A/N: Hey, what's up? I'm back...with chapter 23! Yay me! I'm going to try to update almost every day now...Please don't stop reviewing! I'll give you candy if you review! OK, here's chapter 23!

Choices

Chapter Twenty-Three

The rest of the night was a blur. I got fussed at about being out so late. Then Gramps and I recounted to my mom about what had happened to me. I nearly got choked to death as she hugged me ("Oh, if they had harmed you—!") Then she realized what part Rose had played in my rescue and nearly choked her to death as well.

After Mom was finished with the hugging (Haley didn't know what had happened; she was in bed), Gramps brought up our problem. "You see, dear, when the Huntsclan took his powers, he made the antidote almost impossible to get…we must get a scale of the Dark Dragon, one who is feared by everyone—even the strongest of dragons."

"No, Dad, you can't—he can't! You can get the scale yourself—I mean, you actually have powers now, but Jake—" She looked at me, tears filling her eyes. I was quick to argue.

"No way, Moms. I've fought the Dark Dragon and survived just like Gramps. I'm going. I may not have powers, but I'm sure Fu can hook me up with some of his magical mojo…"

"No, I don't think so…Jake, I'm not going to lose you…"

I frowned. This was going to be harder than I thought. "Moms, I can take care of myself. I'm the American Dragon."

Mom frowned, then said, "We'll talk about it tomorrow. For now, you need sleep. You too, Rose. You can sleep in the spare room. Right down the hall there…yeah, to the left."

There was no point in arguing, so I went to bed. I heard the faint sound of voices. My mom and Gramps. I heard Gramps's voice, quiet and calm, but persistent, and Mom's, just as persistent, but getting steadily louder. She sounded like she was winning.

This wasn't going to work. I had to go. Mom would never let me. I crept out of bed and got my clothes on. I walked over to my widow and opened it. I stepped out onto the tree branch that was right outside and climbed down the tree. I knew where the Dark Dragon's lair was—in the sewer. I'd faced him there before—and lived, the second time. I could do it a third. Who cared if I didn't have my powers? The prophecy said that I would be the one who would defeat him. I had to get my powers back. I could do it, with or without help. I ran to the sewer and lowered myself into it. Heart pounding, I walked down the smelly sewer. Maybe this wasn't the best idea…I could turn back at any moment…

I heard a rumble behind me. I slowly turned around. I looked up…and up…and up. The Dark Dragon. "American Dragon," he said. "Prepare to die."

A/N: Sooo...how was it? If I'm not able to update tonight, then it'll probably be Tuesday...please, please review! I'll give you candy! Love, EMcat...

~Emachinescat ^..^