Mark of the Dragon. Chapter 1, Old School Training.

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"Talking"

'Thinking'

*Actions within speeches*

(Author making a comment within the story)

ZY: Not sure how many ppl are still into this gem of a cartoon, but I'm writing this anyway. Please note that this is a boyxboy story, if you don't like, then don't read, simple as that. I WILL delete any rude and flaming comments, so be aware of that. Also, note that this chapter does takes place in Season 1 Episode 1, but Trixie and Spud are already aware of Jake's dragon heritage. So enjoy the story.

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A six-year-old redheaded boy was standing in the middle of Central Park, alone and crying.

"You all right?"

The redheaded boy looked up and saw through puffy, red, teary eyes an Asian boy around his age. He had spiky black hair with some dark green around the tips, red shirt, light blue slacks, a pair of sneakers on his feet, and black eyes. The redhead sniffed, wiped tears away from his eyes, and said in a tone that any child would have if they were scared "I *hic* I lost me mum and dad. And I don't *hic* don't know where I am."

The Asian boy took one of the redhead's tearstained hands and said "Come with me, my mommy's super smart, she'll help you find your mommy and daddy." Then dragged the still crying red head in a certain direction. The red head sniffed and went along with the other boy.

The Asian boy brought the red head to a pretty Asian woman in pink on a picnic blanket with a little baby in a light purple onesie and an old Asian man in a dark purple robe with a bleaching Fu-Manchu. "Hi, Jakie, who's your new friend?" The woman asked her son. The red head sniffed and said "I'm Nigel, and I lost me mum and dad..." "And I told him you can find them, mommy, you're the smartest person in da whole wide world," the Asian boy, Jakie said with a smile.

"Aiyaaa, Jake! I told you-" The Fu-Manchu started before the woman shushed him before turning her attention to the red head and asked "Nigie, sweety, do you have a picture of your parents? It'll help me find them better." The redhead nodded and took off a locket from around his neck and gave it to the woman. She looked at the picture inside the locket and told the old man to watch the children while she looked for Nigel's parents. "Nigey, you stay with Jakie and Jakie's grumpy grandpa. You can help them watch little Haley," Jake's mom told Nigel, who nodded as Jake pulled him to the blanket. Grandpa "Humph" at the comment.

The little baby girl giggled happily as she saw her big brother and the red head sit into the blanket.

"Want sum tontons?" Jake asked Nigel, who blinked in confusion and asked "What are tontons?" "I believe you mean Wontons," the grandpa stated. The little red head tilted his head to the side and asked "What are those?" Jake's eyes went wide when he asked "You've never had tontons before?" Nigel shook his head. The grandpa then told his grandson "Jake, not everyone eats the same food as you, much like how one caterpillar doesn't eat the same leaf as another."

Nigel just stared at the old man, before Jake said told him "Yeah... Gramps always says weird stuff like that. You want to try some of the tontons that me and mommy made?" That was when the baby giggled happily and reached up at her big brother. Jake smiled at her and said to her "Sowy Haley, you can't have any until you get all your teeth in."

Jake pulled out a small box, opened it, and showed Nigel the little wrapped foods. The red head picked up one of the wontons, he has never seen food like this. But Nigel took a bite anyway, not really sure how it was going to taste. "Whao! This is bwilliant!" The little red head exclaimed before talking a happy bite of the wonton. "You like'm?" Jake asked Nigel, who nodded happily. This made the Asian boy happy.

That was the moment when Jake Long woke up.

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Theme:

He's cool, he's hot like a frozen sun He's young and fast, he's the chosen one People we're not braggin'

He's the American Dragon

He's gonna stop his enemies with his Dragon power Dragon teeth, Dragon tail, burning Dragon fire A real live wire

American Dragon ("Dragon Up!")

American Dragon

He's the American Dragon (free style with the Dragon)

His skills are getting faster With Grandpa the master

His destiny will walk up streets Showtime, baby, for the legacy!

American Dragon

Jake: From the "J" to the "A" to the "K" to the "E" I'm the Mack Daddy Dragon of the NYC, ya heard? (American Dragon)

Grampa: "Jake! Get back to work!" (Amercian Dragon) Jake: "Aw man…" [gong]

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Jake pulled himself out of bed with a yawn. 'That memory again,' the teen thought as he groggily walked out of his room and headed to the bathroom that he had to share with Haley. Thank goodness today was Sunday.

Once the bathroom was free, Jake went in and took a nice, warm shower, to wake him up completely.

After Jake was finished, he dried himself off and wrapped a towel around his waist. He walked up to the mirror and wiped the steam off the reflective surface. Once the teen could see himself, he stared at the purple-blue mark on his left shoulder. Jake turned to see the mark better.

The mark was in the shape of a blazing sun but had a negative-space of an Eastern Dragon curling into a circle in the center of the mark. This Dragon Mark suddenly appeared on his shoulder last year on his birthday. Grandpa told Jake that this mark was perfectly normal for Dragons and that he would explain this mark to him when the time was right.

And today is the day.

Jake skateboarded over to his Grandpa's store, with his two best buds, Trixie Carter and Arthur "Spud" P. Spudinski.

"Aye yo, Jakie, ya sure your Grampa is gunna tell ya?" Trixie asked as they turned a corner. "True that, G told me last night that he would," Jake stated with a smile as he jumped over a fire hydrant. Spud smiled a layed-back smile and said "So now we can finally ascertain the reason for that, like, wicked pigment colour distortion on Jake's humerus." Trixie raised a brow and said "I think ya mean that we're finally gunna find out about that mark on Jake's arm." "Isn't that what I just said?" Spud asked cluelessly as the trio boarded up to Canal Street Electronics, the store that Jake's grandfather owned.

The trio walked into the store. As they did, they were greeted by a short, Asian old man with a white Fu-Manchu and wearing dark blue robes with yellow trimming around the edges. "Ahh, perfect timing Young Dragon," the old man said in a calm voice. Jake walked up to the old man and said "Yo, G, you don't mind if Trixie and Spud listen in on this."

Luong Lao Shi lead the trio to the back and said "I do not, in fact, they might be able to help you find the other." Jake, Trixie, and Spud glanced at each other in confusion.

The other what?

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In the back of the store, the teens and old man were waiting for Fu Dog to find the magical book that was needed to explain what the mark on Jake's arm was about.

"Found it," Fu stated when he found the book, then walked over to the group. He opened the door to a particular page and a mist emitted from the pages and created a visual image of a mark similar to Jake's but was green with a negative space of a flame. Fu Dog then started reading out loud for the group to hear "These things are called Destiny Emblems. They appear on the bodies of young dragons once their powers awaken and after they turn twelve." "We kinda already know that, Fu," Jake stated. That was when Fu said "Hey, kid, I gotta tell you this before we get to the good stuff." The young dragon then muttered a "Alright, alright."

Fu continued as the image in the mist changed to where the Destiny Emblem was on a yellow dragon "Destiny Emblems come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and can appear anywhere on the dragon's body. For you, kid, it's on your shoulder." Jake rubbed his left shoulder at the comment. "Soooo what's it mean? I mean why call it a Destiny Emblem?" Trixie asked the talking shar pei. "Hey, I'm getting to that," Fu said as the image in the mist changed, then he continued "While these thing are unique, they come in a pair of two." "But I only got the one on my arm," Jake interrupted, before Lao Shi told him to stop interrupting and listen. Fu continued "And when I mean a pair of two, *the image in the mist then added another figure with the same Destiny Emblem as on the dragon and in the same location* I mean that the second one is on another individual, their's is in the same location as sed dragon." That was when Lao Shi continued the explanation "This signifies that the individual is the Destined One of the Dragon of the same Emblem."

"Say what now?" Was all Jake could get out. Trixie and Spud had the same What-the-Hey look as the Dragon-in-Training.

"To put it simply, kid," Fu stated, before adding "Your future bride, or groom. Ah-gah-goo."

"Again, Say what now?" Jake said in the same tone as last.

Lao Shi then stated "The reason why you are being told about this now is because the other Emblem appears a year after the dragon's does." Jake then stated "As I said before, Say what now." "JAKE!" The older dragon snapped, causing the younger to fall over and say "I'm sorry G, but can you blame me for reacting this way? You and Fu are practically telling me that I'm already engaged to someone I've never even met!" The talking dog then said "Yeah, that sounds about right." The three teen gave the shar pei a obvious glare.

Lao Shi placed a hand on his grandson and said "Jake, I know this is a lot to take in, but it is a very natural thing that happens to dragons. It is actually how your grandma and I found each other." Jake thought it was a bit sweet. The younger dragon has never met his maternal grandmother, but he's heard stories about her from his mom and grandpa. Lao Shi continued the moment by saying "I am certain that the one who shares your Destiny Emblem will be like how grandma was to me." "Ummm, thanks, G," Jake said in a not so sure tone.

"So... How do we help find this dragon with Jake's mark?" Trixie asked the magical creatures. That was when Fu Dog said "Actually, there's a chance that Jake's Destined One might not be another dragon, and having extra eyes looking out for someone with Jake's Emblem is good to have." "You have extra eyes? Cool," Spud said in his mellow matter. (Okay, weird...)

"Jake, Susan already knows about your Emblem, and is currently looking for someone with your mark through her job," Lao Shi stated as he walked the teens to the front of the store. Jake frowned and said "Gee, thanks Gramps." "You are most welcome," the old man answered, not really noticing the tone his grandson was using.

Trixie, Spud, and Jake just looked at each other and gave an 'Oh Boy' look.

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Later that night, Jake was with Lao Shi and Fu Dog on their daily patrol. The dragons were in their reptilian forms.

Jake's dragon form was that of a red western dragon with gray nails, yellow underbelly, green scales trailing down his back, and his Destiny Emblem clearly visible on his left shoulder. Lao Shi's dragon form was a long dark blue eastern dragon with a white/yellow underbelly, a white Fu Manchu, and white scales trailing down his back.

Fu caught whiff of some Huntsman foot ooder. It wasn't hard to find out why the Magical Hunter was out at this hour, it was the full moon tonight and that meant that Unicorns were frolicking in Central Park. The hunter wanted unicorn horn, the hardest substance in the magical world, and worth a lot on the mystical black market.

It was now the young dragon's duty to protect the unicorns and confront the Hunter.

After a few minutes, Jake was kicking hunter butt until a masked girl in Huntsmen clothing came out of nowhere and kicked him aside. "Excellent work, Huntsgirl, your training has served you well," the Huntsman said to the masked blond haired, blue eyed teen who bowed and replied "Thank you, HuntsMaster." "This is a golden opportunity to slay your first Dragon," the Huntsman stated throwing Huntsgirl his lance. Jake quickly recovered by swiping his tail at the Huntsgirl's feet, thus causing her to fall. "Sorry Huntsfools, but the only thing you're taking home is defeat," the red dragon stated as he flapped his wings to take to the air.

Jake blew some fire to block the Huntsmen from the stray unicorn and sniped "Sorry, Huntsfools, but unicorns are outa season." It was Lao Shi's turn to blow fire, this time to prevent the Huntsmen from getting at his grandson and himself. Huntsgirl noticed the Destiny Emblem on the red dragon's shoulder as the Huntsman shouted "This is not over dragons!" He then used his lance to teleport away.

"Rotten Huntsmen," Jake growled as he morphed into his human form. Lao Shi morphed into his human form and said "This is why you must keep up your dragon training, to protect innocent creatures from those who are evil." "I know, G, I know" Jake said as he watched the unicorn reunite with its heard.

}i{ }i{ The Next Day }i{ }i{

Jake was in his "Mythology" class as the teacher with thinning ginger hair drew an odd image on the blackboard.

The teacher then said with a relatively heavy German accent "Which brings us to the topic of dragons. Now if you would turn to page 237 on my groundbreaking, yet unpublished, scientific study of the Magical Creatures among us." Jake was barely paying attention to the teacher's dribble as he continued talking. "Thus, what can we conclude about the size of the dragon's brain?" The teacher asked as he suddenly stopped, slammed his ruler on the desk Jake was sitting at, and said "Mr. Long!"

Jake quickly opened his book to a random page and said "How'm I suppose to know? I mean, it's not like anyone was able to get ahold of a dragon's brain." The teacher frowned and snapped "Mr. Long! I have told you countless times to read the books I recommend for my class." Glaring at the teacher, Jake though 'It's your own, inaccurate work. I'd hardly call'm educational, Rotwood.' The teacher then said out loud "We can assume that a dragon's brain is about the size of a pea, maybe a walnut." 'You're brain is the size of a pea,' the dragon in training thought, glaring at the so-called teacher.

"Everyone, be sure to write this down, it's certain to be on your final examination," the teacher stated in a matter of fact tone. Jake rolled his eyes at that.

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"Grr! I don't know who's worse, Rotwood or the Huntsclan!" Jake fumed as he, Trixie, and Spud walked out of Millard Fillmore Middle School with their skateboards in hand. "Both can be the worse," Spud suggested absentmindedly, earning stares from his friends. "Riiiight," Trixie said before turning her attention to Jake and said "Jakie, I understand you got some seriously important "Extracurricular Activities" and all, but I think ya know that ya can't mix'm with ya'll school life." Jake sighed and said "I know Trix, but with the recent activity of the Huntsclan and Rotwood's so-called "expertise" of mythical creatures, I don't know which is more threatening to the magical world." "Bro's gotta point," Spud said with a laid back smile.

Trixie huffed and said "Hows about forgetting all the threats, and shred some asphalt with us at Washington Park?" With a small smile, Jake said "I would love to, but Gramps' got some new dragon training for me, so raincheck?" "Alright, Jakie, but you owe us a shred day, ya'hear," Trixie said and she snapped her helmet on. "Don't worry, I will," the dragon-in-training said as he snapped his own helmet on.

"Later, Jake," Spud and Trixie waved as they skated off. Jake did the same, except he was skating backwards. And because he was skating backwards, so he wasn't looking were he was going. Jake ran right into someone, who in turn, dropped all his books because of the inpacked.

Jake quickly apologized and started helping the other with picking up the books. The young dragon's hand touched the other's hand. This caused the two to look up at each other, gazing into their eyes. The dragon was now looking at a teenage boy his age with short, vivacious red hair, dark eye, wore a long-sleeved black shirt under a thin white outer-shirt , and black slacks. "Uh.. Hi," was all Jake could get out. "Hi, yourself," the red head said in a British accent. "Umm, I didn't hurt you too much, did I," Jake asked handing the other the books he picked up. "I'm quite alright, a tad shocked tis all," the Brit said with a shy smile.

"Nigel!"

This got both Jake's and the red head's attention. "Are you alright?" A blond haired, blue eyed girl with a short white streak on one of her bangs asked as she helped the red head to his feet. "I'm fine Rose, nothing's broken," the red haired Brit stated to his friend. Jake was picking his board up when he noticed a pale red dragon mark on the girl's right hand and commented "Whoa, sweet dragon tattoo." Rose held out the palm of her right hand, said "Actually, it's a birthmark," and compared it to the dragon on the bottom of Jake's board. "Still pretty cool," Jake said with a friendly smile.

"Noice (it's the British word for Nice) board. You use it often?" The Brit asked the Asian teen, who replied "Yeah, it's like, my main mode of trasportation, ya hear." "Then, I can assume you know where there are some good skateparks?" Nigel asked in a friendly tone. Jake smiled and replied "True dat! I know the sickest places to shred." The dragon noticed the confused look an the redhead's face, that was when he said "That means the best places to board." "Ah, brilliant," Nigel said before asking "So, see you around?" "Yeah, I guess, if you're enrolling here," Jake said as he thumbed the school behind him as he placed his skateboard on the ground. "I am, I mean, we both are, so brilliant," Nigel said with a smile. "Cool," Jake said as he got on his board, added "See ya tomorrow," and skated off.

As Jake was boarding along the sidewalk, he realized something. 'Red hair, British accent, and named Nigel?' The young dragon thought as he stopped. After a few seconds, he was off again as he thought 'Nah, it couldn't be. I mean, what are the odds that he's the Nigel I met in Central Park years ago?'

Unbeknownst to the American Dragon, the redhead watched him skate off. Nigel then gave a small smile.

"I take it he's your type," Rose stated rather then asked her friend with a small smirk. Nigel looked at Rose with a faint blush on his face and said "I guess so... He's pretty cute." The blond patted the red head on the back and said "Nigel, you don't care much if they're "Pretty Cute", you care when they got a good personality." The red head sighed in defeat and said "I think you know me a little too well, Rose." The blond smiled and said "You can think about him later, right now you need to submit that paperwork." Nigel smiled and agreed.

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Later that night, Jake was home, completely worn out and grossed out from today's training.

"I telling you, mom, Grampa has seriously lost it," Jake told his mother as he leaned against the stove (that was off). Susan Long was a little preoccupied when she called for Haley to chop the vegetables that she just pulled from the fridge. The seven-year-old girl in a cute purple dress, with raven hair tied in high pigtails skipped into the kitchen. The girl sat in front of the table with the vegetables, said "Check out my Japanese Teppanyaki technique," morphed her hands into dragon claws, and started chopping up the vegetables faster than the eye can see.

Jake folded his arms and stated "I mean, he's turning dragon training into Gag-Me training. I wonder if he's even taking me seriously..."

That was when Mr. Long, Jake and Haley's dad, walked into the house singing some song that sounded like it was a combination of country and hillbilly. "Haley, loose the claws!" Susan Long stated quickly, the girl complied.

Jonathan Long had absolutely no idea that he had married into a family of dragons (minus Susan Long, since the dragon line skipped her generation). So the father of the household had no idea of Jake's current plight. Susan WILL tell Jonathan about her side of the family, when she knows he can handle it.

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Later, Jake was in the bathroom, brushing his tongue with toothpaste and mouthwash. He gaged when he said to no one particular "All I can taste is toilet brush," then spat the foam out into the sink.

"Jake," Susan said, getting her son's attention, before walking in, sat on the edge of the tub, and said "Listen, I know this whole thing has been hard on you. First you find out you're a dragon." Jake examine his dragon tongue in the mirror and said "That's cool. *Turns to his mom and says seriously* It's the whole "By the way, you're responsible an entire magical underworld", not to mention the whole "You're engaged to someone you've probably never met and is probably some creature you still don't know about" that's freaking me out." The young dragon folded his arms as his mother stood up and placed her hands on his shoulders. "That's why you need to master your dragon powers. Believe me, I know your grandfather can be a bit... Eccentric, but you have to trust him, okay?"

"I get that part, just not the whole Destined Emblem stuff," Jake stated with a huff. "That's Destiny Emblem, hon," Susan corrected. "What evs. It just feels so... I don't know, it feels forced, I guess," the young dragon stated in a tone that sounded both annoyed and confused at the same time. "I guess that's how it feels for you," Susan said sadly.

Because the dragon abilities skipped Susan Long's generation, she never got a Destiny Emblem.

Susan hugged Jake and said "But I know you'll get through it." The young dragon hugged back and said "Thanks mom."

}i{ }i{ The Next Day }i{ }i{

After school had finally ended, Jake exited the building. He stopped at the top of the stairs when he noticed Nigel talking with Rose. Whether the redhead was the kid he met years ago or not, the dragon had to admit that the Brit was was appealing. Nigel noticed the young dragon staring at him. The redhead smiled sweetly and waved shyly at the Asian teen. Jake gave a small wave back.

"Aye yo, Jake," Trixie said, getting the dragon's attention, before asking "Don't tell me you're crushing on that Nigel guy as well?" "As well?" Jake asked with a raised brow, wondering what his friend meant. The next thing the dragon-in-training knew, a hoard of girls surrounded the currently surprised Brit. "Oh... That's what you meant by 'as well'," Jake said with wide eyes. Spud then said absentmindedly "Yeah, I think it's the British accent they like or something like that."

"Anyway, they just reopened the fourteenth street skatepark. So are you in or are you in?" Trixie asked her buddies. Spud was in. But Jake had dragon training, well until he thought about yesterday's session. "You know what, I'm in," Jake said, snapping on his helmet. "Awww yeah, we're really gunna tear it up now," Trixie said, snapping on her helmet. Spud stepped on his board and lead the way as Jake and Trixie followed.

Over the heads of the swarm of girls, Nigel managed to see the trio skating away. The Brit sighed in disappointment before trying to escape the hoard of girls.

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On the rooftop, Lao Shi and Fu Dog were waiting for Jake, but he was a no show.

"Aye ya!" The older dragon exclaimed in fustration, before adding "He is one hour late for training. I've got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach." Fu Dog agreed, but he meant more along the lines of 'Nature', in a big way. The talking shar pei ran right to the toilet, slamming the door shut behind him.

Lao Shi looked to the sky and said with concern "Jake, where are you? Something must be wrong."

That was when the Huntsman and Huntsgirl appeared.

(The fight's pretty much canon to the episode)

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Jake walked into the kitchen, after a rad day of boarding, to see his mom and little sister in the kitchen. "Hi Jake," Susan said, giving her son a quick hug before adding "Hurry and clean up, you dad's clients are already here." Haley shifts her mouth into a dragon's and blew fire on some food on the table. Susan patted her daughter on the head and said "Thanks, hun. *Now in a louder tone so the guests could hear* Who's ready for mushroom cakes?" Haley follower her mom out of the kitchen.

Jake went to the sink to wash up, but before he could turn the water on, Fu Dog squeezed out of the faucet head. This caused Jake to take a few steps back.

"Fu?! Yo, dog, we do have a doggie door," Jake stated in confusion while quickly regaining his composure. Shaking the water off his fur, Fu demanded "Kid, where were you?!" Before Jake could say that he didn't want to hear about how Gramps was mad about skipping 'Training', Fu grabbed the teen by the collar and snapping "You don't understand, Kid! You left me and Gramps waiting for you on the rooftop! We were sitting ducks out there, when the Huntsmen showed up-" "The Huntsmen!? Where are they now?" Jake said in alert as he grabbed Fu's face, stretching his wrinkling face.

Jake knew what he needed to do now.

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Back on the rooftops...

The Huntsman and Huntsgirl were looking down at the old man, helpless and powerless in the net made of Sphinx Hair.

"I'll ask you one last time, old man," The Huntsman said in a threatening tone, and added "Where is the American Dragon!"

"Right here, Huntsfool!" Jake, in dragon form, said as he landed on the roof with Fu Dog on his back. The younger dragon got into a fighting stance and said "Right under your nose! I'm like a booger that way! Wait! That didn't come out right."

The Huntsman was about to take a step toward him, but was cut off by Huntsgirl. "Allow me," she said, taking the staff, and added "I have unfinished business with this dragon." "You can try, Huntsscout, but you an't gunna win," the red dragon said before the girl gave out a battle cry and attacked.

The fight went on for a few minutes, before the Huntsman pointed his staff at the young dragon and shouted "American Dragon, prepare to become a pair of boots." He fired a net at the young dragon.

"Young one! Clean toilet bowl!" Lao Shi shouted.

Jake immediately knew what his grandfather was talking about. He instinctively shot out his tongue straight out at the net heading towards him and spun it around. 'First clockwise, then counterclockwise,' Jake remembered as he spun his tongue in the opposite direction, redirecting the net back to its owner. "What?! How did he-" was all the Huntsman could get out before getting entangled in his own net. He struggles to get free.

"Hey! It worked! Haha! Who tha man now, Huntspunk? You want some? There's more where that came from!" Jake taunted. Huntsgirl glared at the red dragon, then charged at him shouting "Ehya!"

"Young one, sweep floor!" Lao Shi shouted.

Jake swept his tail, knocking Huntsgirl off her feet, literally.

Next thing everyone knew, Huntsgirl and Dragon Jake were now engaged in some hand-to-hand combat. "Yo, check you out, Huntsscout! You're good!" Jake said as they exchanged punches. He dove for her, but she ran across his back and lands on the ground. "Whoa, you're really good!" The young dragon said, getting back into a fighting stance. "You're not so bad yourself, Dragon boy," Huntsgirl stated before their fight resumed.

The Huntsman managed to free himself from the net.

Jake used his tail to catch Huntsgirl's right fist and slip off her glove. "Hey!" The girl exclaimed as she covered her ungloved hand.

"Kid! Behind you!" Fu warned, waving his paws wildly.

Jake turned to see the Huntsman changing his staff into a gun, ready to fire at him, and Huntsgirl managed to grab the dragon's arms with an iron grip so he couldn't evade the oncoming attack.

"Maaan, I am sooo going to regret this," Jake mumbled, before concentrating hard and farted a fireball straight at the shocked Huntsman, causing him to fly into a billboard.

While that was happening, Fu Dog was able to remove the net off of Lao Shi, who immediately turned into his dragon form.

Knowing she was outmatched, she released the red dragon and ran to the edge of the roof. "We'll be back," she hissed out, glaring at the red dragon and his Destiny Emblem. "And We'll be ready," Jake stated confidently as he pointed at her.

Huntsgirl slipped her glove back onto her hand, covering a pale red dragon birthmark, and then leapt onto another rooftop until she was out of sight.

"Well done, Young Dragon," Lao Shi told his grandson as he morphed into his human form, Jake smiled and morphed into his human form. The older dragon then said seriously "But word to the wise, it is not good idea to flirt with mortal enemies. Trust grandpa, he's been there." Jake cringed and stated "Eww, Gramps, tmi. Also, what's wrong with a little flirting?"

"Many battles lat ahead. We are picking up your training right after school," Lao Shi stated calmly. "And I'll be there, Gramps, right on time," Jake stated, then added with a tone of regret "And I'm sorry I doubted you."

"It is all right, come now, it is late, we shall walk you home," Lao Shi said with a small smile. Jake smiled and followed his grandfather.

}i{ }i{

Nigel was leaning on his left side on the wall, looking out the window to his room to watch the stars glimmer in the sky. He was now wearing a sleeveless gray night shirt and black night slacks, talking on the phone.

"And I was about to go up and talk to him too," Nigel said to the person on the other end of the line. "I'll admit, tough break. But you can talk to him tomorrow," Rose told her friend. Nigel smiled and said "I guess you're right. And Rose..." "Yes, Nigel?" The girl asked. "Thanks for being so supportive... And I'm glad we met," Nigel said honestly as he moved to close the curtains to the window he was looking out of. "Same here Nigel," Rose replied before saying "And Good-night." With a smile, the Brit said "G'night, mate," before hanging up the phone.

"Nigel, supper time," the redhead heard someone call.

"Coming, dad," Nigel called back as he turned to head out his room. He passed by a reflective object on his left, showing the redhead the purple-blue mark in the shape of a blazing sun and had a negative-space of an Eastern Dragon curling into a circle in the center of the mark on his left shoulder. Nigel didn't pay much attention to the mark, that suddenly appeared two weeks ago, as he walked out of his room.

}i{

Rose hung up the phone. She was still wearing her Huntsgirl outfit, minus the mask.

She turned to a training dummy as she aimed her Huntsstaff at it and said to herself "Don't worry, Nigel." Then fired a couple of blasts at the dummy, turning it to ash, and added "I WILL slay that dragon before he lays one filthy claw on you."

}i{ }i{

As Jake, Lao Shi, and Fu walked the younger dragon home, the older said "It is more important that we find your Destined One as quickly as possible." "Gramps, I don't need to hear this again," Jake said as calmly as possible. "No, not for that reason," Lao Shi stated, turning to his grandson, and saying "Those two Huntsclan saw your Destiny Emblem." "Say wha-! Wait! Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Was what the younger dragon said in a rather unnerved tone. "That the Huntsclan will probably be searching for your Destined One and use 'em to get to you. Yeah, that sounds about right," Fu stated.

"They will not care who your Destined One is, all they will care about is that they will have something to use against you," Lao Shi stated seriously. Jake was silent, not because he didn't know what to say, it was because he knew that his grandfather was right.

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The next day...

"Whoa, that's like, whoa," was all Spud could say as he, Jake, and Trixie skated to school. The young dragon just told them what happened last night. "You're telling me," the dragon said as they swerved a corner, before adding "Which means, I can't miss a training day anymore, so I'm not going to be able to hang with you two as much." "Aye yo, Jakie, you think Gramps could, ya know, let us help ya'll with your training," Trixie asked as they skated up to the school. "Really? You two want to help?" Jake asked in a surprised tone. Spud then said "Yeah, I mean, we will still be able hang out and you can train to defeat the Huntsclan and save, umm, your matching mark, person..."

Jake smiled and said "Thanks guys, this really means a lot to me." "Us too, homie," Trixie said with her usual sass.

The trio picked up their skateboards and walked into the school. When they got to their lockers, they put their boards into them. The moment Jake closed his locker, he heard someone say "Morning all."

The three turned to see Nigel.

"Hey, dude," Spud said in his usual absentminded tone as Trixie asked "Hi, and what are you doing here?"

Nigel rubbed the back of his neck and said "Well, I'm still not use to how things are here in America, and I'm not sure were to find my new locker. You wouldn't mind helping?" The redhead handed Jake a piece of paper with the locker number assigned to him. The ravenette looked at the number, said "It's over here," and lead the Brit to his locker. A few lockers down from his own. "Ah, much obliged," Nigel said, before asking "Um, while I have your ears... Does this school has a Football team? Err, wait, I think call it by a different name here..." Jake raised a brow and asked "What ball is used?" "Oh, um, hold on, I have one on me," Nigel said before digging into his bag and pulling out a white ball with six black hexagons. "Oh, yes, we have that here," Jake said before adding "And just to let you know, it's called soccer here. Call it football, especially in front of Brad Morton, and you're in for an earful about how great "The Bradster" is at it." Nigel smiled and said "Duly noted, thanks mate." Jake simply stated "No problem."

Rose was watching this from behind a corner. She could help but smile. Rose knew that Jake Long a good match for her friend. 'And as long as you are far from that American Dragon, I know you can be happy,' the blond girl thought.

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To be Continued...

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