It's been years since the Dragon War ended. Hiccup and the rest of the gangs now protected Berkeley with their dragons, but they also had a school teaching young and upcoming riders on what to do and what not to do with a dragon. It became so popular, that sometimes Gobber and Stoick had to take some shifts, despite them having almost no immediate training with their own dragons. Devastating Winter had ended about a week ago, so it was time for a new class. Some 30 students enrolled. Aged from 6-14. Some members could be 16, 17, or even 18.

Hiccup was going over the list for roll call.

Hiccup: Hunter?

Hunter: Here.

Hiccup had everyone accounted for, except one guy who was named 'Maverick.'

Hiccup: Ok class. Welcome to Dragon Training School. I believe you're all familiar with me already.

The class nodded.

Hiccup: Good. That brings us closer to the fun part. Now I'll go around the room, and I want everyone to name their favorite type of dragon. Night Furies don't count as there is only Toothless.

After going through all but one, the doors burst open.

?: Sorry I'm late. I was cleaning my custom crossbow.

The person entering was 16 years old. He was about 6'1, almost 6'2. He was only about 180 pounds. Rather light for someone his age. So he was a bit on the thin side. He had in his hands a crossbow. It had something attached to it that looked like a rectangular box. It also had 2 cylinders beneath the end of it.

Hiccup: Well we have our first latecomer. Maverick I presume?

Maverick: Pleasure's all yours. *Earning a chuckle from everyone except Hiccup* And don't blame me. Do you know how complex this bow is?

Hiccup: How complex?

Maverick moved to the front of the room, and stood next to Hiccup.

Maverick: *Fires the bow into a nearby hay bale.* Ordinarily you'd be out of ammo now. Not with this one. *He pulled the trigger seven more times. Each time a new arrow flew out.* A repeating crossbow. Made it myself. I'm a tinkerer. I learn how to make things after breaking them so many times. Rather easy to reload. Just take the current box out, put a new one in, then pull this bolt handle back. It also has a spring powered stone launcher. *He flipped a switch and fired at the hay bale. A rock went clean through it* The tube is made of metal, and there's a bit of gunpowder behind the rock. Once it sparks, the rock goes flying out. Finally, a flamethrower. (There was a flamethrower in Riders of Berk) *He points at the hay bale again and it is incinerated by a liquid fire* Kerosene. The fuel used in the Monstrous Nightmare's fire. A small spark ignites it at the end of the barrel, while the pressure on the trigger forces it out.

Hiccup: Well it looks like we have another inventor besides me. Show up on time and I might just have to make friends with you.

Maverick: *In an emotionless tone* I don't have any friends, and I don't want any.

Everyone in the class watches in stunned amazement as Maverick grabs his chair, pulls it the the back of the room, and sits down.

Hiccup's mind: Something's off about this guy. Even with the apparent brainpower. He seems to enjoy being alone. Why? He's smart, he seems to be rather humorous, and he has looks to back it up. Conventional thinking would make this guy a celebrity. Who is he?

Hiccup: Well I must admit. That bow of yours is quite a tool. Goes against all conventional designs.

Maverick: That's why I named myself Maverick. I make my own rules.

1 week later…

Hiccup addresses the class. Maverick actually showed up on time, despite his less than 50% on time rate.

Hiccup: Ok class. Now the fun begins. I'm going to introduce you to every dragon species we have. First, Astrid.

From the side of a cage, Astrid opened it, a Deadly Nadder stepped out.

Astrid took over at this point.

Astrid: The Deadly Nadder. Fast, powerful, and one of the most beautiful dragons around. It's Magnesium fire is the hottest of any dragon. Strengths: Magnesium fire that can melt solid rock, poisonous tail spines, and it walks on 2 legs, making it more maneuverable on the ground than most. Main weakness: blind spot is right in front of its nose.

The Nadder turned its head to the side and scanned the group. Its eye stopped in Maverick. It walked up to him, the crowd parting as it did, and sniffed him. It hissed and cautiously walked backwards. It retreated into the cage where Astrid shut out of fear it would attack Maverick.

Hiccup: *whispering* Just what was that all about? *To the crowd* Well anyway, next is…

Fishlegs opened the next cage. A Gronkle lazily got up and walked out.

Fishlegs: The Gronkle. Tough, strong, and loyal. The Gronkle is known for its thick hide and bludgeon like tail. Strengths include: an immunity to Dragon Root due to its rock diet, a tick hide, a bludgeon tail, and an ability to instantly refill its shots by eating rocks. Main weaknesses are: Lazy behavior, and slow flying speed due to its small wings.

The Gronkle spotted Maverick and perked right up. It also hissed and backed up.

The next dragon was the Hideous Zippleback.

Hiccup: I think I'll explain this one, Ruff and Tuff aren't known for their speeches.

Ruffnut: Hey, we can do this just as good as you.

Hiccup: *A sly smile on his face* Be my guests.

Tuffnut: Ok, the Hideous Zippleback is known for its 2 heads. Which sometimes means that

Ruffnut: 2 riders are required.

Tuffnut glares at Ruffnut.

Tuffnut: Hey, I was gonna say that.

Ruff: Yet you didn't.

Tuff punches rough and they get into a scrap.

Hiccup: I think I've made my point. Anyway. The Hideous Zippleback has 2 heads, one that releases a gas cloud, the other ignites it. Strengths: gas cloud can be as big or as small as the rider/s need, the gas clouds alone can disorient an opponent, and it can watch its own back. Main weaknesses: like Ruff and Tuff, the heads can argue and fight, the left head can't spark the cloud if its head is wet, and the heads can become entangled, causing the flight speed to slow or stop.

The heads were too busy arguing to notice Maverick.

Snotlout: I'll take it from here. *He releases a Monstrous Nightmare* The Monstrous Nightmare. Fast, deadly, and powerful. Known for its Fire Jacket or, the ability to set itself on fire, the Nightmare is one of the most aggressive and powerful of the dragons. Strengths: Liquid fire burns longer than most other dragons, the Fire Jacket can intimidate nots foes into backing out, a Wing Blast that can blow a tree clean into the air, and despite common thinking, is a rather skillful swimmer. Main weaknesses: stubborn, and Fire Jacket can burn the rider.

The Monstrous Nightmare looked at Maverick. It lit itself on fire and roared.

Snotlout grabbed its horns and pinned them to the ground. The Nightmare calmed down instantly.

Snotlout: They actually like this.

They showed many other dragons, including a Rumblehorn, Whispering Death, and Scauldron. All had similar reactions to Maverick.

Hiccup: Ok class, see you tomorrow. Except you Maverick. I need to speak with you.

After everyone else left, Hiccup confronted Maverick.

Hiccup: I want to know who or what you are right now. Nobody has ever made dragons react like that from simply being seen.

Maverick: Maybe they just know not to mess with me.

Hiccup: No offense, but you don't look all that powerful. You're built like me, scrawny.

Maverick: Ok, let me spar with Snotlout. I'll show you how strong I am.

Hiccup: Hey Snotlout, this student wants a piece of you.

Snotlout ran over.

Snotlout: Alright. Been a while since I've had a good fight. Standard rules. No hitting below the belt, not biting, spitting, or serious injuries. Let's go.

The combatants started to size each other up, Snotlout moved fast and got a right hook in on Maverick's face. Maverick didn't even flinch from it. Snot lout got in a few more fast hits but Maverick was cool as a cucumber. Finally, Maverick unloaded a right haymaker on Snotlout's cheek. The impact sent Snotlout to the ground, out light a light.

The rest of the group who had gathered stood there with their mouths open. Snotlout was beaten with a single punch.

Maverick: Anyone else need a demonstration?

They all stepped back.

Maverick: That's what I thought. Did I make my point Hiccup?

Hiccup: I can see why dragons wouldn't want to mess with you. I believe you. You may go.

Maverick walked off.

Snotlout began to stir.

Hiccup: You ok Snotlout?

Snotlout: Shmakie.

Tuff: He said I'm perfectly fine. Odd, he's in Post-Lightning speech. That blow must've really thrown him for a loop.

Snotlout: Shya ka hu?

Tuff: Oh Maverick knocked you out.

Snotlout: JHAW!?

Tuff: Yeah. He clobbered you.

Snotlout jumped on Tuff and started beating him.

Snotlout: HYES LISHE SNIRO!

Tuff managed to get Snotlout off for a second.

Tuff: Oh you do NOT want to know what he just said.