The next morning, I woke up to he sound of knocking on the door to my house. I groaned and groggily moved to get up off my bed, fumbling around with my hands for a moment to grasp a part of the wall or bed for support. Unfortunately that didn't happen as I rolled off the bed onto the floor, rather painfully.

"Aaahhg! In the name of..." I exclaimed, holding my arm painfully. There's sure to be a bruise later on at some point.

"Get up lad! Dragon Training starts soon!" I could hear Gobber's voice from the front door, and there was probably an annoyed scowl on my face.

"I heard you Gobber!" I yell down to him. The knocking stops and I hear the sound of his peg leg getting quieter, meaning he was walking away. Odin help me I was ready to destroy the old smith for making me fall off the bed...

Shaking my head, I put my hands on the wall and felt along until reaching the bed, which I then used to support myself on my feet. Knowing where my walking stick was by now, I easily snagged it, and sighed, feeling more confident now that I was standing and had it in my hands. Now I don't have to worry about falling over again.

Except from a dragon that is.

I walked across my room and headed out into the main part of the house. My parents were already gone on the search, leaving the house to myself again. I walked over to where I remembered the food to be stored, and grabbed a piece of bread and cheese before walking out the door, holding the bread to eat in my left hand, my walking stick in my right. The other villagers were already moving out and about for our daily lives, and I shrugged. Must have slept in a little bit. Usually the street doesn't sound this busy when I wake up in the morning.

I then heard snickering from behind me, and let out a sigh. Look's like the twins were up to their antics again. After listening for a few moments, I deduce they were headed in my direction, so I continue to walk forward, baiting them.

Heading over to the side of the street, I counted my steps before turning left onto one of the small bridges of wood, which gave us extra space to view the surrounding ocean to spot invaders or dragons. Not like I had any use for it.

This also meant that I went behind a house stationed there, and I pressed myself against the wall, waiting for he perfect moment to strike. After a few seconds, their footsteps can be heard just around the corner, and I hold my walking stick with two hands and swing it in their direction.

The satisfying sound of hard wood on metal reaches my ears as I smack their helmets, and they collapse to the ground with a shocked cry of pain, a liquid substance splashing somewhere nearby. What it is I can't make out, and I probably don't want to know.

I cross my arms and do my best to glare at them, probably failing miserably.

"Are you done?" I ask rhetorically. I knew they wouldn't be mad I hit them. They fight each other all the time, so they would be more upset that their plan failed than the fact I probably gave their heads a serious bruise.

Never mind, they headbut each other for fun. They'll be fine.

"Woah. How did you do that?" Ruffnut asks me in surprise.

I shake my head in exasperation. Of course they'd forget how I did it.

"I could hear you approaching from a mile away Ruff," I tell her honestly.

"Ha! I knew you were being to loud sister! You ruined the plan!" Tuffnut accuses.

"Me!? You were the one stomping your feet you yak-brain!" Ruffnut retorts back angrily as they get to their feet.

"Oh yeah? How about I make you a yak-brain!" Tuffnut exclaims.

At this point I'm already walking away as the twins get into another argument amongst each other. Just like I thought, they'd be more upset with themselves and they're failure of a plan than the fact I actually hit them and stopped it. As I walk towards the direction of the arena, I then realize I haven't actually traveled in that direction too much before. Sure I've passed by the arena, but I've never been there directly. And if I'm correct then there's a bridge crossing a massive chasm.

Well crap.

Luckily I'm saved by the fact that Astrid seemed to be heading for the arena as well, judging by whose footsteps it is. She walks by and I stop her for a moment.

"Where's the arena exactly? I've never walked there before," I tell her, explaining my problem.

She's silent for a moment before understanding my situation.

"Follow me, I'll lead you there," she says. I nod in thanks as she continues her walk, and I follow along slightly behind her, counting the steps and memorizing the direction she's taking. I would ask Hiccup to lead me there but he wasn't in his house, and I didn't have time to check the forge, judging by Gobber's knocking on my door. Most likely he was there, since I doubt the Chief wants him learning to fight dragons unless Hiccup becomes more "Viking-like," which I don't see happening anytime soon.

"So, ready to fight some lizards?" I say casually, looking to start a conversation.

"They're more than just lizards Aaron. But yes, I am ready to take this on," she replies back simply.

While Astrid is a talented warrior, and is polite to me because of her respect for my skills with my custom made sword, that's really all that's between us. And anyone else for that manner. She's always been professional, working to improve upon her battle skills, striving to become a Shield Maiden.

"Well, I sure hope Gobber doesn't go totally crazy on us with training," I say.

Just then, the one and only Snotlout sidles up to us. By now we've made it to the wooden bridge that spans between the two cliffs.

"Hey there blindstick! How's the morning looking for ya?" he asks me. I ignore his taunts at my blindness, finding it irrelevant. I know I can mess him up so why bother spurring him on?

"And Astrid, the oh so beautiful Viking goddess," he swoons, walking closer to her.

Big mistake.

A moment later she punches him in the gut and he gasps in pain. I shake my head in disappointment. When will he ever learn?

At this point Fishlegs and the twins have joined us, and we all walked down the ramp to the gates of the arena, where Gobber is waiting for us. I know this because of his peg leg tapping impatiently. I hang more towards the back of the group while the rest surge forwards eagerly. The gate is lifted and the chains rattle from the movement.

"Welcome to dragon training!" Gobber exclaims cheerfully. Everyone makes sounds of awe as they move inside, but I shrug as I follow them. Not like I can see much of the ring, although the scent of fire and charred stone is very evident. I hear a patter of footsteps rushing to move towards the ring and smile in pleasant surprise. Looks like the Chief granted Hiccup his wish after all.

Not hearing his approach, the teens all move around the ring.

"No turning back." Astrid says determinedly.

"I hope I get some serious burns!" Tuffnut exclaims gleefully.

"I'm hoping for some mauling, like on my shoulder or lower back." Ruffnut says in agreement. I shake my head at the thought of wanted injury.

"Yeah, its only fun if you get a scar out of it." Astrid says in agreement. Definitely fun.

"No kidding right?" Hiccup's voice calls out, causing everyone to look at him in surprise and annoyance.

"Pain, love it!" he says, his voice just oozing with sarcasm. I smile in amusement.

"Oh great, who let him in?" Tuffnut says in annoyance.

"Is there a problem Tuff?" I ask him.

"Let's get started!" Gobber says, interrupting any possible argument. "The recruit who does best, will win the honor, of KILLING, their first dragon, in front of the entire village!" he says enthusiastically.

"Hiccup already killed a Night Fury, so does that disqualify him? Or..." Snotlout jeers, the twins laughing at his comment. I frown and stand next to Hiccup in support.

"Can I transfer to the class with the cool Vikings?" Tuffnut complains, and I shake my head in irritation as I walk with Hiccup. Gobber comes up behind us and throws an arm around his shoulders.

"Don't worry, you're small and 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!" Gobber says with a chuckle, patting Hiccup on the back.

"That is such a good moral speech," I drawl sarcastically.

"Ehh, I just call it how I see it lad," he admits, moving to the cage doors. Hiccup sighs and I pat his back in support as we step in line.

"Behind these doors are just a few of the many species you will learn to fight!" Gobber announced, walking in front of us. The gates to the dragons cages begins to rattle, as they obviously can smell us. Fishlegs jumps in excitement.

"The Deadly Nadder."

"Speed eight. Armor Sixteen." Fishlegs says, reciting his facts giddily. I let off a sigh. Sure, it's great that Fishlegs knows so many dragon facts, but reciting them before a battle isn't always the best thing. And yes, I am confident that Gobber is going to unleash a dragon on us after telling the species. He wouldn't be this happy otherwise.

"The Hideous Zippleback!"

"Plus eleven stealth. Times two."

"The Monstrous Nightmare!"

"Firepower fifteen."

"The Terrible Terror!"

"Attack eight. Venom twelve!"

"CAN YOU STOP THAT?!" Gobber exclaims furiously, finally losing his patience. Fishlegs immediately goes silent in embarrassment, and Gobber lets off a sigh.

"And... the Gronckle," he says mischeviously. Oh no, he's in that mood. Here comes the Gronckle. Hiccup obviously notices as well and tenses up beside me.

"Jaw strength eight." Fishlegs whispers to us.

I hear the lever to the gate being pulled, and the chains start to rattle, opening the Gronckle's cage.

"Oh here we go," I whisper to Hiccup.

"You said it Aaron," he whispers back.

"Woah wait, aren't you gonna teach us first?" Snotlout asks in alarm. I smirk in amusement at his fear.

"Can't handle it Snotface?" I taunt him.

"Oh you little...!" he responds angrily, unsure of what to say. Gobber lets off a chuckle of amusement.

"I believe in learning on the job," he says.

The moment the words come out of his mouth, the cage door opens and a Gronckle surges forward, wings beating quickly and heavily. I shove Hiccup to the side and move out of the way as well, rolling across the ground. The rest of the teens scatter as the Gronckle flies past us.

"Today, is about survival!" Gobber announces. "If you get blasted, you're dead!"

The arena shakes slightly as the Gronckle slams into the wall, chewing some rocks it found as well. I pull my sword out of the walking stick sheath and hold it in my right hand, with my walking stick in my left, angled towards the ground while my sword is held defensively.

"Quick, what's the first thing you're going to need?"

Gobber asks us.

"A doctor?" Hiccup suggests. I mentally face palm at his answer. How is a doctor going to help against a dragon? Unless it's a crazy axe wielding doctor.

"Plus five speed?!" Fishlegs exclaims. Wow.

"A shield!" Astrid says, calm and determined as ever.

"Shields, go!" Gobber confirms. The teens all rush over to the shields and begin to arm themselves. I don't bother with that, because first of all, I don't know where they are. Second of all, I can't use a shield to save my life surprisingly. You'd think it would be easy to use a shield, but not for me.

I also don't really like shields anyways.

"Your most important piece of equipment is your shield! If you must choose between a sword, or a shield, take the shield!" Gobber says, helping Hiccup grasp his own. He then hobbles over to me and shoves a shield towards me. I groan in annoyance but accept it, dropping my walking stick in favor of grasping the shield, slipping my forearm through the leather straps.

I manage to catch the sound of an argument between Ruffnut as Tuffnut over a shield, and breathe out in frustration. How can they argue with a dragon trying to spew lava over all our heads!? Speaking of which, the Gronckle fires a lava blast, hitting near their position.

"Tuffnut, Ruffnut, you're out!" Gobber announces.

"What?" They both ask simultaneously in confusion.

"Those shields are good for another thing, noise! Make lots of it, to throw off a dragons aim!" Gobber informs us. We do so, banging our weapons against the shield, creating a chaotic sound of clanging metal and wood.

The dragon growls in confusion, and its wing beat flutters unsteadily, showing its confusion. Well that's a useful trick.

"All dragons have a limited number of shots! How many does a Gronckle have?" Gobber asks.

"Five?" Snotlout answers, although it's more of a question.

"No, six!" Fishlegs answers excitedly.

"Correct six! That's a shot for all but one of you!" Gobber says cheerfully.

The dragon fires again, hitting a shield by the sound of things, and Fishlegs yelps.

"Fishlegs, out." Gobber says.

Fishlegs lets off a high pitched shriek of fear, running to the side of the ring. I then hear the Gronckle wings buzzing furiously in my direction, and I move to the right, rolling across the ground out of the way. The Gronckle smashes into the ground where I was a second before, and I quickly rush over away from it before it gets up again.

"Hiccup, get in there!" Gobber yells.

I hear a fireball hit the wall and Hiccup yells in surprise, but it doesn't sound like he was hit, so I move over in his direction.

"I'm moving into my parents basement, you should come by some time to work out!" I hear Snotlout say to Astrid flirtiously, and I can't believe he's that stupid.

"You look like you work out," he says before shouting in surprise and pain, his shield being blasted head on by the Gronckle. What an idiot.

A moment later, Astrid rolls up beside me, as well as Hiccup, who sidles up to us casually. I listen for the Gronckle again, easily picking up its wing beat as it flies around the arena in aggravation.

"So, looks like it's just you and mean right guys?" Hiccup asks casually. I can't help but form a small grin on my face.

"Nope, just you!" Astrid responds, rolling away. I hear the Gronckle fly in our direction and my grin falls.

"Oh crap, move Hiccup!" I exclaim, leaping out of the way. Hiccup yelped in fear and surprise as the Gronckle fired, knocking his shield out of his hands. I stood up and listen as Hiccup ran after the shield, the Gronckle chasing him.

"One shot left." Gobber announced. I gritted my teeth angrily. Could Gobber not see that Hiccup's life was in danger?!

Apparently he could once Hiccup abandoned the chase for his shield.

"Hiccup!" Gobber yelled worriedly. I ran in his direction along with Gobber, but Hiccup was pressed against the wall, and I could hear the Gronckle preparing a fire blast.

Just as it was about to fire, Gobber hooked his prosthetic into the Gronckle's mouth, yanking it away just as the lava blast was released, scorching the wall above Hiccup's head. I then rushed up beside Hiccup in concern.

"You ok Hiccup?" I asked worriedly. He doesn't reply for a few moments, probably watching Gobber throw the dragon back into its cage before replying.

"I- I think so. Thanks," he says gratefully. With a smile I pull him to his feet as Gobber approaches us. The teens are all panting heavily, exhausted by our first training session.

"Remember, a dragon will always, always... go for the kill." Gobber warns us before walking away.