Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! How to Train Your Dragon belongs to DreamWorks, and Amphibia belongs to Disney. Warning: Reread the previous chapter if you haven't already. I have made a few changes beforehand, so rereading it is best to avoid confusion.
Saturday. Always the best day of the week, besides Fridays, of course. It is a nice power-down day after a long week of school and work. Under normal circumstances, Marcy would take days like this to spend quality time with her two best friends. However, on this particular day, Marcy had something else in mind. And it was the first thing that came to her as soon as she awoke to the gentle rays of the morning sunlight, casting a warm glow on the posters adorning the walls of her room.
Her eyes flickered open, greeted by the soft hues of dawn seeping through the curtains. Her heart pounded in her chest, a potent blend of excitement and trepidation coursing through her veins. Today was the day she had painstakingly prepared for the secret mission she deemed her top priority: Seeing the beast lurking in the old junkyard.
Quietly, Marcy slipped into a pair of sturdy red and white sneakers and donned her casual outfit of a green hoodie and blue skinny jeans. She carefully packed her backpack with essential supplies, including her journal, switchblade, extra sweater, drawing utensils, and a bag of dumplings she had not eaten the other day. Before long, she finally zipped up her backpack in no time, her hands trembling with anticipation.
It occurred to the weeaboo teen that she had spent almost the entire night preemptively planning the day and how she would handle this second chance encounter, let alone what to tell her parents so she wouldn't draw any unnecessary suspicion. Granted, Marcy silently admitted that she was nervous because the creature tried to kill her during her last encounter. But simultaneously, she remained confident it wouldn't come to that.
As she quietly slid out of bed, her mind buzzed with endless possibilities and the weight of risks on her young shoulders if not handled correctly, especially since she would take this particular endeavor by herself, without Anne and Sasha to back her up if things went hairy all of a sudden. But she remembered that they had their plans for the day. And the Taiwanese geek intellectual geek couldn't wait for them to finish up. She has to handle this task alone.
Downstairs in the cozy kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air. Thus, signaling to Marcy that her parents were already awake. As she predicted, both of them were downstairs at the breakfast table, engrossed in their morning rituals as usual. As she made her way downstairs, her backpack slung over her shoulder, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for keeping her plans hidden from them. It is not normal for Marcy to keep things from them or her friends, especially when she supposedly puts her life on the line.
But at the same time, the Taiwanese nerd figured she'd be no better if she told her parents she was about to go on a dangerous undertaking involving a vicious fire-breathing dragon. They'd probably never let her leave the house again, for all she knew. And even then, they'd put a tracking implant on her if they knew. It was a risk she wasn't willing to take. Not yet, anyway.
She tried to appear casual, masking her excitement beneath a veneer of calm. But her miraculous appearance does not go unnoticed by her lounging parents.
"Morning, kiddo," her father greets, glancing up from the table. "Where are you heading off to so early in the morning?"
This sudden shift caused Marcy to stop dead and draw her mother's attention from the kitchen counter. Yet the nerdy tween did not panic the slightest and anticipated her response.
"Hey, Mom, hey, Dad," she greeted them with a smile, her voice conveying nervousness. "
Her mom's eyes flickered with concern as she glanced at Marcy's loaded backpack.
"It's quite early for a walk, dear," she remarked, her voice laced with worry. "Is everything alright? You seem to be a little... preoccupied."
Marcy's heart skipped a beat, her fingers twisting the straps of her backpack. But the Taiwanese girl swiftly composed herself, determined not to let her parents suspect her true intentions. She knew she had to tread carefully, remembering what she had spent the whole night planning.
Everything's fine, Mom," she replied, her tone attempting to sound reassuring. "I've just been restless the last few days and thought a stroll would help clear my mind."
Her father lowered his newspaper, studying Marcy intently. She could already tell he knew something was off about her, especially since her nervousness started to show.
"Restless, you say?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Is there something bothering you, Marcy? We're always here to listen and support you."
Marcy's grip on her backpack tightened, a surge of conflicting emotions flooding her. She appreciated her parents' concern, yet she was fully aware of the greater risk she would take if she revealed the details of her intended mission. And after what she had experienced in her last encounter, Marcy could not take the initial risk of getting them involved without putting them in harm's way. It was just too much.
However, if she weren't careful, Marcy would also risk fracturing her relationship with them, especially if they were to see through her fabrications. She took a deep breath, mustering her resolve.
"I don't know, Dad," she spoke honestly. "After the party, I haven't been myself lately. But I'll be fine. I will walk around the neighborhood to clear my head for a bit. I'll be back before you even know it."
Marcy started to bite her lip nervously, knowing that the last part of her statement was a lie. She silently prayed to the Mother of Olms that they'd buy it. The two parents glanced at each other, looking slightly puzzled. An internal debate was formulating in the back of their minds, deciding whether or not they should let their kid go out alone as any parent would naturally.
"I guess a little walk around the neighborhood wouldn't hurt," her mother stated, slightly squinting her eyes. "We've only got a few more months left before the move. Wouldn't you agree, honey?"
"Can't see why not," her father acknowledged, returning his attention to his little girl. "And you have been working hard lately with school. Must be a lot going on for you."
The nerdy fangirl continued to bite her lip anxiously, still feeling a bit nervous. Though relieved that her parents were starting to take the bait, she was not out of the woods yet. She still needed the green light to take off, which seemed easier said than done. Silence hung heavy in the room as the parents exchanged uncertain glances. They understood the depth of Marcy's conviction, the unwavering spirit in her voice. With a final nod, her father's voice blended acceptance and concern.
"Alright, Marcy. We trust you," he caves in. "But please, promise us one thing – be safe, and be smart. We don't want to lose you again."
And like a happy little fangirl, Marcy's smile began to light up. She then hugged her beloved father, with the former holding her close. It was still hard to believe that her parents had this much faith in her after everything she had done. It's almost like a dream to her. Yet, their trust and support infused her with the strength she needed. Though for now, she must focus on the task at hand. And before long, she released after a brief moment before she could push her luck.
"Thank you, Dad," she said, her voice softening. "I'll keep that in mind."
Then as quickly as she could, she raced out of the door. Thus, slightly looking back at her parents before taking off. Even though she was excited about this mission, some of her felt regret for not being completely honest with them about her true intentions. But at the same time, Marcy remained confident that her efforts would pay off in the end.
As Marcy stepped outside, the cool morning breeze greeted her, whispering adventure secrets in her ears. She tenaciously took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp air, steeling herself for the journey ahead. The former ranger knew the risk of this endeavor but was willing to wager everything for the knowledge that Marcy may inquire from it. And is more than willing to take this task on alone if she has to.
And as she made her way down the sidewalk toward the supposed junkyard, Marcy prayed for the strength she would need to see this mission through for the sake of her friends, family, and everyone else.
The Abandoned Junkyard, noon...
Back in the heart of the deserted junkyard, the once mighty king of dragons rested on what could be seen as his future grave. The pile of junk from which he wallowed in his despair, still grasping the fact that he had lost everything. His home, friends, and kingdom were taken from him in the blink of an eye. And without a means of returning, it all seemed hopeless to the night fury.
Yet despite the dire situation, Toothless tried hard to find a positive to all of this. After all, he is still alive, and his scars and wounds have almost fully healed. For all he was concerned, it could be worse. But it did not help the endearing hunger he supported, insulting his despair. For just as he lay in this heap of metal scraps, he also hadn't eaten in days. As he hadn't left the spot, he was lying around, let alone the junkyard himself. Out of fear that the humans would find and kill him.
For all, he knew at the moment, the night fury had no idea what to do or when his next meal would come. Everything seemed so...unfamiliar to him. He had only been here for a few days, and everything felt so hostile and frightening to the alpha, as if it was meant to go wrong all along.
On top of all that, a dozen things flew through the dragon's intelligent mind. Thoughts relating to the foreign dragon he had caught sight of the other day or the human girl he had inadvertently spared. Though he did not want to admit it, for a while, the night fury began to wonder about that girl. Mostly about what she was doing at this present moment. Or if she remembered anything from their last eventful encounter. Or if he would ever see her again.
All of which began to overload his senses with questions that could not be answered. Or maybe it was the hunger talking to him, begging him to fetch something to fill his hollow and empty stomach. If only it were that simple, though, since there was no fish in the area. Not even in the revolting puddles that infested this wasteland.
But through this moment of dullness, the night fury's eyes suddenly shot out as he began to detect a sudden disturbance from nearby. His ears began to perk up the moment he scrambled to his feet. At this moment, he knew all wasn't right in the area. He has company.
The night fury looked around several times before sniffing the air, tempted to catch the intruder's scent to determine if it was familiar to him. After glancing about, he turns his attention to the bottom of the scrap pile. Thus, overlooking the entirety of the junkyard itself. He stepped and raised his head, practically standing on his hind legs, to get a better view. At first, he spotted nothing.
The dragon alpha sniffed again, ensuring his senses did not betray him. He looked to his right and saw a small rat crawling out of the pile before scurrying off. Which made Toothless snort, thus deeming it not a threat to him. But as he looked beyond the horizon, beyond the edge of the junkyard that led into the outside world and beyond, the night fury's eyes shifted from average to threatened-like for what his gaze had come to see from a distance.
It was the human girl.
She was just by the two gates beyond the entrance of the junkyard. And from the looks of it, she seemed well equipped, as if she came here with the full intent of meeting him. With his keen eyesight, Toothless could see that the girl had a bag strapped on her back and was wearing a different set of clothes. And she was pacing at the edge of the junkyard, internally conflicted with her thoughts.
He could kill her. If he wanted to, he could do it. Just because he did not have the strength to do it the first time does not mean he cannot do it the second time. But something inside him hissed and snapped at the idea, as though telling him that it didn't seem like the right thing to do. Instead, it was replaced by a peculiar curiosity. One of which would suggest that he'd go down there.
Since she was back, he could learn more about her. It had become clear that something seemed different about this human and could not be explained. The opportunity was out in the open. And what did he have left to lose, other than his dignity? At least, that was what his brain was suggesting. Yet his instincts snapped at him again, returning him to the thought of killing her. Thus bringing the king of dragons into his internal conflict.
He bared his teeth and snarled with an agitated grunt, causing Toothless to shake his head to clear out the stressful debate that would give the night fury a migraine. As the night fury continued to look on, he noticed that the girl had stopped her pacing, and from the looks of it, she took a deep breath and mumbled a few things he could not understand from where he was standing before setting off into the junkyard from which he resided.
Ultimately, Toothless went with the former decision, letting his curiosities get the better of him. After all, he had no other options before him. Yet despite his decision, the night fury had to exercise caution. He still wasn't sure if he could trust her. That one wrong move could spell trouble for him, should it be a trap. Only a fool would wish to enter an area occupied by one of the most dangerous dragons in his time alone. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time for the esteemed dragon king.
And so, he finally set off, silently climbing down the pile to confront the mysterious girl to learn her true intentions.
Meanwhile...
Half an hour after leaving her home's confines, Marcy stood at the edge of the barbed-wired fence that led straight into the junkyard. One of which she knew very well was now being occupied by a fire-breathing dragon, who would not hesitate to kill her if it had the chance. Of course, the only thing stopping her from going inside to confront the beast was an immediate dilemma she could not stop thinking about.
"Okay, Marce," she said aloud. "You can do this. Just go in there and confidently introduce yourself, like you always do. How hard can that be?"
She takes a step forward but quickly retracts it. Her mind circled with thoughts of what may happen in the outcome, thus causing her to pace back and forth.
"What if he doesn't like me?" she asked. "Or what if he doesn't like the snacks I packed? Or what if he waits for his chance to pounce at me when I least expect it?"
The constant hesitation causes her to groan in frustration, clasping her hands onto her face and sinking to her knees. She was so unsure if this was right that it drove her crazy. On the one hand, she wanted to help this dragon, feeling the compassion and need to do something no matter how dangerous or threatening it seemed. On the other hand, she thought this was a terrible idea, eventually ending with her getting herself killed. It was a big deal considering everything she had been through that night with it.
Naturally, Marcy wasn't one for confrontations, especially the life-changing, emotionally challenging ones, which had a genuine chance of going sideways if done wrong. Before she could debate further, she felt a vibrating motion from her back pocket, signaling that the former chief ranger had gotten a text.
When she pulled it out, she saw it was Anne, asking her if she felt any better after yesterday. If she could recollect, Marcy told her and Sasha that she would be in the library, which would typically be the case. At that moment, she wanted to come clean and reveal her true intent to her best friend. That Marcy was about to come face to face with one of the creatures on the news. But simultaneously, she knew that her Thai friend would go straight into panic mode if she did.
Plus, she has her plans for today. She didn't have time for her. Nor did Sasha, who is at the mall, if she can remember correctly. On top of that, Marcy's gut told her she had to do this alone. Since she was the only one who encountered the beast alone. So by pure definition, it was her responsibility to do so. Finally, Marcy clicked the message icon and wrote, "I'm doing better, Anna-banana. Talk to you soon. xoxoxo."
Shortly after, Marcy hesitated briefly, wondering if this was the right call. But before long, she then sent it with the click of a button and left it at that. Subsequently, the Taiwanese girl stared at the already-sent text message for a bit before looking toward the junkyard.
"But I have to do this," she said to herself. "I have to know."
She squinted again, feeling the hesitation within her rising for the millionth time today. A slight feeling in her thought that she should have come clean, but she knew that there was no turning back by now. She was doing this. Whether she was prepared or not, she was going to do this. And whatever happens, fate will decide whatever kind of outcome she deserves for her conviction and curiosity.
"This is Not going to be easy, Marce," she doubted, taking a deep breath before facing the junkyard entrance. "But I've gotta try."
And with that, Marcy marched into the lion's den. Thus, she is still determining whether or not she will come out of this whole endeavor dead or alive. As she cautiously ventured through the maze of discarded scrap in the deserted junkyard, her heart was pounding with conviction and determination.
The rusted metal structures and discarded debris created a maze of forgotten treasures that Marcy could recall almost too well. The wind whistled through the labyrinth, carrying whispers of hidden secrets. Part of her was expecting the pack of junkyard dogs who nearly killed her the last time she was here to show up.
But she was willing to wager that it would not be the case. As memory serves, the dragon crippled their leader, thus proving to be the dominant figure in this rusted waste. And even if they were around, the fire-breathing dragon alone would force them back into hiding. That alone would guarantee no chance of a second encounter with them, not that she wanted one anyway.
Finally, Marcy started moving across the opening and into the clearing. Her green backpack was strapped across her slim back, covering the base of her jacket.
Despite the danger, Marcy neglected to take any weapon with her, fearing that she would anger the dragon. Thus provoking the creature into attacking her and ripping the girl apart. Which she hoped would likely never come. She looked in every direction of the junkyard, hoping to find her target. Yet there was no sign of it. Not a footprint or a mark for her to see. She was slowly starting to get nervous. Because sure, she saved the dragon's life with that cave-in, but she did not know what its reaction would be like if it saw her again. Especially if she was the last person, it wanted to see.
If her calculations were correct, this place would be considered the creature's new territory. And she was walking straight into it, which would be regarded as trespassing. And if she remembered anything from Biology class, it was that animals are most aggressive regarding trespassers, especially if one of those animals turned out to be a terrifying fire-breathing dragon.
And who knows what else that thing was capable of. So Marcy had to stay on high alert. She looked at a broken-down bus to her right and saw a squirrel crawling out from within. Then she looked to her left and saw a few small mice disappearing in the cracks of an old shed. Something didn't feel right, for the air was more relaxed than usual. And she has yet to hear a single sound besides flies buzzing from a distance and a lizard crawling between a worn-out tire. Thus rendering the atmosphere of the area into absolute silence.
It was quiet. Too quiet.
The former ranger's blood began to run cold. Sweat glands formed on the top of her forehead. And little sparks raced up and down her spine through the tension in the environment. Something was off. She could feel it. Why has the creature yet to show itself? She would've expected it to at some point. Or at least that was what she had anticipated. But now, there was nothing but empty silence, which was most unusual, even for her.
Then suddenly, she heard a crunch just to her left and turned her head. Yet, she saw nothing. Half a heartbeat later, she heard a rustling sound from her right. But as she turned to look, she saw nothing yet again. Now she started to get nervous. Her heart raced a bit, and her mind was filled with caution. Shortly after that, she could hear several other sounds. Too quick and too fast for her to track. And then it finally occurred to her what was happening. Thus confirming what she already knew.
She was being watched. No, scratch that. She was being hunted.
The dragon knew she was here. She could tell through the sudden suspense. And the fact that she couldn't see or hear it gives the creature an advantage. And it was here that Marcy started to regret not asking Sasha and Anne to accompany her for this. Knowing she could rely on her friends to watch her back. Though now that she thought about it, she didn't ask them to come because she had to do it alone.
Marcy is a big girl. She can handle herself, just like back in Amphibia. And it would mean putting their lives in danger as much as hers. Which was something she did not intend to do again. So friends or not, she had to do this even if it meant putting her life in the paws of an ancient mythical beast.
She looked around for the source of the sounds when it suddenly came again—moving faster than she could ever anticipate. And the only thing she could hear was clanking metal and shattering glass. Her hands were shaking, and her blood started pumping. She was beginning to get anxious and knew the creature would jump out of nowhere and strike her down without seeing it coming. She looked around for the source of the sounds when suddenly it came again—this time coming from behind her. Marcy gasped as she looked in the direction it came from.
Next thing she knew, Marcy heard another noise coming from the back of a tipped-over broken car. The girl heard more sounds on the other side as she looked on, suggesting the creature was behind it. Instinctively, Marcy moved closer to the wrecked piece of metal. She was hoping to catch the dragon asleep.
Her entire body began to tremble as she waited for the creature to reveal itself finally. She thought of every possible outcome. One of which would result in her meeting a gruesome end at the jaws of this beast. Though she prayed to herself that this wouldn't be the case. Yet as she continued to contemplate with herself, there was a movement within the car.
Then suddenly, something sprung out of the broken window, revealing itself as a pair of two small dogs. Marcy, ready to bolt at first sight of danger, had been taken aback at the company. Only to be taken more aback when she saw the two dogs run past her and hurry off to who knows where. Never to be seen again.
A few seconds passed, and then Marcy breathed relief, her body and nerves at ease, knowing she wasn't ripped to shreds.
"That was a close one," she said to herself.
However, half a second later, a loud thud came from behind the teenage girl. Startled, Marcy let out a yelp, spun around as fast as she could, and was instantly met with a large shadow, blacker than any passing cloud she had ever seen. And to amiss, the mysterious dragon she had come for stood before the geeky teenager, obtrusively perched atop the broken-down vehicle. Its head crouched low, spines bristled in pairs, and dark wings spread outwards in a flagrant display of intimidation. And its two intelligent cat-like pupils were locked onto her, with a demeanor that would scare the living daylight out of King Andrias Leviathan himself.
Though it made her spine crawl even more as the dragon let out a warning roar, it nearly deafened her ears with its echoing screech. At that moment, Marcy did not dare to move another muscle, for she feared that doing so would probably set the beast off. Making even the faintest sound would make things worse. Her body and mind went rigid, partly in awe and partly in fear. Seeing the dragon in person for a second time caused her to shudder just looking at it. And remember what happened during their last encounter and what the creature was truly capable of making her blood run colder. She almost didn't know what to do.
Her first inclination was to stay calm. For if there was anything she knew about animals, dragon or not, they could smell fear. And fear would lead people to become that animal's dinner, which she did not intend to happen today. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Remembering that the beast would know she was scared if she didn't. Which she was with all her heart. But she kept her compulsion intact to avoid panicking. A heartbeat after that, she reopened her eyes. The dragon still perched on top of the vehicle. And with a boost of confidence, she opened her mouth to speak.
"Oh, hey," she said with a chuckle. "Remember me?"
The dragon responded with a snarl while keeping its gaze locked onto the petite ranger. Its death glare pierced through every inch of her soul. Ely remembers her. The beast's hesitation allowed the former ranger to back up slowly, hoping to put up some distance without provoking it. And then, Marcy began to wonder why the dragon hadn't attacked her yet. Or at least made its move, considering the position it was in.
'Maybe it's trying to figure me out?' she wondered. 'To find out my deal? Or why I'm here?'
She couldn't say for sure. But before she could second guess herself, the dragon looked back at her, probably to make sure she came alone, before climbing down from the broken car. The nerdy student then watched as it inched its way toward her. It was growling like a hungry lioness. And with each step it took were a few steps she took back as she continuously distanced herself from the dreaded beast as it closed in on her.
Yet despite the tension, Marcy dared not to turn her back on it. Thus keeping her body interlocked in the direction of the creature. And despite how terrifying the beast turned out to be, Marcy stood firm. Her hands extended as she attempted to ensure she wasn't a threat.
"Yeah...about last night... I think we've got off to a bad start," she said in a soothing, convincing voice. "My name's Marcy...what's yours?"
Yet, despite the assurance, the dragon didn't seem to buy it. Instead, take small, calculated steps toward the ranger. Thus, letting out a low hiss in a warning. The dragon became increasingly impatient as Marcy widened the gap between her and the beast. Resorting it to let out a low-yet mighty roar made Marcy shudder deeply.
Even though fear was taking control of her emotions, she had to keep calm. If the creature wanted her dead, it would've done her in by now. Yet this was all moot if she did not figure out why the dragon was so hostile. The dragon could easily overpower her if it wanted to. And from what she had experienced, the beast proved frightening enough to render her harmless.
After a long pause, Marcy was surprised to see the black silhouette move to its right. Attentively glaring at the young female as it started circling her. Its eyes were fixated, watching her every move. Though the two continued to circle each other, one thing came to the back of the young girl's mind. She came here unarmed and defenseless, yet the dragon remained hostile.
Why was that? Animal instincts and territoriality aside, the dragon should have no real reason to fear her. It could end her life with a single blast. So why has it yet to drop its guard? Then as she looked into its poison green eyes, she could tell there was a deep mistrust in its sights. A distrust that became all too clear for the former ranger.
And it was here that she remembered how hostile the people of Wartwood were towards her back in Amphibia. It was uneasy for them to trust her since they considered her an 'outsider.' But then she remembered all the noble things she did for them. And in time, they grew to accept her like they accepted Anne. And that was after she almost sunk their town.
The more she thought about it, the clearer she became. Thus, Marcy started taking a different approach, exercising caution as she took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves before slowly approaching the beast. Yet the moment she stepped forward, the dragon's growl deepened. Its tail swayed restlessly amidst the clutter. Its sharp teeth were bared, an air of caution and hostility surrounding it. The beast was making it clear that it did not want her near it, within an arm's length approximate. But regardless, Marcy did not relent.
Instead, Marcy stood her ground, her eyes meeting the dragon's fiery gaze. Only to retract when the creature hardened its stare, its growl getting more intense.
"Yeah...I get that a lot," she confessed, her eyes pinned to the ground before slightly looking back up. "First impressions and all."
She then continued to close the gap between her and the dragon. And in response, the beast's fiery eyes narrowed, its expression one of skepticism and mistrust as it released yet another warning, stirring up hot air and saliva around Marcy. She shielded her face with her hands, her heart pounding in the wake of the creature's fury, but the Taiwanese geek refused to back down nor lose her nerve. An action that surprised the blackened beast to an extent.
"Listen, I-"
Next thing she knew, Marcy let out a yelp as her foot hit a wooden plank, causing the teen girl to lose footing and accidentally trip over herself. She was clumsily landing face-first on the floor. Before that, the dragon jumped back. Startled by the sudden move and afterward releasing another roar. Half a heartbeat later, the dragon shook its head, looking puzzled, before cautiously approaching the downed girl. The black dread grumbled before sniffing the top of her head.
For a moment, Marcy lay there, too embarrassed to get back up. Luckily, no one was around to witness it except the dragon. She couldn't help but feel somewhat humiliated, knowing she'd potentially die tripping over herself, being the clumsy, klutzy Marcy everyone knew her to be, as she always was anyway. Though as she pathetically lifted her head, Marcy gasped in shock when she, unfortunately, found herself too close to the beast. She held her breath as the dragon lowered its muzzle to sniff. Even on all fours, the dragon stood at least half her height, at least from her current position. The thirteen-year-old could feel its hot breath touch the fabric of her skin as the dragon continued to sniff her.
Yet what shocked the girl more was not that it was inches away from her face, but that its facial expression was...surprisingly dropped—taking the more pupil-rounded form in its eyes. Even though its guard was still up, its posture suggested that it didn't have the same amount of aggression as it did a few seconds ago. And judging from the look in those eyes, the dragon appeared more...curious, if nothing less. And the weird thing about this was that Marcy felt the same way. At least in terms of how close it was to her, she hadn't blown her face off.
Out of instinct, the young girl tilted her head to her left. For which the creature did the same. Then she tilted her head to the right, only for the dragon to follow suit. At this point, Marcy started to develop a weird feeling. She couldn't precisely explain what it was, but all she knew was that there was something..very odd about this. Perhaps it was her curiosity picking at the back of her head. But that was just a theory.
After what seemed to be a minute of just staring into the depths of each other's souls, Marcy gulped nervously before giving a small toothy smile—laughing nervously as she locked eyes with the dragon yet again. This was getting awkward.
"Hehe, sorry," she apologized. "Got a case of the old' clumsy, klutzy, jelly legs."
The dragon did not respond at first. But then let out a snort in a manner of amusement. She then proceeded to pick herself up back to her feet. The dragon cautiously backed up a few steps to give the girl some space as she brushed off the dirt from her jeans. By the time she cleared any other dust particles that festered her clothes, she had looked up to see that the dragon's posture had not changed. Its guard was still up and started to growl with caution again. However, on the bright side, the beast was less tense than it was a few minutes ago, which means that the creature was less weary of her than before—an apparent good start.
Even though the beast did not fully trust her, this was a good start. But she figured she might as well get to the point before aggravating it further. However, the minute she takes the first step forward, the dragon snarls, returning to being on the defensive.
"It's okay," she reassured, throwing her arms up and stepping back. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I know you're scared, and I would be too if I were you."
A long pause came shortly after, yet the mood of the beast did not seem to change. Marcy wasn't sure if the dragon could understand what she was saying but was willing to wager that it got the memo. The former ranger closed her eyes and took another deep breath. And it was here that she began to reopen them and follow up with a question she had been willing to ask for a while.
"But can you at least give me a chance?"
In return, the dragon regarded Marcy with skepticism and curiosity, with its ancient eyes searching her soul. Though it became unclear, the weeaboo nerd could see signs that the dragon could sense the innate sincerity within her, for its gaze began to soften a bit, though its stance remained staggered. It emitted a rumbling purr, a sign of contemplation.
Perhaps the creature detected the moral conviction that she carried with her. That she was indeed telling the truth from its perspective. Yet it did not mean it fully trusted her, as it had no real reason to. For the moment, Marcy could see the internal conflict building up with the beast that stood before her. Sensing an opportunity the prove she could be trusted, Marcy slowly reached for her backpack, sliding the straps of her school pack from both sides of her shoulders.
She swiftly swung it around and put the bag in front of her, with the dragon closely watching the girl.
"I'll even lighten the mood," she said as she zipped open her bag. "I've got something for you."
As her hands disappeared into the leather pack, the dragon narrowed its eyes again. Thus, anticipating what the young introvert could be hiding.
However, its perception was abruptly thwarted once she revealed a small dumpling. Which slightly piqued the beast's interest. For upon catching the scent of the dumpling, the dragon's eyes widened a bit. Though it initially puzzled the creature, the smell made the dragon lick its chops. It was as the chess master suspected. Even though it may be hostile, the beast could not resist an easy meal, especially if it came from a stranger like herself. This fact alone brought a sense of confidence to the teenage girl.
"Consider it a little peace offering after last time," she implied with a smile. "I hope you like it."
Marcy promptly sunk to her knees and pulled her backpack closer to her right side. Bringing out the dumpling she had in her hand before, she offered it to the dragon. The black beast, in response, darted its eyes to the ground. It grumbled as it sniffed the ground before fixing its eyes on her. The dragon sniffed the air for several heartbeats before deciding to approach her.
As it came up from the teenage girl's left side, Marcy fought every urge not to jolt back, knowing how unpredictable the beast still was. Though the dragon's movements were still guarded, its posture did not suggest the same amount of aggression as before, which was still a good sign. When the black creature approached closer and closer, Marcy started to get nervous, for the dragon's movements began to become more subtle than before. And its eyes were even more striking this close-up with a strange shade of green with flecks of gold encircling its pupils like a ring, which somehow enhanced the striking resemblance of her reflection staring back at her.
She had to turn her gaze away just because of it. She was resorting to glancing in other directions, feeling rather exposed under its penetrating stare, as if the beast delved deep into her own eyes and unveiled the thoughts hidden from within. Thus, piercing into the various depths of her soul with just one look. A heartbeat later, the dragon was at arm's length from where she was kneeling again—leaving just a good enough distance between the two.
Then, slowly but surely, the creature's nose inched its way closer to the palm of Marcy's dominant hand. Half a heartbeat later, its mouth began to open, revealing a broad, forked tongue, pink gums, and zero teeth to the geeky teenager's revelation. There wasn't a single tooth to be seen within its inner mouth. And it puzzled her just looking at it.
"Huh, toothless..." she muttered to herself. "That can't be right. I could've sworn you had-"
Without warning, two white rows of fangs retracted through the pink gums, and Marcy forcibly let out a yelp as the dragon snatched the dumpling out of her hands and drew its head back. The Taiwanese teenager watched the creature snap the tiny morsel into two bites before swallowing it whole. And it then licked its chops afterward, looking pleased with the small meal.
"-teeth."
Unfortunately, Marcy didn't have enough time to register what she had just witnessed when the dragon suddenly refocused on her again. The next thing the dorky thirteen-year-old knew, it started sniffing her again. This time, on the other hand, the creature stuck its nostrils at her right arm. Thus, prompting Marcy to jump to her feet. The dragon then lowered its head to her lower abdomen, sniffling at the side of her skirt.
The former ranger giggled as she felt the tip of the dragon's nose press up against her hip, a low rumbling sound escaping its throat. The black creature continued to sniff her body, going from her hip and back. And for some weird reason, Marcy couldn't stop giggling. It could have to deal with how ticklish she was in that area. It wouldn't be the first time she had that experience, especially with Anne and Sasha.
As the dragon came around with its face poking at her lower body, Marcy turned to face the creature as it kept circling her—eventually, the black beast to a whiff of her chest before nudging it with its head. The girl laughed in amusement before she watched the dragon pull back and shake its head before the creature staggered its feet. She could tell by how it licked its upper lip that it hungered for more.
"Wow, you're an eager one, aren't you?" she complimented. "Well, luckily for you, I packed extra."
She returned to her backpack and pulled out the bag containing the rest of the dumplings. Marcy silently hoped that it would be enough. Before her arrival, she stopped by a local cafe fifteen minutes away from home and used the lunch money she had yesterday to order more, just in case.
Yet before she could even open it, the dragon yanked it out of her hands and trotted off. Therefore, earning a distorted laugh from the teen nerd. She watched it get a few feet away before setting it down, briefly tearing the bottom of the bag open with its teeth and thus causing the rest to fall on the dry dirt. Yet the creature did not seem to care, for it smiled with delight before picking up a dumpling with its jaws and tossing the small delectable into its mouth.
The young girl watched it chew on the small dumpling, grinning with satisfaction before swallowing it and burying its head in the basket. Marcy stood there as the dragon continued to gorge itself with dumplings, looking stunned. Her eyes widened, and her hands started fidgeting. And on top of that, a familiar feeling surged through her body. One that brought about her geeky, fangirling side of her.
It ran through her bloodstream like wildfire. And almost acted like a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. Until, finally, she couldn't help herself.
"Oh. My. GOSHH!" she exploded.
The right ear of the dragon twitched, but it neglected to lift its head from the bag. It was more focused on the delicious dumplings. In light of this, Marcy began to pace around, going on a complete geek fest about the whole situation with nobody around to stop her.
"I'm standing in front of a live dragon," the weeaboo nerd said aloud as she started pacing back and forth. "A FLIPPIN DRAGON! I mean, I should already know this by now. It's standing right in front of me. But it's just a lot to take in! Maybe I should write this down."
As she entered her bag to grab her journal, the dragon subtly lifted one eye to see her scribbling in her book. She was unaware, but the dragon found her energetic nature slightly amusing before returning to the dumplings it had previously gorged on.
"I have so many questions!" she continued, despite the beast not paying attention. "Where did you come from? What kind of fire do you breathe?
She then turned her attention to the dragon's tail, which was out in the open closest to her. As Marcy squinted her eyes, she noticed something different about it. For there were two fins at the edge, one was attached to the rest of its body. But the other, on the other hand, was somewhat artificial and instead connected to a peculiar piece outfitted with gears and gadgets specifically designed to mimic the other one's movements. The strange assortment of the tail and its unique design could do nothing but stimulate Marcy's interest even further.
"Wow, is that a prosthetic tailfin?" she questioned further, only to run hollow on the dragon's ears. "Who made it? Did something happen to you? Where's the original piece? Can I have one?"
The more questions she asked, the closer Marcy found herself inching toward it. Out of instinct, Marcy extended her dominant hand, determined to see if it was real or if her eyes were deceiving her.
Then, as suddenly as a thunderbolt, the dragon jerks its head back and defensively snaps at the young teen. The creature followed it up by B=briefly yanking its tail back and aggressively narrowing its eyes. Thus once again, baring out its teeth and growling. Marcy responded by jolting back and throwing her hands up.
"Oh, sorry," she apologized. "Too much?"
In return, the beast turned his attention to his tail, giving a distinct glance before returning to the weeaboo geek. The creature huffed at her before turning back, curling its tail out of the young girl's reach. It was clear that the beast had some emotional attachment to its tailfin. And it was also clear that it did not appreciate her abruptly going out of her way to touch it without its consent.
"Oh, gotcha, little too personal," Marcy retracted. "Boundaries, Marcy."
Things started to get awkward from there. Seconds have stretched into timeless moments and a silent conversation of trust and yearning between them. Or at least for Marcy and her subconscious. Part of her was questioning where she should go from here. She was starting to run out of options.
This whole endeavor of winning the beast's approval was just another puzzle to solve. She just needed to figure out how to do so without getting obliterated. However, the moment she tries to get closer to the dragon again, the creature brings its head back out and delivers another warning roar. This time is flaring its wings out in an intimidation display. The young girl's pulse quickened as she stumbled back, barely making an effort not to trip over herself. A second later, the beast huffed for a second time before returning to its meal.
It soon became clear to the young nerd that the dragon was not interested in her—given the amount of silence it was giving her. And because the dragon won't let her near it within a three-foot radius, Marcy concluded that the best course of action for her would be to leave. And seeing that she was now at an impasse with her goal of winning the creature's approval, the Taiwanese girl had no choice but to bow to the inevitable.
"Okay, I guess...I'm not needed here anymore," she says, still unsure of herself. "So...I should probably go."
And with that, Marcy slowly began to take her leave, turning toward the exit to leave the dragon to eat in peace. Half a foot away, Marcy stopped, feeling a small tear develop from her eyes. Part of her hoped that this would be a good experience. That she could have a chance to learn more about this creature without facing any form of judgment or malice.
But instead, she ends up embarrassing herself yet again to the point where even the creature grows bored of her. Then again, another part of her seemed grateful that she could walk out in one piece. Still, the providential luck she had gained couldn't remedy her mortification.
'This was a stupid idea.' she told herself. 'I never should've come back.'
Doubt and disappointment began consuming her, and her humiliation was practically revolting. However, before she could consider herself home-free, she felt a sudden smack against the back of her head.
"Ow, what-"
When she jolted back around, Marcy looked down to see a dumpling before her. The Taiwanese geek slowly bent down and picked it up with two hands. Then she looked back to suddenly lock eyes with the dragon, whose expressions were softer. With clarity, the winged beast released a low warble before its cat-like pupils motioned from her to the dumpling in her hands before returning to the rest.
This sudden action left Marcy puzzled. For the millionth time today, a flood of questions began to formulate in her head. All of which revolved around the dragon's intentions with that particular gesture. Could it be a sign? Could it be the dragon giving her something on the way out? Or could it be something more intimate?
Whatever it was, Marcy didn't dare to question it, instead returning to her spot beforehand. Instinctively she sank to her knees and began eating alongside the dragon. She found it odd that she was currently sharing a meal with a fire-breathing reptile, but considering this was the farthest she had ever gotten, there was no need to push her luck.
Regardless, it was instead a tiny victory for her. She had finally made a breakthrough—a small step towards building trust with the dragon. But to keep it, she must let this play out and see where it takes her. As Anne taught her back in Amphibia, this will take time. Patience is a virtue that Marcy is still learning, but she is familiar with it enough to know that she will need it if she is going to see this through.
Minutes passed as the human and beast sat in the dirt in complete silence. Occasionally the dragon threw her a dumpling or two after finishing the one she already had. And as per usual, the former ranger was flustered with the same questions she had been asking. It was difficult to predict what was happening in the dragon's head. But was not willing to bet on anything that could spoil all the fun.
Though on a theoretical scale, the young Asian geek wagered that it could be an excuse to prevent her from leaving.
"You know, normally, we're supposed to eat these with chopsticks," Marcy commented.
The dragon responded by lifting its head to lock its eyes on hers. A brief wave of curiosity engulfed its rather dog-like pupils now. To emphasize its innate curiosity, the creature tilted its head slightly to the right, to which Marcy eagerly indulged the creature's interests with a brief explanation.
"Right," she said, slightly fumbling with her wording. "It's almost like eating with utensils, but you use two wooden sticks instead of actual forks. I can show you the next time I come around if you want."
In response, the dragon warbled. The Chess master wasn't sure what the dragon was thinking, considering the lifeless look in its two oval eyes, which only stared at her. Though unsure, Marcy took it as a cue that the creature was interested, at the very least.
As she locked onto the creature's eyes again, Marcy noticed a familiar feeling illuminating the dragon's pupils. Was it a sense of attachment? Or sentimentality? It was still unclear from the looks of things. But as she continued to ponder its never-ending gaze, she began to see something much bigger than that.
And it was here that she realized that beyond its natural ferocity, the dragon was trapped in a lonely existence, surrounded by a fortress of discarded trash, who did not want to be alone. Or at least that was what she figured hypothetically. Since it became clear that it didn't want her to leave yet, it was a feeling that Marcy was no stranger to. Empathy swelled within her, urging her to find a way to break through its defenses, which gave her an idea.
"Oh, I just thought of something!" Marcy exclaimed before shooting up to her feet. "Wait right there!"
The energetic teenager sprinted off into the rusted junkyard, rummaging through the wastes, collecting small scraps of metal and pieces of junk. She meticulously arranged them in seconds, creating a makeshift offering—a small necklace to symbolize fortune and goodwill.
Then as quickly as she departed, Marcy came speeding back, practically driving the dragon around on all fours before coming to a screeching halt.
"A little gift for our new visitor," she declared before gently placing it on the ground and sliding it toward the dragon. "What do you think?"
The black dragon tilted its head for the third time in a row, its gaze shifting between Marcy and the offerings. Intrigue mingled with caution as it approached, delicately inspecting the items before it. Marcy held her breath, her heart pounding as she bit her finger in anticipation.
With a sudden movement, the dragon inquisitively nudged the metal antique. As it seemed like it was taking it, Marcy sighed in relief and closed her eyes. It appeared that the creature was starting to like her small gift. That was until the former ranger heard a crunching sound, to which she reopened her eyes to see the dragon biting at her little masterpiece.
Marcy gasped as she watched the dragon brazenly tear at her gift like another dumpling. It was supposed to be a symbol of good fortune, yet the beast treated it like it was a chew toy. And it drove Marcy mad.
"Noooo, you silly creature!" she said abruptly. "You're not supposed to eat it!"
She then moved in to yank the trinket out of its mouth before the dragon could destroy it. Regrettably, the black silhouette took the other end of the ornament with its vice-like jaws. Neither of them refused to let go. Thus forcing them into an excellent old fashion tug-of-war. The Taiwanese girl leaned back, shouting, "Give it! Give it!" Yet the dragon's iron grip remained firm as a soft growl expelled from the creature's throat.
It was almost like fighting a dog over a blanket in a game of tug-of-war. Though the further they fought over it, the further Marcy leaned back with the dragon tightening its vice-like grip. Finally, when Marcy had tipped back far enough to the point where she was about to trip over herself, the dragon suddenly jerked its head around. And suddenly...
Pop.
The necklace snaps in half, and Marcy flies back a few feet. Only to land on her backside as pieces of the trinket she made scattered across the ground. Bewildered, the Taiwanese nerd looked up to see a portion of the antique in the dragon's mouth before it spits it out. And then the most unusual thing happened, which put Marcy in a further shock.
It started laughing.
Or at least that's what she interpreted as the dragon releasing a series of vocal cues similar to laughter. However, that wasn't the part that shocked her. What surprised the young girl the most wasn't the fact that it was laughing. But that it was explicitly laughing at her. As if it found her rather embarrassing attempt to pry a trinket she just made out of his mouth and failing miserably, resulting in her immediate anguish, to be rather humorous.
Then it became clear to the dragon planned this all along. To gain some sick satisfaction out of it and succeed. Thus leaving her face burning with embarrassment for not seeing it beforehand. That being said, Marcy, in return, laughed alongside the dragon. Who knew a creature of this size and ferocity would have a crude sense of humor? It was simply fascinating to her. She'll have to take note of this later.
As the laughter began to cease, Marcy let out a sigh. And for what felt like the 5th time in a row, she found her gaze unexpectedly meeting that of the beasts', who sat up on its hind legs. Feeling a sense of awkwardness build up from the silence, Marcy could do nothing but put up the cutest smile she could muster.
Regarding the gesture, the dragon squinted its eyes for a second. Then suddenly, to Marcy's surprise, the black creature began to open the corners of its mouth slowly. Only the catch was that its teeth were retracted, showing only the gummy parts of its mouth like before. Thus revealing a relatively toothless smile. It was rather cute by Marcy's standard.
Perhaps too cute. Hesitantly, Marcy got up to her feet. A rather ominous feeling started to develop in the young girl's nerves. Out of instinct, she extended her hand to touch and pet the creature's snout. However, before she could get her hopes up, the dragon's eyes suddenly became fixated on her hand, and the gummy smile from which the dragon had been putting off faded.
Half a heartbeat later, the dragon's teeth retracted as it growled in disgust. And with the blink of an eye, the dragon turned heel and flew off to the other side of the junkyard. Thus leaving Marcy distraught and somewhat confused. Nonetheless, it was a good start. She needs to play the long game. But who knows how long that's going to take?
Though she stood there, with the cold wind breezing past her hair, only one thought came into Marcy's mind.
'What in frog's name did I just get myself into?'
Elsewhere... 5:00 p.m
Anne had a rather average day so far despite it being on the weekend. The kind of day where she was focused on living her life responsibly without the fear of getting shot at, blown up, or swallowed hole by a giant monster. And one of those responsibilities involved helping at her family's restaurant: Thai Go.
While not particularly the most famous restaurant in all of Los Angeles, it was considered one of the most well-known Thai places in the Thai community. And is viewed as the envy of all Thai restaurants this side of LA, for it was also best known for its 'secret recipes' that only the Boonchuy family knows about, with the only exception being Ned, their new delivery man. For a while, Anne was pretty used to it. As a more responsible version of her former self, she considered it a habit. Heck, she would even get free samples from her parents from time to time during break hours. And that was after a hard day's work.
However, there was...one small downside to all of this as far as Anne was concerned, especially on a day like this. For on this particular day, the restaurant was super busy. Typically it would always be active on the weekends, but this was a new dynamic type. And it started smoothly at first.
But once word got around about the famous Anne Boonchuy, savior of Amphibia and Earth, helping out, the restaurant became packed with customers. Almost too many to count at this point. And half of them were people she had never seen before and came with the sole intent of taking selfies and autographs with her. Many didn't even reach for the food. It was very unsettling.
It also meant that Anne had to work twice as hard to keep everything together. That meant taking orders, bussing tables, and occasionally cleaning garbage. And she had to do all of this with a clear head, with just as much determination as she did fighting monsters with Sprig back in Amphibia. Yet like most people, it's hard to keep up with the pressure under the heat of chaos. And there wasn't any doubt that the rest of today would be a test of her skills, and she was determined to assist her parents in managing their beloved establishment flawlessly without cracking under pressure.
And the lunch rush had started to engulf Anne as she weaved through the crowded tables, plates balanced precariously in her hands. The scents of lemongrass and chili filled the air, intermingling with the cacophony of voices and clattering dishes. Anxiety coiled in her stomach, but she pressed on, determined to assist her parents in managing the bustling family restaurant. Amidst the chaos, Anne's father emerged from the kitchen, his face etched with concern.
"Take a moment to breathe, Anne," he advised his voice a steady anchor amidst the storm. "You've got this."
"Sorry, Dad," Anne apologized. Almost out of breath. "I just didn't expect so many people."
"We know Anne," her mother chimed in from behind. "But you've got this. Just remember what we've taught you and stay focused."
Anne nodded, her gaze fixed on her parents. Their confidence in her abilities ignited a flicker of determination within her. She took a deep breath, her mind set on the goal she had set for the day — to ensure every customer left the restaurant with a smile and maintain her record of zero spills in one night. So to speak.
As the first wave of orders flooded in, the atmosphere in the restaurant became electric. The cacophony of clattering plates, sizzling pans, and urgent calls from Ned filled the air. Anne felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she moved swiftly from one station to another, trying her best to keep up with the relentless demands of the diners without losing her insanity.
However, the pressure intensified with each passing minute. The sheer volume of tasks overwhelmed the Thai girl, and doubt crept into Anne's mind. Was she capable of handling the bustling restaurant on such a busy day? Self-doubt threatened to overshadow her confidence, but she pushed those thoughts aside, reminding herself of her parents' belief in her abilities. After all, she was the one who defeated King Andrias after all. What did she have to worry about?
Yet, despite her growing confidence amid the orchestrated chaos and the immense energy that began to cloud her concentration, disaster struck at the worst time. It started when her hands began to tremble. This was due to the messy-haired girl's attempts to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, her mind racing to remember each customer's specific requests—a big mistake on her behalf.
The pressure was suffocating, leaving her overwhelmed and unsure of her abilities. The weight of responsibility pressed against her chest, making each breath challenging. Then it happened—a momentary lapse that ruined her composure. As she was busy squeezing past her father with two orders, who was busy working on the stove, Anne accidentally bumped into him just as she was on her way out, and caused her father to lose his grip on the pot of scalding soup. Thus causing it to slip from his grasp and splattO.W. across his daughter's arm.
"OW! MOTHER OF ALL FROG!" she shouted.
Pain seared through her, an intense burn threatening to dull her spirit. The world around her seemed to fade as the searing heat consumed her thoughts. But that wasn't even the worse part about it. The worst part was that amidst her terrible accident, it appeared outside the kitchen door and in the restaurant for everyone to see.
Time seemed to have frozen as the customers' heads swiveled in her direction. Anne's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes from the added pain of boiling water sizzling in her flesh. Sooner or later, she began to panic. The stress finally caught up to her. Her mother, ever watchful, instinctively rushed her back into the kitchen. At the same time, she assured the customers that everything was alright. In the back, her mom set Anne down on the floor, where her father rushed over to check on her after quickly cleaning up the supposed mess.
"Are you okay, Anne?" her mother asked, examining her tentatively. "Where does it hurt?"
"It's not just that," Anne said, with tears swelling in her eyes. "I messed up. I went too early, and I messed up in front of everybody. And now my arm looks like complete swamp gas."
"Hey honey," Mr. Boonchuy said smoothly, taking the palm of her hand and rubbing it against his own. "Mistakes are okay. That's just part of life. You know this."
"But how can you do this with so many people?" she questioned further, adding a sliver of doubt. "Or know when you've reached your limits."
The two parents paused in response. It was a relatively good question. But no doubt, their experience in this line of work alone would be enough to answer it properly.
"We don't, Anne," Mrs. Boonchuy explained. "But we know that having faith in yourself and the people around you will always help pick you back up. It's just what it means to be a Boonchuy."
As usual, the Thai girl knew all too well that her mother was right, from which she nodded gratefully, her mother's words continuing to act like a lifeline amidst the sea of self-doubt. Wiping away her tears, she resolved not to let this setback define her. And in return, her parents smiled, just as grateful for continuing to be enduring examples of encouragement that they have always been to their child.
After a brief silence, the Boonchuys suddenly returned to reality and decided not to keep the customers waiting.
"Here, why don't you take a break," Mrs. Boonchuy suggested. "We can manage from here."
"Yeah, take this too," Mr. Boonchuy implored, holding out a piece of cloth for Anne to take. "It should help with your arm."
"Are you sure, guys?" Anne questioned. "I'm a little better now."
"Your safety is just as important, Anne Savisa Boonchuy," Mrs. Boonchuy said, firmly pointing a finger. "Everything else can wait."
Anne opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Yet again, Anne had detested that her mother was right for what was the millionth time now.
"Fair point," she acknowledged, wrapping the bandage around her arm. "In that case, I'll be in the back if you need me."
Though before she could take her leave, her mother gave Anne one last thing to do, which involved a large trash bag containing disposable items.
"Oh, before you go, take this while you're at it," Mrs. Boonchuy assigned with a smile.
Thus, making Anne chuckle in amusement. Boonchuys had a very long history of being irritatingly smug toward everything. Even Anne herself was one on most occasions. It was in her blood. And she couldn't get enough of it from her mother.
"Yes, mom."
From there, Anne opened the door to the side of the restaurant, where there was a small alleyway with a garbage bin just across. Before she could put the lump of trash into the container, Anne stopped and sat in front of the door to patch up her wound. To her credit, it wasn't as bad as she thought it was. However, it did leave a rather nasty mark on her. It'll take a week for it to fade away.
When she was done patching it up, the Thai teen checked her phone to see if any of her friends had texted her. The first thing that came to mind was the bombardment of text messages from Sasha. Many were screenshots of clothes she had stumbled upon at the mall with Maggie and Gabby in the background. One of which the blonde commander wore while looking superimposing. A rather typical thing for Sasha to do.
"Hah, cute," she said to herself.
She then texted and responded with 'lol,' before scrolling down again. However, she stopped as her eyes met on the icon above Marcy, her other best friend. She remembered texting her around noon, asking if she was okay. Only to see now that she had responded. With a bunch of x's and o's.
And it was here that Anne began to wonder about Marcy. More specifically, about what she was currently doing now. Anne remembered Marcy mentioned being at the public library, which would be rather obvious, but Anne would know that Marcy wouldn't stay there for long if Anne knew her best friend well. She was willing to wager she'd be at home playing Vagiabondia Chronicles or setting up a game of Creatures and Caverns for her and Sasha to play for hours.
However, it was unfortunate that she couldn't hang with her and Sasha, despite the irony of her personality. Yet for all it was worth, Anen couldn't blame her. After everything that had happened in the past three days, it must be tough for Marcy to recover from it all. And yet, now that she thought about it, Anne began to wonder if there was anything more she could do for her.
The Thai hero learned back in Amphibia that they were stranded there in the first place because she and Sasha didn't spend much time with her. Not only that, but they ignored her needs and interests too. Sure, she and Sasha had done better since returning home, but sometimes...Anne wondered if she could do more as any true friend would.
But that will have to be for another time, for she had other matters to attend to. One involved properly disposing of a certain obstruction that almost slipped her mind. Which she decided to get as she got up and grabbed the trash bag. Thus carrying it with her left arm and opening the top of the trash bin so she can throw it in.
However, the moment she dumped the bag into the bin, something precarious caught Anne's eye. On the top of the lid was a small but rather colorful piece that she hadn't recognized. Carefully, the Thai teen reached over and picked it up with her dominant hand. Only to bring it closer to inspect it further.
As she observed, Anne noticed that it was some form of a spike, with one end coated blue and the other yellow. The Boonchuy girl was vaguely puzzled, as she had never seen anything like it. And this was coming from a girl who has fought monsters, aliens, robots, etc. But in the end, Anne just shrugged it off.
'Must be some weird toy some kids brought or something.'
And with that, the Thai girl shut the door behind her as she returned inside. Completely unaware of the danger that is beginning to stoke along the fringes of the restaurant. For up on the rooftops, a lengthy shadow grew from the darkness. Thus revealing a bipedal assassin with a rather voracious appetite.
And that's the end of the chapter. I hope you all liked it, as per usual. I know it's been a while since I last posted, but I should be back on track. Before I sign off, please give a moment of silence to the infamous School of Dragons, which sadly ends today. RIP. I had a lot of great memories with that game, and it will always be one of the best HTTYD games ever made—secondly, a shoutout to Fanreader123456 and OMAC001 for once again leaving their reviews for the last chapter. I really appreciate it, as usual. Thirdly, if you wish to see more of this story, click on the review box and tell me what you think, even if it needs improvement in certain areas.
And that's about it. Stay tuned for the next one, folks. Gunslinger is signing off!
