Thanks to those who reviewed. In response to a question:

- Eh, no…Rose isn't her mother. That would kind of be odd. Kara was born about two months before Jake and Rose's Homecoming night. So…just no.

Also, I just realized that the name 'Kara' has already been used in the series…one of the oracle twins. I had just picked the name because my character reminded me of my friend who's named Kara. xD

I would say something about her meeting #74, but that would just ruin something, so…sorry.

This chapter isn't really working for me, so it's not that great. And, frankly, this story really isn't working for me either, so it might end up being a little short. Though, I do have a stunning idea for a sequel, so watch for that once this is done.

Chapter Four: Taken?

Florida. I got sent to Florida, to the absolute worst faction of Huntsclan out there, under the watch of the two worst masters. I doubt more than three of the entire squadron had ever slain a single magical creature, and I wasn't even completely sure half of them could even find their way out of a paper bag, nonetheless find their way to a unicorn herd, or a clan of leprechauns. How was I ever going to be able to slay my first dragon under these bumbling fools?

At least the helicopter ride wasn't bad, though it took a while going from New York all the way to the Keys. I was riding with four other new apprentices – the June bunch. But though we all shared the same birth month and year, there was no sense of equality between us. Numbers 86 and 92 grumbled indignantly about how they were not named Huntsgirl and Huntsboy, respectively, and looked down upon the rest of us. Number 43 pretended to sleep but we all knew she was just waiting from something to happen so she could throw one of us out, or something of the sort, and number 13 jabbered on about the poor quality of education we were all receiving, talking about how we would never learn the fundamental algebraic procedures because we were too busy learning the fundamental weaponry procedures for slaying dragons. And I…well, I just sat there. There really wasn't much to say. If I even mentioned that I was named Huntsgirl, I'm sure that 86 and 92 would have attacked, 43…well, she wouldn't have done anything, and 13 would have fixed his gaze on me and told me that I was wasting too much of my energy on something that didn't matter…none of which are good conversation starters.

One by one, all four of them were dropped off. The last, number 13, departed in Georgia…Atlanta, I think. Then, I still had hope. There were still a few bases left, including the Sarasota base, where I heard there were some handsome masters, just finished with their own training…erm…yeah.

But after we passed that base, all I could bring myself to do was stare at the sky. The only one left was down in the Florida Keys. I should have known – family of dragons. Duh. The only ones I knew of lived in New York, and the other in…Florida. I should've known. But at least I would have a few dragons to choose from to make my first slaying.

Sooner than I had expected, the helicopter began its descent and landed on an open strip of beach. A few sprigs of grass had sprouted about the sandy ground, and it didn't look like anybody had been here…ever. I wasn't sure where my new base was, but I wasn't sure the masters piloting the helicopter would be much help, either. Still, I suppose I should try to ask.

"Master, may I ask where the base is?" I said, tipping my chin down respectfully. Maybe I could win him over.

But I was just met with a cold stare. He more or less bundled me out of the helicopter and I was left standing on the beach, kind of alone, and without directions. Yeah, didn't think he would be much help.

So there I was. Just…there. But it didn't take me long to find the base. It was in an old long-abandoned military bunker. An interesting location, if I do say so myself. And I had an even more interesting entrance.

Staff in hand, I stepped up to the threshold of the base and heaved the door open. There were telltale signs of Masters 4 and 5, including a comical sign that hung above the main entrance: a clean lair is a happy lair. Yes, very much like what I had heard.

It didn't take long to spot them. There they were, bragging about one of their many adventures in the Old Huntsclan, back when they were Huntsboys 88 and 89. The title must have been a lot easier to get back then, because they didn't look like much. But still, they did have dragon skull helmets, which meant they must have slain a dragon sometime in their lives. Maybe. It can't be that hard; after all, if what they say is true, they've been in the field longer than I've lived. They've had thirteen years, and even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.

The shorter one, the old 88, was standing in front of the apprentices they were sent to train, all of which looked rather bored. The old 89 was behind him making hand motions to go along with their recollection of when they had faced the infamous American Dragon. They didn't seem to notice me – any of them - so I just waited at the door, leaning against the wall and waiting for the perfect moment to interject.

"And we were like 'you're going down dragon' and he was like 'spare me…", he said.

"Mmhmm. I see. Something must have happened, though, because last time I checked, the American Dragon still lives," I said, rather sardonically.

88 and 89 stopped mid-motion, their arms still in the air, and a few of the apprentices turned their heads to stare at me curiously. This was the first time I really got a good look at them all; the apprentices looked strong enough, but 88 and 89, now masters 4 and 5, just looked like overgrown apprentices, really. Not much to them; they were kind of lanky and…just no. And now they were acting as if they had never seen a Huntsclan apprentice before. Very professional.

I raised an eyebrow and headed off to a side door, calling out, "I'm guessing the quarters are this way. I'll just pick a room for myself."

And so I did. I never really had anything to put in the room, but at least I had one. I didn't really spend a lot of time there, though. Despite my first impression of the faction, masters 4 and 5 took us all out often, usually in the morning right as the sun was coming up. They said that was when the dragons came out, though I was fairly sure it was just our presence that made the dragons come out and not the morning factor of it.

But the dragons did come out…during my first mission, and every time after that. There were two, a full-grown dragon and a younger one that always moved awkwardly. The older dragon was a murky green color with darker brown stripes on its neck, back, and tail, while the younger was cream-colored with brown ridges along its back. I never really saw one without the other, so I'm guessing the older dragon was training the younger. Not that it really mattered; they were going to be slain anyway.

On my first outing, we had laid a trap for them…my design, of course. And it worked, to an extent. We had captured the younger dragon and were waiting for the older dragon to show up. And it did. Masters 4 and 5 headed after it while I and another apprentice, #27, watched the younger. Naturally, the older dragon got away from our valiant masters and was able to fling the both of us away like we were bundles of straw. Before we knew it, both of the dragons were flying off as if nothing had happened.

That night was a disappointing one. And my dreams didn't help. Once again, I was placed on the building top, the same night I had last dreamed of, I think – The Betrayer's Homecoming night. The Huntsclan was gone this time, and I could only see the Betrayer and the American Dragon…

"Rose, why did you?" the dragon said. He was in his human form: something I had become familiar with back in the Academy.

"I said there was only one way this could end, and this is it. With the destruction of the Huntsclan," the Betrayer said. There was a cold determination in her eyes. Why did she feel so strongly about this?

"But you're one of them…that means - "

"I know what it means," the Betrayer said, cutting the dragon off. "But even if we destroy the skulls, they know your human identity, Jake. They'd find your family like they did mine. This way, they'll be safe. They'll all be safe."

I found myself taking a few steps back. What did the Betrayer mean by 'they'll find your family like they did mine'? Did the Huntsclan do something to them, or…?

Maybe she really did have a reason…maybe she wasn't the one who committed an unspeakable crime on the Huntsclan. Maybe, it was the Huntsclan who committed an unspeakable crime…on her, and her family.

"But…"

The Betrayer…Rose, began to rise. I just watched, again unable to move, even if I had wished to.

Rose looked down and began to speak to the dragon softly, but the words she spoke thundered in my head loudly.

"Thank you, Jake – for everything," she said, every word filled with love and anguish. "I'll never forget you."

"Rose, no," the dragon…Jake, said. He reached up and grabbed her hand as she began to drift away. There was pain accented in every line of his body. He really loved her, and she…she really loved him.

"Jake, let go. I'll be okay, I promise," Rose said. There was a long pause, and I could tell she was fighting to keep her voice steady. "I'll be okay."

He let her go, and she began to float up towards the sky, to have her essence absorbed the power of the Aztec Crystal Skulls. I had never really thought about it, but…the Betrayer must have felt so strongly about this, for some reason, that she would have done something that would have sacrificed her own life for the well-being of magical creatures. It would have gone against everything she had ever learned, but still, she was completely committed…

The dragon's voice rung out and snapped me back into the reality of the dream. He had taken up the fallen Aztec Skull and was holding it loosely while staring up at the Betrayer.

"She deserves a normal life, with a family who cares about her," he said. He raised the skull above his head and, just as the Betrayer began to fade, he called out, "I wish Rose was never taken by the Huntsclan!"

I stared horrorstruck as one word echoed through my mind…

Taken?