Chapter 11: Viking for Hire

Everybody needs a place in the world. Some people are born to theirs. Some people discover theirs. And some people make a place for themselves. But then the world around them changes, and the place they made is gone.

The Teens are gathered in the new Berk Dragon Academy, where Hiccup is quizzing them on dragons. The Teens are split into two teams: Astrid, Mira and Fishlegs on one team, and then Snotlout and the Twins on the other. Their dragons were with their riders' side. Sapphire stayed close to Mira, making sure she doesn't get hurt. Sapphire and Mira's siblings were being watch by Phlegma. They were really behaved.

"Every dragon has its own unique abilities that give it its special place in the world." Hiccup explains, "Which dragon makes the best welding torch?"

"Oh! Deadly Nadder!" Astrid answered.

"Its magnesium flame burns with the heat of the sun!" Fishlegs added.

"Correct! Point to Team Astrid." Astrid, Fishlegs and Mira fist bump, "Score is now 100 to 10." Hiccup wrote down the numbers.

"And you started with 10." Astrid jokes earning silent laughs from Mira and Fishlegs.

"Oh, yeah? Well, the game's not over." Tuffnut said before forgetting, "Wait, what team am I on?"

"Next question," Hiccup interrupts, "What is the shot limit of a Hideous Zippleback? Team Snotlout."

But before anyone could answer Astrid joked, "I don't think they can count that high." Mira and Fishlegs hold their laughs.

"Oh, really? Let's find out! Barf! Belch!" Ruffnut called. Barf and Belch shoot six fireballs at the other team; Astrid, Mira and Fishlegs barely manage to duck in time. As Barf and Belch stop, Tuffnut answered, "Looks like it's about three." He holds up only two fingers.

Mira looks at his fingers, "Tuff, that's two."

"I know. It's you and me." He wiggles his eyebrows.

Mira looks at him in disgust. Tuffnut notices Sapphire giving him a deadly glare. Her sapphire blue eyes narrowed at him and her pupils turn slit. Sapphire will not have Mira to have that an excuse of a rider to be her rider's mate. She let out a dangerous growl making Tuffnut sink under his barrel and made a nervous chuckle. Ruffnut decided to change the mood, "Told you we could count that high!"

"It's six," Hiccup corrected blankly; "You were half-right. Five points."

"Yes! We're up to 30!" Ruffnut cheers before high-fives Snotlout and Tuffnut. He came out after Sapphire stops growling but she was still glaring at him.

Astrid got up in competitive mode, "Alright, it's our turn. What happens when you shoot fire at the owner of a Deadly Nadder?" She whistles for Stormfly, who shoots her tail spikes at the other team, pinning them to the wall, unharmed. Sapphire made a please look at the sight while Mira giggles.

"No fair! She didn't give us time to answer!" Tuffnut yelled out.

Sapphire snorts at him before looking at Stormfly and nodded respectfully at her. Stormfly ruffled her wings and puffs out her chest happily. Snotlout jumps down from the wall and marches over to Hookfang, who was sleeping, "I've got a question. What happens when I sic Hookfang on you?"

Hiccup noticing that it's going a bit far, "Okay, guys, that's enough training. So... we did some really good work here today." He walks away while Toothless looks at Sapphire dreamily.

Snotlout was still ready for a fight, "Prepare to face the Monstrous Nightmare!" Snotlout pats his jaw, and Hookfang suddenly rears up and set himself on fire, burning Snotlout's butt. Snotlout screams in pain as he got off Hookfang and tries to find any water source, "AH! THAT'S THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK!" He jumps into a nearby water tub, putting out his flaming butt. "Aahhh... sweet relief."

Hiccup was confused by this new event, "Hookfang never flames up when you're riding him. Is he okay?"

Astrid sarcastically answered, "Maybe, he just realized who his owner is."

"There's room in here for two." Snotlout flirts.

Astrid grabs his helmet and shoves him back underwater. Snotlout resurfaces and gasps for air. Mira chuckles before gesturing an amused Sapphire to follow her to the Bucket and Mulch's barn. As they got there, they saw Windstreak nuzzling Spiritrunner. As they landed, Mira went over to Wingstreak. Winstreak saw her and nuzzled her, "Ready for work?"

Windstreak let out a loud neigh as Mira gets on. Sapphire makes sure that Spiritrunner was close to her. She doesn't want anyone harming this little colt or they will deal with her and they don't want that. They went down and started delivering the things for the villagers. Then they came to a stand to see Gobber selling his weapons but it wasn't going to well. Mira started her work by delivering fish baskets towards Silent Sven's house. Once they did, they saw a boulder coming at them.

"Sapphire!" Mira called out. Mira fired her plasma blast at the boulder, destroying it to pieces while saving Sven's house. Sven made hand motion saying thank you to her. The crowd left and Mira went back to work. She felt sorry for Gobber. She wishes she could help. When Mira puts Windstreak and her son back to the barn, she tucks her brothers and Sapphire's siblings to sleep. Betty was in her new crib that Gobber made for her. He was nice to make it for them and Mira would repay him. Sapphire curled herself next to Mira as the two went to bed.

On the next day, Mira got up bright and early. She made breakfast and feed her animal friends. Lightning and Thunder were having a tug of war with a fish. Aqua was being feed by Sapphire. Betty was too being feed by her sister. Mira doesn't have any deliveries today but she does have to help Bucket and Mulch with fishing later. Gothi was kind enough to watch over them while she went fishing with Bucket and Mulch but when she got to their home. She saw them hitting each other with weapons. Mulch was using a mace and Bucket was using a hammer. Sapphire and Mira's eyes widen as the two rushed in and stopped them. "Hey now!" Mira stops Mulch while Sapphire growls at Bucket. Bucket dropped the hammer in fear.

"What were you two thinking?" Mira looks at the two, "Violence is never the answer."

"But Gobber said…"

"Wait, Gobber?" the two nodded. Mira went to the docks followed by Sapphire and two fishermen to see Gobber putting metal on a ship. Stoick came and ask what was going on and Gobber said that he was fixing the ship but it sank when there was too many metal. Sighing, Mira and Sapphire started fishing with Mulch and Bucket.

The next day, the teens and their dragons are gathered at the Academy as Hiccup tells them his plan. Her siblings are there as well as Sapphire siblings. Hiccup plan was bringing Gobber here and that made everyone got in edge.

Fishlegs said cautious, "You're bringing Gobber here?"

Hiccup was trying to sound optimistic and encouraging, "He's gonna be great. Nobody knows dragons like old Gobber. He's spent a lifetime, you know... studying them. If we can tap into that, we'll all be better Dragon Trainers." Suddenly, the door burst open and in comes Gobber, lugging a whole cart-full of weapons.

Gobber grins, "I'm back! Did ya miss me?" The dragons are clearly intimidated. Mira and Sapphire brought their siblings close. There is no way in Valhalla that their letting those little ones near those sharp weapons.

Hiccup cautiously walks over to him, "First of all, welcome. And second... tiny question, why did you bring your…you know...?"

Gobber points at his weapons, "Killing things? I thought maybe we could train them." He takes out an unusual-looking weapon, like a sword mixed with an axe and a mace, "By threatening to kill them. That's how my daddy taught me to swim." He slams the weapon into the ground, breaking the earth, "School's in session!"

Frightened, the dragons, all except Toothless, Sapphire and her siblings, fly off. Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and the twins take off after them.

Gobber was clearly missing the point, "Eh. I didn't like school either." Mira face palm while Sapphire narrowed her eyes at Gobber. Is Mira, Hiccup, Astrid and Fishlegs are the only intelligent humans in this village? Gobber left and the teens ride back to the Academy with their dragons. They dismount, groaning in pain.

Hiccup looks at them, "What's wrong with you guys?"

Astrid rubs her back, "Ugh. We've been riding our dragons for four hours." She gets in Stormfly's face, making her squawk, "It took forever to chase them down after Gobber scared them away."

Hiccup sighs, "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I just don't know what to do with him.

Then they heard kicking sounds. They saw Ruffnut kicking Tuffnut's butt. Mira and Sapphire's siblings watched on the sidelines. They snicker at the sight of them fighting.

"Do you guys always have to fight?" Hiccup asked.

"Hiccup, I don't think their fighting." Mira corrected.

Tuffnut looks at them, "Mira's right. I asked her to do that. I was just trying to get the feeling back."

After Ruffnut finished she bends down, "You gonna return the favor or what?" Tuffnut proceeds to kick her butt. Mira and Sapphire covered their baby sisters' eyes. They are still young to watch this except for her brothers.

Hiccup was confused, "I've flown for hours on Toothless and I've never had a problem."

Astrid miserably said, "That's because you have a saddle." she looks at Mira, "And also her."

Toothless and Sapphire looks at their saddles. Toothless' eyes widen in realization. He and Sapphire have saddles. They are alike! Toothless made a toothless smile while Sapphire looks at him in confusion. She doesn't know what's wrong with this male.

Hiccup was getting an idea, "That's it!"

"What's it?" Mira asked.

"Saddles!"


Later, in Gobber's smithy. Hiccup and Toothless rushed over to the forge with ideas and told Gobber everything. "Saddles? I love it! I've got so many ideas!" Gobber said before looking at Hiccup's drawing with disinterest and then tosses them aside, "But not like these. Good ones."

Hiccup picks up his ideas, "I'm glad you're excited. But I still think there are some things in my designs you could use. I mean, you did teach me everything I know."

"Exactly. That's why you should let Gobber do what Gobber does best. I've been making saddles since you were in diapers. In fact, I made your diapers."

Hiccup was trying to get his point across, "I know you know what you're doing. But keep in mind, every dragon is different. So you need to adjust the…"

Gobber interrupts him, "Hiccup."

"But…"

"Hiccup."

"But, I just think…"

Gobber still was not listening, "Hicc. Up. I may have taught you everything you know, but I haven't taught you everything I know." Hiccup gives in and leaves Gobber to his work. Gobber can be heard happily and boisterously singing. "I've got my axe and I've got my mace, and I love my wife with the ugly face! I'm a Viking through and through! Hmmm!"

Hiccup looks over to Toothless, hopefully, "You know, he doesn't sing that song unless he's actually very happy. I think we did a good thing."

"What good thing?"

Hiccup and Toothless jumped in surprise as they turn to see Mira and Sapphire. They were just having a night stroll when they heard terrible singing. Hiccup and Toothless tried to catch their breath. Toothless straighten himself up to show Sapphire he wasn't scared, even though she saw the whole thing.

"Mira? How did you get here?" Hiccup pated out.

Mira blinks, "Me and Sapphire were just having a night stroll until we heard singing. Is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah everything fine. Gobber is just making saddles."

"Fine, you mean, bad." Mira corrected and Hiccup just nodded sadly. Toothless just gawked over Sapphire. He really wishes that she could notice him but sadly Sapphire was thinking of gathering fishes for the winter. She doesn't have time with romance yet. On the next day, at the Academy, the teens and their dragons are gathered to see Gobber's handiwork.

Hiccup cleared his throat, "Alright, this is an exciting day for all of us. Gobber has been working hard to…"

Gobber interrupts, "I think they might want to hear from the artist himself." He proudly makes his announcement as the kids get excited, minus Mira and Hiccup, "I've made a lot of saddles in my day, horse, donkey and now, dragon. But these saddles are special. They're like my children; that is if you strapped your child to a flaming reptile and rode it. So without further ado…" He unveils the odd-looking-and-equipped saddles. The reaction is immediate. Everyone was surprise. Mira was a bit disturbed to see the saddles. They were filled with dangerous weapons. It's a good thing that Phelgma was babysitting them.

Hiccup was a bit surprised, "Wow, Gobber. This…this is certainly not what I imagined." He said.

"I thought you were going to make saddles." Mira pokes at the saddles while Sapphire stayed in a distance.

Gobber was clearly missing the point. He doesn't know what is right from wrong, "There are saddles and how could it be? I'm Gobber! Nobody knows what it's like to live in here." Gobber taps his helmet with his hammer-hand. Sapphire rolled her eyes at the blacksmith. Clearly, she saw better craftsmanship in other villages. She stayed hidden in the shadow while watching them.

Hiccup points a new saddle, which is armed with a blower and a bit of lit-up hay, "Is…is that…?"

Gobber smiles proudly, "Yep! Flamethrower," Gobber gives Hiccup a demonstration, "Didn't see that one coming did ya?"

Hiccup looks at it nervously, "Uh...no, not for dragons. They come with one built in, actually."

Gobber was still missing the point, "I know, but can ya ever really have too much firepower?"

"Actually yes there are very dangerous," Mira said until her eyes widen when she saw something, "Oh no! Ruff! Tuff Don't…"

Everyone turned to see the twins loading large rocks into each of their catapults on their saddles. They failed to hear Mira's warning as they launch them, only to have both Barf and Belch struck in the head. They fall to the ground in pain.

The three teens stared at them blankly, "Uh, catapults for the twins? Not such a good idea." Hiccup said. Gobber just shrugs.

Fishlegs' saddle is equipped with four large maces, which Meatlug has a hard time staying aboveground with. Fishlegs encourage Meatlug, "You can do it, girl! Think light." Meatlug, exhausted, falls to the ground.

Gobber was disappointed, "Oh, come on! You can't tell me my saddle is heavier than Fishlegs!"

Mira defended Fishlegs, "He's not fat! He's all meat and bones!"

Fishlegs smiles at Mira's words, "My mom says I'm just husky."

Snotlout tries to put his flamethrower saddle on Hookfang, but Hookfang only throws it off and thrashes around.

Snotlout puts out a hand to touch Hookfang's snout, "Come on, Hookfang. What's wrong with you?" Hookfang turns away, "That's it. Someone's trading with me." Snotlout said.

Tuffnut sarcastically said, "Yeah, sure. I'll trade my perfect dragon for an angry oven."

Astrid was landing with Stormfly, who doesn't look tired in the slightest. "This saddle's actually pretty good." Astrid said.

Gobber chuckles, "Wait 'til you try the horn!"

"Horn?" Mira wondered before she gasps, "Astrid, don't…"

Too late, Astrid blows into the horn, which is a telescope-like horn. The bigger it is, the more amplified the sound is. This startles Stormfly and she sends spines flying, pinning Snotlout to the wall.

Snotlout looks in disbelief, "Really? Again?"

Hiccup sighs frustrated, "So, anyway, I…I think we're really gonna need to make a few…"

Gobber smiles, "Changes! I'm way ahead of you. I've got so many ideas! It's gettin' crowded up here." Gobber bangs his helmet before he chuckles. Hiccup has a looks at him full of worry.

Later, Hiccup is cleaning up the arena, which is full of burn marks. Mira helped him aswell as Sapphire, using her tail to brush the dirt away. Stoick enters the arena, looking around in surprise.

"My Odin! This place looked better when we were killing dragons here!" he said. Sapphire gave him a flat look, "I'm just joking."

Snorting, Sapphire walks away and went to her rider's side while Toothless was gawking at her. Mira puts the broom down, "I have to go. I have to get dinner ready for my siblings." She said before getting on Sapphire and took off. Toothless whines sadly. Sapphire always has to be busy.

Hiccup waves at the two before looking at his father, "Yeah, we sort of got Gobbered."

"Well, you know Gobber. He means well, he just doesn't always do well. So what are you going to do about him?"

"I'm going to clean up his messes and re-do his work."

"Look; Gobber's like family…"

Hiccup sighs, "Yeah, I know he is! That's why I can't say anything to him." He was so frustrated.

Stoick pats his son, "No, son, that's why you have to. It's not fair to you and it's not fair to Gobber."

"Why do I have to say something to him?! You didn't! You just passed him off to me!"

"That's what the chief does; he delegates. Look, I gave you this Academy because it's the best thing for Berk." He guides Hiccup out to the gate, "Now you have to do what's best for the Academy. And I'm sorry, son, but what's best is very rarely what's easy." He sees Snotlout hanging on the wall, snoring, "What about him?"

Hiccup stops him, "Leave him. He's going for a record."

Stoick nodded, "Enough said."

Later that night, Hiccup was looking at the forge with Toothless. "Hey, you never know, bud. Maybe Gobber finally looked at my plans and is actually making the saddles better." Then there was an explosion that made black smoke, "Or not."

Hiccup enters the forge, "Gobber?" Gobber pointed a crossbow at him, "Don't shoot!" Hiccup shielded himself.

Gobber chuckles, "I would never shoot you, Hiccup…unless I absolutely had to."

Hiccup nervously chuckles, "He-he, yeah. Still, if you could please put the crossbow down, I know I'd feel better."

"You know, about the weapons, maybe the catapults were a bit much for some of the dragons yesterday. So I've gone a different way. I've gotten rid of the two big ones."

Hiccup beamed happily, "Gobber, that's great!"

"And replaced them with six little ones!"

Hiccup face palms, "Yeah, um, Gobber we need to talk. Uh, I think it might be time for you to take a little break."

"In case you hadn't noticed, the only time a Viking takes a break is to die."

Hiccup rubs his arm, "Maybe break is the wrong word. What I mean is…I'm not sure things are working out."

"Well, get back to me when you're sure." Gobber was making more weapons.

"Okay, I'm sure. Gobber, I'm gonna need to take you off the saddle project." Hiccup finally said.

Gobber stops working and looks at him sadly, "Are you gettin' rid of me, Hiccup? Now I see why you had me put down the crossbow."

"It's just the saddles! We'll find something else for ya." Hiccup said truthfully. It was really bad for saying those words.

Gobber looks at the ground sadly, "I don't need your pity. I've lost and arm and a leg. I think I'll survive losing a job."

"I'm really sorry, Gobber." Hiccup said before leaving, Hiccup felt bad as he went over to Toothless, "Well, that was awful. I don't know what could be worse than that. Okay, it looks like I'm about to find out."

Then they heard Hookfang roars. They looked up to see him destroying stuff. Snotlout came running to them, he panted out, "I never... thought... I'd say this... but Hiccup... HELP!" he yelled while Toothless snarled at Hookfang.

As everyone runs away from the raging Hookfang, Stoick barked out orders, "Everybody back away! The dragon's out of control! It's not safe here!"

Mira came with Sapphire. She told her brothers to stay inside and don't come out until she came back. Sapphire also told her brothers the same things.

"What happen!?" Mira came to the riders.

"I don't know what happened! I was just rubbing his head! He usually loves that! But this time, he went crazy. My dragon hates me!"

Fishlegs observes Hookfang from a distance, "They do say a pet starts to take on the characteristics of its owner. I think that's what's happening here."

Snotlout glares at him, "Hey!" Snotlout punched his stomach.

Fishlegs holds his stomach in pain, "Yeah, I rest my case."

"When was the last time he ate?" Hiccup asked.

"Not for days."

Hiccup tried to feed Hookfang but he spat the fish out and started to get angry. Hiccup got out in time and Toothless started fighting with Hookfang.

"Toothless! Stop!" Mira yelled, "Don't kill him!"

Sapphire roared and Toothless get off of the angry Hookfang. Stoick looks at his son, "I've seen enough, Hiccup. I'm sorry. We tried it your way." He said before running towards the forge.

Hiccup looks at the angry Hookfang. Sapphire was shielding her rider. She will not let Mira get hurt. Mira gave her and her siblings a home and will protect her at all cost!

"Come on, guys! Hurry up! Think! What haven't we tried?" Hiccup looks at his cousin, "Snotlout, you have an idea?"

Snotlout looks behind and turned pale, "Gobber!" they all turn to see Gobber wearing many weapons.

"Stand back. I came here to do what I do best." Gobber said.

Snotlout panicked, "He's gonna kill my dragon!"

Hiccup assured him, "No, he's not."

But unfortunately, the twins butt in, Tuffnut said, "Uh, yeah, he is." Ruffnut added, "You don't use that stuff to butter toast."

"Well, I mean, we would, but you don't."

"Really? Making jokes at a time like this?" Mira looks at the twins in frustration.

"Dad, you can't be serious! Hookfang is Snotlout's dragon."

"I'm sorry, Hiccup, but sometimes you have to fall back on the old ways." Gobber said.

"But he's a good dragon." Mira defended.

Snotlout added, "He's a good dragon!"

"There's probably just something wrong with him."

"There's definitely something wrong with him!"

"We have to try to help him. We can't just get rid of him because he's having a bad day."

"A bad day for a dragon can be a disaster for us. That's not a risk I am willing to take. Gobber."

Gobber started fighting with Hookfang. Gobber was winning since he made Hookfang run out fire. He use bolas at him and was ready to finish him but Hiccup stopped him and then Hookfang opened his mouth that made Gobbber and Hiccup shock. Hiccup lets go and Gobber looks at Hookfang. The male dragon freed himself and roared, "Time to put this beast out of its misery."

Astrid and Mira rushed over to Hiccup, "Hiccup! What are you doing?" Astrid asked but Hiccup silence her. then Gobber gets on Hookfang. But Hookfang tossed him aside like a rag doll and then he became calm.

"Ah! You didn't kill him!" Snotlout was relief. Gobber got up with a broken took in hand, "For a toothache? What kind of lunatic are you?" he tossed it away.

Hookfang came over to Snotlout and nuzzled him. Snotlout was happy until he saw the amused faces of the riders and the adults, "Stop it. Stop it. Ugh, I don't know where that came from. Can you train that out of him or...?" everyone rolled their eyes and left. Mira went over to Hookfang.

"You must be hungry for the past couple of days are you boy?" Mira asked. Hookfang nodded. He was staving for fish. Mira smiles at him, "Come on Hookfang, we have many fishes stored in my house."

Nodding happily, Hookfang followed Mira and Sapphire home. He really likes her. She was sweet and kind. She's much better than Snotlout. As the three left, Hiccup went over to Gobber, "Thank you, Gobber. A bad tooth; I can't believe I didn't think of that."

Gobber just waved at him, "That's because you're not Gobber! I've forgotten more about dragons than most men will ever know. Well, better go put the girls away." Gobber sadly went to the catapult.

Hiccup then had an idea, "Gobber! Not so fast!" Gobber turned and smiled.

Few days later, there was a line in Gobber's forge. Gobber was declared Dragon Dentist and he had a good job to. Mira watched in a distance with her dragon and their siblings.

"So, Gobber has a new job?" Joe asked, riding on Lightning while Jon rides on Thunder.

Mira nodded with a smile as she holds Betty close, "Yeah and he seems to be ahppy." She said as she hears Gobber singing his song.

When the world around you changes, the good men find a way to change with it. And Gobber is one of those good men. In fact, he's one of the best.


MMM if you're reading this, help me with more ideas with the Rango. I already know what will happen but I need help on Miakoda coming there. Imagine Miakoda being flirt with Jake when he saw her coming when Jake was sparing with Jay. Please help.