Gentle Criminal was now uploading a new video.
"Skullcrusher, the Symbol of Peace, his is a face known around the world. Like this virile vigilante many a hero will no doubt be recorded into the history books thanks to the notable exploits. Of course one must not forget the legendary Drago Bludvist, Desperado the commando of the Meta Liberation Army and the peerless thief Shadow.
"These so-called villains are likewise found in a variety that would ensure that their names would be never forgotten. Before the legislation of Metahuman Society worked in absolutes, back when the distinction of hero and villain was still vague, there was chaos, but there was freedom. That's right it was raw, unfettered freedom, unlike today. It is lovely again to see you, viewers, may I do like you with a smashing new adventure? Yes, it is I Gentle, Gentle Criminal, at your service."
La Brava was watching the video and smiled happily at it. "So good, just wonderful, my Gentle. You couldn't be more talented!"
She was so excited that she fell off the back of her chair.
"La Brava," said Gentle as he entered the room. "Has the upload been completed?"
"Yep, you bet it has. The account was deleted again, but don't worry. I really uploaded everything starting from your debut video. You remember that one? It had me swooning, more exhilarating than a cup of coffee."
Gentle laughed. "I expect nothing less from you, dear girl. Now then let us discuss the finer points of the day's shoot, after finishing this cup, elegantly saving every single step."
Soon they made their way outside and began to start shooting their next video.
"It is I Gentle Criminal, I upload cinematics snapshots of deed that some would consider heinous, but my darling do not jump to conclusions. I am not committing crimes at random. For example, I recently robbed J Store, the largest convenience store chain in the nation. A veritable corporate behemoth. Their bestselling item is fluffy pudding, but hark viewers this maniacal market is suspected of mislabelling said desert and forging its expiration date.
"Naturally, the company famed ignorance, and it began to look as though no one will be punished for these deeds. Catching on, my loves? Yes, I reprimand those that behave in a gentlemanlike way. I am the modern-day Gentleman Thief."
"This is so frustrating," said La Brava.
"Whatever do you mean, dear girl?" Gentle asked.
"The J Store video should be racking up views, but it's barely being watched. Everyone on the Internet has no taste, someone as charming as you are should go viral."
Gentle laughed. "If you always blame others, then you'll never live up to your fullest potential, La Brava."
"But it just isn't fair! You've been putting up villainess Internet videos for good six years now, and what have you got to show for it? Nothing! Then suddenly this Flightmare guy steals all the glory of a video of his stupid life story, and he can even upload the darn thing himself! Now when people mention villains they're talking about the League of Villains and their meaning gloomy, nothing like you!"
Gentle's face darkened. "You're absolutely correct. Extreme and violent actions do seem to fascinate the barbaric masses. It goes against the fibre of my being. However…" Then suddenly the two of them bounced up into the air and somersaulted on a nearby skyscraper. "It's true that these foul fiends have momentum, all the videos concerning them have 10,000 comments of varying natures while the scant notes are my own videos are far from encouraging."
He then burst out laughing. "But I refused to be gutted by these impertinent comments, La Brava. Why do you ask? Because my next plan will surpass all expectations!"
La Brava smiled at him in awe. "I never doubted you for a second, Gentle. Let's hear it, what's your next plan?"
"Brand displays and great works of art that question the current times, I'll target the place responsible for this age of heroes. Soon everyone will know my name."
At Berk, Class 1-A were making their way back to the dorms.
"We have so many decisions to make about costumes and choreography," said Ruffnut.
"What music leaving the rest of the school will enjoy?" Magnus asked.
"We should do whatever is trendy, right, Ingrid?" said Clueless.
Ingrid just remained quiet.
Snotlout was hanging back, but then something caught his ear.
"Did you hear, Class 1-A from the Hero Course is doing a concert, and it's for us," said a bitter voice.
Snotlout turned and saw a boy and a girl walking nearby glands he could tell that they weren't from the Hero Course.
'General Studies,' he assumed.
"Talk about egotistical," said the girl not bothering to keep her voice down. "Do they think that we're dying to see some kind of dumb performance?"
"Well, yeah. We all know that there clueless. What did they do after being attacked by villains? They went to a camp where course they got attacked again. We all know how that turned out, and we have to put up with the repercussions of their stupidity even though it was their fault."
It was now evening, and everyone was gathered in the foyer to discuss the performance in greater detail.
"We've only got about a month until the School Festival so I think today we should start making decisions right now," said Hiccup.
"Thus we do pick out a song, right? What should we do?" Helga asked.
"I don't know much about popular music, so I'll leave that up to you guys," said Sven.
"Same," said Magnus.
"If we're doing this for everyone, tuned be a song that most people know so they can dance and sing along with us?" Clueless suggested.
"It's got to be something with a good beat," said Tuffnut.
"Yeah, so we can get down," Ruffnut nodded.
"With those things in mind I think I know what will make sense," said Ingrid. "A hard-core forum on the floor club song. It will be like a rave meets rock show. As for dance music, EDM would probably be the most popular, but you guys modify instruments right?"
Everyone just stared at her with blank faces as they only understood about half of what she was saying.
"Anyone plays bass or drums or anything?" Ingrid asked, and no one answered. "Okay, well I say that drums are the backbone of any band. I take on the responsibility myself, but honestly, I'm a guitarist, not percussion. Teaching a beginner to practice instrument while practising myself would be impossible just to do in one month."
Clueless eyes lit up as he immediately turned towards Snotlout. "Hey, did you accidentally admit that your mother made you take music classes when you were a kid?"
Everyone then immediately turned to face Snotlout.
"Well, that's perfect," said Speedfist.
"Really?" said Ruffnut stunned.
"Awesome, take a seat and shows what you've got," said Tuffnut holding out a pair of drumsticks.
"In your dreams, moron," said Snotlout turning his back on him.
"Yeah, I bet the drums are too hard for you," Tuffnut smirked.
Snotlout then turned around, grab the drumsticks and then sat down at the drum set. He then began to play the drums flawlessly, much to everyone's amazement.
"Well?" he said.
"That was killer," said Ingrid stunned.
"He's so good," said Agnar.
"Who knew you had talent," said Ruffnut.
"That's it Snotlout has definitely got to be drummer," said Clueless.
"No way am I making a fool of myself up on that stage," Snotlout huffed and walked off.
"Snotlout, come on," said Ingrid chasing after him. "Do it! If we rock this, everyone will have a great time."
"Don't you get what's going to happen?" Snotlout snapped. "I'll spell it out for you. We're doing this because we want to let the other courses blow off some steam, right? But we're the ones that caused their stress, to begin with so we're trying to make ourselves feel better. This is going to seem like a slap in the face from the people that they can't stand!"
"Don't be rude, we're probably trying to help!" Helga snapped furiously.
"Yeah, that kind of thinking is what I'm talking about!"
Hiccup sighed. "Perhaps he is right maybe we didn't think this through."
Ranger then stepped forward. "You didn't help us decide what to do so you can't complain now."
"Doesn't all this just makes you mad?" Snotlout asked, looking at them. "It's not like we wanted villains to show up and ruin things for everybody. Why do we have to be so concerned about how the weaklings feel? Stop trying to get on their good side, we're not here to make friends! We're here to fight! If we're going to put on a show, then we can't hold anything back! Let's blow everyone's minds with some killer music!"
Everyone then immediately cheered and got psyched from Snotlout's speech.
"So that's it," said Ranger finally the understanding. "The summer training camp, Snotlout was kidnapped by the villains."
Hiccup nodded. "And ever since then, he's been carrying the burden with him."
"Isn't this also Ingrid!" Helga cheered hugging Ingrid.
"Yeah, I promise that I'll do my best," she said.
It was now sunset, and La Brava was still curious about Gentle's plan.
"Gentle, are you gonna tell me what is our next move is going to be?" she asked. "I'm dying to know your brilliant plan."
"If history repeats itself as it wants to do, next month there will be a festival at a certain school with unrivalled security," he said. "An institution where many of the most regaled heroes hail."
"Oow, don't tell me!" said La Brava excitedly. "Yes, I know the place!"
Gentle laughed. "If I show that I'm capable of speaking past their defences. Then I'm sure that he will be a headline-worthy caper. Mark my words."
Meanwhile, at the dorm, everyone was still discussing their planned performance, especially on who was going to play instruments.
"This might help," said Heather. "I know my way around a keyboard, I would be happy to play band if you need me."
"Yeah, Heather will totally drop those keyboards," said Ruffnut.
"I mean we've got yo have someone on symp rhythm for the dance music, and I think you would be perfect for the gig," said Ingrid.
"Then I'll do my best," she said.
"Bass my speciality so now we just need guitars and vocals," said Ingrid looking at the others.
"Okay, so does that mean everyone else will be dancing?" Sven asked.
Hiccup frowned. "I'm not posted; this is going to be enough to get the audience excited."
Ranger nodded. "In that video that I showed you earlier…"
"We've got a house special effects!" Ruffnut announced.
"Exactly."
"Special effects?" Tuffnut blinked.
"This is what I'm talking about," said Ruffnut pulling up an image on the laptop. "In concerts, they use sparks and streamers and a disco ball to fire everyone up. We've got to put extra in it we want to get everyone in the right mood."
"Oow, let's pull out all the stops and make it look like an explosion of light you guys," said Helga.
"Of course we can totally do that!" Ruffnut smiled.
"We're putting this party on in the gym, right?" said Calder.
"Yeah, Mr Eret has already made the arrangements for us," Hiccup nodded.
"Hold up, how's this for an idea?" said Ruffnut. "Fishlegs makes Ranger and Dogsbreath float and then Dogsbreath chops away at Ranger's ice and send it flying. Then Olaf can be the mirror ball and the like twinkling off of him, and the eyes will make it look like it's raining stardust."
Agnar laughed. "A human-made ice machine."
"It's like the team at we talked about before," said Clueless.
"I was born to do this," said Olaf.
"The gym would look spectacular," said Astrid.
"This is just what we all need," said Speedfist.
"We have to have a crew working behind the scenes to pull this off though," said Helga.
"But we still need to discuss who is going to be singing, it is the most important thing," said Hiccup.
"It really comes down to what kind of song do we want a single vocalist, a duet perhaps a group song," said Ingrid.
"I don't think we have time for an entire group song," said Ragnar folding his arms. "Though I do like the idea of a duet."
"It would be more emotional," said Ingrid. "The only question is who's going to sing?"
Heather looked towards Astrid. "Did you take singing lessons as a kid?"
Astrid's face turned pink. "It was a long time ago."
"Give it a try," said Ingrid handing her a microphone.
"Come on, give it a try," Heather encouraged.
Astrid sighed and placed the microphone close to her mouth.
You know everyone wants to sparkle
Like the stars in the night sky
In this wondrous place filled with all the dreams
I've been waiting for the doves
When she was finished, everyone just stared at her and then broke into cheers.
"What is sultry voice," said Ruffnut.
"Okay so actually going to be one of our singers, but do we have anyone else?" Hiccup asked.
Ragnar then looked at him. "There's you, I mean I've heard you humming when you been tinkering in your room."
"Yeah, but not actual singing," said Hiccup.
"Just give it a try," said Ragnar.
Hiccup sighed and took the mic.
When I was six years old, I broke my leg
I was running from my brother and his friends
And tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down
I was younger then, take me back to when I
Found my heart and broke it here
Made friends and lost them through the years
And I've not seen the roaring fields in so long, I know I've grown
But I can't wait to go home
Once again everyone burst into cheers
"That was brilliant," said Helga.
"I call this a unanimous decision," said Speedfist.
"Next step we need guitars, I'm thinking two," said Ingrid.
"Oh yeah, pick me!" Clueless yelled, raising his hand. "It's so cool playing instruments!"
"Let me strum!" Agnar demanded.
"I'd only end up breaking the strings," Dogsbreath moaned.
"Don't volunteer unless you're going to kill it, dimwit," said Snotlout looking at Clueless.
"Yeah, I totally will," said Clueless and grabbed a guitar began strumming it as if he really was in a rock band. "The guitar is the start of any rock band!"
Agnar attempted to play the guitar, but it was impossible both of his small body. "My fingers won't reach!"
"Well, I want to be on the dance crew, " said Calder.
"Me too," said Sven. "I can move pretty well with my tail."
"I think I'm going to help with the special effects," said Tuffnut.
Ragnar then picked up the guitar Agnar had been playing began strumming flawlessly.
"It's like that rhythm is sinking directly into my heart," said Dogsbreath looking as if he was going to cry.
"You can play?" Magnus blinked.
Ragnar shrugged. "Plants respond well to music."
Now they were deciding who would join which crew the dance, the band and the special effects. It wasn't until one in the morning that everything was decided.
"Okay, with that done everyone role in the Festival has now been decided," said Hiccup. "Ingrid will leave the band which will consist of Snotlout, Heather, Ragnar, Clueless and herself. Ranger will be in charge of special effects along with Wartihog, Dogsbreath and Tuffnut. Everyone else will be in the dance team with Ruffnut in charge. Though Olaf will have to split his time with the special effects group and then, of course, Astrid and I will be singing. Everyone get a good nights sleep because starting tomorrow we'll be hard at work."
"Yeah!" they yelled.
The next morning, Hiccup went to visit his father in his office.
"I heard what you guys are doing for the festival," said Stoick as he drank a cup of coffee. "Some kind of live performance, combined with the dance party. Sounds like a good time."
"Yeah, it'll take a lot of work to pull off, but that one of the things I'm looking forward to," Hiccup nodded.
"Well, with that in mind, what you want to meet, son?" Stoick asked curiously.
Hiccup looked down at his feet. "During my Work-Study, I was able to fight using 20% of my power. It took a toll on my body, and I could only use it for a short period of time, but even at that level, I couldn't win. In fact, Ariel hadn't been there I probably would have ended up dead. I couldn't do anything to counter Grimmel's long-distance attacks, true I can use my suits built-in weapons, but if they're damaged or if I'm low on power I'll be helpless."
"Sounds like you're in a dead-end," said Stoick.
Hiccup nodded and looked up at him. "Do you have any advice?"
"Only that you need to come up with a long-distance attack for your super strength."
"But I'm nowhere near your level, how can I do that?"
"I've watched your progress, analysing the various ways that you've grown, and I have an idea. But I think we should take this outside changing to your gym clothes and meet me in the forest area."
Hiccup changed his gym outfit and made his way to the school grounds, and Stoick had just told them what to do.
"You want me to use 20% here?" Hiccup frowned.
"That's right."
"But weren't you listening to me before? Using 20% uses a lot of strain on my body, not able to move well. That's why I'm working hard to strengthen at right now?"
"Son, just do it."
"All right," said Hiccup as he began to charge 20% of his power through his body. His entire body was screaming in pain; it took everything he had not to scream himself.
"Now stay at this level and attack as the enemy was in front of you," Stoick instructed.
Hiccup jumped into the air, and with his added power, he was not directly over the treetops, he then swung his fist down towards the ground. The moment he did a massive burst of wind pressure slammed into the ground blowing a large amount of dust into the air.
Hiccup realised what if I was getting at. 'The wind pressure!'
Stoick nodded, noticing the gleam in his eye. "I was going to teach you this once he reached 15% without thinking about it, but it sounds as though you need a lesson now. If you don't figure this out in that last fight, you must have been concentrating really hard on your defence. You didn't realise that you have the power to weaponise wind pressure without breaking yourself."
Hiccup winced in pain. "But it still feels like it's too much."
"Let's take a look at the stages that your training has gone through," said Stoick. "First: use 100% on one part of your body. Second: control the percentage you use on one part of your body. Third: control the percentage on your whole body. Fourth: creative a fighting technique that is perfectly suited for you. Fifth: increase the percentage used from 5% to 8%. Finally sixth: use up to 20% for the short amount of time, even if it's past your limit."
Hiccup's eyes lit up. "Wait, you never used 100% of your power constantly were you? If you had always used 100% every one of your moves would have created shockwaves and cause disasters everywhere you went. It doesn't make sense to be constantly a full power, since I can't use 20% for very long I should combine the second and sixth lessons I learned. I'll control the percentage of one body part and raise it to 20% for a split second and greater focus blast. It might even be more powerful than my plasma blast."
"It's easy to say, but you must be able to push past your normal limit in an instant," Stoick warned. "That requires a higher level of control than you used so far. Which means I have a question for you, son. Which part of your body do you think you can use with the most precision?"
Hiccup thought for a moment, but the answer was quite easy, and he placed his middle finger beneath his thumb.
Stoick nodded. "That's right, practice using your power on your fingers for this move."
Hiccup did what he was told and began concentrating, putting 8% of his power into his body. 'Stay 8% and then just before the attack use 20%.'
He then channelled 20% of his power into his finger just before he flicked it. A massive burst of wind pressure then slammed into a tree and right through its trunk. However, when he finished the attacking clutched his hand in pain.
"You get the hang of it might away, so be sure to keep at it, son," said Stoick.
"Thanks for the advice, Dad," Hiccup smiled. "I've got, I know what I have to do now."
He then looked down at his hand. 'Once I master my power, I can go beyond to the next stage.'
It was now Saturday morning and standing outside the gates of the Academy were Eret, Marcario and Ariel, who was wearing a red dress and black stockings.
"Okay, this is it," said Marcario looking back at Ariel. "Don't worry Ariel, everyone is nice here I promise. Welcome to Berk Academy."