CHAPTER 3 Catching Up on Dragons
As Finn & Jake stepped out into the warm sun, they were completely stunned to find DRAGONS were everywhere!
"GOBBER! DRAGONS ARE INVADING! WE GOTTA GO BACK AND TELL-"
But the duo was also surprised to see that the dragons weren't attacking… but rather FRIENDLY instead. Small ones were playing with a group of children, while bigger ones were soaring into the sky with other Vikings cheering on their backs. All Finn & Jake could do was stare in amazement while Gobber chuckled.
"Didn't 'cha know we had dragons for pets?"
"WE JUST GOT HERE MAN!" Jake blared out.
'Right. Well since you're here, you might as well take and keep a free copy of the dragon manual."
Finn took a brown book from Gobber's had and studied all the dragons. Jake and Finn first saw on the front page that there was a Prologue that said Dear Reader; you have discovered the manual of Dragon Training. I am professor Hiccup and I have formatted this journal to the old original. Please train your beloved companion well and do not abuse this knowledge. Thank you! –Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third
"Whoa! This dude must be so ancient," Jake exclaimed.
"I know man," Finn agreed.
They read on to it to say, The Grockle. The Gronckle is the toughest dragon in the dragon world and more than lives up to its looks on the battlefield. The Gronckle can launch a devastating fire attack but is limited to but six shots at a time. The Gronckle can be slow, lazy, and cranky; it has been known to fall asleep mid-flight, waking only when it plunges into the sea or crashes into a mountain. Because of its tremendous weight and small wings, it would seem impossible for them to fly. However, because the wings of a Gronckle beat at a speed similar to that of hummingbirds' or bees' wings, it is possible for one to sustain flight. In fact, a Gronckle can fly backward, sideways and even hover in place. Its tail can be mistaken for the head if little attention is paid. It is also prone to dragon acne. Because of its large stout body and clubbed tail, the Gronckle somewhat resembles an ankylosaur.
"Whoa this dragon looks like it has bad acne," Jake said teasingly.
A Gronckle was standing nearby and heard its name being said and walked grumpily over to them snarling all the way. Jake was too distracted to realize that the Grockle was now standing right behind him so close, his breath was making Jake warm.
"Finn, does it seem warm here or is it just me?"
"Uhhhh Jake, turn around please…"
"What man do think I'm seriously going to fall for that 'Made you think again?' Oh come on Finn that's not funny anymore!"
Finn made Jake turn around by grabbing his shoulders and spinning him around to face a big, mean, and ugly Gronckle.
"Oh… I see now…"
Jake shoved the book into Finn's gut and ran off screaming at the top of his lungs while a Viking came out from his home yelling, "Gypsy! Don't go after the yellow talking dog! Oh no, not again!"
"Ha ha," Finn giggled to himself. He kept on reading.
Finn read about the Deadly Nadder next.
The Deadly Nadder is one of the most beautiful species of dragon. In appearance, the Deadly Nadder is very bird-like: it is bipedal and possesses winged forelimbs. Its small yet keen eyes, equipped with binocular vision, are one of the tools it uses to stalk its targets. Its body is a vivid blue in color, with a light beige underbelly, while its wings are motted with yellow, orange and blue. In front of its eyes is its curved nasal horn, which is often used to batter opponents. Coating the tail is a series of spikes that can inject venom into a target. When relaxed, its venomous tail spikes lay flat, and when alarmed, they are shot upward to intimidate its foe. They can also be used to make a rattling noise which it makes right before it attacks, similar to rattlesnakes.
In terms of behavior, the Deadly Nadder is fast and dangerous, though its potency as a hunter is hindered by the blind spot directly above its nose (possibly due to its large horn). As a result, the dragon relies on its keen sense of smell, often instead of its binocular vision, in order to find its prey. The Deadly Nadder also has at its disposal its tail spikes, which are used as projectiles to stun or immobilize its prey. Its most devastating trait, however, may well be its ability to blow magnesium-fueled flames, which can easily melt metal. The Deadly Nadder is also well-known for its vanity; it constantly grooms itself to stay clean and maintain the luster of its scales. Like the Night Fury, the Deadly Nadder is a picky eater whose diet comprises mostly poultry. Unlike most other dragon species, however, it does not prey upon livestock, which causes it to become ill.
The Vikings of Berk describes the Deadly Nadder as follows: "One of the most beautiful dragons in the world is the DEADLY NADDER. It is easily recognized by the bright blue body and brilliant yellow spikes that cover it head to tail. This colorful dragon is active any time of the day or night. Nadders are quick and agile in the air and can fly for long distances, but will almost always land before attacking. Nadders travel and raid in groups, making them especially dangerous. The Deadly Nadder isn't the largest or fastest dragon, but it possesses the hottest fire in the dragon world. The blast of a Nadder can melt steel, or turn a man to ash in seconds. But the dangers of the Nadder don't stop there. The tail of the Nadder can be whipped around, releasing a volley of giant spikes that can penetrate trees, walls, and Vikings."
"Whoa. This is the longest description so far! I can't wait for more!"
Jake finally came running back from wherever huffing and puffing. He leaned over with his paws on his knees.
"Ugh, Finn" Pause. "What." Pause. "Page, are you on?"
"Dude, tell me what happened first."
"Okay, fine. Well, that dumb dragon was chasing me and I ran into this big lady and she actually helped me! Then, I guess the owner came and took the dragon back home I guess. Then I came back to you. What dragon are you reading about now?"
"Hmmmm, the Deadly Nadder. Here, take a look."
Jake took a look over the picture of the Deadly Nadder and read over the description.
"Whoa. It's so colorful. Just like my Lady Raincorn…"
"Don't worry Lady, I'll be home soon," Jake whispered to himself.
"Hey Jake, look at this dragon."
Finn and Jake then turned the page and looked over the Monstrous Nightmare.
The Monstrous Nightmare is one of the most aggressive, powerful, and stubborn dragons, surpassed only by the Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus. It is usually purple or scarlet and possesses a long, snakelike neck and tail. If you clamp its mouth shut, it can't open its enormous jaws, much like a crocodile. Moreover, the locomotion of the Monstrous Nightmare is similar to that of pterosaurs; it can use its claw-tipped wings to "crawl" along the floor. As it is quick to anger, the Monstrous Nightmare can be counted on to be the first to arrive and the last to leave in a fight. Its signature attack strategy, known as the "Fire Jacket," is to engulf itself in flames (from an external source or otherwise), resulting in an intimidating offensive and defensive maneuver similar in appearance to napalm or other gel-based incendiaries. By unofficial Viking law, only the chief, or the son of the chief, can own one. Despite this, Snotlout, the nephew of the chief, owns one named Fireworm, while Thuggery from the Meathead Tribe owns another named "Killer." One is used as the last initiation test for the young Vikings before the Vikings befriend the dragons. Despite their vicious nature and fierce combat abilities, it is shown that a Night Fury can defeat it through a brief but brutal fight.
The Vikings of Berk all describe the Monstrous Nightmare as follows: "No dragon is more ferocious or feared than the MONSTROUS NIGHTMARE. This gigantic dragon has a long, snakelike neck and tail, and is covered in red scales and long sharp spines. The Nightmare's gigantic head and mouth can swallow Vikings whole. This dragon can attack any time of the day or night, from the air or on the ground. It is highly aggressive, and will never run from a fight. Its fire is thick and sticky, clinging to walls and running down hills like a flaming river. The Nightmare also has a nasty habit of setting itself on fire."
"Hmmmm I wonder who this Snotlout dude is… He's probably dead anyway," Jake said.
"Yeah, maybe some of the villagers will know who these ancient people are."
Finn and Jake took their eyes off the book and saw some kids playing with little dragons that were flying around their heads. The little dragons still looked like little hatchlings.
"Hey Finn, turn to the page that looks like those ones."
The Terrible Terror is among the smallest of the small dragons, but also one of the most feared. It is roughly the size of a small cat and can crawl into Viking homes, sheds, outhouses, and shacks and attack when its prey is least expecting it. The only warning a Terrible Terror gives is the hissing sound it makes just before breathing fire. It is capable of such pinpoint accuracy with its flames that it can be considered the sniper of the dragon world. The Terrible Terror loosely resembles the Common or Garden Dragon since they are both small and usually green
The Vikings say this: "Smallest of the dragons is the TERRIBLE TERROR. This tiny menace is unmistakable, with a small snakelike body and tiny wings. Terrors can be found roosting in the rafters of Viking barns and under the floorboards of Viking houses. Though a single Terror is too small to carry away a sheep or inflict much damage to a Viking, they are usually found in flocks. The largest on record was a mob of Terrors over two hundred strong. In those numbers even the strongest Viking can be overwhelmed, and the biggest sheep can be stolen."
"He he he, what a cute little dragon," Jake said gushing.
"Yeah, I know man."
"There are only 2 more dragons left then we're FINALLY done with homework," Jake said complaining.
"Yeah man, look, a Hideous Zippleback. Looks like one we could BOTH ride right man?"
"Yeah dude. Read on!"
Finn read, The Hideous Zippleback is a large, two-headed dragon. It is sly and surprising, but certain noises can confuse it and cause it to entangle its heads. The dragon has two personalities and two minds, one in each head, and one often argues with the other head over what to do. This dragon reminds some vikings of bickering siblings when they aren't running away from it. However, its two heads also give it a deadly weapon that is unique from any other dragon species. One of the dragon's heads breathes a green, flammable gas while the other head uses an electrical spark in its mouth to ignite the gas, creating lethal explosions.
Vikings agree "Of all the dragons that inhabit our world, one of the most unusual and dangerous is the HIDEOUS ZIPPLEBACK. The Zippleback is one of the largest dragons you may ever encounter. It is unmistakable with its twin heads. The heads are distinct, with separate thoughts and different personalities. Like most dragons, Zipplebacks can fly, but their wings are small and they spend most of their time on the ground. Zippleback are solitary, preferring to hunt alone. They come out after sundown, prowling dark forests for victims. The attack of a Zippleback is like no other. Instead of breathing fire, a Zippleback makes explosions. One head BREATHES gas, and the other head LIGHTS it. This two-headed threat is the longest dragon and has the smallest wings & stubbiest legs. But the way it produces fire makes up for any physical drawbacks. While one head shoots out a flammable gas, the other ignites it with a spark - allowing for attacks from long distances.
"Wow! We gotta see if we can ride that one together," Finn said excitedly.
"Yeah! Slamicow!
"Slamicow!"
"Hey, we just have 1 more dragon," Finn said triumphantly.
"Yeah man!"
Finn turned the page and saw what they thought was the last dragon.
The Night Fury is the rarest and most intelligent species of dragon. It is small to medium-sized with a sleek, dark blue body that is almost black. Physiologically, the Night Fury resembles an axolotl with three pair of wings, three ear-like appendages on the back of its head, a pair of yellowish-green, cat-like eyes, and sharp retractable teeth that are both resistant to flames and explosions. In flight, the Night Fury resembles a supersonic jet plane. Unlike most dragon species, the Night Fury has a short neck and lacks any kind of horns. It uses the wing-like flaps on its tail to steer and maneuver, similar to an airplane rudder. As seen in the movie, a Night Fury will be incapable of flying if one of these flaps is missing or destroyed.
A Night Fury is presumed to be completely carnivorous; the diet of the only domesticated one comprises only fish. Using its teeth, it simply lunges at its prey in the water to snatch it up. The Night Fury's stomach contains strong digestive acids that can dissolve fish bones. The Night Fury is the only dragon known to regurgitate its food.
The Night Fury's main mode of attack is dive-bombing at its target by folding its wings around its body before releasing a burst of fire that never misses. This indigo-colored flame of extreme heat triggers an explosion upon impact and is the Night Fury's deadliest weapon. When used alongside its dark scales and its tendency to never land to steal food during dragon raids, the Night Fury is easily the stealthiest, most dangerous dragon under the cover of night. In fact, before Hiccup knocks Toothless out of the air at the start of the film, none of the Vikings had ever seen or struck a Night Fury and lived to tell the tale. The Night Fury is seen as the most feared dragon in the movie adaptation for good reason.
The Village of Berk describes the Night Fury as follows: "The rarest and most intelligent of the dragon species, the Night Fury is distinguished by its dark color and piercing yellow eyes, as well as its smaller size, heavy chest and short neck. Possessing the largest wing-to-body ratio of all dragons, it can fly higher, faster and longer than any dragon, and its incredible power-to-weight ratio renders it capable of vertical takeoff. Its unconventional fire (a semi-solid mass alight with an acetylene/oxygen flame) explodes its target on impact. Its signature attack mode is executed after sundown and from high altitude - enwrapped in its wings; it dives like a bullet, pulling up at the last moment to deliver one precise and explosive burst ... then vanishing back into the darkness. The only warning is the ballistic noise the diving Night Fury makes. Its kamikaze attack, along with its cautious behavior and analytical mind, makes the Night Fury a devastating opponent with an extraordinary success rate. To date, no Night Fury has ever been brought down." Except me, but you'll know this eventuallly.
"Whoa…." Finn said in awe.
"Are you okay man?"
"Yeah, I want to ride THAT dragon," Finn said as he rubbed his hand over the picture.
"What about the Zipper Head?"
"The Zippleback you mean?"
"Yeah, whatever. Since when did you memorize everything and anything?"
"I don't know… I just find these dragons fascinating."
"Yeah, okay."
Finn and Jake looked up from each other and found Gobber standing in front of them.
"Well, I hope you liked the book! Hiccup lives here, you know, the person who made this book?"
"He returned from the DEAD," Jake exclaimed looking around frantically.
"No no no! He's as young as you guys. Maybe a little older. I still have to show you the Wildzone. So, do you like Berk so far?"
"Whoa… Yeah man! We love it," Finn shouted.
"That's just good. Shall we carry on now?"
"Sure," Finn answered for both of them.