Chapter VII

The Dragon Council dispatched two young dragons to assist the American Dragon, an old friend Fred Nerk the Australian Dragon and Serra Plo the Hungarian Dragon.

Fred Nerk had not changed much in the last year that Jake had seen him; although at first a fierce rival four years prior they were now close friends. Fred Nerk was one of the only mid-generation Dragons other than Jake to lead a squad into the Week Long War. "Heya Mate, how's things been to ya Jake," he said with his heavy Australian accent.

Serra was a reserved young woman around the age of Yiin. She was tall and had long white-blond hair. Her blue eyes were captivating and although Jake would never admit it he was privately attracted to the older dragon. It was in her eyes he said to himself, like a calm ocean. He shook his head to clear it.

The trio were gathered in the subway, having used an underground route that was known only to a handful of dragons and magical creatures.

"Everything's been good," replied Jake, he was in dragon form "except for this Dark Hunter dude we've been doing well, the Huntsclan is on the run," he laughed then got serious again, "It's only the Dark Hunter that's been giving us some trouble,"

Fred nodded, "Alright, don't worry Jake, there are now seven dragons in New York city, two senior dragons, four mid-generation dragons, three of which were in the Week Long War, and one junior, pre-graduate dragon. You don't have to worry Jake, we'll be able to defeat him,"

"I hope you're right," replied Jake as they continued toward the station.

"But is it true that he had you pinned down in less than two minutes?" Asked Fred with curiosity and a childish grin.

Jake rolled his eyes, "It was only because-,"

"Dragons," spat a voice.

"Huntspunk," returned Jake as he saw the figure of the Huntsman standing before him, "don't you ever quit?"

"No," replied the Huntsman as twelve more of the Huntsclan surrounded them.

"By myself I took on your Huntsclan, and now you're facing me with two powerful dragons," replied Jake.

Fred entered his dragon form while Serra held back.

"You two can handle them," said Serra as she took a position leaning against the wall.

Fred muttered an obscenity below his breath, "Lazy,"

The Huntsboy stepped forward wielding his hunt-staff, twirling it he brought it to aim at Jake, "Time to finish off where we started Dragon,"

Jake laughed, "You always start something and never finish Huntsboy," he laughed again and breathed fire in the Huntsboy's face.

The boy yelped and took a step back.

"Get them!" ordered the Huntsman.

Jake flew forward between three and swept his tail across their chests, throwing them all into a heap while Fred flew over him and rammed violently into two others.

"Fred you have to be careful," said Jake, "the Huntsclan chose the subway for a reason, it's hard to maneuver,"

"What?" he managed as he flipped through the air, breathing fire on a fallen Hunter.

"Look out!" managed Jake as he grabbed a Hunter by the foot.

Fred pulled back from the Huntsman who fired his hunt-staff, the green ball of energy racing toward him. The Australian Dragon crashed his back into the roof of the tunnel and was also hit by the energy-ball. With an audible sigh he crumpled to the ground reverting to his human form.

Serra bit her lower lip as she took a step forward, "Dragon Up!" she shouted as she entered her dragon form, her scales were green, with three stripes that extended from the tip of her nose to her tail. Her deep blue eyes were now pitch black, she roared frightfully loud actually throwing two of the Huntsman's goons to the floor. She entered the fray moving with graceful speed and sharpshooter precision.

Jake landed beside Fred throwing a goon into the Huntsboy that had just mustered the courage to enter the fight again.

In less than three minutes all the Hunters present; except the Huntsman lay on the ground; exhausted and beaten.

Jake took a step toward the Huntsman who stood seething. Serra reverted to human form and kneeled beside Fred trying to wake him.

"I'll give you that chance to leave now Huntsman," said Jake.

The Huntsman tightened his grip on his staff, "No dragon, I have run from you long enough, now it is time for me to end what you started with me so many years ago," he made a running leap toward Jake his staff glowing.

Jake pulled out of the way at the last moment whipping his tail with tremendous strength and agility at the Huntsman's chest. An audible crack was heard as the Huntsman went down gasping for air and wheezing. Jake whipped his tail across his head knocking him out.

The American Dragon turned to Serra who had returned to her dragon form and was now holding Fred in her arms, "We have to go now, he's wounded badly and if now attended to soon will die,"

Jake nodded worry etched on his dragon face, "Come on, let's get to my Grandpa's shop,"

Jake sat atop the roof of the electronics shop looking toward the setting sun. Fred would be okay; Fu had whipped up a healing potion and given him. Fred had complained when his consciousness returned that it tasted like rat juice.

Jake raised an eyebrow at this moment, "Rat Juice?" he repeated, "how does he even know what rat juice tastes like?"

Jake became aware of someone's presence on the rooftop with him, "Rose, why are you trying to-," he turned but was surprised to see Sabrina, "hey," he said abashed.

Sabrina smiled, "It's okay Jake, I know you wanted to see Rose and not me,"

The American Dragon frowned at this, "It's not that I don't like you or anything, it's just that sometimes you confuse me. That's all,"

Sabrina managed a small grin, "That's what I'm good at Dragon, that's what I'm good at," Sabrina had a colorful past. She was a friend of Jake that he had met two years prior while he went deep undercover to find out the Dark Dragon's secret plot. She was a prisoner of his as her father was a multi-billionaire in Europe. Jake had managed to save her along with a few of the Dark Dragons other captives. Sabrina viewed Jake as her savior and devoted her life to fighting by his side; no matter what. And although she knew that she would probably never be his girlfriend, and that he would probably never love her-She still loved him. That would not change. And Oracle had once told her that she would one day marry a dragon; it would not be Jake, she knew this for sure. But she still loved him. The oracle had also said that her child would be a powerful dragon and would learn from the American Dragon Jake Long.

Sabrina wished that Jake would be the father of her child that was destined to be a powerful dragon, but she knew he would not be. Nothing would change however, she would still always love him, "I'll leave you now," she said as she turned, she tried to hold back a tear that was rolling down her cheek but she couldn't. She fled before the torrents of tears came.

Jake inhaled deeply, Sabrina was a good person, and he cared for her dearly. But not in the way that she wanted him to. He was in love with Rose and she was the girl that he was going to marry.

Rose finally appeared behind him, resting her hand on his shoulder, "Hey Dragon Boy,"

Jake smiled as he rested his hand on hers, "Hey Huntsgirl, what's up?"

She leaned in to kiss him; a soft kiss more to tease than to please.

"Okay, what was that for?" he asked softly.

"Nothing," she replied as she took a seat beside him she raised an eyebrow, "now I have to have a reason to kiss you?"

Jake laughed, "True, I guess you're right,"

Rose reached out with her hand for his, "Jake I want you to promise me something," she said squeezing his hand gently.

"What do you want me to promise?" he asked looking into her eyes, her lovely eyes that were truly a well into the depths of her beautiful soul that he constantly fell into.

"Promise me you'll be careful, and always watch your back," she took a deep breath, "promise me you won't go after the Dark Hunter unless you absolutely have to, promise me you'll survive this,"

Jake inhaled deeply allowing time to pass, first seconds, then a minute, then two minutes, "I promise you, I promise you all that you have just asked of me,"

"Thank you," replied Rose softly as she rested her head on his shoulder, "I love you, and I don't want to lose you,"

"I love you too, and I promise you won't ever lose me,"

Adren stood two rooftops away observing both Jake and Ross, "Interesting," he whispered as he recognized the former Huntsgirl, "I should probably organize to deal with his girlfriend, perhaps to eliminate her," he pressed his lips together into a frown, he didn't hate the Huntsgirl, in fact Rose was his close friend when he was in the Huntsclan.

So he wouldn't kill her. But he could probably hurt her. Yes, and when he hurt her, he would hurt the American Dragon. Ah. He wouldn't kill the American Dragon just yet; he would make him suffer, as he had suffered. Losing almost everything he had except his life. And then, that too would be taken from him.

The Dark Hunter rose from his position and smiled to himself, "Enjoy yourselves Rose and Jake, I'll be coming for you soon," his laugher echoed in the fading sunlight as the darkness began to sweep across the city.