Dragons (American Dragon: Jake Long)

Dragons are beings of great magical power that have the task of defending all magical creatures. Some dragons are chosen to protect a determinate country, becoming that country's national dragon (the Chinese dragon, Japanese dragon, Korean dragon, American dragon, Canadian dragon, etc., have been seen).
These beings possess two kinds of "chi" or life energy: a human chi and a dragon chi, which is the source of their powers. They are born as humans with their dragon chi remaining dormant until the age of thirteen, which is when their powers begin to emerge. Even in human form, their dragon side can affect them, such as extremely bad breath as a result of their fire-breathing glands maturing as shown in "Dragon Breath"; another instance was in "Breakout" when Jake had entered his first ten-year dragon molting cycle, causing him to adopt a temporarily grotesque appearance, which ended in him molting out of his old skin. Occasionally, some individuals are locked in human form, as access to dragon powers had skipped their generation. Arguably, this also means it is possible for some of the power-skipped individuals to be locked in dragon form, unable to shift to human. While this was never addressed, it should be noted that The Dark Dragon was never seen in a human guise.
It was revealed that if the dragon chi is removed from a dragon, they would become ordinary humans unable to shift into dragon forms until their dragon chi is returned. So far, only members of the World Dragon Council possess the ability to remove a dragon's chi. It is also shown that a dragon's human form is their default form, as they revert back to human if severely weakened.
==Background==
In the time of Ancient Greece, all magical beings, including dragons, were enslaved by three wicked magical sisters: Fury, Euryale, and Medusa. They were known as the Gorgons, who, when united, had the power to encase anyone who looked at them in stone. The Gorgons used this power to rule all of Greece with an iron fist and force human and magical creature alike to worship them as goddesses.
Eventually, a human warrior (possibly the Greek hero ) rose and fought the wicked sisters. The exact battle is unknown, but in the end, the warrior used his shield to reflect their paralyzing powers, which, in turn, encased them in marble. After the fall of the Gorgons, peace returned to all the magical creatures. It is possible that during this time, the World Dragon Council was established, where they first began the designation of a dragon to protect magical creatures located in each determined country (China possibly being the first).
The time of the Middle Ages would bring an uncontrollable fear of magic in Europe. During this time, a regrettable incident involving humans would cause the unfortunate perception of dragons as damsel-snatchers and beasts. It is possible that during this time is when the Huntsclan had its roots.
===Physical appearance===
Dragons are born in their human form (which raises the question as to whether they're humans with mystical powers or intelligent creatures who can take human form) and gain their powers over time, usually around puberty.
In their human form, they resemble ordinary humans, but when in dragon form, their look is that of a lizard or snake with horns. Some dragons possess wings and others do not. Wing types can vary, from butterfly-like to bat-like.
===Powers and abilities===
Dragons are beings of a great magical power. Amongst their powers are:
*Shapeshifting: Dragons can shapeshift between their human and dragon form. A dragon can also call on an individual power while in human form (Eye of the Dragon, Tail of the Dragon, etc.). If they drink a magic potion, dragons can unlock their shapeshifting potential and gain the power of shapeshifting to the form of whomever they want, but only for twenty-four hours. The potion also renders them unable to use any other dragon powers for that time.
*Flight: Some dragons, like Lao Shi, don't have wings. So dragons receive a little help from magic, and not only can they fly, but also dodge and attack targets.
*Infrared Vision: With their dragon vision, dragons are capable of seeing in darkness, as well as through some objects.
*Enhanced Strength: Dragons, despite the skinny appearance of some of them, are capable of immense strength though they are outclassed by more powerfully built beings, like Giants.
*Duplication (The Doppelganger Technique): By channeling their chi energy, dragons are capable of creating a magical copy of themselves.
*Potions: Many dragons are knowledgeable in magic potions. This can allow them to travel between dimensions, enter other people's dreams, gain temporary magic powers, or enhance their personal magic powers.
*Breath Weapon: Dragons are known to breathe fire, even in their human forms. Some breathe ice or electricity.
===Weaknesses===
Despite their vast powers, dragons are far from invincible and possess some weaknesses:
*Sphinx Hair: Dragons' most shown weakness is fur of a Sphinx, which can severely weaken a dragon and kill them if exposed long enough to it.
*Magic: Dragons can be vulnerable to select spells, potions, and even the magical powers of other magical creatures like Gorgons which are very powerful to affect dragons. Gorgons can turn all living beings, dragons included, into stone. Even weakened Gorgons can blast waves of energy that can be lethal. Also in the same way potions can give dragons greater magical prowess, certain potions can be used to put them under mind control, temporarily strip them of their powers, or immobilize them. 
*Brockium: This is a chemical substance that forces dragons to shapeshift into their dragon form unwillingly. It was developed by Sigmund Brock in his attempt to expose magical creatures to the world.
*Strike behind the left ear: As learned in the Huntsclan Academy, a surefire way to kill a dragon is by striking it behind the left ear. During Rose and Jake's climactic battle in the Academy, Rose struck Jake in this location, seemingly killing him, thus allowing her to go back in the field in New York. However, during the battle, the duo utilized a faulty potion Jake and Spud made while undercover at the academy, giving Jake the temporary appearance of death, and thus sparing his life.
==See also==
*Dragons
==External links==
*Dragons on American Dragon: Jake Long
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