Pre-dawn light was just beginning to touch the sky over DunBroch Castle, but peace was nowhere to be found.
The entire castle had erupted into chaos once again. Guards, clansn, lords, and even King Fergus were running through the halls shouting and waving weapons. At the center of the frenzy was a massive brown bear, Queen Elinor in her cursed form desperately trying to escape while being chased by an angry mob.
"Get that beast!" Fergus roared, axe in hand.
Hiccup, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut had also been dragged into the hunt by an overly enthusiastic Gobber, who saw this as yet another competition.
"Co on, lads! Let’s show these Highlanders how real Vikings hunt!" Gobber bellowed, clearly enjoying himself far too much.
anwhile, inside the royal chambers, rida was locked in her room, pounding on the door.
"Father! Let out! You don’t understand!" she shouted desperately. "That bear is Mum!"
From the other side of the door, she suddenly heard footsteps.
"Who’s there?!" rida called.
"It’s Astrid and Ariel!" Astrid replied. "What’s going on? Why are you locked in?"
"I’m locked because my father thinks I’m in danger!" rida slamd her fist against the door again. "Maudie has the key! Please, I need to get out! My mother is in danger! I have to stop them before they hurt her!"
Astrid and Ariel exchanged quick glances.
"Stay right there," Astrid said. "We’ll find Maudie."
The two girls took off running down the corridor. They spotted Maudie a mont later, the plump servant was hurrying away with the key clutched tightly to her chest.
"Maudie! Stop!" Ariel called.
But Maudie let out a frightened squeak and bolted, running as fast as her short legs could carry her.
"Oh no you don’t—" Astrid growled.
The chase was on.
Maudie weaved through the castle corridors, surprisingly agile despite her panic. Astrid and Ariel pursued her relentlessly, dodging servants and overturned furniture. The chase finally led them into the large castle kitchen.
Maudie tried to hide behind a table, still clutching the key.
"Hand over the key, Maudie!" Astrid demanded, breathing hard.
"I can’t! The King said no one is to open that door!" Maudie cried, backing up further.
Astrid looked around the kitchen, her eyes landing on a heavy iron frying pan resting on the counter. She picked it up, weighing it in her hand.
"Guess we do this the hard way..."
BANG!
With one swift, precise swing, Astrid knocked Maudie unconscious. The servant let out a soft groan and slumped to the floor, the key slipping from her hand.
Ariel stared at the scene with wide eyes. "You really are strong..."
Astrid gave her a small, slightly awkward smile as she took the key. "Thanks."
They sprinted back to rida’s room. Astrid unlocked the door, and rida burst out imdiately, breathing hard.
"What is happening?!" Astrid asked as they ran.
"My mum turned into a bear because of !" rida explained frantically as they raced down the stairs. "And now my father and the entire castle are trying to kill her!"
"Your mother... is that bear?" Astrid muttered, still processing the insanity of it all. "How... strange."
They reached the lower level and headed toward the stables, but Astrid suddenly grabbed rida’s arm. "Wait! Don’t go for the horse."
"Why?! We need to hurry!" rida protested.
Astrid smirked confidently. "I have a much better ride.
____
Deep in the forest ruins, Lucian and Mor’du had spent the night searching the old castle.
"I think we should head back now," Lucian said, looking at the brightening sky. "It’s almost morning."
Mor’du nodded. He had led Lucian to several hidden caches he rembered from his mories. Most contained well-preserved weapons, swords that hadn’t rusted despite the centuries along with spare clothes. They also found gold, jewelry, and valuable artifacts taken from those Mor’du had killed during his ti as a beast and packed then into two heavy bags.
"I don’t have anywhere to go back to," Mor’du said quietly, staring at the ruins of his forr kingdom.
"Then you need to find one," Lucian replied with a smirk. "Embrace your second chance. Because I appreciate mine."
He hopped onto Nyx’s back, where the three sleeping bear cubs were nestled safely. "You can co back with to DunBroch Castle for now. Stay there and think about what you want to do. You said you’ve lived over sixty years as a bear and you’re still alive. You still have ti, old man."
Mor’du stared at him for a mont, then let out a deep, rumbling laugh.
"You’re right, lad."
He took Lucian’s offered hand and climbed onto Nyx’s back behind him.
____
The massive brown bear, Queen Elinor ran desperately through the courtyards and gardens, dodging axes, spears, and angry shouts. King Fergus led the pursuit with bloodshot eyes, his voice hoarse from shouting.
In her panic, the Queen bear fled toward the ancient forest, eventually reaching the familiar circle of standing stones, the very place where the wisps had once guided her daughter.
She was cornered.
Warriors from all five clans quickly surrounded the ring of stones. Ropes were thrown, wrapping around her powerful paws and legs. Dozens of n pulled hard, yanking the ropes taut until the bear lost her balance and crashed heavily onto the ground, unable to move.
Fergus stepped forward, sword raised high, his face twisted with grief and fury.
"I will kill you!" he roared, bringing the blade down.
WHOOSH!
BOOM!
A powerful plasma blast exploded right between Fergus and the fallen bear, throwing the King backward and scorching the earth. The warriors stumbled in shock as a large shadow passed overhead.
High above, Nyx hovered powerfully in the air.
On the Night Fury’s back sat Lucian, the three bear cubs, and a large, muscular man, Mor’du.
After the blast, Lucian turned to Mor’du and said, "Well, as you can see... that bear down there is the Queen. She was turned into that by a spell."
Mor’du’s glowing yellow eyes narrowed with determination. "Then I will help."
"Hey, wai—"
Lucian didn’t get to finish.
Mor’du leaped off Nyx’s back from a great height. As he fell, his body began to change. His eyes burned bright yellow. Thick black smoke erupted from his form. His muscles bulged violently as dark fur rapidly sprouted across his body. Massive claws extended from his hands and feet.
BOOM!
He slamd into the ground inside the stone circle with terrifying force, sending dirt and rocks flying.
When the black smoke cleared, a colossal black bear stood in his place, the infamous Demon Bear, Mor’du.
ROOOAAAR!!!
The roar shook the entire clearing.
Every warrior, lord, and clansman froze in pure terror. King Fergus, still on the ground, stared up at the monstrous bear with wide eyes.
"Mor’du..." he growled, his voice filled with hatred and recognition.
The Demon Bear, now standing protectively in front of the brown bear, let out another earth-shaking roar, daring anyone to co closer.
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