Later she went home and told her parents the story. They were sympathetic, but said that she would find someone else. Linda just shook her head and went into her room, saying that she wanted to be alone for the rest of evening. Her parents would never understand how strong Ned and Linda's love were for each other.
Linda glanced through Ned's backpack, and noticed that he had doodled hearts and her name over the cover of his notebook. This made her glad that she had kept his backpack.
She then set Newton's bowl down on her side table and put Newton into it. Newton looked sick with grief. Linda decided to give him a little Zippo. After all if his heart couldn't be filled then at least his stomach could. Newton didn't eat at first, until he remembered that Ned wanted Linda to know the truth about him (he read the note after Ned put it into his backpack). So, he ate some and became his six-foot self.
Linda dropped her mouth open, too shocked to scream. Thank goodness.
"Not a word, Ned wouldn't even trust his own parents with this so I doubt he'd trust your parents. No offense." Newton said sadly.
Linda recovered quickly, especially since Newton's calm demeanor made it easy. Easier than when Ned first found out anyway, since Newton was using his morph powers at the time. Finding out that your pet can become six feet tall and talk is one thing, but finding out that your pet can become six feet tall, talk, and morph into various shapes is another.
"Well, this explains some of the weird things that had happened to Ned." Linda remarked.
"Right, most of the dumb stuff he did, like hurting you with the speeches and going into the back of the school bus, was my idea." Newton nodded. "The 'hurting you with speeches' was unintentional, I was just trying to help him impress you."
"That I forgave quickly, but I wish you hadn't made him go into the bus through the back." Linda frowned. "I was so worried about him."
"Yeah, sorry about that." Newton rubbed the back of his head; he then whimpered and started crying. "Oh Ned!" He sobbed; luckily he had enough self-control to not make it loud enough for Linda's parents to hear.
"I know, I miss him so much it hurts." Linda sobbed.
"It's broken my heart." Newton agreed, pulling his skin back so that a broken Valentine's heart popped out like a broken cuckoo clock bird.
Linda did a double-take.
"Oh, yeah, that's the Zippo." Newton shrugged. "And don't worry that wasn't my real heart."
"Oh, okay then." Linda was relieved.
Linda and Newton, due to bonding over their mutual friendship with Ned and their pain from his death, became fast friends.
Oh, and Ned's father Eric? He was shocked when Mrs. Fleming told him what happened, and then became as upset as her.
Later, in the woods by the river, someone opened his or her eyes and looked around with confusion.
"Where am I?" The person asked. "And who am I?"
The weeks went by. Time went slowly for Linda, Newton, Doogle, and Ned's parents, though it seemed to move fast for everyone else. Other people moved on, some even kinda forgot about Ned. Linda, Newton, and Ned's parents obviously couldn't, and Doogle didn't either. Ned had been his best and only human friend, and Doogle knew that no one could replace him. Linda and Doogle became closer because of their loyalty to Ned, since Linda knew she could never find another guy like Ned. Linda and Doogle eventually became like brother and sister: Linda sometimes found Doogle annoying, and Doogle wished Linda would be more tolerant of his quirks, but they still cared about each other.
During this time, Linda found out about Newton's feelings for Buttercup, the newt belonging to the rich heartless kid that Ned once babysat. By heartless I mean he treated Buttercup like a boring toy, he didn't even name her. Newton had been the one who named her.
It turns out that the kid had been so frightened by Buttercup's revenge that his parents decided to leave town. The building had been demolished, since it was custom built for the family and no one else could afford it. Newton missed Buttercup dreadfully, and didn't even know what happened to her.
So far no new building had been built on the site, since the land was expensive and not a lot of people could afford it, so Linda decided to explore the area with Newton. Linda was fourteen now, and still missed Ned dreadfully so she knew how Newton felt about Buttercup.
When they reached the area it was still a bit grassy, though there were patches of mud as well. They walked around, until Linda noticed a pink newt at the edge of a puddle. Newton saw the newt too, and dropped his mouth open big time. It was actually kinda impressive considering he was in his nonverbal form. Linda went over and picked up the newt, and Newton smiled joyfully. It was Buttercup! Buttercup frowned with confusion at first, until she saw Newton and actually recognized him. She then smiled too.
Linda took Buttercup home and gave her some Zippo. She gave Newton some as well.
"It's about time, I thought no one would take me in." Buttercup smiled to Linda gratefully.
"Oh Buttercup, what happened to you?" Newton asked, relieved yet a bit concerned.
"When that kid and his parents moved out he left me there." Buttercup explained. "I guess I really did scare him back when I was taking revenge for the way he treated me. Then when the building was demolished I escaped into the backyard. I had been there ever since."
"I'm so glad you're okay, I often thought about you and wondered if you were okay." Newton smiled.
"At least someone cares about me." Buttercup smiled gratefully. "Speaking of those who care, where's your previous owner? Ned?"
Newton and Linda both looked miserable. Buttercup looked shocked since there were only a few reasons why they would look miserable. They then told her the story, leaving her sad as well.
"Why do the good ones have to go while the bad ones stay alive?" Buttercup sighed sadly; then she looked at Linda and Newton. "Uh, no offense."
"None taken, I know what you meant." Linda shook her head. "Actually I agree with you, I wish it had been Rusty who lost his life instead of Ned. Anyway, Newton loves you a lot, and since I feel the same way for Ned even though he died I'll be more than glad to take you in."
Buttercup hugged her.
"I would love that." She smiled.
She then let Linda go, and hugged Newton. She did love him all this time, she had just been distracted with revenge before.
So Newton and Buttercup were together. Linda wasn't jealous of them though, she was glad. Seeing them together gave her a glimpse of how she and Ned might've turned out, and saddened yet comforted her at the same time. She always knew that she and Ned would've been the most devoted couple ever, but seeing Newton and Buttercup still in love despite probably thinking that they'd never see each other before confirmed it. After all, only the strongest love would prevent you from moving on if you think you'll never see the one you love again.
Time continued to pass. Newton and Buttercup didn't have offspring yet, even though they became mates the year after they reunited. Newton just felt too much grief over Ned's death, even though he'd like to be a father. Buttercup understood, and decided that it would be a good idea to wait until Linda got a place of her own anyway. After all her parents might not appreciate a lot of baby newts around the house... Anyway, one thing remained consistent: on every anniversary of Ned's death, Linda went to the Unfriendly River and tossed a rose in. That way a piece of her love could join Ned year by year until she would be able to join him.