Jake Long III (Season Two)
Chapter/Episode Six: The Slain Target
Socorro and Haley flew through the air, heading down toward the ground. Finally, Haley cried out in pain as her back hit the ground, Socorro getting to her feet. "It's over, mother." Socorro declared as she looked down at her mother.
Meanwhile, Sillian got thrown down onto the ground a couple feet to the side of Regan, who was lying on her back as Kay used her tail to pick up her fallen Katana. Taking it in both hands, Kay prepared to plunge it down into Regan's chest; all Regan could do was watch with wide eyes.
However, before Socorro could strike at her pinned down mother, Haley managed to cut Socorro with her tail, making Socorro roar in pain and making her jump back. This made Kay lower Regan's Katana and look up at Socorro, and it also made Cleo look up from Sillian.
Growling with anger, Socorro turned away from her mother as Haley slowly sat up. "I'm sorry, baby." Haley said, half serious and half sarcastic.
"Let's get out of here!" Socorro shouted angrily before she flapped her wings and took off into the air. Cleo quickly did the same, while Kay had to drop Regan's sword before she flapped her wings and followed her two sisters.
Her eyes wide, Haley looked up into the sky as she watched them all fly away. "We'll return!" She heard Socorro vow.
FLASH
A few days later, Haley sat a table in the cafeteria on the Island of Draco, watching as Sillian and Regan sat across from her, eating breakfast. "How do you like your new room?" Sillian asked after he swallowed his food.
"I miss my house." Haley said.
"Yes, about that, Dragon Harris..." The sound of Councilor Yara's voice came from behind Haley, making her eyes widen. Within seconds, Yara and Agata walked up to the table, both Councilors sitting down on either side of her.
"You want to talk about my house?" Haley asked, turning her head to the side to look at Yara.
"Yes." Yara replied. "We've talked about it, and we've decided that we're going to reconstruct it for you."
"Reconstruct it?" Haley asked. "You're not going to tear it all down and start from scratch are you? I don't want that! I have so many memories in that house! I lived with my husband in that house, I raised my girls in that house, both my husband and my brother died in that house..."
"No, Dragon Harris." Yara said. "We're not going to tear it down."
"We're just going to fix the walls that your daughters destroyed." Agata said, making Haley turn her head in the other direction. "And hopefully..." Agata turned her head to the side. "...By the time construction has finished, your daughters will be stopped."
"I hope so, too." Haley said.
LINE BREAK
Back at Haley's house, both Cleo and Kay stepped out through the demolish wall that had been the entrance to the house. Flapping their wings, both dragons flew over to the roof of the house across the street and landed, facing an angry-looking Socorro, who had her scaly arms crossed, covering the healing scratch that had been inflicted by her mother.
"She wasn't in there." Cleo said.
"Didn't think so." Socorro growled.
"Then why did you have us look in there?!" Kay demanded.
Snarling with rage, Socorro lashed out with her tail, hitting Kay in the belly, making her cry out in pain and hunch over as Socorro pulled her tail away.
"You never know..." Was Socorro's answer.
"Where do you think she is now?" Cleo asked as Kay groaned in pain, straightening up.
"I have a guess." Socorro growled. "Where else can she hide from us where she will have loads and loads of protection?"
"The Island of Draco." Cleo said.
"Exactly." Socorro replied.
"Do you have a plan?" Cleo asked.
"I'm getting one." Socorro smirked.
BLACKOUT; PLAY THEME SONG
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
Back at the Huntslair in 2033, Rosie moaned as she slowly sat up, coming back to the world of reality after being knocked unconscious by Noelia. Moaning again, Rosie put her hand to the back of her head and rubbed it as she tried to think of where she was.
She was in a tight space, it was dark and she was staring at a closed door. Rosie growled as she lowered her hand from her head. She knew exactly where she was, and she knew exactly where her friends had gone. They had put her in the closet and they had gone to save her grandmother.
"Noelia..." She growled.
Seconds later, the door to the closet was blasted off its hinges and hit the wall as Rosie stepped out back into the hall, now in her dragon form.
"They're gonna get it..." Rosie growled to herself as she turned and started to storm down the hall, going to find her friends.
LINE BREAK
In 2085, on the Island of Draco, Jake III and Cherri, Cherri in her dragon form, were facing each other, preparing for their training session. "Alright, go!" Cherri cued, causing Jake to run toward her. As soon as Jake III reached her, he grunted and blindly threw a punch at Cherri; Cherri was able to take a step back and block the punch with her arm.
Jake III quickly pulled his hand away and jumped up, trying to kick her, but Cherri managed to grab his foot with both of her clawed hands, and with a grunt, tossed his away. Grunting, Jake landed on his back.
Sighing, Cherri put her clawed hands on her hips. "You're being very sloppy today." She told him. "Any reason why?"
"It's my sister." Jake III replied as she slowly got up onto his feet. "She's missing and has been for a few days. I wasn't worried at first, because I personally think she ran away."
"You don't believe that anymore?"
"No, I still do." Jake told her. "She was really ticked at Mom and Dad. She's just been gone for days."
"I'm sure she's fine." Cherri said, offering a small smile. "She's the American Dragon, after all."
"Yeah." Jake agreed.
"Want to continue?" Cherri asked.
"Yeah." Jake said with a small nod. Then, he charged at Cherri, but this time, he threw his blow too soon, allowing Cherri to flap her wings, lift into the air and slam her tail into him. With a cry, Jake III was thrown back and he landed hard on the ground again.
"I think you've had enough for today." Cherri said.
As Jake III lied on his back, panting, he stared up at the sky, seeing three dragons flying high over head. Blinking, Jake thought that the three dragons looked familiar. However, as the three dragons left his viewing area, something new came into his view: a photograph drifting down from the sky, heading right for him.
"Huh?" Jake III asked himself, just as the photo landed on his stomach.
"Jake, are you okay?" Cherri asked as she started to walk over to her pupil. As she did, Jake III grabbed the photo off of his stomach and then slowly sat up, holding the photo up so that he could look at it. The photo was of Harriet Demko, in her dragon form.
"Jake?" Cherri asked as she reached him. "Jake, what is that?"
"A picture."
"Obviously." Cherri said. "But what is the picture of?"
"I don't know." Jake III said after he got to his feet. "Do you know who this is?" He turned the picture around for Cherri to see.
"No." Cherri said, but at that moment, Jake III gasped, spotting writing on the back of the photo. "What is it?" Cherri asked.
However, Jake III paid no attention. He was too busy looking at the words on the back of the photo: To Mother. Perhaps she will be an easier target...
LINE BREAK
"Hmm..." Holly said as she looked at the photo. She, Councilor Asil, Councilor Agata, Councilor Dingane and Councilor Yara were all sitting together at their table in the main hall, Jake III and Cherri both standing in front of them.
"This is Harriet Demko." Holly said, setting the picture down. "She's a dragon that works for the human police."
"Okay, but what about the note on the back?" Jake asked.
Holly picked the photo back up and turned it over, reading over the note. Sighing, Holly set the photo down again. "Sounds like Socorro to me."
"Aunt Haley's daughter." Jake said.
"Exactly." Holly said. "It looks like Harriet is going to be targeted."
"Do you think they'll kill her?" Cherri asked.
"Who knows with those three?" Holly replied.
LINE BREAK
In her room, Haley was sitting in a chair, reading a book. However, when four knocks came from her door, Haley gasped and lowered the book. "Who is it?" She asked.
"Councilor Asil and Councilor Dingane." Asil announced from behind the other side of the door. "May we have a word with you? It's very important."
"Yes, come in." Haley said.
As she closed her book and set it down on the floor, the door to her room opened, and to her surprise, both Asil and Dingane were in their dragon forms when they entered the room. As Asil stayed behind to close the door, Dingane, who carried the photo, walked over to her.
"Yes?" Haley asked as Dingane reached her.
"This was delivered for you." Dingane said as he handed over the picture, Haley taking it and seeing that it was a picture of a young Harriet, in her dragon form.
"Who sent this and why?" Haley asked.
"Turn it over and tell me yourself." Dingane crossed his scaly arms.
Doing as she was told, Haley turned the picture over and gasped as she read the note on it. "Socorro..." Haley growled as she lowered the picture.
"They delivered it themselves, Dragon Harris." Asil said as he walked up to Dingane's side.
"And you didn't tell me?!" Haley exploded as she shot up.
"They flew over and dropped the picture here." Dingane explained. "Your brother's grandson was the one who found it."
"Jake..." Haley's eyes widened.
LINE BREAK
Moments later, Jake III was being walked down the hall to Haley's room, Asil and Dingane, still in their dragon forms, leading him there. As soon as they reached Haley's room, all three of them turned and walked into the room, where Jake III saw his Aunt in her dragon form.
"Jake!" Haley said, hurrying over to him. Jake frowned and crossed his arms as she reached him. "Please, Jake." Haley said as she got down on her knees so that they were staring at each other, eye-to-eye. "Now's not the time."
"What do you want?" Jake asked.
"Did you see my daughters?" Haley asked. "Councilor Asil and Councilor Dingane said that you saw my daughters."
"Yeah."
"Which way did they go?"
"They were flying over the island." Jake said. "How am I supposed to know where they're going?"
"I asked which way, not where." Haley said. "I know where they're going. They're going to go after Harriet."
"Do you know where Harriet is?" Jake asked.
"She's a police officer." Haley said. "I'll be able to find her at her station. I'll warn her and I'll keep her safe."
"I'm coming with you." Jake persisted.
"Jake." Haley said in a stern voice.
"I am not helpless!" Jake III told her. "Not one bit! I know how to fight and I can be helpful. You're family, and family is supposed to be supportive and accepting."
Now, Haley had a sad, but understanding look on her face. "You're never going to forgive me for last time."
"This is your chance, Aunt Haley." Jake told her. "You can make up for last time. Please, Aunt Haley. All I'm asking for is that you believe in me."
Haley stared at Jake for a few moments, watching as he scowled and crossed his arms again. Finally, she sighed. "Okay." She gave in. "You can come. I'll...I'll believe in you."
LINE BREAK
Jake III and Haley both exited the building with Asil and Dingane following them. From high above, Socorro, Kay and Cleo were watching from high in the sky. Socorro had an evil smile on her face.
"Are we going after Harriet?" Kay asked.
"No, you imbecile!" Socorro spat, her smile turning into a scowl.
"Then why did we tell her that we're going after Harriet?" Cleo asked.
"Because it turned out that we were correct in our guess that mother is on the Island of Draco." Socorro crossed her scaly arms. "The one who found the photo took the bait right to the Council. Now, mother will leave the island and will go look for Harriet. We'll follow her, and once we get her where we need her, we'll destroy her."
"But what if she has those two bodyguards again?" Cleo asked.
"We can take them." Socorro said.
LINE BREAK
A short time later, at the police station that Nayeli had gone to to see Harriet, Haley, with Jake III on her back, landed with both Sillian and Regan at her sides, right in front of it. Then, Jake III slid off of her back and landed next to Sillian.
The three dragons then reverted to their human forms. "Come on." Haley said as she started to walk forward, the others following her, and once they reached the steps, they all walked up them. Haley reached the top first, and just as she reached out for the door, she froze when she realized that there was a reward poster on the door.
On the poster was a picture of Harriet, with the word "MISSING" written above her picture. "No!" Haley's eyes widened. "She's missing." Haley declared as she turned around to face her three companions.
"What do you mean she's missing?" Jake III asked.
"You mean she's still missing?" The voice of Nayeli came from behind Jake, Sillian and Regan, making them all turn around to see the young girl standing at the bottom of the steps, a sad look on her face.
"Let me through." Haley said as she pushed by Jake III, rushing down the stairs to meet up with Nayeli. "Still missing?" Haley asked. "How long has she been missing?"
"For months." Nayeli answered.
"Dragon Harris, when was the last time you saw Dragon Demko?" Regan asked.
"A few months ago." Haley said as she turned around. "She told me that she needed to talk to Melissa O-" At that moment, Haley stopped and her eyes widened. "-Owen." She finished.
"Uh-oh." Regan said.
"What are you doing here?" Haley asked Nayeli after she turned back around and crouched down.
"I come here every day to see if Officer Demko has come back."
"Why?" Haley asked.
"I was the one who sent her off."
"Come again?" Jake III asked.
"I told her that Melissa gave me something to drink before my brother and his friends got killed." Nayeli explained. "I blacked out after I drank what Melissa gave me. She said she would talk to Melissa and she never came back."
Swallowing hard, Haley then stood back up.
"Aunt Haley?" Jake asked nervously, watching as Rose reached into her pocket and pulled out her communication device. Taking it in both hands, Haley pressed a button, and within seconds, a holographic image of Councilor Asil appeared.
"Did you find her?" Asil asked.
"She's been missing for months." Haley answered.
"What?"
"I know who's responsible for her disappearance, Councilor." Haley said as Jake, Regan and Sillian all watched. "Go to the prison where Melissa Owen is being held. Force the information out of her. What did she do to Harriet?"
"Are...Are you certain?" Asil asked.
"I have a missing poster at the station, a little girl's statement and my own to back it up." Haley said. "The last time I saw her, which was apparently around the time she went missing, she said that she needed to talk to Owen."
Unbeknownst to Haley and the other, Socorro, Cleo and Kay all landed on the roof of a building across the street. Together, they all watched. "Now?" Kay asked.
"No." Socorro said, crossing her scaly arms. "Right now, they're in front of a police station. That would just draw attention. We need to wait."
LINE BREAK
Back in 2033, Rosie carefully and slowly neared the stairs that led down to the prison where her grandmother was being held. As she got closer, to the stairs, Rosie clenched her clawed hands into fists. "You four are gonna pay..." She growled. Then, she reached the stairs and quickly started to walk down them.
Down in the prison, Noelia, Essence, Lucero and Patience were all still struggling against their chains. When Rosie reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped in her tracks as she saw her friends. She couldn't help but smile.
"Well..." She said, crossing her scaly arms and making her friends stop. "...You look like you're all in a bit of a predicament."
"Rosie?" Noelia asked, turning her head to the side.
"You totally deserve this." Rosie told them.
"Yeah, well you're going to totally deserve it if the two dragons that captured us come back and put you in chains, too." Noelia retorted. "See if you can get us free."
"Fine." Rosie said as she lowered her scaly arms and walked over to her friends. Reaching Noelia, she crouched down and put her index claw into the lock of the chains around her body. "After I get you free, we're getting out of here."
"What about your grandmother?" Noelia asked.
Hearing this, Rose's eyes widened with shock. "Wait, what?" Rose asked.
LINE BREAK
Back in 2085, Haley's communication device started to ring. Quickly taking it in both hands, Haley pressed a button, which caused a holographic image of Councilor Asil to appear. He had a sad look on his face.
"It's...not good, is it?" Haley asked.
"We got her to confess." Asil said.
"Confess to...?" Haley started.
"Dragon Harris, she's dead." Asil said. "Owen confessed to murdering her. She also told us where she buried her. We're going to go and dig her up and bring her back to the Island of Draco for a proper burial."
On the roof of the building across the street, Socorro was growing impatient. "Would you just go already?!" She exclaimed. Clenching her clawed hands into fists, she stamped her foot against the roof.
"Okay, you know what? New plan!" Socorro then pointed at Nayeli. "See that little girl that Mother is talking to?"
"Yes." Both Kay and Cleo said.
"Snatch her and then fly off." Socorro said as she lowered her arm. "Mother will give chase."
Then, Kay and Cleo both flapped their wings and took off of the roof.
Placing her communication device back into her pocket and then turned around, a sad look on her face. "So, what are we going to do now?" Jake III asked.
"We're going to go back to the Island of Draco." Haley said. "There's no need to try and keep Harriet safe now. Socorro, Cleo and Kay have nothing on me."
However, at that moment, Haley's eyes widened as she heard a terrified shriek coming from behind her. Spinning around, Haley gasped as Cleo took off into the air, holding onto Nayeli, leaving Kay behind to face Haley.
"Let her go!" Haley demanded.
"No." Kay replied before she slammed her tail into Haley's chest. Haley grunted as she was thrown back, hitting the steps while Kay flew away, joining up with Socorro as they flew after Cleo.
LINE BREAK
In 2033, Rosie pulled her claw out of the lock to Noelia's chains. "It's not working." Rosie said as she stood back up. "I don't know what to tell you." Now up on her feet, she scowled as she stared at her shocked grandmother.
"You...You're my granddaughter?" Rose asked.
"Yes." Rosie crossed her scaly arms. "Yes you are. And I'm the current American Dragon."
"That's..." Rose smiled. "...That's amazing. I'm proud of you."
Rosie said nothing. She just scowled.
"You'll have to forgive her." Noelia said. "She just kind of hates you."
"Why?" Rose seemed both shocked and hurt. "Did... Did I do something to you?"
"No, but she thinks that you did." Patience said.
Finally, Rosie answered. "You had this birthmark." She said darkly as she held out her marked hand. Seeing it, Rose gasped.
"You...You have the mark as well?"
"Unfortunately." Rosie growled.
"Basically, she thinks you're evil because you were in the Huntsclan." Noelia said.
Rose blinked in surprise before she spoke again: "Oh, I...I-"
"Stop." Rosie said, narrowing her eyes. "I don't want to hear it."
At that moment, sounds could be heard coming from the stairs. Gasping, Rosie spun around just in time for Agent Bracewell, armed with his staff to reach the bottom of the stairs. When he saw Rosie and the captives, his eyes widened.
"Agent Long." He said in a relieved tone. "I'm so glad I found you! Who...Who are these young ones?"
"It's a long story." Rose commented. "Perhaps I can tell you on the way out. For now, I'd appreciate it if you could get us free."
"You can't break the chains?"
"No." Rose answered.
"I even tried to unlock them with my claws." Rosie added. "It didn't work."
"Okay." Bracewell said as he took his staff in both hands. "I'll see what I can do. Please step aside, young one."
"My name's Rosie." Rosie said with narrowed eyes. Nonetheless, she moved away from her friends, allowing Agent Bracewell to pass her and reach Noelia, crouching down, putting the blade of his staff to her chains.
"What are you going to do?" Noelia asked nervously.
"Don't worry." Bracewell said with a smile before he fired, blasting the chains off from around Noelia's body. As the chains fell down to her lap, Noelia breathed heavily. "Two more." Bracewell told her before he lowered the blade of his staff and fired another blast of plasma, which blasted the chains from around her wrists.
"Thanks." Noelia said as she started to rub her wrists, Bracewell getting up and walking to her front. As soon as he reached her, Bracewell lowered his staff down and fired, blasting the chains off of her ankles.
LINE BREAK
Back in 2085, Haley moaned as she slowly stood up. Slowly turning around, she could see that Sillian and Regan were both in their dragon forms. "We have to go after them." Sillian declared.
"I know." Haley said, before she was engulfed in a bright light. Once the light had faded, Haley was in her dragon form.
"Onto my back, Jake." Haley said as she turned around, waiting for Jake III to hop on.
Moments later, Regan and Sillian flew up into the air and started to go in the direction that Socorro, Kay and Cleo had gone in. With Jake III now on her back, Haley flew up into the air and started to follow them.
LINE BREAK
In 2033, Patience, Essence and Lucero had all been freed, and now they were standing with Rosie and Noelia, while Bracewell walked up behind Rose and put the blade of his staff to her chains.
"I was afraid that you were dead." Rose said with a smile.
"Well, now you have no need to be worried." Bracewell said before he fired, blasting the chains, which then fell, allowing Rose to take two steps away from her post. "Are you okay?" Bracewell asked as he walked up to Rose's side.
"Perfectly fine." Rose said with a smile on her face as she turned her head to the side to look at Bracewell. "Thank you." Then, she turned her head back to normal, both of them looking at Rosie and her friends.
"So, who are they?" Bracewell asked again.
"They're from the future." Rose replied with a smile. Quickly, Bracewell turned his head to look at her, a look on his face that said "Have you lost your mind?"
"Oh, yes." Rose said as she turned her head to the side to look at him. "I told you that it was a long story, and I don't think that it's best that I tell you here."
"I find myself agreeing with that." Bracewell said. "But there is something that I must tell you."
"What?"
"I have Bouknight and Orth." Bracewell said. "They were both injured. Agent Hennessey sacrificed herself and allowed me to escape with them."
"What are their injuries?" Rose asked.
"Agent Orth hit his head and Agent Bouknight was stabbed."
"Where are they now?"
"I put them someplace safe."
"There's no such thing as safe in this place." Rose said. "We need to find them."
"Agreed." Bracewell said as he and Rose turned their heads back to normal.
"What do you want us to do?" Essence asked.
"You're coming with us." Rose said. "Everything's going to be okay."
Rosie was the first to start going up the stairs, followed by Noelia, then Patience, then Essence, then Lucero, and finally, Rose and Bracewell, going up together. "By the way..." Rose said in a soft tone. "...Hennessey isn't dead."
"What?" Bracewell replied. "But how? She was completely outnumbered by Vixen, Cimberleigh and all of the shade demons when I fled with Orth and Bouknight. She should have been slain within seconds."
"Apparently..." Rose said as she and Bracewell reached the top of the stairs, continuing to follow Rosie and her friends. "...She was captured."
"Impossible..."
"When I was captured, I got to have a personal talk with Mrs. Jennings myself." Rose said. "She said that Hennessey is alive and being held prisoner."
"Where do you think she is?" Bracewell was buying Rose's story now. "And do you think that we should go after her?"
"Of course." Rose said without a moment's hesitation. "We have to try."
"But she sacrificed herself so I could get Bouknight and Orth to safety." Bracewell argued. "If we go try and save her, we could all get killed. Then, her sacrifice would have been in vain."
"She's not dead yet, Agent." Rose narrowed her eyes. "We'll talk about this some more once we get to Bouknight and Orth. Take us to them."
LINE BREAK
In 2085, Holly and Asil, both in their dragon forms, were standing in the graveyard where Harriet and Melissa had had their final battle. "How long do you think it will take to find her body?" Asil asked.
"Does it really matter?" Holly asked sadly. "The poor dragon is dead. She's already been resting in an unmarked grave for months."
"Of course it matters." Asil assured her. "Once we find her, we'll be able to properly lay her to rest."
"Councilor!" Came the sound of Agata's voice. "Councilor, you better come here! We found her body!"
"Go on." Holly said softly, prompting Asil to rush forward, arriving at the hole that the dragon-formed Dingane and Agata had dug up. Looking down, Asil could see Harriet's decomposing body.
"Alright..." Asil said as he looked up, both Agata and Dingane turning their heads to the side to look at him. "...I'll help you get her out."
BLACKOUT; END EPISODE
A/N: Please review.
