Firestorm: Fireheart Chapter 10 Getting The Scoop, an american dragon: jake long fanfic

Hey all! I am so sorry that I couldn't post this sooner! But you know how it is... what with the writer's block and the end-of-year exams... what can you do? Anyway, I certainly hope that I've made up for your long wait with this long chapter :)

p.s. To those who asked if I would add Ghost Rider as a guest star (Awesome movie, by the way! Two thumbs up! :D), I'm sorry to say that he won't be appearing in this story. However... you have given me an idea for a crossover story sometime in the future... hint hint ;)

Also, for those of you who wish to help save American Dragon and give it the third season it deserves, please go to the tv. com American dragon forum, or the fight for three forum, or savetheshows. com to see how you can help :)

On a happier note, I'm proud to say that the first episode of Dragonfire is finally out in the SaveTheShows podcast! Yay!! :D

Please feel free to check it out and let us know what you think. :)

And last, but certainly not least, I'd like to take a moment to thank Hera Ledro: The Eternal Dragonic Allsie, and Mike Kane (aka Wheely, aka Savetheshows) for helping me get over my writer's block while writing this chapter. Thanks guys! :)

And also thank you to all those who read my stories and help support the American Dragon! Long Live the AmDrag and Rose! Save the Dragon! Viva La American Dragon: Jake Long!

(this message will also be posted at the bottom in case you don't see it here)

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Fireheart

Chapter 10: Getting "The Scoop"

"So where should we start looking first?" asked Rose.

She and Fu Dog were in the subway, riding the train that would take them to Magus Bazaar, the magical market place.

The other passengers on the train occasionally glanced in her direction.

They were used to strange people and animals riding in this particular car, and Rose, dressed all in black except for the red shirt under her leather jacket, wearing black gloves and carrying a large, green, double-bladed staff, was no exception.

Rose pretended not to notice as they eyed the large blades on her hunting staff, edging away from her and Fu Dog.

"Woof! Bark! Woof! We're headin' to The Scoop. That's the best place to find information in Magus Bazaar." whispered Fu. Even in this part of the train, he still had to make sure the other passengers didn't hear him talking.

The train screeched to a halt at the final station. The other passengers headed for the doors, grateful to get away from the strange girl and her canine friend. Rose got up to follow them, but Fu Dog put a paw on her arm.

"Hold on kid,"said Fu, "we're not gettin' off here."

"But Fu," said Rose, "The train doesn't go any further then this. It'll just take us back to the first stop."

"Trust me." said Fu, winking at her. "It won't. Oh, and you might want to brace yourself..."

The train set off again. Then, after a few more minutes, the car they were in started to glow with a strange light.

"Uh... Fu?" Rose looked at him nervously as the light gathered around her and the dog.

"Here we go!" said Fu. Seconds later, both of them were shot through the roof of the car in a blast of teleporting magic.

They reappeared a few inches above the ground in front of a potion shop. Rose dropped lightly to her feet. Fu Dog landed on his head. He sat up, rubbing his head and muttered, "I hate it when that happens..."

"Where are we?" asked Rose, glancing around at the many shops and houses the lined the street.

"Rose," said Fu, "welcome to the Magus Bazaar. Now come on, you can sightsee later. We've got work to do."

He led her down a nearby street. Rose stayed close behind him, gazing around at the bustling market. There were magical creatures of all sorts gathered there. Some shopping, others haggling with shopkeepers, and still others selling their wares at busy stalls. A few of them stared at Rose as she passed, but then went back to their business. Rose kept walking, trying to act natural despite the curious looks she was getting.

"So, what is The Scoop anyway?" asked Rose, as they turned a corner. "is it like a bar or a pub?"

"Nope, even better." said Fu, "It's an ice cream parlor."

"An ice cream parlor..." said Rose, more then a little disappointed. Fu Dog stopped and turned at the sound of her voice. Rose knelt down beside him and said, "How are we supposed to find information about Jake at an ice cream parlor?!"

"Kid," said Fu, sounding slightly offended, "This isn't just any ice cream parlor. This is the ice cream parlor. Anybody who's anybody comes here! And no matter what goes down in this city, you can bet your boots that there's always somebody here who knows somethin' about it. It's just finding the guy and gettin' 'em to talk that's the problem."

"Oh, well don't worry about that." said Rose slyly, "I'm sure I can persuade them..." She fingered a large blade on her staff thoughtfully.

"Whoa, slow down there Huntsgirl!" said Fu, putting a paw on her leg. "I know you wanna find Jake as much as the rest of us, but we can't just charge in there guns blazin'. We gotta play it cool. Now come on, it's just around the next corner."

As they neared the parlor, loud crashes could be heard coming from inside the building.

Suddenly-

CRASH!

Two rowdy looking trolls were thrown out through the front door!

"AND STAY OUT!" shouted a shark-like women, poking her head out of the door and shaking her fist at the two fleeing trolls.

"Shark Lady?" asked Fu.

"Huh? Oh! Hi Fu Dog, long time no see." said the Shark Lady. She came out from behind the door and looked at them. "Sorry you had to see that. Those two trolls were throwing silverware at the dart board again." Then she spotted Rose. "Who's your friend?"

"Shark Lady, this is Rose." said Fu, "Rose, this is Shark Lady. She's a friend of our's."

"Pleasure to meet you." said the Shark Lady. She gave Rose a toothy smile. Rose clutched her staff uneasily.

Shark Lady's smile disappeared at the look on Rose's face. "I know what you're thinking." she said, "I get that a lot. But my race is actually quite peaceful. We don't bite." She gave another toothy grin, then without warning, took a huge bite out of the doorpost! Seeing the look of shock on the girl's face. Shark Lady swallowed the wood. "Shark instinct." She said, sounding embarrassed, "Sometimes I just can't help myself..."

"Ok..." said Rose, still looking uneasy. Then she noticed the apron that Shark Lady was wearing. "Do you work here?" Rose asked.

"Oh, no." said Shark Lady, "The barkeep is home sick this week. I'm just filling in until he gets back. But I am hoping to get a part time job here."

"Well, good luck with that." said Fu. "Me and Rose have got some business to deal with in there."

"Oh, of course!" said Shark Lady, "Where are my manners? Please come in. I'll see if I can get you anything."

She ushered them inside, then went behind the bar and started cleaning glasses. Fu Dog went straight for the bar, seating himself on a stool and glancing around. Rose quickly followed him, looking around at the assortment of creatures gathered there. There was a centaur throwing darts at the dart board, two ogres who were arm wrestling, a few unicorns playing pool, and four goblins playing cards with six leprechauns.

The young huntress made her way over to the bar and sat down next to Fu Dog. Shark Lady came up to them, giving another toothy grin.

"So," she said pleasantly, "what can I get for you?"

"A round of brownie delights and a strawberry smoothie." said Fu, "Shaken, not stirred."

"Comin' right up." said Shark Lady. She gave Fu Dog his order, then turned towards Rose. "And what can I get you?" she asked.

"Information." said Rose, leaning across the bar so as not to be overheard.

"Oh... got'cha." said Shark Lady, winking at Rose, "What kind?"

"I need to find the American Dragon." whispered Rose, "This is really important. It could mean the difference between life and death."

"Oh... This sounds serious." said Shark Lady, "well, if it's information you want, you might want to try that goblin over there." She pointed across the room toward a goblin wearing a brown leather jacket and a floppy hat. He was lounging in a chair with the hat over his eyes, sipping a milkshake and surrounded by his gang of henchmen.

Rose looked at the group, then narrowed her eyes in disgust. It was Merry, a well known goblin crime boss with a bad reputation for causing all sorts of trouble. She remembered him from her days in the Huntsclan, during times when the Huntsmaster had to do business with the goblin.

"Word on the street is that he and his gang have had recent contact with a shady looking dragon. So he might know something." whispered Shark Lady, "Be careful though, he's not the easiest to get information out of."

"Don't worry." said Rose, getting up from her stool, "I've dealt with him before." She took a firm grip on her staff and made her way over to the goblins' corner. Two of the brawnier goblins moved to block her way as she approached.

Rose stared them down and showed them her staff blades, daring them to try anything. "Stand aside." she said firmly, "I have business with your boss."

They eyed the blades nervously, but didn't move. Rose continued to glare at them. She didn't want to cause trouble here, but she would if she had too.

"Let her through." said Merry casually, waving his hand lazily at them. He hadn't even bothered to look up at Rose.

The two goblins looked at each other, then stood aside to let Rose through.

"Don Merry." said Rose, coming to stand right in front of him.

The goblin lifted his hat slightly, peeking out at her with one eye. "I see my reputation precedes me." he said. Then he took his hat off for a better look at Rose. "So..." he said, "What's a dame like you doin' in a place like this?"

"Cut the small talk." snapped Rose, "I need information, and I was told you have it."

"Maybe..." he said slyly, "depends on what it is, and how much you can pay for it."

Rose gave him a withering glare. "I need to know where I can find the American Dragon."

Merry lounged back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling for a short period before speaking. "The American Dragon?" he mused, tilting his chair back. "You mean that overgrown lizard who's always messing up my crimes?"

Rose bristled slightly, but masked her face as she replied tersely, "That's right, what do you know about him?"

The goblin crime lord slammed his chair forward. "I don't know nothin'."

That was Rose's breaking point. She grabbed the goblin with her left hand, yanking him off his chair. Her face was an inch from his as she growled at him.

"Listen goblin, I want information and I want it now." Her insides were boiling; what would she do if she couldn't find Jake?

Suddenly, she was thrown bodily from her target. Her Huntsclan reflexes serving her well, she flipped backwards and landed on her feet, staring down Merry's guards.

"No money, no service," Merry chided. "Take her, boys!"

And then all heck broke loose.

The two brawny goblin guards jumped at Rose, and shot their fists towards her face. She dodged aside easily, jumping into the air and quickly dealing them two blasts from her staff, set to stun them. She landed right in the middle of a ring of goblin gangsters.

She whirled her staff around, slamming her foes into walls, tables, and counter-tops. It wasn't long before all the goblins lay on the ground, either unconscious or stunned, and the goblin crime lord lay bare. Fu whistled admirably as Rose grabbed the crime boss and slammed him against the wall.

"Now listen, you—"

The goblin chuckled. "I'm sorry, I should have been more polite." He cleared his throat, almost as if he forgot that he was being held up against the wall by a trained slayer. "Ma'am," he said in a deep, dignified tone, "I believe I do know where the American Dragon is."

"Jake…" Rose whispered, and released the goblin, who slid neatly to his feet.

"Now the question of telling you where he is wouldn't be allowed," the goblin continued, smiling maliciously. He snapped his fingers, and Rose heard a rustle. "But don't worry, he won't be going anywhere anytime soon."

All around her, the goblins were rising. Not one of them had so much as a scratch!

"You want another beating?" Rose muttered, handling her staff. The goblins were advancing on her, cracking their knuckles cruelly.

"Get 'em Rose! Teach those low-lifes to stay down!" yelled Fu. He pulled his cell phone of his fur and started dialing. "Hey, Big Ernie! Listen, give me 60 brownies on Rose. Oh, and throw in a couple doughnuts on the goblins."

Rose glared at the Sher Pei. "Fu Dog! What has Lao Shi told you about gambled when we fight?"

"Enough chit-chat." snapped Merry, "Get her!"

The goblins charged, but Rose spun her staff, knocking them to the floor again.

Again Merry was open to attack. Rose lunged at him, but the crime boss pulled a dagger from the folds of his jacket! Rose leapt back, barely avoiding the deadly blade! Merry held the weapon ready, staring hard at Rose.

The young slayer glared back at him, holding her staff ready... Around them she could hear tables and chairs scraping across the floor, as the other creatures scurried to find good hiding places, from which they could watch the fight.

The two fighters stood there, staring each other down, and waited...

This is way too much like one of those old Western movies. thought Rose. She could almost hear the corny background music that always played during the showdown scenes. Wait a minute... she was hearing background music! "Fu Dog!"

"What?" said Fu, pushing the stop button on his CD player. "I was trying to set a mood here." But he put the CD player and the portable speaker back into his wrinkles anyway. Then the old Sher Pei dug through his wrinkles for a few more minutes, and pulled out a tumbleweed. "And cue tumbleweed." whispered Fu. He rolling the light mass of branches across the floor.

Merry glanced at it, slightly surprised. This was the break Rose was looking for. With an ear-spitting yell, she lunged at the goblin, knocking the dagger from his hand and sending him sprawling to the floor! She quickly seized him by the shoulder and slammed him against the wall again, this time holding her staff blade to the creature's throat.

"Now..." she growled, "I'll only ask you one more time. Where is the American Dragon?"

Merry glared at her, silent. Rose pressed the blade harder against his neck. He yelped and said, "Ok! Ok! Listen, the last I heard of him, he was seen down in the abandoned warehouse district on the edge of town."

The young huntress relaxed slightly. She lowered the blade and released the crime lord. He landed heavily on the floor, gasping and rubbing his neck.

"There," said Rose, glaring down at him, "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?"

"You have no idea..." muttered the goblin.

Rose looked around the room, then went over to Shark Lady and laid a few gold coins on the counter-top. "Sorry about the mess." she said, "This should help pay for the damages."

"Don't worry about it." said Shark Lady, "This happens all the time."

They both looked down at Fu Dog, who was still munching on brownies. "Come on Fu. It's time we left." said Rose

Can't I finish eating first?" whined Fu.

The huntress raised an eyebrow at him. "We've stayed here long enough." she said, "Put those in a doggie bag if you have to. Our work here is done." She turned and started for the door, but found Merry blocking it.

"Out of my way goblin." snarled Rose, "We've leaving."

"Now you see, there's a slight problem with that..." said Merry, smirking at her. Rose heard movement behind her and whirled around, the goblins were getting up again! She turned back to the door, but three of the lager goblins were already blocking it. They had her surrounded again...

Rose held her staff in a fighting stance, ready to attack at the slightest movement. "Tell them to stand aside." snapped Rose, "Now."

"I don't think so." said Merry, "Not until I teach you a lesson in manners."

"What do you want?" growled Rose.

"Simple." said Merry. He gave her his fiercest glare as he snarled, "Nobody makes me look like a chump in public and gets away with it!"

"You didn't need my help for that..." muttered Rose.

The other creatures gasped, then crouched lower into their hiding spots, knowing that the crime lord wouldn't take that insult lightly.

The goblin's eyes blazed with rage. "Oh... you just made a big mistake there missy..."

Rose stared him down, her cold eyes unblinking. "Bring it."

The crime boss snapped his fingers. The other goblins started closing in. Rose braced herself, ready for a fight...

Then, Merry smiled slyly... He snapped his fingers again, and the goblins stopped. Rose watched, puzzled, as they backed away from her.

Merry saw the confused look on her face. "Now there's no need for that." he said. Rose noticed his voice had gone strangely calm, as if he'd forgotten they were about to fight. "Me and the boys just want to give you a little something..."

Then, without warning, a goblin reached inside his jacket and threw a large, glowing braid near where Rose stood. Almost in slow motion, the slayer looked down at the black hair on the floor. It was a lock of sphinx hair...

Immediately, she began to feel the effects. Her body weakened, and she collapsed onto the floor, vaguely hearing Fu yell, "Rose!"

Merry came over and looked down at her, smirking as he said, "Never been affected by sphinx hair before, have you, Huntsgirl? Or should I say... Dragon girl!"

Struggling to look up at the goblin crime lord, Rose stuttered, "But, how did you—"

"I have my ways," he said, inspecting his grimy fingernails. "Besides, I've been expecting you."

"What?" Rose struggled, trying to get up, but it was no use. The sphinx hair was draining too much of her strength...

"Oh don't worry, you'll find out soon enough. My… employer wanted you alive, so just be happy. Or don't; maybe death is better than what he wants with you, hehe. Boys! Snare 'em."

The goblins began advancing on Rose, tossing a heavy net over her.

"Hang on! I'm comin', kid!"

Rose turned her head to see Fu Dog running towards her, only to be snatched up by two of the larger goblins. "Get off me!" growled Fu, trying to throw punches at his captors. "Don't make me have to get rough with you!" But the goblins only laughed at him, tying him up as he struggled.

Rose was about to call to him when a unicorn burst into the room! With its horn, it bowled through the goblins too fool to flee the building, and quickly severed the bonds that held Rose and Fu.

Almost instinctively, Rose grabbed Fu and mounted the unicorn. It was little more than a white blur as it galloped away, bowling over more goblins.

It took a moment for Rose to register what had happened, and then she realized who it was she was riding: Starchaser! The familiar unicorn bound away, and turned a corner to reveal Luna!

Rose quickly dismounted and gave Luna a hug, which the elf returned and said, "It's good to see you again, Rose."

"Luna," Rose said softly, "How did you—"

"I saw the goblins, Rose. I knew there was something wrong, it just didn't feel right. When you walked into The Scoop, two goblin guards came around the building and blocked off the entrance. I was worried, so I sent Starchaser inside to look after you. Just in case."

Rose nodded. Giving the older elf a hug, she said, "Thank you so much…if it hadn't been for you, we'd have been done for."

"Hey," said Luna with a smile, "that's what friends are for."

"Hey Fu," Rose called, letting go of Luna and glancing down at him, "Get out the cell phone and call Lao Shi. He needs to know that the goblins are in on everything."

Fu opened his mouth to make a smart comment, but Rose silenced him with a glare. Grumbling, the shar pei did as he was told. A few moments later, he hung up the phone, and gave Rose a worried look.

"What is it?" asked Rose, but she was afraid she already knew the answer...

The old dog looked straight into her eyes, as he said the very words Rose had been dreading...

"Nobody's answering…"

Ooooooh... cliffhanger! ;) lol, don't worry, hopefully I won't take as long to post the next chapter :)

(The following is a repeat of the message at the top of the page, in case anyone missed it.)

On a happier note, I'm proud to say that the first episode of Dragonfire is finally out in the SaveTheShows podcast! Yay!! :D

Please feel free to check it out and let us know what you think. :)

And also thank you to all those who read my stories and help support the American Dragon! Long Live the AmDrag and Rose! Save the Dragon! Viva La American Dragon: Jake Long!