When the sun finally arose, the young woman left the station and stepped into the bright morning sunlight. Her brown eyes sparkled with excitement. New York was just as big and beautiful as it had been the first time she saw it years ago. People were moving at a moderate pace, either going for their morning cup of coffee or on their way to work. She knew exactly where she wanted to go first. Not too far a walk away was Millard Fillmore Junior High. By the time she got there, students were wandering into the building. She saw a familiar Asian American girl wearing an all purple outfit. She had her shiny black hair pulled back into a ponytail with a purple ribbon that matched her clothes.
"My goodness Haley," she murmured. "You've grown."
She watched the young girl disappear into the building. She stood there a moment longer, wishing to be thirteen again. Back before things got so complicated.
She knew if she was going to be free from her fears, she'd have to call upon the one person she knew who could help her. It meant she'd have to make contact with the magical world, which would be a step towards being found. Besides, she had a score to settle with the American Dragon.
First, she paid the closest hair salon a visit. Half an hour later, she emerged a blue-eyed, blonde haired beauty. She hadn't been blonde in years, six to be precise. The brown eyes were merely colored contacts, which she disposed of in the ladies' room. It was official, Rose, once known as the infamous Hunts Girl, was back and she was about the pay the American Dragon a little visit.
'Like trying to find a needle in a haystack,' she thought. 'Unless, of course, you've got the right tools.'
Rose ducked into a nearby ally and dropped her bag on the ground. She knelt beside it and pulled a map of New York City. She spread it out on the ground and took the purple crystal that was hanging around her neck off.
"Find the American Dragon," she said, dangling it over the map.
The crystal twirled on its string, moving on its own, and suddenly, the pointed tip stopped on a dot. Rose bent closer to read the label.
"Central Park," she said triumphantly. "Gotcha!"
She smiled and folded the map. She put it back in her bag and replaced the crystal around her neck. Central Park wasn't far from where she was and she set off at a brisk pace. It didn't take her long to find the American Dragon. The racket he was making led her straight to him. Just as she arrived on the scene a battle had ended, resulting in the fleeing of a griffon. While Rose was curious as to why the American Dragon was fighting a griffon, she was more focused on him. He had landed and had his back to her. She pulled her Hunts staff out of her duffle bag, and leapt from the bushes.
"Aiya!" she cried.
The American Dragon whipped around just in time for her foot to make contact with his stomach. He fell flat on his back and was face to face with the Hunts staff. Lao Shi and Fu Dog were too shocked to move. Even if they could, there was no way they could save Jake.