"So, Dad," Blake asked with his usual cockiness. "What are we doin' for dragon training today? Beating some trolls, kickin' serious butt…"

Unnoticed by Blake, Jake's dragon tail materialized behind him. In a flash he lashed it out, wrapping it around Blake's ankle. With one jerk of his tail, Jake pulled Blake to the ground.

"Hey!" Blake's exclamation of surprise rang out. He stood up and brushed himself off. "What'd ya do that for?!"

Jake crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. "That," he said. "Was to teach you to pay attention. And to answer your earlier question, today's lesson is about the element of a surprise attack. Your victim can't suspect anythi—whoa!"

At that moment Jake was tackled to the ground from behind. He stood up, spitting gravel out of his mouth, and turned to see Violet, in dragon form, grinning. "Something like that, right?" she said.

Jake laughed. "Exactly." he said. "I certainly wasn't expecting it. And that's what the surprise attack is all about." Suddenly Jake paused, and cocked his head. Then he casually stepped to one side as Blake flew by. Unable to stop, Blake slammed headfirst into a pole.

Jake strode torwards his son. "You okay?" he asked. Blake scowled. "I think he hurt his pride more than anything else." Violet piped up. "Yo, how'd you hear me sneakin' up?" Blake whined.

Jake shrugged. "Your claws…the gravel…I have keen hearing." Blake stood up. His expression had changed from a scowl to an incredibly sheepish look.

"This is totally wack anyway." he insisted. "I don't need a surprise attack. I go in, lay down a can of dragon-smack, and go out. The bad guys won't know what hit 'em!"

Jake smacked his palm to his face in exasperation. "Look, Blake," he said. "I have something you don't."

"What?" Violet said, holding up Blake's scrawny dragon arm. "Muscles?" "Experience." Jake corrected. "I used to be just as cocky as you, Blake. That usually resulted in me needing to be bailed out of trouble by Gramps. Trust me, overconfidence…not a good idea."

"Don't start with the lectures again." Blake retorted, clearly—and maybe purposely—indicating that he wasn't listening.

"Hey," Violet put in, as an attempt to be the peacemaker. "C'mon, Cody. Let's go practice some flying manuevers."

The two dragons flew off. Jake watched them for a few minutes. He sighed, and dropped down to a cross-legged position on the grass. Central Park was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday afternoon. That was good. It gave Jake time to think.

The air in front of him glowed with a fog-white mist. The mist swirled around, and when it vanished, the ghostly form of Jake's former dragon master, Lao Shi, stood before him.

Jake's spirits lifted. He always enjoyed talking to his grandfather. At least he did now. He hadn't appreciated it much as a kid.

"Hey, G." he said, using his old nickname for the older man. Lao Shi smiled. "How are things going, Jake?" he asked.

Jake grimaced. "Not good." he answered. "I thought Blake would get less cocky as his dragon training progressed."

Jake needed say no more for Gramps to understand what he meant. "Now," he said. "You see how annoyed I used to get with you."

"Yes," Jake said, fiddling with a blade of grass. He looked up at Gramps. "Was I really that cocky, though?"

Gramps pondered that for a moment, then said. "Yeah, pretty much."

"But," he added. "you came around. I am sure Blake will, too." "Yeah, I guess." Jake said. "Thanks, G." Gramps placed his hands together, bowed slightly, then slowly vanished.

Jake thought about his grandfather's words. Sure, Blake would straighten up sooner or later, but what would it take?