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

~ Chapter 23 ~

"Dr Bionic?" Hiccup lifted his head a little, eyes narrowed.

Dr Bionic nodded cheerfully. "At your service. Now, I was only wondering if I could a look at your dragon there. He seems very interesting."

"Why? Don't you have dragons of your own?" Hiccup asked curiously.

Dr Bionic shook his head sadly. "Oh, of only I did! I've only ever hears stories of their marvelous abilities. And I've never seen one like that before. He seems to inhabit some very cat-like behaviors, doesn't he?"

Hiccup and Toothless exchanged uneasy glances with eachother.

"Would he let me come closer?" Dr Bionic ventured, taking a few hopeful steps forward.

Toothless snarled.

Suddenly, the bushes to the right rustled and a brilliant white wolf burst out, followed by a creamy-white stallion, snow-leopard kitten, wiry black dog and a huge black spider. A small snowy owl swooped overhead, her jewel-hard talons ready to snatch hair or anything else they could close on.

Hiccup yelled in alarm and ducked as the snow owl swooped down, only inches from his head, letting out a screech.

Toothless roared and curled his tail around Hiccup protectively as the animals leapt in between Dr Bionic and the dragon and master. Maximus tossed his mane with a threatening snort and stomped his hoof.

Fang crouched with his hackles raised and teeth bared, and Mystical landed on Sophie's back, the dog too small to have her on her shoulder.

What are you doing here, Bionic? Fang snapped, growling.

Dr Bionic assumed a pained look. "Why Fang, the same as you! I simply wanted to greet this young man and his companion."

Uh, no, Sophie snarled. YOU just want to capture and use Toothless, just like you did with our humans!

"Wait," Hiccup said quickly. "You know him?"

KNOW HIM? Fang echoed, exasperated. Dude, he's the guy who kidnapped us and our humans the first chance he had! He's the one who's been dogging us everywhere, and constantly making up plans to capture us!

Dr Bionic spread his hands innocently. "But Fang m'boy, don't you realize that with this dragon to study, I can leave you all alone? Why waste my time and resources chasing you all down if I have this amazing specimen to study?"

Oh, sure, Nellie snapped, You'd just leave us all in peace, wouldn't you? You'd completely forget about hunting us down as long as you have this creature to torture, is that it? She gave a humorless laugh. No, I don't think so.

"Besides," Hiccup said, stepping forward. "Who said you could have him to study? Toothless isn't going anywhere." The animals came closer together, shielding Toothless and Hiccup from Dr Bionic.

And neither are any of us, Mystical added fiercely.

There were a few, intense moments where Hiccup's green eyes met with Dr Bionic's grey ones.

Then the scientist shrugged and turned away.

"Very well," he said in a voice completely drained of it's previous good-will. "You have made your choice. But do not think this is the end of it, boy." He half-glanced over his shoulder and his eyes flashed.

"I will have that dragon."

And then he left.