Jake Long III (Season Four)
Chapter/Episode Three: Tell Me About My Grandmother Part 1
Down in the crypt on the Island of Draco, Rosie, in her human form, set down a bouquet of roses down on Rose's gravestone. Taking her hand away, Rosie sighed as she lowered her head, sitting in silence. "Rosie?" However, the sound of Haley's voice made Rosie gasp and lift her head up, turning it to the side to see that Haley, in her human form, was standing behind her. Without saying another word, Haley started to walk over to her.
As Haley reached Rosie, Rosie sighed and turned her head back to normal, looking back down at her grandmother's grave. Standing behind Rosie, Haley looked down to see the roses on Rose's grave.
"Rosie, did...did you put those there?" Haley asked.
"Yeah."
"I thought you didn't like her."
"It's...It's an interesting story..." Rosie said as she turned her head to the side. "...I guess...you could say that I had an epiphany about her."
"Care to tell me about it?" Haley asked.
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, in the Main Hall, a leprechaun was standing in-between Junie and Rodney, both of whom were in their dragon forms. Rodney had been discharged from the hospital, and now the only physical evidence that he had been captured and tortured was the burn mark on his chest that had been caused by Ironsi's doppelganger sending a volt of electricity into a chain that held him to a wooden post, although the mark had been greatly reduced due to healing potions.
"This leprechaun..." Asil, who was seated with the rest of the Council, spoke. "...Is being targeted by Mountain Goblins. It is your job to see that he is safe at all times."
"Can we count on you?" Yara asked.
Both Junie and Rodney turned their heads to the side to look at each other, a nervous look on Junie's face as the two consulted each other silently. Finally, Rodney and Junie turned their heads back to normal, Rodney answering the Council: "I think so." Rodney spoke in a quiet, mournful voice.
"We have faith in you." Holly said. "Dismissed."
Junie, the leprechaun and Rodney all turned and started to walk away from the table, passing by Lucile, also having been released from the hospital, and also in her dragon form. Having a bandage around the shoulder where she had been stabbed and the leg where she had been stabbed, she also sported a look of immense concern on her face, as if she was afraid to let her son go out on his own.
Limping over to the table, Lucile turned to face the Council, Asil smiling at her. "Agent McClellan, what was it that you wanted to talk to us about?" He asked.
When she spoke, Lucile sounded like she was using all of her will power to not burst into anguished and uncontrollable sobs, her voice cracking with almost every word that she said. "Do you really see it fit to send Rodney out on a mission so soon after he lost his father?"
"How is he doing?" Asil asked, his voice filled with sadness. "Scratch that. How are all four of you doing?"
"I don't know." Lucile said. "I really don't. We haven't talked much about it. I think...I think we're all keeping it bottled up inside. I'm just worried about my boy."
LINE BREAK
"So..." Now, Haley and Rosie were walking along the grass on the island. "...Are you going to tell me about your epiphany or what?"
"Remember when I disappeared apparently for several weeks and everyone was worried about me?" Rosie asked. "Well, to me, I had no idea that I was gone for so long. My friends and I were sent back in time to 2033. I personally interacted with her. Through that interaction, I found that she really wasn't so bad after all."
"Hmm." Was Haley's response. "Go on, or is that it?"
"There's more." Rosie replied. "When I returned to the present, I forgot all about what happened. After my parents sent me to St. Melusine's, I started to have dreams about my time in 2033, my time interacting with my grandmother. A wizard ended up restoring all of my memories, and that's how I changed my opinion." As she finished, she turned her head to the side to look at her Aunt. "You believe me, right?"
"Well..." Haley shrugged. "...I've seen stranger things in my day."
Smiling, Rosie turned her head back to normal, and together, they continued to walk along the grass.
BLACKOUT; PLAY THEME SONG
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
Now sitting in the cafeteria, across from Haley, Rosie stared down at her birthmark while Haley watched, a curious look on her face.
"Rosie?" She asked, making Rosie slowly lift her head up. Knowing that she had her attention, Haley gave her a small smile. "You seem deep in thought. What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, really." Rosie replied.
Her smile widening, Haley put her hand down on the table. "I'm glad you've changed your mind about your grandmother." She said. "She loved you so much."
"You know..." Rosie said uneasily. "...Before I left St. Melusine's, I talked to a friend about it, and she told me that Grandma Rose wouldn't be mad at me, that she wouldn't hold a grudge. What do you think?"
"Oh, I know she wouldn't hold a grudge, Rosie." Haley said sincerely. "She was one of those people who cared deeply about her family, and anyone else who ever needed her." Then, she smiled.
"What?" Rosie asked.
"Do...Do you want to hear a story about her?" Haley asked.
"Sure." Rosie replied.
"A quality that any good dragon needs, which Rose had, is to have the desire to help anyone." Haley said. "No matter who they are, if they need it, help them. It doesn't matter if you don't know them, or you hate them, you should do it because it's the right thing to do."
"Okay."
"In this case..." Haley said. "...Rose didn't know this dragon very well. In fact, it was her first meeting with the dragon."
"What was the dragon's name?"
"Demetria O'Grady." Haley replied. "She was my oldest daughter's best friend in high school. It was 2048, and my oldest daughter had just started her freshman year at high school..."
FLASHBACK
In Central Park, in the year 2048, Haley was seated, in her human form, at a bench as she watched her oldest daughter, Socorro, in her dragon form, sitting in a meditative stance with her also dragon-formed Dragon Master, San Alazne. Beside them sat a short Green-colored dragon with vertical dark green lines on her left leg and horizontal dark green lines on her right leg. She also had gold earrings. She was seated with a taller, female, Bright Lavender-colored dragon who had long graying hair and was about the same age as Haley.
"Breathe in, Socorro..." San said, getting Socorro to breathe deeply. "...Now breathe out..." San opened her eyes, watching as Socorro did as she was told. "...Now..." San said calmly. "...You can open your eyes and stand up."
Quickly, Socorro open her eyes, and she practically jumped up, startling San. "Okay, let's get on with the training!" Socorro said, holding up her claws, preparing for a fight.
"Patience, Socorro." San said gently before she turned her head to the side. "Ebony, are you ready?"
In response to this question being asked, the Bright Lavender-colored dragon slowly opened her eyes, watching as the Green-colored dragon opened her eyes as well. "Are you done meditating with Demetria?" San asked. "I'm done with Socorro."
Ebony, the Bright Lavender-colored dragon, sighed before she answered: "I suppose so. Up, Demetria."
In response, Demetria slowly got to her feet, while Ebony flared her wings and flapped them lightly, lifting her up and dropping her off on her feet. San stepped to the side, allowing Demetria to turn around to face Socorro.
"I'm going to take you down, leprechaun." Socorro said with a smirk.
"Too bad I don't have any gold to give you, Socorro." Demetria said with an Irish accent, smirking as she mimicked Socorro's fighting stance.
"The look on your face when I step on your tail and sit on your chest will be gold enough." Socorro retorted, causing Demetria to stick her tongue out at her friend.
"That's enough, you two." Ebony, who was now standing with San, sternly declared. "This isn't about you taking the other down, this is about trying to predict your opponent's next move. That will be key to your victory."
"Any brute force will result in the cessation of this exercise." San added. "Then all you'll have to look forward to is cleaning my toilet with your tongue. Got it?"
"Got it." Demetria and Socorro responded in unison.
"Begin!" Ebony declared, crossing her scaly arms.
Socorro and Demetria both charge for one another, and just as they clashed with each other, Demetria ducking a full two seconds before Socorro grunted, trying to swipe at her face, Haley's eyes widened as she heard a ringing sound coming from her pocket.
Looking down, Haley reached into her pocket and pulled out her ringing communication device. Holding it in both hands, Haley pressed a button to see a holographic image of Rose, in her human form, appear.
"Hey, Rose." Haley smiled.
Rose managed a smile. "What's up, Haley?" She asked.
"Not much." Haley replied. "Today I'm relaxing. I'm watching Socorro train with her friend from school."
"About that..." Rose said, sounding uneasy.
"What?" Haley asked. "Is something wrong, Rose?"
"Socorro's friend's name wouldn't happen to be...Demetria O'Grady...would it?" Rose asked.
"Exactly." Haley said. "Do you know her? Did she do something wrong?"
"I think you better get home." Rose said. "Bring Demetria with you. I'm at your house. Okay?"
"Rose, what's going on?"
"I'll tell you once you get home." Was all Rose said before her holographic form vanished.
LINE BREAK
Eventually, Haley, Socorro, San, Ebony and Demetria all arrived at Haley's house, where Rose, in her human form, was sitting on the first step. Haley landed on the ground first, followed by Socorro, followed by Demetria, followed by Ebony, followed by San.
Smiling, Rose slowly got up from the first step and started to walk over to the five dragons. "Rose." Haley said as she stepped forward, Rose stopping in front of her. "Care to tell me what that call was about?"
Rose just smiled before she turned and stepped in front of Demetria and Ebony. "Agent Long." Ebony said respectfully, bowing her head. "It is a pleasure to see you again."
"So, you are Demetria O'Grady?" Rose asked.
"Yes." Demetria replied.
"I'm Agent Rose Long." Rose said as she held out her hand. "Pleased to meet you."
"Um, okay..." Demetria seemed confused as she reached out and took Rose's hand, shaking it. "Mrs. Harris said that I'm the reason you called her." She continued as she took her clawed hand away from Rose's. "Is that true?"
"Why don't we all go inside?" Rose suggested.
LINE BREAK
Inside the house, in the kitchen, Rose, Haley, Socorro, San, Ebony and Demetria all sat at the kitchen table. In their human forms, Demetria wore a green tanktop with gold shapes on it and a black skirt, while Ebony wore a Bright Lavender sweater and grey slacks.
"So, why did you ask for me?" Demetria asked.
Taking a deep breath, Rose reached down to her belt and pulled out a small device. Holding it as far out and as close to Demetria as she could, Rose pressed a button on it, causing an attractive young man of about eighteen to appear in holographic form.
Demetria looked confused. "I...I don't understand." She said. "He's quite cute, but what do I have to do with this?"
"Just keep watching." Rose said.
Then, to Demetria's surprise, the handsome young man's face disappeared, being replaced by the head of a hyena. The creature no longer looked handsome, and was now instead deranged, bloodthirsty and drooling. The sudden and dramatic change made Demetria widen her eyes and yelp in surprise.
Rose turned off the device, putting it back on her person. "That thing you just saw..." Rose explained. "...Was a Kishi."
"What's a Kishi?" Demetria asked.
"It's a demon." Rose replied.
"I think I can see that." Demetria said.
"It is a predator..." Rose continued. "...It goes after girls it finds attractive. It uses its human face to get its intended victim to trust it, then...it uses the hyena face to eat the victim."
"Why are you telling me this?" Demetria sounded worried and distressed. "I haven't talked to any cute boys."
"A Kishi is on the loose in New York." Rose said grimly.
"How do you know?" San asked.
"There has already been one attack." Rose said. "The girl, who was a dragon, and who lives in New York, went to the Council and told them."
"When was that?" San asked.
"A few days ago." Rose replied. "Since then, the Council has been keeping tabs on the city, using various Agents."
"Do they know where the demon is?" Ebony asked.
"That's why I'm here." Rose said. "The Kishi has been sighted near the home of a dragon by the name of Demetria O'Grady. It's been near the house for a few days. Demetria, the Council thinks there is only one explanation. It's likely you are the Kishi's target."
BLACKOUT; COMMERCIAL
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
A short time later, Demetria was staring out the front window, a nervous look on her face. From the kitchen doorway, Rose, Haley and San were watching her, all looking concerned. "So, what's going to be done about Demetria?" Haley asked.
"I'm here for a reason." Rose smiled, making Haley turn her head to the side.
"To tell Demetria she's in trouble, yeah, I know." Haley said. "You've already done that."
"I'm here to do more than that." Rose crossed her arms. "The Council wants me to watch after her."
"All alone?" Haley asked.
"What?" Rose asked sarcastically, turning her head to the side, smirking at Haley. "Think I can't do it?"
"It's not that." Haley replied. "It's just...don't you think you could use some help. The more the better, right?"
"The Council didn't send any other Agents with me." Rose told her. "They think I can take care of this myself."
"Well, I just think that Demetria would be safer with more dragons guarding her." Haley said, before both she and Rose turned their heads back to normal, seeing that Demetria was still at the window. "Demetria." Haley called, making Demetria turn her head to the side. "You don't have to stay there all day."
"But what if the Kishi comes?" Demetria asked.
"That won't happen." San said.
"How do you know?"
"It was seen at your house." Rose said. "There is no reason to believe that it knows you're here."
"Rose, can I talk to you in the kitchen?" Haley asked, putting a hand on her sister-in-law's shoulder.
"Sure." Rose said, turning her head to the side to look at Haley. In response, Haley took her hand off of Rose's shoulder and turned, walking into the kitchen. Rose followed her, and together, they walked over to the kitchen table, finally stopping at it, facing one another.
"What did you want to talk about?" Rose asked.
"Like I said..." Haley answered. "...I think Demetria would be a lot safer if there were more dragons guarding her."
"I can talk to the Council." Rose offered. "If you're that concerned, then I'm sure that the Council would be willing to send some Agents over."
"I'm not talking about Dragon Council Agents, Rose."
"Uh, you're not?" Rose raised an eyebrow.
"No, I'm talking about friends." Haley said.
"Friends?"
"Demetria's friends and their Dragon Masters." Haley said. "They would be glad to help you and help Demetria."
"And, uh, what are their names?" Rose asked.
"Her friends' names are Phoebe Salkeld and Dynean Prestwich." Haley said. "Their masters' names are Turpen Grund and Clint Lokken."
"You really think they would help?"
"They're Demetria's friends." Haley told her sister-in-law. "Why wouldn't they want to?"
"Where do I find them?"
"Leave that to me." Haley said. "I'll contact them and have them brought over to Demetria's tonight. Um, you are going to be watching over Demetria in her own home, right?"
"Yes." Rose smiled. "I'll be going down there soon. Hopefully, Demetria will introduce me to her parents."
"What time do you want me to be there?" Haley asked.
"Before nightfall." Was Rose's reply.
LINE BREAK
Outside the house, on the front porch, Demetria was sitting with Socorro. When the front door opened, both Socorro and Demetria turned their heads to the side to see Rose exit the house. Rose turned and closed the door behind her before she turned back around and stepped close to the two girls, slowly squatting down and smiling at them.
"Socorro, why don't you go inside while I talk to Demetria?" Rose suggested.
"I can stay out here if I want." Socorro said. "Whatever you say to her, you can say to me."
"Sure, I suppose." Rose said. "However, I was going to leave, and Demetria is coming with me."
"Where are we going?" Demetria asked.
"We're going to your house." Rose answered. "I'd like to meet your parents."
"Why?" Demetria asked.
"Well, otherwise your parents might be uneasy about a dragon with a staff staying in their house." Rose said.
"Huh?" Demetria turned herself so she could look Rose in the eyes.
"I'm going to watch over you." Rose said. "It's my job. Until the Kishi is caught, I'm going to be guarding your house to make sure the Kishi doesn't get in."
"All the time?"
"All the time." Rose said, smiling.
"Um, question." Socorro spoke up, raising her hand as if she were a student in a classroom.
"What, Socorro?"
"If you're so concerned about the Kishi getting her, then why don't you just move Demetria and her parents out of their house?" Socorro asked.
"Well, that wouldn't solve the problem." Rose said. "My hope is to either scare the Kishi into never coming back, or to arrest him before he can get into the house. So, that's all I needed to say. We should get going now, Demetria. You can go inside now, Socorro."
As Socorro scowled, Rose stood straight up and transformed into her dragon form in a bright light. As soon as the transformation was complete, Rose took a step to the side, allowing Socorro to take a step up and open the front door as Demetria turned and started to walk down the front steps, Rose following her.
However, once the two stepped off the very first step and touched the sidewalk, Rose froze when she heard the sound of Ebony's voice: "Agent Long!"
Slowly turning around, Rose watched as Ebony started to walk down the steps, finally stopping one step above Rose and her Dragon Pupil. "Ebony." Was all Rose said.
Ebony took a deep breath before she spoke again: "I'd like to help you."
Rose's reaction, a large smile, was immediate. "That's great to hear Ebony." Rose told her. "It will be great working with you again."
END FLASHBACK
On the Island of Draco, Lucile, in her human form, sat in Holly's room, on her bed, while Holly stood before her. When Lucile spoke, she still sounded on the verge of sobs: "Not that I'm not honored, ma'am, but why did you ask me to come here?"
Holly just smiled. "Just wait until Councilor Agata and Councilor Yara get here." She said. "Then you'll see."
"Why are they-?" Lucile started to ask, but when she heard the floor creak by the doorway, she stopped and glanced to the side, seeing Agata, in her human form, walking in, followed by Gussie, then Sadie, and then Councilor Yara, all of them in their human forms.
"What are they doing here?" Lucile asked.
Holly's smile widened as she watched Gussie and Sadie walk up beside Lucile and sit down next to her. Turning her head back to look at Holly, Lucile opened her mouth again, but Holly cut her off.
"Earlier today..." Holly said. "...You told us that you haven't talked to your family much about your husband's death. You also said you were worried about how Rodney is doing."
"I am."
"Then why don't you do something about it?" Holly asked as Agata and Yara walked up to her side. "You need to talk to your family about this. You must come to terms with your husband's death. It's the only way that you'll be able to move on with your life. So, with the exception of Rodney, you're all here. Shed tears, hug and comfort one another and talk to each other."
Even though her voice cracked, Lucile tried her best to respond to Holly's suggestion: "Cou...Councilor, I don't...I don't think I'm ready."
As she said this, Gussie put a hand on her mother's shoulder and turned her head to the side, tears starting to form in her eyes as she buried her face into her mother's cheek. "Mom, it's okay." Gussie said softly, Sadie watching Gussie's interaction with Lucile, her head turned to the side. "I think Councilor Jennings has a point."
Hearing this, Holly smiled again. "Gussie and Sadie are here for you." She said. "You just have to be here for them."
Lucile opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, a panting and human-formed Councilor Asil ran into the room, running over to Holly, Yara and Agata, making them all turn to face him.
"We have a serious problem." Asil said.
"What is it?" Holly asked.
"Agents McClellan and Horrocks just returned." Asil said.
LINE BREAK
Jake III, meanwhile, arrived at the Main Hall. Stepping in through the open doors, he stopped when he saw that Holly, Agata, Yara and Asil were not inside; only Rodney and Junie, both in their human forms, were inside, and their backs were to him.
"I was afraid of this." The sound of Lucile's voice made Jake III turn his head to the side, seeing Asil, Holly, Yara, Agata, Gussie, Sadie and Lucile all arriving.
Smiling, Jake turned to face them. "Hey." He said, making them all stop in front of him. "Um, I-" Jake started.
"Now is not the time, Mr. Long." Agata told him sternly.
"You didn't even let me finish." Jake replied.
"We don't have time to let you finish." Yara told him.
"But all I wanted to ask was if you've made any progress with finding me a new master." Jake defended himself.
"We'll talk about it later, Mr. Long." Agata said. "Please move so we can enter."
As soon as Jake had moved, Agata turned and walked into the Main Hall, followed by Asil and Holly, followed by Yara, Gussie, Lucile and Sadie. Alone outside, Jake III slowly turned to watch what was happening inside.
Asil, Yara, Holly and Agata all sat down at their table, while Junie scowled and crossed her arms and Lucile grabbed Rodney from behind, giving him a kiss on the cheek before she let go of him and walked over to the side of the room where Sadie and Gussie were waiting. As she made her way to her daughter and "adopted daughter", Lucile whimpered.
Yara sighed as she rubbed her temples. "You failed." She said.
"We're sorry." Rodney said softly.
"Speak for yourself..." Junie muttered.
Gritting her teeth, Agata slammed her fist against the table, making Rodney wince and Lucile start to reach out and move toward her son, only to be held back by Sadie putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It isn't about being sorry!" Agata said. "The fact is, we trusted you with an innocent magical creature's life, and what did you do? You got him killed!"
"Who was holding him?" Holly asked softly.
"I...I was." Rodney said softly. "I'm so sorry, Councilors."
"Can you tell me exactly what happened?" Holly asked.
Rodney opened his mouth, but before he could speak a single word, Junie started to speak for him: "I can tell you what happened." She said bitterly. Quickly, she turned and shoved Rodney to the side by hitting his shoulder, making him grunt as he was forced to the side. "He got distracted! He got distracted right when the Mountain Goblins attacked! He had the leprechaun, but instead of fighting the Mountain Goblins, he just stayed in place and lost his grip on the leprechaun!"
Sniffling, Rodney turned his head to the side, showing Junie that there were tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry." He whimpered.
Junie paid no attention to this and instead turned back to face the Council. "Councilors, please." She begged. "This isn't my fault. I fought the Mountain Goblins. It was Agent McClellan that screwed up."
"I know, Agent Horrocks." Holly said softly. "I know it isn't your fault." Hearing this, Junie smiled with relief. "But it isn't Rodney's fault either."
"What?" Junie asked.
"It's mine." Holly said. "I shouldn't have sent him out on a mission so soon after he and his family suffered such a devastating loss."
Junie shook her head in disagreement. "No, Councilor." She said. "He's a Dragon Council Agent. He can't let a personal tragedy get in the way of his duty.
"How can you say that?" The sound of Rodney's broken voice made Junie slowly turn to face Rodney, who had his mother, sister and Sadie with him. Tears were running down his cheeks. "I'm sorry, Junie. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
"Apologizing won't bring the leprechaun back." Junie crossed her arms.
"I'm going through a difficult time..." Rodney tried to defend himself.
"Oh, so you lost your father!" Junie started to rant. "Big deal! I lost my mother and you didn't see me getting distracted in the presence of those Mountain Goblins!"
"That was ten years ago." Rodney said.
"It's the same thing!"
"No, it really isn't."
"Oh, grow up, Rodney!" Junie rolled her eyes. "I thought you were a Dragon Council Agent. Act like one, instead of acting like a child."
Rodney sniffled before he spoke again: "And I thought you were a nice person."
"Act like one..." Gussie added as she put a hand on her brother's shoulder. "...Instead of a heartless bi-"
"Okay, that's enough." The sound of Councilor Asil's voice made all of the Dragon Council Agents turn to face the large table Asil, Holly, Agata and Yara were sitting at; they could see that Asil, who looked quite angry, was the only one standing up. "Agent Horrocks, I think we've seen enough of you for today."
"But-" Junie started, only to be cut off by Asil.
"Please just leave." Asil told her. "We need to talk to Rodney and his family without you."
"Y...Yes, sir." Not wanting to anger him anymore, Junie decided to obey. Turning, she slowly left the building.
Sighing, Asil sat back down, allowing Holly to speak: "Lucile, it's time. You have to talk to your kids. Look what happened today. As you heard, I refuse to blame Rodney, but for the future, to prevent something like this from ever happening again, you must talk to your children."
"Councilor, I don't know how." Lucile admitted, her own tears still rolling down her cheeks.
"Well, until you make some progress..." Yara said. "...Maybe you and your children should take some time off..."
From outside, Jake III was watching the whole thing, an unreadable look on his face. "Dang..." He muttered.
Slowly, Jake turned and started to walk away from the Main Hall. However, after only about six steps forward, Jake froze, his eyes widening as Cherri's voice entered his mind:
"I was at a month long getaway to recover from the stress Savannah's death caused me. I spent the entire month emotionally healing."
It was then followed by the sound of Yara's voice: "I take it by the look on your face that you've finished your recovery process."
"Lista..." Jake muttered to himself.
BLACKOUT; END EPISODE
A/N: Please review!