Chapter 10: The Surprise
"Where are we going, dad?" Jake asked apprehensively. He was more nervous around his father ever since he found out he was in the Huntsclan. His father looked a little nervous too, and he answered:
"Um, well, it is a surprise."
Great, Jake thought. He was in no mood for surprises. He looked out the window, but he didn't recognize the street. He had never been her before.
After a few more minutes, his dad pulled into a small, overgrown parking lot, outside a large stone building.
"We're here!" Scott said an imitation of cheerfulness on his face. They got out of the car, and up to the crumbling entrance. Jake saw his dad punch in a password, and the door swung open. The walked in, and entered an elevator that looked out of place in the old-fashioned mansion.
"What is this about, dad?" Jake asked, unnerved by the feeling he got from this place.
"You'll find out soon." Scott answered in a solemn, stern voice. The elevator doors slid open, and Jake's dad walked down the hallway. He didn't walk like he normally did, Jake noticed. He walked straight backed and tall, with purposeful foot-falls, and even his voice had become flat and emotionless. This abrupt change in demeanor increased Jake's feeling of danger. He followed his father anyways, until they reached the farthest door. Scott glanced at his son, and opened the door.
Jake suddenly found the source of his uneasiness. The room was filled with four Huntsmen, and other teenagers. There was a girl and boy who stood together, who looked like siblings. They both had dark brown hair and eyes, and were considerably short. The girl looked fourteen, the boy sixteen. There were other teenagers who were standing next to Huntsmen. Some looked excited, others nervous, and a few looked stunned. Scott walked towards the group, but Jake stood frozen. What was going on?
"Come, Jake." Scott said firmly, and Jake noticed he was now wearing a mask like the others.
His father's voice shocked him out of his daze, and Jake walked forward slowly. They don't know I'm a dragon, they don't know I'm a dragon… Jake told himself over and over, feeling trapped. Him and his father stood next to a man and his son, who both looked malicious, being bulky and towering; and a female hunter and her daughter, The mother blossoming with pride, and the daughter looking frightened.
The door opened, and Jake's worst enemy walked through the door, fully clad in war uniform. As The Huntsmaster walked to the center of the circle, all the assembled bowed, all but Jake. He would rather be bitten by scorpions than bow to this creep. His father glared at him, but he just crossed his arms and glared. The Huntsmaster noticed this, and remarked with a disapproving tone:
"Your son needs more discipline, Scott. I expected better of you." And continued walking.
Scott seemed angry at Jake, and scolded him, "Do what you're told and show respect!"
When Jake persisted on not bowing, his dad tried to grab his collar and force him into a bow, but Jake, by instinct, grabbed his arm and easily flipped him over. By now, everyone in the room was staring at the pair, and they seemed shocked. No one, though, seemed more shocked than Scott and the Huntsmaster. Oh, crap, why did I do that? Now I have unwanted attention! Jake thought, since he hadn't even thought of what he was doing, it was just automatic.
After a few moments of stunned silence, in which Scott had used to get up, the Huntsmaster regained his composure and said, in a bit of an accusing tone, "Scott, you never told me your son knew advanced martial arts."
"I didn't know." Scott replied simply, still amazed that his son was showing skills of a black belt.
"Never mind, we will talk afterwards." The Huntsmaster waved it off. Everyone turned their attention to him once again, listening attentively. "You teens have been called here today because you are going to be given an incredible opportunity. Your parents are Huntsmen and women and thus, you will have a chance to join us. You will learn incredible things, like fighting, shooting, and use of bow and arrow. You must first pass a test though, to be sure you are worthy of this great offer. Then you will be trained to protest our community from vicious magical creatures, like dragons."
All the teens, but Jake, smiled or 'oohed and aahed', while Jake rolled his eyes and grimaced. "So," the Huntsmaster continued. "I am sure you all want to sign up, so do so right here. Then we will test you, and, if you pass, you will become respected fighters." The Huntsmaster put a clipboard with a pen down on the table, and several bold teens raced up to sign, much to the delight of their parents. Then, one by one, the others got up and signed their names uncertainly, until the only one who hadn't signed was Jake. His father didn't persist, and for a moment Jake thought he would be forgotten.
After everyone had settled again, the Huntsmaster looked at the list. Apparently, he noticed Jake's name was the only one missing, and he wasn't going to let that happen. "Scott, what is your son's name, again?"
Scott looked wary at all the attention, again, and replied, "Jake."
"Jake, you seem to have forgotten to sign up." The Huntsmaster addressed Jake casually.
"I didn't forget. I refuse to sign." Jake said coldly. The whole room was focused on him.
"Quite the rebellious one, aren't you. That will change." The Huntsmaster replied with just as much ice in his voice.
"You can't force me to be your Hunts-slave." Jake stated angrily, "I won't sign!" He glanced at his father for a moment, who looked embarrassed that his son was not complying.
"Yes we can, and you will sign. You seem a reasonable fighter, and once you're broken of that horrendous spirit, you will be a Huntsboy. Now, here come the tests!" As the Huntsmaster said this, ten Huntsmen dropped from the ceiling, and took fighting stance. The sight of them made Jake's heart race, and it took all of his self-control to not go dragon.
"Each of you will fight a Hunter, and if you last five minutes without forfeiting, you will pass your test. Now!" The Huntsmaster boomed. Each of the figures attacked a teen. One girl ran away screaming, and one boy fainted. When Jake's Huntsmen attacked, though, he was ready. The Huntsmen tried to punch him, but Jake ducked, tripped him, then grabbed his middle and flipped him into a wall. The Huntsmen struggled to get to his knees, but Jake lifted his knee up hard into the man's nose, breaking it. When the Huntsmen grabbed his nose, Jake gave him a hard kick in the ribs, hearing a satisfying crack. The man doubled over, and ran away the best he could, one hand gripping his side, the other pinching his nose.
Jake felt satisfied by defeating the Huntsmen, and his anger had worn off, so he yelled cockily, "What? You can't handle this?" He started backing up…right into the Huntsmaster. Jake jumped, and spun around into fighting stance.
"Hmm…a bit cocky, but good fighting, you will report here tomorrow at four o' clock sharp." The Huntsmaster said, trying to hide his approval. He then hurried on to another teen before Jake could respond. His father walked over to him, saying, "It is time to leave." And Jake followed him out of the building, surprised and relieved that he had escaped without discovery.
A/N: Wow! That was my longest chapter yet. The Huntsmaster is impressed by Jake, and he'll stop at nothing to get him as a huntsboy…Jake has some explaining to do to his dad, too…maybe Jake's dad will find out his son is the hated American Dragon in the next chapter…maybe…but will Jake tell him, or will he find out for himself? PLZ! REVIEW! I want to know if you like the whole Jake and Huntsmaster battle thing.