Meetings
"Who's there?" A woman asks.
"Capt. Augustus Black of Interpol." Capt. Black answers. "May I talk to either Mr. or Mrs. Smith?"
"You may talk to me, Captain." Mrs. Smith replies as she unlocks the door. "Any leads on our missing daughter?"
"Men, lead her in." He replies to his cell phone and then two other agents bring Rose.
"You look like your sister." Mrs. Smith comments.
"Who are you talking to, honey?" Mr. Smith asks as he and a girl who looks like Rose without the birthmark appear. They're all shocked.
LINE BREAK – Inside the house
"So, you found our Rose when she and that monster broke into a government protected archaeological dig?" Mr. Smith asks.
"Affirmative, Sir." Capt. Black answers.
"Rose, tell us about yourself." Mrs. Smith pleads.
"Well, I attend Millard Fillmore Middle School, where I met all my non-Huntsclan friends and my boyfriend…"
"A boyfriend?" Mr. Smith asks. "Aren't you too young to have a boyfriend?"
"Dad, Rose and I are no longer little girls." Lily replies. "Is he hot?"
"You don't know the half of it."
"Well, I don't know how to bring it up but, I'm afraid Rose has gotten herself in some troubles." Capt. Black says.
LINE BREAK – Canal Street Electronics
"Young dragon, I just got word from the Dragon Council." Lao Shi explains. "The only reason they won't go immediately after Rose is that it's too dangerous to approach her with federal agents involved. However, they're worried about how much they already know about the Magical World."
"Tell me about it." Jake replies. "I still have no idea of who is this Shendu the Feds were talking about."
Fu Dog then brings a magical book that displays a holographic image of Shendu. "Kid, Shendu is one of the eight Demon Sorcerers who together ruled the world centuries ago."
"I thought he was a dragon." Jake replies.
"A dragon that became a demon on his quest for power." Lao Shi explains. "There were eight demons back then." One by one, the book shows holographic images of them. "Po Kong, Demon Sorcerer of Mountain; Xiao Fung, Demon Sorcerer of Wind; Tchang Zu, Demon Sorcerer of Thunder; Tso Lan, Demon Sorcerer of Moon; Dai Gui; Demon Sorcerer of Earth; Shi Wu, Demon Sorcerer of Wind; Bai Tsa, Demon Sorcerer of Earth; and Shendu; Demon Sorcerer of Fire. They shared the world in eight territories."
A map of the Demon-ruled Earth appears and then they take a look at the territories. "G, why isn't Australia marked as a demon territory?"
"For some reason, neither demon would let the others or anybody else there." Lao Shi explains. "It seemed that Australia, or No Man's Land as it used to be known back then, hides a big power the demons were afraid would be used against them. For centuries the Order of the Dragon and, I believe, the Huntsclan have searched for it but the Order never found any clue and as far as I know, the Huntsclan had no better luck."
"If those demons are real, what happened to them?" Trixie asks.
"Eight warriors appeared and each one of them defeated one of the demons." Lao Shi explains. "They were banished to another dimension where they couldn't harm anyone other than themselves. Each one was banished through one's own portal so each one could only use one's own portal to come back. The warriors became known as the Immortal Warriors. Somehow Shendu escaped and resumed his reign of terror until a warrior named Lo Pei found an ancient spell that turned him into a statue and removed the twelve talismans of the Chinese Zodiac. The only way Shendu will be able to regain his mobility is if he regains his talismans."
"Grandpa, if it's been so many centuries ago Shendu was ever heard about, how come these humans working for the Government acted like they've faced him before?" Haley asks.
"That's what worries me the most, Haley." Lao Shi explains. "With the United States Government knowing about the existence of magical creatures, they might recruit captured dragonslayers to hunt for them and even go capture us. Perhaps we should hide ourselves for a while."
"G, that Capt. Black seems to be a nice guy." Jake replies.
"That could be an act." Lao Shi says. "Not to mention probably even he can't tell how his superiors will react when he reports about us."
They then hear the door being opened. They see Rose, Capt. Black and people they believe to be Rose's family. "Aaaahhhhhh! It's the Huntsgirl!" Spud yells. "Run for your life, bro!"
"Huntsgirl?" Rose's Mom asks.
"It's my Huntsclan nickname." Rose explains.
"What is she doing here?" Trixie asks.
"My daughter wanted to see her boyfriend again and I'd like to know him as well." Mr. Smith says and then sees Jake raising his hand. "You'd be him, I presume."
"Sure, Mr…."
"Smith."
"Jake Long, the AmDrag." Jake replies and then notices Rose's gesture, causing him to understand she never told her family about the fact he's a dragon.
"Am what?" Rose's parents and her sister ask.
"Inside joke." Rose quickly explains.
"Capt. Black, you're not going to lock us away, will ya?" Jake asks.
"It won't be necessary." Capt. Black answers, giving the impression he meant to add 'yet'.
"Rose, why is your boyfriend afraid the Feds would lock him away?" Lily asks out of curiosity.
"Should we tell them, G?" Jake asks.
"The Government already knows dragons are real, young dragon." Lao Shi solemnly replies. "And with an experienced Chi magic master on their side, there's no hiding what we are."
Taking the cue, Jake, Haley, Lao Shi and Sun Park turn into their dragon forms. Rose's family hide themselves behind Capt. Black. "Rose, aren't you afraid of them?" Her father asks.
"Dragons aren't evil as I originally thought." Rose explains. "Most of them, at least."
"Do you mean you already know dragons are real?" Lily asks, shocked.
"I was raised by people who not only knew dragons are real but also wanted me to kill as many of them as possible." Rose explains.
"And yet you're dating one of them?" Rose's Mom asks.
"After finding out Jake is a dragon, I couldn't hate them any longer." Rose replies. "It made me review my beliefs."
"You'd better hope the Dragon Council will believe that, Huntsgirl." Haley quickly says.
"What's this Dragon Council?" Rose's Dad asks.
"It's the group of dragons that rule over dragonkind." Capt. Black explains. "Ever since ancient times they supervise dragons and keep the peace among magical creatures."
"How do you know that?" Sun Park asks.
"Uncle Chan told me." He explains.
"Wait a minute." Rose's Dad asks. "Rose was raised to be a dragonslayer. Has she ever…"
"Nope. But unfortunately it was not for not trying." Jake sadly replies.
"She spent almost a whole year trying to slay my brother and my Grandfather." Haley asks.
"Look, Jake. I understand if you guys want any kind of justice but please take in consideration she's just a child and didn't know any better." Rose's Dad pleads.
"Well, Rose's been spying on us for the last months so there's a chance they'll let her go." Jake replies.
"If we let her take her chances." Rose's Mom sternly replies. "Capt. Black, I'd like to place our family under protection."
"Mom, please." Rose pleads. "I don't want to leave my boyfriend after all we've been through."
"If he loves you he'll understand your need to stay safe." Rose's Mom tries to argue.
"Mom, I'd rather take any punishment from the Dragon Council as long as I can date Jake."
"Rose, you've been trying to kill these people." Rose's Dad says.
"And my conscience bothers me from this ever since I found out dragons aren't necessarily evil." Rose explains. Eventually they understand Rose won't feel better without facing the consequences of her Huntsgirl actions. They all join the Chans on their way to the Island of Draco.
"Worst elevator ride ever." Lily comments.
"I agree." Jade replies.
"At least you didn't get stuck with the sumo wrestler." Jake moans.
Jackie then notices other dragons staring at them. "Uncle, why are they so nervous?"
"Dragons usually see this place as a human-free sanctuary." Uncle explains.
"And that's because they don't know about us." Jade comments.
LINE BREAK – The Council Room
"Are you the dragonslayer known as Huntsgirl?" Councillor Andam asks."
"Not anymore, Sir." Rose humbly replies. "My name is Rose."
"Anyway, Rose, I hope you know the only reason we're even considering you might actually regret your past actions against the magical community is the fact the American Dragon's dragon master is vouching for you." Councillor Kulde says, showing how much he despises her.
"Yo, I'm also…" Jake says until he's interrupted.
"You're not reliable, American Dragon." Councillor Andam says. "You'd probably make up anything to save her even if it meant jeopardizing the magical community."
After that is settled, Luong Lao Shi starts telling all Rose did for them.
"Dragon Luong, we'll deliberate about the slayer." Councillor Kulde announces. "But now we'd like to interview this wizard who spilled secrets to federal agents."
Uncle then approaches. "Mr. Chan, how come you got involved with them?"
"When my nephew discovered an ancient golden shield containing the Rooster Talisman, he became a target for the Dark Hand, a crime ring that was looking for the Talismans. Capt. Augustus Black, an old friend of my nephew, is head of Section 13, a group of agents reunited to keep tabs on the Dark Hand and eventually other mysterious crimes once the Dark Hand became less of a threat." Uncle explains. "Once it became clear they wanted the Talismans, we tried our best to stop them but when the Tiger Talisman's powers split Jackie into Yin and Yang, Valmont, the head of the Dark Hand, corrupted his evil half into bringing him the Talismans."
Jake couldn't help but cringe at the mention of Yin and Yang.
"At this point, we found out Valmont was working for a demon." Uncle resumes his report. "Sure, Capt. Black's description of the demon didn't help narrowing it down but fortunately one of the Dark Hand's enforcers decided to leave his life of crime and told us the demon's name. Then we flew to Hong Kong to stop Shendu from releasing his dragon army. With help from a magical balm, we removed the Talismans and defeated Shendu. Unfortunately, Shendu was killed, which eventually allowed his spirit to possess Valmont. Then his goal was using the Pan Ku Box to free his brothers and sisters."
"Do you mean that time, when the moon got dark, was it Tso Lan?" Councillor Kulkulkhan asks.
"Yes, Sir." Uncle answers. "After we got all demons rebanished and their portals sealed, Shendu made a last-ditch effort by rewriting the Book of Ages." The Council's reactions suggest they've heard about the book before but weren't sure it's real.
"G, what's this Book of Ages?" Jake whispers to his Grandfather.
"I'll tell you later, Jake."
"Eventually, a Dark Chi Wizard named Daolong Wong found out the location of Section 13 and broke into the place to steal the Talismans but we used a laser gun to destroy them. Since the Talisman Powers couldn't be destroyed, they searched for the Zodiac animals. Since your barrier worked, Wong decided to restore Shendu. After Shendu betrays Wong and goes after the Talisman Powers for himself, Uncle found a way to strip Wong's powers, we made him reveal the spell to turn Shendu back into a statue and lock the powers into new Talismans."
"Why didn't you call for help from the Dragon Order?" Councillor Andam asks.
"We Chi Wizards don't have too much contact with the order." Uncle explains. "Something about dragons not liking the idea of humans doing magic."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Wizard Chan." Councillor Kulde says. "Now we'd like to talk to Capt. Black."
"I'm willing to cooperate." Capt. Black replies.
"Capt. Black, were you aware of the existence of magic before getting involved with the Talisman hunt?" Councillor Andam asks.
"No, Sir." Capt. Black replies. "In fact, the only reason I've initially got involved with this was because the Dark Hand wanted the Talismans. I didn't believe in magic until I first saw Shendu."
"And how many humans in the Government know about magic?" Councillor Kulde asks.
"My staff at Section 13 Headquarters, my superiors at the Secret Service and the Vice-President of the United States of America." Capt. Black explains.
"Well, perhaps it's time we estabilish diplomatic relations with the United States Government." Councillor Kulde suggests. The Dragon Council then wants more time to think about this. Meanwhile, the humans are allowed to tour the Island of Draco, with Jake, Haley, Sun and Lao Shi watching over Rose.
"G, what's this Book of Ages?" Jake asks again.
"The Book of Ages is a book where anything that happens in the world is magically written." Lao Shi explains. "Should anybody change what's written in the book, reality will warp itself to turn these changes into truth. While we never knew per sure if the Book of Ages really existed or not, search parties were formed just in case. Since the legends of the book are from the same time of the demons, the search parties focused their efforts on Asia."
"Jackie, should we tell…"
"No, Jade." Jackie answers. "I still don't trust these dragons. That Chang will probably not be the last traitor among them."
Another dragon approaches our heroes. "Hi, Fred." Jake says.
"Hi, mate."
"Mate?" Rose asks.
"He's Australian, Rose." Jake explains.
"Mate, are you sure it's okay to reveal my identity to humans?" Fred asks. "Specially a slayer? Not that you gave out much since Australians named Fred are as common as Americans named John."
"Anyway, introductions are in order." Jake replies. "Fred, this is Rose. Rose, this is Fred."
"Jake, does your Sheila have a sister?" Fred happily asks.
"Yep, there she is." Jake answers as he sees her coming.
"Rose, does your sister have a boyfriend?" Fred asks.
"Actually, I never asked." Rose sheepishly admits. "Lily, I've told about my boyfriend but you never told me about your love life. Do you also have a boyfriend?"
"Actually I do." Lily replies. She then notices Fred's sadness. Not knowing what to say about it, she decides to change the subject. "Rose, what do you think the Dragon Council is going to do?"
"Only time will tell, Lily. Only time will tell." Rose solemnly replies.
I hope I didn't make it too long. Please Review.
