Venomous Veins

Chapter 3

"Welcome to Dragon Training!" Gobber exclaimed the next morning, opening the gate to the training arena. The group of teenagers were Astrid, Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. They were the next generation of dragon killers and they will carry on the war their parents and families have for for many years.

"No turning back," Astrid said from the front of the group. As they stepped in further, they examined the scenery in awe.

"I hope I can get some serious burns," Tuffnut grinned.

"I'm hoping for some mauling, like, in my shoulder or lower back," his sister, Ruffnut, added.

"Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it," agreed Astrid.

"Yeah, no kidding, right?" said Hiccup dryly, making everyone turn to him. "Pain, love it!" he finished sarcastically.

"Oh, great, who let him in?" Tuffnut complained.

"Let's get started," Gobber continued. "The student who does the best will win the honor of killing their first dragon in front of the entire village." He waved his good hand for dramatic effect.

"Uh, Hiccup already killed two Night Furies, so does that disqualify him?" Snotlout joked, and the twins laughed.

Hiccup would've made a sarcastic comment on that if Gobber hadn't cut him off. "Don't worry, you're small and weak, which makes him less of a target. They will see you as sick or insane, and go after the more Viking-like teens instead."

He pushed Hiccup towards the line, knocking him into Fishlegs. "Behind these doors are a few of the dragons you will learn to fight," Gobber stated, approaching a line of large doors. Each dragon he named, Fishlegs would shoot out a random fact right after each.

"The Hideous Zippleback."

"Attack 8, armor sixteen."

"The Deadly Nadder."

"Speed 11, stealth times 2."

"The Monstrous Nightmare."

"Fire power 15."

"The Terrible Terror."

"Attack 8, venom 12"

"Would you stop that!" Gobber shouted at Fishlegs. He rolled his eyes and reached for a new lever. "And the Gronkle."

"Jaw strength 8," whispered Fishlegs to Hiccup.

"Woah, wait!" Snotlout cried. "Aren't you going to teach us first?"

"I believe in learning on the job," Gobber stated, and pulled the lever.

The small, round dragon shot out of its cage, charging at the children, but they scattered out of the way. "Today is about survival. If you get blasted—" the dragon flew into a wall—"you're dead." It shook it off and swallowed a rock. "Quick! What's the first thing you'll need?"

"A doctor?" Hiccup attempted.

"Plus five speed," suggested Fishlegs.

"A shield!" answered Astrid.

"A shield, go!" Gobber exclaimed. "Your shield is the most important item you'll ever need. If you ever had to choose with a sword or a shield, take the shield," he finished, helping Hiccup hold up his shield before shoving him out into the battle.

The twins were off on their own, fighting over a shield, until the dragon shot it out of their hands, sending them spinning to the ground.

"Ruffnut, Tuffnut, you're out!" Gobber shouted as they fell to the floor.