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

~ Chapter 38 ~

There was a sudden blaze of light as Hiccup drew his sword, the blade bursting with flames born of Monstrous Nightmare saliva.

Despite their own high-tech weapons, Hiccup was pleased to see that the men surrounding them took a step back.

Bionic's cruel, cold eyes fell on the scorching blade. He shook his head. "Hiccup, Hiccup, what kind of rescue mission is this? You could always give up your large lizard and walk out of here, free of harm."

"Oh, yeah, sure," Fang said in mock enthusiasim. "And then you'd just do whatever horrible things it is you have planned for Toothless. Yeah, that sounds like a real good idea, Bionic. I mean, I'm practically jumping over the moon to-"

Bionic's glare was unimpressed.

"Shutting up." Fang grinned. "But can we just get to the part where we escape and you, like, fail dramatically?"

Bionic's eyes glittered with malice. "I believe, Fang, that you will find it is YOU who have finally failed."

"Hey, we got in, didn't we?" Fang shot back.

"Fang, you're not helping," Max sighed.

"And you will never get out," Bionic whispered, his voice dangerously low. "You will remain here. You are surrounded, and will never leave again. Finally, after all my years of trying, I have captured-"

"-A wolf, a horse and some random kid with a flaming sword." Fang yawned. "Yep, well done, Bionic, your skills are certainly amazing."

"Will. You. SHUT IT!" Bionic roared, his voice echoing through the cells. His eyes burned with a fire that not even Hiccup's sword could match.

"Hm... yeah, no." In an instant, Fang was no longer beside Hiccup; a wolf, it's dazzling white fur cutting through the dullness of their surroundings, had lunged at the closest man, his jaws locked on their shoulder plate.

The man went down heavily, and Fang was off him and running, streaking close to the ground, before the others could react.

"STOP THEM!" Bionic's voice screamed.

A heavy body beside Hiccup barreled through the wave of advancing men. Despite his size, Max dodged and ducked as red darts shot through the air.

Hiccup sliced his sword down in a flaming arch. The man closest to him suddenly found himself holding two halves of what had once been his gun. He looked at Hiccup. Then he retreated. Fast.

Slowly advancing, Hiccup hacked through the weapons of every armored man who came at him, leaving some with gashes in their armor's thick plates, and others holding pieces of their weapons, looking confused.

After slashing through another man's gun, Hiccup glanced down at his sword and his eyes widened. The flame was quickly beginning to go out, reducing the once raging flames to a pathetic flicker.

"Out of fire, are you?" Bionic taunted from somewhere afar. "Guards! Get him!"

Even though his blade was no longer aflame, it was still red-hot and razor-sharp and several men cringed away in pain, hissing through their teeth, as the blade sliced through their weapons and armor.

Hiccup heard something slam to the ground behind him and snuck a quick glance over his shoulder.

Fang was sitting on top of the chest of a man who had been sneaking up on Hiccup from behind. His tongue lolled out and he gave Hiccup a happy grin, looking pleased with himself.

Hiccup! Max's voice called to him across the waves of men. Then the mass of guards scattered as a large, white stallion barged through, his silver mane flying like a flag of victory.

Go! Max shouted again, rearing and twisting around so that his huge bulk stood in front of Hiccup protectively. We'll hold them off while you find Toothless. He'll be in one of the far cages; they're always the biggest.

Yeah, and don't let the smell bother you too much, Fang added, grinning. Apparently, no one ever feels like cleaning this place.

Hiccup glaned from the men that were now pouring down the corridor towards them, then back at Fang and Max. "What about you guys?"

I just said we'll hold them off. Max gave a feirce snort and pawed the ground with his hoof, challenging the men to come closer.

"But-"

A whisp of crackling, electric-blue energy shot past Max, just missing his shoulder. Hiccup ducked as the bolt blasted into nothing against the bars behind him.

Whoa, Fang commented, ears pricked up. Super-charged tazers! That's new.

Hiccup! Max's voice was urgent. If you don't go now, you'll never get another chance. Fang and I can buy you enough time, but only if you LEAVE NOW.

Another bolt shot past and Hiccup ducked, the charge barely missing his ear.

"Thank you," he gasped, straightening upright. Without another word, he whipped around and tore off down the corridor.

But no matter how fast he ran, Max's furious whinnying and Fang's excited howls and growls still echoed in the distance.