The group made it to land. Erik and Gerda were showing the kids their latest troll defenses. Hilda was unsure since they could be bad news for trolls, but Hilbert was something else. He was curious about the quality of them, they can use some touching up. After meeting some Trolberg citizens including the Bellkeeper, the group were inspecting a part of the Trolberg wall. Hilda was getting bored already. Hilbert was asked by Erik and Gerda about the many inventions he had created.
"So, you made a drill to go through underground sections?" Gerda wondered.
"Yeah. I had to use it to find my sister since she fell down a well last month,"
"Exhilarating! You must demonstrate that drill to us. It can be useful for defending Trolberg against dangerous creatures." Erik nodded.
They ended up hearing Hilda exclaim she went to an area filled with trolls before.
"You think you can lead us to that troll circle?" Erik beamed.
"Uh, sure, I guess,"
Once the group got there, Erik was impressed with the shapes of the trolls, some looking more burlier and scarier than others. Hilbert felt uneasy getting close to more of them since last time he nearly got killed by one thanks to Hilda.
"Gerda, some photos are in order," Erik handed her the camera. "The newspaper could use some action."
Hilda was not impressed as Erik started doing dramatic poses for the photos. Hilbert couldn't help but agree. "He's being a total jackass here. He's just poking a bear with a stick."
Hilda eventually noticed the sun was about to set. But as she was forced to make a dramatic pose for Erik, the troll woke up.
"Look out!" Hilbert used his light and flashed it at the troll. It groaned in pain while covering its eyes.
Hilda took notice while the group dodged the attacks. "Hilbert!"
"Brilliant idea, boy. Weaken the trolls with your gadget!" Erik approved.
"We must escape!" Alfur cried.
Gerda almost got swatted by a troll, but Hilbert came and saved her in time. "Thanks, kid,"
Hilbert pointed to the safety patrol truck. "Let's get the hell out of here!"
Hilda struggled to get Erik to safety since he kept ringing the bell to harm the trolls. Just as Gerda went inside the truck, she tried to do all she could, but the truck was flipped upside down.
"Hilda, you take Erik with you! I'll help Gerda!"
"Are you drunk, Hilbert?!"
The trolls roared again.
"JUST GO!"
Once the three left in a hurry, Hilbert used his light to stun the trolls.
"What are you doing, kid? You're going to get killed!" Gerda cried.
"I'm not leaving you here!" The boy went inside the broken truck to unlock her seat belt. Unfortunately, this made Gerda fall from her seat and into the broken glass. To make matters worse, Hilbert was in the middle. Both had received cuts from their landing. The two struggled to keep their mouths shut so the trolls wouldn't hear them. Once they were gone, Hilbert let out a loud yell of pain. Some vitra that were nearby were disturbed by it.
"Crap! We got to get you to a hospital!" Gerda exclaimed.
"No need," Hilbert grunted. "My mom would be stressed out. We need to find Hilda and Erik before they become troll meat."
"Are you sure?" Gerda winced from her injury.
"Yes," Hilbert grunted as he grabbed his arm. "And I know where to find them." The boy pulled out his tracking device.
"We must be careful. More trolls tend to be quirky around this time of night." Gerda followed the boy onto a trail that kept them hidden. Luckily, they encountered a vitra tunnel they can enter since trolls can't fit there.
"We might be able to meet back with Hilda and Erik if we take this route," Hilbert activated his flashlight. "Let's avoid angering any vitra while we can."
Gerda couldn't help but smile. She was impressed with the amount of skill Hilbert was providing. She was even surprised when Hilbert used his drill to dig through the dirt. "Is this a common hobby for you, kid?"
"On going adventures, no. The inventions, yes," Hilbert sighed. "Problem is, they end up exploding on my face. Their success doesn't last long."
"Perhaps you might need to use the right modifications. It will make your inventions effective," Gerda kicked a vitra. "Besides, we can lend a hand to improve them."
"Really?" Hilbert took interest.
"Of course. We would do anything to keep Trolberg safe from danger. And you'd seem the proper candidate to make that happen."
Hilbert smiled warmly. He was happy that someone other that his own creation admired his work. "So, are you and Erik siblings?"
"Good heavens, no! I would be embarrassed to be related to that fat showoff! He likes to get himself almost killed in the face of danger."
"I know how that feels," Hilbert grunted. "Hilda is a real dumbass for almost getting eaten by a troll."
Gerda couldn't help but bring this up. "I swear, Erik really loves to take the credit of these adventures."
"Fighting off trolls is some sort of thing that his family line does?"
"For sure. It's existed for generations! Erik really wants it to live on, even when he retires." Gerda explained.
"He wishes," Hilbert scoffed. "It's really that important to him, but he shouldn't go rub it in everyone's faces about it."
"That's what people tell him. But he's willing to do everything to keep his family's legacy alive. Even if it means for some to die on the way."
Eventually, the two reunited with Hilda, Alfur, and Erik. Hilda seemed less pleased with finding the others.
"Are you ok?" Hilbert consoled.
"Yes, I'm fine," Hilda sighed. "Look, let's just get back home. Mom is going to have a fit for us being this late."
"Get in your mouse and get outta here, you filthy animal." Erik barked.
The twins and Gerda exchanged some looks of confusion with the captain.
"I was telling some vitra to stop biting my leg,"
Hilda sighed as she grabbed her brother and took off home.
"Have a safe trip home, Hilbert. Hope you enjoyed the day," Gerda saluted.
"These tunnels are a major weak point for Trolberg. Dangerous creatures can easily get in. This will be a certified top story for the news!" Erik proclaimed.
Hilda looked back and rolled her eyes. Hilbert couldn't help but look back as they walked.
"Well, that was such a crappy day." Alfur commented.
"Tell me about it," Hilda grunted. "That jackass couldn't even think for one minute to stay away from the trolls, let alone not harass them with bells."
"Gerda seemed the friendly type," Hilbert added. "She did have a brain to see what to do in a danger like this."
"I must say, the trolls better watch out for those guys," Alfur noticed an opening. "There's a way out!"
The kids and elf did not expect Frida, David, and Vivian to be out at this hour. They were elated to see the others.
"Hilda, what are you doing down there?" David asked.
"It's quite a story, I'll tell you on the way home."
"How come you guys are around this area?" Hilbert looked around.
"We heard that the blimp got shocked by lighting, so we were trying to look for you guys after you landed," Frida explained. "You guys aren't seriously hurt, are you?"
"Thankfully, we are not," Alfur answered. "Though we almost got eaten by trolls by Captain Control Freak."
Vivian couldn't help but giggle. "He's a fatass, he is an easy target for their source of meat."
Hilda broke the laughter. "Don't mean to end things abruptly, but shouldn't we all get home before our parents get on our asses?"
"Yeah, I can agree with that," Frida grabbed David's hand and dashed off. "See you guys in the morning at school!"
Vivian had to follow them since her house was near theirs. "Have a nice night, Hilbert! Thanks for helping me with that nisse problem!"
Hilda couldn't help but raise an eyebrow to her brother. "Nisse problem?"
Hilbert sighed. "You just had to be there. And before you ask, its not the same Tontu that lives with us."
When the group got back home, Johanna was elated to see her kids. "Here come the Safety Patrol crew!" She presented a cake on the table. "Have some dessert."
"Gee, thanks," Hilda grumbled as she ate her food.
"That was quite a day we had. I'm surprised no one got electrocuted from that thunder."
"We were lucky to survive that," Alfur pointed out.
Johanna was confused. "Your day didn't go as planned?"
Her daughter groaned. "It seemed good at the beginning, but things went downhill. The sense of adventure wasn't there. And what's worse is that they are endangering the trolls."
"If anything, that's a good thing," Johanna nodded. "Scaring them away would make everyone in Trolberg feel relaxed and safe."
"I have to agree there," Hilbert added. "The many creatures we encountered ever since we moved here proved that it was dumb luck that we all survived."
Hilda headed to the TV and switched to the news. Of course, Erik is gloating about his day. The girl couldn't care less about what Erik had to say.
"I know this might be a bad time right now sis, but I can't really argue with what you said about Erik. He is a dumbass."
Hilda made a small smile. "Yeah, he is. If anything, I'd say he is a sad strange little man. And he has my pity."
Hilbert yawned. "Let's hit the sack. We got school in the morning."
"Good plan," Hilda turned off the tv and headed to her room. "Night, Hilbert."
Spark looked at his master. "Do you notice something about Mom and Hilda recently?"
"It's hard not to. Hilda's been doing some fibbing lately to her."
"She's gotta stop it. It'll come back to her ass," Spark shook his head.
"Tell me about it. Let's get some shut eye,"
And with that, the two headed off to their room. As Spark slept, Hilbert for some reason had trouble sleeping. He had some thoughts on his mind. The stern looks. The appreciation. The fibbing. The attacks. The screaming. They were all somehow connected. Hilbert tried to ignore it, but he couldn't keep his eyes shut. As a last resort, he grabbed an invention. After pushing the button, he fell asleep fast.
Spark rolled his eyes. "That's his invention to knock himself out."