Testing Abilities
"That was fantastic, better than I expected", Dr. Michelson said as he stared at the frozen peak, glistening in the sunlight. "That was sick!" Samuel said as jumped up in excitement, residual gaseous ice spilling from his mouth with chilling and sizzling sounds, dropping the temperature around them slightly. "I am sure with time and practice; you will be able to shoot both fire and ice at the same time.", Dr. Michelson said.
"Fire and ice at the same time, how is that possible? Ice and fire are like the total opposites, right?", Samuel asked puzzled. "It sounds impossible but we still don't know the full extent of a dragon's capabilities. Dragon fire and ice are of different principles than regular fire and ice. Regular fire and ice can't mix but Dragon fire and ice should work based on the said dragon's will", Dr. Michelson explained. "I see. I get it now", Samuel said.
"We are going to test your heat vision next. It is going to be easier since you've unlocked your sharp eagle eyesight and melting gaze", Dr. Michelson said. "How so?" Samuel asked. "Well, your melting gaze is basically the first stage in activating your heat vision. You have fiery optics, and your eyes' ability to refocus and refract enable you to direct the fire in your optics; hence, heat vision", Dr. Michelson explained.
"Try it", he said, asking him to stare at the same mountain, focus and condense the fire in his optics through his lenses, while having a clear vision of a laser. He did exactly that and suddenly, thin and translucent, but powerful lasers shot out of his iris. The lasers sliced through the frozen peak; ice and all. Although not a clean cut, it was spectacular all the same.
"That was amazing. Your aim is outstanding, especially for your first time; with a little more practice, you should be able to fire with greater intensity and accuracy", Dr. Michelson said acknowledging Samuel's marksmanship. "Now let's take a look at the durability, and strength of your claws", he said to Samuel. "I could always climb trees with them, if that counts. They do grow longer when I'm in my rage mode though", Samuel informed.
"That's good. I mean the tree bit, but we need to work on controlling your blood lust. You are a Dragon after all, and as a Dragon you are prone to succumbing to your bloodlust and murderous instincts, especially when you are angry", Dr. Michelson said. "Now back to your claws. We need to test their strength and durability. "Fly down to the bottom of the ravine and without the aid of your wings climb back up", Dr. Michelson instructed.
"Hmm! Down there huh?" Samuel asked as he looked down into the ravine. "Yeah! Use just your claws and talons. Trust your instincts and climb", Dr. Michelson said. "Sure", Samuel said and leapt off the balcony, gliding smoothly to the bottom of the ravine. "Now, let's see how this will go", Samuel said as he touched the mountain and sank his claws into the rock. He started climbing slowly with his claws and talons, and before he realized, his instincts had taken over.
He climbed up the mountain with the such ferocity that it even scared Dr. Michelson. His speed as he climbed was impressive, almost as if he was hunting. It took him next to no time to reach the balcony again. It amazed Dr. Michelson because, he had underestimated Samuel's speed and agility. "That was incredible, you really blew my mind", Dr. Michelson said excitedly. "Thanks for the compliment", Samuel replied with a smile. "Anyway Doc., what did you mean by 'hypnosis?" Samuel asked suddenly.
"It's the ability to affect the minds of others and influence their very actions, inactions, and thoughts by forcing your will upon them", Dr. Michelson replied. "Does that have anything to do with the animals in the mountains obeying my every word?!" Samuel asked curiously. "Actually, that happens because of your Dragon side", the doctor answered. "My dragon side, what...?" Samuel asked confused.
"Yes. In ancient times it was believed that animals had the biological instinct to look up to creatures stronger than them, dragons for instance. Dragons were seen as symbols of absolute authority over the beasts of the world. Since all animals have their own form of communication, your dragon side enables you to communicate with them; hence they obey your every command", Dr. Michelson explained.
"Okay, I think I understand now", Samuel said. "Back to the subject of 'Hypnosis', it works well with your strength of mind and will. The way it works is, you impose your will on another by emanating and directing your brain waves to nullify their sense of will and thought. They see what you want them to see; hear what you want them to hear; do what you want them to do; say what you want them to say; think what you want them to think; remember what you want them to remember. There is so much more hypnosis is capable of that is only dreamed of". "You are also able to counter any other form of mind control or hypnosis with yours. Notwithstanding the fact that your hypnosis is a powerful ability, note that it is highly unpredictable. Overusing it could have consequences. I advise you to never use it unless it is absolutely necessary", Dr. Michelson warned. "I understand. I'll be careful", Samuel replied.
After a while, Dr. Michelson asked a question thought by Samuel to be physically impossible, "Hey Samuel, have you ever tried retracting your wings?" "No! Is that even possible?" came the reply. "It is, now listen", he said drawing Samuel's full, and undivided attention. "I want you to concentrate really hard and just try folding in your wings. Feel the roots of your wings and try returning the wings back to them". "I'll try", Samuel said as he focused and began his first attempt, failing in the end.
After several trials and errors, Samuel finally succeeded in retracting his wings. "Ha! I did it!" Samuel declared with joy but his wings reemerged as well. "I see. You managed to pull it off but you have to learn to keep them in too", Dr. Michelson said as Samuel re-retracted his wings. "Now let's…, wait what's happening?" Dr. Michelson was suddenly cut short and shocked by what he was seeing.
Seconds after Samuel was able to fold in his wings, he began to glow lightly as his entire body structure began to change. His tail was slowly pulled into his body, his eyes switched to a regular pair of beige colored human eyes. All his scales flipped inward revealing a regular, slightly tanned, human skin. His sharp fangs, claws and talons were retracted and replaced by regular white human teeth, finger nails and toe nails.
He was now a head shorter than before as well as leaner due to the reduced musculature; his clothes now looking baggy and ridiculous on him. "Cool, I can wear shoes now", Samuel shouted as he lifted his now human foot and wiggled his talon less toes, not paying any attention to the other changes on his body. "Wow! I did not see that coming. I can't believe I missed such a crucial thing in all the tests I ran", Dr. Michelson whispered to himself in astonishment.
"I guess the secret is in the wings", Samuel said humorously. "I guess it is or rather, in the mindset you had when retracting your wings. I guess I just tested the physical aspects of your wings, not on what they do when they return to your body. The transformation must be an instinctual response to folding in your wings. Perhaps performing the action tells your body you can relax and are ready to go back to being human; some kind of switch", Dr. Michelson said with a smile. "I guess living a normal life isn't a pipe dream after all", Samuel mumbled to himself with a smile.