New OC description: Eric Mason – A detective at NYPD and Jake's partner.
Disclaimer: Any similarity between the above mentioned OC and any other character, fictional or not, is purely coincidental.
The Dragon Council and a New Case
In the next morning, Jake, Rose and Doug are at the subway where they meet Lao Shi and Fu Dog.
"Jake, I'm glad you all are here." Lao Shi says. "Family support is important during such an occasion as a Dragon evaluation."
"Yeah." Jake says. "It's a good thing the Dragon Council would already meet today or Haley wouldn't be able to schedule this."
"Dad, do you really think they'll accept me as the new American Dragon?" Doug asks.
"Of course I think." Jake replies. "Why would the Dragon Council refuse?"
"Jake, the kid's mother is a dragon slayer and his Dad is a dragon who was kicked out of the order for marrying a dragon slayer." Fu Dog says and then realization clicks. "Oops, my bad."
"I hate to admit it, Jake, but Fu Dog has a point." Lao Shi says. "Remember, your father's virtues counted on your favor when you were made the first American Dragon."
"Gramps, you inspires so much confidence." Jake sarcastically says.
"Great-grandpa, if you have so little faith on me why did you agree with this meeting?" Doug asks.
"The Dragon Council must keep tabs on all dragons who develop their powers." Lao Shi explains. "With or without chances of becoming the American Dragon you must meet them. And, honestly, I'm quite surprised you have Dragon powers after all since your father has his powers removed and you've got your mother's birthmark."
"Do you think they'll remove my powers because of that?" Doug asks.
"I wouldn't worry about that." Lao Shi answers. "While your heritage might be used against you while the Dragon Council decides if you become the American Dragon or not they won't remove your powers as punishment for anything other than your own behavior when and if it requires them to remove your powers."
"I'm sorry for interrupting but, shouldn't we go now before the Dragon Council gets worried?" Rose asks.
Nodding in agreement, the Long Family takes a ride to the magic elevator.
"Everybody holds firmly for the ride." The elevator operator says.
In an elevator? Doug thinks. He mustn't be serious. However, the ride to the Island of Draco proves to him he should have listened the operator. "Guys, can we wait until I'm sure my stomach is where it's supposed to be?"
"There's no time for it." Lao Shi says. "Even with your Aunt Haley being a member of the Dragon Council we can't leave them waiting too much."
Meanwhile, the Dragon Council is checking some papers.
"Well, that ends everything for today." Councillor Andam, the African Dragon, says. "Except for Councillor Haley's nephew, Douglas 'Doug' Long, who has recently developed his Dragon powers. He's supposed to meet us for his first evaluation."
"But isn't he a dragon slayer?" Councillor Kulde asks.
"True." The African Dragon answers. "But despite having their mark he still has Dragon powers and we must keep tabs on him."
"Should we remove his powers?" Another Councillor asks.
"No." Haley immediately answers. "I mean, he's not responsible for his heritage."
"I agree with Councillor Haley." The African Dragon says. "Even if we hold young Long's heritage against him about deciding if he'll become the new American Dragon or not we mustn't remove his powers based on anything other than his own actions."
Doug, his parents, Lao Shi and Fu Dog enter the Council room.
"Welcome to the Island of Draco." The African Dragon says.
"Thank you." Jake says. "Please allow me to introduce you to my son, Doug Long."
The Dragon Council makes a closer inspection at Doug, paying an special attention at the Huntsclan mark on him.
"So, despite the Huntsclan mark you still have Dragon powers?" Councillor Omina asks. "May we see what your dragon form looks like?"
"Yes." Doug answers. "Dragon Up" His body then slowly (he had just acquired his powers) turns into a dragon form that resembles Jake's except that Doug's dragon form is blue where Jake's is red. The Huntsclan birthmark looks bigger now much to everyone's surprise.
The Dragon Council argues about making Doug the new American Dragon or not and then the African Dragon announces their decision.
"Young Dragon, I'm sorry but we cannot allow the son of a dragon slayer and a dragon who was expelled from the order for marrying a dragon slayer." Councillor Andam says. "Nothing personal against you but we don't think it's a good idea trusting a born dragon slayer to take care of a magical territory. We might have accepted your mother's help in the past but we won't accept a slayer as the official protector."
"Is there any other thing you would like to discuss?" Councillor Kulde asks the Long family and Jake raises his hand. "You're not asking us to give your powers back, are you?"
"No, I don't wanna push my luck on that." Jake replies, glad he came up with an answer that doesn't show how much he's enjoying not having dragon duties. "Doug needs a dragon master to teach him how to use his powers."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Long, but we can't allow a slayer to develop powers." Councillor Kulde replies. "The only reason we don't remove his powers if the fact we only do it with dragons who do something to deserve that."
"Fine." Jake says. "Then don't complain if his slayer heritage surpasses his dragon one."
The Dragon Council is shocked at Jake's remark. Andam is the first one to talk.
"Jacob Long. Do you care to explain what you just said?"
"If you refuse to teach him the way of the dragon you can't blame him for becoming something else." Jake remarks, making the Dragon Council discuss the issue among themselves.
"We'll think about that and send a reply later." The African Dragon says and then the Longs (minus Haley) leave.
"Jake, you risked too much by defying the Dragon Council like you did." Lao Shi says.
"Sorry, Gramps." Jake says. "But I needed to tell them what I think about their unfair decisions."
"Dad, why doesn't Great-grandpa train me?" Doug asks.
"Young Dragon, a dragon master must be approved by the order before the training begins." Lao Shi explains. "And they probably wouldn't allow another exception after my failure with your father."
"What do you mean with 'another exception'?" Doug asks.
"Usually dragons can't be trained by relatives but the Dragon Council once opened an exception by allowing me to train your father because I became the first dragon to defeat the Dark Dragon." Lao Shi answers. "And they believe there are no bad students but bad teachers."
"Great-grandpa, have you ever tried to become a member of the Dragon Council?" Doug asks.
"I would love to but they held Jake's flaws and his marriage to a dragon slayer against me." He then turns to Jake. "Don't worry, Jake. I don't blame you."
"Fine, Gramps." Jake says and then turns to Doug. "Don't feel bad about it, Doug. Being the American Dragon and having powers might seem to be great but the responsibilities are high and you would have problem keeping important things like social life or good grades. At least you have both parents knowing the truth. I had to hide it from your Grandpa Jonathan until he found out duting a trip to Hong Kong."
They take the elevator back to surface and once they leave the subway Jake turns his cellphone on and he hears a call. It's from NYPD.
"Detective Long, I've finally found you." A voice from the other side said. "You're needed back at the precinct to investigate a museum robbery."
"I'm on my way. Bye." Jake answers and then turns off the cellphone.
"Duty calling?" Rose asks.
"Yes." Jake answers. "You, Doug and Gramps can go home. From here I'm going to the precinct. Here goes my day off."
Jake heads to the precinct where he's given more details on the case.
"It's good to see you again, Jake." Det. Eric Mason says. "A strange robbery happened last night at the Cosmopolitan museum."
"What's so weird about that?" Jake asks.
"With all those artifacts to steal all they got was what seemed to be the fourth part of a frisbee." Det. Mason answers. "The security tapes recorded everything and it was revealed the artifact has been stolen by two guys in purple ninja costumes. One of them being an African-American and the other one having buck-teeth."
Jake already had an idea of who was behing this but couldn't say anything so he let his partner continue. "And they outfits bear this weird mark." He shows the Huntsclan symbol. "We're trying to find out which organization bears that symbol."
"The Huntsclan." Jake says, forgetting for a while that his colleagues at the police weren't supposed to know about that.
"The Huntswhat?" Eric asks.
"The Huntsclan." Jake explains, trying to figure out an answer that doesn't explain too much. "When I was a kid my Mom and my Grandfather told me about an ancient clan whose primary goal was the destruction of the magical creatures."
"Jake, you cannot believe magical creatures are real, can you?" Det. Eric Mason asks.
"They believe and this is enough." Jake replies and his partner seems to accept that. "Whatever they believe the artifact can do they will probably try to find the other parts. Who owns them?"
"They're checking the records, Jake." His partner explains. "They must have the list at any moment."
Sorry if this chapter is longer than the usual. For the list, I've already decided who owns the other parts so don't send suggestions, only guesses. Please R&R.
