he and Shadowstar flew, Aric spotted a sentry that had fallen asleep. Perfect.
"Hey", he said first, gaining the sentry's attention. "I seem to be lost. Mind helping me out?" he teased, and as expected, the sentry set off the alarm, soldiers chasing after him as he led them away.
000
The alarm sounded, Dagur ran to the commotion, seeing his soldiers running about.
"What is going on?!" he screamed for an explanation.
"A single dragon rider's been sighted. Heading west", Savage reported.
"Was it the Night Fury?!" Dagur became excited.
"No, sir. It was a boy. The soldier", Savage said, using the names Dagur made for all Hiccup's lackies, Dagur never bothering to learn their actual names. Nor would he.
Dagur giggled to himself with the news of the soldier boy being sighted and running away. That meant Hiccup was here. And if he knew Hiccup, that meant the boy was just a diversion. That tip off he gave Johann couldn't have worked better. That trader was so stupid. As if Dagur wouldn't think the man was listening and would tell Berk every word.
He order Savage to standby and listen for signs of more dragon riders, specifically for Hiccup's Night Fury. After only a few moments, the sound of a dragon could be heard, and Savage called.
"Dragon rider! Dead ahead!"
"Nobody move! This one is mine!" Dagur ordered, standing ready behind his weapon. "You're so predictable, Hiccup", he mused.
000
Hiccup and Snotlout flew low through the trees, trying not to draw any attention to themselves should there be any lingering soldiers. It was quiet, but Hiccup wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or a very very bad thing. In fact, it was too quiet. The sound of a horn blared, and Hiccup decided very very bad as arrows, tips ablaze with fire, shot high into the air and arched towards them.
"It's a trap!" Hiccup exclaimed. She was about to call for a retreat, when out of nowhere Gustav and Fanghook flew overhead and into the flurry of arrows.
"Gustav?!" Snotlout questioned in shock.
"Oh, great", Hiccup dryly spoke.
Hiccup watched as Gustav and Fanghook dodged the arrows, likely by Fanghook's instincts more so Gustav's instruction. They seemed to be holding their own, up until they were trapped by a catapulted net.
"No! Save it for Hiccup! I want that Night Fury!" she could hear Dagur screaming.
"Okay, that solves the Gustav problem", Snotlout said, and Hiccup really couldn't believe him. "Interested in a lamb dinner on the way home?"
"Are you― Snotlout! We have to save him!" Hiccup decided. Trap, or no trap, no man, nor boy, was being left behind.
Hiccup urged Toothless foward, but her brother stalled.
"What the― Toothless?!" Hiccup became questioned.
"You heard what Dagur said? That weapon is for you. By going in we're basically handing ourselves on a silver platter! Let Snotlout save him!" her dragon argued, but this wasn't up for discussion. She'd go in herself if she had to. Hiccup gave him the look that told him that, and Toothless went with no further complaint.
"Ugh, fine!" she heard Snotlout comply too after Toothless had rushed forward.
"NOW!" Dagur yelled, and a net was fired. Toothless turned out of the way, the net now heading for Snotlout, but they circled back around and intercepted the net with a plasma blast. As Snotlout and Hookfang distracted the Berserkers, Hiccup and Toothless stopped to a hover above Gustav and Fanghook.
"Fire it up!" Hiccup called down.
"Hey! For the last time, that's my battle cry!"
"I know!" Hiccup smiled. "Now use it!"
"Fanghook, fire it up!" Gustav did so, and Fanghook's body burst into flames. The net burned away, and the two high tailed it out.
Hiccup smiled at the premature duo, but her smile was cut short when her and Toothless were suddenly shoved out of the sky by a net.
"GOTCHA!" Dagur screamed much too happy.
"And as usual, Toothless was right", Toothless grumbled, Berserkers beginning to surround them.
000
"I'm on my way Hiccup!" Snotlout called down to Hiccup, his cousin and her dragon caught in one of those nets. He saw her look up, a slight smile saying she'd heard him. When Snotlout looked back up, he spotted Gustav trying to fly away from the scene. Not on his watch he wasn't.
"Come on, Gustav!" he stopped the kid. "We're going down there!" he ordered.
"No way! I'm getting out of here!" Gustav argued.
"You're not going anywhere! You wanted experience? This is how you get it!"
"I don't know, Snotlout?! I don't think I can do this!"
"Listen to me, kid. You're flying the Monstrous Nightmare! The most lethal dragon in the known world! You can do it, and you will do it!"
It took a moment for Gustav to gain his courage, the kid looking down at the damsel in distress they had to save, Berserkers surrounding her and Toothless with spears, but then Gustav looked back up with a new bravery in his eyes.
"You know what, I will do it", he said in determination, and the two got to work. And with not a moment to lose. Dagur was coming.
000
Berserkers had surrounded Hiccup and Toothless, the soldiers pointing their spears at them to keep them at bay as they struggled beneath the net. That's when Hiccup noticed Dagur approaching them, a sword in hand. He stopped before them, a devilish grin on his face. Dagur raised his sword, Hiccup closed her eyes, a hand instinctively raised. Dagur laughed maniacally, and just when Hiccup thought Snotlout was too late, Dagur was interrupted by a battle cry.
" "FIRE IT UP!" "
Hiccup opened her eyes, and when she looked back she saw Snotlout and Gustav. The two surrounded the Berserkers with fire and got the men on the run. With the diversion, Dagur in a state of not knowing what to do now with his plan shot, Hiccup got onto Toothless, and they were able to shake the net off and get into the air.
000
In his state of confusion, Hiccup escaped on her dragon, her and those two other riders then destroying his weapon with three consecutive blasts. Dagur watched as she then retreated with her riders. He was so close.
"My plan was perfect", Dagur whined. "I had Hiccup and her Night Fury right there in my clutches! Why didn't it work? Why? Why? Why?!" Dagur clutched his head, his mind spinning.
"Eh, sir, I think the problem may have been in the, um, execution", Savage tentatively said, and suddenly, Dagur's mind stopped spinning.
"Execution…" Dagur muttered. "Did somebody say, execution?" He turned around, his sword becoming unsheathed from his back, and his men cowered. "Now we're getting somewhere."
000
A scream cut through the air, no doubt Dagur taking his anger out on someone. Luckily, she, Snotlout, Aric, and Gustav were all safely off the island and on their way home.
"Thanks guys", Hiccup said to the two on Nightmares. "Nice shooting."
"By me", Snotlout clarified. "His eyes were closed", he nodded to Gustav.
"Hey, it was scary!" Gustav defended.
Hiccup and Snotlout both laughed.
When they got back home, Hiccup relayed what happened to her dad in the academy with Aric and Snotlout. Gustav was standing by a weapons rack to the side, his head down.
"So, there was no secret weapon being test fired?" her dad asked in clarification.
"No. It was all a trap. Dagur must have intentionally leaked the information out to Trader Johann."
"Ah, he's as crafty as he is crazy. Well, I'm glad you're all safe", her dad said, then left them.
"So, I guess I'm not in the dragon academy, huh", Gustav said to the three of them, their attention swerving to him. He stood defeated and sad, looking to the ground. Hiccup thought for a moment. With a look to Snotlout and Aric, it was a silent agreement.
"I'll tell ya what, Gustav", Hiccup said, and Gustav looked up, his eyes suddenly a little bit brighter. "How about we make you our very first Junior…Apprentice…Auxiliary, Reserve, Backup, Replacement Rider?"
"In training", Aric added.
"Fourth class!" Snotlout exclaimed, holding up three fingers.
Gustav's face lit up, awe and excitement shining. "YES!" he shouted.
"You realize, however, that means you have to study", Hiccup informed.
"Got it!" Gustav exclaimed with a hop.
"Clean out the dragon stalls", Astrid added, doing it herself at the moment.
"Check!"
"And no more unauthorized dragon flying", Hiccup said. "Neither of you are ready", she looked to Fanghook too.
The youngling whined in disappointment, but understanding.
"I understand", Gustav said sadly.
"Me too", Fanghook said as well, the youngling nuzzling against Gustav.
"Time to say goodbye, guys", Aric said, and looked to Hiccup for her to take Fanghook from Gustav. Hiccup knew it was the right thing to do. Gustav wasn't ready for a dragon yet. But other kids in the village had dragons? Granted they didn't fly them, and there was the risk Gustav would try, but as she looked at the two, she just didn't have the heart to separate them.
"You two have really bonded, huh", Hiccup commented, and the both of them nodded.
"Well, the first step to being a dragon rider is bonding with a dragon?" Hiccup sighed once more, before conceding. "Okay, as long as you two follow the rules, I suppose Fanghook can stay with you, Gustav", Hiccup said. She looked to Fanghook, and the youngling letting out a happy sound.
"But that's gonna mean a lot more work", she turned back to Gustav. "You sure you're up to the challenge?" Hiccup asked.
" "I am!" " they both said, and Hiccup laughed.
They ran out playfully together as Hiccup smiled.
"You sure that was a good idea, keeping them together?" Aric asked.
"I am", Hiccup assured. "Besides, if he's gonna learn, he's gonna need a dragon?" she added.
000
Gustav and Fanghook ran out of the academy, not flying like Hiccup said. They reached the forests' edge out of sight of the riders, and Gustav smirked. "So, what do you want to practice first?" he asked.
Much like Hookfang, Fanghook picked Gustav up in his mouth, and they went to go break some rules.
I never liked the original ending to this episode. I didn't understand why Hiccup couldn't let Fanghook stay. Especially if Gustav was going to be in training. And the writers knew Gustav wasn't going to listen to Hiccup anyway, so why have that whole sad scene? I don't know. It just seemed a bit out of character for Hiccup to disregard the bond that had formed between Gustav and Fanghook. So I changed it a bit, her softy heart unable to resist letting the two stay together. It just seemed less hypocritical and more in character.