A/N: Hey! I'm FINALLY updating again. And guess what? I wasn't grounded. I was just with my dad, and he has no computer, but finally I'm back online and back with chapter 9.

Okay, before I begin, I would also like to state that I have submitted another fan fic, this time to the Harry Potter section, called "A New Friend or Foe". So if you like Harry Potter and want to read it, it's right there waiting for you. I've only got one chapter so far...

Reviews are at the bottom. ;o)

Well, it's time to begin chapter 9! But before I do, I want to know who's planning on watching the new episode of Jake Long that airs on the 22nd-Halloween Bash. I am, and I can't wait! Anyway, on with the chapter (which may be kinda short, sorry).

Choices

Chapter Nine: The Potion

"You-you're the queen? So, the reason behind the statue of me-"I chuckled, "is because I saved royalty...?"

"Aye. I am in your debt."

"But-but why didn't you tell me...when you saved me?"

"Oh, that." The leprechaun girl laughed heartily. "I wanted my hero to think of me as a friend...not a superior."

"Oh. So...now that I know who you are...do I bow or somethin'?"

"Oh, no, Leieterm Long, you are my hero. I am in your debt. I must say though, your visit is a wonderful surprise."

"Surprise? But, I thought-"

I was cut off by Victor, who looked nervous. "I just wanted you to get to see your hero again, your majesty." Then he turned to me and said out of the corner of his mouth, "I'll explain later, kid."

"Oh, hello, Victor," said Amanda icily, suddenly frowning.

"Hi, darlin'!"

"Ach! Do'na' call me that! We are strictly business, since you left me to die on that rooftop."

"But I-"

"Ach! No more. You are lucky I did'no' have you thrown into jail." Then she smiled once again, turned to me, and said, "Leieterm Long, I am honored with your visit. If there's anythin' I can do to make your stay any better, just let me know, okay?"'

"A'ight."

"Your majesty, I'll show him around," said Victor, pleading look in his green eyes.

"Very well, Victor. But-keep him safe. Admirers can do crazy things. Oh, and before you go, Leieterm,how long will your stay be?"

"Oh, I can't stay long. Maybe just for dinner or somethin' I just came to-"

"To see you, ma'am," cut in Victor, giving me a sharp look. Then he led me off.

"Yo, what was that all about?" I asked Victor when we were out of earshot. I looked at him suspiciously. "Are you hiding something? I mean, 'I just wanted you to get to see your hero again.' What was that all about? I thought she knew I was here."

"Aye. I just wanted you to surprise her, and I wanted her to be a surprise to you. So I sort of..."

"Lied? Well, I guess it's okay. You were just tryin' to help...I think."

"Right. Help. Well, Mr. Long, do you really want to be 'normal for a day'? Because I can make that happen."

I thought about it for a few minutes. What if something happened when I was powerless. "Gramps can handle it," I muttered, then turned to Victor, Rose's face clear in my mind. "Yeah."

"Follow me, then."

The leprechaun led me down the dark hallway and into another room. But quite unlike the throne room, it was small, dark, and damp. Victor took a small stub of a candle and lit it. He set it in the middle of a large table that nearly filled the entire room. "Sit."

I sat in a hard wooden chair, looking around me nervously.

"Oh, do'no' worry. This dark atmosphere just creates 'a mood'. Relax."

He went to a corner of the small room and came back with a potion. He smiled and handed it to me. "Drink," he said.

I looked long and hard at the potion. What if this was a trap? No, it couldn't be. Leprechauns were a peaceful race, and they had no reason to harm me I mean, they had a statue of me in the center of their village!

But I couldn't help noticing a hint of regret in Victor's eyes as I drunk the potion. But since the light was so dim, I figured that I had imagined it, and it was gone a second after anyway. "Okay, let us go. I guess the queen will be having a feast in your honor. We do'no' want to be late...the potion should kick in at midnight."

"Why not now?" I asked, impatient to see what it felt like to be "normal".

"The villagers will be eager to see you in dragon form. That is when you are most powerful." And he walked out of the room, a smile playing the corners of his mouth.

A/N: Well, that was chapter nine. Please R n' R, and I'll update ASAP!

~Emachinescat ^..^

Review Replies

To snowboarder9: I'm glad u liked it. To tell you the truth, I'm really not sure why some of the words are bunched together, because when I typed them out, they weren't. I ...I'm not sure what you were talking about w/the comma. (Sorry, it's been a busy day). Anyway, thanks for the advice. Love, EMcat.

To CelloSolo2007: I'm glad u like it. Love, EMcat.

To Worker72: Yeah, it doesn't seem normal for him to give up so easy...maybe there's a catch...hmm...well, I guess you'll just have to wait n' see! Love, EMcat.

To Catwater: I'm glad u like it, and you've definitely got some valid points...some of these things you've mentioned will probably come to pass...