Dragon training, and a bargain
A/N: This might come out either later tonight, or tomorrow on Monday. Depending on my laziness or procrastination :P ANyway, disclaimer and all that biz… you all KNOW that I don't own HTTYD, otherwise, there would be a LOT more subtle sexual innuendos in the movies, and the shows. So, enjoy what I hashed out right here :P
Hiccup PoV
After lunch, I had PE with everyone from the table, Fishlegs, Ruff and Tuff, Snotlout and Astrid, though not the same instructors, coaches? Teachers? I've never known what to call a PE teacher, just teacher doesn't quite fit. Plus, you never know what type of PE teacher you might get. You might get the nice new age lady that teaches, like, yoga and stuff like that, which Fishlegs and Tuffnut got, or the competitive coach type person who encourages you, while pushing you at the same time, which Astrid and Ruffnut got paired with. And then theres what me and Snotlout got stuck with. The drill sergeant. A complete health nut that's like, 45 years old and wants to relive what's left of his youth through us, and completely slams us with exercise and takes complaints with a side of a hundred pushups. That's who we got.
"Alright you barely pubescent brats," our teacher starts off. We're sitting on the bleachers in one of the gyms, there's 3 of them. And right now we're getting chewed out by a middle aged guy with brown greying hair, kind of tall, a bit of a pudgy belly, wearing running shorts, a tshirt, and a fisherman's hat with sunglasses. Why he'd need sunglasses indoors, I'll never know.
"My name is Mr. Kesler, I will be your PE instructor for the rest of the year." He starts walking slowly, glaring up at us. "I have served 2 tours of duty in Iraq, and Afghanistan in the Army(A/N: In this AU, current events are still the same as out here, only you know, they have dragons) and fought in a number of skirmishes in the Dragon War. So, as you can probably assume, I will take absolutely no funny business, from anyone. Understand? Mr. Jorgensen?!" I look over to where Snotlout was sitting, he snapped up apparently talking to some guy and not paying attention. "Yes, I know who you are. I fought with your father Fredric "Spitelout" Jorgenson in the battle for the Grand Prix in Monaco. Got his nickname from the fact that he developed a overly full salivary gland from bonding with a Changewing. From what I hear, you got your nickname similar to your fathers, isn't that right? Snotlout?" The rest of the class started to snicker at this. "How'd it happen again? Bonded with a Monstrous Nightmare when it had a cold?"
That's only partially the truth. What happened is, yes he bonded with a sick Nightmare, but the fact that he was sick too, and the combined psychic sickness lead to an unfortunate accident where he sneezed so hard, his entire desk was covered in gooey mucus with some strands still attached to his nostrils.
"And from what I hear," he continues taking off his glasses, his eyes were pale grey, with some cataracts starting to develope. "From what I hear, you're a bit of a trouble maker. So let me tell you now, I know your father, cause any trouble, and he'd be the first to know. Got it?" Snotlout grumbled but nodded, face red from embarrassment. "Good, now, some of you might be wondering about my eyes, my partner is a Whispering Death, an unfortunate side effect to this, is gradual blindness, I'll be completely blind before I'm 60. But," he put his glasses back on, "My other senses are top of the line, so, any funny business, and I'll hear about it. Capishe?"
We all nod, some in awe, some in fear. "Good, now then, go into the locker room, there are some uniforms laid out. Look for your size, and fill out a sheet on the table, come back tomorrow with the money for them, and you'll have your workout uniforms. Remember," he says as we all get up and file into the locker rooms, "Uniform wear counts as 15% of your grade, you have till Friday to get your uniform, everyday after that, and you'll be marked down. Once you're done, you have the rest of the period to yourself.
Later
After the period ended we all went to the class we've all been waiting for, Dragon Training.
It's all we've ever wanted, and I was actually surprised when I was assigned this period. I guess they'd even want me to have the training, juuuust incase I DO get a dragon, I mean, it has to happen sometime…. right? Right?
The training area is behind the school, in a circular bowled out arena. About 4 kids file into the entrance to it and then we're inside the arena, just a bit bigger than a football stadium. From looking around more I see several entrances to tunnels that lead off somewhere underground. Apparently the rest of the arena is hollowed out, might even lead off to the school.
"A'right class," a familiar voice says coming up from behind us. "Welcome to Dragon Training."
Gobber strides in, limping slightly from his prosthetic leg. "Along with being an history teacher this year, I've also taken up the mantle of instructing you how to handle your dragon companions. This class is divided into 3 categories," he says going to the middle of the arena where we all gather around him. "The categories are 'beginner', 'novice', and 'intermediate'. The beginner classes are for freshman, the novice is with the sophomores and the intermediate are for the juniors and seniors since a lot of the material taught at that level are a lot more difficult to master and take longer to learn."
With his good hand he takes out a phone and taps on hit for a few seconds, behind him 3 tv screens slide up from a hidden panel in the floor. Gobber taps on his phone again, and some diagrams pop up on the tvs. "This year, for the beginning of the first semester, we will be refining our communication skills with our companions and with each other. Then in the final months leading up to christmas break we will be honing our DM's, or Dragon Magic, if you prefer." We all get a little excited about this, especially me. I find myself rubbing my forehead, just above my left eyebrow, some dried blood flaking off, but no pain. You have magic in you. It's there, and it's protecting you even if you don't realize it.
"In that unit," Gobber shouts a bit to quiet us down. "We will be focusing on focusing our magic. Like so," he holds out his good hand, and an energy ball forms in the palm of his hand. Like a miniature sun. "And, you'll learn how to utilize it in any form or manner, as well as combat." He turns around and points his palm at the middle tv screen and fires that magical energy. The little sun hits the tv and explodes.
The class gasps, and claps at what he did.
"That class," Gobber says, turning back around, "Is basic battle magic. So, let's get acquainted with our training area, and get you some safety weavers for your parents to sign.
Ryan PoV
I'm inside Stoick Haddock's home office. Between us is a large wooden desk between us, on it sits a few framed photos, a large computer monitor, a keyboard, and various official looking papers and stationery. And I had just told him the story I was working on for the past 3 months. He did not buy it. Not one bit.
"So," he says sternly, "Care to start at the beginning? The actual beginning? Because this story you told me, I don't buy it." He leaned over the desk, the very large desk mind you, and got within 5 inches of my face. "Not. One. Bit." And then he fell back into his chair and connected his fingers in front of him.
"Um, what?" I say dumbly. "What do you mean you 'don't buy it'? That's what has happened to me since the raid in Wyuma. That's what happened in Utah, and that's what happened to me since then. I've been on the road a lot." He looks at me like I have a bullshit fountain for a head.
"Ok, I'm gonna be honest with ya," Stoick says, leaning his elbows on his desk. "I've been to that battle, how could I not? It's one state away, practically in my backyard," my eyes widen at this, and my left hand clenches, I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep me from surging any magic to my hand. "Ah, that's got you, doesn't it? See how I begged you? Because, I was there, I know who you are, and what you did."
I bite down harder, but it doesn't stop the magic from forming an aura around my hand, and some swirls of it flying around my fist. "Stoick," I say, "Stoick, Stoick, Stoick…. Stoick the Vast! That's who you are! You fought head long against Drago right in front of me," he nods, "right in front of me as I slaughter every one of Drago's men in my line of sight." The swirling reaches a new height and pitch as I relive some of the bloody, gruesome, awful, demonic!... I hold up my fist and look at it in surprise. A clear diamond looking energy is emitting from my clenched fist, some particles flying off of it, and fading to nothingness. I look back up to Stoick and see him looking at me like one wrong move and he'll kill me.
I sigh, and let go of the magic, the energy cut off it fades from my hand. Looking back to Stoick I say, "Ok, I'll tell you everything, everything that's relevant to now, and what might come later. But for now, mind calling off your dragon?" He starts in surprise, and I look to my right, where a big green Rumblehorn, with a red head and horn, that resembles a rhinoceros horn.
"How did you?... Never mind, the stories and intel said that you were good, but it's startling to see how good."
"That was nothing, you could hear his wings beating the air, and the air slapping the side of the house."
"Right, right," he mumbles.
"Plus, we're on the second floor of this god forsaken beauty of a house! How can that not sound odd?"
"Ok!" He says a bit louder. "Ok, I see your point." He looks at the Rumblehorn. "Ok Skullcrusher, you can go back down now," the dragon looks at him as if to say, really? After THAT? "I know, I know, but if I need you, you'll know." Skullcrusher snorted, his breath fogging up the window and making the pane rattle. "Don't give me that! Just go back down and I'll have a nice ham for you later! Ok?" The dragon seems to think that settles things, but he gives me one hard glare before swooping away.
"Hmm," I say after he leaves, "So that's the bond between trainer and companion. I haven't seen it up close like that before."
"Yeah, but it goes deeper than just a bond. We understand one another. Completely." I nod, and he looks at me, the stern look back. "So, the beginning then?"
"Of course, after all, I'm just as tired at you are. More so even."
2 hours later
After I was finished with my story, from the time I woke up with that light over me, to when I deserted Drago and his forces, my time on the road and in the wilderness, to how I ended up in Berk, I was finally finished. And Stoick looked flabbergasted, in awe, disgust and finally, pitty.
"Oh my stars," he muttered.
"It's fine," I quickly say.
"How you all went through that, and come out like you did-"
"It's fine," I try again.
"It's a miracle that you're even alive!"
"I said it's fine!"I basically shout. He snaps up, startled. I take a deep breath, hold it in for a few seconds, and then slowly release it. "I've come to terms with all that's happened to me. Yes, I'm an orphan, yes I was forced to be a soldier that I never wanted to be, yes bad things happened to me, and yes," I say forcing this one out, "my sexual preference is a little out of sorts because of some of those things, but I'm fine with it." I say firmly. "I mean, a little bisexuallity never hurt anyone."
"Uhh…"
"But it's not like I ever had the chance to try out both-" Stoick clears his throat loudly. "Uh, right, sorry. But you don't have to worry about that from me here, I just want to find a place that has a warm bed, and that I can settle down for a little bit before I go. I mean, it's only a matter of time before Drago eventually either tracks me down here, or sets his eyes on the man who beat him in front of his army."
"Yes, there's that as well," he sits back in his seat, clearly deep in thought. Finally, after a few minutes he sits up and says, "Ok, you can stay here." I slouched back and breath a sigh of relief. "But," he continues, "on the condition that you attend school," I responded by throwing the register forms on his desk, where they came from, well, that's a magician's secret. "Eh… right, and that you give me any and all information relevant to what Drago might be doing, and what he's gonna do."
I sit up, nod and stand. I reach into my pocket and pull out a flash drive. But it's no ordinary flash drive, this one is big and wide, has a peculiar looking crystal in the middle. "Plug this into your computer when you have the time. Some of the files should be compatible with your software, but a lot of the files are encrypted. Type in 'Hummingbird' in the popup box when it comes up, capital 'H' all one word, should let you access the first encryption. You'll get more later when I know that I can trust you," he raises an eyebrow. "Hey don't look at me like that! I had to live in close proximity with Drago Bludvist, I learned to keep weary." He nods, seeming to accept that, and stands up.
"Here, let me show you to your room, you know, you're lucky you meet Henry today, because your room is gonna be right next to his. And it goes without saying, keep him out of this. He doesn't need to know about the war."
I nod, following him out and down one of the many hallways in his house, and/or manner. Well, to be fair, it's a pretty simple layout. Bit foyer, with the rest of the house built around it, and the hallways coinciding with the walls of the house. Only problem is that there are sooooo many rooms, that it's gonna be hard to know which one is which. Damn near impossible.
"Well," I say, "He seems like a nice kid. Kind of reminds me of me when I first started out."
Hiccup PoV
When I get home, I am exhausted! Since I don't have a companion, yet, Gobber learned of my accelerated healing, and had me working on my own, to harness my DM's. And so far, I've only managed to make my hand sparkle, and yes, in the twilighty version of sparkly, but it still took a lot out of me.
But I walk into the house, to find it seemingly empty. It's hard to tell since it's so big. But I'm too tired to care much right now, so I head up to my room. Yeah, all pretty bleak and empty, but finally I pass an open bedroom and go into my room, then I pause, and go back. Inside the room, in the process of changing shirts, is the boy Ryan from before. He looks lean muscular, but has a few scars on his chest and back.
He turns around, and hurriedly puts on a shirt. "Well Hiccup," he says, "I guess that refugee program has us being neighbors and all, huh?"
End of Chapter 4
A/N: Well, that turned out better than I had hoped, and a bit worse than I wanted it to come out, but, here it is, just as I promised. The next chapter will come out either tomorrow or sometime Wednesday. So, till then, this has been Bigmike33321, please read, review and favorite at your own pleasure, the more favorites or follows I get will prompt me to write faster, and get this story out, each review will motivate me MORE so! :D So, once again, this has been Bigmike33321 Signing off!*BOOP!*