TAW Tales: How to Train Your Shifters (#1)

~ Chapter 30 ~

"I can't believe I didn't see that coming." Hiccup's foot stuck a small stone and it clattered away into the shadows of the trees.

Neither can I, Sophie moaned, her tail and ears drooping. It was my turn to watch you two! I should've gone straight to the others the moment you and Toothless took off.

We did tell you not to go anywhere though, Max reminded Hiccup gently. If you'd stayed put like we said, none of this would've happened.

"Yeah, I know," Hiccup sighed. "But I'm going to rescue him."

The animals stopped and turned to face him.

You're what!? Nellie demanded.

"I'm going to rescue him," Hiccup repeated determindly. "I mean, if what you say is true about this guy, then there's no way I'm leaving him there for anymore than I can help it. He needs me."

Then we're coming too. Fang morphed into a human and put his arm around Hiccup's shoulders. "We've been into his lab before. We know every nook and cranny in that place; we'll find your dragon."

Yeah.

The rest of the animals morphed.

"And we'll help you to bust out when you get captured," Sprinkles added cheekily.

"I am not getting captured," Hiccup snapped.

"Suuuuuuure you're not." Sprinkles danced around in circles, like some sort of pre-mature victory dance.

"Do you have a map of the lab?" Hiccup asked, turning to Fang.

"Erm..." Fang tapped his chin. "We have a Bird's Eye View?"

Mystical morphed back into a snowy owl, her amber eyes bright. Ooh, ooh, want me to execute operation Eyes in the Sky? she asked excitedly.

"Yeah." Hiccup drew out his notebook and wooden pencil. "And see if you can draw a map of it so we can all see," he added as she clasped the both in her talons.

Okay, sir! Mystical saluted him with her wing before taking off soaring away.

"A map," Max mused, watching Mystical as Hiccup bent down to draw something in the dust. "Why didn't we think of it before?"

"Because we never had this guy with us," Fang answered, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at Hiccup.

"Alright, guys," Hiccup said, sitting back on his haunches. "Let's plan."

"Oh, goodie," Sprinkles moaned sarcastically as they gathered in. "I always loved plans."