Disclaimer:I do not own American Dragon: Jake long I just write about it I only own the plotlines of my works as well as any character's I come up with. I.E. Persons, places or things considered non canon. I'd love to hear about any inspiration that may come your way, should you find it in my work.

Jake gently nudged Rose as Andam marched away though a set of heavy iron doors on the left of the council chambers; as they traveled though the island's central tower Rose tripped several times rushing to keep up with Andam. He walked with an angry fury that dampened the mood wherever he went. Much of it had no effect on either Jake or Rose, as in both of their minds they viewed themselves as well and truly screwed.

They stepped into a pyramid shaped room twice as tall as the empire state building. At its center a magical beam shone up into the ceiling; it sizzled and hummed with magical energy as smaller projections branched off in every different direction, a magical framework for the entire structure.

Jake whistled shoftly. "I've never seen of anything like this before."

"Indeed, you have not." Andam replied.

"And for a good reason; that of which you are more than likely aware of.

"Now, you'll have to excuse me for a moment." He muttered, banging his fist against a small wooden door.

"Who is it?" Someone responded from the other side.

"It's Andam, open the goddamn door!"

The bolt rattled and the door swung inward. Andam shifted back to human form and stepped inside the door creaked shut and was bolted again quickly.

"Well… Shit!" Jake mumbled.

Rose glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"I didn't know you swore." She remarked.

"No; normally I don't, but… Damn I don't know anymore." He turned to Rose.

"Rose look at me," She turned to face him, their eye's locked in quite understanding.

"I know what you're thinking." She whispered.

"What then?" He asked

"When has anything ever been normal between the two of us?"

Jake was about to respond when the door opened again, Andam emerged and dragged them both into the room.

He threw them in a corner, bolted the door again, and muscled his way through a cluster of other dragons.

"How is he holding out?" Andam asked.

Klude shook his head; his hands rested on Vladimir's chest, coating the wounded dragon in a cocoon of magic.

"Well if you want to know the truth," Klude whispered. I'm the only thing keeping him alive right now, and to be honest if another dragon with my level of abilities doesn't arrive soon Vladimir won't make it through the night. If we can get two more with my skill then Vladimir might just last two or three day's minimum."

Andam shook his head.

"Is he in any condition to speak?"

Vladimir teethed a grim smile.

"I'm the only thing keeping him from a whole lot of words… He wouldn't shut up; I wish he would calm the hell down its draining my strength far too much."

"Let him speak than." Andam coaxed.

"I don't know." Vladimir mumbled.

"Do it." Andam snapped.

Klude sighed and whispered a string of characters.

Vladimir lifted his head and glared; he opened his mouth and roared in pain.

"Quiet now..." Andam soothed, Vladimir tilted his head back, eyes dripping with tears.

Suddenly a small smile appeared on his lips and then he began to chuckle.

"The girl, I wish to speak with her." Vladimir gasped.

"Dragon, bring Huntsgirl," Andam growled looking up and cocking his head in their direction.

Jake bit his lip and swore again

"Damn."

"What's wrong?" Rose inquired.

"They've stripped me of a name and a title."

"And that's bad how?" She asked.

"It's bad," Jake explained "Because in draconic tradition a dragon without a name is at the same level as a servant or slave; it means that my life is a fraction of an inch from ending at every second… it means that until someone says otherwise I'm pretty much fucked."

"Oh," Rose whispered

Jake lifted Rose up and pushed her towards Vladimir and Andam.

"Now go' before you get me into deeper shit..."

Rose ambled forwards, "Ye-Yes?, she stuttered.

"Councilor Vladimir wishes to speak with you, come over here." Andam spoke.

He's not going to eat you, at least not for now." Kulde mumbled with a smirk.

Rose shuffled over, Andam pulled over a chair and she took a seat, Vladimir glared at her, his eyes ablaze with anger and hate.

"Tell me, young hunter, what is it that we have done to deserve this kind of hatred from your kind?"

Rose thought a moment still unsure of the proper form of address. She cleared her throat and as bravely as she could manage, told Vladimir what she thought of the Huntsclan; she told him exactly what it was like from her standpoint, explained the anger and hatred all her so called friends had expressed about magical creatures, without ever bothering to take better observation of their prey.

"Last and most importantly," Rose leaned closer to whisper in Vladimir's ear.

"Never suspect that it was my choice to be a hunter. This mark… "She raised her arm and pointed at the irremovable purple dragon tattooed on her arm. "This, is what sealed my fate. Mark my words Councilor I did not enjoy my duties any more then I would have enjoyed the punishments associated with not doing what I've done. Do you not think that is a worthy sacrifice to make?"

Vladimir smiled; it was a rather awkward smile Rose noted. Vladimir lifted his head and bent moved his mouth closer to Rose's ear.

"Oh, child; now I understand, it was not my place to ask your motives, knowing what I know now."

"We are in agreement then, that you spared them all the pain?"

Rose nodded.

"I wonder…" Vladimir coughed.

"If you had no other choice but to kill Jake, would you?"

Rose thought a moment, he needn't have asked her this question, for she had already asked herself more than a hundred times; many sleepless nights of thought dedicated to any and all "what if" situations. She was aware that under some certain condition she might have to, and was prepared to, end Jake's life as painlessly as possible. Either he accepted the fact, or would not in which case she would be forced to make him to understand.

A hand reached up and patted her on the shoulder.

"Forget I mentioned it; the pain in your expression is a fair enough answer."

Vladimir lifted a claw and brushed away Rose's tears.

"Come closer, we must speak quicker my time grows short." Rose bent closer to listen to what might be the dragons dying words.

"Rose… you and I both understand that every action comes at a price; this statement is as true as any scientific law; it does not pick sides and lives with you long past death. So with those words I explain that now, despite knowing the situation you were in, I must have some sort of reconciliation. Many speak of forgiveness but I cannot help but laugh at them, for that is not my nature."

"Many long years ago your leader killed my wife, in our own home… Let me say now that I wish I had not returned home that night." Vladimir swallowed, Rose understood.

"But now, you see… and with that in mind be aware of my vengeance, for at any time, any place; I shall return to take some form of revenge upon you. I hope that in time you will understand maybe with you and Jake together you will understand everything, and even more importantly I hope that you will be able to forgive me, for as you may have noticed it is trait that has become exceedingly rare.

Andam sighed and closed his eyes.

"Shit!" Klude swore and muttered another spell.

"Andam!" He yelled. "Give me a hand, were going to lose him."

Andam shoved Rose away and placed his hand on top of Kludes.

Get them out of here! He yelled at the guards between incantations.

"What do we do with them?" The guards asked in unison.

"I don't know!" Andam growled.

"Anything, just do something that gets them out of everyone's way!"

The guards picked up Rose and yelled for Jake to get up and leave.

The door cracked shut behind them. Shortly thereafter a blue light flashed under the door and a thunderous boom split the air; the guards rushed them quickly along, back the way they came.

Additional Notes: Sorry about keeping you guys waiting I had intended to post this before my vacation started but the website didn't want to take my story that night or the previous morning, so I gave up and intended to post it when I got back. But here I am 10 at night and wanting to write another chapter & hoping this will post so I can continue...