Chapter 9: Meeting
Most dragons are nervous about this. Humans are being allowed at the Island of Draco. Since the Government already knows the Island's location anyway, the Dragon Council saw no harm in meeting representatives there. Heading the representatives is the Vice-President of the United States of America, with Nick Fury and War Machine leading the security team (Iron Man wasn't available due his duties at Stark International).
"Mr. Vice-President, we're honored to meet you." Councillor Andam says.
"I feel the same, Mr., err, how should I call you?" The Vice-President asks in reply.
"You can call me the African Dragon." Councillor Andam answers.
"I'm the European Dragon." Councillor Kulde adds.
"I'm the Dragon of Atlantis." Councillor Omina says.
"And I'm the Dragon of Central America." Councillor Kulkulkhan explains. "We're the Dragon Council."
"What do these titles mean, Councillors?" The Vice-President asks out of curiosity.
"Each dragon assigned to watch over a territory is given the according title." Councillor Andam explains. "For example, I'm called the African Dragon because I'm in charge of the magical creatures living in Africa."
"What exactly are these responsibilities, African Dragon?" The Vice-President asks.
"I must ensure the magical creatures won't harm themselves, the humans or be harmed by them." Councillor Andam explains.
"You mean the Huntsclan, right?" The Vice-President asks.
"Usually yes but sometimes we also must face hostility from other humans who learn about our existence." Councillor Kulde answers. "That's why we keep hidden."
"We understand." The Vice-President replies.
"Our main concern is: how can we trust you not to attack our Island or the dragons whose identities your Government knows?" Councillor Kulde asks, finally expressing the whole Dragon Council's worry.
"You'll just have to trust us not to attack you while we trust you not to attack human beings." The Vice-President replies.
"Fair enough, Mr. Vice-President." Councillor Andam replies. "Now we'd like to make another request. That your Government hands over that slayer who tried to slay the American Dragon, his sister and their respective dragon masters."
"He's to be tried and hopefully punished for these murder attempts and other crimes committed under American Law including the kidnapping of that girl you dragons know as Huntsgirl." The Vice-President explains. "If you still want him after he serves time we can argue then."
"Fair enough." Councillor Kulde comments.
"What about Rose, Mr. Vice-President?" Jake asks. "Is she alright?"
"Director Fury told me about the love between you and her so I'll give a satisfaction of an answer, Mr. American Dragon." The Vice-President replies. "She's at a secret location with her family under protection. They're coming to testify against her so called Huntsmaster. Rose's parents about the abduction and Rose about that and her life with him and the assassination attempt prevented by Iron Man and War Machine."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Councillor Andam asks. "Won't it expose us?"
"All Iron Man and War Machine saw when they arrived at the crime scene was four beaten people and their assaulter claiming they were dragons." The Vice-President explains. "Sure, he'll claim they were in dragon form before but Iron Man and War machine can say, without committing perjury, that they saw no evidence back then to suggest the Huntsmaster's victims aren't humans or that they posed any threat to justify any attempts to kill them."
"After this is settled, will Rose be back?" Jake asks.
"Unless both her parents and the Government still believe the protection to be needed, yes." The Vice-President explains.
"You don't think the Huntsclan would still be that much of a problem with all their losses, do you?" Jake asks.
"The Huntsclan isn't our only worry, Mr. American Dragon." The Vice-President replies.
"Are you afraid we'd harm her, Mr. Vice-President?" Jake asks, saddened by this.
"We're aware of the tensions between dragons and slayers." The Vice-President explains. "We know she's changed but we're afraid some dragons might still want to make her pay for her previous actions against the magical creatures."
"Don't worry, Mr. Vice-President." Councillor Kulde reassures. "The American Dragon's dragon master has vouched for the Huntsgirl and, based on that, we agreed to give her a second chance."
"What exactly do you dragons do to other slayers?" The Vice-President asks.
"We lock them away so they won't harm magical creatures again." Councillor Andam explains.
"Councillors, do you even know the identities of the captured slayers?" The Vice-President asks.
"Only if we find out on our own." Councillor Kulde answers. "They refuse to tell. Not that I blame them considering what the Huntsclan could do if they captured me and got my identity."
"No need to worry, Councillors." The Vice-President says. "Thanks to Tony Stark's technology abilities and the teleporting devices confiscated by S.H.I.E.L.D. we'll manage to capture more Huntsclan members so they won't abduct children and kill people anymore." He then notices the dragons staring at him. "What? Without admitting to the whole human race that magical creatures are real, this is all we could arrest them for."
"Fair enough, Sir." Councillor Andam replies.
"Councillors, should our Government be warned about magical creatures who do cause trouble?" The Vice-President asks.
"Should it become necessary, we will." Councillor Kulde explains. "Should we be warned of any rogue agents who might know of us?" He asks, hinting at the reason not to tell about evil magical creatures.
"If needed." The Vice-President replies. "Now, since we're reaching some sort of treaty, we should have ways to contact each other."
The Dragon Council ponders about this. "We may provide you with a magical cell phone."
"That will be excellent, Councillors." The Vice-President says. "Thank you."
LINE BREAK – Canal Street Electronics
"You met the Vice-President!" Trixie asks, excited. "I'd love to be there."
"Jake, are you sure Tony Stark is Iron Man?" Spud asks. "I know he made the first armor to escape those terrorists and that he uses another version of it for the device that keeps the shrapnel from killing him."
"It's an excellent cover should anybody see him with any piece of the armor, Young ones." Lao Shi replies. "Let's just honor his request of secrecy since he honors ours."
They all agree.
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