The Council's Reaction
The councillors are still reading the letter Susan Long has sent them, trying to find out if they misread anything but it's still there. Jake Long fell in love with the Huntsgirl and his Dragon Master, Luong Lao Shi, approves the relationship.
"I knew the American Dragon isn't so attached to our traditions but dating a slayer?" Councillor Andam asks. "One who tried to slay him several times? I expected better from him. And from his dragon master."
"I know." Councillor Kulde replies. "If Lao Shi would allow his pupil and grandson to date an enemy, it's time to ask ourselves if he's still fit to be a dragon master."
"Actually, some of their last reports do give the idea that she's changed." Councillor Omina adds.
"A slayer is a slayer." Councillor Kulde replies. "We might have bent some traditions in the past but this is too much."
"I must remind you that, since the American Dragon's mother had asked for us to intervene, tradition requires us to have them all here to evaluate the slayer." Councillor Kulkulkhan replies.
"Unfortunately we have to agree with this." Councillor Kulde replies and the others sadly nod in agreement.
In the next morning, Jake and his friends are leaving school when his cell phone rings. "Hello, G. What? Now? Bring my friends? And specially Rose? Okay."
"Yo, Jakey, what's up?" Trixie asks.
"Gramps wants all of us at his shop." Jake explains. "Specially Rose."
LINE BREAK – Canal Street Electronics
"G, what's up?" Jake asks.
"Your mother." Lao Shi answers.
"Say what?" A confused Jake asks.
"Your mother, not trusting Rose, asked for the Dragon Council to evaluate her." Lao Shi explains. "Not only the Dragon Council wants us all at the Island of Draco to evaluate Rose and decide if she can be trusted or not but they also want to know if I'm still fit to be a dragon master."
"Sorry, G." Jake says.
"Don't blame yourself, young one." Lao Shi replies.
"That's right." Haley, who along with Susan and Jonathan, are also in the shop, adds. "It's all that slayer's fault. How can you love her after all the times she tried to slay you?"
"Haley." Jake protests but Rose interrupts her. "Jake, your family is only trying to protect you. After all I did, I can't blame them for hating me."
"Fine but they didn't have to do it." Jake replies.
"Actually we had." Lao Shi explains. "Maybe not now but all dragons are required to get approval before marriage. I didn't tell anything before because I didn't expected it to be needed before you and Rose reached adulthood but your mother's overprotectiveness changed it."
"Thank you, Mother." Jake sarcastically replies.
"You'll thank me for real once the Dragon Council keeps this slayer away from you." Susan comments.
"What exactly is gonna happen to me?" Rose asks.
"Well, if they don't forgive you for your previous crimes, specially the part where you have almost slain two of them and the then-Councillor Chang, they'll send you to a magical prison." Lao Shi explains. "And, even if they decide there's no need to lock you away, approving the relationship might be a tougher challenge. I hoped it could be delayed until adulthood so the years to come would help in your case."
LINE BREAK – Island of Draco
Our heroes recover from the elevator ride. "Dude, they should serve barf bags." Trixie comments.
"Jake, aren't now just two councillors now that Chang has been revealed to be working for the Dark Dragon?" Spud asks.
"Actually there are four of them." Jake replies. "Five if they've already found someone to replace Chang."
"Then who are these other ones?" Rose asks.
"Well, the Dragon Council called for the meeting during a regular summit." Jake explains. "All dragons of the world were called for."
"Let me see if I got this straight." Rose says. "I'm here, without my Huntsclan weapons or any other slayer in an island with all the dragons of the world?"
"Unless anyone is missing, yes." Jake answers. "But don't worry, babe. If any dragon believes your presence here to be a reason to attack the AmDrag is here."
The other dragons then notice Rose's presence.
"She should have been brought here in chains."
"She might be good-looking but a dragon loving her? She must have stolen one of Cupid's arrows and shot it at him."
Jake was now feeling bad because of the irony of this comment.
"I hope the Dragon Council executes her. In a very painful way."
"They can't because she never killed any magical creature despite having tried. However, I doubt the Dragon Council will go easy on her since she almost killed two of them a few years ago during Halloween."
"How do they know that?" Rose asks.
"You're famous, Rose." Jake answers. "Or infamous."
"They say she's been on our side since she found out the boy she loves is the American Dragon. She's probably tricking him."
"Jake, I know I deserve this but I can't take it anymore." Rose pleads.
Then a familiar dragon approaches them. "Hi, mate."
"Fred Nerk?" Jake asks. "Are you also here to insult Rose?"
"No, Jake." Fred answers. "I'm here to say hi. So, that's the slayer you fell in love with? I never thought a face behind a Hunts-mask could be so, not scary."
"Hey, she's with me, Nerk." Jake says, fearing the rivalry between the two dragons would reach a new level.
"Don't worry, Mate." Fred says. "I don't hit on a friend's girlfriend." He then leaves.
"So, that's the Australian Dragon?" Rose asks.
"How did you know?" Jake asks, shocked.
"Fred Nerk is a typical australian name." Rose answers and then sees another dragon approaching. "Who's that other one?"
"My cousin Greggy."
"It's Gregory." Greggy replies. "So, that's the slayer you fell in love with? And what about these two? Are they also slayers?"
"No." Jake answers. "Trixie and Spud are my best human friends."
"Hi, Greggy." Trixie and Spud say.
Greggy then talks to Rose. "Slayer, you're lucky the Dragon Council requested your presence or I'd have slashed you with my claws."
"Come on." Rose replies. "I can tell you're all bark and no bite. You fighting against Huntsboys 88 and 89 would be a fairer match."
"You think I can take two of you at once? I'm flattered." Greggy replies and then walks away.
"Rose, how did you know Greggy isn't that powerful?" Jake asks.
"I can tell when a dragon isn't as powerful as they claim." Rose answers. "But now it's time to see the Dragon Council."
LINE BREAK – The Council Room
"Let's check the list of crimes the Huntsgirl committed against the magical community." Councillor Kulde says. "Several attempts on the life of the American Dragon and his dragon master; two attempts of stealing gold from a leprechaun; almost slaying three dragon councillors; capturing a snowman who fortunately was rescued by the American Dragon; and helping several magical creatures, including the American Dragon, for the Great Equinox Hunt. Do you deny any of these accusations, Huntsgirl?"
"No." Rose humbly answers.
"American Dragon, do you really trust her?" Councillor Andam asks.
"Yes." Jake answers.
"American Dragon, what was the first sign this slayer ever shown of her change of ways?" Councillor Omina asks.
"During the Equinox Hunt, she was in position to slay me but when I revealed my true identity she decided to spare my life." Jake answers.
"She might have just got confused." Councillor Kulkulkhan replies. "How can you be sure her love for you really surpasses her hatred against dragons?"
"When Spud and I went undercover at the Huntsclan Academy, she not only didn't expose us but also helped us to escape." Jake explains. "And I was even willing to let her slay me so she could get back to New York and help finding out the Hunts-punk's plan."
"Oh, yes." Councillor Andam replies. "Those Aztec Skulls. And how else did she prove her loyalty to us?"
"She helped us to keep two skulls away from the Huntsclan." Jake explains.
"Is that true, Lao Shi?" Councillor Kulde asks.
"Yes, Sir." Lao Shi answers.
"And how do you explain the fact she almost turned your grandson to the Huntsclan during a love cruise?" Councillor Omina asks.
"Unfortunately it's all fault of Jake, who was at the moment doubting her love to the point of using one of Cupid's arrows, triggering the love-hate effect on her." Lao Shi sadly explains.
"We keep reviewing the images in our magical screens and they indeed shows us a slayer is really able to love a dragon." Councillor Andam comments.
"We'll announce our decision this afternoon." Councillor Kulde says. "Please enjoy the island."
They then go to the cafeteria. Jake and Rose get the two last seats of a table, much to the dismay of the other occupants. "You won't let this slayer sit with us, will you?"
"She's not evil anymore." Jake defends Rose.
"Jake, you can't trust a dragon slayer." A girl in Egyptian clothes says. "She must go. But you can stay with me."
"Not a chance." Jake replies. "Rose is my girlfriend but the AmDrag can't blame ya for trying."
Despite the awkwardness, Rose decides to eat at that table anyway.
I hope you don't mind this chapter being any longer. Please review.
