Jake walked through the castle to the makeshift hospital inside. He entered it and was shoved aside as the nurse hurried past him with some blankets. Jake looked around the room. There were many people hurt some had bandages around their arm some didn't even have a arm. There were even children in there. Some had the age of his sister. His mood darkened as he let out a low growl.

"Stupid Huntsclan." He cursed.

He walked past the beds till he found the one he was looking for. He turned and saw her lying her head bandaged.

"Rose." He whispered sadly.

He pushed aside the curtain that partly blocked his view and saw Rose's sister and parents sitting on the chairs that were next to the bed. their eyes bloodshot.

"How is she?" He asked.

Rose's mom flinched as she heard his voice and turned to look who startled her.

"Oh it's you." She said. "She'll make it."

Jake nodded in response. "Mind if I join you?"

"No not at all. She asked for you."

Jake smiled a small smile. "She was awake?"

"A few minutes ago. She dozed off again."

"I am terribly sorry." Jake suddenly said.

Her mom shot him a quizzical look. "For what?"

"For everything. If I wasn't a dragon this would never have happened." Jake solemnly said.

Kate placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It isn't your fault. Rose is stubborn, even if I tried to stop her she would have gone into battle. It's a trait that runs in the family."

"If only the Huntsmaster made his wish that night. She would be free." Jake said as he looked at the sleeping girl.

This angered Kate and she slapped Jake in the face.

"Don't you dare to say such things, a whole community destroyed only for my daughter to be free? If it didn't happen this way who would say we would accept her. My girl isn't that selfish. So keep those crazy thoughts out of your mind mister!" She hissed.

Jake rubbed his cheek. "What is with the people hitting me these days. You're the second to do it, today."

"You deserved it. Now I think it's better for you to leave." Kate scoffed.

"But what." His sentence got cut short by Rose's father.

"We will call you if she's awake." He carefully said.

"I..uh…Okay." Jake said as he turned to leave. Rose's dad followed him and stopped him as he gave Jake a fatherly hug.

"I want to thank you. A grey dog told me you saved her. Thanks." Brain said.

Jake nodded. "I would move the whole earth to save her, mister Whitman."

Brain smiled at the boy and said goodbye.

XXXX

Jake walked into the bunkers. The sight of the death creatures made him breath heavily. He stopped first at Spud's apartment. He knocked and the door was opened by Pandarus.

"What are you doing here?" Jake asked harshly.

"Waiting for my student we will have to leave soon."

"Spud would never be you're student." Jake hissed.

"Jake he is my master." Could be heard from the inside. "Please show him some respect."

Jake glared at Pandarus who stepped aside to let him in. as Jake entered the living room he could see trying to comfort his mother.

Jake sat down in a chair not far from him. "Everything alright?" Jake asked.

Spud sighed. "My father just sacrificed himself to save us all. I don't grief my father's death I honor it." He solemnly said. "He showed courage and saved us all. His death shouldn't be remembered as a day of grief but a day of celebration. He forced the Huntsclan of the Isle we should be thankful for his decision."

These were moments Jake simply didn't understand Spud. he could be such an idiot at times but then again so brilliant and caring. Jake looked how he tried to sooth his mother, not showing his own grief. Jake doesn't need someone to tell him, his friend would become a great wizard.

Jake sat there for a few minutes as he got up. "If you need anything just call me, okay?"

Spud nodded not looking away from his mother who was still crying.

Jake left the apartment and headed for his own. He entered and saw his dad sitting on the couch shaking with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Dad, everything alright?" Jake asked worried.

"I just went outside." His dad said staring of in the distance. "All those people. I will never forget that image again. Never. The worst part it could have been one of us."

"It's war dad. People die." Jake somberly said.

Jonathon shook his head. "This isn't war Jacob. I've seen war I was in the service for a few years. I never saw this kind of slaughter."

There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it." Jake said as he walked to the door.

He opened it and as he did a duffle bag was thrown in his face. "Get your stuff." Ace said as he walked in without a invitation.

Jake dropped the duffle bag "Why?"

"Council orders. You're in my team now. So you have no choice."

"But I never volunteered for your team." Jake said to Ace

Ace turned and grabbed Jake by his shoulder.

"You did when you asked me to train you." He said as he looked into the boys eyes. "And besides you don't get in the team by volunteering but you get selected. Now get your stuff."

"But what about my parents?" Jake asked as he picked up the duffle bag.

"You will only sleep with us you can still see them. In your free time."

Jake told his parents what the council ordered. They were reluctant at first but after some explaining from Ace they agreed.

"This is us." Ace said as they arrived at the quarters. "You've already met Aurora. The woman in the back is Marlijn Verdijk our Intel specialist."

Marlijn turned and gave Jacob a nod Aurora smiled at him.

"Guys, Jacob here is our new squad member. Time for some hazing." He mischievously smiled.

"Oh no I heard about hazing I am not going to do anything I don't want." Jake said as he backs off.

Ace raised his eyebrow. "We are only going to drink till you drop. Nothing else."

"I am like sixteen I am not allowed to drink." Jake stated.

Ace looked around the room. "Not like anyone is going to rat on us. come on just a few."

"I don't know. I shouldn't be drinking."

"Killjoy." Aurora said as she plopped on her bed. "The big American dragon scared for some liquor?"

"No but what if my mom finds out."

Aurora laughed. "Marlijn, are you going to tell his mom?"

Without looking Marlijn shook her head.

"You Ace?"

Ace also shook his head. "Come on drink with us."

"Well…" Jake hesitated. "A few wouldn't mind I think."

A half an hour had past and Aurora and Ace dragged Jake to his bed and dropped him on it.

"I have never seen a boy down a bottle of scotch like that." Ace said astounded." I hope we have enough aspirin. He's going to have a major headache tomorrow. "

"He sure will." Aurora smiled. "What did the council tell you?"

"You know that's classified, Aurora." Ace replied.

"So? That never stopped you before."

"I don't want to talk about it." Ace waved her off and walked away to his own bed.

"You've changed Ace." Aurora said to no one in particular.

End of chapter

Hope you liked it. I think the story will be longer than thirty chapters at the moment. There will be a chapter where we will jump a few years into the future how do you call it a flash forward? I dunno.

Onej6