Jake Long III (Season Five)
Chapter/Episode Two: Fu of the School
The rest of the summer had been pretty uneventful. September had arrived, and now, there was light raining at the Island of Draco. Inside the cafeteria, Lin-Lin and Regan were seated together, eating lunch.
As Regan took her fork out of her mouth, she noticed that Lin-Lin wasn't eating her food, instead she just used her fork to play with it. Frowning, Regan set down her fork. "You want to talk about it?" She asked.
A barely audible gasp came from Lin-Lin before she lifted her head up. "What?" She asked.
"Something is clearly bothering you." Regan rested her chin on her hand. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm sure you could guess my problem." Lin-Lin muttered.
"Jake."
"Yeah." Lin-Lin told her. "He's just so angry. And not only that, but it's directed at me." She sighed. "He wants an exciting life, but the fact that the Dragon Council hasn't given us anything to do in months really makes it hard for me to prove to him my argument that being an assistant Dragon Council Agent is no different than being an actual Dragon Council Agent." She sighed again. "I guess I can't blame him. I got him into this."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." Regan offered her a smile.
"I don't need to be, when Jake is." Lin-Lin confided. "I don't know what to do."
Regan said nothing for a few seconds before she sighed. "I don't know what to tell you, Regan." She said honestly. "Unless there is a mission that the Dragon Council can send you on, I don't know how you can possibly change his mind."
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, as the rain started to get harder, Fu Dog was inside the Main Hall, standing before Holly, Asil, Yara, Agata and Dingane, who were all seated at their table. "Tomorrow..." Holly began. "...You will start attending school so that you can earn a new license."
"Hooray." Fu said unenthusiastically.
"The school officials will tell you everything that you need to know." Asil told him.
"Uh-huh." Fu replied, trying to not sound too conspicuous. "And, uh, will I get some...dragons that can, uh, help me out?"
"Aw, yes." Asil replied. "Dragon Harris told us that you would like some protection."
"She did?" Fu asked.
"Yes, she did." Asil said. "While we currently have not selected your bodyguards, when you come here tomorrow, I will have them ready for you. Then, I will take you to the school."
"Sounds great." Fu tried to sound optimistic. "I just hope you get good ones..." He muttered.
LINE BREAK
A short time later, both Lin-Lin and Regan were running towards the Main Hall, trying to get there as fast as they could so that they wouldn't get too wet, using their hands over their heads as substitute umbrellas. "Did we have to do this now?" Lin-Lin complained.
"Yes." Regan replied.
"We couldn't wait until the rain stops?"
"You want a mission to be sent on, don't you?" Regan asked.
Seconds later, Regan and Lin-Lin reached the open doors to the Main Hall, lowering their hands from their heads as soon as they stopped. "Okay." Regan put her hand on Lin-Lin's shoulder, turning her head to the side. "Go on in and work your magic."
"You're not coming in with me?" Lin-Lin turned her head to the side to look at Regan.
"Nope." Regan smiled. "I'm going back inside where it's dry. I'm wishing you luck, though." She finished as she took her hand off of Lin-Lin's shoulder. Then, she turned and ran, leaving Lin-Lin alone.
Sighing, Lin-Lin stepped into the Main Hall, where she found a seated Holly and a standing Councilor Asil talking as they went through a stack of papers. "All of our Agents are qualified to protect Fu Dog." Asil said. "Just pick one."
"Ahem." Lin-Lin said as she stopped in front of the large table, making both Holly and Asil lift their heads up.
"Someone needs protecting?" Lin-Lin asked.
"Yes, Agent Clark." Holly said.
"I take it..." Lin-Lin smiled, rocking back and forth on her feet. "...You haven't chosen a Dragon Council Agent for the job, yet."
"Are you trying to tell us that you want the job, Agent Clark?" Asil asked.
"My assistant wants the job."
Gasping, Holly's eyes widened, a smile appearing on her face. "Yes." Holly said, making Lin-Lin smile with relief. "Yes, yes. Jake. Yes. He's perfect." Holly turned her head to the side as she looked at Asil. Quickly, she then turned her head back to normal so she could look at Lin-Lin. "Yes, Fu Dog knows Jake. You two would be perfect."
"Excellent!" Lin-Lin said. "Thank you, Councilors."
"Be here tomorrow at 7 AM sharp." Asil told her.
"Yes, sir." Lin-Lin replied.
BLACKOUT; PLAY THEME SONG
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
Later that night, after the rain had stopped, leaving only wet streets, Agent Junie Horrocks swooped down and landed in front of the McClellan home. Reverting to her human form, she started to walk up the steps to the front porch. As soon as she reached the porch, she quickly knocked on the front door twice.
Pulling her hand away, Junie took a step back and put her hands on her hips, waiting. A few seconds later, the front door opened, Gussie, dressed in Carolina Blue-colored sweatpants and a dark blue tanktop, stepped outside. Seeing Junie, Gussie blinked in surprise.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Gussie, who's there?" Came the shout of Lucile from somewhere in the house.
"It's that Junie girl that's been seeing Rodney!" Gussie called, turning her head to the side briefly before she turned her attention back to Junie, who looked embarrassed.
"Um, yeah..." Junie said.
"What are you doing here?" Gussie asked.
"Rodney and I made plans for dinner about a week ago." Junie said.
"You did?" Gussie asked, crossing her arms. "He never told us."
"He didn't?"
"No, he didn't." Then, Gussie sighed. "Look, I'm sorry Junie, but he can't go out for dinner tonight."
"W...Why not?" Junie asked.
"Because he's sick." Gussie lowered her arms to her sides.
"Sick?" Junie asked. "Like...Like a cold?"
"No, worse." Gussie said, just as her mother, dressed in her at-home clothes, stepped out of the house as well, making Gussie step to the side.
"Hello, Junie." Lucile said softly.
"How sick is Rodney?" Junie asked.
"I'm surprised he never told you." Gussie said.
"Told me what?" Junie asked.
"That Rodney has bad kidneys." Lucile said. "He's very sick."
By now, there was a look of horror on Junie's face. "Is...Is there anything you can do for him?"
"Not really." Lucile said sadly. "The boy is stubborn. He hates hospitals."
"Can...Can I see him?"
"Sorry, Junie." Lucile said. "He's too weak to see visitors. Right now, he's fast asleep. Of course, we will be sure to tell him that you came by when he's feeling better."
LINE BREAK
The next morning, on the Island of Draco, Lin-Lin led Jake III to the Main Hall. A smile on her face, Lin-Lin turned her head to the side to look at Jake, who had a frown on his face. "Oh, come on, Jake." Lin-Lin put a hand on his shoulder, shaking it to get Jake riled up. However, this failed and Jake simply just pulled himself away, turning his head to the side.
"Stop it!" He ordered.
"Come on." Lin-Lin continued. "Aren't you excited? It's something to do!"
"You haven't even told me what we're going to be doing." Jake growled as he turned his head back to normal.
"Well..." Lin-Lin turned her head back to normal as well. "...Now, you're about to find out."
Seconds later, the two entered the Main Hall, where they found Fu Dog, the dragon-formed Asil and the human-formed Holly. "Jake?" Fu asked.
"Aw..." Asil said. "...Good to see that you are on time."
"Fu Dog..." Holly said with a smile as Lin-Lin and Jake stopped in front of them. "...Meet your bodyguards."
"I honestly have no idea what this is about." Jake said, putting his hands on his hips. "Namely because somebody never told me what this is about." He turned his head to the side, glaring at Lin-Lin.
"Relax, Jake." Holly said, making Jake turn his head back to normal. "Fu Dog got into some trouble with the Magical Mafia." She explained. "Your job is simple. You are his bodyguards while he goes to school in order to get a new Animal Guardian license."
"Where is this school?" Lin-Lin asked.
"Good question, sister." Fu replied.
"Do not worry about that." Asil said. "I will be taking you there."
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, inside the cafeteria, Junie was sitting alone, her head buried in her arms. Unbeknownst to Junie, Gussie walked up to the table, stopping to stare at her. "Junie?" She asked after a few seconds, making Junie lift her head up. "Can I talk to you?" Gussie asked.
"Sure." Junie said, allowing Gussie to sit down across from her. "What do you want to talk to me about?"
"Rodney."
"What about him?"
"He wants to talk to you."
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, Asil and Lin-Lin, with Jake III on her back and Fu Dog on Asil's, swooped down and landed in front of the school that Fu Dog was to attend. "Here we are." Asil said, pointing at the school as Fu Dog hopped off of his back and Jake hopped off of Lin-Lin's, Lin-Lin reverting to her human form.
Staring at the school, Fu could see that it looked just like any ordinary school building. The only difference was that it had a purple and green banner on it, with the school's name on it: The Animal Guardian's Academy. On each side of the banner was the head of a dog sketched out. On the left side, there was the head of a Picardy Spaniel, and on the right side, there was the head of a Wirehaired Vizsla.
"Come." Asil said as he started to walk forward, Lin-Lin starting to follow him. "The principal of the school is expecting you, Fu Dog."
After a few seconds, Fu Dog and Jake started to follow them.
LINE BREAK
A middle-aged man sat a desk in his office with a name tag that read "Mr. Dianuga" on his desk. On each side of his desk lied two dogs on large bed/pillows; the one on the right side of the desk was a male Picardy Spaniel, while the one on the right was a female Wirehaired Vizsla. Hearing a knock at his door, Dianuga smiled. "Yes?" He asked.
"It's Councilor Asil." Came the sound of Asil's voice. "I have Fu Dog with me."
"Very good." Dianuga's smile widened. "Bring him in."
A second later, Councilor Asil opened the door and walked inside, Fu at his side while Lin-Lin and Jake III followed after them. As the four walked into the room, both the Wirehaired Vizsla and the Picardy Spaniel lifted their heads up. Finally, Asil, Fu Dog, Lin-Lin and Jake stopped in a line in front of the desk.
"Aw..." Dianuga put a hand to his chin. "...I was only expecting you and Fu Dog, Councilor."
"They're my bodyguards." Fu said.
"Bodyguards?" Dianuga asked. "What do you need bodyguards for?"
"It's a long story and doesn't really matter." Fu Dog shrugged off the question.
"If you say so." Dianuga took his hand away from his chin. "Councilor, how about you?"
"Actually..." Asil took a step back. "...I believe that I am no longer needed. I should get back to the Island of Draco. I'll let you explain everything to Fu Dog yourself."
Dianuga smiled. "Very well." He said. "Thank you for bringing him to me, Councilor."
Nodding his head, Asil then turned and left, leaving Lin-Lin, Jake and Fu Dog alone with the Principal of the school. Grunting, Fu Dog hopped up onto Dianuga's desk, making it so that they could talk face-to-face.
"So, how does this school work, exactly?" Fu asked him.
"It's quite simple." Dianuga said. "You will be paired up with three dragons. After you get to know them, you will be tested three times, one test with each dragon. The dragon you work best with will be the dragon that gets you as his or her Animal Guardian."
"Will I need to study for this test?" Fu asked.
"Fu Dog..." Jake muttered, rolling his eyes as Lin-Lin turned her head to the side to look at him.
"The only studying you will need to do..." Dianuga smiled. "...Will be to get to know your three partners."
"So, who are they?" Fu asked.
LINE BREAK
Nayeli Rodrigo, in her human form, sat in a rather small waiting room, her arms crossed as she stared at the two girls who were sitting in the two chairs across from her. One had short blonde hair and wore a pair of jeans and an Electric Ultramarine-colored running shirt. The other had long black hair and wore a white sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. Both were reading magazines. Both were about Nayeli's age.
As Nayeli sighed and put the back of her head against the wall, the girl with the white sweatshirt lowered her magazine, staring at Nayeli. Nayeli quickly noticed and pulled her head away from the wall. "What?" She asked.
"You have a name?" The girl with the white sweatshirt asked with a smile as the girl with the Electric Ultramarine-colored shirt lowered her magazine.
"Nayeli." Nayeli responded.
"How about you?" The girl with the white sweatshirt turned her head to the other girl.
"Shae." The girl said, closing the magazine. "Man, what a boring magazine." She tossed it to the floor. "How about you? What's your name?" She turned her head to the side to look at the White sweatshirt girl.
"Encarna." The girl smiled.
"Interesting name." Shae said as Encarna turned her head back to normal.
At that moment, the door to the room opened, making Nayeli turn her head to the side so she could see Dianuga walk inside, followed by Fu Dog, Jake III and Lin-Lin.
"And here they are, Fu." Dianuga said as he and the others stopped so that they could see all three of the girls. "Fu Dog, may I introduce Encarna Arquette, Shae Garland and Nayeli Rodrigo."
"Hey." Fu greeted them all.
"Girls, this is Fu Dog." Dianuga told the three girls. "One of you will get him as your Animal Guardian. So, introduce yourselves. Get acquainted. Become friends."
"What kind of dog is he?" Shae asked.
"Sharpei." Jake replied.
"Now, if you girls would stand up and follow me..." Dianuga continued, smiling. "...I'll show Fu Dog to the room where he will be staying until it is determined whose Animal Guardian he will be."
BLACKOUT; COMMERCIAL BREAK
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
Meanwhile, Gussie and Junie swooped down in front of the McClellan home. While Gussie landed on the steps, Junie landed behind her, on the sidewalk. Reverting to her human form, Gussie turned her head to the side to look at Junie. "You ready?" She asked.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Junie replied.
"I'll take you to his room." Gussie said, turning her head back to normal before she started to walk up the steps to the front porch and the front door. Reverting to her human form as well, Junie followed her up the steps. As soon as Junie reached the porch, Gussie opened the front door and stepped inside, Junie following.
LINE BREAK
Back at The Animal Guardian's Academy, Principal Dianuga opened the door to one of the dorm-rooms and turned so that his back was to the door, allowing Jake III, Lin-Lin, Shae, Encarna, Nayeli and finally, Fu Dog, into the room. The room was nothing special; only a bed near the window, a desk near the bed and a closet at the side of the room.
As soon as they were all in the room, the principal smiled as he stepped away from the door, watching as Fu, Jake, Lin-Lin, Nayeli, Encarna and Shae all turned to face him. "Well, this is the room." Dianuga said. "What do you think?"
"It'll do." Fu said.
"Good." Dianuga took a step back. "Well, I'll leave you all to get acquainted with one another." Then, he left, closing the door behind himself.
Quickly, Fu turned to face the bed. "The bed's mine!" He claimed before he leapt up and jumped onto the bed, slowly turning to face the others before he lied down like a dog usually does. "So, can I get your names again?"
"Encarna." Encarna repeated.
"Shae." Shae repeated.
"Nayeli." Nayeli repeated.
"Good." Fu smiled. "I don't need to know your last names. Heck, if I forget your names after the second time you told me them, I'll just resort to calling you 'Kid 1', 'Kid 2' and 'Kid 3'."
"We'll just remind you again." Shae offered.
"If you say so." Fu replied. "Hey, can any of you three tell me one thing, though?"
"We can try." Encarna offered.
"What was with those dog heads on the school banner outside?" Fu asked, lowering his voice, almost as if he were a schoolgirl taking part in a session of gossiping. "That was weird enough, but then I saw two similar dogs in the office of the principal. Did you notice that?"
"Yeah." Shae answered.
"Good, it's not just me." Fu said.
"We noticed that too, Fu Dog." Jake crossed his arms.
"Is there a reason for that?" Fu raised an eye.
"Sure." Encarna said.
"Oh." Fu smiled. "Do you know what the reason is?"
"They're Lime and Pixel." Shae said.
"Who and who?" Fu asked.
"Lime and Pixel." Encarna repeated. "The school mascots."
"This school has a mascot?" Fu asked.
"Two of them." Encarna said.
"But why?" Fu asked.
"They give the school funding." Shae explained. "No one knows how they do it, but they manage it. Every month."
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, back at the McClellan home, Junie and Gussie stopped at Rodney's closed bedroom door. As Junie took a deep breath, Gussie turned her head to the side. "Are you ready to see him?" She asked.
"I already told you." Junie repeated her same answer from outside.
"Alright." Gussie said as she turned her head back to normal. Then, she knocked three times against the wooden door. "Rodney?" Gussie called as she pulled her hand away. "Rodney, are you awake in there?"
"Yeah!" Came the weak, but audible response from Gussie's older brother.
Gussie smiled. "Well, you've got a visitor waiting to see you!"
"Bring her in!"
"You got it!" Gussie finished before she stepped forward and opened the door, walking in with Junie following her. As Gussie stayed behind and closed the door, Junie walked over to the bed, seeing Rodney lying on his back.
Moaning, Rodney opened his eyes to look up at Junie, Gussie walking up to her side. "Glad you could come." Rodney croaked.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Junie asked him. "Why didn't you tell me that you are so sick?"
"Must have slipped my mind?"
"Not good enough." Junie's voice cracked as she shook her head.
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, back at the Animal Guardian's Academy, Fu Dog continued to lie on his bed, while Jake III and Lin-Lin had pulled two chairs out of the closet and were now sitting in them, Jake's arms crossed.
Smiling, Lin-Lin turned her head to the side and put a hand on Jake's shoulder. "Exciting?" She asked him.
"Not really." Jake muttered.
"Why not?" Lin-Lin asked, her smile now gone. "You're on a mission. You should be excited."
"Some mission." Jake turned his head to the side to look at her. "For this mission, I get to sit around and do nothing. That's pretty much what I've been doing on the Island of Draco for the last couple of months. It's just as boring and just as unfulfilling." He finished as he turned his head back to normal, spotting Nayeli, Shae and Encarna standing at the window. "Hmm..." Jake lowered his arms.
"What?" Lin-Lin asked, turning her head back to normal so that she was looking at the girls, just like Jake.
"Alright, Jake." Smiling again, Lin-Lin turned her head back to the side again, putting a hand on Jake's shoulder. "You want to do something exciting? Let's do something exciting."
"What?" Jake asked monotonously.
"Let's play a game." Lin-Lin suggested. "Which one of those girls do you think Fu Dog will work best with?"
"Seriously?" Jake asked. "How about we don't." Then, he stood up from his chair and walked over to the window, leaving Lin-Lin all by herself.
Seconds later, Jake stopped near the window, the three girls having no clue that he was behind them. "Ahem." Jake cleared his throat, making the three girls turn to face him. "Hi." Jake said, staring directly at Nayeli.
Nayeli seemed to notice, for she crossed her arms and asked: "What?"
"Do I know you?" Jake pointed at her. "You look familiar."
"I don't know." Nayeli said as Encarna and Shae both looked at her.
"I think I've seen you before." Jake persisted.
"It's possible." Nayeli replied.
"Wait!" Jake's eyes widened with realization. "Yes! I think I do recognize you! You're the girl that I rescued from my Aunt Haley's daughters!"
"Oh." Nayeli's eyes widened as she recalled the incident, finally recognizing Jake. "Oh, yeah. You did. Yeah, I remember you."
From behind them, Fu Dog got to his feet and turned around on the bed so that he could see Jake talking to the three girls. "Hey." Fu said, making Jake turn his head to the side as Fu lied back down. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, Fu Dog." Jake said as he turned his head back to normal.
"Good." Fu grinned. "So, that means that the kids can come over here for a second."
"What do you need them for, Fu Dog?" Jake asked, turning around as Encarna, Nayeli and Shae all walked over to the side of the bed.
"It's between us and only us." Fu replied as Shae, Encarna and Nayeli reached the side of the bed. "So, kids...do you think you could do me a favor?"
"What would you like?" Shae asked.
"Can you three show me what you look like as dragons?" Fu asked.
"Um, why?" Nayeli asked.
"I just want to see your dragon forms." Fu said. "That's all."
"All at once?" Shae asked.
"Sure." Fu told them.
From near the window, Jake watched as the three girls morphed into their dragon forms in three bright lights. Shae was an Electric Ultramarine-colored dragon, while Encarna was an Apple Green-colored dragon with an Azure-colored left arm and two rings of Cerulean-colored triangles on her right, one on her upper arm, and one around her wrist.
"Are you happy now, Fu Dog?" Encarna asked.
"Sure." Fu said before he lowered his head back down. "Thanks for that. So, do any of you know when I'm going to be tested?"
LINE BREAK
Back at the McClellan home, Gussie and Junie were both seated at the counter. Across the counter, and also in her human form, was Lucile, who had a sad smile on her face as she filled up three glasses with soda from a bottle.
After pouring both glasses, Lucile sighed as she set the bottle down, putting the cap back on. "Here you go." She said, pushing the cups over to the two girls.
"Thanks." Junie said glumly as she took the cup, Gussie doing the same. The only difference between the two girls was that, while Junie just sadly stared at the soda, Gussie quickly started to drink hers.
After drinking half of her soda, Gussie set down on the counter, quietly burping. "Gussie." Her mother scorned her as she took the soda bottle and walked away from the counter. "Manners!"
"Sorry, Mom." Gussie said before she turned her head to the side so she could look at Junie, who was still staring at the soda, almost as if she was in a trance. "Junie?" She asked, jolting Junie's attention from the cup and making her turn her head to the side, both girls looking into each other's eyes.
"Yes?" Junie asked.
"You okay?"
"Does it look like I'm okay?" Junie asked before she turned her attention back to her soda. She sighed.
"Not really." Gussie said.
"Well, after all..." Junie said sarcastically. "...I only have a romantic interest in a dragon who's chronically ill. No big deal there."
Gussie frowned. "Try having him as your brother."
Junie sighed again. "I just don't know how I can make a commitment like this."
"Excuse me?" Gussie asked.
"Look at him." Junie said, turning her head to the side again as she set her cup down on the counter. "Look how sick he is. I can't put up with that all the time. I can't deal with it. It can only end with heartbreak."
"Well-" Gussie tried, but Junie cut her off.
"Your brother's a nice guy." Junie said. "I like him, but I don't think I can get serious with someone with a condition like this. If I get serious, and I get attached, it won't end well. It will only end with me having a broken heart."
"Well..." Gussie, now seated in her chair so that she was facing Junie's side, took her cup off of the counter. "...Like I said, try having him as your brother." She took a sip of soda. "You don't see me backing away from my brother just out of the fear of being emotionally hurt."
"You're his sister." Junie turned her head back to normal. "You're all family. You don't have a choice."
"True." Gussie took another sip of soda before she set her cup back down on the counter. "But do you?"
"Of course I do." Junie said, turning her head back to the side. "At the moment, I'm considering the choice of keeping my distance from him."
"I'm probably sounding like some sappy romantic dramedy..." Gussie said. "...But you like him, right? So, wouldn't that be breaking your heart as well?"
Junie said nothing.
"Not to mention..." Gussie picked up her cup again. "...You'd be hurting him. Look, Junie. We don't know how long Rodney will live. It could be five years, or it could be fifty years. Sure, the former might be less likely, but we just don't know. And even if he only lives for another five years, wouldn't the memories of a strong built relationship be all worth it. You know, quality over quantity."
Junie said nothing. She just blinked.
"You don't have to listen to me." Gussie shrugged. "After all, I'm just a pre-teen girl. I'd just think that if you like him, you'd be willing to overlook his illness and see if you can actually start something special with him." She took a sip of her soda. "Does that make sense?"
Blinking again, Junie said nothing for a few seconds. Finally, she croaked: "Yeah. I guess it does..."
BLACKOUT; END EPISODE
A/N: Please review.