Jeez, your guys seem really eager for this chapter. I will admit that it is pretty informative. Anyway, thanks for your reviews! I don't know how long the next update will be because I'm going to Minnesota for a family reunion, but I will try to write on the plane or whenever I get a chance to.

For my reviewers:

Worker72—Thanks for your review! I try to post the new chapters as soon as I'm finished writing them. Enjoy!

CelloSolo2007—You wouldn't feel sorry for him if you knew what he was going to do later on in the story. I'm not going to tell you what was at Grandpa's door, but you can find out on your own by reading this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

IndependentGirl—Thanks for reviewing! Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

KrazieShadowNinja—First, thanks for your review! And second, I know exactly how you feel. I was in a marching band as well, 'The Pride of Nevada'. We had camp for two weeks (the second to the last two in August, so of course they were scorching hot). For Mon-Fri, we did four hours in the morning, had an hour for lunch, and then four more hours in the afternoon. This consisted of marching our way through the show countless times. Then on Saturdays, we did sectionals for the same hours as Mon-Fri. Marching sucked my freshman year too, but don't worry. With all the practice you're probably going to go through, marching will be second nature. And don't forget sunscreen and LOTS of water! Enjoy this chapter!

horseluver101—Okay, okay. I updated. :) Thanks for reviewing my story! Enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 3

Grandpa pushed open the door and walked into the front of his shop followed by Fu Dog, who looked a little worried. If Grandpa was surprised by the sight at all though, he didn't show it. He merely walked to his counter and waited patiently as he observed the disturbance. Creatures of all kinds were stuffed uncomfortably into Grandpa's small shop, and as unusual as this all was, it was nothing compared to the types of creatures that were there.

He saw nymphs, fairies, dwarves, leprechauns, sprites, tiny elves, pixies, and standing alone in a corner he noticed a pure white unicorn with a long golden mane and tail. All but the unicorn were loudly discussing something in a very concerned and troubled manner. Fu couldn't handle the noise any longer. He climbed atop the counter that Grandpa was positioned behind and stood on his hind legs to bring more attention unto himself.

"QUIET!" he yelled. The creatures ceased all conversations instantly and looked at Fu. Then they spotted Grandpa, and they began to complain to him in voices that were much more thunderous than they were previously. Fu buried his frustrated face in his paws. After a few minutes of irritated mutterings and the usage of some select words, his face emerged. He shrugged his shoulders in defeat and jumped off the counter. Grandpa held up his hand to die down the uproar, and, amazingly, the creatures fell silent. Fu glared at everyone as he walked towards the door. He locked it and then pulled down the blinds so no one would burst through and see the many magical creatures situated inside.

"Thank you," Grandpa said when the creatures finally became still. "Now, what seems to be the problem?" he asked calmly. Without any delay they all started talking at once again. Grandpa held up his hand for a second time. They unwillingly grew quiet. A young elf no taller than six inches stepped forward. She had spring green eyes, wore a flowing light golden dress, and had tiny flowers in her long auburn hair.

"Ah, Princess Charlotte, how nice to see you again," said Grandpa bowing slightly.

"And you, mighty dragon," she said. Her voice was filled with authority. "However, we have a serious situation on our hands. It needs to be dealt with at once."

"Of course, of course. Please, tell me what is wrong."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. The creatures began to freak out at the thought of being discovered. They were stomping around and wrecking havoc throughout the store.

"Yo, G, open up!" Jake shouted through the door. "Hey, what's going on in there, Gramps? Are you having a party without me?"

"Calm down everybody!" Grandpa yelled. "It is only my grandson. Now please, control yourselves!" The creatures stopped. Grandpa spotted Fu by the door. "Fu, tell him to meet you on the roof. You cannot open that door and expect no one to see what is inside. We must be careful."

Fu did as he was told and minutes later met Jake and his two friends on the roof.

"Yo, Fu! What's going on down there?" Jake asked the moment he saw his wrinkly guardian.

"Not sure, kid. There are a lot of magical creatures in your Grandpa's shop though," he said.

"And you don't know why they're there?" Jake asked.

"Well, we were going to find out, but then you knocked on the door and the creatures went berserk," Fu explained.

"Then what are we doing up here still? Let's go see what's up," Jake suggested.

"Uh, I don't think bringing those two downstairs would be such a good idea, kid," said Fu Dog.

"Why not, Fu? They're cool with the whole 'magical creatures' thing," Jake pointed out.

"Yeah, they might be, but, as I said earlier, the creatures ain't so keen on being exposed to the human eye," Fu explained. Jake opened his mouth to argue, but Fu cut him off. "Even if they already know," he said, gesturing to Spud and Trixie. "Sorry, kiddo," he added sympathetically because of the upset look Jake gave him.

"That's messed up, Fu," Jake stated.

"Don't worry 'bout it, Jakey. We'll wait up here and as soon as you're done talkin' downstairs, you can come up and tell us," said Trixie.

"You guys sure? I don't know how long it's going to take," Jake said.

"We'll be fine, bro."

"Yeah, and if I get too sick of hangin' 'round Spud alone, you can call me at my house," Trixie said with a smile.

"Yeah," Spud agreed. "Wait a minute! Now, that's messed up!" Jake and Trixie busted up laughing.

"Just kiddin', Spud," she said, playfully punching his arm.

"Well, okay. If you guys are sure, I guess I'll go then," Jake said as he walked towards the door. "See ya."

"Latahs."

"See ya, bro."

Fu and Jake walked downstairs and through the door into the front of the shop.

"Whoa! Where'd they all come from, Fu?" Jake asked looking around. Fu shrugged his shoulders.

"Not sure, kid, but I'm suspecting they're from the Grove."

"What grove?" Jake asked in a confused tone.

"Are you serious?" Fu asked him contemptuously. "Were you even listening to us this morning?"

"Ooohh, that grove. Yeah okay, I gotchya," Jake said while averting his eyes.

"You still don't know, do you?" Fu asked him monotonously.

"Well—"

"Jake! Get over here at once," Grandpa yelled. Jake grinned at a disapproving Fu Dog and made his way over to his grandpa, all the while making sure not to step on anyone.

"What's up, Gramps?" Jake asked as he reached the counter.

"We have a grave situation on our hands, young one. Princess Charlotte has just informed me of three alarming events that have happened in the past five hours. One you know about. Two you do not."

"Princess who? And how do you know which—" Jake began but was quickly cut off.

"Do not interrupt!" Grandpa snapped. Jake grimaced.

"Sorry."

"Now, it is very important that we figure this out soon, so pay attention. The first two events happened almost at the same time. We are led to believe that one of them was a diversion. We are quite certain that the one you were involved in was such while the Huntsmaster tried to steal a phoenix's feather. He was unsuccessful, but we have to keep a close eye on his clan and the phoenix. There is only one spell in history that requires a phoenix's feather. It is called the Spell of Aspiration. If the Huntsmaster had succeeded in obtaining the feather and making this potion, there would be no telling what he would do.

"The last event that happened concerned our unicorn friend here. Apparently, the phoenix injured the Huntsmaster while he was trying to steal one of her feathers. He sent one of his Huntsclan members, Huntsgirl I believe, to retrieve the unicorn's horn. Do you know what the horn of a unicorn can do, young one?"

"Uhh… nnno," Jake said timidly. "Not really, sorry."

"It can heal you instantly if you're hurt. Any type of injury, whether it be a broken bone, a deep wound, or even cure a disease," explained Fu.

"Yes, but the horn's healing powers must either come from within the unicorn, or it has to be removed from the unicorn's head. The latter is most unpleasant and is what Huntsgirl was trying to do… before she hesitated," said Grandpa.

"Whoa, whoa! Time out! Huntsgirl hesitated?" Jake asked in awe.

"And it's a good thing she did too," said a young male voice. Everyone looked around for the speaker and his or her eyes finally rested on the unicorn. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. My horn can be removed without me dying, but it didn't look like that was an option she had in mind."

"We spotted her in the brush and were able to do some fast bit of magic to shield the unicorn from her gaze, but it only lasted long enough for him to take cover here," squeaked a fairy that was hovering above the unicorn's head.

"So, where do I come in to all this?" Jake asked.

"You are to protect the unicorn while I keep the Huntsclan away from the phoenix until we can find a safe place to hide both of them," Grandpa explained.

"How am I supposed to protect him? He's way too big and… bright. He'll attract way too much attention," Jake complained.

"He is right, young unicorn. We must find a way to disguise you somehow. Fu Dog can make you a potion to conceal the unicorn you are and convert your form into something less noticeable," Grandpa suggested.

"As long as it wears off," he agreed. It took Fu an hour to make the potion. When he was finally finished, he gave the smoking purple liquid to the unicorn in a bowl so he could lap it up.

"Now, this potion will only last for two days. Got it? 48 hours. That's it," Fu explained.

"What will I turn into?" the unicorn asked, sniffing the mixture curiously. Fu shrugged.

"Whatever will make you less noticeable," he guessed.

The unicorn drank the potion with a disgusted look on his face. Everyone gasped as the unicorn changed instantly.

XXXXX

Huntsgirl began walking her third lap around Central Park. She had been thinking about what happened just an hour earlier. She had gone to the trees as instructed and found the secret grove. There were numerous magical creatures there, but she was told to only go after the unicorn. She had looked around the grove for twenty minutes trying to find it, being as inconspicuous as she possibly could be. When she finally located it, she held up her scepter and aimed. Then… she hesitated. She couldn't believe she could be so spineless! It was just a dumb old unicorn; I mean who cares, right? She sighed heavily. And now the unicorn was gone and she wasn't sure how she was going to find it.

Huntsmaster must not know about this, she told herself firmly. She turned over idea after idea in her head trying to figure out a way to get to the unicorn, each new idea becoming more and more absurd. Suddenly one of the Huntsclan appeared right in front of her. However, since she was still deep in thought, she walked head long into him.

"Watch where going, girl," he said with disgust.

"Oh, sor—," she began, and then stopped when she realized who it was. "What do you want?" she asked with as much dislike as he showed.

"Huntsmaster wants to see you immediately," he said with a smirk. Huntsgirl's bright blue eyes grew wide.

Oh, God! Does he know? she asked herself fearfully.

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