First things first... New Summary!

SUMMARY:

Ever since he found out he was the American Dragon, Jake Long has fought with all he had to defend and protect the magical world. But now, three years later, with the coming of a new enemy, that is about to change. Thanks to a mysterious curse, Jake himself is becoming a danger to not only the magical world, but to his friends and family, and everyone around him. But that won't stop his newest foe from carrying out her devious plan. Will Jake be able to break the curse and stop this new adversary, or will he end up being the cause of the ultimate downfall of both worlds?

Yup, after a year of hard work, I'm finally back, and this story's better than ever! I have the entire outline done, so I know exactly what I'm doing. There aren't really many changes (yeah, the summary seems totally different, but the story itself hasn't changed...much...), but there are a few important things I need to mention:

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. This story is now OFFICIALLY an AU. When I began writing this, The Hunted and the entire Season 2 had not aired yet, so the events in those eps are not included in this story. I know it'll be hard, but I must ask you to read this as if The Hunted and all of Season 2 has not happened! Simply put, this takes place before The Hunted, but after Ski Trip (you'll see why later). The eps up to and including Keeping Shop don't really matter, so you don't have to totally disregard them.

2. This story takes place 3 YEARS in the future. Just like it says in the summary. Not that big of a deal, but I feel I should say this now. Also, just so you know, Jake and the gang are 16 and Haley is 11. (I know you're probably all saying she should be 10, but just say she turned 11 a little early, kay?) Those are the only important ages I think... Also, any important information about the events of those three years will be covered in passing in the story.

I think that's it, other than the fact that I have changed a little bit of stuff in the first two chapters (well, this prologue and Ch. 1), so you may want to re-read them. Other than that, here's the very delayed return of my tale, Dragon Blood!

It was dark. The exact time was uncertain, but judging by the full moon hanging directly above the earth, it was around midnight. An eerie silence lingered in the air. It was as if nothing dared to move, to break the soundless wave the night poured down on the forest.

But then, a rustling sound could be heard in the distance. It was small at first, far away. But it got louder and louder. Something was heading toward the clearing.

All of a sudden, a woman burst through the trees. She crept to a shadowy part of the clearing, and stopped to catch her breath. She seemed to have been running from something. She sat there for a few minutes, looking around anxiously. For a short time, all was silent again. Until another rustling could be heard through the darkness. The woman immediately snapped her gaze to the direction of the sound. She stood slowly and walked backward, away from the dark curtain of trees.

As the rustling grew nearer, it was joined by angry cries and shouts. The woman kept retreating from the trees, away from the voices growing ever nearer.

But as she stepped into a patch of moonlight, it became apparent that she was hardly a woman at all. She, in fact, didn't even look human.

She had dark, scaly skin, and long, yellow fingernails. Her eyes were a haunting red, with black slits down the centers. Her clothes were ragged, as if she had been on the run for months. She also had a set of great, black, feathery wings protruding from her back. They were bent in odd shapes, as if someone had attempted to tear them out. But the one feature that made her the most horrifying was her hair. For instead of normal, human hair, protruding from her head were at least thirty grey and red live snakes, each hissing menacingly at the coming voices.

All of a sudden, the creature stopped. Firelight protruded from the trees, followed closely by a group of about twenty or thirty shouting men and women, all carrying various items. Some had pitchforks and spears, while others had burning torches. Sill others wielded crossbows or ropes. All, however, had dark, angry looks plastered on their faces.

"There she is!" one man at the front of the group shouted, pointing an accusing finger at the creature in the center of the clearing.

"Get her!" yelled a woman in the back. The creature immediately began running in the opposite direction, and the crowd chased after her with no delay. When she reached the edge of the trees, she didn't stop running, but shot a brief glance over her shoulder at the angry crowd before plunging into the darkness.

Deeper and deeper into the trees she ran, stumbling over fallen logs and outstretched roots. She was getting exhausted, her breath was short and rapid, but she did not stop.

All of a sudden, she slowed and stared in front of her. A gigantic fallen tree was barricading her path. She turned to her right, and saw that the trees were much too thick to make it through. She looked hopefully to her left, but saw no difference. She knew she was trapped.

The creature turned to face the group of people as they emerged through the trees. Some of them were still shouting at the creature before them. Many of them were snickering at her. All those with weapons had them pointed at her, ready to attack.

"Please," the creature began. "I-I did not mean any harm! I have done nothing to your village! Why do you continue to hunt me so?" Her voice was somewhat gruff and hoarse, as black tears began falling down her cheeks.

"You are a monster!" yelled a man at the front of the group, who seemed to be the leader. "You have frightened us and our children! You have stolen from our harvest—"

"—I had no food!" the creature shouted in protest. "I needed to feed my family!"

"No excuses! Your crimes cannot be forgiven! We have sentenced you to execution tonight! Now come with us kindly and we will not have to use force."

"No!" the creature shouted. She turned frantically, this way and that, but found no means of escape. She could not fly, due to her damaged wings, so she knew it was hopeless. She turned to face the villagers as they drew nearer, ready to strike…

"Pay attention, Mr. Long!"

"Huh? W-What?" Jake opened his eyes suddenly and lifted his head from his desk. He looked up groggily, and found himself face to face with Professor Rotwood. And he did not look happy.

"I understand that some may not be able to comprehend the fascinating and respectful subject of mythology, but still I warn you not to flaunt your ignorance by deciding to take a nice little nap in my classroom!"

Jake smiled feebly. "Heh heh…Sorry, Mr. Rotwood. Won't happen again."

"For the last time," Rotwood fumed. "It is PROFESSOR ROTWOOD!"

Jake smiled slightly again, and Rotwood turned and walked toward his desk. Jake turned to Trixie and Spud.

"Yo, why didn't you guys wake me up?"

"We tried to, Jakey," Trixie replied, as she and Spud suppressed laughter. "But with all that snorin'..."

"Snoring?" Jake flushed, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Yeah," Spud added. "But still... The look on Rotwood's face when he saw you? It was priceless, bro."

Jake looked around the classroom and saw many other students trying hard not to laugh. He groaned and put a hand over his face.

"Now," Rotwood said from the front of the room. "Since we have all had our little laugh for today," he stopped and glared in Jake's direction, "I think it is time we get back to our lesson." A groan escaped the students, but Rotwood took no notice. "Now, where was I? Ah, yes, griffins. Ahem…As I was saying—" At that moment, the bell rang, and students began filing out of the classroom. "Mr. Long? A moment, please?" Jake stopped. He motioned for Trixie and Spud to go on ahead, and they left. He then turned to Rotwood.

"Because of your…lack of focus today," Rotwood began, "I am requiring you to join me in detention tomorrow afternoon."

"Say what?" Jake exclaimed angrily. "Detention? You can't gimme detention! I got, uh… stuff… to do after school!"

"You will stay after class tomorrow for two hours, whether you agree or not. I am sure that whatever you were planning can wait."

"Yeah, sure." Jake mumbled. "Saving the city can wait."

"Pardon?" Rotwood asked in a slightly accusatory tone.

"Oh, uh, nothing. I was just wondering… what I'm gonna be doing in detention…?

"I will decide when the time comes. One thing is for certain, however - you will not be napping!"

"Come on Mr.—Professor Rotwood," he changed the name after Rotwood shot him a warning glance. "Can't you just gimme, extra homework or something? Instead of detention?"

"Enough!" Rotwood shouted. "You will join me for detention tomorrow, and that is final! Now go. You will need enough rest if you are to stay awake during my class in the future."

Jake sighed and headed for the door.

"Oh, and Mr. Long," Rotwood began. Jake turned to face him. "One more thing. I will be phoning your parents in about, oh... thirty seconds. I believe they should know about your… disruptions in my class."

Jake gaped at Rotwood. "What?" Rotwood simply smiled at him. "Aww, man!"

Alright, prologue complete.

So, 'til next time, signing off.