To Fudogg: thanks for the review. I put it under K+ because the rest of the story isn't as descriptive as the prelude.
Chapter One
Thirteen years had passed since that day. Rose gave birth to the baby, and named him Matthew Cornelius Long. She also had a baby girl about five years after Matt was born. They named her Cheryl Rebecca Long. Now Matt is thirteen and Cheryl is eight.
"Bye mom," said Matt as he headed out the door.
"Wait a minute," she called from the kitchen. She ran over to him and handed him twenty dollars.
"What's this for?" he asked.
"Lunch," answered his mom. "Now hurry or you'll be late."
"Yes mom," he said. "Bye."
"Bye honey," she waved at the front door as, he grabbed his board and rode down the street.
He met his two best friends Dylan (Trixie and Spuds son) and Serena (Sarah and Chris's son).
"Hey guys," said Matt.
"Hi," said Serena. She didn't have a skateboard but she did have roller blades.
"Hey," said Dylan. "Think Rotwood'd get angry if I told him I never finished my homework?"
"No duh," said Serena. "Why don't you just do the work?"
"Because it's pointless and lame," said Matt. "Honestly, magical creatures living in the city? Yeah right."
"Well you two seem to be in good moods today," she said. "I've got to go, or I'll be late for class."
"We'll meet you here after school," said Dylan.
"Yeah, sure," she called back, running into the school.
"She is so head strong," said Dylan.
"She just likes to study," said Matt. "Nothin wrong with that now is there?"
"Nope," said Dylan. "Speakin of class, we're gonna be late. We have two minutes to get from here to the other end of the school."
"We better start running," said Matt, taking off down the hall. Dylan close behind him.
"I don't know how to tell him," said Jake. "What if he reacts worse then me?"
"The kid needs to know," said Fu.
"I agree," said Gramps. "I may be to old to train this new young dragon, but he is going to be the one to replace you. If he is not trained then the magical world will be unguarded until a new dragon is trained and brought here."
"I know," said Jake. "Maybe I should tell Cheryl? She'd handle this a lot better then Matt."
"No," said Gramps. "She is not old enough to take your place. It must be your son who inherits the title American Dragon."
"I just want him to have a normal life," said Jake. "I thought that the dragoon powers skip a generation?"
"That is not true," said Gramps. "Only some generations are skipped, not all."
"Oh," said Jake. "Well should I tell him today?"
"Yes tell him to come to the shop," said Gramps. "Tell him you and I have something very important to tell him, and he must be here at three thirty."
"Fine," said Jake. "I'll call the school, and get them to give him the message."
"Good," said Gramps. "This is going to be very interesting."
"Matt Long, please report to the principals office," said the loud speaker. "There is a message for you."
"Great," he muttered, as he walked to the principals office.
He walked to the door, and knocked.
"Come in," said the principal.
Matt walked in and took a seat in front of principal Morrisons' desk.
"Matt your father just called the school," said principal Morrison. "He would like you to meet him at your great grandfathers shop at three thirty today."
"That's it?" asked Matt.
"Yes," said principal Morrison.
"Ok," said Matt walking to the door again. "Thanks."
"Hey Matt," called Serena. "What did the principal want you for?"
"Oh my dad wants to see me at three thirty," answered Matt.
"Then you better move your butt," said Serena. "Cause you got less then ten minutes to get there."
"Argh," huffed Matt, as he jumped on his board and took off down the street.
"Three, two, one," counted Fu. "He's late."
Just then the door to the shop opened and Matt burst in, covered in sweat, and out of breath.
"Sorry dad," said Matt, looking at his father.
"You're on time," he answered.
"I didn't know we had a dog?" said Matt.
"Actually he's my dog," said his great grandpa, walking out of the back of the store.
"Oh," said Matt. "Ok. So what is it you wanted to tell me?"
"Come to the roof top," said Jake. "There's more privacy there."
Shrugging, Matt followed his Father and great grandfather up to the rooftops.
"Alright," said Jake. "Matt this is going to be hard for you to understand, but you have to listen."
"Alright," said Matt nervously. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes fine," said Jake.
"Then what is it?" he asked.
"Do you believe in dragons, and other magical creatures?" asked Jake.
He couldn't believe this. His father was a nutcase who loved mythology.
"No," he answered. "Why would I?"
"This is going to be hard," said Jake. "But you're a dragon."
Matt laughed.
"Please," he said. "Don't make me pee myself."
"I'm not joking," said his father, seriously.
"You're not?" asked Matt. "That's impossible. Dragons don't exist."
"Yes they do," said Jake. "And when you're old enough you'll take my place as the American dragon."
"Prove it," said Matt.
Jake was engulfed by flames, which snaked their way around him. When they retreated a dragon stood in his place.
"I…I…I…" stammered Matt. "This is not happening. I refuse to believe it."
"It's true," said Jake. "You must believe, or you won't be able to turn into a dragon yourself."
Matt just stood in awe. He could not believe this. His father was a dragon!
"Hey Kid," said Fu. "Listen to your father, he knows what he's doing."
"Why should I listen to………AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA," screamed Matt.
"Calm down," said Jake.
"The dog can talk, the dog can talk," he kept stammering.
"Yes the nice doggy can talk," said Fu. "And he's very good at making potions."
"Just try not to scare me next time like that," said Matt.
"Now Matt," said Jake. "Visualize yourself as a dragon, clear your head"
"Alright," he said. "I'll try."
He visualized himself as a dragon. He could see the image of a red dragon, like his father, but he had golden scales down his back, and he had a black belly.
"Good work son," said Jake.
"What?" said Matt, astonished.
"Son, you've managed to turn into a dragon," said Jake.
Matt looked into the mirror that Fu had just made appeared. He looked exactly how he'd imagined.
"Oh, snap," said Matt. "look at this, I am hot."
"You are just as cocky as your dad was," said his Great grandfather. "This is good enough for one day. Go home and get some rest."
"Matt remember," said Jake. "You must not tell anyone. Not a single sole. No friends can know."
"Yes dad," answered Matt.
"So how did he do?" asked Rose.
"He was good," answered Jake. "He was just like me though. Always thinking about impressing the ladies."
The weather outside had turned from nice, crystal clear day, to a dark stormy night. Thunder bellowed, and lightning flashed in the sky.
"This storm is bad," said Rose. "You think the kids are ok?"
"Yeah," answered Jake. "They should be fine."
"Mommy, daddy," called a quite little voice.
"Cheryl," called Jake. "Come here."
Cheryl, Jake's daughter, ran down the stairs and climbed into her dad's lap.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I'm scared," she said. "It's all dark and loud outside, and then I saw a large shadow fly past my window."
"A shadow?" asked Jake.
"Yeah," she answered. "It was big, and it could fly."
"Probably just a tree or something moving in the wind," said Rose.
Suddenly loud knocks came from the door.
"Jake," said Rose in fear.
"Take Cheryl," he said handing Cheryl to Rose. "If I say to run get Matt and do what you do best."
Jake got up and opened the door. The sight that stood before him struck fear into Rose's heart. Standing at the door was the male raptor that had left eighteen years ago. His appearance was that of an animal that had been through hell.
"Andrew," said Rose. "What happened?"
"They attacked," he gasped. "No one left. Changelings are extinct."
With that he passed out.