Morning arrived as the sun rose majestically against the cloudless blue sky. It shined warmly through the cracks of Prim's bedroom upon the sleeping form of Toby. He began to stir calmly underneath the soft warm bedsheets of Prim's bed. He let out a soft yawn as he reached up with his hands to rub at his eyes, and reached over to the side table to get his glasses to put on.
He carefully climbed out of bed, and stretched before going over to the chest in front of the bed to get out his clothes for the day. He changed from his pajamas into the all royal blue outfit with a light red jacket. He folded up his pajamas in a nice neat stack, and placed them into the chest. Before he decided to go downstairs to the den he walked to the crack, and peered out at the land outside looking up at the sun.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and whispered to himself. "Please let me do good tonight. Please let me play the piano good, and make my Mommy proud." He placed his hands over his heart, and bowed his head taking in another deep breath.
"Toby sweetie, is everything okay?" The tender voice of Prim could be heard from behind him as Toby turned around to see her ascending to the top of the stairs.
He sighed deeply, and walked over to her to give her a warm hug around her waist laying his head against her soft shirt. "I-I am okay Auntie Prim. I was just hoping that I do good tonight at the talent show. I really want to make my Mommy proud of me." He sighed softly against Prim's waist.
Prim smiled warmly down at her little boy, and reached up with an arm embracing him lovingly. She leaned her head down, and nuzzled the top of his head gently. "Oh, my precious little one, I know you are going to make your mommy very proud. Don't you worry about not doing good tonight, because I promise you will." She stroked along his back with her hand.
He turned his head to look up into her beautiful blue eyes. "Th-thank you Auntie Prim. I hope I make you, and my aunties and uncles proud of me tonight too." Giving her a soft smile as he carefully released his hug from around her waist.
She smiled warmly down at him, and leaned her head down to nuzzle at his nose. "Oh, don't worry sweetie, you will. Auntie Prim will always be proud of you, okay?" She gave him a bright, and reassuring smile.
"O-okay Auntie Prim. I love you." He blushed at the nuzzle on his nose, and smiled warmly as he looked into her eyes.
"Auntie Prim loves you too very much me precious little one." She gave him a tender kiss on the forehead. "What would you like for breakfast this morning Toby?"
"C-can you fix me your oatmeal Auntie Prim?" He asked with his usual soft, and polite tone looking up at her with a warm smile.
She returned the smile, and nodded. "Of course sweetheart." She carefully turned around, and allowed Toby to hold onto her hand if he wanted to, which he did. She started to carefully walk down the stairs as he carefully stepped down, while holding onto her hand very gently.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs all of the dragons inside chittered and waved at the little boy. "H-hi everyone." He said happily as he carefully let go the Prim's hand and went to join them on the carpet.
Prim smiled at her little boy, and all of the Warriors' dragons. "I will be back in just a minute sweetie." She carefully walked into the kitchen to prepare Toby his oatmeal.
After a couple of minutes, she went into the living room with the bowl of oatmeal in one hand, and a glass of fresh cold milk in the other hand. She walked over to him, and carefully lowered onto her legs placing the bowl of oatmeal, and milk in front of him. "Here you go sweetie." She sat down beside him crossing her legs underneath her.
He smiled up at her. "Th-thank you Auntie Prim." He used the spoon provided to scoop come, and take a bite. He smiled warmly at the sweet, and warm taste of the oatmeal. He swallowed his first bite, and took a drink of the milk.
Prim smiled softly while he continued enjoying his breakfast, and looked around at all of her dragon friends who were enjoying their breakfasts as well. She looked back down at him eating, and softly asked. "Sweetheart, after you eat, how would you like to visit your aunties and uncles before we go to the talent show tonight?"
Making sure he finished the bit of oatmeal he had in his mouth before speaking, Toby smiled up softly, and nodded. "I-I would like that Auntie Prim." He took another drink of his milk.
She smiled warmly at him as she looked around at all of her dragon friends.
After a few minutes, Toby finished all of his oatmeal, and drank all of his milk. "I-I'll go put my dishes in the sink Auntie Prim." He smiled up at her as he carefully stood up with plate and glass in his hand, and walked into the kitchen putting the dishes in the sink to be washed.
Prim stood up on all twos, and waited on him to return from the kitchen. She looked over at Flame and Smoke. "Flame, Smoke, me and Toby is going to be out for the day, so you are in charge, okay you two?" Flame and Smoke chittered happily, and saluted their rider with a talon. She reached two hands, up and rubbed between their horns.
Toby returned from the kitchen, and smiled at the three. Flame and Smoke looked over at the child, and walked over to him. "H-hi Flame, hi Smoke. Wish me luck tonight at the talent show." He smiled at the Zippleback, and patted them between their horns. Flame and Smoke nodded, and Flame reached out his talon to shake at Toby's hand, and saluted him. Smoke started to thump the floor gently with his foot talon as the rest of the dragon followed suit.
Prim smiled warmly as she looked at Flame and Smoke, and around at the other dragons. "Oh, look sweetie, I think they are giving you a round of applause already." She squealed, and blushed as she walked up to the small child leaning down on her for him to climb up on her.
He climbed up on her, and smiled at the dragons. "Th-thank you all. I hope I can make you all proud too." He waved at them as Prim smiled at them, and waved bye to them as she walked out the door onto the tunnel leading to East Liverpool.
They arrived at New Rad Castle to visit Connor and Alicia first. Prim carefully walked up onto the front step and knocked on the door with a hand. "Hold on, I'm coming... aah!" They heard a scream, and what sounded like someone falling down the steps.
"Oh...my." Prim gasped as she opened the door and walked in to see Connor down at the foot of the staircase, with Shade on top of him. He was laid out on his belly, and chin on the floor. She had a look of worry as well did Toby as she walked over to him, and helped him stand up. "Oh, my goodness. Connor are you okay?"
Connor dusted himself off, and shook the cobwebs out of his head. "Oh, sure I am fine. Tough muscles, remember? Able to withstand anything." He pointed at himself with his two thumbs, and made a sly smile. He looked up at the boy being carried by Prim. "Hey Toby."
Toby looked worriedly at the team leader, but smiled softly. "H-hi Big Brother Connor. Are you sure you are okay?"
Connor nodded, and crossed his arms with a smirk. "Of course buddy. It takes a lot more to keep this Warrior down." He smiled proudly. "I was just practicing my announcing for tonight, because I am going to host the talent show with Ms. Stoner tonight." He looked at the two guests. "Anyways though, what brought you two by?" Asking curiously.
"Well.. um.. is Alicia here?" Prim asked softly.
Connor shook his head. "Nope. we had breakfast together this morning, and after we got done eating she said something about meeting the others, and those two girls who keep dragon Shade long on their dragon training at the Rainboom's house." Sighing deeply shaking his head at the thought of the two.
"Oh. Um... I guess we should go to see Claudia, okay sweetie?" She looked back at Toby, and he gave her a nod. "Thank you Connor, and I can't wait to see you there tonight. I am sure you will do good as a host." She squealed.
Connor rubbed at his arm with a hand, and blushed pink on his cheeks. "Shucks, thank you Prim. Oh, before I forget. The Dragon Girls told me about you playing the piano tonight Toby. I am sure you will do good tonight, just remember to have fun." He smiled down at the little boy, and patted at his hand gently.
Toby smiled softly. "Th-thank you Big Brother Connor. You will do good too."
"Thanks buddy. I will see you two tonight. I got to get started on cleaning up the library before Charles and Alicia gets back or they will give me one of their hour long lectures about responsibility, and work ethic." He sighed deeply, and went to retrieve a broom from the corner of the staircase.
"Well.. um.. bye Connor." Prim spoke softly as she turned to walk out of the castle.
"Wait!" Connor yelled causing Prim to flinch, and Toby to shake a little. "Sorry about that. Uh.. Prim, if it isn't too much trouble, could you maybe help me re-organize the bookshelves? Now Charles wants to organize them by alphabetical order, and with only one warrior doing it alone, it will take forever. Please?" Spike looked down at Prim with pleasing eyes like a puppy.
"Um... I guess I could." She turned her head back toward her little boy. "Toby sweetie, if you would like to.. um.. I am sure Connor wouldn't mind you reading a book while I help him with fixing the library up, right Connor?" She turned back to the leader.
"Of course you can read a book Toby. I recommend a Daring Do book, they are real cool." Prim leaned down on her leg to put Toby down. He landed on the ground, and went to the library and to the bookshelves to look for a book. He pulled out a book on art, and went over to sit on a chair. Prim went to work on re-organizing the bookshelves as she smiled warmly at him.
"Claudia, are you almost done? This is so boring." Luu Luu facepalmed, and sighed as she sat on her rear looking out the window in Claudia's workroom watching for Prim, and Toby.
"Yes I am Luu Luu. I just got to add just a couple of more gems here and... WALLAH!" Claudia beamed happily as she was putting on the final touches of a new outfit. "There, all done. Ooh, the little dear is just going to love this." She hit the floor with her legs happily.
"Aww.. Claudia it's beautiful!" Kaguya exclaimed. "I can't wait for the little sweetheart to see it. He is going to be amazed." She turned towards Luu Luu. "Besides Luu Luu, I had Connor some up with a way to keep Prim, and Toby occupied while Claudia finished his suit."
"Well, that's good. I need to stretch." Luu Luu stood up on all two legs and stretched her arms, letting out a big yawn.
There was a knock on Claudia's door. "Claudia, we are ready to show you our costumes." Crystal said behind the door.
"Hold on a minute Crystal." Claudia placed Toby's suit over to an empty available clothes rack while another was filled with the other costumes for the other girls in the talent show. "Alright girls, you may come in." She lifted her hand, and opened the door.
The two girls proudly leaned back, and jumped in through the doorway dramatically, and posed with their hands in the air. "WE ARE THE DRAGON KIDS SHOW STOPPERS!"
"Girls, do you always have to be, so loud?" Claudia held her hands up to her ears. She shook her head, and looked at the two girls. "Aww.. don't you two just look marvelous." She beamed at her creations.
"Thank you Claudia." Crystal beamed with glee at Claudia. She wore a pearl white dress with a medium sized silver gem encrusted microphone on the back. "I love this Claudia. It fits me perfectly, and it is going to look great on me when I sing."
"Yes it will Crystal." She smiled at her, and walked up to her giving her a hug. "I know you are going to make your family proud tonight." She beamed.
Maia was sitting on a chair in front of Claudia's desk when she spotted something. "Haha.. Luu Luu, why is your costume a clown?" She couldn't help, but laugh.
On the mannequin, an all yellow clown outfit wink pink, blue, red, and white polka dots, and pink frilly cuffs on the wrists, legs, and a pink frill on the neck. It also wore a red puffy wig, and a red clown nose.
Luu Luu stuck her tongue at her friend. "Maia, I thought I've told you, I'm gonna do tricks. I'm going to juggle three apples, walk on my beach ball, and I'm going to walk on my beach ball while juggling three apples at the same time. Maybe I can get a job at the circus?" She smiled proudly.
"Hahaha.. why in the world would you want to be a circus performer Luu Luu? Well, no matter what, I will be cheering for you Luu Luu. Just don't ruin any good apples or you will have to do grocery shopping duty for a week." Maia looked at her with a soft, yet stern look.
"Hey, hey, hey Maia what is wrong with wanting to be a funny clown?" Vault asked. "Dressing as a clown is loads of fun." He looked in front of Maia. "Oh, I know, how about I shoot you out of Pinkie's party cannon into a little pool?"
"Uh.. no thanks Vault. I think I'm fine with just my three tricks. Thank you though." He gave Vault a soft smile.
"Well, suit yourself." The whole group of women, and girls laughed at Vault's antics.
"Yeah, your costumes are nice, and all girls, but mine is simply awesome." Kelly stood up on her legs crossing her arms proudly with a smirk on her face. She was wearing an all black body suit with red flames reaching up from the cuffs of her legs along with her arms and had an all orange gem encrusted wing on the back.
"That's right Kelly. Now that is cooler." Vault said proud of Luu Luu's protege as he walked over to Kelly, and rubbed the top of her head.
"Gee, thanks Vault." She said happily.
"I think they all look wonderful girls." Alicia spoke up next, and then looked at Claudia with a bright smile. "You have done a great job, as always Claudia."
"Thank you Alicia dear. I agree with Alicia girls, your costumes all look fabulous if I do say so myself. I hope the other girls, and boys will like their costumes." She looked at the other costumes. She took a large sized suitcase over onto her work desk, and then grabbed the costumes over to her desk, and placed them in the suitcase shutting it. "There, they are all ready."
Luu Luu was walking through the group as she looked out the window to see Prim nearing the boutique. "Here they come everybody."
"Alright guys, you all just stay up here, and I shall go let them in." Claudia said as she turned, and walked out of her room to descend the stairs to the dress studio area.
There was a knock at the door, and Claudia lightly walked to open it, and saw the pink-haired girl with the little boy in her arms. "Hello dears, please come in." She stepped aside to let them enter.
"Um.. hello Claudia. Connor told us that the others was here too. We aren't intruding are we?" She asked softly.
"Of course not dear." She leaned her head close to Prim, and whispered into her ear. "In fact we were waiting on you two to arrive. I have a big surprise for our little Toby." Prim nodded as Claudia raised her head from Prim's ear. She looked at the small child, and gave him a warm smile. "Hello Toby dear, how are you today?" She reached up with a hand, and rubbed at his back gently.
He smiled warmly. "I-I am doing good Auntie Claudia, thank you." He sighed softly at the rubbing of his back.
"You know you don't need to thank me precious, but you are certainly welcome." She leaned her head over to him, and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Shall we go upstairs to my work room." The two nodded as Prim walked behind Claudia as they ascended the stairs.
As they reached the top Claudia turned to Toby with a soft smile. "Dear, if a lady may be, so kind to ask, could you maybe close your eyes for a little bit?" Asking with a soft, and elegant voice.
He nodded. "Y-yes Auntie Claudia." He closed his eyes as Claudia walked forward motioning Prim to follow. Prim followed behind as they walked into Claudia's work room where the others were waiting.
Claudia turned toward the little boy lifting up her arms to carefully lift him off from Prim's arms. She smiled warmly at him as she lifted him up, and placed him on the floor. She brought the suit over in front of him holding it with her hand. She gently placed her other hand on his shoulder, and leaned her head down next to his. "Okay precious, you can open your eyes now." She gave him a beaming smile.
He opened his eyes and his mouth gaped open into a smile as he saw the suit. It was a black suit with matching black pants, a white buttoned up dress shirt, a black bowtie which had white spherical gems on the corners of both sides and a white gem in the middle, and to complete the suit there was a pair of black dress shoes.
He looked at the suit in wonder, and smiled brightly. "A-Auntie Claudia, I love it!" He turned, and wrapped his little arms around her neck laying his head against her chest.
She smiled warmly with tears of happiness stinging her eyes as she lifted a hand, and gently hugged him back bringing him against her. She lowered her head, and kissed the top of it tenderly while still holding the suit with her other hand. "Aww. Precious, I am so happy that you love it. Tonight you are going to be a gentleman of the talent show."
She gently rubbed up, and down his back with her hand. He tilted his head back. "A-Auntie Claudia, can I go put it on?" Smiling up at her happily.
She nodded. "Of course dear. We will all be waiting in here when you get done, okay?" She gave him a warm smile, and gently patted at his back. He smiled up at her softly, and carefully walked out of her work room toward the bathroom to put on his suit.
While he was in the bathroom getting ready, the women, and girls were talking amongst themselves.
"you know that girls, I think it is a sweet thing of the little kid playing the piano for his mom tonight." Maia smiled softly as the others nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I am not the one to like sappy things, but that will bring a smile to my face. That little guy is awesome." Luu Luu said with a soft smirk.
Prim spoke up next. "Um.. girls?" Yet none of them heard her as they continued to talk above her soft voice.
"The little dear really loves his mother, and I believe she will be proud of him tonight. I know we all will." Claudia smiled happily.
"Um... girls?" Prim tried to speak up again, but yet not able to be heard.
"That is right Claudia. We are going to be cheering for him when he gets up on stage." Crystal exclaimed as the other two girls nodded happily.
"GIRLS!" Prim yelled causing the others to jump. She hid behind her hair. "Oops.. um.. sorry."
"That is okay Prim." Alicia shook her head, and smiled at her cousin. "What is the matter?"
"Well, um.. I don't know I should say this without Toby's permission, but he isn't only playing the piano just for his mommy tonight." They all looked at her with a confused look on their faces.
"Whatever do you mean dear? Is he going to do something else special?" Claudia asked curiously arching an eyebrow.
"Um.. no. Please don't tell him I told you all, I don't want him to be upset with me. He wants to play the piano for his mommy, because he never was able to say goodbye to her." She rubbed her hands together nervously while the others gasped, and had sad smiled on their faces.
There was a soft knock on the work door. "A-Auntie Claudia, I'm ready." The little boy said softly behind the door.
"Oh, please come in dear." She opened the door as the small child carefully walked in.
He swallowed deeply as he looked up at all of the others. "I-I love it Auntie Claudia. It feels comfortable, and I really like the bowtie. It is very pretty with the gems on it." He smiled up at her softly.
"My, aren't you just a handsome little gentleman Toby." Claudia gleamed at her creation, and gave a kiss on the top of his head.
"Yeah sweetie, I would bet you will catch the eye of many of the girls tonight." Maia smiled toward Toby as he blushed at the comment.
"You look very nice sweetie." Prim smiled down at her little boy, and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead. The others smiled warmly at him.
He smiled softly up at her. "Th-thank you Auntie Prim." As he looked at the three girls. "Y-you look great too Kelly, Luu Luu, and Kelly."
"Thank you Toby." The three of them said in unison.
Crystal walked up to him, and nuzzled him softly on the cheek. "You look very cute in your suit Toby." She gave him a bright smile. He blushed as Kelly, and Luu Luu walked up next and all three gave him a group hug.
The others d'awwed at the four.
Alicia took a deep breath. "Well, everybody are you ready to go to the school? I am sure they might need to practice their acts before it starts tonight." They all nodded. Prim leant down to let Toby carry him as they are exited Claudia's work room, and descended the stairs.
Making sure she has everything with her, especially the costumes Claudia was the last one to exit the boutique placed the open sign to closed. She made sure to lock the door, and turned to join the group.
Soon they arrived at the school where the parents of the boys, and girls, and the other people of East Liverpool were conversing inside the school. They stopped at the door, and Prim leaned down to let Toby climb down.
"Alright guys, we are going inside while you all go rehearse." The four young ones nodded at Maia.
Prim gently kneeled down, and carefully reached her arms up gently smoothing the arms of Toby's suit. "We will be sitting in the front row seat sweetie." She gave him a tender kiss on the top of his head, and looked down into his eyes. "Now, don't you worry about anything. You will do good sweetheart. Auntie Prim loves you." She rubbed at her shoulders softly.
"I-I love you too Auntie Prim. I love you too Auntie Maia, Auntie Alicia, Big Brother Connor, Uncle Vault, Uncle Grave, Auntie Kaguya, and Auntie Claudia." He smiled at all the other Warriors.
"We love you too Toby." They said in unison giving him warm smiles.
He waved at them as he went over to join the three girls to walk to the auditorium.
Claudia looked at the others. "I will be joining you soon guys, I got to go deliver these costumes to Stoner, and the kids." They all nodded, and walked inside the school while she followed behind the four young ones.
"I can't wait to perform my tricks. It is going to be, so fun." Luu Luu smiled brightly.
"I know. I am going to sing my heart out tonight." Sweetie Belle spoke next hopping happily.
"I am going to amaze people with my violin." Kelly smirked confidently.
"I-I know you all will be good. I just hope I won't be too nervous when I play the piano." Toby spoke softly with a small smile.
Luu Luu smiled at the little boy, and reached a hand to rub at his back. "Don't worry Toby, you will do good. We believe in you, and we all will be rooting for you." The other two nodded, and Toby smiled softly.
They arrived at the stage with a big red curtain. Three stage lights were set up on the left, and right sides on a long metal beam with one stage light in the center. The other boys, and girls were already underway practicing their routines.
Toby looked at the stage in wonder as he saw a black grand piano sitting on the stage in the center. He swallowed deeply as he approached the stage, and walked over to the steps to the side of it, and ascended them. Kelly, and Luu Luu walked a little ways away from the stage to practice their performances while Crystal followed behind Toby.
"Toby, don't be nervous. Everybody is going to like your piano playing." She smiled, and gently placed a hand on his back and rubbed it reassuringly.
"I-I know Crystal. I just haven't ever been in front of a crowd before, or played the piano in front of anyone." He said as he looked up at her a bit, and walked over to the piano. He sat down on the bench provided.
"It will be okay cutie. I will be in the back practicing my singing if you need me, okay?" She said politely as she walked backstage.
Toby gave her a light smile as he watch her walk off. He lifted his hands, and stroked a few keys to get the feel of playing the piano. He thought to himself. 'I hope you will be proud of me Mommy.'
"Well, well, well, look at what the runt is doing for the talent show." The arrogant tone of Layla's voice could be heard as Toby turned to see her walking up to him with Scarlett behind her. She leaned down, and placed a hand on the edge of the piano. "So brat, you are planning to play the piano tonight, huh?"
He nodded, and looked nervously into Layla's eyes. "Y-yes. I am going to play it for my Mommy." He swallowed deeply.
"Aww.. isn't that sweet... Not. You just listen here you little runt. If you think about upstaging me tonight, you will regret it. Do you understand?" She leaned her head close to him with her brows furrowed in anger, while smirking. Toby shook nervously.
"Layla that is enough. Just go practice your ballet, and leave him alone." Scarlett spoke up as Layla let out a huff flicking her hair, and walked off to the far side of the stage.
Scarlett looked down at Toby, and raised an arm gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay little guy? Don't let Layla scare you, I won't let her do anything to you." She looked into Toby's eyes with a soft reassuring smile.
He gave a little smile. "Th-Thank you Scarlett. It's okay, I won't do anything to cause Layla to do bad tonight. I just want to make my Mommy proud of me tonight when I play the piano."
Scarlett reached her hand down, and gently patted his hand. "Well, that is sweet of you Toby. I am sure Princess Prim will love it. The Dragon Girls told me that she adopted you, and you are her kid now." She gave him a warm smile.
He looked into her eyes with a frown. "W-well, no I am not playing it for Auntie Prim. Please don't be mad Scarlett, but I love my Auntie Prim, but I am playing the piano for my other Mommy. My real Mommy." He lowered his head sadly feeling bad that he wasn't doing it for Prim.
Scarlett frowned. "Oh, sweetie pie, I am so so sorry." She reached up with both arms, and gave him a soft hug. She felt him shaking. "Shh.. please Toby, don't be sad." She gently rubbed up, and down his back before carefully pulling him back to look into his eyes. She frowned when she saw him frowning, and gently rubbed at his cheek with a hand.
He looked at her, his frown turning into a light smile at how caring she was being toward. "I-it is okay Scarlet. I lost my Mommy last year, and I never said goodbye. I thought I could say goodbye to her tonight through playing the piano. So I hope I do good tonight to make her proud of me, and also make Auntie Prim, and my aunties and uncles proud of me too."
Scarlett smiled sadly as tears started to sting her eyes. "Oh, I am, so sorry Toby for you losing your mother. I didn't know, can you ever forgive me?" She gently held his little hand between her hands, and rubbed it to try, and make him feel comfortable.
He nodded. "S-Scarlett, you didn't do anything wrong. Yes, I forgive you, but please don't be sad." He noticed the tears in her eyes. He reached into the pocket of his black pants, and pulled out a tissue. "H-here Scarlett. Please don't cry."
Her heart melted at the kindness the small child shown as she very gently accepted the tissue, and reached up with a hand to wipe at the tears in the corners of her eyes. "Toby, you are such a sweet little boy. I just know that you will do make your mommy, Princess Prim, and your aunties and uncles very proud tonight. I will be cheering for you sweetie pie." As she gently leaned her head toward him, and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. She smiled at him, and waved at him with a hand as she walked backstage.
He blushed at the kiss on his cheek as he smiled softly as she walked backstage. He turned back to stroke at the keys gently with his fingers as he sighed deeply.
Eight o' clock soon arrived, and the adults started to take their seats along the chairs before the stage. Prim, and the other Warriors took their places in front, so they could be close to the stage.
Backstage the girls, and boys were getting ready to go on stage when called upon. Ms. Stoner walked backstage, and looked all of them, with a bright smile. "Alright kids, tonight I just want you all do to your best, and have fun."
Connor came walking backstage. "I'm all ready Stoner. I am ready to show everybody the smooth hosting skills of Sir Connor Nickell." He threw his arms, and hands in the air with a big smile.
Stoner smiled awkwardly, and nodded. "Okay Connor." She turned her focus to the kids again. "Alright, when I call your act, just come out and do your performance." Together she, and Connor walked out onto the stage.
She walked up to the microphone stand. "Good evening ladies, and gentlemen. Welcome to the Annual East Liverpool North Elementary School Talent Show. I am your host for the evening Ms. Stoner." She passed the microphone for Connor to speak into.
"And I am your co-host for the evening Connor Nickell." The audience clapped their hands against each other softly. Alicia facepalmed at her leader. "Whew, tough crowd." The leader said as he crossed his arms.
Stoner patter at the top of his head. "That is okay Connor." She sighed softly as she looked out at the crowd. "Shall we get started? The first act tonight is the magical duo of Mike and Drake." The crowd clapped their hands louder to welcome out the two boys, who came out dressed in matching black ties with white collars, and black top hats.
"Hello everybody. Tonight me, and my assistant Drake are going to attempt something, so dangerous, that it is considered more dangerous than going into the haunted forest." The crowd ooo'ed, and ahh'd at the speech. "Tonight I am going to saw my assistant in half.
Drake nodded, and shit it towards Mike realizing what they were going to do. "Huh? I thought we were going to pull a rabbit out of our hats Mike." He asked with a confused look.
Mike leant his head closer to whisper into Drake's ear. "Be quiet Drake. Don't worry, it is a trick box, I am not really going to saw you in half." Drake nodded yet with reluctance.
Mike turned back to the crowd. "Now if my assistant would be, so nice as to get in the box."
Drake huffed, but complied as he went to the side of the stage behind the curtain, and brought out a box. It has a big round hole both on the squared ends, two holes on the bottom of it, and a slit to place the saw in the middle. It was carried on a set of wheels.
"Now Drake, may you be so kind to climb inside the box." Drake complied, and climbed inside the box. He stuck his head out in one of the end holes, placed his legs through the two bottom holes. Mike closed the box around Drake's body. He grabbed the handle of the saw which was smoothed around its edges to fit perfectly in the slit.
"Just be careful Mike." Drake begged his friend.
Mike leant his head to whisper in Drake's ear. "Don't worry buddy, it will be safe, I promise." He turned his attention to the crowd. "Now everybody, allow your eyes to be amazed by the one, and only Great, and Powerful Mike."
Drake gasped. "Hey Mike, ain't that supposed to be Trixie's thing to say. She will be very upset with us if she found out one of us were using her line."
"She isn't here, so she doesn't have to know. Now be quiet Drake." He smiled awkwardly at the crowd. He placed the smooth edged saw into the slit, and carefully separated the two halves of the box apart. "Presto! Witness the first boy ever to be sawed in half." The crowd clapped loudly.
He smiled proudly at the crowd's reaction, and carefully pushed the halves together. He took the saw out of the slit, and opened the box to reveal Drake was in one whole piece. Drake stepped out of the box.
Ms. Stoner, and Connor walked back out onto the stage. "Well, that was certainly a suspenseful act Mike, and Drake." She smiled softly at the two. "Ladies, and gentlemen, Mike, and Drake, and their wonderful magic act." The crowd clapped loudly again as the two boys bowed their heads happily, and walked backstage.
Toby was sitting on a bench against the wall as he held his hand in his lap, and looked down at them. He was breathing deeply in, and out. 'Please let me do good, please let me make Mommy proud.' He thought to himself over, and over again.
He lifted his head to see Scarlett getting ready to go out next. "D-do good out there Scarlett." He said softly as she walked up to him. She was wearing a suit like his without the dress shirt, and shoes on her feet, which looked like tap dancing shoes.
She smiled warmly down at him. "Aww.. well, thank you sweetie pie. I appreciate that." She gently leant her head forward, and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead. "You do good too Toby, when your turn comes up." She smiled, and walked toward the curtain to wait to go out next.
He smiled softly at her as he turned his attention back to his mands in his lap. "Alright ladies, and gentlemen, next up is the tap dancing girl, Scarlett Henry." He could hear Ms. Stoner announce Scarlett as she walked out on stage, and the crowd began getting louder with each clap of their hands against each other.
Toby sat quietly backstage as he watched her begin her tap dancing act. As he was watching Scarlett he felt a rough nudge on his shoulder that nearly made him fall off the bench he was sitting on. He turned around to see the glaring eyes of Layla with a smirk on her face.
"It looks like my best friend found a boyfriend, well, a bratfriend.. hahaha." Laughing cruelly. She lifted an arm and placed her hand against Toby's chest. She leant her head close to him furrowing her brows. "I don't see what she sees in such a puny little runt like you, but you better just make sure you don't do better than me."
He swallowed deeply, and nodded. "Y-yes Layla. I promise." He took a little as Layla lifted her hand off his chest, and placed it back down. He nervously look into her eyes. "D-do good out there Layla." Speaking with his usual politeness giving her a small smile.
"Like I need good luck from you, you little brat." She turned to see Scarlett bowing her head, and turned to walk backstage. "Well, it looks like it is time to show my fabulousness for all of East Liverpool to see." She flicked her hair arrogantly, and turned to Toby. "See you runt." Then she walked up to the curtain.
Scarlett whispered over to her friend. "Have fun Layla." She gave her a smile as she walked backstage.
"Thanks Scarlett." She returned the smile, and walked back onto the stage.
After Layla performed her ballet act, the next one up was Luu Luu wearing her clown costume. And is wearing white make-up on her face with two pink dots on her cheeks. She saw Toby sitting on the bench looking down at his hands in his lap, and walked up to him. She reached a hand up, and gently rubbed at his shoulder. "Are you alright Toby?" She lowered her head to try looking into his eyes.
"Y-yes I am okay Luu Luu." He gave her a little smile. "D-do good out there, and have fun."
"Thank you buddy." She smiled at him, and jumped on her beach ball, and balanced on it so she could walk on it toward the curtain.
Ms. Stoner welcomed her as she came rolling on the stage on top of her beach ball. "Next we have the fun, and entertaining performance of Luu Luu." The audience clapped loudly, and laughed at her clown outfit as she jumped on top of the beach ball bouncing, and doing a somersault in midair landing on the stage on her feet, and raising her arms in the air with a bright smile.
"Hey everybody!" She looked over the crowd. "Tonight, I'm going to entertain you with some great juggling, and while walking on my ol' trusty beach ball. So you all get ready for a great time." As she went to the side of the stage to retrieve three apples.
She returned to the center of the stage carrying the apple in the crook of her hand. She sat down on her rear, and placed them in one hand. She started out by throwing one up in the air, then another one, and the last one, until she was tossing them back and forth between each hand rotating them around in a spherical motion.
"WOOHOO! GO LUU LUU!" Vault yelled whistling, and clapping his hands against each other. The crowd followed along with clapping their hands loudly.
Luu Luu smiled proudly at the crowd's reaction, and threw all three apples in the air and caught them in her mouth while they came falling down. She smiled with the apples filling her mouth. "Thank you very much. Next, I'm going to balance on my beach ball while doing some extra tricks. Be prepared to be amazed." She smiled at the crowd.
Maia covered her face with her hands. 'I sure do hope this don't turn out to be a mess for her.' She thought to herself.
Luu Luu jumped up onto her beach ball on all two feet first then carefully sat up on her rear raising slowly on her legs. She walked on the beach ball making it roll along the stage, and jumped up cutting a flip in midair, and landing on a single leg doing a footstand. The crowd clapped louder, and hollered. Luu Luu pushed down on the surface of the beach ball, and leaped in midair turning to land back on her legs.
Balancing on the ball she tilted her head back, and spit the apple up in the air positioning her hands to catch them. As soon as one hit on one hand she started juggling them in between both hands while walking on the beach ball. The crowd had their mouths opened in awe at how easily Luu Luu made it look.
For her finale she tossed the apples high in the air, backflipping off the beach ball onto the stage, and opening her mouth to retrieve the apples which she was successful. She spit them out onto her hands, and bowed her head. The crowd went crazy, and Maia let out a big sigh of relief.
Ms. Stoner, and Connor came out with an applause of their own. "Well, that was a very very good performance Luu Luu." She smiled at the girl as the crowd gave her one more round of applause as she bowed her head, and walked backstage.
Connor got the mic. "Next, we have the awesome, and cool girl herself Kelly." The crowd cheered, and everybody was smiling brightly at what was coming up next still wowed by Luu Luu's performance.
Kelly came running out onto the stage with her violin. "Alright everybody. If you think Luu Luu was cool, get ready to be amazed by the awesome music of me, the one, and only Spectacular Kelly!" She smirked holding an arm up in the air.
"Yeah, you go Kelly!" Maia cheered from her place on the seat. "Now it is about to get awesome." The Warriors just laughed, and shook their heads.
She placed her violin on her neck and took out her violin bow, she began to play a song from the old west as she raised her leg and did a spin. Then Kelly leapt across the stage back and forth. The crowd clapped a little loud. Kelly smiled, and thought to herself. 'They haven't seen anything yet.'
She began to spin across the stage one more time going real fast, and she leaned back to make it beautiful, and then she stopped spinning on the opposite side. She smiled brightly, and help up her arms in the air which the crowd went crazy.
"WOW! That was simply awesome. That's my girl." Maia said proudly at her protege.
Ms. Stoner came walking out on stage. "Another great, and wonderful performance. Good job Kelly." Kelly smiled, and bowed her head with a hand stuck out to the crowd.
She looked to the crowd again, and bowed her head one more time before going off backstage.
Toby stood up from the bench, and clapped his hands together as Kelly was coming backstage. "Th-that was very cool Kelly. You, and Luu Luu did very good. I can't wait for Crystal." He smiled softly up at the girl.
She reached a hand up, and patted him on the head. "Thank you buddy." Crystal, and Luu Luu came walking up to the two.
"That was awesome Kelly. I was worried though for you, if you fell or something." Luu Luu smiled brightly at her friend.
"Yes, that was amazing stuff Kelly. At least you are safe, and you did fabulous. I am very proud of you." Crystal smiled, and cleared her throat.
"Thanks you three. Oh, this is so cool. Have fun out there Crystal." She gave both of them a hug bringing Toby into it as well.
They broke the hug, and Crystal spoke up. "Well, I guess it is my time to go on out there." She smiled at the three taking a deep breath, and walked up to the curtain.
Ms. Stoner got up to the mic. "Well, ladies, and gentlemen there are only two acts left, and then we will announce the winners of each category. Next up is the wonderful singing of the sweet little girl Crystal." Crystal came walking on stage to a thunderous ovation with the crowd really into the talent show.
"Yay Crystal! That is my girl." Claudia cheered proudly, causing Crystal to blush slightly.
Crystal stepped up to the mic taking a deep breath. She looked out to the crowd, and at the Warriors with her friends. "Hello everybody. Tonight I am going to be singing the song of the group me, and my friends, Luu Luu, and Kelly created called The Cutie Mark Crusaders. I hope you all like it." She took another deep breath, and started to sing.
As she was singing, Toby smiled softly as her voice was elegant, and smooth. 'She sounds like Auntie Prim when she sings me to bed, and also Mommy when she sung to me.' He thought to himself.
After she got done singing the crowd gave her a thunderous ovation like they have been doing all night for all the talents. She smiled and bowed her head toward the crowd one more time, and skipped to the back.
"Yay Crystal!" The two other Dragon Girls came up and hugged her tightly. "I knew you had a special talent in singing, and this proves it." Luu Luu said proudly for her friend.
"Yeah Crystal, that was cool." Kelly patted her friend on the back.
"C-congratulations Crystal on singing." Toby said politely as Crystal gave him a hug, and nuzzled his cheek.
"Thank you all." The four smiled happily.
Toby took a deep breath knowing that his turn was next. He closed his eyes, and thought. 'Please let me do good. Please let me make Mommy proud.' As he felt a couple of hands on his shoulders, and one on his back. He opened his eyes to look up at the Dragon Girls as they gave him warm girls.
"You can do it Toby." Luu Luu said giving him a reassuring, and gentle pat on the back.
"Yeah buddy, go out there, and knock them off their butts." Kelly said with a soft smirk, and patted his shoulder.
"You will do your mommy, and all of us proud Toby, don't worry." Crystal gave him a soft nuzzle on the cheek.
He looked up at them. "Th-thank you all." As he took a deep breath, and walked to the curtain. He felt another hand on his shoulder, and turned to look up at Scarlett. "H-hi Scarlett. You did good out there with your tap dancing."
"Aww.. well, thank you sweetie pie. I just wanted to wish you a good job tonight, and I know that you will make your mommy proud." She gave him a warm smile, and gently gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He blushed, and smiled up at her. "Th-thank you Scarlett, that means a lot."
She gently rubbed at his arm. "You are very welcome little guy." She smiled down at him, and returned backstage.
"Alright everybody. It is time for the last act of the night." Toby watched Ms. Stoner stand at the mic getting ready to bring him out. He took a deep breath. "Please welcome out new student at North Elementary School who will be playing the piano for you all tonight, Toby Mason." Ms. Stoner smiled toward the curtain, and motioned for Toby to come out onto the stage.
'Come on Toby, don't get nervous. This is for Mommy.' He thought to himself as he carefully walked out onto the stage to a loud clapping of hands from the crowd. He nervously lifted his arm, and waved at the crowd of people. He looked in the front seat to see Prim, and the other Warriors who were clapping their hands, and giving him bright reassuring smiles.
Backstage Layla was beside Scarlett. "Gah. Well, at least I don't have to worry about him upstaging me, because he is just going to mess up." She let out an arrogant huff.
Scarlett looked over at her. "Layla! Come with me over here." She walked away from the curtain to the backstage area. "Do you know why you was even back into the talent show? It is because Toby asked Ms. Stoner to put you back in it. He didn't want to be the reason you were taken out of it, and he didn't want you to be mad at him for it." She looked at Layla disapprovingly.
"WHAT?" Layla said with a shocked look on her face. "That is ridiculous. Ms. Stoner let me back into the talent show, because..." She was cut of by a foot stomp. The two girls turned to see Luu Luu and the other two Dragon Girls.
"It is the truth Layla. Toby did ask Ms. Stoner to put you back in the talent show. He also asked us not to tell you, because he didn't want you to think he was the only reason you were put back in." Luu Luu looked at her sternly.
"But.. but.." She was cut off again, this time with a calm hand on her shoulder that belonged to Scarlett.
"Listen Layla, I am your friend, but I don't like this mean side of you. Do you want to know why Toby is playing the piano? He lost his mommy, his real mommy last year, and he never had the chance to say goodbye." Scarlett frowned, and lowered her head.
Layla swallowed deeply, and looked at the Dragon Girls with a look of concern.
"She is telling the truth Layla." Crystal spoke up. "His mommy died last year in a shooting, and his own daddy blamed it on him saying it was his fault that his mommy was gone." Crystal lowered her head with a frown.
Layla swallowed deeply again, and turned her head toward the stage at the little boy.
Kelly was the last to speak. "Also, Layla I don't know why he would do it, but Toby forgives you for the mean things you said to him on his first day of school. He told us that his mommy taught him never to be mad at somebody for too long, or he would turn out to be mean himself, and he doesn't want to be mean."
Layla looked at Kelly, and the others with her lower lip quivering, and tears stinging her eyes. She lowered her head, and started shaking. "I. I." She lowered her head down onto her legs on the ground and started to sob. "I am a horrible person!"
Scarlett looked concern at her friend, and sat down on her rear beside her along with the other girls. "No, Layla you aren't horrible. It is the words you say, and the stuff you do that is horrible, but that doesn't make you a horrible person on the inside." She reached out a hand, and rubbed at Layla's back.
Layla carefully laud down on her two legs, and lifted her head sniffling. "Do you really think, so Scarlett?"
"Yeah, she is right Layla. I know that there is good in you. You just got to try, and not say mean stuff, or do mean things to other people." Luu Luu smiled reassuringly as the other two nodded.
Layla gave a little smile, and swallowed deeply. "Oh Luu Luu, Kelly, and Crystal, I am so so sorry for how I have treated you three ever since we met. If I have just given the chance to get to know you all, I would have made good friends just like Scarlett. Can you three forgive me?" She looked at the three with pleading eyes.
"Sure Layla. We forgive you, and we would like to become friends with you." Crystal said as she reached out a hand. Layla reached her hand out, and they both shook hands. Kelly and Luu Luu followed suit.
"Thank you three. Great job at the talent show." She sniffled, and looked out at the stage at the small child. "Now I must make it up to Toby." She said gently as she lightly smiled.
Toby walked up to the mic swallowing deeply. "G-good evening everybody. The song I want to play for you all is called This Broken Soul. I hope you enjoy it." He took a deep breath and walked to the piano bench. The crowd fell silent to let him get ready.
He reached up to put his hands on the piano, but immediately started shaking. He lowered his head with tears stinging his eyes. "Please don't make me cry, please don't let me do bad." He stroked a couple of keys, but stopped putting his hands in his lap closing his eyes shut tight. "I can't do it."
The crowd looked on concerned for the little boy, and Prim with the others frowned.
"Oh... my. Maybe I should go up there to see if he is okay." Claudia who was sitting beside Prim gently placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Prim dear, just relax. I am sure he is okay, he is just nervous." She gave the worried princess a soft, and reassuring smile as they turned their attention back to Toby.
While Toby had his head lowered, and eyes shut he could heat a soft familiar voice. "Toby sweetheart, look at me please?"
"M-Mommy?" He swallowed deeply opening his eyes, and lifted his head to look up, and beside him. It was the same apparition of his mother like in his dream. "M-Mommy!" He smiled brightly.
"That is right my baby boy. It's me." She gave him a soft smile. "Now Toby, I want you to listen to me, okay?" He nodded.
"Uh.. who do you think he is talking to guys?" Maia asked the group of Warriors as she looked up at him at the piano. They shook their heads, but looked on intently at the small child along with the crowd.
"Sweetheart, the moment you came into my life was the proudest day of my life. When I first held you in my arms, and looked into your eyes, I know that I was blessed with you." Tears started to shed from Toby's eyes as he looked up into his mother's. "Every day spent with you made me proud of my baby boy. Just remember that I will always love you, and when you ever want to think of me just close your eyes, and listen to your heart. I will always be with you my angel dep within your heart."
She leant her head down, and gave him an angelic kiss on the top of his head. "I will be listening to you sweetheart play the piano. I love you my baby boy, I always will."
Toby swallowed deeply allowing the tears to shed freely down his cheeks. "I-I love you too Mommy!" He smiled softly with his lower lip quivering. "G-goodbye." The apparition of his mother slowly disappeared as he turned back toward the piano, and placed his hands on the keys. He started stroking the keys.
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After several minutes of playing the song Toby's tears finally dried as he swallowed deeply, and carefully stood up from the piano bench. He turned toward the crowd, and they all had tears in their own eyes along with Prim, and the other Warriors.
Ms. Stoner came out with Connor who both had tears stinging their eyes. "That was very beautiful Toby." The crowd clapped their hands loudly giving Toby the loudest reaction of the night. Toby smiled softly out at the crowd, and bowed his head.
When Toby walked backstage he was gently swallowed in a big group hug by the Dragon Girls. "You did great Toby." Luu Luu said softly rubbing at his back.
"You did awesome buddy." Kelly smiled brightly at him, and rubbed the top of his head.
"You play the piano beautifully Toby." Crystal gently nuzzled at him on the cheek.
Scarlett walked up and bend toward, and lifted her arms up to bring him to her giving him a warm hug. "That was wonderful Toby. You made us all proud, but you should be proud of yourself." She smiled warmly as she rubbed up, and down his back.
"Toby?" Suddenly the voice of Layla was heard as she very slowly walked near the group.
He looked up at her and swallowed deeply. "Y-yes Layla?" He asked kindly.
She started to sob as she looked at him. "Oh, Toby, I am, so so sorry for those nasty mean things I said to you on your first day of school, and all of the mean things I have done, and said to you recently. You deserved none of that, and I am so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" She lowered her head allowing tears to fall from her eyes.
Toby frowned at her, and carefully wrapped his little arms around her shoulders, and laid his head on her shoulder. "O-of course Layla. I already have forgiven you, please don't cry." He carefully reached a hand down along the back of her neck to rub gently at her back.
Layla swallowed deeply, and gently lifted an arm up to hug him back. "Aw.. Toby, you indeed are a sweet little boy." She laid her head on his shoulder as the other four girls smiled warmly at the two, and Mike, and Drake who were standing off the distance smiled as well.
Ms. Stoner got back on the mic. "Before I announce the winners, let us have one more round of applause for all of our acts tonight." The crowd cheered, and clapped loudly. "Now, the first medals goes to the best variety act. Will Mike and Drake, Kelly, and Luu Luu please come out."
The four came out to a big ovation as they bowed their heads, and had bright smiles on their faces.
"Third place goes to Mike and Drake for their magic act." Connor presented the two boys with two bronze medals. "Second place goes to Kelly for her violin act." Connor represented the blonde-haired girl with a silver medal which she smiled proudly. "And first place goes to Luu Luu for her circus act." Luu Luu smiled bright as Connor presented her with a gold medal. They gave one bow of their heads to the crowd who gave them a roaring ovation as they walked backstage.
"Next up is the medals for best dance act. Could I have Layla Burnside, and Scarlett Henry come out?" The two girls and friends came out to the same loud ovation. They bowed their heads and turned to Ms. Stoner. "Second place for best dance act goes to Layla Burnside for her ballet." Connor presented her with the silver medal. "And the winner for best dance act Scarlett Henry for her wonderful tap dancing performance." The crowd clapped loudly as Connor presented her with the golden medal.
The two girls bowed their heads, and clapped their hands together as they walked backstage next.
"The final medal of the night will go to the best musical act. Will Toby Mason, and Crystal please come out on stage?" Toby took a deep breath behind the curtain as Crystal joined beside him as they both walked out on stage to the loudest ovation of the final medals.
"Now this was a tough one to decide, because both of you done an exceptional job with your music act." Ms. Stoner smiled at the two. "Second place for the best music act goes to... Crystal for her singing of the Cutie Mark Crusaders song." The crowd gave her a loud ovation, and Connor presented her with the silver medal. Crystal beamed with glee as she looked over to Toby. "And the best music act of the night goes to Toby Mason for his beautiful, and touching piano performance." Toby smiled softly as Connor walked up and presented him with the gold medal.
The crowd cheered loudly as Prim and the other Warriors clapped their hands loudly with big smiles on their faces.
"Mall all the kids come out one more time please?" Ms. Stoner asked as they came back out on stage. "Thank you all ladies, and gentlemen for attending the talent show tonight. Give a round of applause one more time for our wonderful acts." The crowd gave a thunderous reaction as the boys, and girls bowed their heads.
Deep in thought as he looked out into the crowd Toby smiled. 'Thank you Mommy for being there for me. I love you, and I always will. I am happy I made you proud. Goodbye, I love you so much.' He closed his eyes softly, and took in a deep breath letting out a heartfelt sigh.