Chapter 6: First Day

"Welcome to Dragon Training!" Gobber proudly said as he opened the entrance. Javelin leaned against the wall next to the Nightmare's door. He observed each of the teens that stepped into the arena.

The blonde wearing a spiked skirt seemed to be the best of the group. A pair of twins, brother and sister, were holding double-bladed spears. He didn't pay much attention to the largest boy, but the only black-haired one had an aura of boastfulness about him.

Another teen came out of the back. He wore a green tunic with a fur vest, and held an axe with both of his hands. That's the boy I met yesterday. Gonna have to talk with him later.

Gobber gave him some advice before pushing the boy into the line. "Behind these doors are a few of the many dragons you will learn to fight!" He gestured to the cages.

As the trainer introduced each dragon, the largest boy, Fishlegs, spouted out statistics. So his strength is intelligence. Good.

"WOULD YOU STOP THAT?! And... the Gronckle," Gobber finished before resting his arm on a lever.

"Whoa, whoa. Aren't you going to teach us first?!" Snotlout asked, fear in his voice.

"I believe in learning on the job," Gobber replied, opening the door. The Gronckle blasted out towards the teens. "Today is about survival." They got out of the way before the dragon flew into a wall. "You get blasted, you're dead." It got up and swallowed two nearby rocks. "Quick, what's the first thing you're gonna need?!"

"A doctor?" Hiccup guessed. Javelin scoffed. That's after.

"Plus five speed?" Fishlegs followed.

"A shield!" Astrid yelled.

"Shields, go!" Gobber confirmed. "The most important piece of equipment is your shield." He helped Hiccup get his on, then shoved him back to the center. "If you have to choose between a sword and a shield, take the shield."

Javelin watched as the twins fought over a shield. He facepalmed himself when the Gronckle it to pieces. "You two, you're out!" he yelled.

"What?" was the dazed reply from both of them.

"Those shields are good for another thing. Noise! Make lots of it to disrupt a dragon's aim." The teens took their trainer's advice and banged their weapons against their shields. Gobber continued, "All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle have?"

"Five?" Snotlout asked.

"No, six!" Fishlegs joyfully claimed, raising his shield arm in the air.

"Correct, six! That's one for each of you." Fishlegs mumbled something before his shield got blown off his arm and into the far wall. "Fishlegs, out," Gobber reported with boredom. He saw Hiccup hiding behind a turned over cart. "Hiccup, get in there!" A blast reversed the heir's advance.

Soon enough, Snotlout got distracted and paid the price. Another shot, another shield... not destroyed. Hiccup was chasing after it, the Gronckle behind him. The dragon caught up and sent the human to the wall.

"Hiccup!" Gobber yelled in concern. He wasn't close enough to save the heir. Everyone saw the Gronckle rear its head back to charge a final shot and...

A sharp whistle and the beast fired above Hiccup's head. Gobber's hook prosthetic got the dragon's mouth. "And that's six! Go back to bed, you overgrown sausage!" the head trainer said, throwing it back into its cage." You'll get another chance, don't you worry!" He looked at Hiccup. "Remember that a dragon will always... always go for the kill."

Javelin waited until everyone left before he started to clean up. "Half of them have great potential."

"Really? Who?" Gobber asked, getting the cart back onto its wheels.

"Astrid, Fishlegs, and... Hiccup."

The trainer laughed. "Astrid, I can understand. Fishlegs, maybe. But Hiccup? What is it you see in the lad?"

Javelin closed his eyes in thought. "Greatness. He just needs to find the courage and encouragement to achieve it."

Gobber didn't reply. He took the new guy's words into consideration. "Just now, Javelin, what was that about?"

"What was what about?"

"The whistle. It made the beastie aim above Hiccup, didn't it?" Gobber asked suspiciously.

Javelin quickly lied, "A sharp, sudden noise often breaks focused concentration."

"Uh huh. You can get going once you feed the dragons."

The former soldier nodded in confirmation. "Yes sir."

Twilight watched as the other Night Fury continually tried to clear the grove's high walls. Each time, he failed.

"No, no, no, no, no," he cried out. He couldn't get a good hold on the rock face and slid back to the ground.

Second time, he fell off. He glided down and let loose a fireball in frustration.

Another try, this time launching from a fallen log. Almost there! He brought his tail around and... crashed, hard.

He shook his head clear, then noticed a ripple in the water. He crept over and found a pair of fish. Hardly a snack, but every bit counts. He shot his head into the water, missing. Defeated, he laid on the ground.

Good time as any, Twilight thought. She swooped into the lake and came out with the two fish wriggling in her mouth. She landed beside the male and deposited the food. "Here you go!"

"Why should I? I'm dead without my tailfin," he grumbled.

"That's no way to talk. Now eat!"

They both caught a sound. Something clattering against the rocks. He noticed the body of a... the human. They locked eyes, the male seeing fear, then curiosity in the boy. The viking tilted his head, the Night Fury did the same.

Eventually, the boy left. "There's something odd about that kid." He stared off into space.

"I agree. Javelin feels around the same," Twilight said.

"How do you know that? You've been with me since we met."

She laughed. "What do you think, silly? Telepathy." Her mouth formed a draconic smile. Then a stern expression immediately covered it. "Now eat before I shove it down your throat."

Startled, he gulped down the two fish. Twilight laughed again. She backed away before collapsing on her side, still laughing her lungs out.

"What's so funny?" Javelin asked, back in his normal attire. He jumped down to his sister's level.

"The look that was his face... hahaha. Oh, man," Twilight breathed. She took slow, deep breaths to calm herself down. And failed. Twice.

The male Night Fury looked between the two with concern and fear. Javelin chuckled. "Son, there's a saying amongst us humans: 'Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.'"

He backed away from Twilight, then glided over to the opposite shore to think the day through.

The cold rain shot down on Berk. It fell off the leaves of the trees in rivers. But even in the chaos, there was peace.

Alone, in the wilderness, he meditated. He felt everything flow through him. Life, emotions, thoughts, memories...

Memories...

He was too slow and was dragged below the rapids. Not again. Not again. He saw it all, but couldn't escape. No. No. No!

Javelin! A voice echoed, calling for him to wake.

Candle...

Javelin!

Oscar...

Wake up!

... Drake... A tear crept out of his closed eyes.

"WAKE UP!" Twilight roared, trying to shake her brother awake.

He did awake, and saw the face of a Night Fury staring at him with worry. "Oh, sister!" Javelin leapt forward and hugged her form tight against him. Tears fell with the rain.

She held onto him. "It's okay, Javelin. I'm here." Slowly, she got him onto her back, comforting her brother all the way. "Ssshhh. I'm here."

The male Fury woke up to see Twilight dropping into the grove. His eyes held jealousy, then concern when he saw her sadness. She got the form of a human off her back and hugged it tight. Not bothering to warm the ground beneath her, she curled up and covered the human with her wings. Not once did she let go.

(AN) - Hi, everyone. I hope you like how I ended this chapter. I find the best way to feel as a character is to find common ground, or make it. Javelin is a good man, but it's important to remember that he saw all three of his brothers die before his eyes. If you have been reading my other story Old Pack, New Squad, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Please, do feel free to review if you'd like. Take care, folks. OYA!