Halburg landed at the training area for sparring up on the mountain where he found the group of Magnus and Natania's friends glaring at him from the opposite end of the training area. Their dragons also growled at the orange Zippleback.
It was at this point that Stormfly landed and Astrid hopped off, looking at those around her. She unhooked her axe and said "Right then, from last week, Natania, you are up first, chose a partner to spar with". Natania grinned and said "I choose Halburg Crane Thorston, if I may". Astrid knew this would not turn out well but nodded for the fight to happen.
Halburg sighed as he dragged his War Scythe down but Astrid stopped him and said "Sorry Halburg but can look at your weapon". She looked at the hilt and responded "Halburg, take a different weapon, the hilt is to frail". Halburg looked at his hilt and found that a spine had pierced down the centre, making it weak, a spine of a Razorwhip no doubt.
Halburg headed up to Smoke and Spark and looked for a suitable weapon in the saddle to take on her Falx before eventually deciding on a short sword, as it was that or a rusty mace, his hatchet or his prized double ended blade, a knife on one end and dagger on the other, designed to split into two. Halburg hopped down and was slightly worried as anybody who knew Halburg knew that when he had a weapon, he likes to have both his hands on the same weapon. Any one handed weapon he would hate but the short sword had been made by Halburg so had a slightly longer hilt for discussing the problem.
The two circled the perimeter of the ring as Astrid called out the rules "There is to be no contact of the blades on skin, no fatal blows and the winner is not who is unarmed first but the first to pin the other down, now fight".
Natania had blood on her list and quickly dived at Halburg. The Thorston ducked and tumbled below the blade of the Falx. Halburg then blocked more swings and strikes from the two handed weapon. Natania growled and kicked Halburg in the stomach but the Thorston flipped backwards and struck a few blows that were deflected.
Natania eventually got a hook on the sword and swung it out of Halburg's hands and across to the other side of the sparring centre. Halburg's eyes widened and his various friends and their dragon grew concerned. It was taking Nataly Rose and Maddy Cool both to calm down his frantic Zippleback.
Though Halburg was quite smart, logical and sensible, he was still a Thorston which meant that a crazy, unsuspecting trouble maker was always present in his actions. Halburg did the most unusual tactic. He grabbed his helmet by one of the horns, took it off and held each hand onto each horn, wielding it like a shield while also revealing his frizzy green locks beneath.
Natania was taken back when her blows where intercepted by the metal helmet. However, the helmet was also swept out of his grasp. Halburg walked backwards as Natania walked forward with her Falx wielded like the Grim with his Scythe.
Natania struck Halburg with the butt of the weapon before grabbing onto the arm of Halburg, pulling it into an arm lock but Halburg unintentionally, something happened. Natania retracted from Halburg and coughed wildly saying "Ugh, something is rank, it smells like Zippleback gas". Halburg turned to face her but with one arm on her nose, she punched him in the gut with the other while her Falx was held under her arm, sending him onto the ground in pain and curled up. Astrid grumbled at the Thorston's loss but said "Natania wins; you can all go to break".
Natania, Magnus and their followers went off laughing as did some others but Nataly and Maddy stayed with Smoke and Spark who were eager to see their rider. Astrid helped him up to them and then they asked "Why did Natania flinch away?"
"Simple really, herself, Magnus and their friends don't own Zipplebacks so are not used to being around the gas it lets off whereas we all are" replied Halburg. "And where did the gas come from?" asked Astrid. "Ever wonder why my hair is green?" smiled Halburg who added "And it was a Prickleboggle that caused my eye colour". Maddy and Nataly were both silent due to confusion, disgust and curiosity but left for the school when Halburg left.
Halburg though wasn't going to the school. Instead, he was heading for the Dragon's Edge for a class. It was normally quite far but Halburg had found the fastest way to get to it, a secret he still holds.
When Halburg arrived by the dome, he spotted five or seven other students walking around. He then walked up to the twin's hut for his break. He spotted on the entrance Butt playing with Head. Halburg opened one of the twin doors and found Ruffnut inside doing up her braids. "Hiccup, if that is you then I didn't break your windmill. Tuffnut, if that is you then get lost" she called back without turning her head.
"Not Tuffnut but still a relation, hay cous" smiled Halburg. Ruffnut spun around faster than a Typhommerang and already had Halburg pulled into a death-lock hug, which made the sound of cracking ribs heard from the boy's chest. It would be true to say that the Thorston girl loved her cousin dearly.
When they were younger, Ruffnut would often drag Halburg along to various things and was the decider for his name, after she hit an iceberg with a halberd. Why the changed the 'e' to a 'u' remains unknown. Halburg did enjoy the closest thing he had to a sister and since Ruffnut was engaged to Fishlegs, Halburg was one of her assistants for the occasion along with Astrid, Heather, Ruff's mother and Tuffnut.
The two sat down at the table with some yak milk poured into horn cups. Butt, Head, Smoke and Spark had now found themselves wandering into the area with the Terrible Terrors sitting on the table and Smoke and Spark's long necks reaching in through the door, both resting at their master's feet.
"So, how is life" quizzed Ruffnut. "It's fine, nothing exciting at home except for Belle paralyzing one of Sven's sheep. He wasn't happy to say the least" smiled Halburg. "That was you? I knew there was some Loki in you" she smiled. Halburg laughed and took a sip from his drink.
"Anyways, where is Tuffnut, Barf and Belch?" asked Halburg. "Those three are off by the school with that chicken of his. He is apparently teaching young girls about sewing and home chores" replied Ruffnut. Halburg nodded and wasn't the least bit surprised with Tuffnut's knowledge and skill of fabrics and house work.
"So why ya' here cous'" asked Ruffnut. "For a class with Fishlegs; He was saying that you two were rubbing off on me too much and I needed some more classes on dragons" said Halburg. "Oh he did now. Well, I will just fly down with you now" she said sternly. Halburg was Ruffnut's second favourite relation, after Tuff, and she was as motherly and protective over him.
Butt and Head curled up on the Zippleback's heads, Butt on Smoke and Head on Spark, as Halburg got on Spark's neck while Ruffnut got on Smoke's. The six landed by Fishlegs' hut where Meatlug was sleeping with Iggy on her back. Halburg stayed on Spark's neck up high while Ruffnut got off and stormed up to Fishlegs' door.
Loud pounding on the door was followed by them opening. Fishlegs had a bag over his shoulder with books and other stuff in them but the stern gaze of his fiancé made him back down. He spotted Halburg who mouthed 'I'm sorry' to him. The green haired Thorston got off Spark and petted Head and Butt in preparation for the inevitable.
"Umm, hi Ruffnut, I would love to stay but I have a class with Halburg" he replied sheepishly. "Ya, about that, I was wondering why you think that my dear cousin would be influenced badly by me, Tuffnut maybe but not me" she said sharply while placing a finger on his chest but menacingly.
"Ruffnut, I meant no offence by it but I and Halburg need to go now" said Fishlegs. "Where are you two off to?" she asked. "Zippleback Island why?" asked Fishlegs. Halburg clearly flinched when he finished and he thought 'Why can't you lie for once man'. "Zippleback Island, well then I will tag along. After all, I do own one" she said sternly and walked over before clicking for Smoke to lower his neck.
Halburg walked over to Fishlegs and said "Seriously dude, you couldn't have said Dark Deep or Breakneck Bog? You know she would say yes to go if it was Zippleback Island". "You Thorstons are really weird, you know that right?" said Fishlegs. Halburg shrugged and jumped onto Spark's neck.
The convoy of two large dragons and three terrible terrors set off for the island in question. Unfortunately for Halburg and Head, who was sitting in front of the boy, he was between Fishlegs and Ruffnut.
Butt, being the only female Terrible Terror of the six ones in the academy, was siding with Ruffnut and also creating problems with Iggy. Head was Butt's brother but Sneaky, Pain, somewhat Sharpshot, and Iggy were competing for a mate. However it was Iggy having the best shot with her. That was until their owners had their dispute.
They arrived at the island were they saw the familiar Snaptrappers and Hideous Zipplebacks that lived on the island wandering. Ruffnut was still fuming when Fart and Sniff, a friend to Barf and Belch, came over.
"Alright then Halburg, let's start with Snaptrappers" said Fishlegs. "Why does he need to know this stuff, the boy is a genius on the Fear and Mystery class" said Ruffnut sourly. "Well then, Halburg, what do you know about those classes" quizzed Fishlegs.
"Ok, why am I the controversy between you two exactly? I'm a weird green haired boy who could be doing so many better things. Besides, there is a reason you two are getting married so you had best sort this out by the time me, Smoke, Spark, Butt and Head get back" Halburg practically shouted causing the two to drop their argument. They both watched as the five flew off to the opposite side of the island.
'One day of peace and quiet, is that too much to ask' Halburg quizzed as he passed over some sea stacks, watching a pod of Tide Gliders. Halburg was still dreaming but the sight of boats on the horizon suddenly caught his attention.
"Odd boys, and girl, ships rarely sail out here; normally the gas cloud gets to them. Let's check it out" said Halburg to the dragons and the Zippleback sped on.