Mermaid of the Huntsclan Chapter 2
As Mirana was in the lake admiring the unicorns the devil came out of the woodworks to nab one. There were two currently having a drink at the waters edge in the pond. The perfect prey for a hunter to snatch.
The Huntsmaster appeared out of the darkness stalking towards the herd with malignant intent in his heart for the hunt.
Stopping so check the position of the unicorns, Huntsmaster said "Ay, yes. Unicorn horns. Always a valuable commodity on the magical black market."
The Huntsmaster sun the telescope in his hands turning it back into a staff weapon. He then destroyed the bush he was using for concealment with it and charged at the oblivious unicorns.
Mirana isn't the only one to have detected the Huntsmaster and his purpose in Central Park.
Up high on a hill concealed from the Huntsmaster's eyes by some foliage stood the American Dragon Jake Long, his grandfather and Dragon Master Loa Shi, and their Magical Guardian Fu Dog. The three of them had been in the park for a training session when they'd learned of the Huntsmasters intentions here. Now all they were doing was wait for the right moment to strike and kick some serious Hunts Clan butt.
Crouched behind the bushes, Jake said "What's going down? Are we going to crack open a can of smack daddy on this Huntsman here or what?"
Shaking his head, Loa Shi said "Not we, you."
"Me? As in alone? Solo," said Jake, not having been put on a solo mission before. Until now it had just been training.
"I will not be around forever. It's time you put your dragon training to the test," said Lao Shi, wisely.
Trying to play it up in order to show he wasn't scared at all, cracking his knuckles, Jake said "Right! Ha! Put my mad skizz-ills to the test. I'm all over it."
Jake then leapt over the vegetation charging after the Huntsmaster.
"Hey, hey! Make it good, Kid. I'm calling Ernie and laying 50 biscuits on you," said Fu Dog, now wearing a sport drinking hat and a cellphone in his paw along with a giant foam finger. He then made the call. "Hey, Big Ernie! Ho Ho! It's Fu! I need to make a bet!"
The Huntsmaster was moving inch by inch closer to his prey getting within striking distance of the unicorns. Jake was the same way, but with his focus instead on the Huntsmaster. The Huntsmaster was so one track minded on the unicorns that he had no idea Jake was sneaking up on him.
Jake was in position.
"Now! Give him dragon fire," whispered Lao Shi.
Morphing his head into that of his dragon form, grinning, Jake said "Taste my dragon breath, Dirtball." Jake then went to spew fire at the Huntsmaster, but when he tried to do so the flame came out of the wrong end.
Yup Jake farted it out of him. He is still new to this dragon this so he hadn't worked out all the kinks yet.
Unfortunately for Jake this alerted the Huntsmaster to his presence destroying the element of surprise.
Bad like for Lao Shi and Fu Dog that they were in the crossfire from that. They both dived for cover just when the fireball incinerated the bush they were hiding behind.
Seeing this the unicorns down by the water scattered running off and disappearing into the night. The unicorns are safe which is far from how Jake was going to be.
"Sorry! My bad, guys," apologized Jake. He then saw that the back of his pants was on fire as a result from his misfortune. "Whoa! Watch it! Hot cheeks, hot cheeks!"
Breaking cover Jake cannonballed into the bond and dunked her flaming butt into the water. The fire instantly went out.
Narrowing his eyes and locking them onto a brand new prize, Huntsmaster said "Dragon."
The Huntsmaster stormed directly for Jake.
"Huh," said Jake, finally remembering he wasn't alone. He then struggled with shifting into his full dragon form while starting to panic when it wasn't immediate. "Oh, come on. Dragon up. Oh! Dragon up! Oh! Now would be nice!"
"Say good-bye, Dragon," growled the Huntsmaster, upon Jake and slashing at him with his scythe.
At the last possible second Jake somehow managed to dodge while at the same time completing the transformation.
"Ha! Ha! Is that all you got, Huntsman? 'Cause I'm about to come over there and-," goaded Jake, getting into a fighting stance.
Probably not Jake's best choice to act so cocky in his first ever magical fight with someone from the Huntsclan.
Jake got blindsided by the apprentice of the Huntsmaster that he failed to keep an eye out for. A lesson learned. Where there's one from the Huntsclan there's always another nearby in the vicinity.
Bowing in respect and greeting to her mentor, Huntsgirl said "How was that, Huntsmaster?"
"Very nice, Huntsgirl. Your training has served you well," praised Huntsmaster.
Groaning from the impact Jake staggered to his feet. The two rookies then began to circle each other while exchanging witty banter.
"Come on, now what's a nice girl like you doing hunting unicorns," flirted Jake, suave.
Jake then belched out fire as Huntsgirl elbowed him hard in the gut. Huntsgirl then did a flip getting behind Jake and pinning one of his arms.
"What's a nice guy like you doing outside in his undies," countered Huntsgirl.
"Huh," said Jake, looking down to find his lower half had reverted back to his human form only without the pants so his boxers were revealed. Oh! Well, I-."
Jake yelped as he was shoved to the earth by Huntsgirl.
"You have a golden opportunity to slay your first dragon. Finish him," ordered Huntsmaster, tossing his apprentice the weapon he held.
"With pleasure," said Huntsgirl with relish, aiming at Jake and prepared to fire.
Before Huntsgirl could take advantage of Jake's lackluster state the grass in between the three ignited creating a wall of fire that divided them. All were left stunned. Footsteps were heard and all turned to find Fu Dog and Lao Shi approaching from the shadows.
A Dragon student they could handle, but not a Dragon Master at the present time. Huntsmaster and Huntsgirl needed time to prepare.
But this fire did not come from the dragons that much Huntsmaster knew. In fact he cast a suspicious glance down at the water as if searching for something, but finding nothing there. At least nothing he could outright see. This calls for further investigation into another day.
Time for a tactical retreat.
Gathering Huntsgirl to him, Huntsmaster proclaimed "This is not over, Dragon!"
With the staff Huntsgirl handed back to him Huntsmaster teleported them out of them in a flashing ball of green mystical energy. One second they were there and the next the Huntsclan duo were gone in a flash.
"Ah, tough break, Kid. Almost as bad as when you tangle with those mountain trolls last week. Or the week before that, when you took on the giants," said Fu Dog, laughing it up big time. "Or the week before that, when those field pixies tossed you a beatin'."
"Young Dragon, you must learn that smack daddy does not come in a can. Tomorrow we step up your training. Be on rooftop right after school," said Lao Shi, jabbing at Jake in the chest.
By rooftop Lao Shi meant the one over his store and home.
"Ah, ok, I'll be there, Grandpa," sighed Jake. "By the way thanks for the save."
"What do you mean," asked Lao Shi, brow cocked.
Gesturing towards the now burned out flames, Jake said "Weren't you the one who made that fire to stop the Huntsmen from getting to me?"
"That didn't come from us, Kid. Remember Lao Shi wanted you to handle this one by yourself," said Fu Dog.
Exchanging a confused glance with his grandfather, Jake said "Then who did?"
Out of their sight the perpetrator dived beneath the water, her tail briefly splashing the surface of the pond water.
No, the Huntsman was correct, this indeed was not over by a long shot.
Authors Note:
Hope you guys like this one.
Oh boy. The Huntsmaster may have figured out that interference was from her. Mirana is going to have to be seriously careful that she's not caught. What is she going to do?
Also, the anniversary for the terrible tragedy of day of 9/11 year's ago just occurred.
I was a very young child when that happened. All I can remember that day was my mother picking me and my little sister up from grade school. At home my sister and I learned what happened in New York City. My father came home soon after fearful that we were all going to be attacked. That was one of the scariest days of my life. I know for a fact I'll never forget it. I doubt anyone will.
For those reading this right now I know we can't all be together, but I ask that you share a moment of silence and prayer, no matter your religion, out of respect for the people who died that day and those alive who are still suffering from being there that day. And those of you who may be either going to a restaurant or a bar please raise a glass in a toast for those survivors and fallen.