A/N: I'm ba-ack! So, are you ready for chapter 27? I am (I hope). I don't know how long this'un will be, and it may or may not be a cliffie...but who knows...

Before I start, I wanna thank all my reviewers: Fudogg, AmericanDragonFan, snowboarder9, Worker72, epobbp, CelloSolo2007, ar1502599, Catwater, Fletty, YFWE, EvilAngelOfDarkness, jsliker (I love you!),ADJL-Freakazoid, burningfawkesfire, Tseu Tsumi, bob rabbit (hee, hee), Lavenderpaw, and Blue Sands

Anyway, on with the story!

Choices

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Many images whirled around in my head. Horrible, monstrous creature, yellow eyes, giant teeth, deadly claws...the Dark Dragon. A large group of people, all ninjas...all evil...the Huntsclan.

A dragon, large and blue...my grandfather. And a girl, more beautiful than angels, eyes as blue as sapphires, her lips again and again forming the words, "Don't give up Jake. Hold on. I love you."

The images faded. I was in darkness...then I felt a jolt. I no longer felt peaceful, as if in a dream...now my face was stinging, and my head pounding and aching fiercely...I was slowly returning to the world of reality...

I heard voices. I recognized most of them.

"I can't believe he did that!"

"I know, Rose, it does seem rather unthinkable that Jake would just run off like that...it is a good thing you arrived in time to get us, Trixie...how is the other?"

"Don' worry, Gramps...Spud's fine. He just fainted at the sight of blood...I guess he saw Jake's face. From what I can tell, though, dude, is that Jake risked his own life to save Spud..."

"I know. He may be a bit...erm...big-headed and over-confident at times, but when it all comes down to it, he has a big heart...and a deep affection for his friends."

"You do realize now, though, that even though we rescued him from the Dark Dragon, that he is still in danger...really in more danger than he was before? We now know that the Dark Dragon has the ability to read minds...and he will now stop at absolutely nothing to get a hold of Jake...he wants him destroyed, and I have a feeling that the next time, he will not waste time toying around with him. Which is why it is time for extreme measures."

"Like what, Gramps?" I heard Trixie say.

"We must get the scale at all costs...if we are ever to be freed of the Dark Dragon, then Jake needs his powers...he will be in grave danger without them. Also, we must rally the Dragon Council. They can help us retrieve the scale."

"But what about Jake?"

"His mother was right...without his powers, it is much too dangerous for him..."

My eyes snapped open. I was in my room. I saw the anxious faces of Rose, Trixie, Spud, and Gramps looking down at me.

"Jake, are you okay?" Rose's face was white.

"What happened?" I asked.

"The Dark Dragon nearly killed you...what were you thinking?" said Gramps angrily, although I could tell that he was very concerned. "We arrived just in time; you were nearly dead when we found you. We ourselves barely got out of there alive."

"I think...he said something...mind control..."I muttered, still extremely groggy. I reached up to feel my face, as it was stinging fiercely, and found that it had been covered by a large, thick bandage.

"Ah, so he used mind control. That clears things up a bit."

"I heard...you said...you're getting...scale..." I shook my head, I was majorly groggy, and couldn't think clearly. It had to stop.

"Here, drink this. It should help." As soon as those words had come out of Gramps's mouth, he pushed a cup filled with steaming liquid in front of me.

"What...is...it?" I asked thickly.

"A potion. It should help you revive better, and clear your mind."

"A'ight..."

It tasted disgusting, so I didn't ask what was in it, but continued to talk, becoming less groggy the more I said. "You said...you...going to go...without me..." There now, it was beginning to work. "I am going! You...can't leave me...behind!"

"Jake, you cannot come! You nearly died the first time!"

"I can do it!"

Our argument was broken up, however, by a soft knock on my bedroom door. Trixie opened it. "I think I can be of assistance," said the knocker. We all stared at him. It was Victor.

A/N: So...what'dya think Victor is doing? Hmmm...well, plz review, even if it wasn't the most suspenseful chapter ever. I will update ASAP, but chapter 28 probably won't be here until...say...probably either Sunday evening or Monday, or maybe Tuesday, but I will update as soon as I can, so don't stop reviewing! I love ya'll! So, I'll update soon.

~Emachinescat ^..^