The sun began to shine brightly as the clouds started to disappear for it was only a morning shower. Prim smiled warmly as she was preparing fresh oatmeal for her boy. Toy came walking downstairs carefully dressed in his outfit of chocolate brown jogging pants, the forest green, cardinal red, and deep orange plaid shirt with a matching chocolate brown light jacket.
He waved at all of the Warriors' dragons enjoying their breakfasts. "H-hi everyone." They chittered and chirped happily waving to him with their paws, and talons. Flame and Smoke came to the little boy. "H-hi Flame, hi Smoke, how are you two doing today?" Flame and Smoke chittered as Toby gently rubbed the top of their heads between their horns. Flame and Smoke purred happily, and thumped their foot against the bricked floor.
Prim walked into the living room from the kitchen with a warm smile on her face as she watched the three. She was carrying the bowl of warm oatmeal in her hands. She walked over to him as he was sitting down on the rug with the dragons around him. She laid down on her knees tucking them underneath her. "Here you go Toby sweetie. It is still very warm, so be careful not to burn your mouth, okay my precious little one?"
He carefully reached up, and gently took it off her hands. Th-thank you Auntie Prim." He scooped some oatmeal into the spoon in the bowl, and took a bite smiling warmly as he could taste the warmth of oatmeal with the sweetness of milk and honey.
Prim smiled at her little boy, and gently lowered her head to nuzzle at his cheek. "You are welcome sweetie. I also fixed you a nice salad for lunch today." She smiled warmly at him as a knock at a door could be heard. "Oh.. um.. come in."
The door opened and walking in in unison was Luu Luu and the girls. "Hey Prim, hey Toby!" They all said in unison.
"Um.. hi girls.. what are you doing here this morning? Shouldn't you three be on your way to school?" Prim asked softly.
"Yeah, but we thought Toby would like to walk with us, if that is alright with him." Luu Luu smiled at Toby softly as he was eating his oatmeal, but smiled warmly back at her, and the other two girls.
Prim smiled warmly at the three girls, and gently turned to look at the small child as he was just finishing his oatmeal. "Well, Toby sweetie, will you like to walk to school with the girls this morning? I am okay with whatever you want to do, okay my precious little one."
He wiped at his mouth with a napkin that Prim provided with his bowl of oatmeal, and smiled softly up at her. "I-I would like that Auntie Prim." He carefully stood up and wrapped his arms around her neck, and laid his head against her chest. "I love you Auntie Prim!"
She smiled warmly, and wrapped her arms around him rubbing gently along his back, and giving him a tender kiss on the top of his head. "Auntie Prim loves you too sweetie. Now you be god, and I will see you after school, okay?"
He nodded, and smiled up at her softly. "O-okay Auntie Prim." They gently broke their embrace.
Luu Luu, and Crystal smiled at the sight of aunt and nephew, and d'awwed with the exception of Kelly. "Guh.. a little too sappy if you ask me." She said in a low whisper as Luu Luu, and Crystal ignored her, and gave her a group hug. Kelly just sighed tiredly. "Okay, okay, that is enough."
They both giggled, and released the hug.
Toby walked over to them as Prim gently asked. "Um.. girls.. um.. how did you get here?"
"We came in our basket, and Luu Luu's dragon." Kelly spoke up.
"Yeah, don't worry though Prim, I will be careful so not to scare Toby." Luu Luu smiled, and patted gently at Toby's shoulder
Prim quickly walked into the kitchen, and grabbed Toby's salad carefully placed in a paper bag, and walked back into the living room with it. She walked up to her boy, and gave it to him. "Have a good day at school sweetie."
He smiled at her, and waved. "B-bye Auntie Prim, I love you!" As he turned to the girls, and they started walking out of the door.
Prim followed behind them. "I love you too Toby sweetie." She watched Crystal, Kelly, and Toby climb into the basket with Toby sitting between the two girls who sat on their rears, and each gently laid a hand on his shoulders. She looked at Luu Luu getting on Bigjaw. "Um.. please do be careful Luu Luu."
"Don't worry Prim, careful is my middle name." Luu Luu responded proudly as she kicked at Bigjaw with her heels, and he flapped his wings, and started to fly up toward East Liverpool.
Prim just looked down. "Oh... my." As she watched to make sure nothing bad happened before walking back into the sewer. 'I sure do hope Toby will be okay today, and not let that girl Layla Burnside hurt him again.' She thought to herself.
During their way to the school the basket was bumpy along the sky, but Toby smiled happily. "Hehe.. th-this is fun." He said excitedly.
"I knew you would like it kid." Luu Luu smiled back, and turned to the path in front of her.
"Toby, are you alright?" Kelly gently rubbed at his shoulder she had her hand on. "Luu Luu told me you ran away, because of what Layla said to you the other day." She looked into his eyes with a soft smile.
"Yes Toby, we were worries about you." Crystal rubbed at the other shoulder, and nuzzled gently at his cheek reassuringly. "Don't worry, Ms. Stoner talked to Layla yesterday when you weren't at school. She gave her detention for the week, and decided to not let her participate in the talent show Saturday." She gave him a soft smile.
Toby returned the smile, but frowned a little. "I-Is Ms. Stoner mad at me for not coming to school yesterday?" He looked back, and forth at the two girls as Luu Luu paid attention to the path ahead. They were nearing the school.
Kelly gently rubbed at his shoulder, and patted him on his back. "I think you should talk to Ms. Stoner about that Toby. She sure was worried about you yesterday when Prim, and Maia told her they couldn't find you." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry though, I'm sure she isn't mad at you."
The four arrived at the school as Bigjaw landed on the ground, and the basket beside one of the few big trees outside. Luu Luu stepped off him.
Kelly climbed off the basket first, and offered a hand for Toby to gently grab, and helped him off next. "Th-thank you Kelly." Speaking politely.
"You are very welcome Toby." She smiled softly at the little boy as Crystal followed behind.
Together the four walked toward the school as Toby took a deep breath.
Luu Luu took notice, and patted at his shoulder gently. "Don't worry buddy, we won't let that little snooty tooty Layla mess with you." She gave him a reassuring smile.
He smiled softly in return.
Ms. Stoner was standing on the school steps greeting the boys, and girls who were arriving at school. She looked to see the three girls, and boy coming up the walkway. "Well, hello girls." She turned to look at Toby, and smiled softly at him. "Well, hello there Toby dear. How you doing today?" She asked kindly.
He looked up at her with a soft smile, and nodded. "G-Good, Ms. Stoner. Th-than you. I-I am sorry for running away yesterday, and not coming to school." He lowered his head with a frown.
She very gently placed a hand under his chin, and lifted his head up to look at her. "I am just happy that you are safe dear. If it is okay with you though, I would like to talk to you after school, okay Toby?"
He smiled a little bit, and nodded. "Y-yes Ms. Stoner." The three girls smiled softly at him as they stood behind him to walk into the school with him.
"Okay dear. Now you four go in and sit at your desks I will be in just a minute to begin class." They all smiled, and walked in as the three girls kept close to Toby.
As they walked into the classroom Toby looked up to see all the other boys, and girls smile softly at him and wave. However, as he looked in the back a chill ran down his spine as he looked a scowl on anger on the face of Layal Burnside. He swallowed deeply, and thought to himself. 'Come on I have to be brave. I have to be brave for my Auntie, and Mommy.' As he carefully walked to his desk on the far right side of the room, and between Crystal, and Kelly with Luu Luu sitting on his right.
Layla looked at the boy with anger, and disgust. "That little brat cost me my spot in the talent show this Saturday, and got me a week of detention. Oh, he is going to get it after school today." She quietly said to herself.
Scarlett could hear her friend faintly, and looked over at her. She looked at her eyes focused on somebody, and looked carefully in the direction of her sight to see she was staring at the little boy up toward the front. She looked in concerned, and turn back toward Layla.
"Layla." She whispered lightly over to her. "Just leave the poor little boy alone. You saw how scared he was the last time you talked with him. He ran away, because he was hurt from the stuff you said to him." She frowned a little at Layla.
Layla huffed. "Ha.. he didn't run away far or stay gone long enough." Scarlett gasped quietly, and just lowered her head shaking it.
The class went by regularly while Toby was paying attention intently to Ms. Stoner teaching the day's lesson. Yet he still had that feeling of nervousness in his mind as he could feel in a way that Layla kept on looking at him with a look of pure anger.
The bell rang for lunch, and recess to begin. "Alright kids, you all have a good lunch and have fun." The boys, and girls ran outside as Toby walked out with the girls, and Layla along with Scarlett was the last two to leave the classroom.
Toby and the three girls found a small wooden table to sit at with Kelly, and Crystal sitting one one side with Luu Luu, and Toby sitting across from them.
"So girls, what have you decided to do for the talent show Saturday?" Luu Luu asked as she was munching on a sandwich.
"Well, I think I am going to sing! I have been practicing a new song for the last few days. I can't wait for you to hear it!" Crystal exclaimed with a beaming smile as she was eating a sandwich as well, and some french fries.
"I am going to play on my violin. I am going to set up flowers and put on an awesome show! I will be like the violin players!" Kelly smirked, and gave a salute as she was also eating a sandwich. The other two girls, and Toby giggled lightly.
"I think I might do some juggling with some fruits. Those delicious fruits can be used for more than just eating I'm sure of it." Luu Luu smiled brightly.
Toby sat quietly as he was eating his salad. The three looked at him curiously As Crystal gently asked. "What are you planning to do for the talent show Toby? I bet is going to be real neat?" She gave him a beaming, and reassuring smile.
"Yeah, I bet it will be great Toby." Luu Luu said as she reached her hand over, and rubbed at his back gently.
"Yeah buddy, I know it will be awesome!" Kelly said with a bright smile.
Toby smiled a little, but lowered his head. "I-I think I will just watch. I-I don't have a special talent." He frowned a little as the three looked at him with frowns of their own.
"Aw.. don't think like that Toby. I bet you have one. You just need time to find it." Luu Luu gave him a soft, and reassuring smile.
"Yeah kid, we don't have a club, and clubs help you discover what your special talent is. Don't worry buddy, you will find your special talent." Kelly smiled softly at him, and her and the other two nodded reassuringly.
"Th-thank you Luu Luu, Kelly, and Crystal for being nice to me. I-I don't know though. I hope I will find out what my special talent is." He gave a small smile as the three looked at him with concerned looks on their faces.
The bell to end lunch, and recess rang just as the four finished off their meals. "Well, let's get back to class guys." Luu Luu said with a sigh as the four got up from the table, and walked back toward the school.
The rest of the class went by smoothly as the final bell rang for school to end. "Have a good day kids, and remember tomorrow we will get stuff ready for the talent show Saturday."
"Yes Ms. Stoner." The class said in unison as they started to leave one by one.
"We will wait outside for you Toby, alright?" Luu Luu smiled softly at the little boy as she, and the other two girls walked outside.
Toby sat nervously a little in his desk as he looked up at Ms. Stoner as she walked up to him. He twiddled at his fingers with his head lowered.
Ms. Stoner frowned at the small child. "Toby dear, please don't be upset, I am not mad at you." She very gently reached under his chin to lift his head up.
Toby swallowed deeply and looked into her eyes. "I-I am sorry M-Ms. Stoner.:
She shook her head softly. "Oh, no, no, no, you don't have anything to apologize for dear." She gave him a soft smile. "Next time if Layla or anybody says something mean to you, you can always come talk to me, and I have a talk with them, okay?"
He nodded up and gave a little smile in return. "Y-yes Ms. Stoner. I-I will come to you next time, I promise."
She smiled down at him, and gently patted him the shoulder. "Good. Now, how would you like to help the class with preparing for the talent show?" She asked gently.
He looked up with a soft smile. "I-I would like that Ms. Stoner. Th-thank you."
"You are very welcome dear. Now you have a nice day and I will see you tomorrow." She waved a hand at him as he started to walk toward the door.
He turned around and gently spoke. "M-Ms. Stoner, Luu Luu, Crystal, and Kelly told me that you took Layla out of the talent show Saturday, because she was being mean to me. I-Is that true?"
Ms. Stoner carefully walked up to him, and looked down into his eyes as he looked up at her. "Yes I did dear. Why do you ask?" She looked down at him with a little worry.
"W-well, if it is okay with you Ms. Stoner could you let her perform in the talent show? I-I don't want her to be mad at me, because it is my fault she is out of it. I-I can understand the week of detention, but don't let her miss the talent show." He looked up at her with pleading eyes.
She sighed deeply. "Are you sure about this dear? I don't.." She was gently cut off.
"Y-yes Ms. Stoner, I am sure. P-please just don't tell Layla I told you this." He swallowed deeply.
"Alright dear, I will let her know tomorrow that she is back in the talent show." She smiled down at the little boy, and gently rubbed at his shoulder. "You have a big heart Toby, you know that, don't you?"
He nodded and softly, and blushed a little. "Y-yes Ms. Stoner. Th-thank you, and I will help tomorrow with getting the stuff ready for the talent show." He said softly as he waved at her, and walked out of the door to leave the classroom.
'He is such a sweet little boy.' Ms. Stoner thought to herself as she went back to her desk.
Toby walked out of the school to see the girls waiting on him with Crystal, and Kelly sitting in the basket, and Luu Luu leaning up against Bigjaw with a smirk. However, he didn't notice Layla coming from out of the side of the school, and nudged him hard to cause him to fall to the ground.
The three girls immediately ran over to the fallen boy, and gently helped him up. "Are you alright Toby?" Luu Luu gently asked as she gently brushed the dirt off his clothes.
Kelly looked worriedly at the child then eyed Layla. "What is the big idea Layla? Toby never done anything to you, and you are treating him, so rudely." She helped dust off the back of Toby's clothes.
Crystal reached for a hand of Toby's, and rubbed at it. "It's okay Toby, we got this." She eyed Layla. "You big meanie! Leave him alone!"
Layla scowled at the four with anger. "Oh, be quite you wimps!" She then glared at Toby stomping a foot on the ground causing him to shake nervously. "And you, you little runt you made me lose my spot in the talent show where I can show off my fabulousness to all of East Liverpool!"
Scarlett came up from behind Layla, and stepped in between in the five. "Layla, please leave him alone. He is just trying to leave." She looked into Layla's eyes pleadingly.
Layla let out an annoyed huff, and looked over Scarlett's shoulder at the shaking boy. "Fine. You listen here though you little brat, if you even think about performing in the talent show Saturday, you will regret it!" She turned to walk away.
Scarlett lowered her head, and shook it disappointedly. She turned to Toby, and looked down at him. "Toby, I am so sorry for Layla being so mean to you. I also want to apologize for calling you a shrimp the other day, it was wrong of me." She gently reached out a hand to very lightly rub at his arm frowning as he was still shaking a little.
He looked up at her with a small small, and calmed his shaking as best as he could. The girls stood behind him. "Y-you did nothing wrong S-Scarlett, and I forgive you. I-I forgive Layla too, but I don't know if she will accept my forgiveness." He lowered his head.
Scarlett gently lowered her head to try, and look into Toby's eyes. "Don't worry little guy, I will talk to her. Thank you for forgiving me." She looked up at the girls with a light smile. "I am, so sorry you three for all that me, and Layla has put you through. I will talk to her, I promise."
"Aww.. it is alright Scarlett. We know that you are different from Layla, because we saw you preventing her from doing something bad to Toby's glasses, and getting her to stop messing with him. So you are good in our books." The other two nodded in agreement.
"Thank you. You take care you four." As she turned to walk away.
Toby gently spoke up. "S-Scarlett?" He carefully walked up to her.
She turned to look at the boy with a light smile. "Yes Toby?"
He very gently gave her a small hug with his arms around her neck laying his head on her shoulder. "Th-thank you for not letting her break my glasses. Th-these were given to me by my Mommy, and I would be afraid if something ever happened to them. Th-thank you."
Scarlett smiled warmly as she looked at the girls who smiled softly as she gently wrapped her arms around his small form. "You are very welcome Toby." They gently broke the hug as she waved at him, and the others with a hand as she walked after Layla. The others waved at her as well.
Toby turned to walk with the three girls in the basket. Crystal offered a hand for him to hold as he climbed into the basket. Kelly climbed in behind him, and sat on her rear along with Crystal with the little boy sitting between them. Luu Luu kicked Bigjaw, and flapped his wings to start flying along the path back to the catacombs.
As they were on their way back to the catacombs Kelly looked at Toby with a soft smile, and asked. "Toby, how come did you forgive Layla, so easily? I understand you forgiving Scarlett, but Layla?!"
Toby looked at Kelly with a soft smile in return. "B-before my Mommy died, she taught me to never stay mad at someone for, so long. S-she told me if I stay mad at someone for a long time, I will change, and become mean like that person as well. I-I don't want to be mean to anyone." Kelly smiled, and gently rubbed at his back.
"You aren't mean at all Toby, you are the nicest little boy that we have ever met, and that is a very good lesson your mommy taught you." She smiled at him warmly as Crystal nodded in agreement.
Prim was outside of the sewer tunnel watering some flowers as the girls, and Toby came down. She smiled warmly, and placed her watering can down to greet them.
"Hello girls, and my precious little Toby. How was school today?" She asked gently as Bigjaw landed on the ground and the other two girls helped Toby climbed out of the basket. He ran up and gave her a big hug with his little arms around her neck, and laying his head against her chest.
"I-it was good Auntie Prim. M-Ms. Stoner asked me if I would like to help the class tomorrow to get stuff ready for the talent show Saturday. I-is it okay Auntie Prim."
They smiled softly, and nodded. "Of course Prim. You know that we care for him, and we will always be here for him like everybody else." Luu Luu smiled at the two. "We will see you tomorrow girls."
"Yeah Toby, we will come pick you up tomorrow. Keep cool Toby." Kelly said with a soft smirk.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow cutie!" Crystal beamed.
"B-bye Kelly, and Crystal." As he waved at them while the girls walked back home. They all waved back with a hand.
"Okay my precious little one, let's go back inside, and find something for dinner." Prim smiled softly as she laid an arm over him as they turned toward the sewer tunnel.
He looked up with a bright smile. "O-okay Auntie Prim." They both walked inside the tunnel Prim gently shut the gate behind them.
*At the Girls Clubhouse*
"You know what Crystal, I've been thinking. I know that Toby isn't actually a citizen in this city, but he is out friend. Also he hasn't found his special talent either, like you, me, and Luu Luu. So, how about we make him an honorary member of the Dragon Girls?" Kelly asked with a big smile.
Crystal beamed with excitement jumping in mid-air. "That sounds like an excellent idea Kelly!" She giggled, and blushed with glee.
Kelly touched her hands together with a big smile. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow we will surprise Toby by making him an honorary member."
They all said in unison. "We can be the DRAGON KIDS!" The two girls hugged each other, and giggled as they started to come up with ways to make it a special day for Toby when they welcome him into their group.