Long's alarm clock went off, but Long was in no mood to get up. He had just finished his double shift yesterday and even with the help of a couple of wishes from Din and Li Na, he was still winded by the time he got to bed.
"Din, could you get that?", he asked.
Din had already gotten up and clicked the alarm clock off and looked Long's way.
"Long, you can't spend your day off in bed."
Long opened one eye and looked Din's way while still underneath his covers.
"I'm still worn out from yesterday's double shift Din. I think I deserve a day to rest up."
Li Na had came over and looked sneaky.
"Long, if you don't get up for the day, you won't get that extra large bag of shrimp chips I got you."
Long bolted upright looking more awake right away.
"I'm awake!", Long exclaimed as he shifted into his wish dragon form and used his tail to make his bed fast as he looked towards Din and Li Na excitedly, "So, what's on the agenda today? Trip to Mars? Boat ride down the Amazon? Visit to the Statue of Liberty?"
"Actually Long, we were wondering if you'd like to come with us to the big Fan Expo event later today.", Din stated.
Long looked confused.
"Fan Expo?", he asked, "Is that some kind of peasant holiday?"
"Not really Long.", Li Na answered, "It's actually an event where people from around the country come to meet famous people, dress up as their favorite characters on television, buy some merchandise, and just have a ball."
Long looked more confused.
"You're saying that people get a free party by being at this Fan Expo?", he asked getting eager, "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Sorry Long, it was a metaphor.", Din answered, "It means that people are there to have fun."
Long looked less eager.
"Oh never mind then.", he said before turning to Li Na, "So where's my shrimp chips?"
Li Na tossed him the bag she promised him and Long started eating them before looking thoughtful.
"So, people actually dress up in costumes and resemble their favorite television characters?", he asked.
"And movies.", Din added, "You might even have some fun."
Long stopped before he put any shrimp chips in his mouth and looked eager again.
"Okay kids, I'll attend this Fan Expo thing and see what this is all about."
Din and Li Na smiled.
"Glad you're on board Long.", Li Na said cheerfully.
/
As the trio had breakfast, Mrs. Song and Mr. Wang couldn't help but notice Long (who had returned to his human form before coming downstairs) looking deep in thought.
"What's with you?", Mrs. Song asked.
"Just wondering what I might experience at the Fan Expo later on.", Long answered.
Mr. Wang looked interested.
"Really? Din and Li Na always wanted to go since they heard about it."
Mrs. Song didn't look so sure.
"And if I recall, they tried to attend one without paying once.", she said firmly, "That's a day I won't forget any time soon."
Din and Li Na both looked a bit nervous.
"That was the worst three weeks of odd jobs I had to live through.", Li Na admitted.
Long looked confused again.
"Odd jobs?", he asked, "Is that an occupation?"
"It's like saying we had to do things like mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, walking dogs, and weeding gardens for other people and you pay back your parents what you make.", Din stated.
Long looked a bit surprised.
"That's funny, my parents would have had me locked up in my room for a month under strict guard."
Mrs. Song didn't seem to hear him, but she was looking Mr. Wang's way firmly.
"No lending any dough.", she said, "They're buying with their own money."
Mr. Wang shrugged.
"I can live with that."
Long looked a bit less confused and chose to change the subject.
"So, how does one get into this Fan Expo thing?"
"You'll see when we get to the event.", Din stated.
/
A while later, Long had shifted into his wish dragon form and was flying Din and Li Na through the morning air.
"I can't believe we're actually going to attend an expo this year.", Din stated.
Long rolled his eyes.
"I can't believe you and Li Na told me you actually bought me a pass as well just so I could attend also."
Li Na could help but snicker.
"Long, do you always sound so sarcastic when you face something you're not familiar with?"
Long looked their way a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry. Force of habit.", he admitted before looking forward again, "Anyways, the convention center is where exactly?"
Din pointed downward to a large building near the downtown area and Long descended to the streets and got to an alley where he dropped Din and Li Na off. Before Long could change into his human form, the trio heard something that made them all flinch.
"Wow, that is one killer costume."
Din and Li Na turned to see a couple other kids their age dressed as a sorcerer and a knight of old both looking inspired.
"Is that thing for real?"
Long thought fast.
"I thought I'd go mythical beast for this year?"
The two cosplayers shrugged and gave a smile.
"See you inside.", one said before they left. Din and Li Na however looked Long's way a bit concerned.
"What was that?", Din asked, "You almost gave yourself away."
"I don't know.", Long answered, "I panicked."
Din sighed heavily.
"Just don't draw attention.", he said sounding cautious, "We don't need people to know you're a real wish dragon."
/
Once the trio came out to the gathering cosplayers, people couldn't help but notice Long.
"No way, that is so cool."
"Wow, is that fur he used?"
"Oh, look at those arms and legs. I wonder how he pulled that off?"
Long felt bold and a bit embarrassed at the same time as he was led by Din and Li Na to a booth where someone behind a register was standing.
"Hi, we're Din and Li Na here for the expo.", Din informed.
The cahier nodded and turned to Long looking a bit confused.
"And him?", she asked.
Long looked eager.
"Same thing.", he answered.
The cashier looked up the reservation and turned to the trio smiling while handing over three passes and a large tote bag.
"Here you are.", she said as the trio got the stuff, "Enjoy the event."
Long looked inside the tote bag and looked inspired as he pulled out a pin, a bobble head, and even a poster.
"People just give this stuff to you?", he asked in awe before looking more eager, "I can't wait to see what the inside is like."
Din and Li Na said nothing as they helped Long get to the main room and Long was instantly in awe before he even stepped in.
"Great Wall of China.", he said before a look of inspiration came to his face, "An entire market filled with arts and weaponry."
"Long, this is Fan Expo.", Din said as he and Li Na gave Long a notion to follow, "Come on."
Long hovered near Din and Li Na, but his eyes were darting from one stand to another. At one stand Long hovered over to the sword displays and examined each one.
"Where did this fine blade originate?", he asked himself, "Doesn't look like one I had in my day."
"Long, careful.", Li Na warned, "You break it, you bought it."
Long backed off and noticed another stand and flew over with the look of awe on his face barely flinching.
"Wow, I had no idea dice like these existed.", he stated as he observed the many colorful dice and many different styles, "I often thought there was only the six-sided ones."
/
As the trio made their way around, more fans in costumes couldn't help but come up to Long and with cameras. Long posed with some who took photos and they were clearly looking thrilled.
"I'm posting this on my web page later. My fans are going to be so jealous!", a fan said excitedly.
Another fan had touched Long's back and sighing contently.
"Oh, my word it's like touching a cloud."
Long felt his stomach growl which was a sign for Din and Li Na to hit the food court nearby. Long observed the hot dogs, nachos, sodas, and other stuff before settling on the nachos which he carried back to Din and Li Na who had their lunch.
"How do people come up with this?", he wondered as he slurped the cheese off his whiskers.
"I'm just happy people think you're in costume.", Din said, "Just don't use any magic and draw attention."
Even from their stand, Long observed several game stations nearby where a lot of fans were playing. He recognized a few of the games, but his attention then drew to the large open area near the other side of the large room where a bunch of stands were with lines of people forming.
"Where are all those peasants going?", he wondered after he finished chewing and swallowing the nachos in his mouth.
"Must be heading towards the autograph station.", Li Na answered.
Long finished off his nachos and was about to hover off the ground, but Din quickly stopped him.
"Long, they think you're in costume which means you can't fly."
Long sighed heavily as he stood up and tossed his trash into a nearby garbage bin. Din and Li Na finished a bit later and the trio headed into the back. Once there, Long quickly noticed a few of the famous people who were taking selfies and handing out autographed merchandise.
"Isn't that the same actress from our neighbor's favorite drama?", he asked.
Din and Li Na couldn't help but chuckle.
"Got the camera?", Din asked Li Na.
Li Na held it up.
"Never left my pocket.", she answered.
/
A while later, Long was still looking through the photos Li Na and Din had taken of him with the famous actors and actresses.
"Wow, if they were in my court, I'd take all their advice to heart."
Din raised an eyebrow.
"Really Long?"
Long looked a bit defeated.
"Well, maybe not, but they would look nice in the style of the times."
They then noticed a bunch of fans gathering at what looked like a red carpet and with someone holding the microphone nearby.
"And next up we have the king and queen of Gotham City: Joker and Harley."
Long observed a couple fans dressed like the Joker and Harley Quinn walk out and pose while a bunch of fans looking over the whole thing took photos. Long instantly flew behind where he saw a line of other fans in such fine costumes ready to go, but Din and Li Na had caught up to him looking confused.
"Long, what are you doing?", Din asked.
"Getting ready for my costume's close up.", Long answered.
"But you're not signed up for a close up.", Din stated as he tried explaining.
While he was, Long observed someone nearby with a clipboard which had the names of the cosplayers in front of him with his back turned while seeing Li Na too busy taking photos to pay him any mind. Quick as a wink, Long used his tail to whip out the pen and scribble his name and category on the board and slip the pen back into its place before the person got back to it. He then turned to Din and Li Na and smiled.
"Signed up.", he said plainly.
Li Na looked concerned.
"How did you manage that?", she asked skeptically.
"Oh, you know.", Long stated waving a hand in the air, "Magic."
It took a long time, but soon Long was next up.
"And next up we have Long Zhu as a wish dragon."
Long walked out and the crowd were in awe.
"Wow, that is amazing!"
"How does he do that?"
/
It was fun after that, but soon it was late and the trio were flying home.
"That was a fun way to spend our day off.", Li Na stated.
Long held a gold trophy in his hand and looked proud.
"I know. I even won the trophy for best costume."
Din looked unsure.
"Long, don't you think you cheated?"
Long shrugged.
"Hey, if people think it was a costume I was wearing, who was I to judge?"
Li Na then looked thoughtful.
"Guys, I just remembered we haven't used any magic today."
Long looked surprised.
"Yeah, it's nice that neither of you asked for anything. Gave me a break cause if I try to use it for myself…well, you've seen it."
By the time they returned, the neighbors were deep in conversation with Mrs. Song and Mr. Wang. Long had shifted into his human form before the trio started detailing their experience at the convention. Of course, Long couldn't help but brag about he won with his wish dragon costume, but nobody seemed to mind.
"So, where is that costume?", a neighbor asked.
Long thought fast.
"I had to drop it off at the cleaners."
Din and Li Na smiled.
"That's what we thought you'd say.", they said in unification.