Go Berserk.

Hiccup felt his heart grow cold and Arild press against him. The Governor of Meathead sounded smug and deferential in equal measures and he knew in his heart the identity of the Governor he was talking to. His memory very unhelpfully supplied him with a very graphic image of his horrific time in the galley and he felt himself begin to tremble. He clenched his fists tight and swallowed once to crush his instinctive reaction.

"Please..." he said softly. "Please let them go free. They are both innocent. If...if you promise to free them, then I will come...and accept my fate. I swear to Odin...I won't escape, I won't run...if you spare them." He felt Arild press harder against his legs, the small shape shaking with quiet sobs and there was the gasp of fear from Astrid.

"No..." she breathed and he felt his heart wench.

"Please...I promise..." he repeated.

"No...make them slaves..." a gruff voice said to Hiccup's left. His head snapped round, still blindfolded.

"NO!" Hiccup shouted, lurching towards the gruff voice-as a hand crashed into his face. He staggered back, hands restraining his shoulders. "DAMN YOU TO HEL! They're innocent! They don't deserve this! Just take me...please..."

"Our business is concluded," the gruff voice growled.

But the fierce grips on his shoulders just intensified and he felt himself dragged away. He struggled harder and was struck again. "ASTRID! ARILD! Don't worry. I will come for you! I will come for you!"

And then they were hauled outside, through the cold and damp night air down the slope towards the stronger waft of salt and plash of waves and creak of boats that signalled the port. Hiccup heard the soft sound of Astrid's breaths and the whimpers of his son, only a few feet behind him.

"Be strong," he murmured, repeating the words over and over, trying to convince them-and above all himself-that he could endure. But he felt his legs wavering as he was half-dragged up a gangplank onto a ship. He was resisting blindly, struggling and kicking as he was hauled across the deck and thrown into a cabin. He hit the floor and heard the door slam and lock behind him. Curled on his side, he felt his breaths shudder through him, his throat tight with despair. He had failed them all.

The ship bobbed and he heard the swoosh of sails and the creak of the mast, then the unmistakeable tug as the ship pulled away from the dock. Breathing hard and mastering his despair and his fear, he rolled painfully up onto his knees, feeling his side pull painfully as he turned his head towards the sounds of the deck. He craned his neck and tried to dislodge the blindfold, but it was tightly wound around his head and he was helpless to remove it. Gritting his teeth and forcing himself on, he scrambled to his feet and staggered to the place he had heard the door slam, before turning and trying to grab the door handle. His dexterous fingers prised the handle away and began to explore the mechanism. He could feel the tumblers move and he deftly unlocked the door...before it was wrenched open and he was pulled out.

Suddenly, he was standing on a swaying deck, the bob telling him that the ship was travelling with the wind. There were people around him, several sets of breathing in a close circle around his bound and helpless form. And then he felt his temper snap, furious at the injustice, at the threat to his family and the unreasonableness of the men capturing him. He kicked back, being rewarded by a groan as his boot connected with something soft. He heard someone move and a leg slammed out, taking the second man down.

"Hey..."

Arms grabbed him and wrapped him in a bear hug...but he slammed his head back twice and dragged himself free, screaming an incoherent cry of defiance as he lashed out a leg and floored the man. He tensed, half-ducking and swinging his head towards the next set of oncoming steps.

"HICCUP! Calm down, babe!"

Astrid! Was she hurt? Threatened?

He froze and lifted his head up, the rage melting in fear for her...but hands tenderly dragged the blindfold down and his wild emerald eyes stared into her worried face, her azure eyes locked on him. His eyes darted around, seeing Fishlegs, Sven and Snotlout on the deck, taken down by his blind attack. All were groaning and clutching various parts of their anatomy from his kicks. He looked around wildly, realising he was on the ship, sailing away from Meathead...and he was safe.

"Dad? Are you okay?" Finally, he dropped to his knees and felt the boy fling himself against the pirate as Mulch cut his hands free. He wrapped his arms around the boy with a sigh of relief.

"Oh gods, you're safe," he breathed. "How?" Snotlout groaned and slowly scrambled to his feet.

"The Governor-Elect of Berk arrived and demanded the pirate who has ravaged our Island, wiped out our largest shipping company and murdered three leading citizens," he groaned, rubbing his jaw. "They couldn't wait to hand you over!" Hiccup stared up at him and his relieved face tilted into a brief smile.

"Thanks, Snot...but was there any need to blindfold and manhandle me?" he asked.

"I needed you to act...well, as if you didn't want to come," Snotlout explained, straightening up and grimacing.

"That's for sure," Fishlegs commented sharply, rubbing his midriff. "When you were here, we locked you in a cabin until we sailed out of sight...but we could take Astrid and young Toothless to the hold and free them immediately. Sorry, Captain...we needed it to look convincing..." Giving a small nod, Hiccup slowly scrambled to his feet with Arild in his arms and walked to Astrid wrapping an arm around her and pressing a very passionate kiss on her lips. He rested his forehead against hers for a long moment.

"Thank the Gods you're safe, Milady," he murmured. Then he swept his gaze across the deck, feeling her arms gently rest on his chest. For a moment, he felt safe...and then his eyes narrowed and he jerked his head to the cabin. "Astrid, Fish, Snot, Sven...we need to talk," he said sternly. "NOW!"

They followed him into the cabin and he dropped Arild onto the large bed, motioning Astrid to sit by him. Fishlegs and Sven lit the lamps as he swiftly reassembled the door lock. Then he slumped onto the bunk by Astrid and took the boy onto his lap.

"Astrid made a very pertinent point when we were in the cells," he said in a low voice. "The guards on Meathead were looking for us-a dozen of them." His voice hardened. "Someone had tipped them off." Snotlout scratched his chin and sighed.

"Mildew," he revealed. "Cami's crew-mate, Mathilda, saw him going into the Administrative Office..." Hiccup frowned.

"Because...?"

"Because...he has been tasked to stop you completing the mission?" Fishlegs suggested.

"But by who?" Hiccup asked softly. "Viggo...or Dagur?" Snotlout frowned and his face suddenly folded into an awed expression.

"I don't trust any of them," Astrid muttered.

"Nor me," said a confident voice from the door. Hiccup leapt to his feet, sliding Arild into Astrid's lap and balling his fists as he lurched forward, heading towards Cami, who backed up a step in shock.

"This is the last time you betray me," he growled, his eyes darkening with rage. But Arild was thrust into his arms as Astrid shot past him, her fist cocked and slamming into her face.

"You bitch! You set us up!" she shouted, hitting Cami again. The female pirate ducked the third shot and punched Astrid in the midriff.

"That was never my intention..." she wheezed.

"But you watched them take me...when they wanted you!" Astrid roared back, kicking the pirate in the middle. Cami flung herself onto Astrid, losing her patience.

"Think you can take me, blondie?" she taunted.

"Every day of the week!"

"Um...Hiccup...has this ever happened to you before?" Snotlout asked with a frown, watching the two blondes fighting fiercely and rolling around on the floor.

"No, actually, but it was always on the cards, to be honest," Hiccup conceded as Arild's eyes widened in shock as Astrid grabbed a handful of Cami's hair and punched her again. "Though I always guessed Astrid would eventually win if it did happened..."

"You thought they...?"

"Well, Cami has spent pretty much the entire time baiting and deliberately annoying Astrid," Hiccup admitted. "And a guy can occasionally dream of two blondes fighting over him...and I don't mean the twins..." Snotlout cast him a sideways glance and sighed.

"You really have a very unusual crew," he sighed. "Look, Hicc...Cami was with me when you were taken...and stopped me making a huge mistake by attacking without thinking. She helped me warn the others you were taken and who turned you in. And she stepped in and helped us raid the Meathead Library. And though she is...as unusual as you all are...I trusted her when she said that Mildew betrayed you. She delivered in the library. And she suggested how we could rescue you..." Hiccup blinked.

"It was her idea?" he murmured as Astrid threw Cami against the door of the cabin. The door gave way and the two brawling woman rolled onto the deck, screaming insults and trading punches.

"Erm...I think she said she owed you for rescuing one of her crewmen..." Snotlout said in a slightly embarrassed voice as Astrid was thrown across the deck. She screamed and threw herself onto Cami, calling at her face. Cheeks scorching, Hiccup inspected the floor, feeling Arild fidget.

"Yeah...anyone would have done that..." he murmured in an self-conscious voice as Arild tugged his shirt urgently, his pale face and wide green eyes worried.

"Dad-aren't you going to help Mom?" the boy asked. Hiccup grimaced.

"Bud, I can honestly say that if I step in, I am a dead man!" he explained. "Your Mom is a very fierce woman and would not take kindly to being interrupted..."

"Yes, I would!" Astrid shouted, biting Cami's hand and throwing her backwards. Cami tackled her at waist height and the two went down again. "Anytime, babe!"

"Got Arild here," Hiccup called, taking a step back. "I maybe shouldn't..." Astrid rolled onto Cami and slapped her hard.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock-get your scrawny ass over here and help me kill this skank!" she raged, pinning Cami finally and wrenching her arms across her back. "Or I swear to Odin I will chop off every bit of you that you value!" Hiccup gulped loudly and looked at his cousin for protection.

"So how did your date go with Cami?" he asked Snotlout quickly. His cousin gave a small grin, a reminiscent look in his blue eyes.

"Actually...it was the best date I've been on," he admitted. "She's untrustworthy and unpredictable but yeah...I could really see us together...until she watched you arrested...and Astrid in her place..."

"HICCUP! You are going to so regret...!" Astrid howled. Hiccup gently put Arild down and the boy watched as the Captain walked to the two women and bellowed:

"ENOUGH!"

"Dude! Let them fight to the end! We were really enjoying that!" Tuff protested and Hiccup looked up-to see pretty much the entire crew, standing around and watching the cat fight. Sven and Roar were exchanging money and Ruff was chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Oh, gods," Hiccup groaned, grabbing Astrid and prying her off Cami as Snotlout swooped forward and snared Cami before she could retaliate. The two women were scratching and clawing at each other, blonde hair festooned loose, clothing torn and faces scratched and bruised from the ferocious battle. "Cool it, Milady! You had her pinned. You won!"

"Like Hel she did!" Cami snarled. "I was just..."

"I SAID ENOUGH!" Hiccup shouted. "Odin Almighty! If I hear one more word I will pitch you overboard-savvy?" Cami glared and wrenched her arms free of Snotlout.

"Fine thanks for saving your life..." she muttered.

"'ere...I were enjoyin' that!" Mildew whined and the whole crew turned to glare at him. Hiccup maintained her grip on Astrid, who was making to lunge at the old pirate. He had to use all his strength to restrain her: she was completely furious and astonishingly strong.

"Sven, Fish, Mulch...arrest Mildew and his man, Olav!" Hiccup commanded. "Lock them in the cage in the hold!"

"What? Yer can't do this!" Mildew protested, reaching for his sword. Olav was quicker, snatching his sword and an axe and charging the approaching crew...but a sword flew forward, burying in his chest. His eyes rolled back in his head and dropped, boneless and dead on the deck. Elias lowered his arm and stared.

"Honourless," he commented. "Betray Captain...and all free men."

"Yer killed 'im!" Mildew shouted furiously. "I'll 'ave yer fer that! Master Viggo will 'ear and yer'll feed the fishes when I gets back ter Berk!"

"What makes you think you'll ever get back to Berk?" Hiccup asked him simply. "You betrayed me to the Meathead Guards-and they would have executed me. It's only fair you experience the same penalty! Lock him in the cage! We'll execute sentence in the morning!"

They could hear the screams as Mildew was dragged down to the cage and the crew all looked at their Captain. Hiccup was staring, his face cold and Astrid pulled free of his grasp, seeing the light fade from his eyes. Instantly, she turned to press a hand to his cheek and draw him back to her, realising that whatever memory he was reliving, it was dark and cold and frightening. He blinked and a small smile twitched his lips.

"Viggo will be hacked off," he murmured, hearing Mildew's continuing complaints. Cami ran her fingers through her hair and tossed it back off her face.

"Not when I tell him how Mildew betrayed you and the mission," she said calmly. "And me as well..." She managed a smirk and he sighed.

"Cami..." he warned her but she turned back to Snotlout and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks for the date, Honey," she smiled. "Now I gotta get tidied up. And we have a mission to complete..." And she flounced away with Mathilda at her side. Hiccup peered at his cousin and waved his hand in front of his face.

"Erm...Snot...hello? Can you hear me? Somebody tip some water over him, will you?" he said wearily and Astrid sniggered, slipping her arm through his. Tuff and Ruff fought over who got to throw a bucket of icy seawater over Snotlout-and in the end they both did. Soaked, freezing and suddenly furious, he began to chase them over the deck and even Hiccup managed to crack a smile. Astrid pulled him close.

"You okay, babe?" she murmured and he pressed close to her.

"Tired, hungry, totally unnerved and cold," he replied softly. "And infinitely relieved to be back safe with you and Arild."

"And scared witless at going back to Berserk," she guessed.

"Erm, yeah, that as well," he admitted. "Astrid...I don't know how I can do this..." She swung to face him, her arms around his neck. His hands slid down to her waist, leaning close to her.

"You don't have to know," she reminded him gently. "Let the crew help. The team is greater than any one man. Eat, relax and get them to talk once we have all settled." She kissed him and he leaned close, his green eyes closed in relief.

"What did I do without you?" he breathed.

"Waited for me," she murmured, snuggling close.

oOo

In the Captain's cabin a couple of hours later, Hiccup, Astrid, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Sven, Mulch, the twins, Arild and Cami were all ranged round the table, brainstorming the plan for the final weapon.

"It's the Thunderdrum, the giant cannon we really need," Fishlegs explained, spreading a map of Berserk on the small table. The twins, who were sitting on the floor by Arild's little bunk, high-fived.

"Genius!" Tuff grinned. "That Drago won't know what's hit him..."

"Unless Mildew already told him," Cami reminded them, lounging in Snotlout's lap.

"I'm not worried about Drago," Hiccup said quietly. "He believes nothing can penetrate his ships. No, I'm worried about Dagur. He'll be looking for us. I'm sure Mildew has warned him...so he'll be waiting."

"Meaning we'll have limited time to find and retrieve the weapon," Snotlout realised.

"Fish? Any dragons on Berserk?" Hiccup asked. The First Mate shook his head.

"They hunted them to extinction many years ago," he said sadly. "There are no old nests or caves..."

"Dad...they did have a dragon..." Arild said quietly. All eyes turned on the skinny little shape, his bright green eyes timid as he stared at the adults. Ruff put her hand back and he patted it gently. Fishlegs shook his head, looking offended.

"Arild..."

"Dad-they really did!" the boy insisted urgently. "I read Fish's big book...and there was this really cool dragon with lightning bolts all around it..."

"The Skrill..." Fishlegs frowned.

"The symbol of Berserk," Hiccup added absently, recalling from his lessons as a boy in preparation for becoming Governor.

"There is one...frozen in amber...in the Temple of the Skrill in Berserk town..." Arild insisted. "It's the only dragon on Berserk." Fishlegs stared into the middle distance, his blue eyes unfocussed as he reran the memory of the entry. Then he nodded.

"Though how you remember that entry..." he murmured.

"It was really cool, Fish," Arild said, grinning proudly. "Lightning bolts and everything..."

"Amber?" Sven frowned. "Doesn't that come out of trees? How did they ever get enough to entomb a dragon?"

"Unless it's a really small dragon..." Tuff piped up. "Hey, that would be cool..."

"Or an amber-like substance...produced by an extinct dragon called the Deathsong...that used to capture then eat other dragons..." Fish mused. "It's amber could be broke by fire, freeing the dragon..."

"Fishlegs Ingerman...you were my only friend on the Thor's Hammer but so help me, you are NOT releasing a damned Skrill-even on Berserk!" Hiccup said firmly. "Do you think there will be a chance the Thunderdrum is concealed there?"

"Wrinkley the Wise helped build the current Temple in his later years," Fishlegs told him happily.

"Just great," Hiccup grumbled. "So we have to break into the most sacred place on Berserk which will already be expecting us..."

"Sweet!" Tuff said happily. Everyone glared. "Not sweet?"

"Suicide, more like," Snotlout sighed.

"We need a diversion," Hiccup admitted, opening his arms and inviting Arild to jump on him. The boy grinned happily. "Proud of you, son. Good work!"

"Who's permitted to visit the Temple of the Skrill?" Astrid asked thoughtfully.

"Visiting dignitaries...the Governor and his family...Dragon Masters..." Fishlegs quoted. Cami raised a finger.

"Berserk will be prepared...so we will need more than one diversion..." she suggested then winced at the glares. "Shutting up as well..."

"No...it actually makes sense," Astrid murmured. "We need the defences off guard, Dagur off guard, the Temple Priests off guard...and all looking in different directions..." Hiccup stared at her, his brows furrowed and she took his hand with a smirk.

"Um...what have you got planned, Milady?" he asked warily. She glanced up briefly at Cami then back to Hiccup.

"The most audacious, complicated and dangerous raid in the history of piracy," she grinned. "Fish...I need to know how that second weapon works. Snot...you need to write yourself a letter of introduction to the Governor of Berserk..."

"I can manage that," Hiccup volunteered.

"Ruff, Tuff...I think we need to Count and Countess of Wilderwest once more..." Astrid announced. Whooping in excitement, the twins head-butted, then collapsed backwards, unconscious. "If you can remember who they were," she added.

"I'm going to hate this, aren't I?" Hiccup asked her softly. She gave a sad little smile.

"Yes, my love," she murmured. "But trust me. This is the only way."

"Why did I know you were going to say that?"

oOo

Berserk was much flatter than Berk, a larger island very heavily fortified with Berserker guards everywhere. The town was build of grey stone, well-organised and prosperous. Berserkers made good weapons and excellent leather goods and they worshipped all the old Gods-plus the Skrill that had protected their island in aeons past. The island was also much more strictly ruled, with frequent patrols, large jails and harsh sentences. The slave markets ran most days and slave galleys filled the harbour.

In the small hours, the little rowing boat sneaked to one of the more isolated bays a couple of miles from the main harbour and the team pulled it up on the muddy shore, before heading into town under cover of darkness. There was a curfew enforced by guards but the team knew where they were heading and hunkered down, waiting for daybreak.

oOo

The guard on the harbour noted the small boat limping in, sails hanging off in rags and the three weary-looking inhabitants gratefully accepting a tow into the docks from a passing galley. The guards were waiting for them on the dock, suspicious of the down-at-heel fishing boat that looked on the brink of sinking. The first man-a big, husky blond man with blue eyes and a timid manner-smiled in gratitude at the proffered hand that hauled him onto the docks. He grabbed his satchel and hugged the big book in his arms tenderly.

"Thank Thor," he said with a nervous smile. "I thought we would sink before we got here..." A solid, stern looking man with a shaven head and a young boy with tousled black hair and bright, excited green eyes clambered out after him, both looking relieved.

"Why are you here?" the guard asked sternly. The husky man sighed.

"I am Dragon Master Frode Ingerman," he explained. "My cousin, Sven Svendsen and my apprentice, Toothless..."

"Hi!" Arild said cheerily. He had been given very strict instructions-to stick close to Fishlegs and Sven and not wander off or annoy anyone. And he was so proud that he had been trusted in this mission-because he was the only one who could convince as an apprentice-that he was determined not to let his Dad down.

"And we have travelled halfway across the Archipelago to pay homage to the greatest of dragons, the Skrill!" Fishlegs said eagerly. There was really no need to feign his enthusiasm because, even though he had almost been squashed by the huge dragon that had been nesting under Wrinkley's cave, he had always been excited by dragons and the chance to see an-albeit preserved-Skrill was geeking him out completely. Arild took his hand and grinned up at him.

"Yes, master!" he agreed then turned his innocent gaze on the guard. "We nearly died coming here because we had to see it because we know it's the coolest dragon in the world..."

Sven just grunted, scowling. He could manage straight man to Fish's geek and Arild's cute apprentice-just-but his was the hardest job. The guard stared at the motley group and sighed: the Skrill was an object of pilgrimage for those who still hankered after the old days, when dragons existed and life was kill or be killed. And his job was to make sure they didn't cause trouble...though he doubted what trouble a fat young man, a skinny boy and a grumpy bald man could cause. He waved them on.

"Up the hill, to the right of the Governor's Palace," he said tiredly. "Don't rob, don't steal and always obey the guards. Temple opens to visitors in one hour."

oOo

The ship glided into the harbour and the white sails were trimmed as she pulled into the most expensive moorings, the crew efficiently throwing ropes to be fastened to the bollards on the shore. The gangplank slammed down and two couples walked elegantly down onto the dock, facing the waiting guards with arrogance and disdain. The leading couple paused by the guard and handed over a letter, stamped in red wax and wrapped in a red ribbon.

"My letter of introduction," the stocky, black-haired man said, his blue eyes twinkling but holding himself elegantly. The beautiful woman on his arm smiled coldly, her blonde hair swept up into a complex braided knot, an aquamarine satin gown with fur shawl sheathing her slender shape. A light dusting of powder coated her face. "My companion is the Lady Astrid Hofferson, Heiress to half of Berk." The woman inclined her head.

"And the others...?" Behind then, a dapper blonde man in a sharp grey suit and olive silk cravat was walking with his arm through the arm of a blonde woman who bore him a strong resemblance in a marsh green silk gown. The man twirled his cane.

"My man, I am Terje Thorston, Count of Wilderwest and I present my sister, the Countess Ragnahilde," he announced superiorly. "We wish to present ourselves to the noble Lord Dagur and then view your most sacred Skrill." The guard winced.

"Um, the Governor really doesn't like unannounced visitors!" he protested.

"Then take my letter of introduction," the jet-haired man ordered him. "I am Governor-elect of Berk and am here to meet my neighbour and discuss the Treaty before my accession..." Backing away at the threat of complex inter-island politics, the guard nodded to his colleagues and they swiftly summoned carriages to convey the honoured guests up to the Governor's Palace.

On arrival, there was chaos as the guards tried to rouse Dagur and his sister to get them ready for the unexpected but important visitors. The Governor's shouting and the crash of things being broken could be heard down in the hall, where the four guests were waiting.

"Obviously Dagur isn't a man for early starts," Snotlout commented, his eyes twinkling. The twins eyed the hall appreciatively, mentally calculating where they place charges to efficiently blow the place up. It was a game they often played when they were out and about-much to the discomfort of the rest of the crew.

"Gottit!" Ruff grinned. "There, there and there!" Tuff nodded.

"You know, this is a nice place," he sighed. "It'll be a shame to blow it up!"

Upstairs, Heather heard the commotion and scrambled from bed, blinking awake. Since her disappointment on Dragon Island where that worm-slime Fury had betrayed her, she had moved back in with her brother and accepted her role as sister and hostess to the Governor. As she stumbled towards her dressing room, she was still fuming about Hiccup's escape and dreaming about her revenge... Yawning, she opened the door.

"Hello, Heather," Hiccup said from the closet. Heather gaped, her eyes wide with shock and hatred. She turned to call for the guards...to meet Astrid's fist. She staggered and collapsed unconscious. The blonde woman grinned at the pirate, still leaning casually against the wall.

"What have I told you about talking to other women?" she asked him spiritedly.

"Why am I going out with a super-violent Valkyrie?" he asked her back.

"Because you love me!" she said confidently, finding a scarf and gagging the girl.

"I knew it was something," he smiled and helped her bind the girl's wrists. He checked the room, then headed to the window. "Now, we need to get her to the ship..."

oOo

Inside the magnificent Temple of the Skrill, Fishlegs was almost having kittens with excitement, squeaking and jumping for joy at most of the exhibits...especially the enormous amber lump of crystal containing the grey and purple dragon. Sven grunted and sat by the door, looking bored while Arild wandered around, running his small hands over various artefacts. Most were chairs, tables, pictures and carvings but a couple were statues of bronze and iron. He peered at them...most were pretty close to the creature frozen in the amber crystal except one which looked like a roaring grey dragon with a huge, open mouth, rearing up on its back legs. He peered at Fish and then walked slowly up to Fishlegs and tugged his sleeve.

"I think that might be it," he murmured and Fishlegs nodded, looking interestedly at the statues and realising one of them was in fact a very unique cannon...

"Well done," he whispered and beckoned Sven to come over and inspect the artefact. Soon, they were muttering about the cannon and discussing how they would execute the next part of the plan. Bored, Arild wandered up to the Skrill and ran his hand over the smooth, surprisingly warm surface. The creature was perfectly preserved, almost looking as if it was watching. Then, as he stared, the eyeball jerked slightly to one side.

He gasped and backed away. But curiosity soon got the better of him and he walked closer, not knowing why he rapped his knuckles against the amber. The mad yellow eyes followed him and he felt the substance creak under his palm. He backed away. "Erm...Fish..." he muttered. "I...I think I may have done something..."

"Toothless...just don't touch anything..." Fishlegs said in a distracted voice, making some calculations in his book.

"May be too late..." the boy whimpered as the crystal creaked very loudly and a cracking noise sounded. Fishlegs and Sven looked up...along with the two guards by the door. "Fish...I really think you should look at this..." he said urgently. Sven grabbed the boy and hauled him back as a crack zig-zagged through the amber crystal. The guards shared a look and ran for it as the three pirates huddled by the cannon. There was another crack and the crystal shattered. The Skrill threw its head back, flung its wings wide and roared!

"Oh poop," said Arild.