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

~ Chapter 27 ~

The Animals sprang away in different directions as Maximus reared and kicked out with his front hooves, causing some of the men to duck to avoid getting hit in the head.

Fang landed heavily on one man's chest and he fell into his back, the gun slipping from his hands.

Nellie shot her web at another's face, blinding him. While he stumbled back, clawing at his eyes, Sophie body-slammed into his legs and he tripped, falling onto his back.

Sprinkles bounded off the trunk of a tree and smashed into another man, winding him, and then sprang into his shoulders to unbalance him.

Mystical dive-bombed two of them from above, talons and beak flashing as she pecked and scratched at their hair and arms, and Max galloped forward to shoulder-slam two more men.

Within minutes, Bionic's little force was either lying winded or unconscious on the ground, or, sporting several deep scratches, had thrown down their weapons and run away into the forest.

The remaining five, three of whom were holding the grappling-guns securing Toothless, and two who were holding Hiccup captive, looked to Bionic fearfully for instructions.

The scientist himself had backed away a few paces, but a small smile had returned to his lips, and he looked at the Animals with hard, grey eyes.

"Suppose you think you've won, little pets?" he purred.

There was the sound of blades whirring through the air and a small helicopter rose in front of the cliff. On board were several more armored men, their tranquilizers aimed at the Animals.

A HELICOPTER!? Sprinkles yelled in disbelief, WHERE'D HE GET A HELICOPTER!?

"As it is," Bionic said, neatening the collar of his lab coat while the wind from the copter buffeted his hair and clothes and whipped the animals' fur flat, "I happen to have a very influential brother, who is also very generous to me. Now," he turned to look at Hiccup with cruel eyes. "About you-"

Don't listen to whatever lies he's told you, Hiccup! Fang shouted desperately over the sound of the copter. You can't trust him!

Bionic scowled at Fang, but he forced his face back into a strained smile and climbed aboard the helicopter.

"Hiccup, m'boy, I will give you time to think it over," Bionic said, waving his hand. "Boys, release him."

At his command, the men dropped him and walked over to climb on with him. The winded ones also managed to pick themselves up and limp over, nursing their bruises.

"But," Bionic added as the last man climbed on, "I will be taking my new study subject while you decide."

"No-!"

Before they could do anything, a net shot from the helicopter, capturing Toothless and bounding him into a shrink-wrapped cocoon. The men around him dropped their ropes and sprinted to the helicopter.

"Toothless!"

Hiccup bounded over, drawing his sword at the same time, as the dragon was dragged across the cliff. Toothless saw Hiccup and gave him a panicked yelp. Hiccup's sword burst into brilliant orange flames, and he made a desperate lunge to try and cut Toothless free -

He skidded to a halt as Toothless was dragged off the cliff and carried away, suspended below the belly of the helicopter and emitting sorrowful howls as he was taken away from his master.

"Toothless..."

Hiccup let the blade of his sword retract, the fire extinguishing, as the Animals ran up to join him. Together, they watched the helicopter, Toothless and Bionic grow smaller and smaller over the horizon.