"Daddy?" Toby choked back his sobs as he watched the man who he witnessed murder his mother being brought into the royal hall of New Rad Castle. His wrists were now bound together by a strong silk black rope with a light aura around it, and his ankles was now both shackled together. As he watched his father being brought forward to them, Toby held his hands on Prim's chest to keep close to her.
"Guards you may leave him." Celestine commanded. They obeyed, and turned to walk out of the main hall leaving James standing up in his restraints as he looked forward at the group of people, children, dragons, and finally his son.
Giving Toby a forced smile of warmth he slowly lowered himself down onto his knees, and looked at the small child. "Hey there son. How about you come, and give your daddy a hug?" Celestine, Charles, and the others looked at him angrily, but with a curious look on their faces.
Toby swallowed deeply, and looked up at Prim. She looked down at him giving him a real smile of warmth, and nodded. "Don't worry sweetie, it's okay." She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "We are all here for you." He looked up, and nodded. He turned to the man responsible for his mother's passing, and cautiously walked towards him.
The royals, and everybody decided to stay back so Toby can talk with his father one on one first. Kaguya who was standing with the group with Kelly beside her whispered. "I don't like this you guys, I don't trust him." The others nodded in agreement, but wathced intently.
Toby approached James, and gave him a big hug around the neck as tears of sadness cascaded down his face. "Daddy!" He laid his head on James' shoulder as he hugged him tightly. James closed his eyes sighing softly, but not a single tear was shed.
"Son, it is good to see you." He pulled him away as best as he could with his hands tied, and looked down in Toby's eyes. "How about you untie me son, and we can get out of this crazy place?" Giving him a smile.
Toby looked up at him, and stepped back, "No Daddy, I don't want to go with you." He shook with sobs.
"WHAT? Why you little.." He reached for Toby, but his hands were lifted by Kin's magic. "Son, c'mon. You know I love you, and I want you to come back home with me."
Toby shook his head furiously with tears falling. He looked up at his dad angrily. "No you don't Daddy! You are the reason why Mommy is gone!" He lowered his head clenching his eyes shut tight sobbing heavily. Kin let go of his magical hold on James' hands.
James lowered his head. "Yes son, you are right, I am the reason your mommy, my wife is gone."
Toby sighed deeply, and raised his head to look at James. He allowed his tears to flow freely as he carefully stepped forward to place his small hand under his father's chin to raise his head to look at him. James looked into his eyes. "Why Daddy? Why did you get rid of Mommy?" His voice choking with sobs.
James sneered, and reached up and grabbed at Toby's hand with a hard grip. "Because she put you before me ever since you was born!"
Toby struggled in James' grip. "O-Ow! Daddy let go." He tried to get free, but couldn't.
Without hesitation Kaguya immediately dashed towards James, and gave him one quick punch in the face forcing James to let go of Toby. "You bastard! How can you call yourself a father after what you have done to that poor little boy?" She gave him another punch to the face.
Toby ran toward Prim, and wrapped his arms tightly around her neck burying his face into her chest crying, and shaking with sobs. Prim carefully wrapped both arms around him warmly. She laid her head on top of his. "Shh.. it's okay sweetheart. Auntie Prim's got you.. shh." She felt him shake against her as she soothingly rubbed at his back with her hands.
James shook his head after being punched by Kaguya as he looked up at Prim. "Auntie? So you have already replaced your old mom you little brat?" He yelled.
"Well, hold on there you dumbass." A voice was heard as Vault walked toward James. He stood eye to eye with James.
"And who are you suppose to be, his papa or something?" James chuckled.
Vault stood tall and nodded proudly. "Actually Mister, I'm his uncle, and honorary father. And I'm proud to be the uncle of that great little kid, and you should be ashamed for what you have done to him." Vault looked James dead in his eyes, and got to his face. "Now, I suggest you first apologize to Toby for breaking his little heart, and then you spend the rest of your time in jail for all I care." Letting out an angered snort.
"Well, if I don't apologize, what are you going to.." He was cut off with a swift kick to the stomach. He doubled over with a grunt, and cough.
"There is more where that come from too." Vault lifted James head with a hand to look at him. "How you apologize or else."
James coughed, until he caught his breath. He looked over at Prim who carefully lifted her arm off of Toby who leaned against the her arm as he looked at his father. "Who cares if I apologize, I'm a cop goddammit. And I'm gonna report this as assault and have you all arrested." James groaned.
"That won't be necessary Mason." Everyone turned, and entering the hall is Chief Multz and the rest of the police force and are giving him glares to the man.
"Chief!" James said in both shock and fear.
Toby looked at his father with shock, and concern at the same time. He stayed close against Prim trying to calm his tears as she gently stroked along his back with her hand and his arm with her hand.
"Those Shadowbolt kids told us to come to the castle, and we've heard every last minute of it." said Multz. "So, James Mason, you're under arrest for first-degree murder of Ashley Mason, false report, and child abuse. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney." he said to Jason.
Next to walk up was Alicia who had a scowl on her face. She stomped her foot in front of James, and looked into his eyes. "You listen to me now you coward. That little child might be small in size, but I promise you he has a heart as big as my home in Feoh." She placed a finger hard against his chest. "And that is something I can't say about you." She shook her head disapprovingly, and stepped aside.
Kaguya came, and stood on her feet. She took a hand and smacked it across his face. "How does that feel you bastard? It doesn't feel too good does it? Imagine how my little nephew felt when you hit him across his face. It hurt him, and broke his heart, but you know what? He is much stronger than you will ever be. After the pain you have caused him, he still is able to show us love, and show us kindness. That showed me that he is strong, not weak like you like to call him. The one that is weak around here is you." She used her other hand to smack him across his other side before she walked to the side.
James' face at this point was reddened by the three strikes from Kaguya. The next one to walk up was Maia. "You know Mister Meanie Pants, I would slice you up with my swords, but I don't want to do that to the poor little cutie Toby, and scare him. So I will do the next best thing." Out of nowhere she pulled out what appeared to be a chocolate cupcake. "Open wide." She placed a hand on his chin, and opened his mouth ramming the cupcake in his mouth.
As Maia forced him to chew it James' face contorted in disgust. Maia let go of his mouth as James spat out what was left. "Bleh.. what the hell was in that cupcake?"
Maia giggled. "Hehe.. it was soap you silly mean pants. Don't worry though, it won't hurt you as much as you hurt my cute nephew, and his auntie." She stepped to the side.
Claudia walked up next. "Tsk.. tsk.. tsk.. you are a pitiful ruffian aren't you." Shaking her head in disappointment, and shame. "I am a refined, and proper lady, but this once I got to bend my own rules." She turned around, and leaned back, and lifted one leg up to kick James in the chin. His head snap back, and rotated in a spherical motion becoming dizzy.
Claudia then turned back to him flicking her hair clearing her throat. "Now, since I got that out, and let me tell you something you foul beast. Now dare you call yourself a father for the way you treated that poor little dear." She pointed a finger at the small child finally calming down just a little bit as he was in Prim's warm embrace. "He may be just a child, but he is more grown up than you could ever be. You ruffian." She flicked her hair, and walked off to the side.
Prim looked down at the small child who was still shaking with sobs. She looked over at the kids. "Girls, could you come stand with Toby for a little bit?" They nodded as Prim gave him a kiss on the top of his head. "Auntie Prim will be right back sweetheart."
Luu Luu was the first to walk up near Toby, and sat down motioning for him to come to her. "Come here buddy." Toby sniffled, and gave a light smile as he walked to her, and she wrapped her arms warmly around him as he laid his head on her shoulder.
"That's better now." The other girls and dragons smiled softly, and gathered around the two. Luu Luu gently rubbed her hand along Toby's arm.
Prim went over to James. She looked at him intently with her stare. "How dare you treat a precious little child as Toby like a weak defenseless animal!" She yelled at him getting closer to his face. "He has done nothing, but try to show you the love from his heart, and al you have done was crush it. How can you feel good about yourself?"
She lowered her head, and let out a deep sigh. She begun to talk in a more calmer tone. "You know what Mr. Mason?" He looked down at her curiously with widened eyes. "A couple of months ago I made a wish upon a star, because Kin is a sorcerer, and I wished for a young child to call my own. I wanted to be a mom to somebody that I could raise, and call my son or daughter."
She looked back at Toby with a tearful smile which he returned as he stayed in the embrace of the girls and dragons. She turned her attention back to James. "The same night, Kin heard the wish of your son. Do you know what he wished for?"
James looked at her, this time with his brows furrowed in curiosity, and he spoke in an unusual soft tone. "What?"
"He wished to live in a new home with a new family that would love him, and never be mean to him." She clenched her eyes shut to calm her tears. "Kin brought him here, and the next morning I discovered him. From that day on me, and my friends have showed him what true, and unconditional love really means, and he has done nothing but show us the same." The other Warriors nodded, and turned to give the child a warm smile as he was calming down.
Prim looked intently at James. "I can't speak for Toby, and I wish not to, but I hope you are served the right punishment for your cruel, and heartless actions against my precious little one, and his mother." She gave him a look of pity before turning back to walk to Toby. She gently stood beside the girls, and the dragons as they held him in a warm embracve.
Luu Luu stroked Toby's arm softly as she laid the side of her head on top of his to keep close and warm along with the others. Layla had tears in her own eyes, and let out a deep sigh. "I will be right back." She turned, and walked towards James. The group watched her curiously as she approached him.
She stopped in front of James and looked up at him with her brows furrowed in anger. "Now you listen to me now Mister." She sighed deeply. "When I first met Toby, I was, so cruel to him that my words caused him to run away." She turned her head to look at the small child. "I told him that he didn't belong here, called him a mistake, and I continued to be mean to him after he was found."
She reached up to wipe a tear from her eye before turning back to James. "I continued to be mean to him, until his real good friends, his big sisters, Luu Luu, Kelly, and Crystal, and my good friend Scarlett told me about him losing his mommy, and how you blamed him for it." She shook her head in anger. "And you know, through all of the cruel things I said to him, and done to him, Toby was still able to forgive me, and call me his friend." She gave a sad smile.
She sighed deeply. "I will tell you this Mister. Your son is not weak, but the strongest little boy I have ever met, because he has the biggest heart I have ever seen. When I said that he didn't belong here, I was wrong. The one place, the one person that he doesn't belong with is you mister." She flicked her hair back, and walked back over to the group.
Celestine walked up to James Charles, and Kin on each side of her. "Well, Mr. Mason, it is now time for us to serve the punishment that you, so rightfully deserve." She looked down at him as he was on his knees with his head lowered. She looked at her dies at her fellow royals then at the others. "What should his punishment be everyone?"
Luu Luu gently stroke the side of Toby's arm as she held him against the crook of her arm. She lifted her head to give him a gentle nuzzle on his cheek. "Hey buddy, how about you go over to your auntie just for a little bit, and me, and the girls will be right back." Giving him a warm smile.
He looked up, and nodded with a soft smile as his tears finally dried a little. "Okay Luu Luu." He spoke to small as he carefully walked over to Prim who gathered him in her arms, and cradled him next to her soft and warm chest. They both looked at the girls who approached the group, and James.
"I say let me take him and Yusha, and do a tornado wing, so he can be dizzy." Kaguya said waving a hand at James with Kelly standing next to her nodding in agreement.
Maia waved a hand in the air. "I know, let me and Spike send him to the forest." She giggled, and rubbed her hands together.
Toby heard their ideas, and tried to speak. "No, wait." He was unable to be heard though.
"Let us take him to our spa, and give him a makeover that he will never forget, but a real bad makeover." The two spa girls giggled.
Claudia flicked her hair. "I could use a new pincushion." She blushed, and giggled to herself.
"Please, no. Wait I." Toby tried to speak with his voice cracking a bit with sobs again.
Prim noticed this, and looked down at the poor child. She leaned down, and nuzzled at his cheek gently to try, and comfort him, and then looked up at the group with a concerned look. "Wait guys." She tried to speak up, but also unable to be heard.
"The Rainbooms could use some extra hands around their house." Grave said next. "Applejack can work him hard planting, and plowing the crops of corn." He said.
"Guys wait." Prim tried to speak to them. She looked down as she saw Toby turned his head, and bury it into her chest. She leaned her head down, and nuzzled at his cheek. "Shh.. it's okay sweetie, I will get their attention." She whispered tenderly into his ear.
Suddenly there was a calm silence that swept over the two while the others were coming up with a proper punishment for James. The same silence swept over Celestine as she turned her attention to Prim, and Toby.
"Toby." A soft voice was heard among the silence.
"Mommy?" Toby asked as Prim looked down at the child. She carefully let him down onto the floor as he kept a hold of her hand. "Mommy where are you?" He looked from side to side.
"Turn around my baby boy." The soft voice spoke as Prim, and Toby carefully turned around to see Toby's mother standing before them. A bright light and warm glow surrounded her as she had the appearance of an angel with a white dress, pearl white feathery wings which was folded in, and a golden halo. This time though she appeared not as a transparent figure like at the talent show, but as her real self.
Toby smiled widely with tears stinging his eyes once again. "Mommy!" He cried as he ran toward her as she knelt down, and opened her arms to receive him. He wrapped her arms around her neck which this time he could feel her for real, and she wrapped him up in her arms.
"Yes baby, it's me." She felt him shake with sobs and cry into her shoulder. Prim couldn't hold back her tears any longer as she gave a bright smile, and closed her eyes to subdue them. Ashley rubbed along Toby's back soothingly with her hand, and turned her head to give him a kiss on his cheek. "It's okay sweetheart, Mommy's here." She reached up to stroke his head gently.
Ashley rubbed at his back a little more before very gently pulling him back. She reached up to wipe at his tears, and looked into his eyes giving him a kiss on his forehead.
Toby sniffled as he looked up into her eyes. "Mommy, I am scared. I don't know what to say. What should I let Celestine, and Charles do to daddy?" He swallowed deeply.
Ashley gently placed her hands on her shoulders, and gently rubbed down his arms until his hands was in hers. She held them warmly, and looked into his eyes. "Sweetheart, listen to me. I know you have a heart that is pure, and good that is filled with love for everyone around you." She gently placed her hand on his chest. "Just listen to your heart honey, and I know you will do the right thing." She leaned forward, and gave him a tender kiss on his forehead.
She gently turned him toward the group who was still arguing about the punishment for James. "You go talk to the elf and King while I talk with Prim." He nodded as he carefully walked toward the group. Ashely smiled at her son as she turned toward the princess of Feoh. "Hello Prim dear."
Prim sniffled, and looked at Ashley. "Um. Hello Mrs. Mason. It is a pleasure to meet Toby's mommy." She carefully walked up to her.
Ashley smiled warmly at Prim. "It is a pleasure to meet you too Prim, and you can just call me Ashley." She gave Prim a warm hug around her neck. "Prim, I just want to thank you, so much for taking such great care of my son, and becoming his other mother."
Prim smiled warmly, and hugged her back with her arms. "You are welcome Ashley. He is such a precious little child, and me, and my friends love him dearly." They broke the hug as Prim turned to watch with Ashley as Toby approach the group.
Celestine smiled at the two, and then turned toward the others. "Warriors, calm yourselves." They looked at Celestine, and nodded. "I believe we should let our dear friend Toby decide what we should do with his father. Do you agree Charles?"
Charles looked at Celestine and then down at the child who was standing before his father. "Yes Celestine, I certainly agree."
Celestine looked down at Toby with a soft smile. "Toby dear, it is up to you, okay?" He looked up at her and nodded.
He turned his attention to James looking up into his eyes, and swallowed deeply. "Daddy, I forgive you. Mommy always taught me t never be angry at someone for, so long, or it will change who I am, and I don't want to be mean like you. I just wish you would love me, and Mommy." He turned toward Celestine and Charles. "Auntie Celestine, and Uncle Charles, please don't be mad, but I wish to send Daddy back home."
Celestine and Charles nodded. "Toby dear, we are not mad you at all. That is your choice, and we shall abide by it." Celestine spoke as she turned to James. "Mr. Mason, you shall return home, but your truth shall be told." With that Celestine raised her hand up to James placed her finger against his forehead lighting it up. After a minute she stopped, and James shook his head.
"What did you do to me?" He asked angrily.
"Don't worry Mr. Mason. You will find out in due time." Celestine looked at him intently.
"Now Celestine, may I call somebody special to take him back home?" Charles gave a sly smile.
The others looked curiously at the King. "Do you mean him my friend?" Celestine asked as Charles nodded. "Well, I that that would be a good idea, I don't think a little bit of chaos would do him harm."
"Did someone say chaos?" A sly and calm voice was heard as a blur appeared and Bobert stood beside James.
"Bobert!" The Warriors shouted, but with giggles as he just reappeared out of nowhere.
"Ah, my friends. It is good to see you all again." He smiled at them then looked up to see Prim waving his hand. Prim returned a wave as she was standing in the back with Ashley. He looked down to see the little boy. "Oh, well, well, well, and who might you little one." He leaned his head down to look at Toby in the eyes.
Celestine gently placed a hand over the small child giving him warm smile. "Toby dear, you do remember Bobert the snitch back in Eostia. And Bobert, I believe you also remember Toby Mason, our new little member of the Warrior family."
"Well, a pleasure to meet you Toby. And may I just say I am still the master of business." He leaned closer to whisper. "When nobody is watching." He giggled, and pated the top of Toby's head. He stood back up, and looked at Celestine. "So your highness, what would you like for me to do?
"Well, this man here is Toby's father, and he has been cruel to this young child that he makes your reign of chaos once before seem pleasant." Charles spoke, and eyes James. "What we would like for you to do, if it would be alright with you is take him back home."
Bobert crossed his arms. "And, what di I get for my willing to serve you, your majesty?"
Charles smirked. "Well, you can create a little bit of chaos for him before he reveals more of his dark truth to the authorities."
Bobert placed his index finger to his chin in a thinking manner. He gave a smirk of his own. "Well, if I can create some chaos that is fine with me. Your wish is my command your majesties. Before I forget." He leaned back down to Toby. "Little one, it was a pleasure to meet you. Maybe next time I can show you some fun chaos." He brought out a glass of chocolate milk. "Haha.. such as this. Don't worry Toby, it is good and very tasty if I may say." Toby smiled softly, and gently accepted it.
He spoke softly to the conman. "Thank you Bobert." Giving him a soft smile.
Bobert stood back up, and looked down with a soft smile of his own. "You are very welcome little one." He reached down, and patted the little boy on the head. And then Tommy went toward and put handcuffs on James' wrists.
"I should've known something was off about you James, but I didn't know you would do something so low!" Tommy scowled at James, and then Connor first spoked.
"Something tells me that you two know each other." spoke Connor.
"That's right." Tommy turned and he sighed. "He's my brother." he explained which surprises everyone.
"Then that means you're Toby's uncle." said William.
"Yeah. Even after Toby was born, I didn't have the time to visit him. But James used to send me pictures of Toby for years, and after Ashley died he stopped sending me pictures, I don't know why but thanks to you guys I figured he wanted to cover up evidence of child abuse." he said to everyone.
Then Bobert looked at the royals, the group of people, and at Prim. "Until next time everybody, the Master of Business shall take his leave." He looked at James. "Time to have a little bit of fun with you." He cackled as he and the police both took James out of the castle.
Toby drank at the chocolate milk that Bobert gave him, and sighed softly. He felt Celestine rub at his back with her hand. "Are you alright little one?"
He looked up at her, and nodded. "Yes Auntie Celestine." He turned to see if his mother was still standing with Prim, which she was. He carefully turned to the group. "Everyone, I want you all to meet my Mommy."
Maia looked at the small child curiously. "What do you mean little.." She cut herself off as she watched the child carefully walk past them, and she traced her eyes along with his movement. She looked up to see a woman standing beside Prim. "Oh." She said. The others looked in awe as they carefully followed behind Toby.
Toby finished the chocolate milk, and Flame snatched the glass from him. Toby giggled softly as he walked up to his mother Ashley. Prim gently walked over to the group to let Toby introduce them to his mother.
Ashley knelt back down on one knee beside Toby, and wrapped an arm warmly around his shoulders. He smiled up into her eyes as he looked at the group. "Everyone, meet my Mommy. Mommy, I would like for you to meet my new family." He motioned to each of them with a hand starting with Maia who walked up. "Auntie Alicia."
Alicia bowed her head, and gave Ashley a smile. "Hey there Ms. Mason. Your son has become a great little buddy, and a wonderful little nephew." She chuckled as she gave Toby a little rub on the top of his head then, looked back at Ashley. "It is good to finally meet you." She reached up a hand.
Ashley very gently placed her hand on Alicia's hand and, very lightly shook it. "It is an honor to meet you Alicia. You seem like a great aunt and friend to my baby. Oh, and please just call me Ashley, I am fine with that." She gave Toby a smile.
Alicia reached behind her, and rubbed the back of her neck. "Thank you Ashley." She chuckled as Kaguya was the next one to walk up along with Grave and Vault.
Toby giggled at Alicia as she walked to the side. Toby, then smiled up softly at Claudia and Grave. "Mommy, this is Auntie Kaguya, and Uncle Grave."
"Hello Ma'am. My friend, and I would like to tell you how much of a pleasure it is to finally meet you." Kaguya smiled. "The little one has told us, so much about you, and we know he really loves you with all of his heart."
"Yes." Grave replied.
Kaguya rolled her eyes a bit at her friend. "Also, your son is a great, and hard little worker. He helped the Rainbooms at their home a few days ago, and they enjoyed his company. I know Grave, and myself are proud to call him family." She gently reached down, and rubbed along Toby's arm gently.
Ashley smiled, and blushed. "Well, it is good to meet you Kaguya, and Grave. My baby boy is always willing to lend a hand." She looked at Grave. "Grave, Vault, I just want to tell you thank you for filling the spot of a father figure for my baby. You two are more of a man, than that monster could ever be, so thank you two for taking the role of father for him."
Vault and Grave blushed. "That's not a problem at all Ma'am, it is our honor to be Toby's papas." Vault gently rubbed the top of Toby's head. The two Warriors bowed their heads to Ashley, and walked over to the side as Maia came up next.
Toby giggled at the mercenary's giddiness. He looked up at Ashley. "Mommy, hehe.. this is Auntie Maia."
Maia gave a beaming smile at Ashley, and reached out both hands to gently take Ashley's hand. "Hey there it is nice to meet you Ashley. Like my cutie little nephew said, I am Maia, and I am the Queen of the Mercenaries. I love parties, games, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, sweets.."
Maia kept on until Alicia walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Uh.. Maia, I think Ashley gets the picture of how you like to party." Alicia looked at Ashely with an awkward smile. "Eh.. sorry about that Ashley, she get can a little extreme."
Ashely giggled, and shook her head softly. "Don't worry about it Alicia." She looked at Maia. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you as well Maia. I can see that Toby has a lot of fun with you too."
Maia nodded vigorously then stuck her tongue out at Alicia. "See Alicia, Ashley isn't a party pooper like you." She gave Ashley another beaming smile, and hopped off to the side. Rainbow just shook her head, and facepalmed herself.
Claudia was next in line. She crossed her legs, and bowed her head. Toby smiled up at her softly. "Mommy, this is Auntie Claudia. She makes real nice clothes. Like this one." He showed her the all red outfit with the royal blue jacket with Ashley's locket to Toby sewn into the heart.
Ashley looked at the outfit, and her eyes immediately started to water at the sight of her locket. She turned to Claudia. "Claudia, did you really make this? It is beautiful, and how wonderful you did by sewing my locket I gave to Toby on the heart of the jacket."
Claudia blushed, and smiled softly. "Thank you very much Ashley dear. May I introduce myself, my name is Lady Claudia Levantine, and it is an absolute delight to finally meet you. I am glad I could incorporate something sentimental like that little gem into my darling little nephew's outfit." She smiled at him, and rubbed gently at his arm.
She looked back up at Ashley. "Also, he has inspired me, so much that I started a line of suits and dresses that include something sentimental to anybody sewn into their outfits. You have raised a wonderful, and precious little boy Ashley, and you should be proud of yourself.
Ashley looked at Claudia with a warm smile. "Thank you Claudia, I am truly proud of my baby boy." She gave him a kiss on the top of his head. She looked at Claudia again. "It is a pleasure meeting you too Claudia." Bowing her head gently toward the fashionista knight.
Claudia bowed her head again before walking off to the side. The girls, and the dragons approached next. Toby smiled at the others. "Mommy, this is Luu Luu, Kelly, and Crystal, and together they are known at the Dragon Girls." He motioned at Layla and Scarlett. "This Layla, and Scarlett." Then he motioned toward the dragons. "And those are the dragons. They are nice, and fun dragons."
Ashely smiled at them, all and bowed her head. "Well, it is nice to meet you, young ones."
"Hi there Ms. Mason, it is great to meet you. Toby is such a great little buddy to us, and we are proud to call him our friend." The other two nodded as Kelly smiled happily.
Scarlett spoke up softly next. "He is a real sweetie pie Ma'am. He has such a caring heart, and I am honored as well to call him my friend." She smiled at Ashley, and gave Toby a wink.
Layla had her head lowered a bit until she felt a hand on her chin which raised it to look up at Ashley. "You must be Layla Burnside." She spoke to the girl with a soft voice. "I heard what you said to James, and that was real sweet of you Layla." Giving her a warm smile then at the other girls, and the dragons. "Thank you all young ones in being such good friends to my precious baby." They all nodded giving her, and the small child a soft smile.
They all moved to the side with the others as the other five walked up last. Toby smiled up at them as Ashley kept her arm around his shoulders warmly. "Mommy, this is Brother Connor, Auntie Celestine, Uncle Charles, Kin, and William. Celestine and Charles are the rulers of their kingdoms."
Connor smiled softly, and bowed his head. "Hello Ashley, it is a pleasure to meet you like all of my friends have said. Toby has been such a precious gift to us here in East Liverpool, with his big heart, his politeness that he shows to all of us, and the love he has given us since arriving here in our home." She gave the little boy a blushing smile.
Charles, and Celestine both nodded in agreement.
Ashley sighed deeply, and happily. "Thank you all so much for becoming a loving, and caring family to my son, and welcoming him into your hearts." She gave them all a tearful smile. She turned to Toby as she reached up to stroke his head. "Well, honey, it is time for me to leave, but I want you to know that I love you, so much my baby boy." Pulling him into a big warm hug.
He wrapped his little arms around her neck with tears shedding onto her shoulder. The others watched in silence with tearful smiles of their own. "I love you too Mommy."
She rubbed along his back as she gave him a kiss on his cheek tenderly with her thumb as she stood up. "Bye my sweetheart." She waved at all the others. "Bye everyone, and thank you all so much for being the family that Toby deserves away from that monster of a father." She gave them all a warm smile, and blew a tender kiss to Toby before turning her back and slowly vanishing into a bright light.
Toby stood there with a tearful smile, and softly spoke. "Goodbye Mommy, I love you."
Prim gently walked up to the small child, and rubbed a hand up, and down his back giving him a kiss on the top of his head. "Are you okay sweetie?"
He looked up at her, and nodded. "Yes Auntie Prim, thank you." He turned around, and gave her a big warm hug around her neck laying his head against her chest as she embraced him with her arms.
The others gave them a warm smile as Celestine spoke. "Well my friends, I say we had a long day. How about you all have a sleepover here at the castle?" They all nodded in agreement. She smiled at them all. "Well, then. You may all use the royal ballroom for your sleepover."
They all smiled happily as the sun was slowly beginning to set.