Disclaimer: I don't own American Dragon or any character from the series.

Author's Note: After all those years, I had practically set aside any intentions to write a sequel to "The Missing Slayer" but a sudden request and encouragement from Ruon jian changed my mind.

The Next Long

Chapter 1: The Birth of Eric Long

A few weeks after Jonathan and Susan Long got over the shocking revelations from either side, things seemed to be returning to normal or as close to it as possible for a family where the mother came from a family of dragons and the father was a dragon slayer. Things weren't always what they seemed as the Longs would learn when the family went for a checkup and Susan was revealed to be pregnant. Fortunately, the Magical World had magical hospitals and Susan could be taken there so, if their third child turned out to be a slayer, there would be no immediate need to fear the Huntsclan taking the kid from them. Jonathan was feeling uncomfortable around the magical creatures. No, he didn't hate them but it bothered him that they were afraid of him or were outright hostile.

Jonathan, Jake and Haley were at a waiting room when Lao Shi appeared with a sad face. "Jonathan, may I have a word with you?" He asked.

"Anything wrong with Susan or the baby?" Jonathan asked out of worry.

"No, Jonathan." Lao Shi sadly answered. "I'm here on behalf of the medical staff to ask you to leave because the other patients are afraid of you."

Before anyone had a chance to reply, someone called them to inform them that Susan gave birth to a baby boy. Forgetting the request for Jonathan to leave, everyone went inside. Being a professional, the magical doctor approached Jonathan and asked "Mr. Long, how shall your newborn be named?"

"Eric Daniel Long." Jonathan answered. After that, the doctor performed all required procedures including checking for Eric's features. To his horror, Eric had a Huntsclan birthmark at the palm of his left hand. "Oh, no!" Susan exclaimed in horror. "What will we do?"

"That's why I've brought this, Susan." Jonathan proudly answered as he produced a pair of baby gloves and a pair of baby shoes. "We can use them to hide the birthmark so the Huntsclan won't find him."

Susan was feeling relieved and horrible. She was more concerned that he'd slay magical creatures than that he'd be taken away from them.

Back at the Long household, Jonathan was giving Eric's siblings special instructions before inviting Patchouli Long for the baby shower. "Remember, kids. Your Aunt Patchouli knows that I told you about my birthmark but she doesn't know about the magical side of your mother's heritage. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Dad." Jake and Haley answered in unison.

"Good." He said with a smile. "I'll send her an invitation. Now, I believe you both want to spend some time with your mother and your new brother."

"Sure, Dad." Jake eagerly answered and went to see them. Haley, on the other hand, was rather hesitant.

"What's wrong, Haley?" Jonathan asked out of concern.

"What if…" Haley was afraid. "What if Eric tries to slay me?"

"Are you afraid of a newborn?" Jonathan was surprised. Sure, he already knew dragons were taught to be wary of slayers but he didn't expect things to reach that level.

"Well, he's like you." Haley meekly said. "No offense."

"Caucasian-looking or Chinese-looking, Eric is your little brother." Jonathan mockingly said, taking advantage of the fact Eric had brown hair like him and didn't look like someone who had a Chinese parent. He expected to lighten the mood.

"Dad, I mean about the…"

"The birthmark, I know." Jonathan gladly replied. "Don't worry, Haley. Nobody will teach Eric to hate dragons. Now go see him."

Haley did and then saw something that scared her. "YAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"What happened, Haley?" Jonathan asked out of worry.

"E-e-Eric was g-grabbing Jake's left ear!" Haley was crying out of fear Jake would be slain.

"Don't worry, Haley." Jonathan replied. "I know that the left ear is a particularly weak spot for dragons but for Eric to be able to slay a dragon like that at this point of life, the dragon would have to be quite the weakling."

"Then we'd better keep him away from Greggy for Greggy's safety." Jake joked as he had a mental image of Greggy crying 'Uncle' while Baby Eric was holding his left ear. Haley wasn't sure if Jake was joking or not.

End chapter.