DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN GRAVITY FALLS NOR AMERICAN DRAGON
It has been a couple of days since the world wide attack from Rich Villains' Ultimate Experiment Xs (A/N: Please read my story Super Eggheaded Geniuses Unite for details) and most of world is busy with the reconstruction and healing. In one city in particular, New York, the scene is most unique as the city was being rebuilt with the aid of magical creatures. Unicorns using their horn (as they are the strongest substance on the planet) to chip away large debris, Ogres and trolls helping with the heavy lifting, Mermaids delivering relief supplies via the water ways, and Leprechauns funding some of it with their own gold. Hard to believe that not too long ago the existence of magical creatures was considered to be nothing more than myth; but after they were revealed to be real, distrust between the humans and magical creatures began to brew! Fortunately conflict was averted thanks mainly to two individuals Jake Long the American Dragon and Stacey Wintergrin, a high school cheerleader, who came up with the idea of holding a victory party which help ease tensions between all. It gave the chance to show that many humans were already friends with magical creatures only they didn't know they were magical creatures; such as the math nerds with the mermaids, Goths and Goblins, popular girls dating the young wizard Nigel Thrall, etc. While there is still animosity, most agreed to put aside their differences until after they're done rebuilding the city. Surprisingly, despite the irrefutable evidence, most news media even the internet trolls refused to publicly announce the existence of magical creatures for fear of ruining their reputations and credibility. So knowledge of the magical world has been pretty much confined to New York.
Up in the skies of New York Jake Long was flying above the city on his routine patrol. Even though most of the citizens, both human and magical, have been focusing on the reconstructions; there are still a few shady characters using the chaos for their criminal activities. So far he's already found and arrested a gang of hobgoblins looting ruin buildings, Minotaurs attacking and destroying beef shipments (claiming that they wanted to give their relatives a proper burial), and Sharkmen stealing and selling medical supplies on the black market. Fortunately this time around Jake is able to work closely with local law enforcement, both human and magical, to help keep criminal elements at bay. After he finished doing his rounds Jake hurried home for a little R/R. "Yo yo, the AmDrag is back in the hiz-zall!" Jake announced as he flew in through the window. Now that his father is aware of Jake's Dragon lineage, he no longer had to sneak back in after performing his Dragon duties.
"You're late!" Jonathan scolded. "You know I don't want you out this late! Especially the condition the city is in right now."
"But dad this is my thing, you know. The American Dragon. Guardian protector of the magical world." Jake defended.
Jonathan tried to maintain a stern look but sighed sadly. "I know son, but it's just that I don't know." Jonathan collapsed on the sofa. Jake wanted to console his father but had no idea how to do it. So he just offered his dad some soda to calm his nerves. "Thanks son," Jonathan accepting the drink and taking a quick sip. "I know I'm new to this magical world that you and the rest of my family are a part of," Jonathan said sadly. Almost accusingly at Jake; causing the young boy to gulp not only from fear but also from guilt at the fact that they all hid the truth from him for so long. "And I know that you and Haley are are extra special being assigned as magical guardians and all, but gosh as a parent I'm not really sure if I should supportive since this is a great honor and all. Or object at the fact that my kids are being put in mortal danger."
Jake lowered his head in shame. While he'd admit that he loves being the American Dragon and feels that his father should put a little more faith in him. He can also see where his dad is coming from. Ever since Haley received the title of Western American Dragon and given her own city to protect, Jake can help but worry about her. Jake remembered back a few weeks ago when they told their parents about Haley's promotion and new position as the protector of Gravity Falls. Naturally both parents were proud of Haley's accomplishments but that excitement turned to dread when they learned that Haley would have to move to the other side of the country. After much pleading and negotiating with the Dragon Council, they finally agreed to allow Haley to go and spread her wings per se.
While reluctant to leave New York and the thought of separating, seeing as how their careers in in the Big Apple and the fact that Jake still had his responsibilities there, Susan reasoned that she has a catering branch out on the west coast. So it made more sense for her to accompany her daughter leaving Jonathan to remain in New York with Jake. Even though Jake insisted that he'd be fine on his own under Gramp's supervision; to which of course neither parent believed. At first Jonathan tried to hide his pain by doing guy stuff with his son and father-in-law but that quickly got old and all three of them fell into depression from missing the girls. Of course things got a little better after Jake assisted Haley on a mission to Hawaii. Hearing that his daughter was doing well helped ease their anxiety but that quickly changed after the attack of the Ultimate Experiments. Especially since Jonathan knows that Haley's new pet is suppose to be a piece of the original Ultimate Experiment (although he's not sure how that works) and couldn't help but worry about what's happening to his family.
"Maybe we can go see how mom and Haley are doing?" Jake suggested.
"But what about the city? Don't you have your dragon things to do?" Jonathan asked.
"I'll try and work something out with Gramps. I'm sure he'll understand." Jake assured him.
"Okay if it's not too much trouble," Jonathan sighed. Not sounding too hopeful. While he knows his son means well, he's seen how rigid dragon council is when it came to their duties. So he's almost certain that they wouldn't give Jake any time off during this crisis. Not even to visit family.
Up in the skies of Gravity Falls Haley was flying around doing her own rounds . Ever since making Dipper Pines her lackey, her relationship with the magical creatures have improved slightly. While some still reject the idea of Dragon rule, others like the idea of having a protector against people like the Pines. All in all Haley can't complain too much. Thankfully it's still summer so she doesn't have to deal with the stress of having to split her time with work and school just yet. Haley shuttered as she recalled when she temporarily took over as the American Dragon thinking that she could handle it better than her brother. Only to find herself almost having a nervous breakdown from the stress. That is something she's definitely not looking forward to. Hopefully now that she's a little older and wiser, she'll be able to handle the responsibilities better.
A few hours later Haley arrived at her last stop, the Mystery Shack. After all she needs to make sure that Dipper isn't getting himself into trouble without her supervision. Landing in a nearby bush, Haley quickly changed back into her human form. "Knock knock," Haley announced knocking on the door. Yes she knows it's redundant but she thinks it makes her look cuter if she says it while doing it.
"HALEY!" Mabel greeted giving her guest a hug.
"Hey Mabel," Haley cringed. Mabel practically gives her a hug every time she comes to the Mystery Shack.
"Here to see Dipper again? You sly dog." Mabel chuckled.
"Uh yeah," Haley hesitantly admitted. Even though it is true that she came to see Dipper, it's not for the reason Mabel is thinking. "I need to discuss some issues with the magical creatures here," Haley explained. Hoping get through Mabel's skull that she doesn't have any romantic interest in Dipper and that their relationship is purely professional.
"Sure you are," Mabel nudged accompanying with a wink. Obviously not getting the hint.
"Forget it," Haley sighed. "So is he around?"
"Sorry but you just missed him. He's over at Pacifica's helping with the Northwest's big party." Mabel informed her.
"What does she need him for? Too cheap to hire decorators? Or maybe to be a busboy?" Haley laughed.
"Naw, actually she wants him there just in case another evil spirit comes back wanting revenge." Mabel explained.
"Seriously?" Haley asked skeptically. She always had a hard time telling if Mabel is being honest or just pulling her leg.
"Seriously, last time there was this lumber jack ghost that turned all the guest, me and my friends included, into trees." Mabel said.
"That sounds like fun," Haley said sarcastically.
"Not as much as you'd think," Mabel shuttered. She didn't really remember the ghost or even turning into a tree since she was too busy fighting with her friends over a boy. She only learned about what happen from Dipper.
"HELP! SAVE ME!" they suddenly heard voice crying out from the woods.
"Oh god not her," Mabel groaned.
"Who?" Haley asked.
"Someone I never want to see again," Mabel said darkly.
"Oh kay," Haley slowly backing away leaving Mabel to wallow in her darkness. After she got a safe distance away Haley transformed into her dragon form. Immediately following the voice, Haley found herself at the lair of a the unicorn Celestabellebethabelle being wrangled by two familiar individuals dressed in Huntsclan uniforms.
"We got her!" 89 said excitedly pulling on his rope to keep the unicorn from escaping.
"Hold her steady 89, I'll get the horn!" 88 instructed as he approached the unicorn with a saw.
"Are you guys serious?" Haley laughed as she swooped down hovering right in front of the last known remaining huntsclan members. While was common for the Huntsclan to harvest unicorn horns to sell on the black market, the fact that unicorn horns are the strongest substance on the planet means that you need special equipment to cut the horns off. An ordinary saw just won't cut it. A competent huntsman should know that.
"A Dragon! You said we wouldn't have to deal with dragons here on the west coast!" 88 said in a panic.
"Well the dragons live in New York! How was I suppose to know that there be some here too?" 89 argued.
"Ahem, maybe you guys should run now." Haley suggested puffing smoke in their faces.
"AAAHHH!" "MOMMA! MOMMA!" 88 and 89 cried as they comically ran around in circles until they collided with each other knocking themselves out cold.
"Wow and I thought Jake was exaggerating how dumb these guys are," Haley commented.
"Oh thank you noble dragon," Celestabellebethabelle thanked.
"No problemo, just doing my job." Haley said trying to sound modest.
"Oh but it would have been a big problem. Can you imagine the travesty if the world should lose my magnificent splendor!" Celestabellebethabelle said getting into her majestic pose with a little imp holding a fan to blow her mane in the artificial wind.
"Yes that would have been very tragic," Haley said sarcastically. Although the vain unicorn did pick up on it and simply accepted it as praise.
"Now I shall reward thee by allowing you to gaze at my beauty," Celestabellebethabelle offered getting into a different pose.
"I appreciate it but I need to be somewhere. Not here." Haley lied.
"Really where?" the unicorn asked calling her bluff.
"Um," scratching her chin. "I need to bring the huntsclan to jail!" Haley remembering 88 and 89.
"Oh you're right," the unicorn agreed. "Say where are they?"
Haley looked at where she left the two huntsclan members only to see that they're gone. "Oh no they got away!" Haley cursed.
"You better find them before they come after my wondrous horn again!" Celestabellebethabelle pleaded.
"Will do," Haley assured her before flying off.
A short way away, about 10 ft, 88 and 89 were hiding behind some trees. "The dragon's gone, shall we get that unicorn now?" 89 asked.
"What? No! Not when there's a dragon around! We need to get rid of her first." 88 decided.
"But how are we going to do that? We don't have any of our big guns anymore since the American Dragon chased us out of New York and we still haven't found that secret Huntsclan base that's suppose to be around here." 89 reminded his friend.
"Don't worry, I learned a few secrets about this place," 88 assured his friend.
Moments later the two arrived at the Mystery Shack. Dropping the Huntsclan uniform and wearing kid size business suits. "Hello boys welcome to the Mystery Shack, home of oddities you will never see anywhere else in the world." Stan greeted.
"Actually we're looking for a Stanford Pines. We heard he lives here." 88 requested.
"Look kid if you're not going to buy anything then you better skedaddle and make way for paying customers." Stan threatened.
"Did I hear someone calling my name?" Ford said stepping into the room. "Say isn't it too early Halloween and too late for Summerween?" Ford commenting on their outfits.
"Actually we represent some people you are familiar with, the Hunts Corporation." 88 hinted. The two boys showed him the old Hunts Corp. fake business cards.
"Hunts Corporation? Oh right they funded my research when I was just getting started!" Ford recalled. After he graduated from college the Huntsclan approached him and offered to fund his research provided he shares his discoveries with them. Not realizing that they were planning to use it to hunt the creatures inhabiting Gravity Falls.
"Yes well it's been awhile since we heard from you and we'd really like a return on our investment." 88 demanded. Showing the old contract that Ford signed years ago with the Hunts Corp. that he found rummaging through some of the old files in the long abandoned Huntsclan bases.
"Look I know I haven't exactly fulfilled my part of our deal but really don't have anything to offer. Can't we make some other deal?" Ford pleaded. Even though he's not certain why the Hunts Corp. wants with his research, he's deemed the knowledge too dangerous to give to anyone.
"Well then you can just pay back the money you owe us with interest. As it says in your contract." 89 smiled slyly.
"What!? NO!" Stan jumped in fearing the his brother will try to borrow money from him to pay off his debts. "Ford you got to give them what they want!" Stan pleaded.
"Alright I guess I have no choice," Ford conceded. While this goes against his better judgement, he did sign a contract to share not only his research but his inventions as well. Ford led the two to his secret lab. 88 and 89 marveled at the tech believing that this must be the secret base their files talked about. "My original notes were destroyed but luckily my brother made a few copies." Ford said showing the photocopies Stan made of his Journals.
Ignoring him, 88 and 89 were too busy eyeing the weapons Ford had on display. Each one perfectly labeled to which magical creature it was designed to be used against. Including one for dragon. "Yup I think these will do just fine."