Here is the new re-wright of chapter 3. I have finaly managed to get a beta reader, who has helped in this and is going to help me in future chapters. Thanks Inflamora Notoris.
Wh… Where am I? Actually, come to think of it, who am I? I feel like I was hit by a War Hammer in the face. My entire body was acting and groaning from a previous anguish. The wearied thing is that my body feels different, and yet normal at the same time. Maybe I should open my eyes.
I opened my eyes and found that I was lying face first on the ground in some sort of cage. Wait, yes I remember now, I was flying with my brother, when something hit me from behind, yes, wait what? Since when could I fly? Wasn't I a human? No, I'm a Night Fury right? Wait, no, and since when did I have a brother? Ah, my head hurts.
I tried to get onto my feet, but when I noticed that my hands were covered in black scales and were slightly more claw-like, I froze. I stared at them for a few moments, flexing the muscles in my hands to test if they were in fact mine. I should be panicking, I mean I do remember my hands not having scales on them, you know, like any brave Viking would. Yet, I feel strangely fine with this, as if I had scales for the whole of my life.
Shaking the strange feeling, I started to turn my head to see what else has changed. Sure enough, my entire body is covered with the same black scales, I had two massive bat-like wings, and a very long tail which had two retractable fins at the end of them. The strange thing was that I was fine with this. How could I be fine with this? I tried to test the new muscles, which proved to be a success, almost too successful, like I had them for my entire life. My entire body had changed, I look like that dragon on the other side of that divider. Wait, what did that human say? That our body would merge to become one? I tuned my head, looking for said dragon, and sure enough he had disappeared… Or rather, he is far more closer than ever before.
"Great, just great. I am now officially the most unlucky Viking in history" I said to no one in particular. 'At least I still sound like me, and why did I call the doctor guy 'human', as if we are not from the same species? Do I still count as being human? My head's hurting again.'
My wings were, unconsciously, starting to drop in response to my new found depression. I could also feel a set of ear flaps on my head also start to drop. Great, not only do I have wings, a tail, scales, and more than likely be able to breath fire, but I also have puppy ears, like this could get any more embarrassing. Wait… I'm naked aren't I? Yep… And it seems I lost my manhood as well, great. At least Astrid is not here to see this, wait ASTRID! I completely forgot about her. I frantically turned my head searching for the missing blond haired, axe throwing girl.
My eyes finally landed on the opposite cage, where there was once a young girl and a Deadly Nadder, now laid a humanoid dragon. My eyes were glued to the creature, in fear of it disappearing the moment I blink. The creature had humanoid versions of a Nadder's legs (which are bird like and slightly disturbing). Two beautiful blue wings of a Nadder now laid on her back, lying on either side of her body, she also had a Nadder's tail which twitched slightly due to what I suspect is her body getting used to the newer extension. Her entire body is covered with the same bright blue scales as those of the Nadder, and finally, her arms seem to also have bright blue, bird-like, feathers which are attached to the back of her arms. For some reason this made her look very attractive, probably from the new dragon senses.
"Astrid?" I asked the dormant figure, hoping that she would respond. Thankfully she did.
In response to my voice, she began to stir and stand up. When she got to her feet, I realised she still had her slender figure, her bright blue eyes, and the same face (granted, now covered with scales and her mouth looks a bit like the beak of the Nadder, but who focuses on the small details?) from her human body, but not much else. Oh, and she is also naked, but I think the combination of the Nadder scales and new Night Furry part of my brain kind of make this ok. (What? It does).
"Wh… Where? Hiccup?" She asked, I could tell she was just as puzzled about the situation as I was. Rubbing her head with one of her, now, clawed-hands. When she finally recovered from her dazed state, she just stared at me, she had a sudden shocked expression on her face, but that quickly vanished. "Hiccup?... Why do you look like that Night Fury?"
I expected this sort of response, I would ask the same thing. "The same reason why you look like a Deadly Nadder." I replied "You like? I was hopping for some brown to be added to the scales, you know, to add a bit of diversity. I can't complain though." I added sarcastically, trying to bring up the mood. It failed. Astrid caught my sarcastic humour and glared at me with one of her 'looks' which also caused an unintentional affect of Astrid's new Nadder tail to snap open and a soft growl to escape her lips.
I flinched, releasing a threatening growl towards the still glaring dragon-girl. I could also feel my eyes delating into slits. I was a bit startled about my reaction, immediately returning my eyes to normal. What was that? Was that some sort of instinct? My attention went back to myself though after Astrid began inspecting her new body in more detail, and I decided to evaluate my current situation.
Ok, I am now some sort of hybrid, trapped in a cage with a hybrid Astrid, I can't remember how I got here… or anything for that matter. Is there anything I have missed? As if on cue, I hear the rattling of chains in another cage and a very familiar deep, booming voice "I am sorry, what they did was barbaric and unethical. There was nothing I could do that could prevent the process. I do not deserve to be forgiven"
After hearing that voice, some memories started to return, but only enough for me to know who I was going to talk to. "How could this be your fault? You had nothing to do with this in any way" I answered him. Astrid was also looking at his general direction, clearly confused by this statement as I was.
"Perhaps not directly, but the fact I was the doctors first successful experiment meaning that they had a platform to spread there darkened shadow across these lands, transforming the lives of everyone they touch, and all because I survived" he replied
"Well if it means anything, we forgive you, right Astrid…. Astrid?" She was still staring at the shrouded figure, probably deciding whether it really was his fault. "Astrid, trying to brighten the mood here, really need you cooperation" I said, lowing my voice so that only Astrid could hear what I was saying.
"Yeah, sure. Not your fault. Can't blame yourself" she replied, clearly not really paying attention to the conversation. There was a brief silence while the unknown being contemplated on what me and Astrid (but mostly me) said. I could hear movement in his cage, as what I believed was him trying it get closer.
"Thank you, my friends" he finally said.
Just then my ears pricked up (well my new ears anyway) I could hear in the distance a heavy door opening and closing, then footsteps. The others must have heard it to because the rattling of heavy chains ceased, and Astrid was also looking at the direction of the noise, a growl escaping her throat, eyes slit. Then an idea came to my head, a small grin began to form in my face.
"Astrid lie down on the floor" this got me a questionable look from Astrid which either read that she was puzzled or thought I was being a idiot. "Pretend to still be unconscious, trust me" she must have gotten the idea because she began to lie down on the floor giving me an annoyed look, probably because I thought of it. When I registered she won't move until the time was right, I did the same.
Soon enough, I heard the footsteps stop outside my cage, then I heard them talking. "Looks like they haven't woken up yet." "Looks like it. Right, I'll go into this ones and you check on the other." "Got it." I heard my cage door open and felt the presence of the man's hand on my shoulder. The next thing I new, my entire body whipped around to face the alarmed man, my right arm grasping for his throat and pinning him to a wall while my left was poised, ready to strike at him if he tried anything. My eyes were slits, and held no human emotions, I was only reacting on instinct.
I could see the utter fear in his eyes, knowing what I did next would decide whether he will see the next day.
And I killed him.
My left arm was now in his chest, my hand emerged from his back clutching his heart. I saw in his eyes his life force slowly disappearing from him, as if escaping from the new opening to freedom. I regained my senses once he took his final breath, his now lifeless eyes falling behind his head. I was in shook, did I just kill a man? No, no I couldn't do that I just couldn't. I'm not like that, there must be some other explanation. I dropped the now lifeless husk and stammered back tripping on my new tail, starring at what I had just done. My ear flaps folding back, and my wings lowing themselves to the ground.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Astrid putting her captive unconscious and turning to head out of her cage looking at me with frustration (probably thinking I messed something up and needed assistance), I could just vaguely hear what she was saying "are you coming out here or not? Honestly you must be the most useless." She paused when she spotted the carcass and the pool of fresh blood pouring out of it and then saw my freshly bloodied hand. I slowly turned my head to her, vaguely acknowledging her existence, my eyes must have been filled will sorrow, fright, and shock. While hers held disbelief.
"Hiccup?" She asked, trying to determine whether I was ok. I looked deep into her eyes, trying to find something, anything that could help make me understand what I had just done. But sadly, I came out empty. I turned back to look at the body and said in what can barley be called a whisper "I did this" and with that I simply got up and exited the cage, Astrid moving back a bit to give me some room. Her body posture held an emotion I would never had expected from her, concern.
I did this, and now I have to live with it, at least I could do one more thing to try and make amens. I headed strait to the cage containing the unknown figure, my eye sight was greatly improved because of the new dragon senses, but the shroud of darkness still hung over him as if the shadows themselves wanted his identity to remain a secret. I have been in this new body for two minutes and I fate everything about it, I want to become a human again, even if it means trusting a complete stranger.
I was now directly in front of the cage, looking up at the being which remains a mystery since he was captured. "We can get you out of here if you want" I began, I still could no see the figure but I could tell he was listening to me "but you have to promise us that, once we get out of here, you help us reverse this" gesturing to myself and Astrid, who was now standing behind me, also looking at the shrouded being, arms crossed, giving a look which could kill a man if looks could kill, but I could glimpse a shade of worry. Why would she be worried, Astrid does not worry, unless.. Wait is she worried about me?
There was a brief pause while the figure contemplated on the conditions, but this lasted merely a second. "Very well, I except this" he agreed "and thank you, for before and in the future." Without giving a second thought, I grabbed the cage door with both of my hand and using my new found dragon strength and help from Astrid, we ripped the door right out of its hinges and flung it over our heads.
With that out of the way, I entered into the newly opened cage, Astrid followed but more cautiously, and what we saw dumbstruck us.
The creature was Huge, easily 9ft tall, clearly built to be a warrior. His red and darker red scales don't look like another layer of skin, like me or Astrid, but looked more like he was wearing a thick piece of heavy armour. He had clawed-humanoid feet, similar to Astrid's except being bigger and more 'armoured' and seriously big fists, bigger than… than ten regular fists. His face, oh his face, looked more beastly than human, with little to no lips, we could see razor sharp teeth within his mouth, his face structure was round but covered in sharp spikes and edges, his dark blue eyes were a cross between a mindless monster and a caring father, looking at his child. His wings look similar to those of a Night Fury, but it seemed thicker and had three rows of black spikes come out in the wing bending joint. The chains were locked onto both his wrists and ankles, pinning him to the back wall while his tale, long with a spiky like stump at the end, was also locked onto the floor by a sixth chain which was also surrounded by the same darkness that shrouded him. If those doctor guys thought we were innocent enough that we didn't need anything to restrict us, then this guy must be seriously dangerous.
I shook the thought out of my head and turned to look at Astrid. "Would you work on the chains on the left while I work on the chains on the right?" I asked
She was still studying the new beast as if determining if it was a threat to the both of us. "Yeah sure" she replied, not letting her eyes leave the massive beast. I moved towards the two assigned chains and decided to work top down, so I climbed on top of the leg chain, and using my new dragon strength ripped the chain holding his arm right of the wall. The red half-dragon used his newly freed arm to rip of both leg chains, while Astrid broke the arm chain on her side.
We both then backed of to give the giant some room. Watch him in awe as the beast freed himself from the remaining chains, then stepping forward, he gave a roar of delight which boomed through the corridor, it could turn the most bravest of Vikings into shivering wrecks. He turned his massive head down to us and gave a confirmed nod before walking down the dark corridor. Each step from his mighty feet, made the earth shake by his mere presence. It was truly an impressive sight to behold. Astrid and I both followed the giant, making sure we did not get hit by his tail or accidentally getting stepped on.
After about three minutes of silent walking, we came to a large grey wall. The wall was remarkably smooth except for some handles, positioned to be easily accessed by anything human sized. The most strangest thing though is that there were also two very long pieces of metal which had deep groves in the middle. These were positioned on the top and bottom of the wall.
Both Astrid and I were about to turn around when, surprisingly, the mighty dragon giant continued forward, unfazed by the fact we reached a dead end. "You have opened the doors to my salvation and hope to a better future" he began to say, not turning to look at us "it is time for me to open the doors to your own." For a short while, we just stared at him, confused, until he brought one of his might fits and smashed it against the wall. This caused a mighty crevice to form, revealing the other side. Then using the new opening, he grabbed the wall and ripped the thing right of.
We were dumbstruck, just staring at him with mouths open and eyes wide. Astrid quickly recovered though and grabbed my arm, she forced me to run towards the new massive hole left by the dragon-giant. Behind the hole was another corridor which at the end was a opening that led up from where I was standing. I new he must have been powerful by how he was chained up but not THAT powerful. After I regained my bearings, Astrid let go of my arm and gave me one of her 'focus' looks. Before any of us could head out to that opening though, three black humans came out of nowhere and blocked our escape. My eyes widened at the site of them.
They were entirely made out of metal, being jet black, with bright red on the limbs. They were slightly bigger than most Vikings at Berk, with two swords attached to there arms. There faces looked more like they were wearing helmets, the only thing that told me that they weren't was a massive black spike coming out of the back of there head. There eyes glowed bright blood red.
Suddenly, before I had a chance to think, both of the black metal-men leaped forwards, preparing to strike there nearest target. Unfortunately for them, that was a certain red dragon-man. Using the still clenched piece of wall as a shield to block there swipes with there sword arms, he moved his still free hand onto his back, where he grabbed… A sword? Where did he get the sword? Come to think of it, how come I never noticed such a mighty weapon on his back? I mean, both me and Astrid were behind him the whole time. Anyway, using, most likely, THE LARGEST SWORD EVER he swung the thing right at the two metal-men, cutting them in two, small sparks of lightning shot from the now flying carcass's, there blood red eyes, turning into jet black as there life disappears through there open flesh- well metal hide. As he put the massive sword back onto his back, the dragon-giant tuned to us and said "we must continue with our journey, before more of the doctors minions reach us" and with that he began to run to the exit, forcing us to follow. There would be plenty of questions once we are safe.
As we ran through the dark corridor, I could feel the corridor becoming steeper and steeper, every time I placed my foot in front of the other, the closer I was to the service and my eventual escape from this hell. My new tail slashing behind me in excitement for the eventual contact I will have with the fresh air and the sun's rays. I could hear more of those metal-men trailing us like hunters to the prey, until finally, we reach the service.
It was night, though I could see as clear as day thanks to my new dragon senses. We came out onto a small beach, behind us was a very steep cliff side and the man-made cave entrance we exited from. Before I could fully indulge myself into my surroundings though, the dragon-giant abruptly grabbed me and Astrid with his mighty fists and jumped into the darkened sky, his massive wings carrying him higher and higher until we were above the cloud line.
It happened so suddenly that I did not even register what had happened until we were a good couple miles away from the complex which held us. I was not scared, funny enough, probably to do to my dragon side, I turned to see Astrid frantically trying to get the massive beast to let go of her to no success, must be quite embarrassing for her though, to be treated like she could not handle herself. Heh, welcome to my world.
Meanwhile back at the now empty cages, Dr Hans Luther was watching the recent events from a hidden observation window, located in such a way that it was oblivious to the three hybrid prisoners. Any other captor would be quite displeased to know that there prisoners escaped, even more to those who's captives were the first successful test subjects in there previously unsuccessful experiments. However, as he watch the three escape, he had a very sinister smile planted onto his face. "Doctor?" Hans turned around to be greeted by Dr William Shake his, what you may call 'apprentice'. "Yes?"
"I apologise questioning your judgment, but what logic is there in letting three of our greatest achievements escape?" He asked.
"My dear, dear child" Hans began, patting the younger scientist on his shoulder. "You must know there is great logic in all of my decisions. For you see, how do we truly know if they a success?" This raised an eyebrow on the apprentice.
"Yes, we know that the fisecal change was a success, but what about there minds? Don't worry my friend, we will always keep an eye on them. Besides if they do indeed elude us, there are always subjects D-4, D-5, and D-6"
In the opposite side of the observatory, was another window, and through this window one could see an identical room to that of the ones the young Vikings were held. In the three cages however were three other Vikings, all held the crest of the berserker tribe. In the cages, on the dragons side contained a Scauldron, a Whispering Death, and a Skrill.