"Honey, would you like to go skiing with us this year? We plan on France this time."
"Well, I wanted to stay and spend time with my new friends. They seem nice. Kind of."
"Aw come on, it's going to be fun! We'd love to have you with us!"
"Well… OK, do you know where's my pink hat? I can't find it anywhere…"
It's been a few months since Jake took the potion, and since then his life eventually got back on track. His relationship with friends and family turned back to normal. There was no trace of the depressive state he was in. Just some nights, he would lay in his bed, listening to the calming sound of rain, feeling a little sad for an unknown reason. Other than that, he was fine.
Jake was out with his Gramps and Fu on a weekend trip to a waterfall, for his new training.
"Young Dragon, today you will practice a high level flying skill, with a simple name- loop." Lao Shi said, stroking his beard. Jake wasn't doing a good job of listening though, he was taking in the beautiful sight that lay before him. They were standing on top of the waterfall, the noise of crashing water beneath them could barely be heard, from this height. And all around them was THE jungle. The breathtaking mixture of tropical flowers, trees, vines, birds singing, and that special WILD feeling the jungle gave. Jake was brought back to earth by a light smack on the head.
"Ow! OK OK, I'm listening!"
Lao Shi shook his head, and repeated the technical process and tips. He then transformed, and proceeded to demonstrate. He gracefully sped upwards, then folded his wings. He tilted backwards, and started falling at an alarmingly high speed. And just before he hit the water, he managed to open his wings. After making a circle, he landed beside Jake, with a smug on his face.
"For a first time, do not go that high, it will take you practice to maneuver at that speed, start with no more than the height of this waterfall."
Jake was ready to take the full challenge though. "Pff, piece of cake for the Am Drag, watch me! Dragon UP!" And he was off. He went higher and higher, even higher than gramps. Paying no attention to gramps shouting, he closed his eyes and his wings. After a half somersault, he started diving. He reached a speed higher even than gramps. He waited, and when he thought it was time, he tried to open his wings. The pressure was too high though, and he only managed to slow himself before the impact. And with a SPLASH, he was gone. Gramps immediately transformed and flew after him. Jake was nowhere to be seen. After a few seconds, he surfaced, seemingly unconscious. Lao Shi carefully grabbed him by the shirt, and took him back to their camp.
Fu was nervously pacing, waiting for Jake to come around. At last, Jake opened his eyes.
"Aw maaaan, my whole body hurts." He groaned as he tried to turn over.
"You are lucky to be in one piece. Lucky for you, we dragons are tough. But even your scales won't save you from an impact like that. Do try to be more responsible, young dragon. No more flying for today, you need to heal." Lao Shi looked displeased.
"Here kid, have some tea while I make something to eat. It's your favorite." Fu carefully set a cup near Jake, and went away to start a fire.
"Thanks Fu… Sorry gramps, it turned out harder than I thought it would"
"You need to take a lot of things into account when doing the loop. The wind, the weather, even your weight, if you are with something or someone else. Do pay attention to these things. And you need a more realistic look at your own strength. Overestimating yourself is just as dangerous as underestimating your enemy. No more talk now, lay there and think about these things."
It took Jake a week to fully recover, he could go to school but dragon business was too much for him. Lao Shi took care of the little trouble that appeared in these days.
At Lao Shi's shop.
"Well, I think I'm ready gramps! My dragon form feels fine, I can fly and fight again." Said Jake as he stretched.
"Good, because a serious mission came up. The French dragon has requested our aid. Something serious came up, and he is currently in no condition to deal with that."
"Ooooh, le France! I'm ready, so when are we moving out?" said Jake as he kept stretching.
"The next week. And so is your entire class. The French Dragon's family owns a few Ski resorts, and he was kind enough to let you and your class have a school trip there, as a cover for you."
"Awesome! Aw I'm gonna rock these mountains! I have so many moves I wanna try on the snowboard, I…" He noticed Lao Shi's serious expression. "… And of course help with whatever the French dragon wants help with! Right …"
Fu laughed, while Lao Shi just shook his head.
A week later, in a bus somewhere in France.
"Listen up, kids! This is a very high class resort, so do act accordingly! If I hear of any trouble you lot are causing, I will immediately send him home. Understood?!" Rotwood was very excited to get to this resort himself, but he had to keep the kids in check, which was a drag in these circumstances.
The class muttered some approval, which was good enough for Rotwood.
"Well, kids, here we are!"
The bus rode through the gates, and everyone was glued to the windows. It WAS a luxury resort!
Huge wooden houses were scattered all over the place, with a big hotel in the middle. It looked more like a fantasy village, than a resort. Every house looked unique, with different carvings on each one. Some had animals, others were covered in magic creatures, a few even had dragons. Carvings were extremely well made, and felt like portals to different worlds. The road went up, to the hotel, which was wooden on the outside, as well. On the side, there was a carving of a giant dragon fighting a phoenix. Further, the huge mountain was peeking over the buildings, like a mighty titan watching over the village.
Rotwood was the first to jump out of the bus, and was giggling like a school girl.
"Yes, now this is what a renowned scientist like me deserves! I will have so much fun here, I should go to the hotel right away!" He started moving towards the entrance, when he remembered something
"Aw, right, the kids…" He turned around and shouted "Out of the bus, everyone! Form a line, and I will give each of you your keys. There is no need for a ski pass here, if you ARE here, you are free to do anything you wish that the resort provides. Do stay in groups, and inform one of the elders when you are going anywhere, whether it is skiing or sauna, got it?" He then started handing out the keys, with respective numbers.
Jake was enjoying the view, the cold fresh air, the many choices cool things that this place offered. Spud and Trixie were standing before him in the line, and he heard Rotwood say
"Trixie, room 347, Spud, 348…"
"Cool! Hey Trixie, we're neighbors!"
"Right… Yay…" Trixie looked somewhat worried, Jake even thought she blushed for a second, though it may have been the cold.
Professor looked for Jake's key, then frowned at it
"Well this is a weird number, D1, well, it's the one you get so go on then!"
Jake studied his key. The keychain was in the form of a dragon head. He shrugged, and followed Trixie and Spud into the hotel. After Trixie and Spud found out from the reception where their rooms were, he asked about his room.
"Aw, young man, this is not a key from a room. It is a key to one of the private houses! Let me see… D1, yes, go left from the exit, and go straight. The last house will be the one you need, it has a Dragon carved on it."
"Wohoo! Thanks!" Jake wanted to call Spud and Trixie, but they were already gone. He had no choice but to go alone for now.
As he was half way to his destination, he turned around to look at the giant carving of the dragon and phoenix again. He liked it. Just then he saw a car park in front. A man and a woman got out, and started getting their things. He was about to keep on walking, when he saw a girl get out from the back seat. She had a white winter jacket, with a pink hat and pink muffins. Even from this distance and without dragon eyes he could tell that she was beautiful. She seemed to notice him, and he quickly turned around and kept walking. He was excited for some reason. He wanted to see her again, as soon as possible.
And he would.
AN: Hope you liked this chapter, please comment on what you think about the story in general. Cheers! :D