I don't own American Dragon: Jake Long or Dragon Heart.
This is a sequel to This Time Around, and is a cross over between American Dragon: Jake Long and Dragon Heart. If you're a dragon addict like myself, you'll like Dragon Heart.
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Rose strolled down the sidewalk, headed for the electronics shop. In one hand she held a cappuccino, and in the other the want ads from the newspaper. The rhythmic clicking of her heels on the pavement, and the fluttering of her white skirt just below her knees seemed to draw attention. She didn't notice as a few young men turned their heads to watch her as she passed. Once or twice someone would whistle, or make a comment.
At last she reached Canal Street Electronics and pushed open the door. Jake was standing at the counter chatting with Trixie and Spud. Lao Shi was straightening up the shelves.
"Hey Rose," Jake greeted her cheerfully. "Where have you been?"
"Probably bringing in more customers with the way she's dressed," Trixie commented with an approving grin.
Sure enough, a few moments later, a trio of young guys of about twenty entered the store. They browsed around the shop, sneaking glances at Rose who had now perched herself on a stool behind the cash register and was sipping on her cappuccino. She caught one of them staring, and he quickly averted his eyes to a shelf of stereos. She shot Jake a sideways look and smirked.
One of the boys chose a VCR and went up to the counter. Jake rang it up, while the guy bravely struck up a conversation with Rose.
"So do you work here?" he asked a little uncertainly.
"Sorta," Rose answered distractedly.
He seemed discouraged by her lack of interest. He and his friends left after Jake gave him his bag and his change. Jake looked at Rose and cracked a grin.
"You just can't help yourself can you?" Lao Shi commented good-naturedly.
"Better thank her, G," Jake said, wrapping an arm around Rose's waist. "She's helped us sell half our stock in three weeks and you know you appreciate the extra money."
"It's all in the advertising," Rose added crossing her legs and winking.
"Told you a skirt helps," Trixie said. "By the way, the stiletto heels were a nice touch."
Everyone looked at her in surprise, all except for Rose of course. She got up and walked over to her friend.
"Trixie's my fashion consultant," she explained. "Most of the credit is due to her great fashion sense."
Trixie and Rose had become great friends in the weeks since the Hunts Clan's capture. They were like sisters and Jake was happy to see how well they got along. Their relationship had a complete turn around and Rose was now simply part of the family. Spud and Fu were like brothers to her, and Lao Shi was a sort of father figure. She had finally gained two things she'd always wanted: a family and a normal life.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXBasement of Penderas Towers
8:30 P.M.
A slim figure cloaked in darkness slunk around the many crates and boxes. There was no one else in the room, she'd already scanned the area with her PDA, and no other life form besides her was detected.
"See anything?" a voice crackled.
"Other than a bunch of boxes, no," she responded.
"Keep looking," the voice ordered. "It's in there somewhere."
"I'm doing the best I can," she said frustrated. "I can barely see and this place is huge. Ouch! Friggin' crate."
"Give her a break G," another voice crackled. "How ya doing, babe?"
The girl rubbed her sore hip and grumbled, "Fine."
Rose was the girl and she was communicating via earphones to Jake, Lao Shi and Fu Dog. Outside Penderas Towers was a white van parked in the adjacent alley. Inside were tons of electric gadgets and what not. A few monitors were showing different rooms of Penderas Towers thanks to the hacking abilities of Lao Shi. He, Jake, and Fu were wearing headphones with mouthpieces, which allowed them to communicate with Rose.
She was on a mission to recover the Amulet of Amaranth. The amulet had the ability to send whoever held it back in time. This kind of power could prove fatal in Penderas's hands and it was Rose's job to make sure that didn't happen. Somehow sneaking around in a powerful wizard's basement didn't sound safe in the least, but her own safety was the least of her concerns.
She came upon a door that looked like it led to a safe. She found it locked with a mere padlock. She blasted it with her staff, and was surprised when the lock fell away. She pulled open the door with some difficulty, and peeked inside. It was a safe and in the middle of the small room was a pedestal. Perched atop it was the Amulet of Amaranth. Rose took a pouch of dust from her pocket and tossed its contents into the air. No infrared security beams appeared.
'Something doesn't feel right,' Rose thought. 'This is just too easy. I'd better grab it and run.'
"Guys," Rose said into her mouthpiece, "I've found it. Be ready to move it when I come out."
She took a deep breath, and ran for the pedestal. She grabbed the amulet and turned to make a run for it. She stopped dead in her tracks. There, standing in the doorway was Penderas himself along with a man in a ninja suit.
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The monitors in the van went blank, and static came over the earphones. Every line of communication was dead.
"ROSE!" Jake yelled frantically.
He punched the transmitter, hoping that would right whatever was wrong. No avail. Something had gone horribly wrong.
"I'm going in," he said decisively.
Wordlessly he flung the doors open and leapt out, transforming into the dragon as he went. Fu and Lao Shi followed.
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Rose's headset crackled with static and she knew she was on her own. The ninja leapt at her and they were soon engaged in battle. He countered every move she had with a block and his own attack. Within a matter of minutes, she was overpowered and pinned to the ground. She struggled in vain.
"Hello Rose," he greeted her. "Long time no see."
"Not long enough, Kane," Rose snarled. "I heard my uncle had chosen you to become his new apprentice. I knew you'd run to save your own skin when things got tough. Figures you'd cozy up with Penderas."
Kane growled angrily and pointed Rose's own staff at her throat.
"You're really in no position to run your mouth," he shot back. "Besides, you ran off with a dragon."
"Enough!" Penderas snapped. "Kane, roll her over and hold her still."
Kane flipped Rose over on her back and held her. Penderas pointed his wand straight at Rose's heart. She braced herself for impending death.
"LET HER GO!" Jake's voice roared behind them.
With him were Lao Shi (in dragon form) and Fu Dog.
Penderas regarded them with amusement and said, "Ah, the American Dragon, so nice of you to join our party. I'll be with you in just a moment."
Jake charged him, but he wasn't fast enough. A jet of blue shot out of Penderas's wand and at the same time the Amulet of Amaranth glowed and a blinding white light lit up the entire basement. When the light subsided, Rose and Kane were gone. Penderas was surprised, but he was more upset over the amulet being gone as well.
"Rose!" Jake cried.
He turned with fury on Penderas, but the wizard merely tapped himself with his wand and disappeared. Jake flew to the spot where Rose had been and frantically searched for something that could show him where she went. He looked back at his grandpa and animal guardian. In his eyes was a mixture of anger, concern and fear.
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Rose opened her eyes and found herself in the middle of a bright wheat field instead of in a dark basement. Kane was just as surprised as she was and loosened his grip on her. She brought up her fist and punched him hard in the jaw. She leapt away from him, and snatched her staff out of his hands.
Kane rose to his feet and glared at her. Rose was the one with the weapon and he wouldn't dare fight her without something to defend himself with. The end of her staff glowed menacingly. The look on her face clearly said that she was not in the mood for foolishness.
"I want to know what happened, and I want to know right now," she demanded in a no nonsense tone.
Kane looked at her staff and then at her. Her body language and eyes were that of person who was on the verge of lashing out at the first unfortunate soul that crossed her path.
"Well since I seem to have no say in the matter, I might as well tell you," he said grudgingly. "The Amulet of Amaranth, in addition to teleporting abilities, also acts as a sort of defense mechanism. If the wearer is in danger, the amulet teleports the person to a time and place where he or she would be safe. It brought me with you because I was holding on to you at the time."
"There's no easy way to get back, is there?" Rose asked.
"I'm afraid not," Kane said sadly.
The bitter edge had left his voice, surprising Rose. He seemed to not want to be here as much as she did.
"Wait a minute," she said suspiciously. "You know a little too much for me to believe this was an accident. There's more to this story than you're telling me."
"I don't have to tell you anything," Kane spat.
She reminded him of her obvious advantage, by pointing its glowing tip in his face.
"I beg to differ," she growled. "Now start talking. Neither of us is going anywhere, so you might as well spill."
Kane knew she was right. He hated to admit it, but she was. He had nothing to lose by telling her, and it would be fun to gloat. So he decided to reveal Penderas's plan.
"Okay, I'll tell you," he said smirking. "You were right about this not being a sheer coincidence. Penderas knew you would be there looking for the amulet. Just before we caught you, he jammed your communications, which would draw out the American Dragon. The idea was to send him and his friends back in time to get them out of the way."
"Then why are you here?" Rose cut in.
Suddenly a thought struck him. Penderas hadn't waited at all. He just went ahead and zapped Rose just as the American Dragon appeared. He could've had him, but he chose to strike prematurely, sending both Rose and Kane hurdling through time. It was no accident at all. He clenched his fists, swearing softly.
"I've been tricked," he growled. "That hexing wand waver did this on purpose."
Rose was confused now, but her grip on her staff never waived. Neither did her aim.
"What are you talking about?" she snapped.
Kane's eyes met hers and she saw barely checked fury in them.
"Penderas meant for me to be sent back with you," he explained through gritted teeth. "He wanted to get rid of me. It's got something to do with the Hunts Clan, I just know it!"
"He and the Hunts Clan are huge rivals," Rose said. "I thought everyone knew that. They're in the same business and have stakes in the magical Black Market. Though Penderas always managed to keep his nose clean so the Dragon Council wouldn't catch on to him."
Kane gaped at her.
"Hunts Man never mentioned that," he said stunned. "How did you know?"
"It was more than evident," Rose answered. "Hunts Man never told me, but I figured it out for myself. I wondered why a member of the Hunts Clan was with Penderas, but it turns out he was just using you. Using Hunts Boy to catch the old Hunts Girl. Typical Penderas."
"But we have the amulet, so his plan didn't work quite like he wanted," Kane said triumphantly.
"Correction," Rose said, producing the Amulet of Amaranth hanging around her neck. "I have it."
Kane glared at her and muttered, "We'll see about that."
Just as he was about to leap at her, a huge shadow passing over them made both cringe. Rose looked up to see the scaly underside of a huge monster flying overhead. Rose stared at it in wonder. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her side as she fell to the ground. Kane stood over her triumphantly, now holding her staff. He aimed it at her, poised to strike.
"Say goodbye, Rosie," he sneered.
A blur of golden brown flashed before Rose's eyes, and Kane was sent flying. She realized that the 'monster' was standing next to her, daring Kane to charge. This monster was actually a dragon. He was a huge one at that, much bigger than the ones she was used to. His golden brown scales gleamed in the sunlight, his eyes of gold showed no fear, and his imposing figure was enough to make Kane decide that continuing this fight wouldn't be wise. Rose concentrated hard on her staff, and much to Kane's surprise, it flew out of his hands into hers. Immediately, he retreated. Rose looked up at the dragon, and pulled off her mask.
"Thank you," she said with a huge smile.
The dragon dipped his head in a bow and smiled back.
"I'm always happy to help a lass in distress," he said in a devastatingly charming Scottish accent. "My name is Draco, what is yours?"
"Rose, " she said. "Pleasure to meet you Draco."
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There you have it, chapter 1 of Heart 2 Dragon Heart. Let me know what you think about it.