I've actually combined the last chapter and the Epilogue, so this is it. Sorry it took me awhile to get it up…my hands were hurting me. Lol. That sounds like a lame excuse but it's the truth.

Chapter 24: Headed for Home

The days following the encounter passed by slowly, but to Jake, it was as relaxing as ever. This was the first time since the first mention of the stones that he had felt truly at peace. It had certainly been a long couple of months, and he was glad that everything had turned out okay in the end. No one had gotten hurt. At least not permanently hurt.

Everyone had been glad to see him healthy and awake when they had woken up to the sound of him and Fu Dog talking.

"You better be gettin' some reward from the FBI or something," Trixie casually joined in on the conversation. "After all that we've been through these past few weeks."

"Yeah dude," Spud chimed in, "if they don't trust you guys now, I don't think they ever will."

"I just heard our story on tv a few minutes ago," Rose added. "I guess it's gone nationwide now."

Jake sighed. "We haven't really heard much lately about what's going on with all these anti-magic riots."

"Well, dude, we really haven't had access to a tv for a few days," Spud plopped down on the couch and changed the channel.

"What happened to the stones?" Rose suddenly asked. She had been so worried about Jake that she completely forgot about what they had been fighting for in the first place.

"The Council locked them up somewhere I believe," Jake replied. "They didn't really tell us. I guess it's top secret."

"That's ridiculous," Rose huffed. "You recovered them in the first place!"

Jake shrugged in reply and took a look out the window. It was a perfectly sunny day, and he felt that it reflected his mood quite nicely. It was warm on the island, while in New York, winter had been never ending.

"Maybe it's better if no one knows," Jake answered. "That way, no one can tell anyone else who may be looking for them in the future.

"I guess so," Rose replied quietly, and the conversation fell silent.

"I'm glad you're okay," Jake broke the silence and gently squeezed her hand.

"I guess I'm glad that you're okay too," she grinned in return. "It would be a pretty boring world without you," she added quietly. They made eye contact and slowly inched towards each other until their lips were almost touching when-

"NOOOOOOOO!" Spud shouted at the television. "Don't die, Johnny! Hang in there buddy! Stay Gold! Stay…gold!"

Jake and Rose jumped back almost instantly and shot a look a Spud. Jake shook his head, somewhat annoyed, yet somewhat amused.

"And Spud," Rose rolled her eyes. "It would be a pretty boring world without Spud too."

"Dude," Jake called out to his friend, "it's just a movie."

In return, Spud let out a small sniffle. "I keep thinking it'll end differently, but my words appear to have no effect."

Jake was about to reply when Lao Shi stepped into the room, Fu Dog following close behind.

"Is everyone ready to go home?" Lao Shi asked the group of teenagers. Everyone simply nodded in reply.

"It feels strange to be going home," Rose stood up and took one last look at the place. The island was truly beautiful.

"I'm not going home," Spud quoted dramatically, "not really."

"I'm just glad all this is over with," Jake added ignoring Spud's comment as they headed toward the door.

It felt good not to worry for a change. The Huntsman was gone, the stones were safe, and they were headed for home.

Jake smiled happily.

For what could there possibly be to worry about?

XX

Yanak banged his hands against the table in frustration and spun around quickly to look his assistant dead in the eye.

"You must have some idea where it is at!" In all his anger, his voice came out shaky and barely above a whisper.

"I've told you," Chang replied boldly, "I don't know. If I had had any idea where it was at, I would've told you months ago when the Huntsclan first began the search for the stones," she defended herself. She took a couple steps back before adding, "I haven't a clue where to look."

Yanak sighed and took a look around in the old warehouse that had become their quarters many months ago. While they had done their best to clean the place up, it remained filthy and rundown, which was most likely the result of them being gone almost constantly. Between hunting down the scattered Dark Mafia members, hunting down the object that they so desperately desired, and spying on the American Dragon, they had spent very little time plotting their comeback.

They had even tried framing that cold and heartless Huntsgirl. In addition to spying on Jake Long, they had found time for spying on the Huntsclan, and they were well aware of the murders Tarah had committed. While they were 99% sure that neither the dragons nor the Huntsclan knew about the book, they'd rather get the Huntsclan out of the way anyhow. Chang had tried her best to attack innocent humans the way Tarah had, and she had tried to leave behind as much evidence as possible to point law enforcement toward the Huntsclan. However, the morons that they hired to solve the crime had simply given up without a second thought.

"I don't see why you are in such a hurry to get the book," Chang could tell that Yanak was fighting to restrain his anger. "We've been spying on the American Dragon for months now. No one has mentioned anything about the book," Chang added persuasively. "I am sure not a soul apart from us knows of its existence."

She was relieved to see his shoulders relax. He appeared to be carefully digesting the words that she had spoken. Seeing this, she added, "We have all the time in the world."

Her master took a deep breath before replying. "I know we have time, Chang," he spoke steadily, clearly having calmed down after his sudden outburst. "I'm just sick of waiting."

"Keep in mind that we must also find the stones," she added. "I heard Jake Long mention something about the council locking them up tight. We need to find someone who is good at breaking in."

At this, a slow smile spread across Yanak's face. "I know just the person for the job."

Chang, however, had no idea to whom her master could be referring. Who, apart from the members they had gathered from the original Dark Mafia, would want to join them?"

"That Huntsclan apprentice was far too good to be in the Huntsclan," he started slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I watched her fight back on Lake Okoboji, and I definitely know cold-blooded killer when I see it."

"Master, I don't think we-"

"We can convince her," he interrupted with confidence. "We will find a way. She wants more than what the Huntsclan can give her," he looked down at his hands, feeling the thirst for power run through his very veins, "I can feel it."

Chang nodded in obedience. "It's worth a try."

"Excellent," Yanak grinned maliciously, "once we find that book and those stones, the American Dragon will never even know what hit him."

XX

I'm a Harry Potter freak…therefore, all of the random references. B)

Wow…there was a lot of stuff revealed in this final chapter, huh? Any questions? Just ask. Personally, I thought it was totally obvious Yanak and Chang were the ones spying on Jake. I didn't want to just take characters out of an entire fanfic…

Well, that concludes When Death Strikes! I guess it's time to thank you people.

A big thanks to Onej6, Noble6, Hezpeller, Fudogg, Flowerstar, Luiz4200, Wolvmbm, Rik, Jonathan, Andrew, TrickedPast, and Sarah.

I think I got everyone. Well, since this is the last of it, I'd appreciate any reviews (even if you haven't reviewed before. Lol). Just a quick little comment would be fine. But don't feel pressured. I'm not a review Nazi or anything.

Again, thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! As of now, my sequel release date is May 27, 2011.

Till then,

~ada69