Chapter 191: Da Big Apple Part 4: The Scarab
At Rotwoods home, the professor was dipping an ancient tablet into a caldron of bubbling green liquid looking excited as he was beginning to pull it out of the cauldron.
"At last!" Rotwood said. "Scientific log, I will not decipher the mystical text of the lost aztec tablet of Monterubia. It reads-"
"Ay yo, open up!" Trixie shouted as she and spud banged on his garage door, making the teacher drop the tablet and causing it to shatter, which infuriated him. "What up, what up!? You in there Mr. Rotwood!?"
"It's Professor Rotwood!?" He shouted as he opend the garage door. "Now, what is it you hoodlums want?"
"We're here to get paid." Trixie replied as she held up the flier.
"Oh no, no, no, no." Rotwood replied. "No more con jobs and hoaxes from you little swindlers. Now go on, shoo, go away."
"Alright, professor." Trixie replied. "Guess we'll be taking this genuine dragon elsewhere." She then grabbed Jake's tail, pulling him to where the professor could see him as they pretended to leave, making his jaw drop open. "Come on Spud."
"Wait, achtung, stop!" Rotwood said, seeing the dragon in front of him. "That... that... that's a dragon. A real dragon!"
"Well heck yeah, isn't that what you asked for?" Trixie asked.
"That's about as much proof as you're going to get." Spud said. "Now cough up the cashola."
"Yes, yes, I'm coughing, I'm coughing!" Rotwood said. "I'll go get the five hundred dollars."
"Hold up prof." Trixie said. "We just delivered you a whole live dragon right to your front door. You're going to need to cough up more bucks than that."
"Shall we open up negotiations?" Spud asked, annoying the professor.
As they were discussing the price for Jake while in his dragon form, Spyro was overhead watching the whole thing, but knew he couldn't do much or else he'd risk being spotted himself, deciding to retreat and regroup with Lao Shi to come up with a plan to not only save Jake, but to get ride of the professor without doing any harm. After discussing a price with Spud and Trixie, Rotwood got into a hazard suit and approached the cage where he was holding Jake, grabbing some water and splashing it on Jake, waking him up.
"Wakey wakey Mr. Dragon." Rotwood said. "Scientific log, success at last. I have managed to acquire a live magical creature."
"What the, where am I?" Jake asked.
"It appears this creature has some form of intelligence and the ability to communicate with human beings. I have managed to contain him in a special reinforcd armored car of my design." Jake then tried to break out, trying to destroy the vehicle. "The specimen possesses incredible strength and the ability to fly, but the legend of dragons being able to breath fire and all these things hold no factual AAH!" He then ducked as Jake sent a fireball at him, spooking the professor as he got up. "Uh, strike that last part." Jake then hit the recorder with another fireball, sending a storm of fire at his professor as he ducked for cover. "Enough with the fire!" He then pressed a button on his desk, making a glass panel go over the bars, so Jake tried to break the glass and even melt it, but the glass was imperviuos to flames and strength, trapping him completely. As for Rotwood, he ended up getting a call on his personal line and answered it to see who it was. "What? What do you want? Oh yes, bring all your TV cameras. I will be unveiling my discovery in exactly two hours at a press conference."
Meanwhile at Jake's residence, Trixie and Spud followed Haley into the house all the way to Jake's room.
"Oh Jakey, you home baby?" Trixie asked.
"Looks like he's not here." Spud said.
"Man, where is that boy?" Trixie asked. "We need to tell him we have enough for the vase and more! We could get new skateboards and all that!"
"Maybe he went to rob an art museum." Spud said, sitting on Jake's laptop and turning it on. "Or went on a reality tv show to get the money."
"Wait Spud, look." Trixie said. They both looked at Jake's laptop and saw the dragon they had just given to Rotwood, but as they looked, they saw that the dragon was actually Jake, horrifying them. "I don't believe it."
"I don't believe it either." Spud said. "And I son't even know what I'm seeing."
"Jake... Jake was... oh no." Trixie said. "It can't be."
"It is." Spyro said, walking in to address them. "The dragon you just sold to Rotwood was your best friend, Jake Long."
"Who are you?" Trixie asked.
"I'm Spyro." He replied. "A fellow dragon and friend of Jakes."
"Wait, so if you're a dragon, why don;t you look like one?" Spud asked.
"Dragons can take on human form to blend in with the human population." Spyro replied. "It's the job of all dragons to protect the magical world and nonmagical world alike. To keep it safe, we must remain hidden from humans and not expose our presence to anyone. Including our friends and sometimes family."
"So wait, is haley a dragon as well?" Trixie asked.
"She is." Spyro replied. "Though she's only just discovering her powers, she is still a dragon."
"And his mom and dad?" Trixie asked.
"His father is a regulat human." Spyro replied. "His mother comes from a long line of dragons, but it skipped her generation."
"Oh, this is all our fault." Trixie said. "We have to go save Jake! We have to return the money and-"
"No, Rotwood won't waste time trying to reveal the existence of Magical creatures and the magical world." Spyro replied. "We definitely need to free him, but we'll need help. We must go to his grandfather, Lao Shi. He might have an idea on what we need can do."
"Hey yeah, he just might." Trixie said. "Besides, that whole need to help his gramps kind of thing at the shop makes perfect sense."
At the shop, Lao Shi and Fu were in the back while Rarity was doing her hair in the mirror, Rainbow Dash was talking with Yang while Fluttershy was with Fu, who was reading a newspaper while waiting for Spyro to return.
"So, is anybody hungry?" Fu asked. "Because I know a great Mexacin restaurant that has some good food."
A moment later, SPyro came into the back of the shop, followed closely by Trixie and Spud, which Fu got rid of the newspaper and tried to act like a regular dog.
"Guys, we've got a serious problem." Spyro said.
"Darn straight we got a problem." Trixie said. "Sorry for barging in like this, but we're friends of Jake-"
"He is not here right now." Lao Shi said.
"He's a dragon, isn't he?" Trixie asked, Lao Shi pretending to laugh to try and pretend he didn't know what they were talking about.
"A... a dragon?" Lao Shi asked. "Oh, you have some wild imagination. It's like a fly in the rain."
"Lao Shi, drop the act, they know." Spyro said. "They found photos of Jake changing into a dragon. And they figured out that you're one as well."
"Geez, that complicates things." Fu said.
"That dog just talked!" Trixie shouted. "Wait, aren;t you the puppet Jake used for the talent show some time back?"
"Talent show?" Spyro asked.
"You must understand, Jake's identity is a secret." Lao Shi said. "As is Spyro's and his friends."
"Wait, his friends?" Trixie asked, looking at the girls. "So they're not your grandkids or something?"
"No, we're not related." Rainbow Dash said.
"Not by family at least." Rarity replied. "By herd, definitely."
"Herd?" Spud asked.
"Long story." Spyro replied. "These are my friends, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Yang, and... wait, where's Jade?"
"She's upstairs cleaning her revolvers." Yang replied.
"Revolvers!?" Trixie asked. "Dude, what kinda friends do you have that needs a gun!?"
"The kind that fights monsters on a daily basis." Spyro replied.
"So are Rarity and the others dragons as well?" Spud asked.
"Oh no dear, I'm a unicorn." Rarity replied.
"Funny, you don't look like one." Trixie said.
"That's because of the spell I used on her." Spyro replied. "On all my friends to help them blend in."
Spyro snapped his fingers and a moment later, the three Equestrians started to glow, magic swirling around them as they returned to their normal forms, Rarity flicking her mane while Rainbow Dash zoomed around, leaving a rainbow trail behind as she flew while Fluttershy just stood there, looking sheepishly at Trixie and Spud while they both looked at them in shock and confusion.
"Man, and I thought nothing else could surprise me today." Spud said.
"Trust me, you should see what Spyro looks like back in our home." Rainbow Dash said. "He literally turns heads."
"Ok, moving past that, how are we going to free Jake from Rotwood?" Trixie asked.
"Well, we can't go breaking him out in broad daylight, otherwise there would be videos and photos of dragons all over the internet." Spyro said. "And it would only solidify Rotwoods claims of mystical creatures living among the people. We need to discredit him."
"That won't be easy though." Fu said. "Jake's in his dragon form and it's more than likely Rotwood called the media so he could show Jake off as a dragon. He'll probably take him to the science institute to shwo him to the world."
As soon as Fu said that, Spyro had an idea pop in his head, looking to the dog with happiness.
"That's it!" Spyro said. "Fu, you just gave me one of the best ideas in existence!"
"What idea is that?" Fu asked.
"Follow me and I'll explain." Spyro replied.
He then snapped his fingers and turned the ponies back into humans, muchy to their dismay as they all followed him out of the shop and into the streets. At the science institute, Rotwood got there early to get set up as the camera crews started to roll in, everyone awaiting Rotwoods latest discovery, but as they were getting set up, Spyro appeared from the shadows with Trixie and Spud, all three sneaking over to the door where Jake was waiting for them.
"Trixie?" Jake asked. "Spud? Un, I mean..."
"Jake, they know." Spyro said.
"They do?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, and we're gonna get you out of there." Spud said.
"Look, I appreciate it, but Rotwoods got this think built like a tank." Jake said. "You need to get out of here."
"Not without you bud." Spud said.
"Yeah, friends for life, and friends for real." Trixie said. "Now listen Jake, we got a plan to get you out."
"But how?" Jake asked.
"Turn back to your human form." Spyro replied.
"Are you crazy!?" Jake asked. "Rotwood and the reporters will see me as human!"
"Exactly." Spyro replied. "Rotwood saw you as a dragon, but the news crew haven't. Once he opens the cage, it'll look like he was holding a kid prisoner and he'll not only be discredited, but jailed as well."
"Oh, now I get it." Jake said. "Good thinking."
"Uh oh, here comes old toupee now." Trixie said.
"Jake, quick." Spyro said, pushing a dragon head into the truck. "Here, put this on as well. It'll help."
The three of them ducked away to avoid being spotted as the teacher and the crew came around to the back of the truck to unveil Jake in his dragon form.
"And now it is time to change the very course of human history and science!" Rotwood said. "And to do that, it will be with this one startling revelation!" He then opend the door to reveal to the news crew the dragon. "Behold, the dragon."
"Hey professor, can I take this thing off yet?" Jake asked, shocking everyone as he took the head off. "Oh hey, what's cracking yo?"
"Wait, you!?" Rotwood asked. "What have you done with my dragon!?" A second later, the news crew left, all annoyed with the professor for wasting their time. "Wait, don't go! There was a real dragon in the back of the truck. A big red and yellow one with yellow eyes! It's true!" They didn't listen as they all walked away, but a couple of police officers were starring at the teacher, clearly having heard of there being a kid in the back of his vehicle. "This is a misundrstanding! This boy is just one of my retched students!"
"Wait, he's your student?" An officer asked as both approached.
"Congratulations, you played yourself." Spyro said, which Trixie and Spud both snickered.
"Sir, we're going to need to have you come down with us to explain why you have him locked up in the back of a truck." The officer said.
They then took him to their police cruiser as the teacher tried to explain himself as they put him into the back while Spyro, Trixie and Spud came out of hiding, walking over to Jake as he hopped out of the back of the truck.
"Thanks guys." Jake said. "I owe you one."
"Hey, no sweat Jake." Trixie said. "Anything for a friend."
A while later, it was getting late and everyone, but Trixie and Spud were at Lao Shi's shop, in the back where Fu was making up a potion, putting the final ingrediant in as he poured it into a vial.
"And there you are, one Mind Erase potion." Fu said, shivering as he handed it to Jake. "There was many a morning where I wished I had this."
"So, you want to erase their minds or something?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Not quite." Lao Shi said. "It will only erase the memories of everything magical they have seen today."
"Um, that's a little cruel don't you think?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah G, I can;t do this to them." Jake said. "They're my friends."
"And you are the American dragon." Lao Shi said. "Sometimes, to protect those you care about, they must remain in the dark about what goes on in your life. Besides, the World Dragon Council would never allow it."
"Yeah, so just slip a little of this into their drink and bingo, they'll forget you were ever a dragon." Fu said.
Jake looked depressed about having to erase his friends memories, walking out of the store and to his skateboard as Spyro ran after him, snapping his fingers and summoning a board of his own and going after him.
"You think you can do it Jake?" Spyro asked.
"Honestly, I don't know Spyro." Jake replied. "They're my friends and I don't like keeping secrets from them. What would you do in this situation?"
"Honestly, there were many times I could reverse what happened and keep my friends out of the dangers of my life." Spyro replied. "But what I have learned is that secrets and lies only destroy friendships and trust. You just need to follow your heart."
Jake looked at the potion, thinking about what he said as they went to Trixie's place.
"Oh, laddies, there you are." A leprechaun said.
"What is it!?" Jake asked. "Is it the Huntsman!?"
"Can't be, he got hit in the knee." Spyro said.
"Aw, keep yer knickers on laddie." The Leprechaun said. "I just never got the chance to thank ya is all."
He then took a coin out of his pot of gold and tossed it to Jake, who grabbed it in mid air and looked at it, an idea coming to his mind. He went to the store that had the crystal and gave the coin to the store owner, who happily accepted it and bit it to make sure it was real before handing the vase over to Jake. They then took the vase to Trixie's place, putting it in the original spot where the first one was at as Spud brought him a drink.
"Hey, thanks Jake." Trixie said. "Out of all the excitement, I forgot about the crystal."
"Ah, it was nothing." Jake replied. "I used a piece of gold a leprechaun gave me to buy it."
"Hey Jake, even though you're a dragon, we want you to know you'll always be our best friend." Trixie said. "Dragon or not."
"Yeah, even if you were my moms lasagna, you'd still be our best friend." Spud said, both drinking their drinks.
"Yeah, friends for life, friends for real." Trixie said.
They all hit their cups together to drink some more before putting them next to the crystal to get the game started, which Jake took his chance and got the potion out and pulled the cork, but instead of immediately pouring it into their drinks, he paused, looking to his friends before looking tot he potion.
"A true friend will always accept you for who you are, not what you are." Spyro said, Jake remembering what he told him. "What I have learned is that secrets and lies only destroy friendships and trust. You just need to follow your heart."
"Ay yo Jake, you in?" Trixie asked, snapping Jake out of his thoughts. He was about to pour the potion into their drinks, but then poured it into the plant, corking the vial and turning to them.
"Totally." Jake said.
Spyro smiled at Jake for following his heart, knowing he was going to be a good dragon when his bracers went off, alerting him that someone was contacting him, so he pulled out an earplug and put it in his ear to talk with them.
"This is Spyro." Spyro said.
"Spyro, gramps got word that the Huntsman has sent the Huntsgirl and some goon called Xigbar to go after a Scarab Bettle that was recently purchased by the Huntsman from Egypt!" Fu exclaimed, horrifying him. "Get Jake and get to the dock now! The old man and I will meet you there!"
"On it." Spyro said, taking the earpiece out and putting it back in his bracer. "Sorry Jake, funs over. Fu says the Huntsman sent the Huntsgirl and Xigbar to pick up an item he purchased. We need to get to the dock."
"Aw man." Jake said, disappointed.
"Well what you waitin' for!?" Trixie asked. "Get going!"
Jake smiled at his friends, both he and Spyro running out of the house and acitvating their dragon powers to get to the dock. On the dock, Huntsgirl and Xigbar were boarding the cruiser that was carrying the scarab beetle they were looking for, looking at the boxes to try and find it.
"Don't see how me helping you to get some insect will help you to get rid of the dragon and the prince." Xigbar said. "But if it will help me to find the Keyhole, then I'll do it."
"Look, we have a deal and we're sticking to it." Huntsgirl said. "Just because I'm forced to work with you doesn't make us allies."
"Glad to hear that." Spyro said, the Huntsgirl and Xigbar looking to see Spyro, Jake and Lao Shi in the air. "Would hate to think you made this alliance just for Xigbar to destroy your world."
"What?" Huntsgirl asked.
"Nobodies, attack!" Xigbar shouted.
"Girls, now!" Spyro shouted.
As the Nobodies came out of hiding to attack, Spyro's friends came out from behind the boxes and charged towards the Nobodies, Jade firing off a few shots and hitting some Dusks in the head while Rainbow Dash was zipping around, leaving a rainbow trail behind as she slashed through the Nobodies that tried to hit her, but she was too quick for them. Rarity was facing off against a couple of Samurai that were starting to overwhelm her, but Yang came in and slammed into the ground, releasing a wave of yellow flames that pushed them away, giving Rarity some breathing room while Fluttershy was cutting through a few creepers while using the Thunder spell to bring down a storm of lightning upon the Nobodies.
Jake and Lao Shi were flying in the air to provide cover against any Nobodies that began to overwhelm them, spitting out fireballs and streams of fire, hitting the Nobodies while Spyro and Xigbar were duking it out, the Nobody trying to get a clean shot off on Spyro, but with his speed and his armor blocking the bolts from hitting him and dealing any major damage.
"Ugh, I hate that armor." Xigbar said. "Makes this entire thing a lot less fun. Still, I doubt you can withstand this!"
He then leapt into the air, getting to the highest point he could and combined his weapons together to create a massive sniper rifle, aiming for Spyro's head, but his armor fully activated, encasing him in the armor as he fired, nailing him in the head and sending him flying backwards and into a crate, which the Scarab came out of it, everyone stopping to see it.
"The Scarab!" They all shouted.
"Quick, get it!" The huntsgirl said.
Spyro got up, rubbing his head when he saw the scarab scuttling away as the Nobodies went for it, but Rainbow Dash slashed through them, destroying them instantly while Spyro got up to get the beetle, but the Huntsgirl was quicker, diving for the beetle, but the bug slipped out of her hands, landing a little further away as Jake dove for it.
"I got it!" Jake shouted. He tried to grab it, but it flew out of his hands, flying back in the air. "Man, that thing is slicker than grease."
The beetle flew a small distance away and Xigbar saw it, watching as it landed in a bed of dead flowers, but also saw that Yang was going for it, so he switched his target, aiming his rifle at her, but he was then shot in the shoulder, yelling in pain before Jade fired a few more rounds into his chest before getting hit int he head, falling to the ground as Yang landed in front of the scarab, using a jar to get it.
"I got it!" Yang shouted.
"Nice going Yang!" Spyro said, dodging another attack from a Berserker as he punched it, leaving a hole in it's chest and turning to mist. They all disengaged from the fight and ran to Yang to keep her safe, the Huntsgirl attacking Spyro with her spear as he dodged her attack, raising his blade as they faced off. "We really got to stop meeting like this."
"Trust me, this will be the last time!" The Huntsgirl shouted.
She then charged towards him, her staff glowing green as a blade appeared, swinging it to hit him, but he just dodged her, allowing the blade to hit only a couple of times, but the blade had no effect on the armor, not even leaving a scratch on the armor. He then swung the blade, the Huntsgil avoiding the attack, but he got her glove, tearing it off to reveal a dragon mark on her right hand, Spyro seeing it and grinned.
"Nice tattoo." Spyro said. "Get that from the bargain aisle at the super market?"
"It's a birthmark." The Huntsgirl said. "It means that it's my destiny to slay dragons like the Huntsmen and women before me. And you will be my first kill!"
She then changed the weapon into a speay and it charged with green energy, firing several blasts at him, but the armor absorbed the hits, Spyro getting his lightsaber out and deflecting the blast back at her, hitting her in the shoulder and making her yell in pain as he leapt off of the ship and to his friends, holding the blade up to protect them.
"Wait, you had a laser sword this whole time!?" Jade asked. "Dude, now I'm kinda jealous."
"We have no time to waste." Lao Shi said. "We must get the beetle out of here."
"I still don't understand what's so special about this bug." Jake said.
"Yeah, that goes double for me." Rainbow Dash said, everyone walking away.
However, as the Huntsgirl got up holding her shoulder, she watched as the bed full of dead suddenly glowed, returning the plants to life right before her eyes as she watched in amazement.
"It's true." The Huntsgirl said. "The scarab can bring the dead back to life."
"That just makes it all the more valuable." Xigbar said, getting up as the bullet holes healed themselves, the one in his head healing instantly as he smiled. "And all the more interesting."
At the shop, Spyro was looking at the Scarab, checking it out as he made notes of his own when he noticed a dead fly in the jar, not thinking much of it while he kept observing while the others watched him.
"Ok, dude needs to get a hobby." Jade said. "Seriously, doesn;t he have a girlfriend or something."
"He's got eight actually." Rainbow Dash said, everyone looking at her. "And you're looking at three of them."
"Wait, seriously!?" Yang asked. "Wow, didn't see that coming."
"We're apart of his herd." Rarity said. "Meaning a group of mares being with a single stallion."
"And you stay together willingly?" Jade asked. "What, no jealousy or nothing like that?"
"Well, there was this one time myself and Fluttershy were jealous of our friend Applejack for being with him first." Rarity said. "But after their date and we became corrupted, he saved us and our leader made him Herd Leader and we became part of his herd."
"Wow, lucky dude." Jake said. "Man's getting all of the chicks."
"Oh, and it get's better." Rainbow Dash said. "Our friend Applejack is actually going to have his kid."
"Wait, for real!?" Jake asked, looking at him. "Wow dog, you're going to be a father!?"
"Yes, I am." Spyro said, keeping his eyes on the beetle as he took notes. "AJ's one of the best mares I could have ever been with. She's strong, smart, and... well, amazing." He then reached into his shirt, pulling out a photo of himself and his herd together in a photo, smiling as he looked at it. "But now is not the time to get into personal details. Right now, we need to figure out why this thing is so special to..." He then noticed the fly twitch, it's wings buzzing as Spyro looked at it in shock, realizing what it could do. "Got it! The Egyptian Scarab Beetle, the Scarab of life!"
"Uh, the what now?" Jake asked.
"Oh no, this is not good." Lao Shi said.
"Can somebody explain what's so dangerous about this thing!?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Scarab was the symbol of rebirth, regeneration, and the eternal cycle of life." Spyro replied. "It's believed that it represents Khepri, the Egyptian god who was said to be reborn every sunrise and had a Beetle head for a head."
"Eugh, how revolting." Rarity said.
"Hey, there are many kinds of gods out there Rare." Spyro said. "Khepri is the last of your worries. Now Set, Loki, and Hades, those guys you need to keep an eye out for."
"Set?" Fluttershy asked.
"Egyptian god of Chaos." Spyro replied. "But we're getting off topic here. The point is this little bug here has the power to bring dead things back to life and can heal any wound. Chances are he got this sucker to heal his knee after getting a cap in it and to probably bring something back from the dead. We need to ship this thing back to Egypt asap."
"I will start making preparations to send the Scarab back to Egypt." Lao Shi said. "In the mean time, Jake, you should be getting some sleep. Don't you have school in the morning?"
"Aw man." Jake said.
He walked out of the shop to head back home while everyone else started to go back upstairs, but as they walked, Spyro noticed how Jade looked, sensing that something was off as they walked up.
"Hey Yang, is something wrong with Jade?" Spyro asked.
"What do you mean?" Yang asked.
"I can sense that there's something bothering her." Spyro replied. "I could also tell from the way she wanted to finish the Huntsman off that she had some kind of trauma she's dealing with."
"Oh, that." Yang replied. "She lost some friends during the battle at our school, Beacon academy. There were a lot of fellow students that fell due to the Grimm and the White Fang, neither the monsters nor the group caring who got caught in the cross fire, they attacked and killed many of the friends we had made. We were lucky enough to survive. I guess she sees the Huntsman the same way, uncaring and a complete monster for harming defenseless magical creatures."
Spyro looked to Jade as she went upstairs, now understanding how she felt and why she wanted to destroy the Huntsman, but knew that he was still needed in that world, despite him feeling the same way as she did. The next day, Jake and his friends were in the school computer room doing some research for a school project and the young dragon was explaining the beetle to them and the kind of power it has.
"Wait, for real?" Trixie asked. "So you're saying that beetle can bring things back to life?"
"That's what Spyro said." Jake replied.
"Heh, maybe we should hold that thing over Spuds head and wake up some of them brain cells." Trixie said.
"Good luck." Spud replied, knocking on his own head. "These guys are heavy sleepers."
A moment later, Jake turned around and saw Rose walk in, his eyes turning to hearts as soon as he saw her as his hair waved like fire, seeing a pink aura around her as he felt his heart go thumping.
"Yo Jake." Trixie said, snapping him out of it. "If you're still hot for that Rose girl, then ask her out already and end your suffering already."
"Ask her out?" Jake asked. "No way! MacDaddy Jake's gotta play it cool." He then got up from his seat and walked over to Rose to try and make small talk with her as she was typing something on the computer. "Uh, what up Rose? Hadn't had a chance to to with you for a while. You know, after the uh, the... oh man."
"Oh, looks like Mac Daddy Jake is loosing his cool." Trixie said.
"It's alright Jake." Rose said. "I understand what you mean. It's good to see you."
A moment later, another teacher walked in and spotted Rose and smiled.
"Cleopatra, rehersal is in five minutes." The teacher said, leaving the room.
"Did the Drama teacher call you Cleopatra?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, the Drama club is doing an act for Antony and Cleopatra for the Shakespear in the Park celebration." Rose replied.
"And Ms. Rose will be Cleopatra." The teacher said, walking in. "The Queen of my Nile. Now all we need is someone to play Anthony."
"Oh, I can do it!" Jake said excitedly. "I can play Antony!"
"Hmm, you sure you can handle is Mr. Long?" The teacher asked.
"Totally." Jake replied.
"Well, alright then." The teacher said, taking out a copy of the script and handing it to him. "Practice these lines and meet in the theater tomorrow. We'll see if you have what it takes."
The teacher and Rose then walked out of the room while Jake's eyes went back into hearts, going all gaga for the girl while Trixie just rolled her eyes. Back at the shop, Jade had set up some targets and was practicing her marksmanship, hitting every target on the roof as Spyro walked up, grabbing one of the slugs and tossing it to the ground while she kept firing.
"You're aims pretty good." Spyro said.
"What do you want?" Jade asked, hitting another target. "Finally wanting to go after the Huntsman?"
"Not exactly." Spyro replied, sitting down. "I wanted to get to know you a bit more."
"Yeah, like what?" Jade asked, hitting another target.
"Like why you hold a lot of anger and frustration inside of you." Spyro replied. "I could sense it when you took a shot at the Huntsman. You were out for blood."
"Yeah, I usually am." Jade replied, hitting a third target. "He's a monster and must be treated like one."
"But what brought this up?" Spyro asked, using the Force to lift the targets up and provide more of a challenge. "What made you want to kill the Huntsman and risk this world erasing and rewriting itself?"
"Because he's just a monster." Jade replied, hitting another target as they moved.
"You don't immediately deem someone a monster from when you first see them." Spyro replied, moving them a little faster and in a way that made it seem like a battle to her. "You never met the Huntsman until we first arrived. So why the sudden hatred for him?"
"I have my reasons." Jade replied, trying to hit the targets as they moved.
"Which are?" Spyro asked.
"Why are you even asking me these questions?" Jade asked, hitting another target. "You a therapist or something?"
"I like to know if I can count on my friends to make a good judgement call when the time comes." Spyro replied, moving them faster and making her frustrated. "You already showed a deep hatred for the Huntsman when you took that shot. There is no reason for immediate hate like that without cause."
"I do have cause!" Jade replied, hitting another target. "The Huntsman, he hurts innocent creatures without rhyme or reason, collecting them as trophies, iut makes me sick!" She then nailed three targets in a row, but Spyro used his abilities to create more, moving them around to keep her busy. "Do you even know what it means to loose friends in battle?"
"I never had the luxury." Spyro replied.
"You're lucky." Jade replied, continuing to hit the targets. "At Beacon Academy, our school and home for so long, for so many years. We were happy, having fun, joking around, dating, but then that one day, that one freaking day it all ended!" She continued to fire at the targets, blindly hitting the ones he made and random items all around, Spyro observing her as she continued. "That day, when the Grimm and White Fang attacked beacon, we fought back, doing everythign we culd to protect our home, our friends, the people, but nothing helped! The Grimm, they killed without thought or reason and the White Fang, their leader, Adam, he took things too far, attacking the academy under the pretense of Faunus rights, but he just wanted power, to spread chaos!" He then hit more of the targets, her anger getting the best of her as Spyro noticed, getting to the root of her trauma as he moved a target to him. "He didn't care who got hurt as long as he got what he wanted, like the Huntsman who doesn't care about all the magical creatures he hurts as long as he gets what he wants! But I will make sure he doesn't do that ever again! I will hunt him down, like I hunted Adam, and I will put a bullet in his head and make sure I never loose another friend! Like I lost Pyrrha, Penny, all of my friends! YOU HEAR ME!? I WON'T LOOSE ANYONE AGAIN!"
She then spun around and fired her revolver, hitting the target while also hitting Spyro in the chest, making her gasp in fright, but as he collapsed, he shattered into ice, making her worry she used an ice round on him when he walked out from behind the wall, leaning on it as he looked at her.
"And thus, your fear becomes clear." Spyro said. "And the reason for your actions against the Huntsman is now revealed. You view him like you do this Adam or these Grimm, attacking and harming the innocent, which is a fair enough point. But think about your own actions, the concequences they may bring to those around you and to the world or town you're visiting, what you might do to achieve your goal, what you are capable of or willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal."
"W-what... no." Jade replied. "I wouldn't let anything happen to my friends. I wouldn't sacrifice them for a million years."
"I know you wouldn't." Spyro replied, walking over to her. "But you shouldn't allow your own emotions to blind you to what you might do. Your enemies will use your emotions against you. Sometimes, it's best to let go."
"Let go!?" Jade asked. "And allow what those monsters have done!?"
"Letting go of your pain and anger, yes." Spyro replied. "When one holds onto that pain and rage for long enough, it will ruin them, destroy their lives and rob them of their future. I'm telling you to let go of your anger, but not to forget about your friends and loved ones. Honor their memory and cherish the time you had with them, but don't let that pain dictate who you become or who you are."
He then turned away and walked back downstairs, leaving Jade alone on the roof to think about what Spyro said, looking at her revolvers as she remembered how she shot at Spyro, thinking she had killed him, but it was revealed to have been a fake. Meanwhile downstairs, Spyro was walking into the main room where he was watching Jake practice something before attempting to kiss the mop he was using.
"Kid stop!" Fu said. "You don't know where that's been!"
Jake snapped out of his fantasy and saw he was about to kiss the mop, dropping it as he saw his grandfather and Fu at the door while Spyro was covering his eyes, shaking his head as he sighed.
"Seriously kid, a mop?" Spyro asked. "Dude, I've seen people practice kissing things far worse than that, but that's just embarrassing."
"Heh, sorry." Jake said. "Kinda practicing for the rehearsal for the part of Antony."
"Oh, Antony and Cleopatra." Spyro said. "Shakespear, a tragic story to be sure."
"You know the play?" Jake asked.
"Of course I know it." Spyro replied. "I'm a genius and I was part of the drama club for nearly four years during high school."
"Jake, did you not hear a word I said?" Lao Shi asked, holding the beetle.
"Uh, yeah, parting some ancient chinese wisdom and all that." Jake replied.
"No, not even close." Fu replied. "The old man want's you to guard the beetle while he and I find a way to send it back to Egypt without the Huntsman knowing."
"Hey, yo, no prob." Jake said. "I'm all over that."
"Yeah, maybe I should protect the scarab." Spyro said. "Lover boy has his mind elsewhere at the moment."
Fu and Spyro both chuckled at the kids misfortune as he crossed his arms. Elsewhere in the lair of the Huntsman, the Huntsman himself was looking at a map with the Huntsgirl and Xigbar nearby, looking at him as he threw the map away.
"Blast that American Dragon!" The Huntsman shouted, limping as he used his staff for support. "And that prince for crippling me! We'll pick up the search tomorrow. We'll find them."
"Beg pardon sir, but what's the plan with using the scarab after you used it to heal your wound?" Xigbar asked. "What possible good could that Scarab have?"
"Yeah master, I don't fully understand it either." The Huntsgirl said. "What's the point? By now, the dragons have already sent it back to Egypt. We should just give up on it and-"
"Give up!?" The Huntsman shouted, spooking her. "Those dragons need to be slain, never forget that!" He then removed his glove, revealing the same mark on his hand. "It is your destiny as it is mine, as it was theres." He pointed to the statues of Huntsmen before them, the Huntsgirl looking at her own birthmark and looking to him. "Besides, they haven't sent it away yet. I know for a fact they haven't. It would take them some time to get a proper means to send it back to Egypt. And once we have it, we can use it to revive the hunters of old and hunt down the dragons, wiping them out forever."
"A sound plan." Xigbar said. "But we would still need to find them first. And from the way that dragon was talking and how his voice sounded, I think we're looking for a kid, pre-teen, no more than thirteen."
"That's pretty precise of you Xigbar." The Huntsman said.
"I was a mercenary before I became a Nobody." Xigbar replied. "In my previous line of work, it always pays to be observant of such details."
"Hmm, then this could work to our advantage." Huntsman said, turning to the Huntsgirl. "Can I count on you to discover the identity of the American dragon, Rose?"
The Huntsgirl reached up and removed her mask, revealing herself to be Rose as she smiled.
"Without question, master." Rose replied.
The next day, Jake was in the theater where the teacher was trying out many different students who were trying out for Antony, many of which had failed miserably until Jake came up, taking the mic as Rose walked in, holding the script as Jake got into the role.
"I'm dying Egypt." Jake said, playing the role. "Dying. Only I hear importune death awhile, until many of thousands of kisses pout I lay upon thy lips."
The teacher and her assistant were speechless, clapping for him as they were amazed by what they heard.
"Bravo!" She said. "Bravo Mr. Long! We have found our Antony!"
"Oh heck yeah yo!" Jake said.
"Jake, I would like for you and Rose to start practicing together as soon as possible." The teacher said. "The play will be this Friday."
In the hallway of the school, Jake rushed out in excitement, cheering like he had won the lottery while Trixie was looking disappointed as her friend came out.
"Yo Trix, I got the role!" Jake said.
"That's nice and all Jakey, but will you drop this MacDaddy thing and just ask the girl out already?" Trixie asked. "If ya like her, then stop pretending to-"
"Yo, Cleo P!" Jake said, running after Rose while Trixie just face smacked herself. "You Antony has arrived."
"Ugh, I try." Trixie said. "Dudes completely hopeless."
"Jake, it's amazing that you got the part." Rose said. "I can't wait to start rehearsing."
"My thoughts exactly." Jake replied. "How about your place tonight for some one on one rehearsal time?"
"M-my place?" Rose asked. "Uh, I don't know. My place isn't exactly a good place to practice."
"It's cool." Jake replied. "I know a place."
Meanwhile at the store, Spyro was finishing up a rush job with Fluttershy helping out, passing him the tools he needed to finish repairing the damage to a VCR set while Rarity brought in a slushy and gave it to Spyro.
"Thanks Rare." SPyro said, taking a drink. "Ah, Green Apple, one of my favorites."
"I got us all one." Rarity said, passing them to her friends. "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not Rare." Spyro replied, finishing up the repairs. "Besides, I like spoiling you girls."
A moment later, they heard someone come in, Rarity walking out to see who it was while Spyro carried the VCR out with him.
"Welcome to the, oh, hello Jake darling." Rarity said, seeing it was Jake before looking to Rose. "And whose your friend?"
"Oh, this is Rose." Jake replied. "She and I are going to be the lead roles in Antony and Cleopatra."
"Oh, that's wonderful darling!" Rarity said, looking to Rose. "And she is just beautiful!"
"Thanks... Rarity was it?" Rose asked, not recognizing her.
"Yes dear, my name is Rarity." Rarity replied. "I'm here on a trip with my co... er... boyfriend and are heping out here. Oh, don't you two look like a beautiful couple."
"Come on Rare, no need to go into detail about our personal life." Spyro said, walking out and as he did, Rose froze, recognizing him immediately as he set down the device down. "Don't want things to get awkward." He then walked over to Jake and Rose, which she felt a little fearful as he approached. "I do apologize about her. She has an eye for fashion and for relationships. I'm Spyro."
"R-Rose." Rose replied. "My name is Rose."
Spyro could tell by her expression and by her voice that she was surprised and a bit fearful, not initially showing it, but he was suspicious of the girl already, his suspicions growing when he noticed her right hand, seeing it was the same birthmark that the Huntsgirl had, which she hid behind her back, but Spyro was already figuring out who she was.
"Yo dude, come on, you're creeping her out." Jake said.
"Oh, sorry." Spyro said, trying to act normal. "Anyway Jake, why are you here? Shouldn't you be practicing at School or at your place?"
"Nah, this place is perfect for us." Jake replied. "And we could use some 'alone time' to begin rehearsing."
"Right, we'll leave you alone then." Spyro said. "We'll be upstairs if you need us."
He and Rarity walked back into the back room and went upstairs, leaving the two kids alone, but as they reached the upstairs of the shop, Spyro immediatly turned to his right and head towards a wall.
"Where are you going darling?" Rarity asked.
"Into the shadows." Spyro replied. "I didn't like the way that Rose looked at me. It was a mixture of fear and surprise. And her mark-"
"Yes, beautiful wasn't it?" Rarity asked.
"It's an exact match to the birthmark on the Huntsgirl's hand." Spyro continued.
"The Huntsgirl!?" Rarity exclaimed, which Spyro shushed her. "Are you sure?"
"I am really, really hoping that I'm wrong." Spyro said. "Stay upstairs and don't mention this around Jade. Even though she's our friend, we can't let her know the enemy is in the shop."
Rarity nodded and Spyro walked towards the wall, melding with the shadows and moving down to the first floor, looking through the shadows to keep an eye on Rose and Jake.
"Alright, Antony and Cleopatra are natural enemies, who are force to choose between love and responsibility to their cause." Rose said as Jake sat down next to her.
"Love and Reponsibility." Jake said. "Yeah, I think I can handle that."
He then tried to wrap his arm around her shoulders, getting close, but then getting cold feet and pulling his arm away.
"I was thinking we should probably skip ahead to act 4 scene 15." Rose said.
"Wait, y-you mean the scene with the kiss?" Jake asked as he felt his heart pound against his chest. "Like... right now!?"
"Yeah, it's the emotional centerpiece of the play." Rose said. Spyro was staying within the shadows, keeping an eye on her, but he felt soemthing was off with Rose, sensing something that seemed to connect with Jake. "Is... is that cool?"
"Pfft, yeah, totally." Jake said, his emotions giving away he wasn't emotionally prepared. "Perfectly cool. I've kissed girls before."
"Well, it's not just a kiss Jake." Rose said. "It's what the kiss represents, the totally intense connection between them. It just doesn't happen, but it happens because they're ready to completely surrender to each other." Jake was completely frozen, feeling his own heart pounding against his chest as Rose said it. "So, you ready to give it a go?"
"Uh, oh sure, yeah, totally." Jake replied nervously as he picked up the script. "For act four, scene fifteen. Hey, you want some jerky?"
"Excuse me?" Rose asked.
"My gandpa whipped some up for his Mah-jong buddies." Jake replied, grabbing the bowl and eatting some.
"Uh Jake, you ok?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, yeah, uh, fine." Jake replied, putting the bowl down on the ground. "I'm just going to run over and-"
He then ended up slipping on the bowl, sending it flying and hitting a mouse trap, which then flew into the air and hit a book above and knocked the jar holding the beetle over, freeing it as it went underneath the cabinet, both Sopyro and jake seeing it and growing nervous.
"What was that?" Rose asked.
"Uh, nothing." Jake replied.
"Maybe we should try again tomorrow." Rose said. "It's getting late for me."
"Yeah, yeah totoally." Jake said. Rose then left the shop, which he ran to the cabinet and saw that the beetle wasn't there and groaned as he knew he messed up. "Aw man."
"That's no joke." Spyro said, appearing from the shadows.
"Dude, you were spying on us?" Jake asked.
"For your own safety." Spyro said. "Jake, I hate to tell you this, but-"
"What's going on in here?" Lao Shi asked, walking in.
"Hey gramps." Jake said nervously. "Well, you see, um..."
"Lover boy here lost the beetle." Spyro said.
"WHAT!?" Lao Shi shouted. "What do you mean he lost the beetle!?"
"I don't know how it happened." Jake replied. "I was rehearsing lines with Rose and then there was... tripping and jerky everywhere..."
"Wow, wow, wow, rehearsing lines?" Fu asked. "For what?"
"The school play this Thursday." Jake replied. "I'm Antony and she's Cleopatra."
"Jake, your responsibilities as the American Dragon are to protect magical creatures." Lao shi said calmly. "NOT FLIRT WITH SCHOOL GIRLS!"
"Yeah kid, what were you thinking?" Fu asked, looking to Lao Shi before using his hand to try and hide what he was seeing. "Act four, scene fifteen? Oh, finally planning a big old smoocherino on Rose huh?"
"Might not be any smooching as far as I'm concerned." Spyro said. "Jake, I hate to tell you this, but Rose... Rose is the Huntsgirl."
"WHAT!?" The three of them shouted.
"Are you serious!?" Fu asked.
"Dog, have you gone totally whack!?" Jake asked. "No way Rose can be the Huntsgirl!"
"I'm sorry Jake, but there are too many similarities." Spyro said. "The voice, her eyes, the hair, and the birthmark,it can only mean that she's-"
"No, she isn't the Huntsgirl!" Jake shouted, leaving the shop. "Don't worry gramps, I'll find the beetle, without him!"
He then slammed the door closed, leaving them alone, but little did anybody realize that the scarab was hiding in Jake's cargo pocket, it;s head poking out for a second before hidng again. In the morning, Jake was at school, looking over the scritp so he could get everything right, but what Spyro had said was running in his head, his accusation of Rose being the Huntsgirl just sounded too outrageous, but at the same time was thinking there was a similarity in how they sounded, but ignored it, looking up and seeing her going through her locker, working up the courage to go to her.
"Hey Rose." Jake said, approaching her. "Um, about last night-"
"Jake, I am so sorry." Rose said. "It's just that, act 4 scene fifteen is a passionate part of the play, I just want to get it right. Sorry if I freaked you out."
"Me?" Jake asked. "Freaked out? Nah, Jake Long's all about the passion. I just wanted to make sure that... you were'nt freaked out."
"Oh, not at all." Rose replied. "So, should we pick up rehearsals tonight?"
"Totally." Jake replied. "How about your place?"
"Well, uh, I... I guess we could, but-" Rose tried to say, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Cool, your place it is." Jake said, failing to realise the scarab had gone from his pocket into his back pack.
That night, Jake was walking with Rose to her home, which it was a tall tower with an almost medieval look to it, walking into the foyer room and almost falling over trying to look at it.
"And here we are." Rose said.
"Wow, this is some crib you have here!" Jake said, walking over to a book case. "Seriously, my church isn't this big!"
He pulled a book out to read it, only to cause a case behidn him to pull back and reveal some weapons.
"I live here with my, um, uncle." Rose said, Jake putting the book back to retract the weapons and put the case back where it was as Rose brought over a couple of glasses of punch. "I made some punch."
"Oh, now you're talking." Jake said, taking a glass and drinking it.
Rose seemed to smile at Jake, which she felt a ping in her chest, but brushed it off as she set the tray down and grabbed the script.
"So, in this scene, Antony visits Cleopatra in Egypt." Rose said. "Which to him is enemy territory."
"Uh-huh." Jake said, getting a bottle to make his breath minty fresh. "So, you want to do act four scene fifteen or what?"
Rose seemed to be a bit nervous, remembering the last time as she had gotten cold feet.
"Uh, you sure you're alright with that?" Rose asked. "Because, we don't have to if you don't want to."
"Noo, I'm totally cool with it." Jake replied.
"Ok." Rose said, flipping the pages, but then heard the doors open down the hall, looking back as she felt the color drain from her face. "My uncle! He's home early! You need to hide!" She then pushed him underneath table, crashign down as she looked underneath the table. "Sorry. My uncle is very strict and doesn't allow visitors. Stay here and don't come out until I get you."
She then stood back up as the scarab came out of Jakes bag, the 'uncle' coming in with his limp, which Jake pulled up the cloth a bit and saw the limp.
"Why was the door bolted and locked in six different places?" The 'uncle asked, Jake recognizing, but not knowing whose voice it was as he spotted the scarab.
"Uh, you can never be too safe." Rose replied, sounding a bit nervous.
"Is there someone here?" The 'uncle' asked as Jake reached for the scarab, the 'uncle's' foot standing on the kids hand and he almost yelled in pain.
"No, just me." Rose replied. "Here alone. All by my lonesome."
"Very well then." The 'Uncle' replied. "Come, I have an idea on how to proceed with our mission."
Jake reached for the Scarab again, but Rose grabbed his hand, quickly pulling him out from underneath the table and out to the hall, throwing him his bag as he hit the floor.
"I'm really sorry." Rose said. "Call you later. Bye."
She then closed the door on Jake, which he groaned as he laid there for a few moments. Rose returned to her 'uncle', which turned out to be the Huntsman as he put his helmet back on while a corridor opened up behind him and Xigbar came out.
"What's your plan master?" Rose asked.
The Huntsman pulled a book and revealed the row of weapons, pulling out the spear and creating a holographic projection fo lao Shi.
"We might not know the human identity of the American Dragon yet, but we know the identity of the dragon master." The huntsman said. "We will use him to find the scarab."
"There's one problem sir." Rose said. "The prince is with the dragon master in their lair. And I think he recognized me."
"I'm not surprised." Xigbar said. "The prince's intelligence rivals that of the smartest human in the world. If he knows your identity, then we need to get rid of him before he blows the whistle."
"I concur." The Huntsman said. "Leave the prince to me and Xigbar. Find the scarab and find out the American Dragon's identity."
Rose nodded her head, understanding the assignment, but didn't notice the scarab go into her backpack while they were talking. The next morning, Spyro was walking down to see what else needed to be done when he spotted jake, sitting at the front desk looking upset, which made Spyro worry.
"Hey Jake, you ok?" Spyro asked.
"No, no I'm not." Jake replied. "I found the Scarab, but it's at Roses place."
"It's where!?" Spyro exclaimed, looking worried. "How the heck did it get there!?"
"I don't know." Jake replied. "But I need to get it before Rose or her uncle notice."
"Darn straight you need to get that thing!" Spyro said. "If Rose and the Huntsman realize it's at there base then-"
"Dude, She's not the Huntsgirl!" Jake said. "How many times do I have to tell you!?"
"Until you can provide me with proof she isn't the Huntsgirl, she's the enemy!" Spyro exclaimed.
"She's... not... the... HUNTSGIRL!" Jake shouted.
"Jake, you need to wake up and smell the flowers kid!" Spyro replied. "Rose is the Huntsgirl and the more you try to deny it, the worse it will be for you!"
A moment later, they heard a knock and at the door, Rose walked in, smiling as she didn't hear what they said, thankfully.
"Knock, knock." Jake said.
"Oh, hey, Rose." Jake said. "Sorry, having a discussion with Spyro. "What's going on?"
"I wanted to apologize for last night." Rose said. "It's just... my uncle is super strict and if he found out that-"
"Jake, if that's a customer with a return, tell them that eletronics are like bikinis!" Lao Shi shouted. "All sales are final!"
Spyro then went into the back to give them some alone time and to take care of Lao Shi for what he said and why he shouldn't have said it.
"Yeah, my gramps can be pretty strict too." Jake said as Fu sniffed Roses backpack.
"Well, we're going to need a new place to try and rehearse." Rose said.
"But your place is perfect." Jake said, wanting to go back to get the scarab.
"Jake, we can't." Rose said. "If my uncle found out, he'd ground me for life. What about your house?"
"My house?" Jake asked, already imagining what might happen at his place if he took her there. "Uh, my place is being fumigated right now. But I think I have an idea where to go."
"Great, I'll meet you there." Rose said, walking out.
As she walked out, Spyro came out from behind the curtain, leaning on the wall and looking upset.
"Look, I don't want to hear about your lame suspicions, alright?" Jake asked. "I need to rehearse this part and I don't have time for your nonsense."
"Fine, then I'll go do your job then." Spyro said, getting off the wall. "I'll get the scarab, you go on your date with your enemy."
He then walked out of the shop, leaving Jake alone in the shop and looking furious as he went back to the front desk to look at the script again. As it became night, the Huntsman and Xigbar were already gone, Spyro having tracked down their lair based off the route that Rose would usually take to get home and from asking a few of her friends, though he did need to use the Force manipulation ability on them to get them to tell him. As he approached, he melded with the shadows and entered the place, going along side the walls to make it impossible for any guards to see him, checking each room one by one until he reached the top where the scarab was originally, coming out of the shadows to look around.
"Alright Scarab, where are you?" Spyro asked. He walked to the table and examined it, finding what appeared to be the outline of Jakes hand and knelt down. "Jake was hiding here..." he then looked to his left and saw the trail made by the scarab. "And the bug scuttled out from underneath." He then followed the trail until it ended, placing his hand on the ground as he closed his eyes, using the Force to let him see and hear what was there. "A backpack? Purple in color and... oh no. Jake."
At Trixie's house, he and Rose were practicing the script, sitting on the couch practicing the lines for the play.
"Quicken with kissing." Rose said, rehearsing her line. "Had my lips that power, thus would I wear them out."
They then leaned in to practice the kissing part, but then they heard someone gag, looking back to see Trixie and Spud walk in, Spud carrying a bowl of popcorn and sitting in the empty chair.
"Alright, look, I said you could rehearse at my place, doesn't mean I gotta watch!" Trixie said, walking out. "Come on Spud."
"But it's act four, scene fifteen!" Spud said, Trixie dragging him out of the room and leaving them alone.
"Well, at least we're alone now." Jake said.
"Jake, I think I've figured out why we're having such a hard time with act four scene fifteen." Rose said. "We haven't earned it."
"Uh, come again?" Jake asked.
"See, Antony and Cleopatra have been through so much together." Rose said. "But we haven't been through anything together yet."
However, they both heard something scuttle off and looked to the window, both seeing the scarab crawling out of Rose's back and out the window.
"No way." They said in unison.
"Uh, mind if we take five before we pick back up?" Jake asked. "I got to use the bathroom."
"Good idea.' Rose said. "I need some air."
They then ran in opposite directions, jake running to the bathroom and changing into his dragon form while Rose ran out, changing into her Huntsgirl outfit as both went outside and to the roof, meeting each other at the same time as they reached for the scarab.
"Dragon." Rose said, glarring at him. "Let's make this quick. I don't have time to wasdte fighting you."
"Works for me girl." Jake said.
They both then got into the fight, Jake swinging his tail as he reached for the scarab, but Rose smashed his hand, knocking him to the ground as she picked it up, but jake used hsi tail and threw her into the clothes line, spinning around a few times before being tied up in the laundry.
"Hey, can you kids turn down the TV!?" Trixie's grandma shouted. "That kung fu movie sounds like it's coming through the roof!"
Jake picked up the beetle, but then was tackled by Rose, dropping it as it went into a rain gutter while they fought, only stopping to see it was gone.
"Where'd it go!?" They both said at the same time. "I so don't have time for this!"
They both then ran back to where they had originally came from, Jake returning to the bathroom and back into his human form while Rose came back looking normal, both looking at one another, looking like a mess.
"Mind if we take five more minutes?" Rose asked. "I need to use the bathroom."
"Good idea." Jake said. "I need some air." They both ran out again, Jake running to the hallway while Rose went to the bathroom, both returning to the roof and got into another fight, but it was cut short as they both fell to the ground, but jake spotted the bettle come out of the drain, smiling as he reached for it. "That's it, hold still."
"Oh no you don't!" Rose shouted.
She jumped up and went straight for Jake, but a second later, a firebal came out of nowhere and hit her on the side, causing her to fall and roll to put the flames out as Spyro landed.
"Dude, about time you showed up." Jake said. "Give me a hand here and-"
"Jake, it's about time you opened your eyes to what's in front of you." Spyro said.
"What are you talking about?" Jake asked.
"Look." Spyro said, pointing to Rose.
Jake looked at Rose, not understanding what he wanted to see, but when he looked, Rose removed her mask, throwing it away and she stood up, ready to continue the fight against both of them, but Jake completly froze, seeing Rose right in front of him dressed as the Huntsgirl, the color on his scales draining as he saw it.
"R-Rose?" Jake asked.
Meanwhile in Equestria, a couple fo ponies were in a cottage, enjoying the night as they got ready for dinner, but they then heard the howls of the Tiberwolves outside, the stallion running to the door as he bolted it.
"Honey, quick get Rosy and get downstairs, now!" The stallion said.
The mare got up and ran for the other room, getting inside and using her magic to pick up a unicorn filly in a light blue aura, only to hear the crashing of wood and the howls of the wolf as she rushed for the door to the downstairs, but then heard her husband shout in pain, looking back and hearing growls of the wolf behind her, crying as she looked at her daughter.
"Rosy... remember... momma always loves you." She said, kissing her daughter.
She then opened the door into the cellar and put her daughter in a small crib, closing the door and using her powers to lock it before she got attacked, her screams echoing through the house as it caused the filly to cry, the commotion upstairs upsetting her as it went on. After a while, it stopped, the wolves scratching at the door before they used their maws and ripped the door off, getting access to the filly as she cried and the wolves got closer, getting ready to have desert as the baby cried.
"DANCE WATER DANCE!" Demyx shouted.
A moment later, copies of Demyx appeared and attacked the Timberwolves, smashing into the wooden wolves, which they tried to fight back, but there were too many of them, the wolves doing everything they could, but Demyx kept on playing his Sitar, keeping them away from the filly until he ended the song, which caused the wolves to fall tot he ground as the water clones grabbed them, smashign them into tiny pieces before disappearing. He then walked over to the crying filly, seeing how freaked out she was as he picked her up, not knowing what to do, so he tried to comfort the filly as best he could when he heard coughing, seeing the mare mangled and coughing as she looked up.
"M-my baby..." The mare said. "Is... is she-"
"She's alright." Demyx replied, bringing her over. "See, she's just fine."
"R-Rosy... my sweet baby." The mare said, looking to Demyx. "Please... take care... of... her."
She then stopped breathing, Demyx looking at her before looking to the stallion, though he looked away as he saw him, looking back down at the filly as she cried, gently swinging her back and forth to calm her down.
"There, there now, it's alright." Demyx said, doing his best as the filly calmed down. "I'll get you to a friend of mine. He'll be able to take very good care of you. But first..." He then looked at the mother, though he didn't have a heart, he felt sad as he saw her like that. "Let's give your folks a proper burial, and find your sister."
A moment later, several rifts opened up and from them, several Dusks and Dancers appeared, moving around as they picked up the father as Demyx reached down and closed her eyes, allowing the Nobodies to do what they were ordered before a corridor opened up behind him, walking through it and leaving the Nobodies as it closed behind him.