Kulde blinked at them as if he thought they were being incredibly silly.

"No way! We are not letting him go until he is free of all charges!"

"What charges?" asked Sun Park incredulously. Lao Shi and Fu have already explained to her what is going on. She is an important person on the island, so she had better chances at persuading the Councilors. "Jake hasn't done anything!"

"We do not know that for sure," objected Kulde sharply. "The Dark Dragon coming from the future was merely our first idea. But what if he's right here, and has been travelling to the past from this point?"

"All right, that is truly absurd," replied Fu and looked around the gold room. "Everyone agrees with me, right?"

"It is absurd," said La Shi. He was staring at Klude with disdain. "You are implying that my 16-year-old grandson is currently in possession of time watches, and travels into the past to slay dragons? Jake has fought the Dark Dragon recently, for God's sake!"

"Yes, well, the Dragon Council has no proof of that," replied Kulde arrogantly.

Andam sighed. "Kulde... maybe we could let him go back to America, with restrictions..."

"Out of the question. New York is one of the biggest areas of magic community. Am I the only one here who is trying to do his job, to protect the magical creatures? Omina?"

Omina was currently searching for something in the pages of some golden book. "We should keep the boy in here at least for another few weeks, and meanwhile find out what is.."

"With all due respect, Councilors," began Sun, "what you just said makes zero sense. Who is going to protect the magic creatures in New York if Jake won't be there?"

"America has gone hundreds of years without a dragon protector."

"Yes, and we all know it was a disaster."

Klude suddenly rose up from his chair and looked at Sun coldly. "Well, in that case, I'm sure you and your student will be able to take care of this city for a while, won't you?"

.

"Fu, start preparing everything we need for a tracking potion," commanded Lao Shi as soon as they arrived to their private rooms and the door behind them closed. Sun was still arguing with the Council when they left.

"Eh, why?" asked Fu.

The former Chinese Dragon threw something at him. Fu caught it in his paw and gawked at it incredulously. It was a big claw.

"Because I have the Dark Dragon's DNA and I need to talk to him very urgently."

"Hoo," laughed Fu a bit nervously. "Well, I'm relieved you also did something the Council probably wouldn't exactly like..."

"Fu, what have you done?"

.

New York

For a long time, cold waves bumping into cliffs was the only sound they heard.

"Okay," said Rose eventually. "That's a big deal."

Jake grimaced. "Tell me about it. I mean, I'd be fine with knowing that the Council believes it, that G believes it... but now I fear I believe it."

"Maybe we're all bad in the end," spoke Rose softly. "How can you know what happened?"

They were sitting on their jackets on a New York's shore. It was a chilly night and the only thing which was currently keeping Rose warm was Jake's abnormally hot aura.

Jake rubbed his eyes wearily. "I don't know if I should come back."

"I thought they let you go in the end."

"Wha? No, I broke out."

"Jake! You were innocent before that, but now they have an actual crime on you! What if they'll never let you go?"

Jake grinned at her. "Well, babe, that's exactly my problem right there."

Rose smiled, even though it was obvious she was worried. "And how did you manage to escape?"

"Fu left the door open by accident. And he dropped the key to my magic-stopping wristbands in the hallway. Along with a map describing how to get from the Isle of Draco without the crazy elevator. I am very lucky he is so forgetful."

"Remind me I owe him a hotdog. Or three."

"Will do."

"So, what are you going to do? Try to find the Dark Dragon?"

"I really don't want to do that. Maybe I'll find my mum though and explain to her why I missed dinner yesterday..."

"And Trixie and Spud?"

For a while, Jake was silent and only watching the water before them. "I'm not telling them. They'd start freaking out a I can't deal with that."

Rose lowered her eyes. She didn't really agree with that, but she kept quiet.

"Hey." Jake nudged her lightly. "All will be swell! It won't take long and we'll be on Trixie's rooftop again, practising fake fights for the Huntsman."

Rose, with a light smile, moved a bit closer to him and kissed him on the cheek. "You say that as if that was the most amazing thing you and me have ever done."

Author's Note: Jake is 16, so this is set two or three years after season 1, with some references to season 2. And Trixie and Spud will appear. So far I think pretty much everyone will eventually appear :)