"Solo! G, isn't that good! I mean, yo, the council must think I'm pretty great to be sending me out to fight alone, right?" Jake beamed enthusiastically.

Lao Shi sighed hopelessly, massaging his temples, trying to find the right words, trying to get a point across his grandson's thick skull that this was urgent, extremely serious, and utterly dangerous. He wished that the council had not done this to him. Of all the dragons in the world—they had to select Jake Long, the American Dragon—or as Jake liked to call himself, The Am Drag of the NYC, as most worthy!

He knew he would not rest until he heard from Jake each week. He did not want something horrible to happen and him to be left clueless. The upcoming mission was dangerous, and although Jake was a kick- butt fighter, he was never serious about anything. Lao Shi worried that this would be his downfall. Out of all times to take matters seriously, this was the time. But how could he stress to Jake the importance of staying on task and on top of all suspicious behavior when he took off for the mission?

He shook his head. Jake was not ready for this. If only he wasn't so… was there even a word to describe it?

" Jake," he sighed again, " I am afraid that this is far from good. Do you not understand the meaning of solo! That means I won't be there if you find yourself in trouble. I couldn't save you if I wanted to. I'll be much too far away," he explained, " Don't you get it? If trouble finds you, you stand alone."

Jake took a moment to register everything, then said, " So, if it's so dangerous for me to be alone, can't you come, too?"

Lao Shi sadly shook his head, "I must stay here and take care of danger in America,"

Jake nodded until a moment later, when realization dawned. Just one sentence, and Jake was able to put several pieces together. His eyes widened. No—there was no way. He must be misunderstanding the meaning of that sentence. Or was he?

" Whoa—gramps! Hold up! You mean I'm leaving to another country on my own! Why? I don't get it! I still haven't completely mastered handling danger around here without a little assistance from you! Not that I'm not getting close--"

" I know, young one… I know…"

Jake swallowed hard before continuing, " Wait a minute, yo! We've left before on missions to the Isle of Draco, and other magical places for like a day or so, sometimes a week, without needing to worry about danger here…" he trailed off as his eyes widened even more, horrible thoughts racing through his head.

Lao Shi allowed his gaze to drop to the carpet, a dark, and heavy, ocean-deep blue. It was now he realized just how bad he needed to sweep. Crumbs were scattered everywhere, and there were several dark spots where juice or potions had been accidentally spilled. He kept his eyes fixed at the ground for several minutes, the closest escape from reality that the room currently had to offer. He sighed as his grandson continued to understand the complete meaning of his one sentence. When he gazed back up, however, Jake was not sitting beside him; he was standing up, pacing back and forth.

" G!" he shrieked, " Details! Feed me the details! Where exactly am I goin'? How long is this mission!"

Lao Shi sucked in a deep breath, feeling a slight headache pressing against his temples. He had to tell Jake, and if he delayed it, there would still be that heavy load on his shoulders, nagging at him. He wouldn't rest peacefully until it was gone. And now was the best time to set it free. He knew he had to get it over with—the sooner, always the better.

He gently set his teacup on the table.

" Young dragon…" he said, " You are needed in England,"

A/N: Dun, dun, dun! Ok, I know. I'm a huge liar. I really was going to keep writing until I revealed the crossover. But this just seemed like the perfect place to stop…

At least I've narrowed it down. The setting is England. Any guesses?