Bad Little Dragon
Sofia, Madeline and Vivian were walking though the trees outside Vivian's new castle, carrying baskets. Clover and Crackle followed them.
"I'm so happy my parents said we could have a sleepover, girls." Vivian smiled.
"Us too." Sofia nodded.
"I'm so glad we came early." Madeline beamed.
"A sleepover?" Crackle smiled. "A sleepover with my bestest bunny friend? Ooh, we're going to have so much fun! I can make a campfire!"
Crackle breathed out some flame.
"Crackle, I may be light and fluffy, but I'm not a marshmallow." Clover frowned.
"Sorry, sorry!" Crackle apologised.
"We can play music, make Freezenburg braids, and have squishberries for a midnight snack." Vivian smiled. "They're my favorites."
"I can't wait!" Sofia grinned.
"Me neither." Madeline nodded.
"Then we don't have to do." Vivian declared. "Let's try some now. They're especially good warmed up." She put some on two stick. "Crackle!"
"Ooh, I'm on!" Crackle smiled. "Check this out!"
Crackle used her fire to warm up the berries.
"Perfect." Vivian handed Sofia and Madeline the sticks.
"Thank you." Sofia giggled.
Vivian gave Crackle some berries.
"Yummy!" Crackle smiled.
"Squishberries are Crackle's favorite, too." Vivian declared, stroking Crackle.
"Ahem. Food is my favorite." Clover grinned.
"Here you go, Clover." Madeline gave him a squishberry.
Suddenly, a strange cry echoed through the forest.
"What was that?" Sofia wondered.
"Did you hear something?" Vivian asked.
"Yeah, I think it came from over there." Madeline pointed.
They walked over to a nearby bush. A small orange dragon poked it's head out.
"That is the cutest thing I've ever seen!" Vivian cooed.
"Clover, Crackle!" Sofia called. "Come see this little guy!"
Clover and Crackle hopped over.
"Awww!" They gazed at the baby dragon.
"Coochie-coochie-coochie-coochie-coo!" Clover played with him.
The baby dragon giggled, then sighed.
"Poor little thing." Madeline frowned. "It looks like he's all alone."
"What should we do?" Vivian asked.
"I don't know." Sofia picked the dragon up. "But I don't think we can just leave him here."
The baby dragon waved his arms.
"Aw, look at that!" Vivian held him. "I think he wants to go home with us. Maybe my parents will let me keep him."
"I've always wanted a baby dragon I didn't have to take care of!" Crackle gasped.
The baby dragon reached for Vivian's necklace.
"Do you like the shiny necklace?" Vivian cooed.
The baby dragon rubbed the necklace against his cheek.
Vivian put the baby dragon down, then emptied her basket into Sofia's Vivian picked the baby dragon up and put him in her empty basket.
"Come on, let's get him home." Vivian smiled.
"Okay." Crackle tried to get in the basket.
"Crackle, you're a little too big for this basket." Vivian told her, living the basket up.
"What a cute little guy!" Clover squealed.
"He's so adorable!" Madeline added.
"Look, he smiled!" Vivian gushed.
Crackle lowered her head sadly, then followed them.
Vivian's parents were there to greet them as they returned.
"Mom, dad, we're home!" Vivian called.
"How was the berry-picking?" Queen Cecily asked.
"We got tons of berries." Madeline grinned, as she and Sofia handed their baskets to Cecily.
"Excellent." Queen Cecily smiled."I'll take those to the kitchen. Chef Pietro can make berry pie for dessert tonight."
"Mom, we also got a little something extra." Vivian held up the baby dragon. "A baby dragon. Isn't he just the cutest thing ever?"
"Where did you find it?" King Marcus asked.
"In the woods." Sofia declared. "He was all alone."
"And we couldn't just leave him." Madeline added.
"Can I keep him? Please?" Vivian pleaded.
"I don't know, Vivian." King Marcus frowned. "A baby dragon? They're so messy."
"Please, please, please, dad!" Vivian held the baby dragon up. "He's too tiny to make a mess!"
"Oh, alright." King Marcus gave in. "You can keep him."
"Thank you, daddy!" Vivian squealed.
"He certainly is cute." Queen Cecily smiled.
"Yes, he is." King Marcus nodded.
"Alright, already." Crackle rolled her eyes. "We get it. He's cute."
"We'll take the berries to the kitchen." King Marcus declared.
"What are you going to name him?" Sofia asked Vivian.
"Hmm, I need a name as sweet and cute and lovable as he is." Vivian remarked. "How about Crispy?"
Vivian: I love your button nose
The way you chew your toes
I wanna dress you up
And cover you with bows
I like every pup
Too small for fiery stuff
I wanna hug you so
You know I can't get enough
Your ears I can't pet enough
From your shiny scales
To your curly tail
Oh you, oh you, oh you
Make my heart zing
With your tiny wings
You're the cutest thing
Crackle: Watch how I char a stick
That was your favorite trick
Vivian: The moment that we met
I knew that we would click
Sofia/Madeline: Such a cutie pie
When you attempt to fly
Crackle: I'll do my greatest stunts
I'll loop de loop way up high
I hope it'll catch their eye
Vivian: From your shiny scales
To your wiggly tail
Oh you, oh you, oh you
Make my heart zing
With your tiny wings
You're the cutest thing
Vivian and Crispy: Doo doo doo doolee doo
Crackle: Hey Viv, Hey Viv
Look at me too
Hello
Vivian/Sofia/Madeline: Oh you, oh you, oh you
Make our heart zing
With your tiny wings
You're the cutest thing
Crackle accidentally knocked over a plate.
"Crackle!" Vivian frowned. "No loop-de-loops in the castle, remember?"
Crispy yawned by Madeline's feet.
"Oh, look." Vivian cooed. "Crispy's tired."
"Oh, he needs a nap!" Sofia added.
"Let's get you a blankie." Vivian picked Crispy up.
Crackle gasped.
"What blankie?" She growled.
Vivian placed Crispy on her couch, then draped an orange, brown and yellow blanket over it.
"My blankie?!" Crackle yelled. "NO!"
Crackle released a stream of fire.
"Crackle, Crackle, use your inside fire." Clover cringed.
"Oh, I can play you a lullaby." Vivian picked up a mandolin and started playing.
"That's beautiful, Vivian." Madeline smiled.
"Thank you." Vivian grinned. "I just got it. It's a one of a kind mandolin, made just for me. And this lullaby is just for you, Crispy."
"Oh, please." Crackle huffed. "It's wasted on him. Babies can't appreciate good music!"
Crispy yawned once more, his eyes closing.
"I think it's working." Sofia whispered.
"Aww..." Vivian cooed at the sleeping Crispy.
"Ugh." Crackle growled.
"Come on." Madeline whispered. "Let's let him sleep."
"Okay." Vivian nodded. "We'll check on him after dinner."
Vivian accidentally stepped on Crackle's foot.
"Ow!" Crackle yelped.
"Sorry, Crackle." Vivian apologised. "I didn't see you there. Come on, let's go."
After the others left the room, Crackle snatched up her blanket, and followed.
"Did you see that, Clover?" She griped. "She didn't even notice me!"
"What are you talking about?" Clover asked.
"Vivian!" Crackle yelled. "Now that she's got a new dragon, it's like she's forgotten all about me."
"Ah, come on!" Clover snorted. "You're just jealous!"
"It's not true-!" Crackle shot out more fire. "...Ah, maybe it's a little true. But she gave him my blankie." She unrolled the blanket.
"Crackle, you took a blankie from a tiny helpless little baby?!" Clover gasped. "You are a grown dragon!"
"But... it's my blankie!" Crackle pouted.
"Come on, give the little guy a break!" Clover urged. "He's probably cold, shivering, wishing he had something soft and warm to cling to..."
"Ohhh alright, alright!" Crackle groaned.
Crackle flew back to Vivian's room. As she neared the room, she heard laughter. As she peeked in, she saw Crispy standing up.
"Finally!" Crispy said, in a very unbabylike voice. "I thought that kid would never leave me alone! Now, I can get this caper started."
"What?!" Crackle gasped. "Hold it right there!"
"Um... goo-goo?" Crispy acted like a baby.
"You're no baby." Crackle glared. "You can talk. Admit it!"
"Uhh... goo-goo gaa-gaa?" Crispy continued.
"Don't you 'goo-goo gaa-gaa' me!" Crackle scowled. "You're a phony!"
"Alright, you found me out." Crispy admitted. "I really am a grown-up dragon, who just happens to have an adorable baby face! So, now you know my secret. What say I cut you in on the job?"
"Job? What are you talking about?" Crackle asked.
"I've got a heist to pull of, see?" Crispy smirked. "There's a jewel room in this castle, and I'm gonna rob it. I'll, uh, split the take with ya if ya keep quiet. Whattaya say, pal?"
"I say 'no way', you phony baby crook!" Crackle yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, have it your way then." Crispy growled. "But if you're not with me, then I'm against you!" He breathed smoke in Crackle's face. "I'm not gonna let some silly pet dragon get in my way! I'm gonna use this adorable face to make myself Vivian's number one, see? Yeah, I'll be in, and you'll be out!"
Laughing wickedly, Crispy snatched the blanket and flew out of the room. Crackle frowned, and flew back to Clover.
"Clover!" She pushed him into a corner. "Listen: Crispy is not a baby. He's a mean, sneaky, grown up dragon crook!"
"Little Crispy-wispy?" Clover frowned. "Nah, not possible!"
"Totally possible!" Crackle insisted. "He's just pretending to be a baby so he can steal our castle jewels!"
"Now that's just ridiculous!" Clover chuckled. "I think you're getting a little carried away with the jealousy."
"It's true!" Crackle hissed. "And he told me he was going to..." She gulped. "...Get rid of me!"
"Crackle, how's he gonna..." Clover mock-gulped. "...Get rid of you? He's just a tiny baby with tiny paws!"
"My pies!" My pies!" Chef Pietro yelled.
Clover and Crackle ran into the kitchen, finding Chef Pietro looking at empty pie tins.
"Someone ate the squishberry pies!" He groaned.
Sofia, Madeline and Vivian came in.
"What?" Vivian gasped.
"They're gone!" Chef Pietro declared. "All gone. Just crumbs, and scorch marks."
"Scorch marks?" Vivian frowned. "Oh Crackle, how could you?"
"Me?!" Crackle yelped.
"I'm so sorry, Chef Pietro." Vivian apologised. "She's never done anything like this before. It's really not like her."
"Yeah, because I didn't do it!" Crackle yelled. "It must have been Crispy. He's trying to make it look like I did it. He's trying to frame me!"
"I guess I'll make cookies..." Chef Pietro stormed off.
"Crackle, there will be no squishberries for you for the rest of the week." Vivian reprimanded her pet.
Crackle whined plaintively.
"I'm sorry, but you should know better." Vivian sighed. "Come on, girls. Let's get back to dinner."
"Girls, wait!" Crackle called to Sofia and Madeline, causing them to stop. "I know who ate the pies. It was Crispy, honest?"
"Crispy?" Sofia frowned.
"But he's just a baby, Crackle." Madeline added. "He can't even fly."
"Madeline's right." Sofia nodded. "How would he get up there?"
"Yeah, she's having kind of a jealousy issue." Clover smirked.
"Ohhh." Sofia smiled.
"That explains it." Madeline grinned.
"No, I'm not!" Crackle frowned. "I'm having kind of a 'Crispy is a huge phony' issue! And he's a crook!"
"Sure." Clover chuckled, before telling Sofia and Madeline "Told you."
"We're going to catch up to Vivian." Sofia declared.
"But we'll talk about it later, okay?" Madeline offered, as they left.
"I'm telling you, it was Crispy!" Crackle told Clover. "He's trying to get rid of me by turning Vivian against me! You're my best friend, Clover. You believe me, don't you?"
"Ehhh..." Clover shrugged.
"Look!" Crackle pointed to a trail of berry juice on the floor. "Follow that trail, and I promise you, it will lead to-"
"Pies?" Clover suggested.
"Crispy!" Crackle corrected.
"Crispy pies?" Clover smiled.
Shaking her head, Crackle followed the trail, Clover right behind her. As they reached Vivian's room, Crackle peeked in, seeing Crispy eating out of a pie tin.
"See, Clover?" Crackle pointed. "I told you!"
"Okay, so he likes pie. I'll give you that." Clover admitted. "But that doesn't make him a hardened criminal who's out to get you."
Crispy picked up the blanket (which had something inside) and fly up the stairs, laughing.
"And look, he can fly too!" Crackle declared. "Come on, we're following him."
Going up the stairs, they saw Crispy flying by a locked set of doors.
"There it is." He smirked. "The jewel room, see? Piles of gold, silver, gems, right behind this door! Come to poppa, I mean-" He put on his baby face. "Baby!" He laughed.
"Yo, he is a grown-up!" Clover gasped.
"Yeah!" Crackle nodded.
"You!" Crispy spotted Crackle. "I thought for sure you'd be kicked out of the house by now!"
"Well, I'm not!" Crackle turned to Clover. "Now do you believe he's trying to get rid of me, and steal the castle jewels?"
"Yeah, I do." Clover nodded. He glared at Crispy. "Listen you. No-one messes with my dragon, or my pies! We are going to run you out of this joint, you big phony!"
"Yeah!" Crackle agreed.
"I don't think so, sweetheart." Crispy smirked. "Because to do that, you'll have to catch me!"
Crispy flew at Crackle and Clover, knocking down the stairs before flying off, laughing.
"Oh no!" Crackle gasped.
"Get that crook!" Clover urged.
"Eat my dust, see!" Crispy taunted as Crackle chased him. "I'm making a clean getaway!"
As the chase continued, Crispy knocked over several busts and vases.
"What's the matter, kid?" He sneered. "Too slow?"
Sofia, Madeline and Vivian saw Crackle flying up.
"Was that Crackle?" Vivian asked. "And Clover?"
"Clover, stop!" Sofia called.
Crispy flew into Vivian's room, stopping by her mandolin.
"Got ya now, you flying phony!" Cracle caught up with him.
"No, I've got you." Crispy smirked. "And I can't wait to see how you explain this."
Crispy breathed fire on Vivian's mandolin, destroying it.
"Nooo!" Crackle gasped.
Crispy cackled as Crackle picked up the burnt handle... then as the girls came in.
"My new mandolin?!" Vivian yelped. "Crackle, why would you do that? I don't even know what to say. Why would you even do something like this?"
"It was Crispy!" Crackle declared.
"Girls, it was Crispy!" Clover told Sofia and Madeline. "She's telling the truth!"
"What?!" Madeline gasped.
"Really?" Sofia frowned.
Crispy rubbed some of the ashes on his claw, then whined, showing it to Vivian.
"Oh no, Crispy!" Vivian gasped. "Did Crackle hurt you?" She picked him up. "Crackle, I just don't know what's gotten into you. I'm sorry, but you're staying in your dragonhouse tonight." She opened the side door. "Out, Crackle. Now!"
Crackle walked dejectedly towards the door. She glanced at Vivian sadly, but Vivian slammed the door.
"Poor Crispy." Vivian picked him up. "Come on, boy. Let's go find you a treat."
Crispy smirked at Crackle.
"I'll be right back, girls." Vivian carried Crispy out of the room.
"Girls, Crackle was right." Clover urged. "I saw Crispy eating the pies, and then we caught him trying to sneak into the jewellery room! He's nothing but a big phoney! A huge, tiny phoney! You've got to believe me! You've gotta tell Vivian!"
"Okay." Madeline declared. Come on, Sof."
"We'll be right back." Sofia nodded.
As Sofia and Madeline left the room, Clover went outside. He found Crackle outside her dragonhouse, packing her things.
"Crackle, what are you doing?" He gasped.
"Leaving." Crackle sighed. "I know when I'm not wanted."
"You don't have to leave." Clover hopped over." I told the girls all about Crispy. They're gonna fix everything, I promise."
"No! Vivian won't believe them!" Crackle pushed aside a picture of Vivian. "She's got her new baby dragon now!"
Sniffling, Crackle took off into the air.
"Crackle, Crackle!" Clover called. "Wait, come back! Crackle! Crackle! Crackle..."
Clover hopped away sadly. He rushed inside, finding Sofia and Madeline.
"Girls, stop!" He gasped, exhausted. "Crackle, Crackle..."
"Crackle what?" Madeline asked.
"She ran away!" Clover revealed.
"Oh no..." Sofia gasped. "Vivian!"
The girls rushed into the kitchen, where Vivian was feeding Crispy.
"Vivian, we need to talk to you." Madeline declared. "Now!"
"Crackle's run away!" Sofia revealed.
Crispy cackled triumphantly.
"What?!" Vivian gasped. "Oh no... Maybe I was too hard on her. Was I too hard on her? I never meant for her to leave. I gotta go find her!"
Crispy, not wanting Crackle back, put on his cute act.
"Girls, will you keep an eye on Crispy for me?" Vivian asked.
"Uh, about Crispy..." Madeline started.
"Tell me later!" Vivian interrupted. "I've gotta go find Crackle!"
Vivian raced out of the kitchen.
"Alright Crispy, the jig is up!" Sofia declared.
"We know the truth!" Madeline added.
As they turned, they realised Crispy was gone.
"What?" Sofia gaped.
"Where'd he go?" Madeline asked.
"The jewel room!" Clover declared.
"Right." Sofia nodded. "Hurry!"
Crispy was outside the jewel room. Using a stolen key, he opened the doors and flew in. Sofia, Madeline and Clover were right behind him
"I think we've found him." Madeline grinned.
They rushed to the main vault, finding Crispy taking the gold.
"Crispy!" Sofia yelled.
"What?" Crispy glared at Clover. "You. So you've brought your little human. Think you can get the drop on me, eh? Fat chance!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Crispy." Madeline declared.
"What? Double take!" Crispy frowned. "A human who can understand animals?"
"Two, actually." Sofia corrected.
"So that's your play." Crispy scowled. "Well, it's still not gonna stop me, see?"
Crispy started breathing fire, forcing Clover and the girls to duck.
"You are really not a baby." Madeline frowned.
"And there's nothing adorable about you!" Clover added.
"Yeah, you got that right!" Crispy breathed more fire. The girls had to duck, allowing him to fly over them with the blanket full of treasure, Clover jumping after him. He then slammed the vault door, locking Sofia and Madeline in.
"Oh no!" Sofia gasped.
"Oh yeah, dollface!" Crispy sneered. "It's bye-bye, baby, see?"
"Girls!" Clover struggled against the door.
"Clover, go after him!" Madeline instructed.
"I can't leave you here!" Clover insisted. "I'm gonna get you out!"
Clover struggled, but couldn't open it.
Outside the castle, Vivian was running to find Crackle.
"Crackle! Crackle!" She found her flying just ahead. "Stop!"
"Vivian?" Crackle turned around. "Vivian!" She flew down and hugged her.
"Oh Crackle, I'm so glad I found you." Vivian sighed. "I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't. Listen, I never, ever, ever wanted you to leave."
"Ah..." Crackle sighed with relief.
"So, let's go home, okay?" Vivian asked.
Crackle nodded excitedly.
"I know you and Crispy will find a way to get along." Vivian added.
Crackle scowled, smoke coming out of her nostrils.
Meanwhile, the girls were pushing against the safe door.
"It isn't opening." Madeline groaned. "We're locked in!"
"It's no use." Sofia told Clover through the keyhole. "Maybe you should go and get help."
"How?" Clover asked. "No-one understands me besides you two. I know, can you use your Amulets to summon a princess to help?"
"That's it!" Madeline smiled. "My Amulet! I can use it to make us both small enough to fit through the keyhole!"
"I knew I'd think of something." Clover boasted.
"Great idea, Maddie!" Sofia smiled.
"Thanks. Now take my hand." Madeline urged. After Sofia took her hand, she placed the other on her Amulet. "I wish to be small."
The girls shrunk down. But the keyhole was too small.
"Let's try this again." Sofia frowned.
"I wish to be really small." Madeline declared. They shrunk down further. "Perfect!"
They squeezing through the keyhole, and sliding onto Clover's back.
"Now you girls are tiny and adorable." Clover grinned.
"I wish to be big again." Madeline held her Amulet.
The girls returned to normal size, Sofia still sat on Clover.
"Um... a little help?" Clover groaned.
"Sorry, sorry!" Sofia apologised, picking him up.
Not too far away, Crispy was struggling to carry his stolen loot, allowing Clover and the girls to catch up quickly.
"Crispy!" Madeline yelled. "Drop those jewels!"
"How did you bust out of the hoosgow?" Crispy asked. "It doesn't matter. You can't stop me now, see?"
"Yes we can, Crispy!" Sofia retorted.
The three of them slid down the bannisters, landing in front of Crispy.
"Gotcha!" Madeline smiled.
"Yeah, take that!" Clover added.
"Oh-ho-ho, take this!" Crispy breathed fire at the chandelier, causing it to fall and trap the girls and Clover.
Crispy started laughing, as Sofia and Madeline tried to lift up the chandelier.
"You're not going to get away with us!" Sofia yelled.
"What's that, doll?" Crispy smirked. "I couldn't hear ya through my victory lap!"
As Crispy flew off, Sofia and Madeline finally upturned the chandelier.
Vivian and Crackle returned just in time to see Crispy flew outside.
"Crispy?" Vivian gaped. "You're flying? What are you doing?"
"Get back here, you crook!" Crackle gave chase.
Sofia and Madeline ran outside.
"Vivian, stop him!" Madeline yelled.
"What's going on?" Vivian asked.
"Crispy's a thief!" Sofia revealed. "He's stealing your castle jewels!"
"What?!" Vivian gasped.
"Back off, pally!" Crispy yelled as Crackle pursued him. "I've got a smokin' hot snout, and I'm not afraid to use it, see?"
Crispy breathed fire at Crackle. She dodged it, and gave chase as he flew off higher.
"Oh. My. Goodness." Vivian stared.
"Go Crackle!" Clover smiled.
"Alright flatfoot, you asked for it!" Crispy breathed more fire.
Crackle dodged the flame and grabbed the blanket, struggling with Crispy.
"My stuff! My salad! My lettuce! My simoleons!" Crispy yelped. "My dough! My moolah-!"
Crackle wrapped him up in the blanket, trapping him.
"Hey, what is this?" Crispy yelled. "What's going on?"
"I'm getting rid of you!" Crackle grinned. "For good!"
"Let me out of here, see?" Crispy struggled. "If you know what's good for ya, let me out! I'm gonna sue you for wrongful imprisonment!"
Crackle hung the blanket on a gargoyle.
"There." She smiled, flying back to Vivian.
"Crackle, that was amazing!" Madeline smiled.
"Cute little Crispy is a thief?" Vivian frowned.
"He is." Sofia nodded. "He just wanted to get into the castle so he could steal your jewels."
"I can't believe it..." Vivian mused.
"And he's not even a baby." Madeline added. "He's a grown-up. He's a complete faker, and a crook!"
"Oh Crackle, I blamed you for everything today, and you didn't even do any of it, did you?" Vivian sighed.
Crackle shook her head.
"Crispy took the pies?" Vivian asked.
Crackle nodded.
"And scorched my mandolin?" Vivian continued.
Crackle nodded.
"Oh, I... I never should have doubted you, Crackle." Vivian admitted. "I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Crackle looked away, then smiled. Vivian stroked her head happily.
Some time later, a constable had arrived to take away Crispy, who was locked in his coach. The girls, Clover, Crackle and Vivian's parents were all there.
"Royal families everywhere will be sleeping well tonight, thanks to you." He declared, holding up a wanted poster of a small dragon.
"Whoa!" Crackle gasped.
"Huh, it's Crispy!" Clover declared.
"He's wanted all the way from here to Corinthia." The constable declared.
"Ah, phooey!" Crispy scowled.
"Yes, and we've got a cosy little fireproof cell waiting just for you." The constable told Crispy. He got on the coach, which departed.
Crispy started crying.
"I want my binky, see?" He wept. "I want my binky!"
"Girls, thank you for saving our royal treasure." King Marcus declared.
"It wasn't us, dad." Vivian smiled. "It was Crackle. She's the one who stopped Crispy!"
"Ah, she's such a good dragon." Queen Cecily declared.
"She's the best dragon." Vivian stroked her.
"WOO-HOO!" Crackle happily flew into aired and breathed some fire, causing everyone else to duck. "Sorry!" She smiled.