How To Train Your Dragon [Volume #1]

03. "Pretend It's Home"

"Welcome to Dragon Training!" Bellowed Gobber. A ripple went through the very few teens present. "No turning back," Astrid said. She was never gonna turn back anyhow, Astrid is the most talented shield maiden out of the few presents. If Hiccup wanted to be noticeable, she'd have to match Astrid's skills and talents, shouldn't be too hard...right?

"I hope I get some serious burns!" Tuffnut said as he walked alongside his sister, "I'm hoping for some mauling, like on my shoulder or lower back." Scars, the ultimate sign of honour survival and triumph, if you win of course. "Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it," Astrid said looking over her shoulder, slightly sarcastic, they were here to kill dragons, not to get battle scars. Hiccup stayed silent as the group halted, Gobber started walking up to the group of teens.

A few eyes narrowed, while some were of confusion and concern. "Oh, great. Who let her in?" Tuffnut asked gesturing to Hiccup's slight form, the shackles felt all of a sudden heavier then they were. "Let's get started!" Gobber said before anyone could say another word. "The recruit who does best will win the honour of killing his first dragon in front of the entire village." Hiccup took a step back, making sure to steer clear of Gobber's gesturing hook for a hand. Snotlout scoffed. "Hiccup already killed a Night Fury, so, does that disqualify her or...?" Gobber inhaled. "Hell, do we even trust her with a knife? I mean she still has those shackles on." Snotlout pointed out. "Yeah," Tuffnut said leaning forward. "What 'bout our safety, Gobber?"

Hiccup rolled her shoulders, both cracking as she moved, she stood straighter, Gobber exhaled. "This is by order of the chief, you have nothing to fear and you will treat her like another classmate, are we clear?"

"But-" Snotlout started. "Are we clear?" Gobber said, his voice taking on a stern edge, borderline shouting. "We're clear," Astrid said turning around, not before sending a glare in Hiccups direction. I'm Sorry. Hiccup thought, she looked at Gobber as the group of teens walked away. "Don't worry. You're small and you're weak. That'll make you less of a target! They'll see you as sick or insane and go after the more Viking-like teens instead." Hiccup narrowed her eyes. "But I-" Gobber held up a hand. "You may be a genius when it comes to battle strategy, and talented at hand to hand combat but a dragon is another story altogether, they don't attack Akkadia, you've never had to deal with them, focus on surviving before you focus on killing." Hiccup nodded. He straightened up, satisfied with their little chat. He strode towards a large cage. "Behind these doors are just a few of the many species you will learn to fight! The Deadly Nadder!"

"Speed: eight, Armor: sixteen." Fishlegs interrupted the words spilling out as if he had no control over it. Smart, she noted. Hiccup hadn't interacted with him much, in fact, barely, he stayed far away from her as much as he could, apparently she was dangerous. Hiccup wasn't really going to argue against that. "The Hideous Zippleback," Gobber said, ignoring Fishlegs and effectively cutting Hiccup out of her own thoughts.

"Plus eleven stealth times two."

"The Monstrous Nightmare!" Goobers irritation was becoming more evident, Hiccup wondered how long he would last. "Firepower: fifteen."

"The Terrible Terror!"

"Attack: eight; Venom: twelve!" Gobber swung around hand grasping a lever, "CAN YOU STOP THAT?! And... the Gronckle!" Unable to help himself, Fishlegs continued in a whisper: "Jaw strength: eight." Gobber goes to push down the lever. "Whoa, whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach us first?!" Snotlout protested, almost hysterical. "I believe, in learning on the job." The lever was pushed and the cage doors were blasted open by the force of the now released, the teens scattered as the Gronkle started firing at them. "Today is about survival. If you get blasted... you're dead! Quick! What's the first thing you're going to need?"