Admit it, you're just a waste of space!
Yeah, you're not worth having here!
You're the worst of the worst!
Get out of my face!
Leave, you bastard!
Waste of space!
We don't want you around here!
Some punching and kicking were heard. It was followed by some crying until heavy footsteps emerged. Eventually, a gunshot was fired.
Hilbert woke up immediately and started panting. He noticed Spark was still sleeping. Once the blue haired kid sighed, he exited his room and noticed his mother making breakfast.
"Good morning, Hilbert," Johanna greeted her son. "How was your night out with your sister?"
"It was quite a doozy," Hilbert sat in front of the table. "I can tell Hilda got along with her new friends David and Frida."
Johanna was pleased to hear this. "How's you and Vivian?"
"She's a nice gal, her personality is kind of wild, but I can tolerate it. She is like a red-headed version of Hilda,"
Johanna smirked. "See, I told you it would be fun to make new friends. Your sister is adapting to it quite well."
Hilda entered the living room. "Morning, Mom. Did you meet any new people around here in Trolberg?"
Johanna recalled greeting some citizens in Trolberg as she looked around for cucumbers. However, she was interrupted as a car hit her on the road.
Out of the road, bozo! Johanna still heard the voice of the driver.
"Oh, it was quite nice. The people in this place are very pleasant!" Johanna replied before muttering the last part. "If you don't encounter the rude ones."
"What was that?" Hilda asked.
"Nothing,"
"Hey, mom. We need to head to the school for that event," Hilbert finished his drink.
"Oh, yes," Johanna brushed her hair. "You also need to bring in your projects there. Don't forget."
Hilda finished her breakfast and went to put on her school clothes so she could get ready for the day. Although Hilbert followed, he was a bit unsure of his project. He didn't have time to improve it, he can't get late to class. Soon, the two met up with David and Frida and walked to school together.
A few hours later, it was the day of parents' night at Hilda and Hilbert's school and the whole family headed to the school, meeting the principal in front of the entrance.
"Ah! Welcome to parents' night. I'm Principal Magnusson," said the principal as he stopped decorating the school to greet Johanna and the family. "Thank you for coming! Be sure to stay for the grand finale."
The family stared at the principal in confusion as he began making drum noises while pretending to play the drums. "This guy must be drunk," Hilda facepalmed.
Soon, the principal stopped and laughed joyfully for a bit before continuing. "The dedication ceremony to our new statue," he gestured towards a statue of the school's founder standing on a troll's head proudly.
"Oh," Hilda grimaced, feeling a tad uncomfortable at the sight of the statue. "That is… something."
"I'd pretend it's not there if I were you," whispered Hilbert absentmindedly as he stared at the statue, knowing how miss 'friend of most creatures' felt about it.
"That works," Hilda nodded.
"It is! He is!" The principal replied to Hilda's initial reaction. "He is one of our city's great founders, 'Edmund the troll slayer Ahlberg'!"
Soon, after saying something about not wanting to spoil the surprise, the principal cheerfully hopped to the entrance and into the school. The whole family forced smiles as they entered the school, not sure how to react to the principal's actions. Nonetheless, they made it to the room where the event was held and set up the things Hilda and Hilbert brought to show to the parents and the whole class.
"It's my nature collection, nittens." Said Hilda as she and her family stared at the jar filled with mini nittens.
"I swear I picked these out of your head myself." said Johanna, staring at the nittens in confusion.
"You did." replied Hilda nonchalantly.
"I wonder if the elf mayor ever looked for these nittens," Hilbert raised an eyebrow, causing Hilda to shrug.
"Well, what about your project, Hilbert?" Johanna asked with a smile. "You still haven't shown us what it is."
Hilbert laughed nervously as he started fidgeting with his fingers. "Oh, about that...can't I just share Hilda's instead?"
Hilda and Johanna stared at Hilbert in confusion. "Why? You brought it here with us and it's quite big," the mother raised an eyebrow.
"I just...don't think I did a good job with the nature part," Hilbert forced a smile.
"Are you afraid that they might not like it?" Johanna asked, being answered with a nod.
"C'mon, David brought rocks and they're pretty good," said Hilda pointing at David who was giving them a thumbs up after his parents praised him for the rocks. "You don't have to worry."
Under the pressure of encouragement, Hilbert quickly gave up and revealed his project that was in a sealed box.
"..This is what I got," said Hilbert reluctantly before he took the lid off the box that held his project. It was a light microscope, all the tools it might need and some stuff to view using it. The boy still doubted himself. "I thought I could show what some normal stuff looks like up close without using magic. It'd make me feel like a snob if it made something others couldn't get somehow. Is it still too much? Does this even qualify as natural collection? Damn, it's gonna suck!"
Seeing her son's distress, Johanna patted Hilbert on the head to try and calm him down. "I'm sure it'll be alright. Your project is really good."
"And I think it's pretty neat," added Hilda with a smile as she looked through the microscope.
Hilbert shivered at Hilda's words. "It feels so weird to get a complement from you of all people,"
Hilda looked at her brother with a look that said, 'are you serious?' "…And it's gone," she deadpanned.
Johanna giggled at her children's interaction. "I'm proud of you two. I thought you two might have lot of trouble at school, but it seems like...you're adapting."
The twins smiled at their mother. "Thanks, Mum," Hilda replied. Hilbert nodded with a happy smile in agreement.
Before anything else could happen, Frida appeared and pulled Hilda away. Right after, Vivian also appeared and did the same to Hilbert.
"Would you cut that out?" He was getting annoyed. "At least Frida is being lenient."
Vivian blew a raspberry in response "I'm not doing anything wrong, you're just weak."
"Ouch?"
"Hey, I'm being realistic," deadpanned Vivi, causing Hilbert to roll his eyes. "So, tell me, what's been new with you?"
"Eh, crazy adventures with my sister. She found the Great Raven, we rescued vitra, I made an invention which backfired horribly. Not to mention that Trevor gave me a wedgie,"
Vivian was stifling her laughter from what happened to her friend these days. Soon, their teacher Miss Hallgrim made some noise to get everyone's attention before clearing her throat.
"We'd like to begin with a short film about the history of our school," Said Hallgrim calmly before looking at Trevor who was near a window. "Trevor."
"Yes, Miss Hallgrim." The boy shut the blinds so no sunlight could enter before the film began to play.
As the film began to play, Hilbert quickly zoned out before noticing movement in the corner of his eye, it wasn't the troll that's for sure as it looked top tiny. He tried to look at it directly only to find nothing. He shrugged and went back to zoning out...that is until a part of David's rock collection knocked the projector over with a bright orange light following it.
"Crap!" someone shouted.
Shocked gasps came from everyone in the room. David rushed towards his nature collection and Hilda followed right after. Hilbert seen something strange. He noticed that the projector was...charred? It looked as if a tiny firework exploded right on top of its side.
"Damn," Vivi whispered as she stared at the same thing he was looking at.
"What the hell happened here?" Miss Hallgrim demanded.
"Looks like someone threw David's rocks at the projector," replied Hilda before noticing the charred exterior of the projector. "And it looks-"
Hilda stopped talking when she saw Hilbert behind Hallgrim, signaling for her to stop talking. Hilda, deciding to listen to her brother, clammed her mouth shut, causing Hilbert to go on to stop the only other person in the room who could say anything about the charred projector, his mother.
"Someone?" the teacher was at a skeptical tone.
"Why are you saying like that?" Asked Hilda in confusion before Hallgrim gave an expression that presented her thoughts clearly. "You're saying I did that?!"
"Well, you were the one standing the closest to the rocks, Hilda," Hallgrim crossed her arms.
"But I'd never throw that! I love this stuff!" Retorted Hilda as she picked up one of David's rocks. "Besides, Trevor is the one more likely to do that kind of stuff! He threw rocks at birds!"
"He was right next to me when he was using the projector," Hallgrim replied sternly. "Besides, this rock could poke an eye out. Let's put these away."
Johanna soon entered the scene. "Is everything alright?" she asked calmly with Hilbert next to her.
"Actually, I wonder if we could chat privately once I get this taken care of," Hallgrim answered in a sour mood. She glared at Hilbert for a few seconds before dealing with the box of rocks in her hands.
It seemed as if she had stuff to say about him too, but unlike Hilda, Hilbert couldn't bring himself to be worried about Hallgrim as he is of the new variable that had entered the equation.
"I didn't throw that rock, you got to believe me," Hilda pleaded to her mother.
"For once, I side with her. She's innocent," added Hilbert.
"I'm sure we can straighten this all out when we talk to her," said Johanna with a soft smile.
"Your mother can be very persuasive," Alfur added cheerfully.
"Huh? Thank you, Alfur,"
"But why would Miss Hallgrim blame me? She loves me!" Hilda was confused.
"Uhh, Hilda? Can we talk for a second?" Frida faked a smile. "Same with you, Hilbert."
Hilbert shrugged before they left Johanna and headed to a corner of the room where Vivi and David sat. There, Frida decided to tell Hilda the truth.
"Uh, Hilda, Miss Hallgrim doesn't really..."
Vivian broke the silence. "She hates you."
"What?" Hilda was in disbelief.
"Uhm, it's just...you're not the best at following the rules," said Frida as she reminded everyone of the time Hilda asked a history question in science class, then the time they were supposed to be doing a troll attack drill, then the time she asked about why the one from the math problem buys so many apples AFTER SCHOOL HAD ENDED!
"I can't believe no one else spoke about the apple thing," said Hilda with a frown.
"And you, Hilbert," Frida resumed, causing Vivi to giggle. "It's just...weird with you."
"What? I didn't do anything that might spark trouble," Hilbert scowled as he crossed his arms.
Frida took a deep breath before reminding everyone of the numerous times Hilbert fell asleep in class out of boredom. Then of how little he pays attention in class, sometimes even doing some other things entirely to pass the time and sometimes it was disruptive. Though, when it came to subjects that he didn't know about, he acted like the perfect student, and in any subject, when he knew the answer to a question, he was always eager to say it.
"Hey, it's not a bad thing if I answer stuff from teachers," Hilbert crossed his arms.
"We are well aware of that." Frida confirmed.
"But you still aren't very good at following the rules if you only follow them sometimes." Vivi could barely hold her laughter at this point.
"Look, can we talk about this later? We have bigger problems. Inside the school, there's a troll rock and...a rouge elf?"
"An elf?" Frida said in confusion.
"Are you talking about Alf-"
"No, Hilda, not him. He doesn't have the ability to char the projector like that," Hilbert quickly said. "I spotted some elf inside this place that looked mischievous. We just need to know why that mysterious elf is here."
"Is that why you stopped me from talking about it?" Hilda raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I didn't want my sister making a complete jackass of herself." Hilbert deadpanned.
"Oh, thanks,"
David suddenly cleared his throat. "Uhm, question. What are elves?"
"Yeah, I'm also a little confused," added Frida.
The twins glanced at each other before Hilda spoke. "Elves are a race of tiny people that are invisible unless you do the proper-"
"Procedure," Hilbert cut in causing everyone to focus on him. "I know it's a little absurd, so just take our word for it."
"Okay, where did they come from?" Frida wondered.
Before anyone else could reply, Vivi appeared with her nature collection in hand, a beautiful bed of flowers. "I think I might have an idea."
For David and Frida, nothing seemed out of place. For the blue haired twins, this was a cause for distress. In the middle of the flower bed, stood a small laboratory-like building. Luckily, there wasn't anyone inside.
"By the look on your face, I'm right, aren't I?" Vivi made an awkward chuckle.
The twins silently nodded, causing Vivian's shoulders to drop dejectedly.
"Ugh. Fine, me and Vivi will take care of the elf problem; you three deal with the troll rock," Hilbert frowned.
"Won't you need me? I'm the only other person who can see elves," his sister asked.
"Yes, because everyone here loves to deal with trolls on a daily basis,"
Hilda scowled at that sarcastic comment but had to agree. "Fine. We'll take care of the troll."
Hilbert nodded before quickly taking Vivi away from the trio of friends. "Let's just find the elf."
"Right...how do we do that?"
Hilbert put a hand on his chin and began thinking, only to come up with nothing. "I'm terrible at making plans."
The girl facepalmed in response. Suddenly, Vivian got an idea. "How about we just flail the house around hoping for the elf to see it?"
Hilbert looked very disturbed by the idea, seeing that they'd look like complete jackasses, but alas, they had no other plans and since Vivi couldn't see the house and it could slip from her hands. Hilbert had to endure the humiliation and hold the elf house over his head as Vivian pointed at it.
At first, it was fine...until Miss Hallgrim appeared.
"Hilbert, Vivian, what are you two doing?" she asked with a frown as she crossed her arms.
"Uhh…" Said Hilbert with a nervous smile while keeping the elf lab above his head "We're just trying to...ELFIND something?"
"...Smooth move, jackass," Vivi whispered sarcastically.
Miss Hallgrim looked at Hilbert in confusion. Thankfully, before she could comment on his actions, the troll group made a ruckus of their own. "We'll talk about this later," said Hallgrim tiredly before walking away.
Hilbert let out a sigh of relief, silently thanking Hilda, David, and Frida for whatever they were doing.
"Ok, that went better than I thought." Vivi squinted.
Before Hilbert could reply, he heard an unfamiliar voice coming from below him.
"Excuse me!" It said getting Hilbert's attention. It was a black-haired pale white skinned female elf wearing a lab coat and glasses. Hilbert kneeled, opening his hand for her to hop on it. "Thanks for that. I'm not exactly the tallest elf out there."
"Sure," Hilbert shrugged. "I hope that now that you have your home back, you would stop throwing fire balls around."
"What? I never-" said the elf lady before an expression of horror overtook her face. "Oh crap. Crap! Crap! Crap! This can't be!"
Upon seeing that the elf was making too much noise, Vivi interrupted her panic. "Shh, calm down, we can't have you be discovered."
"Sorry, sorry. Just tell me, is my lab perhaps...empty?" The elf asked before getting a nod from Hilbert. "Damn, this can't be happening!"
Hilbert and Vivian glanced at each other before Vivi asked about her problem.
"My son! He was in the lab. He must be the one who threw one of my fireballs," the elf alchemist panicked.
"Wait, why didn't he leave the lab earlier? I've had the flower bed for a few days. Also, how did you know he's here, Miss...?" Vivian asked in confusion.
"Idelle, the elven alchemist, at your service." Idelle replied trying to make a fancy introduction. "About what you're asking, I got no clue and I have a tracker on my son, since he can barely speak after he drank one of my potions by accident."
"Okay, do you where he is now-"
Some popping was heard.
"There he is," Vivi pointed at tiny explosions that were happening around the room, scaring some of the parents and children.
"As energetic as always," Idelle was exhausted as she rode Hilbert's eye while he ran.
Later, with Hilda, she was trying to catch the troll rock with the others noticing. David and Frida provided a lookout in case there were stowaways.
"You said you noticed that rock during that vitra fiasco?" Frida asked.
"Yes, it seemed interesting," David shrugged.
"Damn it, David," Hilda facepalmed. "You should have told us that beforehand!"
"You guys would have not been interested in it!" David crossed his arms.
"He's got a point there," Frida had to agree.
Hilda found out that she needed to get access to the desk by using a key to unlock it. Unfortunately, Miss Hallgrim has the key. "We have to get it off from her somehow,"
"How can we do that?" David wondered.
Hilda suddenly felt a lightbulb light above her. She knows that Hilbert was busy trying to deal with the elf problem, so perhaps Vivian could take care of it, so that Hilda would get the key while Hilbert distracts Hallgrim.
Hilbert tried to get the kid, who was above a lightbulb, to stop, but before he could even attempt to do so, the kid began throwing potions at him. After dodging a few tiny bombs, Hilbert was approached by Hallgrim.
"Hilbert!"
"Sorry, Miss Hallgrim..." said Hilbert, thinking of an excuse as the bombs stopped flying. "I'm just trying to find out what's causing this,"
"Stop! That's dangerous! You might end up causing an explosion again," Hallgrim shook her head. "Also, why are you trying to find out the cause?"
"I know about this stuff...and it stopped...so it's probably not gonna explode?" the boy awkwardly smiled.
"Doesn't matter. Leave it and the school will call someone to fix it," said Hallgrim sternly as she signaled for Hilbert to leave.
Hilbert, knowing that he couldn't do anything against his teacher, backed off.
"Damn it, it didn't work," Vivian snapped her fingers.
However, this gave Hilda the opportunity to get the key to the desk. Once collected, she headed back to the desk.
"It seems that I'm sorely unprepared for this." Idelle put a hand on her chin. "Maybe we could ask for help."
"Hell no," Hilbert snapped, making Idelle jump back. "Sorry, but this is between us. Not to mention that this place will go into chaos if they learn about David's rock being… you know."
"He's got a point there," Vivi shrugged her shoulders. "Even my dad can't help."
Hilbert turned to Vivian's dad. He looked like a barbarian capable of wrestling a troll and winning, especially with the scar on his face. Though, he did have a soft look on his face.
"Yeah, no." Deadpanned Hilbert. "We need to get him to see you, Miss Idelle... Vivian, can you make a distraction?"
Vivian looked surprised and confused by the sudden request.
"I'm not good at planning, so just distract...everyone so no one notices Miss Idelle calling for her son. Is it too much or...?"
Vivian put a hand on her chin and thought about it for a few seconds. "Hmm, Miss Hallgrim already knows about my passion for storytelling. I don't think she'd mind if I entertain these folks for a bit." Vivian mischievously smiled before heading off. "See you later!"
After a few silent seconds, Vivian began telling a story which grabbed the attention of everyone in the room. Hilda and her friends managed to sneak out of the room to chase the baby troll. Hilbert, wanting to use this opportunity, headed towards the lightbulb where the elf boy hid. "This better work,"
Before any bombs could be thrown, Hilbert held Idelle high above his head. She called for her son who, thankfully, heard despite the show Vivi put on. The boy hurriedly jumped towards his mother, which was a bad idea in hindsight, considering the height of the fall. Thankfully, the elf boy landed softly in Hilbert's hair without injuries. The mother-son duo hugged it out almost immediately.
"Ah, still reckless, I see," Idelle said softly before her son pulled out a bag filled with papers. "My work! You were keeping it safe?"
The boy nodded and Idelle patted him on the head cheerfully.
"Can you please finish your reunion after we get you out of the school?" Hilbert frowned.
"Sure. We can find our way from there. Just drop us off at the entrance."
And so, Hilbert did just that. He slipped out as Hallgrim stopped Vivi's show and left them outside, and as Hilbert went back to Vivian, he had some odd thoughts. He was wondering about that dream he had last night. What was with the yelling? Whatever it was, it did not make him feel good.
Vivian approached him immediately "Hey, Hils, how did it go?"
"Fine,"
"Why do you look so depressed? Please don't tell me that something happened to elves." Said Vivi worriedly.
"Don't worry, they are fine. I just need to take a break." Hilbert rubbed his eyes.
"Umm, okay. If you need any help or anyone to talk to about...the thing, just know I'm here, okay. You're still my best friend."
Hilbert retorted with a small smile. "I'm your only friend."
"Still counts," Vivian playfully punched his shoulder before walking away.
The moment she left, Hilbert let out a sigh and soon was flooded with dark thoughts once more. Eventually, Hallgrim spotted the boy and signaled him to follow her and the rest of his family. Hilda was quite upset since she ended up losing the troll baby on the vents.
Later at Miss Hallgrim's office, it was time for the teacher's little...chat about his and Hilda's behavior. Honestly, Hilbert couldn't care less about what she'd say about him. His mind was preoccupied with other things. He did notice how harshly the teacher criticized his sister.
"Acting like a gang member, lacking proper respect and focus, your daughter would have caused the student body to break into a riotous frenzy!"
And yet, when they got to him, he was surprised.
"-and she's tracking Frida, David and her brother with her!" Hallgrim scolded Johanna. "Ever since she got enrolled here, Hilda's been nothing but trouble! She is the worst of the worst!"
Hilbert cringed at that last part since it reminded him of his dream. The worst of the worst! A hard smack on the face was heard after that, causing the boy to flinch.
Hallgrim sighed as she covered her face with her hand. "Now look, Johanna. You know I have the utmost respect for you. Back when you were a child, you were focused on being a great student here. You didn't distract others from their learning. You did your work. You put in the effort, just like how your son is doing."
Hilbert directed his focus back to Hallgrim.
"Hilbert can be a model student if we fix his small behavioral problems. He's clearly gifted, he has perfect grades and a clear interest in learning when he wants to. He is smarter than the average kid. His problems can be ironed out with time. So, I suggest we separate the twins for their own good. We move Hilbert to a higher class where he can use his mind to its fullest and move Hilda to a small transitional class that can offer more- hm?"
Hallgrim was interrupted by Hilbert suddenly laughing. Hilda, who was looking very dejected by Hallgrim's statements about her, turned to the now laughing Hilbert.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Hallgrim. You're not just wrong, you're stupid," Hilbert interrupted the teacher, surprising everyone. "I'm not some misguided gifted child and I'm not that different from Hilda. I can be disruptive like a guy that is drunk...and I like it. I like doing disruptive things. Like, right now. I'm disrupting this conversation."
"But-" Hallgrim wanted to retort, but Hilbert continued.
"And you're ugly, just like your mom."
Hallgrim was speechless. So was Johanna. Even Hilda was surprised.
"Now, I'd like to be serious for a minute. Hilda is having a really rough time adjusting not just here, but in Trolberg. And I think in some way, that is my fault," Hilbert admitted as Hilda paid attention to her brother. "Going to a different class would mean that...I'd leave my only friend behind. Unlike Hilda, I can't befriend any creature that I stumble upon. Which is why you should try to trust her more."
As she was hearing this, Hilda smiled.
"She doesn't deserve to be treated like the worst of the worst. No one does! As much as she is annoying and reckless...and not very smart sometimes, she is not a bad person, and she would...never...hurt someone else for fun," Hilbert unknowingly gave Hilda an extremely happy smile. Suddenly, the sound of rumbling through the vents was heard. It was the troll baby. It broke through the seal and started to cause havoc. Everyone tried to dodge the items the troll baby tossed.
"What the hell?" Hallgrim tried to stand up, only to be hit by a crowbar by the troll baby. It leaped to a bookshelf and started destroying the books. It was a matter of time before Hilda caught it. Thunder stroke as everyone looked out the window. It was a big troll outside. Once everyone got farther from the big troll, the small one started complaining.
"A troll in the city!" Hallgrim cried. "We've got to sound the alarm!"
"No!" Hilda interfered. "That'll piss her off!"
The window started to break as the big troll applied its fingers to the glass.
"But if we don't do something, we'll be turned into mincemeat!" the teacher argued.
"And if we do something, that's going to make things worse! David would even get the worst of it!" Hilda stood up. "I know how to calm that troll down."
"Hilda! Are you out of your mind?!" Johanna cried.
Hilda started approaching the big troll. She had to hide behind the desk since the window was broken. Hilbert ran back to Johanna, who grabbed him and held on to him tight. Eventually, the blue haired girl walked up to the window. Hilda gave the troll baby back to his mother. This was enough for the destruction to come to a halt. Soon, the trolls left. Hilbert laughed for a bit before fainting.
Hallgrim was impressed with the outcome. Soon, everyone was starting to clean up the school. Hallgrim kept the troll incident a secret, therefore David wouldn't have to go prison for unintentionally harboring a troll baby. Plus, Hilda gets to stay in Hallgrim's class with her friends, and the twins won't be seperated. As they cleaned up, the principal busted in crying because the statue dedication was cancelled due to the mother troll destroying the statue.
Hilbert rolled his eyes. "Oh my god, who the hell cares?"
"That guy needs a life," Vivian chuckled.
Soon, it was time to head home. So, with a pat on the head and his mother being proud, the family returned home. The principal of the school sniffed as he started his way home as well. He was still depressed about the statue. When he made it home, he eventually got hit by a car.
"Out of the road, bozo!" the driver yelled.
Back at Hilda and Hilbert's home, the boy was sitting on the couch watching the outside rain with a frown on his face. Although things took a turn for the better, he still had those dark thoughts from earlier in his head.
"Hey, thanks for sticking me up back there." Hilda smiled as she sat next to her brother. Twig leaped on the couch and started licking Hilda's face, causing the girl to giggle.
"Huh?" Hilbert didn't seem too cheerful even when noticing his sister. "Oh. Right. Sure."
"Are you ok?" Hilda was worried when she noticed Hilbert sounding so dejected.
"Yeah," the boy went to his room. "Don't worry about it."
As Hilbert entered the room in an unhappy mood, Alfur popped next to Hilda's shoulder. "I take it things went well?"
"Yeah," Hilda answered. "Hallgrim was on my ass until Hilbert shut her up."
"That is quite surprising. Never knew he had the guts to stand up to her," Alfur noticed the boy's mood. "Why is he feeling down even if things worked out?"
"I have no idea…" Hilda replied in concern.
