Chapter 2: Appearances Matter

Everyone stood there puzzled; as little Paula Long was now a 4 foot gold dragon. Her tail was long for just getting her dragon powers and her wings were much longer than her grandfather's.

But the most puzzled person was Paula herself. She felt with her hands, at her body; noticing the change in texture, height, the sudden sense of feeling in her tail, and the fact that she wasn't on the ground anymore. "What's happening?" She yelled. Just then, she dropped down, falling over the table and destroying the cake. Their worse fears had just come true.

Quickly, William led her confused girl to her room. He was grateful that Bonnie's parents couldn't make it to the party, or there would be a rude awakening to them.

Will explained to her that she did, turn into a dragon. "Dragon?" Paula shrieked. Her fingers slowly went down her body, imagining her new appearance.

"Don't panic honey...it's just…." His fatherly speech wasn't working at the time.

Luckily, William wasn't put on the spot that long. Just then Jake walked into the room, and gave the okay to his father that he could leave. He then put his arm around his grand-daughter, to help her confusion.

More along the conversation… "But Grandpa, I can't see! How am I supposed to use my dragon powers if I can't see?" She cried out. This was a valet point.

"You don't need eye-sight to be an American Dragon." Jake pressed on.

Suddenly, Paula rose up her head. She faced to her side, where she could sense her grandfather's place. "American Dragon? Gramps, I…I can't be an American Dragon." She had heard stories of her grandfather defeating the Huntsclan, destroying the Dark Dragon, and fighting off all threats in America. He was a legend, something she could never hold up.

"Look, your next in line for my job. You might think you can't now…but you'll learn. Don't doubt yourself, Paula."

A smile went on Paula's face. She loved how her grandfather treated her like a normal person, though she didn't at times herself. "Awww grandpa, how did you to be wise?" She would often say to him.

"It's apart of growing up." Jake pushed her back up, hinting to leave the room. "You'll learn to someday. But for now, let's not ruin your whole birthday okay?"

For the next week, Jake took Paula to his training warehouse. He helped her learn how to turn off and on her dragon powers. Eventually she got the hang of it, mostly. She even learned how to let out some fire. But training her enough to be an American Dragon, would be hard work. And it wasn't his fate, to decide if she could or not.

After the end of this week, Jake took Paula to Isle of Draco, the island where the Dragon Council resigns at. It was here that the Dragon Council would decide if Paula was suitable to actually being, Jake's replacement.

As Jake let Paula up the stairs of the Dragon Council, a familiar voice could be heard once they got inside. "Paula?" Someone spoke out.

"Aunt Haley, is that you?" Paula recognized her voice. Aunt Haley was actually Paula's great Aunt, but she preferred her to not add the 'great'. After Haley spent 10 years in Korea with her Dragon Master Sun mastering meditation techniques, she requested for a spot on the Dragon Council. And with her intelligence and aggressive arguments, it was clear that she would make the cut. She finally started her reign as Councilor, 5 years ago.

"Paula!" She called out. Haley ran up, to hug her niece. "So good to see you." Jake shrugged his shoulders at the site of his sister.

"Ahem…" Spoke Councilor Auzani of New Zealand. He was one of the other members, of the council.

Realizing that in this place, she had to remain professional and respectful, Haley slowly walked up back to her spot. "Oh, sorry." She smiled.

"Actually Councilor Haley, I would like to have a word alone with your…brother."

Feeling awkward, Haley grabbed Paula's arm. "Here Paula. Let's take a walk." Paula's long black hair waved back and forth as she followed Haley out of the temple.

Now that the family was gone, the rest of the Councilor's could focus only on Jake. "Now then, as the current American Dragon, we know that you are allowed to pick a replacement dragon once you decide to retire."

Jake stood up, and put his hand over his chest. "Yes, and I choose Paula as my replacement."

Councilor Jasmine of Calcutta stood up to state her opinion. "Paula cannot be an American Dragon? She is blind, how will she see danger?"

That question was on at the top of everyone's mind. All the Councilor's rose up their head, in agreement. But Jake believed in his son's daughter, and it didn't seem fair she should be left out this chance just because of something as small as sight. "Look, there are other ways of sensing danger. You shouldn't put her down, this fast. I'll train her personally myself and-"

"Mr. Long, we know you have belief in your grand-daughter…" Started Councilor Auzani.

Jake interrupted him. "Then just give her a chance!" His voice echoed through the whole temple.

Councilor Auzani sighed, and looked to the rest of his Councilor members. Just then, Haley walked back inside, with little Paula right behind her. "Let us see, her dragon form, before we make a decision."

Haley led the little girl up next to Jake. "Paula, dragon up. Just like we practiced."

Paula nodded her head. She set her face down, focusing. "Dragon…up!" She yelled. Suddenly a golden tornado went around her, and she then was replaced with a golden dragon. The Council members gasped at her appearance.

Suddenly, the 4 Council members (Haley is not included with this. It is against the rules, to deal with family in professional matters like this) quickly dragoned up, and flew to the gold dragon. They had different instruments suddenly in their hand.

Councilor Jasmine reached out her measuring tool, and stretched it out as fast as Paula's wings were in length. "Seems that Paula's wingspan is triple her length. Very unusual for a dragon her age."

"And her tail-span is 7 inches longer than the average dragon." Councilor Teran of Canada yelled out. He was very curious about her appearance. "Her speed should top even our fastest."

Still not totally satisfied, Councilor Auzani flew back to his desk, and pulled out a small recording machine. "Hmm…let us test her hearing…" He set the small machine right to Paula's long and majestic ears. He pressed down a button, and a very low beeping sound played out. Paula pressed down her face a bit, as the sound was very loud to her.

As the beeping sound went in and out of Paula's ears, it would digitally analyze her hearing abilities. The sound made a different beeping noise, to signal it was done. "Oh wow!" Councilor Polumi of South America was shocked as she read the results. "Seems she can hear x5 times better than a normal dragon. And she has mastered the use of echolocation!!!"

"Echolo-what?" Paula giggled; confused at the way the conversation was going.

Councilor Teran went out to the side of the temple, and grabbed a small pebble that was in a garden. He then flew in front of Paula, and held his arm out in front of him. "One more test. Now Paula, I want you to concentrate. I am going to drop something, and I want you to catch it, okay?" Paula nodded her head. At a random time, Teran let go of the pebble. At the exact point he opened up his palms, Paula's ear's twitched. She then quickly moved up her arm, and snatched the pebble. "Impressive, her reaction time is very high, doubt her lack of sight."

With the pebble still in her hand, Paula dragoned down. She still hasn't mastered her dragon powers, enough to stay in dragon form.

The Councilors looked to themselves, then back at the little girl. "Just give her a chance…." Haley called out from her seat at the Dragon Council desk.

The whole Councilor group flew back to their normal positions, and dragoned down. Auzani then stood up, "We have decided to give Paula a…chance…at being the American Dragon. Normally we would oppose on the family training family rule, but as your own grandfather trained you, Jake Long. And that Paula's needs require someone of that…specialty; we grant your request to train her." Jake jumped up, and cheered. Even 55 years old, Jake still had his moves! "But…" he continued. Jake stopped dancing. "Her appearance might impress us, but we will need more. We require a full evaluation from Ms. Long in 2 months. If 2 months she doesn't seem fit enough for her responsibilities, she will be replaced with the next dragon in line."

Jake's facial expression toned down. He grabbed Paula's back, to hint her out the temple. "And remember," He continued, Jake paused and looked back at the Dragon Master. "As you request us to treat her fair…we will not take any special treatment toward her."

Paula has been granted the request at a chance as the American Dragon. Let's hope she gets the chance, she deserves