Jake waved goodbye to Spud as he left the Spudinski residence. The two friends had lied about losing the competition making a big deal about how much they should have won. They had to defend their skating prowess after all but didn't have a trophy to display. Jake breathed in the smog filled air of New York. He smiled. This was home. Amity Park didn't have nearly as much pollution and smelt a lot fresher. But at the same time there was a distinctiveness to Amity Park. Jake ducked into an alleyway and flew to his house, slipping into the backyard and going through the back door. Susan, in the kitchen, exclaimed in surprise as he hadn't called her before returning to New York.
"Jake! Don't scare me like that!" Susan scolded, putting a hand over her thundering heart.
"Sorry mom. Forgot my key at Grandpa's," Jake muttered sheepishly. Susan Long smiled and pulled her son into a warm hug.
"I'm glad you're home Jake. We saw the press conference from Amity Park. Good job getting Danny home," Susan praised.
"Mom, I'm not staying. I just came back to drop Spud back home and to get some clothes," Jake interjected with an apologetic smile.
"Jakers! Good to see you son!" Johnathon Long exclaimed happily stepping into the kitchen having heard voices. Haley was at dragon practice and so he had investigated the voices curiously.
"Hey dad," Jake greeted his father with a warm smile.
"What do you mean you're not staying? Jake, is something wrong?" Susan pressed worriedly. Jake sighed and dropped into a seat at the kitchen table. Susan and Johnathon shared concerned glances and joined their son.
"Things aren't as resolved as they seem," Jake began.
"What do you mean?" Johnathon wondered with concern.
"Danny's not… safe yet. There's a complication. He's not as healthy as he seems," Jake started to explain.
"Not as healthy as he seems?" Susan repeated in confusion. Jake sighed.
"Look, Danny doesn't want this to get out. If people found out, especially the wrong people, things might get out of hand or dangerous. The people that took Danny didn't want a war. We're not exactly sure what they wanted to be honest. But they put this collar on Danny that trapped his ghost energy in his body and then stole it from him and put it into storage units. They stopped taking his energy and his energy levels got out of control. When we took off the collar, he couldn't stop it all exploding out of him. He damaged a ghost proof cell thing his parent's built. The whole house shook. Since then, his energy levels haven't gone back to normal. He literally can't sleep anymore and hardly has an appetite anymore either," Jake revealed carefully. Susan and Johnathon gasped worriedly.
"His parents and Jimmy, the kid at the conference, they're looking for a cure and we're hoping that Danny's energy will go back to normal over time. But that's not all. Me and a magician were at the press conference. Straight after Danny's speech, there was a powerful surge of magic. We don't know what it did, but Robin said Danny suddenly got a headache at the same time," Jake resumed. Susan frowned in thought.
"Perhaps you should take Fu dog back with you. He does have a lot of experience with spells and potions," Susan suggested.
"I might do. I'm just concerned about exposure if I do that. I'm working with people that don't know that the magical world exists. They know about magic. But I don't think they're all believers still. I want Grandpa's advice first," Jake replied.
"Alright Jake, but be careful. These people sound dangerous," Susan muttered.
"Don't worry mom, I'll be fine. I'm the Am Drag and I'm with a lot of powerful people too. These other guys have dealt with the people that took Danny before," Jake assured his mother. Susan nodded.
"Are you hungry?" she asked. Jake grinned in confirmation. It had been a few hours since lunch at this point.
"Go pack a bag then and I'll make you something to eat," Susan suggested. Jake jumped to his feet, calling his thanks over his shoulder before jogging upstairs to his room and stuffing some fresh underwear, trousers and tops into his backpack, dumping his usual stuff out on to his bed and Marty's compass. He planned to return it before he went back to Amity Park. Once he had something to eat and assured his parents he'd be fine and he'd pass on their greetings and well wishes to Danny, he grabbed his skateboard and went to his grandfather's electronics shop a few streets over.
He pushed open the shop door, ignoring the bell jingling above his head to alert anyone in the back room. Lao Shi, Jake's grandfather appeared with his long white moustache and blue Chinese robe.
"Young dragon. I'm glad to see that you have returned. Now we can return to your training," Lao Shi greeted him with a smile.
"Er, about that G. I'm going back to Amity Park tonight. I just wanted to return this to Marty and ask for your advice," Jake admitted carefully, holding up the glowing gold compass. Lao Shi scowled.
"Jake, I understand that Danny is your friend and you want to ensure he is well after his ordeal but you are the American dragon. You have obligations and duties here," Lao Shi reminded the teen sternly.
"Yeah, I know Gramps. I do. But this isn't just about Danny. I felt a surge of magical power during the press conference. I don't think it's over. And if it isn't, then Danny might need my help. You know that ghosts can fall into our jurisdiction," Jake retorted quickly. Lao Shi frowned.
"Ghosts only fall into our responsibility if they endanger the magical world. You know that," Lao Shi informed him.
"If what Danny's worried about happens, then it will," Jake assured his grandfather confidently.
Lao Shi surveyed his grandson before nodding, he wouldn't argue further. Jake smiled gratefully and both dragons stepped into the back room. Haley was sitting on the couch back there with Sun. Jake waved to his little sister in greeting.
"Hey Jake!" Haley cheered happily and went to get up before wincing and falling back into her seat.
"What's wrong?" Jake asked worriedly.
"Haley just strained her ankle. A bad landing during a fight. She'll be fine. Hello Jake," Sun explained with a warm smile.
"Hey Sun. Fu, mind giving this back to Marty. It helped a ton," Jake requested, handing the glowing gold orb to the Shar Pei sitting at the desk.
"Sure kid. We have a poker game this weekend," Fu dog agreed easily.
"We heard what you told your grandfather Jake. Tell us the situation," Sun informed the teen. Jake nodded and explained the entire situation to them, leaving nothing out. He trusted these people and he knew Danny wouldn't mind these people knowing. Once Jake was finished, now sitting beside Haley, he sat back and sighed softly.
"So, that's everything. Danny says he feels fine and Zatanna didn't sense anything but we're both still concerned. Any advice?" Jake concluded. Lao Shi hummed thoughtfully.
"Perhaps Danny would benefit from an amulet of protection," Lao Shi suggested.
"And a magical detox. I'll whip up a potion for it. It should remove any lingering magic on him," Fu dog added.
"Sounds good," Jake complimented with a smile.
"Do you want some back up?" Haley wondered as Fu dog swivelled around on his seat to start making the potion.
"I should be fine but thanks Hales. Besides, you've got a bad ankle and you're holding down the fort here for me. I've got plenty of back up in Amity Park," Jake replied.
"Who do you have in Amity Park, exactly?" Haley encouraged.
"Well there's me. Danny, Danielle, Sam, Tucker and Danny's parents. Jimmy, he's a genius. Then there's Zatanna, Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian, Rocket and Artemis. Kim knows about the situation so if we really need more help we can call Kim and Ron in to help," Jake listed, counting out everyone on his fingers.
"That's not a lot of help when it comes to magic Jake," Sun pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
"My mom did suggest that Fu could come with me, but I didn't think it was a good idea since most of the guys in Amity Park haven't met him and don't know I'm a dragon," Jake recalled with a shrug. Lao Shi nodded thoughtfully.
"Fu dog, I want you to go with Jake but try to prevent the others finding out about yourselves. Understood. Fu?" Lao Shi decided. Fu dog glanced over his shoulder with a scowl but grumbled an agreement.
"When I've done this, I'll pack for Amity Park," Fu dog informed them.
"Don't pack anything unnecessary Fu dog. Potion ingredients and overnight things. That's all," Lao Shi warned sharply. Fu dog waved his paw dismissively. Lao Shi nodded and disappeared to grab a suitcase suitable for Fu dog.
"Do you have everything Jake?" Sun asked.
"Yeah, I stopped at home before I came here. Explained what was going on then. Hey Fu, do we have anything to help with Danny's health problem?" Jake remarked. Fu dog paused in his potion making to hum thoughtfully.
"I'll double check but I doubt it. He's a ghost, anything I'll have will be for magic," Fu dog commented. Jake nodded in understanding. It had been unlikely but it didn't hurt to ask.
Half an hour later, Fu dog was packed, Lao Shi checking that there was nothing unnecessary in the suitcase before handing it to Jake to carry. Jake frowned but didn't object further than remarking on the weight. Fu dog then handed the magical detox potion to Jake.
"It'll be ready in the morning. It needs to stew overnight," Fu dog told him. Jake nodded and slipped the vial into his pocket safely.
"And this should protect him from spells being cast on him. However be aware young dragon that includes all spells, not just malevolent ones," Lao Shi added and handed Jake a gold coin inscribed with strange markings strung on a leather cord. Jake took the amulet and put it in his pocket also.
"Thanks Gramps. Hopefully this won't take much longer," Jake muttered before lifting Fu dog's suitcase and leaving the shop with Fu dog walking on all fours beside him, leash tied to Jake's wrist for appearances. They called a cab and went to the train station.
So, Fu dog's going to Amity Park to help Danny with his problem. But will the extra help be enough to foil the Light?
Let me know what you guys think so far.
Make sure to check out my website! There's a poll for the next fanfic up. Don't miss your chance to pick. There's a link in my bio.
Until the next chapter.
