Revenge

Disclaimer: I do not own American Dragon: Jake Long or any of its characters

Rose, breathing hard, looked down scathingly at her opponent. He was unmoving. Rose closed her eyes in exhaustion.

'Yo, it's OK, the Am Drag's here for you. I'll never leave you.' The red dragon's lips curled up into a smile. His dark eyes met her blue ones in a stare so penetrating and so yearning, Rose could not help but look away. Noticing her discomfort, the dragon turned around to face her.

'Rose?' Rose nibbled her lip.

'I'm so sorry Jake. I had to.'

'You had to what?'

A green blast appeared from no where and hit the American Dragon squarely in the back. Rose shrieked in terror and regret as he flew across the room and crashed into a collapsed wall.

She looked around the ransacked room. Her eyes finally rested on her enemy.

'I won't kill you. It would make my life a whole easier, but I'm not like that,' she told him. 'I've beaten you. Now release her. Release my mother. It was part of the bargain.' She walked up to him. She grabbed his shirt. 'I know you're awake. Talk.' Her voice was ice cold, her blue eyes matching.

'I can't.' He replied reluctantly through gritted teeth. 'She's dead. I didn't expect you to win…' He was thrown back against the wall violently by an enraged Rose.

'You, you, YOU…' she turned away and slammed her clenched fists on the wall. Whilst her back was turned, he got up and threw his staff at Rose.

'Thank you, Huntsgirl. You will be rewarded for your loyalty to the Huntclan.' Huntsman's deep voice cascaded through the room. Rose, however, ignored him and ran to the fallen dragon.

'Jake! Wake up! Please wake up!' Rose screamed in his ear. 'I'm so sorry, I really didn't want to!' Jake didn't respond. Weak flames appeared around him as he turned back into a human. Rose turned toward Huntsman, tears rolling down her face.

'How could you? How could you?' she yelled at him.

'Huntsgirl.' His expression softened behind the mask as he saw the grief in his niece's eyes. 'Rose. You brought this grief on yourself. He is gone. Let yourself go. Free yourself.'

Rose turned around and attempted to dodge the flying staff. It grazed her on the arm, right above her birthmark. Fully stretched and furious, Rose flew at him, her own staff turning green with energy. With that, she released it and with that, a scream so filled with anger, grief and hate that it hurt her own ears. The staff plunged into his chest and he collapsed, shuddering.

When Huntsman left the room, Rose was still kneeling next to a still Jake. Her tears had dried up by then, but she still felt enormous grief and guilt over what she had done.

'I'm sorry Jake. I'm so sorry.' She picked his hand up and put it against her cheek.

At this point, Jake stirred. His eyes flickered open and his mouth was struggling to form words.

'I-I-I…' Rose nibbled her lip in anticipation. His words were coming out in croaks. 'Forgi-v-ve. Y-you. Rose.' With great effort, he lifted his hand to stroke her hair. In that moment, Rose closed her eyes to steady herself. In that same moment, Jake faded away and his hand landed next to him with a small thud. Rose closed her eyes and let tears leak out. When she opened them, she realized that Jake had a peaceful smile on his face, so natural that it looked like he was sleeping. At that point, Rose knew Huntsman was right. She had to free herself. And she knew exactly how she could.

Rose bowed her head. It was the end. It was the end of a life long ordeal. Huntsman's body looked small in death. There was no more Huntsman. There was no more Huntsclan. There was no more Huntsgirl. Rose had avenged Jake. She'd avenged her mother. And she'd finally set herself free.