A golden glow of the sun cascaded all over East Liverpool as dawn began to break. Down at the catacombs the kind, and timid Prim was beginning to tend to her dragon friends' needs. She fed the dragons with salmon and other kinds of fish the dragons love.
Finally she walked around back to feed Flame and Smoke with their favorite halibut fish.
After making sure all of her dragon friends were well fed, Prim happily walked out of the stables. She was usually full of cheer while tending to her dragon friends, but today was different, she was extra cheerful. Today she was going to finalize the adoption of her own little boy, Toby. She quietly walked up the stairs to her bedroom, where the small child slept comfortably in her bed.
She smiled warmly at the little boy as she carefully walked up to the bed. She leaned her head forward, and gently nuzzled at his cheek. "Toby sweetie, it is time to wake up my precious little one." She gave him a soft kiss on his forehead.
He blinked his eyes opened tiredly, and smiled softly at the pink-haired blur. Prim reached over on the side of the table with a hand, and carefully picked his glasses up, and gently gave them to him. He rubbed his eyes a little, and put them on.
"G-good morning Auntie Prim." He smiled at her and carefully crawled out of the bed. He gently climbed down onto the floor, and warmly wrapped his arms around her neck, laying his head against her soft chest.
She smiled down at the little boy, and wrapped an arm around him gently. "Good morning sweetie. Did you sleep well last night?"
He looked up from her chest and smiled warmly. "Y-yes I did Auntie Prim. I-I didn't have any bad dreams." He gently let go of his grip on her neck.
She smiled, and kissed the top of his head gently. "Well, that is good. Auntie Prim wouldn't want her precious boy to be scared." She gave him a small nuzzle on his cheek.
"Are you hungry? I could make you some of my oatmeal.. um.. if you would like, okay sweetie?" Her heart just melted as she looked down at her little boy.
He smiled nodded happily. "Y-yes Auntie Prim, I am hungry. P-please Auntie Prim, will you make your oatmeal? Th-that is my favorite."
She giggled lightly at his excitement, and leaned her head down to gently nuzzle at his cheek. "Of course my precious, I will make you some oatmeal. Um.. would you like to ride on my back down the stairs or would you like to walk on your own Toby?" She asked softly.
He looked up into her sky blue eyes. "I-I think I would like to walk downstairs on my own Auntie Prim, b-but could I maybe hold onto your hand.
Prim nodded, and smiled warmly down at him. "Of course sweetie, that would be okay with me." She turned around to face the stairs, and slightly lowered her hand for Toby to take it in his hand. Which he did ever, so lightly as she started walking down carefully as he followed behind.
Toby took careful steps down the stairs while holding onto Prim's hand, and watched to make sure he didn't trip. He smiled warmly as he saw all of the dragons downstairs enjoying their breakfast. As he reached the bottom of the staircase the dragons greeted him with a wave of their paws and talons.
He waved back at all of them. Speaking ever, so gently. "H-hi everyone." He smiled happily at them.
Prim turned back, and smiled warmly at her little boy. Speaking very tenderly. "Toby sweetie, you can wait in here with the dragons while I go fix your oatmeal.. um.. if that is okay with you." She leaned her head toward him, and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead.
He nodded, and smiled up at her kindly, and spoke softly. "O-okay Auntie Prim. I-I love you!" He gave her another warm hug around her neck.
She smiled warmly closing her eyes softly, so to subdue her tears of happiness as she gently wrapped her arms around his small frame. "I love you too my precious little Toby!"
They gently broke the embrace as Toby went to sit in the center of the catacombs on the rug along with some of the dragons. Spike and Yusha were chirping happily as they perched. Prim smiled warmly as her dragon friends were welcoming the new addition to the family with opened hearts.
As she walked toward the kitchen, there was a light knock at the door. She walked to the front door, and opened it slightly to see Claudia. "Hi Claudia, please come in."
Claudia smiled warmly at her kind friend, and Claudia walked in carrying her bags on her arms. "Thank you Prim dear.:
Toby looked up to see Claudia enter the catacombs, and carefully stood up. "H-hu Auntie Claudia!" He said happily as he walked up to her, and gave her a warm hug around her neck, and laid his head against her chest.
Claudia d'awwed at the little boy, and gently wrapped an arm around his back, and gently kissed the top of his head. "Aww.. good morning Toby precious." He gently broke the embrace as he smiled softly at her which she returned the smile.
Prim smiled at the two, and gently spoke. "I am going to go into the kitchen, and make your oatmeal now Toby sweetie." She turned toward Claudia with a soft smile. "Um... Claudia... if you would like... you can stay in here with Toby... if you aren't too busy."
Claudia nodded. "Of course darling, I don't mind at all keeping this precious little one company while you go fix something to eat." She leaned her head near Prim, and whispered in her ear. "Besides I have something special to give the little dear. It's his other clothes that I washed, and dried, but also a new outfit." She smiled warmly, and lightly giggled as she gently waved her hand toward the kitchen. "Now why don't you go, and fix the precious little one some oatmeal."
Prim nodded, and walked into the kitchen with a warm smile.
Claudia watched Prim walked into the kitchen, and smiled at him. "Toby dear, come sit with your Auntie Claudia, I have something special to give to you precious." She gently walked close to him offering her a shoulder to hold while she walked into the center of the catacombs. She carefully sat down crossing her legs over each other as Toby carefully sat down beside her crossing his legs over each other.
Toby looked up at her with curiosity, and smiled. "W-what is it Auntie Claudia?" Her asked with excitement, but still with his usual politeness.
Claudia smiled, and blushed at his excitement. She turned toward one of her bags. She carefully lifted up a small stack of finely folded clothes over to him. "These are your night clothes that you were first wearing when you came to East Liverpool, and the other set is the first outfit I made for you."
He very gently grabbed them, and settled them in his lap with a smile. He looked up at her happily. "Thank you Auntie Claudia."
She untucked her hand closest to him, and reached up to pat his back gently. "You are very welcome precious." As she leaned her head down, and gave him a little nuzzle on his nose. "Now close your eyes little dear, so I can give you the other surprise."
He nodded, and closed his eyes as he folded his hands on top of the stack of folded clothes.
Claudia giggled lightly, and smiled gleefully, and she looked at her other bag. Carefully taking out the new outfit. It was a combination of chocolate brown jogging pants, plaid short sleeve top of forest green, cardinal red, and deep orange. To finish off the outfit, she made a matching chocolate brown light jacket with a hood.
She spoke softly. "Okay Toby dear, open your eyes!" She said happily.
He opened his eyes and a bright smile formed across her face. "O-oh, Auntie Claudia, it is very pretty." He gently reached for the clothes, and smiled warmly at how soft the texture was. "I-I love it Auntie Claudia, thank you!" He carefully folded his new outfit, and placed it on the stack of other clothes in his lap, and reached over to gently hug her around her neck.
She wrapped her arms around him, and kissed the top of his head gently. "You are very welcome dear. I was hoping you would like it," She rubbed him along his back as she hugged him.
Prim carefully came walking back with the bowl of oatmeal on her hands, a cloth carefully placed underneath it, so not to burn her hand since it was still very warm. She smiled as she saw Claudia, and Toby sitting it beside each other happily, and she walked up next to them. She carefully turned her head, and set the bowl down in front of Toby with a spoon in it.
She kissed the top of his head as she sat down beside him. "Be careful now sweetie, it is still very warm." She smiled softly at him and nuzzled at his cheek.
Claudia very gently took the clothes out of his lap, and placed them on the red velvet couch in the catacombs. "Oh, do not worry dear. I am just moving them out of the way, so that you can eat." She gave him a warm smile.
He reached for the bowl, and carefully placed it in his lap. He grasped the spoon by it's handle, and scooped out the oatmeal and took a bite. A happily smile formed across his face as he was eating, and looked up at Prim. "Mm.. th-thank you Auntie Prim. I-it is very good like always when you fix it." He continued to eat at it happily.
Prim smiled, and kissed the top of his head. "Well, I am very happy that you enjoy it my precious little one."
After a few minutes, Toby finished the oatmeal. He looked up at Prim. "Mm.. that was, so good Auntie Prim, th-thank you."
Prim carefully stood up on all two legs, and nuzzled the top of his head. "You are very welcome sweetie. How about you go get washed up for today?"
"I will take care this dish, okay?" She gently picked up the bowl.
Toby smiled happily at her. "O-okay Auntie Prim." He carefully stood up, and turned toward Claudia making sure Prim was gone from the living room.
He gently said. "I-I can't wait for Auntie Prim to see my new outfit Auntie Claudia."
Claudia smiled, and nodded softly. "I know dear, I am sure that Prim will love it. Now you go wash up precious, and I will be out here when you get done." She nuzzled lightly at his cheek.
He smiled with a blush as he went over to the lounge, and got the stack of clothes. He carefully ascended the stairs up to Prim's room first, so he could lay his pajamas, and other outfits on her bed. Until they can find a place to put them, and then turned back to go to the bathroom to get washed up.
While Toby was getting washed up Prim came walking back into the living room, and over to sit down beside Claudia. "Oh Claudia, I feel so happy that Toby will be officially be my precious little boy after today." She smiled warmly at Claudia.
Claudia returned the smile with a light blush. "Oh Prim dear. I am, so happy for you, and the rest of the Warriors are too. I talked with Connor before coming, and he said the surprise party will be ready soon. Celestine will be arriving in a little bit with the adoption papers for you to sign. Also, Maia decided to take the little dear for a little flight to buy us some time with any extra preparations that need to be done."
Prim swallowed nervously. "Oh... my. Um.. Claudia... do you think Maia will fly carefully with Toby on Spike? I don't want him to be scared."
Claudia nodded softly, and reached a hand up to gently rub at her friend's back. "Prim dear, I know Maia can be a bit reckless at times when it comes to flying, but she promised to be easy with Toby. She cares for the little dear just like the rest of us, and won't ever think about scaring the sweet little boy."
Prim sighed in relief. "Thank you Claudia. I just want Toby to know that he is loved by all of us, and that we will never hurt him." She looked at Claudia with a worried look. "Um.. Claudia.. um.. do you think he will like the surprise party?"
Claudia giggled lightly, and looked at Prim with a warm smile. "Of course dear. If he enjoyed the celebration at New Rad, I am sure he will love the party at Sugar Snacks." She patted her back gently with a hand.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Prim carefully stood up, and walked over to it. She opened it, and smiled warmly. "Oh, hi Maia. Please. Come in.. um.. if that is okay with you."
Maia smirked, and shook her head lightly as she walked in. "Hey Prim, and Claudia." She smiled at the female knight.
"Hi Maia dear." Claudia nodded her head softly at the female mercenary.
Maia sat down across from Claudia, and Prim. She looked around the room. "So, where is the kid at? I can't wait to take him flying, he is going to love it!"
"A-Auntie Maia!" The three girls turned to the sound of the small happy voice of the little boy as they saw him descending the stairs in his new outfit. He walked over to Claudia first to give her his previous outfit to wash. He smiled happily at her, and walked up to give her a warming hug around her neck laying his head against her chest.
Maia smiled and placed an arm around him to hug him back. "Hey kid." They gently broke the hug as Maia looked down at him in his new outfit. "Ooh, very cool outfit there Toby. Did your Auntie Claudia make that for you?" She looked over Claudia with a smirk.
Toby smiled up softly at Maia, and nodded. "Y-yes she did Auntie Maia." She turned to Prim and Claudia. "H-how do you like it Auntie Prim?"
Prim smiled warmly at her little boy. "I like it very much sweetie." She turned to Claudia. "You did a great job just as always Claudia. Thank you for doing that for him."
Claudia blushed, and shook her head softly. "There is no need to thank me Prim dear." She looked toward Toby with a warm smile. "I am honored to make the little dear a new outfit."
She gently looked over at him, and gently asked. "How does it feel precious, is it soft, and warm enough?"
Toby nodded at Claudia. "Y-yes Auntie Claudia, it is very soft and warm. I-I love it!" He smiled happily as he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He tilted his head back a little to look at Maia with a soft smirk on her face.
"Hey kid, how would you like to go flying with your awesome Auntie Maia, hmm?" She rubbed at his shoulder with her hand gently.
He looked up with a nervous look. "F-flying? I-I never been flying before."
Maia gently patted his shoulder. "Don't worry kid, it will be fun. I will fly carefully, I promise."
He smiled softly, and gently look over at Prim. "I-is it okay Auntie Prim if I go flying with Auntie Maia?"
Prim smiled warmly at him, and nodded. "Of course sweetie, it is okay with me."
He smiled happily, and walked up to her wrapping his arms lightly around her neck. "Th-thank you Auntie Prim!"
She wrapped an arm around him, and gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head. "You are welcome my precious little one." She gently broke the hug to look into his eyes. "You just listen to Maia, and be careful, okay sweetie?"
He nodded as he turned to give Claudia a light hug around her neck. "G-goodbye Auntie Claudia, thank you again for my new outfit."
Claudia smiled warmly, and wrapped an arm around him rubbing at his back gently. She gave a soft kiss on the top of his head. "It is quite okay dear, you don't need to thank me. I will se you later precious." They gently broke the hug as Toby walked over to Maia.
Spike kneeled on his legs beside Maia. "Hop on buddy."
He smiled softly, and carefully climbed on top of Spike's back as Maia climbed up and sat in front of Toby."
She looked at Claudia, and Prim. "See you girls later." Toby waved at them both as Spike turned toward the door, and carefully walked outside. She turned her head to the little boy. "Are you ready kid? Just hold on tight, okay?"
He nodded. "O-okay Auntie Maia." He wrapped his arms around her waist as Spike bent down. Maia made a soft smirk, and Spike flew up in exited the sewers, and he tightly clenched his eyes shut. He held onto her tightly, shaking.
Spike flapped her wings as he stopped in the air, and Maia looked back when she felt him shaking. "Hey kid, it's okay, your Auntie Maia won't let anything happen to you. You can open your eyes." She said reaching up with a hand to rub at an arm.
He carefully opened his eyes, and peered through his eye glasses. He calmed his shaking a little as he looked to see he was up in the sky the white puffy clouds that surrounded them. He carefully looked over Maia's jacket, and shoulder to see they they were high above the sewer tunnel.
Maia smiled as she glanced behind her. "See, I told you kid, there is nothing to be scared of. Just as long as your Auntie Maia has you. Are you ready to fly some more?"
He nodded. "Y-yes Auntie Maia." He smiled softly as he hugged her around her waist.
She nodded, and Spike started flapping her wings as he flew forward. He flown above East Liverpool in a slow, and very steady motion, so that the little boy won't be afraid.
He looked down at East Liverpool as he felt the wind blow against his face. "Oh, th-this is fun Auntie Maia. I-it feels good up here, and the wind feels nice." He giggled lightly.
Maia smirked at his excitement. "I knew you would love it kid. Hold on tight, because I want to show you someplace totally awesome!" She smiled as she felt him tighten his grip, but making sure not to hurt her.
Spike flew upward above the clouds where they came into view of what appeared to be like a whole sitting of dragons flying all over. Toby looked at it in wonder as he gently asked. "A-Auntie Maia, what is that place?"
Maia looked ahead. "That is where dragons fly around and have fun, including yours truly, and the other Warriors, including Prim. Although she prefers to stay at the catacombs." She turned her back towards him. "Don't worry though kid, someday will bring you to a place, and take you on a tour, okay?"
He nodded. "Th-that sounds like fun Auntie Maia, I would like to visit that place one day." He smiled softly as he looked out at the clouded city.
Maia smirked softly. "Now kid, I want you to hold onto me real tight this time, because I want to show you something really awesome. Don't worry, you won't hurt me little guy, I am strong, and it takes a lot to hurt me."
He nodded and squeezed around her waist tightly. "O-okay Auntie Maia."
She looked back to make sure he was ready then shot upward, Spike then went around into a loop. He then shot down toward East Liverpool turning like a corkscrew in the air before suddenly coming to a safe, and careful landing in front of Sugar Snacks. She felt Toby shaking on her back, and turned to see him smiling softly yet nervously.
"W-Wow Auntie Maia! Th-that was fast, and scary, but fun!" He giggled as he calmed his shaking.
Maia laughed, and smiled. "Haha... I am glad you enjoyed it kid. Anytime you want to go flying, you just let us know, okay?" He nodded as Maia looked into Sugar Snacks to see all the lights off. She turned back to Toby. "Hey kid, close your eyes right quick, I just want to show you one more thing, but you need to close your eyes.
He nodded. "O-okay Auntie Maia." He closed his eyes loosening his grip on Maia's waist.
Maia smiled as he closed his eyes, and carefully walking toward into Sugar Snacks. The lights turned on, and she turned around the little boy. "Okay kid, you can open your eyes now!"
He opened his eyes carefully.
"SURPRISE!" A group of people shouted as they looked on at the small child with big warm smiles.
Toby looked around at all the people who were in attendance as Maia walked towards the other Warriors who were waiting. Celestine, Kin, and Charles were both in the center with Connor, Alicia, Luu Luu, and Grave on one side, and on the other side was Claudia, Vault, and Kaguya next to Prim. They were all standing behind a long wooden table with an array of different sweet treats lined on it.
Toby smiled warmly, and closed his eyes as he felt tears building up, but didn't want everybody to see him. He opened them back up, and gently asked. "I-is this all for me?"
Everybody nodded as Maia knelt on her knees to let him climb off which he did, and walked up beside Prim, and hugged her warmly around her neck.
She wrapped an arm around him and gave him a kiss on the top of his head. "Yes sweetie, this is all for you. You deserve it my precious little one." She smiled down at him softly, and he looked up returning the smile.
Celestine smiled warmly at the two, and turned toward the small crowd. "Citizens of East Liverpool, I welcome you here today to celebrate the official adoption of this dear child Toby Mason." She took out a paper, and pen toward Prim. "My dear kind Prim, if you are ready, you may sign the legal adoption first."
Prim nodded, and smiled warmly down at the little boy who has touched her heart. "I am ready Celestine."
She gently grasped the pen, and signed the paper. She looked down at Toby, and kissed the top of his head gently. "Thank you Celestine for allowing me to adopt this precious little one. I promise to love Toby with all my heart." She wrapped an arm softly around him hugging him close.
Celestine carefully handed the paper back. "Well, dear Toby, I along with all of my friends would like to officially welcome you to East Liverpool." She smiled warmly down at the little boy as he gently let go of Prim, and looked up with teary eyes.
"Th-thank you Celestine. I-I have a new family now!" He said happily as he looked up at her, and at all the others.
Everybody in attendance d'awwed, and clapped their hands, clapping for the little boy. Celestine smiled, and looked at everybody. "Let the celebration begin." With that Vinyl Scratch, who was in the audience, started her record table, and started playing retro dubstep music as everybody started dancing, and conversing.
Claudia walked around to the front of the table to where her, and the others sat at, and set up her camera. "Prim dear, could I maybe get a picture of you, and the little dear together?"
Prim smiled softly at her friend, and nodded. "Oh.. um.. of course Claudia." She looked down at Toby. "Um... will it be okay with you sweetie if we get a picture taken together?" She leaned her head down, and nuzzled at his cheek.
He smiled warmly up at her. "Y-yes Auntie Prim! Th-that would be nice." He gently turned toward Claudia, and her phone while Prim carefully kneeled down, and placed an arm over Toby's back and shoulders.
Claudia smiled, and blushed. "Alright me lovelies, on the count of three. One... two... three!" She pressed the flash button as Prim, and Toby stood beside each other with bright happy smiles. "Oh, simply splendid! That was a marvelous picture you two." Claudia smiled, and giggled lightly.
Toby looked up at Prim with a warm smile. "I-I love you Auntie Prim!" He hugged her warmly around her neck, laying his head against her chest.
Prim laid her head gently on top of his as she wrapped him up in her arms. "Auntie Prim loves you too my precious little one!" She kissed him gently on the top of the head.
After gently braking the embrace, Toby turned to look at the others, then back up at Prim. "A-Auntie Prim, will it be okay if we get another picture. With all of my family this time?"
She smiled warmly down at him, and nodded. "Of course sweetie." She looked at the others. "Um.. if that is okay with you all.:
They all nodded with bright smiles.
"Well it would be fine with me Prim." Luu Luu crossed her arms with a smile.
"HA! PICTURE TIME WITH LITTLE TOBY!" Maia shouted in excitement with the others just laughing at her randomness.
"Sounds cool to me!" Vault said as he walked just a little but to the group.
"Oh, that sounds like a marvelous idea dear Prim, and precious Toby." Claudia chimed in as she began to set the timer on her phone.
"Sounds good to me." Connor spoke.
Kaguya smiled, and blushed. "Yes, me too."
"Hey, don't forget about us!" The Shadowbolts rushed over to the group.
"Well Celestine, what do you say? Will you join your friends with them?" Charles asked his friend.
"Of course my friend. Dear Toby, we are proud to be your family!" Celestine smiled warmly down at the little boy.
Everybody gathered around Prim, and Toby. Toby smiled brightly. "I-I love you all!"
"We love you too Toby!" They all said in unison as the camera flashed with Toby, and his new family together.
After the photo was taken everybody along with Toby enjoyed the rest of the party together.
The broken heart which Toby once suffered from due to the loss of his mother, and the mistreatment by his father has finally become completely mended. The memory of his mother, and her love forever remains in his heart. Finding a new family who cares for him, and loves him made him feel whole again. The young child who touched the bearts of many in the land of East Liverpool has found a new home.