Disclaimer: I don't own American Dragon Jake Long.

Prologue

Rose looked into Jake's eyes and saw something in them; trust. Her staff was held at his chest, above his heart, her knee pinning him painstakingly into the cemented roof of his grandfather's shop. She felt the prescense of her huntsmaster behind her, waiting for her to deliver the last and final blow to the dragon, slaying him. But she still lingered in the odd position, arguing with herself.

"Well?" The huntsmaster asked, stepping closer to her. "Kill him!" He demanded.

Rose's staff was pushed farther into his chest, and Jake winced, waiting for the blow. But none came. The huntsgirl didn't have the heart. Sighing, she withdrew her staff and propped it up next to her, watching every movement of the American Dragon. She wished she hated him, or at least didn't know him as Jake, so she could just kill him. It would be easier that way, at least. Then she could finally regain her status. But once again, she had failed the huntsmaster, which she knew would not be acceptable.

"I'm sorry, master," she said, turning her head slightly toward him.

"Huntsgirl!" He yelled, furious. His body was quick to react and grab her, putting his lips only centimeters away from her ear. "Must was go this path again? May I remind you of your past? Of what you are meant to do?" With the words, he drew up her sleeves to reveal a dragon, curling it's way and creeping up her skin: her birthmark. She struggled to pull away, but in vain. Meanwhile, Jake slowly inched up, reaching his full height, which caught the huntsmaster's attention.

"Huntsgirl, you have once again dissapointed me. But this does not mean that the American Dragon will stay alive, or keep his human identity a secret!" He threw the huntsgirl to his side, sending her staff off the ledge of the building. Swift and agile on his feet, the huntsmaster lept at the dragon, his own staff in hand as he plunged thrue the air toward's the dragon's heart. Flying out of the way, Jake sent seering flames toward the skull sitting upon his head and grinned.

"Just not 'fly' enough to beat the Am' drag', are you?" Jake said, a smile forming on his lips.

"Die, Dragon!" A beam of energy hit Jake in the chest, hitting the opposing wall and almost falling into the streets of New York City. Quickly he regained himself, flying higher into the sky and then divebombing toward the huntsmaster. Gaining speed, he plummeted toward the ground in satisfaction. When he reached the ground, though, the huntsmaster was prepared for him. Jumping out of the way, he quickly jumped onto the dragon's back and quickly pinpointed his weak spot. Pointing his staff to the spot behind the left ear, he jabbed it harder into Jake's skin. Gritting his teeth, the huntsmaster smiled.

"American Dragon...You are quite a mystery indeed for me," he mused.

"I'm not gonna play games," Jake said, struggling with all his might.

"Good; neither am I. I'm a trifle bad at them. And that's why I'm going to cut to the chase: I really, dearly and truly would like to kill you right here and now."

"Thanks, what an honor."

"But I'm not going to," he said, easing up on the pressure he exerted on the left ear. Both of them turned when they heard Rose, the huntsgirl, sigh with relief. Simataniously, Jake grinned and the huntsmaster grimaced. "Anyway," he continued. "You interest me, American Dragon, truly you do. I really do want to know exactly who you are, no matter what end of the earth I have to travel to to find out." This time, he completely took off his staff.

"What, your just letting me go, just like that?" He asked, startled. But his independence was still not found; he was still pushed onto the ground.

"Eventually...after I find out your identity. Then you shall go." A look of surprise spread across Jake's dragon face, but then he frowned.

"Yes, I'm going to just give away my identity. Just like that. You wish." Wriggling his arms out from under him, he raised his eyebrows. "And anyway, I just now realized how odd it is that I'm a dragon, and yet I'm the one being pinned to the ground." Slipping out from under the huntsmaster, He flew higher into the sky and glanced under him, where Rose and the huntsmaster looked up at him. But he noticed that they weren't the only ones. His grandfather, Lao Shi, stood right outside his shop, a scornful look on his face.

"Jake!!" He yelled, unaware of the huntsclan members above them on the rooftop. Hoping with all his heart the huntsmaster hadn't heard, he took one more glance before flying off into the sky so as to ward off the huntsmaster away. On the rooftop, Rose turned to her master.

"What are we to do now, master?" She asked.

"Well, of course you know the answer. We must find out his identity. Jake's identity," he corrected, hearing the shop door close below.

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First ADJL fan fic, so hope you guys like. Please R&R.