Her Fate

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone from ADJL; I only own those who I make up.

Rating: PG-13

AN: Worker72, you're right. I didn't even think about that. The length just always caught my attention, I didn't even think about the ponytail…

Run

"Rose!" she heard her uncle, the Huntsmaster, call for her. She left her room and went down the stairs. He was in his office, looking out his window. She didn't get what was so great; it was New York, so all he could see were buildings.

"Yes, Uncle?" she asked him. "Rose, I've come up with a new mission for you." He turned towards her. "The Phoenix is a very valuable bird as you know. The tears of one can heal any wound and when a feather is consumed, it can prolong life."

Rose nodded as he continued, "There is a Phoenix in New York and, more importantly, she is to lay her eggs very soon. What you are to do is find the Phoenix and you are to kill her and bring me the eggs."

Rose's eyes widened. Phoenix's were incredibly rare creatures. She couldn't believe that one was in New York!

"I will not fail you."

"See to it that you don't."

FLASH

"Yo, what is this time?" Jake asked his grandfather, irritably. "Whoa, watch out! Somebody's cranky." Fu cracked.

"I am not in the mood, Fu. Now tell me what the problem is!"

"Sheesh, calm down a little, will ya, kid?"

"Yes, you will need to calm down if you are to successfully carry out this mission, young dragon. You see, Phoenix's are very sensitive to emotions."

"Phoenix's?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, large, rare birds those're worth a lot of the mula. This one's gonna be a mama soon and that means the Huntsclan are gonna be all over this."

Jake sighed; it was only a matter of time before he'd have to fight Rose again. "And I have to protect the Phoenix and her eggs, got it."

FLASH

Rose found the Phoenix pretty easily. She was on top of a very high building, not the safest place for her to be, Rose mused darkly.

The Phoenix didn't even notice she was there. She just laid her eggs and was tired from what Rose could see.

She didn't see it coming when Rose captured her in the wired net. She squawked in protest and struggled but there was no hope for the bird. Even for a bird her size, the special wire in that net would trap any beast.

Rose walked to look her prey in the eyes. She raised her staff; preparing to strike her dead… She froze.

She looked at the beautiful creature lying in distress before her. Her feathers were the color of rubies and gold and her eyes were the color of clear water with a reddish-gold tint. Then she looked to the three eggs lying in the nest.

The Phoenix stared intently on her, as if she were searching Rose's very heart, her soul. Rose tried to blink away the tears as she felt them fall down her semi clothed face.

She dropped her staff and stared at it.

She couldn't do it. She had never killed before and now she knew that she never would. It wasn't in her.

Fighting she could do… But take a life? No, she could never do it. How could her destiny be to slay dragons and other magical creatures when she couldn't even bring herself to kill this magnificent bird?

She couldn't go home. Her uncle would never accept this. She couldn't stay in the clan any longer. She wasn't a killer.

She took off her mask and threw it beside her staff… She didn't know what to do. So she did the only thing she could think of… She ran.

FLASH

When Jake reached the Phoenix, he saw her in a net and he untangled her from it. He watched as she went back over to her eggs.

Seeing this sight both soothed him and confused him at the same time. She was captured yet she was left alone…

He looked around and something caught his eye. He walked over to it and saw a staff. The same type of staff the Huntsclan used; and beside it was a mask… What was going on?

It's 2:01 in the morning. I know I was supposed to have this done hours ago but my mother made me get off! Anyways, I was going to go to sleep but this chapter wouldn't let my mind rest. So here it is, I hope you enjoy it and please review.