The Dragon Express came to a slow, and steady as they land in front of New Rad. Outside waiting to welcome the Warriors, and young child stood Prince William.
As the passenger car's doors opened Connor immediately walked to the prince, who was his friend.
"William!" He beamed with a beaming glow.
"Connor!" William responded with the same excitement. They lifted their hands and shake them to greet each other. "How was the Warriors doing?" He asked.
He giggled. "Real good. I have just been overlooking the daily activities of East Liverpool, and making sure it's protected."
William nodded. "Well, at least you aren't trying to battle an evil queen who is trying to rule your world." Speaking sarcastically as he sighed softly. "Celestine is so excited to see you and the Warriors again! Mom and Dad are at the castle."
He noticed the rest of the group standing behind Connor. "Hello Warriors and Shadowbolts." He looked at the group carefully and walked back toward Connor. "So Connor, where is the guest of honor that Celestine, and Dad have been telling me about?"
Connor looked behind him at the group of people, but didn't see the little boy. "Hmm.. I don't know." He turned around looking at the three Shadowbolts and Luu Luu. "Luu Luu, Sugarcoat, Indigo, Sunny, where is Toby?"
Sunny motioned with her hand toward Prim's dress. "He is hiding. When we stepped off the carriage he saw Prince William, and got nervous, and his under Prim's dress." She along with everybody watched the little shaking movement of Prim's dress with concerned looks on their faces.
Prim smiled nervously at William. "Um.. I am truly sorry William. He is very shy, and timid around new people. He is still shy, and timid around all of us." She turned her head toward her dress, and cooed softly at the little boy. "Toby sweetie, you can come out. The prince is real nice like all of us, and he would like to meet you. Please don't be scared."
Toby peeked his head out from underneath her dress, and nodded softly. He carefully stepped out from behind her, and walked slowly toward William. The others smiled warmly as he stepped in front of the prince. He lowered his head in a bow. "H-hello P-Prince William. I-it is good to meet you." He lifted his head, and smiled softly up at the young prince.
William stepped forward, and lowered his head in a bow of his own. "Well, it is an honor to meet you as well Toby. You have nothing to fear from me." He smiled at the little boy, and patted gently on his shoulder. He leaned in to whisper. "Anyways, if somebody tried to bother you, you just come to good ol' William and I will take care of them for you." He winked as he raised his head with a smile.
Toby giggled lightly as he felt an hand on his back, and turned to look up at Alicia. "See there sweetheart, there is nothing to be scared of. William here is the prince of Rad, and you will meet the others when we go to the castle." She smiled softly down at him as he returned the same smile.
He carefully walked back over to Prim who was lowered on her legs ready for Toby to climb on. He climbed up on her carefully. She smiled softly back at him, and asked. "Toby sweetie, how would you maybe like to fly? Bigjaw will be very careful, and I promise I won't let you fall." She nuzzled at his cheek.
With a smile on his face he nodded. "O-okay Prim. Th-that sounds like fun." He carefully hugged her neck a little tightly, but not too tight to hurt her.
After the group departed from the dragon station Prim got on top of Bigjaw and looked back at the little boy. "Okay sweetie, hold on." Bigjaw flapped his wings, and hovered in the air. She could feel shaking on her back, and turned back to Toby noticing his eyes were closed shut. She nuzzled at his cheek. "It's okay little one, open your eyes."
Toby opened them slowly, and shot his head back, and forth looking down at the group walking below him. He looked around as he was in the air as Grave came up beside them with Sunny on Bomber. Toby smiled as he felt the gentle breeze blow against his face, and skin. "Th-this is fun Prim. Th-thank you."
Prim smiled as the little boy was actually having fun for the very first time since he had arrived in East Liverpool. "You are very welcome sweetie." Although she was smiling on the outside, she was frowning on the inside. 'I just wish he wouldn't be so timid around us. He is so sweet, but his voice is so small and sounds broken. I hope when Kin takes us into his dreams we find out what caused him to be so timid.' She thought to herself as Bigjaw flew carefully in the air.
As the group arrived at the palace Bigjaw carefully lowered to the ground landing softly. The guards stepped aside opening the palace doors to let the group through.
While they were walking through the main hall a thought came to Toby. 'Mommy always loved pretty places.' This brought a tear to his eye which he quickly wiped away with a hand, so no body would notice.
William came to a stop at two tall golden doors that looked like they lead to another room. He turned back to the child on Prim's back. "Hey buddy, if a prince may ask, could you maybe close your eyes for a little bit?"
Toby nodded. "Y-yes Prince William." He closed his eyes shut as he hugged Prim's neck. He could hear the big doors slowly being opened, and felt Prim start walking. After a few steps he felt Prim come to a stop. He started to shake as he could hear nothing but silence.
Prim turned her head to the nervous little child, and nuzzled at his cheek. "It's okay Toby, you can open your eyes now sweetie."
He carefully opened his eyes, and swallowed nervously as he looked through the lens of his eyeglasses. He sat up a little on Prim's back as he could see he was in what happened to be a ballroom. There were many people in attendance, most of the people he saw were dressed in elegant gowns, and nice suits. He recognized them as the people that lived in New Rad. The other people he saw didn't have elegant clothes. He guessed they were people from East Liverpool.
He looked around at everybody nervously as he heard them mumble to one another. The group he was with slowly walked down the red carpet leading to the center where Celestine and King Charles stood. Beside the two royals he saw is some kind of queen. William walked up beside her, and Alicia walked up to the other side of the royals.
Prim and the rest of the group walked up, and stood at the side of Alicia as Toby looked at all four royals.
Celestine began to speak with a royal yet elegant voice. "All ladies and gentlemen. Today myself, and my friend King Charles would like to welcome you as we celebrate the arrival of a new guest here in East Liverpool. He is a young human boy. He came from somewhere in Ohio, but I vow he brings no harm to mankind or to all of East Liverpool." The crowd stopped their mumbling, and smiled knowing that the child was not a threat to them.
She turned toward Prim. "Our very own, princess of Feoh, and caretaker of all small and big dragons. Princess Prim Fiore was the one who discovered this little one." Prim nervously lifted a hand and waved at everybody in attendance. Celestine looked toward the child on her back. "Little one, would you like to come up, and let everybody see you? I promise no one is here to harm you sweetheart."
Toby swallowed nervously as he looked at Prim, and beside him at the others as they all nodded at him reassuringly with warm smiles. He then turned toward Celestine, and nodded. Prim gently knelt on her legs as he carefully climbed down off her back. She stood back up, and gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head to keep him calm. He carefully walked toward Celestine as he looked up at Alicia who gave him a warm smile. He stepped in front of Celestine, and lifted his head slowly to look at all those before him.
He started shaking when he felt a warm hand over his back and shoulders. He tilted his head back to look up at Celestine, smiling softly down at him. She looked at all her guests saying, "this young human child is Toby..." She lowered her head softly down to him. "Toby sweetheart, if a high elf may ask, what is your last name?" She asked gently.
He softly whispered in her ear. "M-Mason, Celestine." He gave her a light smile.
She lifted her head back up, and cleared her throat. "This young human child's name is Toby Mason, and although he is small, he has a big heart, and has treated us with great respect and kindness." She looked down at the little boy, and thought back to the day before he met him. She started to tear up a little bit which everybody looked concerned even Toby, who tilted his head back to look up at her. "My friend and myself would greatly appreciate it if you all would treat this little one with the same respect, and kindness, for her has suffered a great loss in his life, and has endured a broken heart."
Everybody in the crowd gasped, and looked at the child with worried looks as they all nodded in unison at Celestine and Charles.
Celestine blinked her eyes to subdue her tears as she looked up at everybody. "Our faithful Princess Alicia Arcturus, and the Apple Family brought all of their great apple delicacies for everybody to enjoy. Our very own Mercenary Queen, Maia, has brought music, games to play, and an array of sweet treats baked by herself with some help from Pinkie Pie of Sugar Snacks. Later we will all go outside to the palace courtyards to see the knight of Rad Grave and Shrine Maiden Kaguya will be performing their fire dance and for Prim Fiore, is going to soothe us with Fluttershy and her bird choir. Now may this joyous celebration begin." With that a blast was heard throughout the ballroom, and everybody turned to see it was Luu Luu setting off Pinkie's party cannon. Streamers, confetti, and balloons showered over the ballroom. Laughter erupted from everybody.
Everybody bowed their heads respectfully to the royals as they all started moving around. Some were conversing with one another, some headed over to the apple cart where Applejack, and Big Macintosh stood at, some went over to enjoy some Sugar Snacks top sweeet where Pinkie Pie is at. A few went over to participate in some games operated by Maia, who had a bright smile on her face.
The Shadowbolts each gave Toby a warm hug before going off to hang out with the other former Crystal Prep students who were invited, Grave gave him a gentle rub on the head before walking outside to prepare for the fire dance.
Alicia walked up to the little boy, and smiled softly down at him. "I think I will get over to the apple cart Toby, and make sure everything is running smoothly. There are plenty of apple dishes there for you to try when you get ready, alright little one?" He nodded as she reached a hand up, and rubbed gently at his shoulder before walking off toward the apple cart.
Claudia walked up to him next, and gently wrapped an arm around his small form pulling him in a warm hug. She gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his dead, and softly spoke. "Toby dear, I will be mingling with the other people if you need me, okay precious?" He nodded, and gave her a soft smile, she returned it before walking off to mingle with the others.
Celestine, and Charles smiled down at the little child. "Young Toby, Celestine and I officially welcome you to East Liverpool." Charles spoke with a soft tone as both royals lowered their hands, and lightly touched each of his shoulders with their hands.
Prim walked up to Toby, and the royals. She looked up at both of them, and shyly asked. "Um.. Charles, and Celestine... if it is okay with you both.. um.. could I maybe speak with you?" They looked at each other, then looked back at Prim, and nodded. She smiled at them, and then looked down at the little boy. "Toby sweetie I will be right back, okay? I am just going to talk with the royals." He nodded as she lowered her head, and gave him a tender kiss on the top of his head.
Toby smiled softly as Prim walked off with the royals off to the side some. He felt something soft over his shoulders, and back. He tilted his head back to see Kaguya smiling down at him softly. "H-hi Kaguya."
"Hey Toby sweetheart. I would like to introduce you to a few special people. They will be very happy to meet you." She smiled, and gently guided him over to the other people who were in a small group talking with one another.
"Hi Jeanne!" She beamed as Queen Jeanne done the same.
"Kaguya!" They both hugged each other.
They giggled happily as Kaguya carefully placed a hand over Toby, and gently brought him forth. "Jeanne I would like to officially introduce you to Toby. Toby this is Queen Jeanne, Charles wife, and Queen of Rad."
Toby smiled softly up at Jeanne and bowed his head respectfully "H-hi there Q-Queen Jeanne. I-it is good to meet you." Speaking softly in his usual small tone.
Jeanne smiled softly down at the little boy, and lowered her head to him and to look him in his eyes. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you young one. There is no need to be nervous Toby, we would never dream of hurting you." She gave him a reassuring smile, and reached up with a hand, and rubbed lightly at his arm. He smiled up softly at her.
Kaguya smiled at the interaction between Toby, and Jeanne as she very gently turned him toward two new people. Dean Malinda Bunyan and Chief Baxter Multz.
"Toby, I would like you to meet my friends, Dean Malinda Bunyan and Chief Baxter Multz." She had her hand laid across his back, and shoulders.
He smiled up softly at them. "H-hi there Dean Malinda and C-Chief Multz. I-it is good to meet you both." They smiled softly down at him and lowered their hands to gently touch their hands on each of his shoulders.
While Toby was meeting the Warriors' friends Prim, Charles, and Celestine walked off outside, to get away from the crowd to talk.
Celestine spoke softly to the caring princess. "My loyal and kind Prim, what is on your mind?"
Prim had a nervous look on her face as she took in a deep breath. "Um.. well, Celestine, and Charles.. um... something has been troubling me ever since I discovered Toby." She lowered her head hiding behind her hair.
Celestine looked down worriedly at the timid princess. "Oh, my friend. What is the matter? Maybe myself, and Charles can help."
Prim took another deep breath and looked up at the royals. "Well, um... I really care for the precious little one... but I am concerned of how he actually ended up in East Liverpool. I mean... um... I discovered him at the front door at Sunny's apartment... um.. but that is all I know." She lowered her head again with a tear falling from her eyes.
Kin appeared and gently spoke up. "Prim, I believe I have the answer you are looking for." He turned to his friend. "Celestine, Charles, being a sorcerer I am able to hear the wishes, prayers, and inner thoughts of those in East Liverpool." Prim looked up shocked but Kin calmed her by putting a hand up. "Well, our caring and kind Prim made a wish three nights ago that she could have a boy or girl that she could call her own."
Charles looked at Kin with a shocked look. He turned to Prim who had her head lowered back down under her hair and smiled warmly at the princess. "Is this true princess?" Prim nodded nervously.
"Charles, I also heard another wish the same night." Prim, and Charles both looked at him surprised, and he nodded. "Yet this wish was not from anyone in East Liverpool, but from another town. You see, not only am I able to hear the mind of everybody of East Liverpool, but I am able to hear minds from different lands."
Celestine looked at the sorcerer with a soft smile, but frown. "Let me ask Kin, do you have this ability somehow due to the reason of aiding you with dreams that I already know?" Kin nodded solemnly.
Celestine, that is the reason, but not to worry. For being a sorcerer from another dimension, I am able to connect with life of other distant lands." Prim, and Celestine nodded. "The night Prim made her wish, I heard a wish similar from the heart, and mind of a young boy. His wish was that he would live in a new home with someone who would love him. That young boy was Toby."
Prim looked up in tears forming in her eyes as Kin nodded, and continued. "So with him sleeping peacefully in his bed I concentrated all of my magic, and I used it to envelope his small form in a warm aura, so it wouldn't wake him. I transported him here to East Liverpool, I feel awful though, because I transported him at the front door of the apartment, but we knew he would be discovered by you Prim. Because you decided to sleep there."
Prim smiled tearfully up at Kin. "Oh my. It is true maybe that him, and I were meant to discover each other.. um.. right Kin?" He nodded softly as Prim smiled as she closed her eyes to subdue her tears. "Um.. Kin.. um.. there is a question I would like to ask.. um... if it is okay with you?"
Kin smiled at the princess, and nodded. "Of course Lady Prim, what would you like to ask?"
Prim but her lower lip. "Um... well, Toby is such a polite little gentleman.. um... but it is sad to see him so nervous around everybody he meets. He still talks nervously around me and my friends. He always asks us to not get mad at him for asking a simple question, and he still shakes timidly. His tone is so small, and broken that it hurts me. Um.. I was wondering.. um.. if we could.. um if we could enter into his dreams while he is asleep.. um.. if it is okay with you Kin?"
Kin looked at her with a warm smile. "Yes, I think we could. Yet, I believe it would be best if we look into young Toby's memories to discover why he is so timid in behavior. It is the same as going into somebody's dreams, but we can recall his most beloved, and worse memories."
Prim nodded, and looked up at the sorcerer. "Um.. it won't hurt the little one though, will it Kin?"
Kin softly shook his head. "Oh, no. I will make sure to make Toby calm, and peaceful as he is sleeping." Prim softly smiled, and turned toward Alicia as she was introducing the little boy to her friends.
She bowed her head to the two royals. "Thank you very much Celestine, and Charles for your understanding. I am going to go join Toby now so he doesn't get worried about me." She smiled up at them, and gently walked off.
Celestine smiled at Kin. "Kin, I trust you, and I hope that you, and the others can discover what is wrong with the poor dear." Kin nodded in agreement as the royals looked at the celebration.
Prim walked up to Alicia and her friends as they were welcoming Toby. "Hi Alicia, um.. could I maybe speak with you for a second.. um.. if it is okay with you?" Alicia nodded, and Prim looked down at the small child. "Toby sweetie, I will be back in just a minute, and I will take you around, okay?" He nodded softly as he carefully walked over to Alicia's friends, so he wouldn't be alone.
"Prim, they absolutely adore Toby! I knew they would, but he is just so timid." Alicia frowned a little as she looked over at the little boy, then back at Prim. "What is on your mind Pri"
Prim sighed heavily. "Well.. um.. I talked with Celestine and Kin about my wish three nights ago, and also how I was concerned about how Toby showed up here in East Liverpool. Kin told me that he was the one who brought Toby here."
Alicia gasped. "K-Kin brought him here?! H-how?"
Prim bit her lower lip. "Well.. um.. he said that he heard my wish that night, but also heard a wish Toby made." Prim looked at Alicia, with tears forming in her eyes once again. "Alicia, he wished to have a new home, and a family who would love him. So, Kin used his magic to bring Toby here to East Liverpool." She reached up with a hand to wipe away her tears.
Alicia smiled warmly at her cousin then looked over at the little boy standing with her friends. "Aww.. the poor little sweetheart. I never knew Kin could here wishes of other's from different lands. Very interesting."
Prim took in a deep breath, "um... also Kin agreed to allow is all to go into Toby's dreams... um... well memories. She believes his memories will reveal why he is to timid and nervous like he is."
Alicia nodded. "I totally agree. Tonight when Toby is sleeping peacefully, I will get the Warriors, Celestine, and Kin, and we will meet you in your guest room. I am sure Charles won't mind us staying the night." She smiled softly.
"That sounds like a good idea Alicia." Prim returned the smile, and looked over at Toby. "Well, let me go, and take Toby around to meet the others. I am sure everybody would like to meet him." Alicia nodded in agreement as they walked back over to the small child, and their friends.
Prim walked up to Toby and looked down at him. "Toby sweetie, are you ready to walk around and maybe meet some new people?" He looked up softly, and nodded. "Okay.. um.. if you would like you can hold my hand so you can stay close to me.. um.. if that is okay with you."
He smiled up softly and nodded. "O-okay Prim."
Jeanne walked up to Toby before they left to join the festivities. She kneeled down, and gently gave Toby a warm hug. "Well, it was nice meeting you little one. You are certainly precious, and very polite. Maybe one day you can visit Rad where I live. It is very beautiful, and all of the villagers who live there are very nice." She smiled down at him as William stood beside her.
He smiled down at the little boy, and gently rubbed the top of his head with a hand. "Yeah buddy, you would like our home. We would be honored to give you a tour if you would like to come and visit."
Toby smiled up softly. "Th-thank you P-Prince William and Q-Queen Jeanne." He gently grabbed hold of Prim's hand, and waved at Alicia, and her friends as he and Prim walked off.
While Prim was leading Toby through the crowd, the other people would smile warmly down at him, and 'd'awwed' at how cute he looked in his outfit. Prim stopped behind a line leading to the apple cart.
She looked back at the sweet, and timid little boy. "Toby sweetie, you can choose whatever you want and I will pay for it, okay little one?" He looked up softly, and nodded.
After the man ahead of them got an apple pie, Prim walked up to the cart where Applebloom was handing out the apple dishes, Applejack collecting the money, and Big Macintosh was making sure everything was going smoothly, and not out of control.
Applejack smiled at the duo and tipped her hat. "Howdy there Prim and Toby." She smiled down at the little boy and bent her head down to gently ask. "What would you like little feller?"
Toby smiled up softly at the country girl, then looked at the cart. He scanned the array of tasty looking apple dishes, and finally laid his eyes on an apple fritter. He looked up at Prim and gently asked. "P-Prim, could I-I maybe have an apple fritter?"
Prim smiled softly down at him and nodded. "Of course sweetheart." She turned to Applejack. "Two apple fritters, please Applejack."
"Ya got it, that will be four dollars." She smiled happily as Applebloom picked up two apple fritters. Prim reached back to her purse, and lifted a finger to one of the pockets and pulled out four dollars. She handed them to Applejack.
"Here you go. Two homemade apple fritters, enjoy." Applebloom said as Toby gently reached up, and got his while Prim did the same.
He looked up at Applebloom, and softly spoke. "Th-thank you Miss Applebloom.:
Applebloom looked down with a warm smile. "Aww.. aren't you a polite little gentleman. You are very welcome little fella, and you can just call me Applebloom." She winked at the little boy.
Toby took a bite of his fritter, and the tase made him smile happily. He could taste the perfect crunch of the fritter's crust, mixed with the warmth of freshly baked apples, and cinnamon all in one. He looked up at Applejack and Applebloom. "Mmm.. this is very good A-Applejack and A-Applebloom!" He continued to eat at the apple fritter gently.
Applebloom just smiled warmly at the little colt, and Applejack tilted her hat. "Well, thank ya very kindly sugarcube. Ah' would love to show you around our apple job of Apple's Bakery one day. Maybe you can even help Big Macintosh, and Applebloom bake some apple fritters yerself." He smiled up at her and nodded, and she gently rubbed at the top of his head with a hand.
Prim smiled softly at Applejack. "Thank you Applejack and Applebloom. Delicious as always." She was just finishing up her apple fritter. She reached for a couple of napkins one for her and one for Toby with a hand. She wiped at her face, while she handed Toby his napkin.
Toby smiled as he took the last bite of his apple fritter and wiped his mouth with the napkin. Prim smiled down at him. "I am glad you enjoyed your apple fritter Toby." She leant her head down and nuzzled at his cheek.
She looked up at Applejack. "We will see you in a little while, I am going to take Toby over to Maia next to see what games she has for him to play." She smiled softly.
Applejack nodded. "Sounds like a darn good plan Prim." She turned towards Toby. "You have fun sugarcube an Ah' will see you in a little while." He nodded, and waved as he gently grab hold of Prim's hand, and followed beside her as she started to walk.
As they were heading toward where Maia was, Toby looked around, and saw what appeared to be a big pair of speakers with a table that had a record player on it. Behind her is Vinyl Scratch. She was turning the discs and playing retro music which all the people, even the fancy dressed ones danced to.
Toby smiled at all the fun going on and gently asked up at Prim. "P-Prim, who is that girl over there?" Pointing over at the music table.
Prim smiled softly down at him. "Oh, her name is Vinyl Scratch. She works at a music store in East Liverpool, and she is always available for a party."
He nodded, and smiled up softly as they walked up to Pinkie Pie who had a party hat on, cheering on a woman who was playing a round of Pin The Tail on The Donkey. She spotted the two and ran over to them.
"Hey there! Are you both enjoying the party so far?" They both nodded and Maia looked down at Toby. "I have a special surprise for you little Toby, but you have to close your eyes." He nodded and closed his eyes as he held onto Prim's hand. Maia waved a hand in front of the little boy to make sure he couldn't see. "Okay, follow me!"
Prim giggled lightly at Maia's excitement Toby laughed as well. Prim carefully led Toby as she followed Maia to a large red velvet covered object.
Maia grabbed the cover and removed it. "Okay little Toby, you can open your eyes now!" She kneeled down with a bright smile awaiting his reaction.
Toby opened his eyes, and he was in awe at what he saw. Before him was a big three layer cake that appeared to have chocolate icing smoothly spread on all three layers, pink icing as the outline of each round layer, a cherry placed on the very top, and each layer had words written on them in pink icing. The top layer read 'WELCOME', the middle layer read 'TO EAST LIVERPOOL', and the bottom layer read 'TOBY!'.
Maia beamed with excitement and asked "Do you like it?"
Toby lit up with a bright smile which was the first time Prim ever saw him smile so big. "Y-you made that f-for me M-Maia?!"
She nodded still beaming. "Of course kid! I hope you like chocolate!" Toby gently let go of Prim's hand and ran up to Maia wrapping his arms lightly around her neck.
"Th-thank you Maia! I-I love it!" He said happily as Prim watched on.
She thought to herself. 'Hmm.. he acted the same way when Claudia gave him his new outfit with that little golden heart sewn into it. I have a feeling that he never had anyone to think of him enough to give him anything special except for his mom.'
Maia reached up with a hand, and rubbed Toby's back. "Aww.. well, you are welcome little Toby! Would you like for me to cut you a piece?" He nodded up happily at her.
She randomly pulled out a knife and stoop up on her legs reaching up to the top layer to cut a slice. She placed the slice on a napkin and handed it to the little boy. "Here you are Toby! There is plenty if you want some more!"
Toby took a bite of the cake, and smiled warmly up at Maia. "Mmmm.. th-this is very good Maia! I-I love chocolate!" He giggled lightly as he ate the cake. Prim just smiled at him as he ate his piece of cake.
After Toby finished his piece of cake in a couple of minutes Maia gently placed both her hands on his shoulders. "How would you like to play a game of Pin The Tail on The Donkey little Toby?" He smiled and nodded. Maia gently led him over to the game while Prim followed behind.
While everybody and Toby was having fun inside, Grave was finishing warming up. "Alright, I am ready to give the kid an awesome show!" He looked to see that the sun was slowly begin to set. "I better go get the others to bring him out before it get's dark." He went back into the ballroom.
He scanned around the ballroom in search of the little boy. He saw Connor standing with his friends, and decided to ran over to him.
Connor spotted Grave. "Oh, hey Grave. Have you warmed up long enough?"
Grave nodded, and wiped at her shoulder. "Oh, yeah, me and Kaguya are ready to show the kid an awesome Fire Dance! Get the others while I go get Prim and Toby." Connor nodded as Grave looked to see Toby over with Maia, and Prim and ran toward the three.
He smiled down at the little boy blindfolded, and trying his best to pin the tail on the donkey while Maia gently guided him by the shoulders. He went to Prim. "How is he enjoying the party so far Prim?"
Prim eeped. "Oh.. Grave.. you startled me. He is enjoying it very much I believe." She looked at Grave and softly asked. "Are you ready for Kaguya's Fire Dance? Then I can get Fluttershy's birds to sing him a song."
Grave clapped his hands together. "You bet we're ready." He looked over to see that Toby pinned the tail perfectly, and walked over to him. "Hey kid, are you ready to see something awesome?" He kindly smirked down at him as he nodded. He went back towards the balcony.
Prim knelt down on her legs. "Toby sweetie, you can ride on my back outside to the balcony.. u.. if that is okay with you." Toby smiled softly, and carefully climbed up onto her back, and she started walking towards the balcony with everybody following behind.
Toby saw the others along with the royals standing outside who gave him a warm smile. He looked up to see Grave and Kaguya on top of a platform.
"Alright kid, and everybody, be prepared to witness the AWESOME, SPECTACULAR, and AMAZING FIRE DANCE of KAGUYA!" Grave did a back flip jump off the platform and landed on top of Bomber and flew away. Then A bunch of Nightmares ignited themselves and flew a complete circle below the platform.
"All or nothing, here I go!" said Kaguya. Then she began to dance from the east while holding her fans, she twirled and flipped with a beautiful grace and lifted her leg. She leaned back and twirled around and waved her fans and then, she kneeled down, and the Nightmares put themselves out.
Everybody on the balcony, and those who could see it from inside looked up in awe. Toby's mouth was agaped as he looked in amazement. He smiled brightly, and clapped his hands as he saw Grave and Kaguya come flying down in front of the balcony, and landing.
"W-Wow! Th-that was very pretty, and cool K-Kaguya!" He said with a little excitement in his voice, and the other nodded in agreement smiling softly.
"Thank you child. I did it just for you!" She reached up, and rubbed at the top of his head.
Prim smiled at the little boy on her back. "Now Toby sweetie, I have a special gift of my own."
The she motioned Fluttershy, and she nodded at Prim. Fluttershy started humming in a soft tone as a group of birds came flying, and perched themselves on the ledge of the balcony. There were a few mellow larks, mockingbirds, and bluebirds lined up in a row.
Fluttershy smiled at her birds. "Okay my little ones, this is for Toby." She spoke softly and started to count. "One.. two.. three." and the birds started to sing in a sweet tender melody.
Toby smiled softly as he listened to the birds play their tune, and thought to himself. 'They sound just like mommy when she used to hum to get me to sleep.' He reached up to wipe at his eye which was about to shed a tear. Without anyone noticing he yawned lightly, and curled up on Prim's back. He softly closed his eyes, and quietly fell asleep.
After the birds were done with their singing, Prim and the others noticed that Toby was asleep. They all along with the royals, and everybody in attendance d'awwed at the little boy.
"I guess I will take the little one to bed." Prim spoke softly as she turned toward her friends and the royals. "Thank you all for doing this for him, he absolutely loved it. I could tell." They all nodded and smiled warmly as Prim walked carefully from the balcony back, and into the palace. She walked out of the ballroom, and searched for a guest room to stay in.
She found one, and gently walked inside toward the bed. She walked up to the side of the bed, and gently used her arms to carefully lift the sleeping child on her back, and placed him on the bed. She grabbed the sheets with her hands, and softly laid them over his small form, and then very tenderly lifted his head to lay it on a soft pillow.
She leant into give him a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight sweetie. I promise we will all take good care of you. You will be loved Toby." With that she quietly walked out of the bedroom, and left the door slightly opened.
While Celestine was bidding the guest a goodnight with Queen Jeanne, Dean Malinda, and Chief Multz being the last ones, King Charles was with the others.
"Sir Connor Nickell and friends, that was a good celebration for the little boy. Now, let Kin tell you all about something. Celestine and Kin knows you are all wondering how Toby ended up in East Liverpool, am I correct?"
They all nodded in unison.
"Well, I brought him here. As you all may guess, I can hear the wishes, prayers, and thoughts of people during the night. Not only can I hear the wishes of those in East Liverpool, but I can also hear the wishes of those from other distant lands."
The group all gasped with the exception of Alicia.
"Well, I heard Prim's wish of how she would like to have a boy or girl of her own she could love and care for. Well, the same night, I heard the wish of the young boy we have come to care for as Toby. His wish was that he would have a new home and a new family who would love him. So, upon hearing his wish I concentrated all of my magic and eveloped him in a warm glow to bring him here to East Liverpool."
The others smiled warmly at Kin's gesture, and had tears forming in each of their eyes.
"Now Prim asked me if I could take you all into Toby's dreams, so we may find out why he is so timid and nervous around us. I agreed, but I recommended we go into his memories. Maybe if we do that, we will discover more to his behavior and figure out a way we can help. We shall do it when Prim says he is comfortable and asleep.
They all nodded in agreement as Prim came walking back into the ballroom. "Um.. guys.. Charles and Celestine... um... Toby is asleep now. I tucked him in and he is sleeping comfortably."
Kin bowed her head and looked at them. "Well, it is time. Let's go exploring into the mind of our young friend."
Connor and the others with the exception of Celestine and Charles who decided to stay behind followed Prim to the guest bedroom where Toby was sleeping.