Little Tokyo in the Big Apple

( Hello everyone. I'm rather excited to finally be posting this story. This is, in fact, my first ever American Dragon story. Reviews are highly welcome and hope you enjoy reading it.)

Chapter One: The Magical Exchange

" JAKE! Are you listening?!?" Lao Shi yelled as he looked to his grandson. The boy was, as usual, daydreaming yet again. However, at the sound of his grandfather's voice, the black-hair youth, Jake Long immediately snapped out of it.

" What?! Of course I'm paying attention! I'm on top of this, for real!" He defended, as usual. Lao Shi seemed to soften some at Jake's words, though not by much. The small aged man easily jumped down from the stool where he had been sitting. He approached the table where Jake sat, seeming content.

"I'm glad to see you so on top of your duties, Jake." Lao Shi said simply.

Jake smiled, confidence visible in his features." Of course I am! I'm so on top of this, you don't need to worry about anything!" This seemed to ease the small man, who nodded.

" Alright Jake, don't forget, 6:30." He said as he headed for the doorway, leaving the room. Jake gave a confuse look." 6:30.…?" He trailed off.

"6:30 at the airport." Fu dog answered as he looked up from the newspaper in the armchair against the wall.

" Airport? What does the airport have to do with my duties? That's the least magical place in the city!" Jake reasoned.

Fu dog merely sighed. " Kid, were you not paying attention to anything? Your grandpa signed your family up as a host family for the Magical Exchange Program."
" The what?!?" Jake yelled, unable to believe it.

" Yeah, Magical Exchange. You know, some kid of magical lineage getting sent here for a year. Your grandpa thought it would be good for you to experience other magical cultures." Fu reasoned simply as he got up from the armchair.

" You mean tomorrow at 6:30, my family is going to be picking up another dragon who's going to be here for a year?" Jake asked.

" Not necessarily a dragon, any sort of lineage. Maybe a giant, troll or a fairy. You know, just anything."

The color drained from Jake's face." What?!? Fu, there is no way that my family can keep a magical student for an entire year! Have you forgotten? My dad still doesn't know magical creatures exist!"

" Don't worry. I'm sure your grandpa made sure to explain the situation with the program officials."

Once home, Jake blinked to find his mom cleaning up the guest room. She smiled once she saw him." I just heard from your grandpa, this is going to be so exciting! Jake, would you get the clean sheets from the dryer and help with the bed?"

Jake blinked." Wait, you're ok with this? What if they send us a giant or a troll? There's no way we'll be able to keep them hidden from Dad for a whole year!"

" Oh Jake, don't worry so much! This is an exciting experience. Haley's already excited about it, she's been getting the house ready for tomorrow."

As if on cue, the young girl walked up behind Jake. "Hosting an exchange student is our chance to share experiences Jake. Besides in order to be considered for exchange you have to have a high grade point average, so now you'll have someone who can help you with your homework!"

Jake's eyes narrowed at Haley before he merely moved to his room, closing the door behind him. With a sigh, he laid down on his bed, trying to imagine what horrors would be in store for him at the airport at 6:30.

Each scenario he created in his mind became worse and worse. After almost an hour pondering on it, he gave a groan.

" This is going to be horrible.." He murmured in annoyance. However, it was then that a knock came on his door, followed by the familiar voice of Haley.

" Jake! Your friends are here!"

Jake relaxed and got up." Coming!" He called.

" Jake will be down in a moment, now if you'll excuse me I need to finish with the guest room before tomorrow morning." Haley said with a smile before she left the living room. Only a few moments later, Jake walked in to find Trixie and Spud waiting for him.

" Hey Jake, are you having relatives come over or something?" Spud asked in a lazy tone, "Because, if you are then you have to invite us over for dinner. Fu dog told us what happened the last time you and your family got together."

Jake shook his head. " It's not family, my grandpa signed us up to host a magical exchange student, and we have to go pick him up tomorrow morning at the airport."

" Magical Exchange? You mean they actually send magical kids to other countries?" Trixie asked. Spud blinked, but smiled.

" Is it a merperson? That would be the ultimate exchange student!" Spud exclaimed. Jake blinked, thinking it over.

" I guess a merperson wouldn't be too bad, but we don't know what we're getting." He explained.

Trixie smiled. " Jake, you gotta let us come with you to the airport!"

" What? No way!" Jake said, " For all we know, we could end up with a troll or a giant and I have to make sure my Dad doesn't realize they're magical."

" No sweat, Jake. We've been keeping the fact that you're a dragon a secret from your Dad, we can handle this too!" Trixie reasoned. Spud nodded.

" Please? I want to be with you to greet your mer-brother!" Spud explained.

Finally, Jake gave in." Ok, ok. You guys can go, just promise me you'll keep quiet about it." Trixie and Spud gave each other high fives. Now all they had to do was wait until 6:30.