Encanto: How To Train Your Monster

Chapter Nine - Breaking Free, Part Two

3rd person POV

Mirabel and Hesperia rode into the mountain passage as fast as they could. "Come on girl, don't slow down!" Mirabel urged, as Hesperia's powerful furry body flexed underneath her as the nargacuga leapt and sprinted at speeds that would make a cheetah jealous.

Mirabel was constantly checking over her shoulder to see if they were being followed, but no-one was chasing them yet, thankfully. "Alright girl, you can slow down now" she said - just in time too, because Hesperia immediately collapsed from exhaustion onto the grassy bank of a giant lake.

Mirabel couldn't help but follow suit, sinking down onto the grass next to her, placing her hand atop the nargacuga's head and gently petting her. They would have to get moving again soon, but for now the two would need a break. And sitting here, just silently enjoying each other's company, was the best thing that Mirabel could ask for.

But all good things must come to an end.

Mirabel heard the distant sounds of someone shouting in Spanish and knew that it was time to go. "Come on girl, up you get" she said. Hesperia let out a light growl in protest, but stood up all the same, shaking stray grass out of her fur and allowing Mirabel to climb onto her back.

Mirabel waited for a bit, since she wanted to see who was chasing them this far out of the Encanto's normal borders and how they had even found her - mostly so that she would know how to escape them for good.

But then the group came into view and Mirabel realised how bad it was.

There was literally an entire angry mob after them, complete with pitchforks, torches and even a few swords scattered in the horde as well. Hesperia let out a roar but the people, being either brave or stupid, surged forward anyway, forcing Mirabel to kick her heels into Hesperia's sides and shout, "GO GIRL!"

Thankfully, the nargacuga wasn't too hurt and simply began bounding away from the mob of people as fast as she could, her panting breaths ringing in Mirabel's ears. The girl kept looking back to see that the mob was picking up speed and a few were even on horseback now.

Turning her head back to the front, Mirabel's heart sunk. They were coming up to a massive gorge, perhaps a by-product of the earth-shaking as a result of the mountains forming to make the Encanto. Whatever it was doing here, there was no way around it. The only way forward was to...

"Okay girl" Mirabel said, trying to keep a calm tone even though she was freaking out, "We can do this. You and me. Together." Hesperia growled uncertainly but Mirabel placed a calming hand on the nargacuga's back and said again, "We. Can. Do. This."

That seemed to encourage Hesperia enough, because the next moment she let out a loud roar and sped up, charging towards the edge of the gorge, bracing herself for a split second, before flexing her powerful leg muscles and leaping over the gorge.

For one beautiful moment, Mirabel and Hesperia were weightless as the nargacuga flew through the air, the mob looking onward in shock and awe at the sight. In that moment, Mirabel felt as though her heart would leap out of her chest.

Before Hesperia came down feet-first on the other side.

For a few seconds, Mirabel didn't even register what had happened. Her only focus was on her racing heartbeat.

Then, she realised what had happened.

She let out a cheer/scream of pure joy as Hesperia screeched in triumph. One by one, the mob of people on the other side of the gorge began to slowly make their way back from where they came.

Mirabel smiled.

They had done it.

They'd broken free.

With that thought, Mirabel gently dug her heels into Hesperia's sides and the two of them rode off into the distance.

Finally free.

End of Chapter Nine

Close to the end, next chapter's gonna be the epilogue that wraps it all up.