Chapter 4: Truths Revealed

"Rose, there's no easy way around this." A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent tells her. "The family you live with is not your real one." The agent then notices Rose's face. "You don't look as shocked as I feared."

"Well, the truth is that I suspected it for a while but was afraid to do anything." Rose replies, not wanting to mention about the dream charms. "And I still am. What if my 'uncle' goes after me?"

"He's got his own share of trouble." The agent explains. "He's been caught in possession of stolen technology and has to respond to assault charges, not to mention abducting you and possibly other members of the cult you've been a part of."

"But how did you capture him?" Rose asks, hesitant to mention about teleporting. "Didn't he…?"

"Tony Stark has developed a device to stop teleporting." The agent explains. "Now, Rose, before we take you to your real family, I must ask if there's any chance the Huntsclan will go after you. Do you think your family might need to join some protection program?"

"I haven't thought about this but I'm afraid so now." Rose explains.

"Well, in that case, you might need to leave your friends from school forever." The agent replies. "Is there anyone you'd like to leave a message in that case?"

LINE BREAK – the room with the dragons

"Good news, everybody." Nick Fury announces. "The man who assaulted you has been captured."

"Thank you, Sir." Susan replies. "I hope you lock him up and throw away the key."

"The more I'd like to do it, I must have him face trial first." Nick says, showing how much he's disgusted by the Huntsmaster. "I can already press charges for assaulting minors but the adults will have to file reports to have him convicted for assaulting them as well."

"Agent Fury, do you mean our names will be exposed?" Lao Shi asks, worried.

"Yes, unless you present a good reason of why I should keep your identities a secret." Nick Fury replies.

"Well, friends of the assaulter might learn our identities and attack us and our families." Lao Shi explains, hoping it'll be enough.

"Are you suggesting he attacked your family without knowing it?" Nick asks, hoping to finally find out more about dragons.

"It's possible, isn't it?" Lao Shi asks. "There are all sorts of crazy people on the world."

"Yes, but Iron Man's report said your attacker was under the impression you and his other victims were dragons." Fury says. "Do you have any idea of why he'd believe that?"

"Yes." Lao Shi sadly answers. "Rotwood once locked away my grandson and tried to show him as a dragon."

"But your grandson's identity has been kept a secret back then and we have nothing linking him to the attack." Nick explains. "Our main suspect happens to be a Hunter Killdragonosa, who happens to be Uncle of your grandson's classmate Rose."

"Is Rose okay?" Jake suddenly asks.

"Funny thing you should ask." Fury comments. "We have just taken her for protection against others of that cult. Do you really care about her?"

"More than about my own life." Jake answers. "Please lemme see her."

"I don't think it safe, Jakers." Jonathan replies. "With Rose being part of that cult she might want to kill you."

"Don't worry, Dad." Jake casually replies. "We've already gotten over it and… oops."

"Jacob Luke Long!" Jonathan furiously replies. "Either you explain it or I'll place you and Haley under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s protection program."

"Jonathan, I don't think this is needed." Susan replies.

"But we do." Nick Fury says. "We'll start the arrangements once one of you asks for it even if the other disagrees."

"Then what's it gonna be, son?" Jonathan demandingly asks.

"Fine, we're dragons." Jake spats. "Are you happy now?"

"I'll be happy with the truth, not with some far-fetched lie." Jonathan replies.

"Dragon Up!" Jake yells and turns into a dragon.

"Jonathan, I can explain." Susan replies.

"Then the rumors were right." Nick comments. "I've already investigated some alleged dragon sightings before."

"What's going to happen to us?" Sun asks, worried now that S.H.I.E.L.D. knows the truth.

"We don't have any problem with dragons for now but if anything we investigate might have anything to do with dragons we might approach you people to ask questions." Nick explains. "Our priority now is keeping the Iron Man technology from wrong hands."

"I'm glad to hear this but I still would like to see Rose." Jake asks.

"Not unless one of your parents allows it." Nick replies.

"I won't allow my son anywhere near any of his would-be-murderers." Susan sternly replies.

"And I'd like to hear more before considering it." Jonathan adds.

LINE BREAK – Rose's family's home

"Rose!" Her parents exclaim as they see her and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent scouting her.

"Mom, Dad, what's going on?" A girl who looks like Rose without the Huntsclan birthmark asks and then gets the shock of her life. "Rose?"

"Lily, your sister is back!" Her mother happily says.

"I'm glad to meet you all." Rose says.

"How did you find her?" Rose's Dad asks the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

"The man who abducted her was arrested for attacking people he believed to be dragons." The agent explains.

"And you had to be raised by that kind of man?" Rose's mother sadly asks. "Poor thing."

"Don't worry, Rose. You're safe now." Her father reassures.

"Tell me more about yourself, Rose." Her sister asks. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yes, but I was afraid of what the Huntsclan would do to him."

"Well, let's meet this boy." Rose's Dad replies. "I want to know if he's good enough for you."

"Dad, I'm sure you'll like him." Rose says. 'If you don't mind the fact he's a fire-breathing dragon.' She mentally adds to herself.

"I just hope he's not too freaked out about that cult that raised you." Rose's Mom comments.

"We've already gotten over that." Rose says. "It's Jake's family I'm worried about."

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