"Good, little one. Keep yourself as company for her," Jako said to Adam.
"Of course I will, Jako," Adam replied.
"You need to go now. Your friends are going to start the plan," Jako said.
"How did you know about the plan?" Adam asked.
"Let's just say I have eyes everywhere. Now go, little bot," Jako replied.
"Okay, I will. Thanks for everything… and this story," Adam said.
Adam walked through the streets toward Narina's house to talk about the plan to stop the bandits.
"Hey guys, I just came," Adam said as he entered.
Everyone greeted him. He explained what happened—how he met Jako and what they talked about. Narina was pretty surprised by how Adam met Jako, but they soon started chatting.
Now, it was time for the plan.
"Okay, I do have a plan, but we need everyone for it," Jane said to the others.
"Wait… everyone? I think I'll be useless. My Uniqe is more of a support," Narina said.
"It's okay. You can be anything you want if you truly want it," Jane replied.
"I just feel like everyone is telling me to be a supporter…" Narina said.
"Don't let people choose who you become, Narina. It's your choice," Jane said.
"You don't understand. My Uniqe is about making pets. How will that help?"
"No… I do understand," Jane said as Narina leaned forward.
"My whole life, people told me to be a supporter—my friends, everyone close to me. But I didn't listen. I fought to become a Claw. And you should too."
After hearing this, Narina felt motivated.
"Fine. I'll choose who I want to be. Thanks, Jane… I'll never forget that," Narina said with courage in her voice.
Even the boys started clapping.
"Girls, I'm proud of you," Zeliex said.
"Girls are kind of weird, but I love it," said Ams, the purple gloop.
"Haha, thanks, Ams… and shut up," Narina replied.
"She told you to shut up, Ams. Say something back," Adam said.
"Fine. I'll reply— you don't get to tell me to shut up," Ams said.
Narina looked at Adam with a joking face and laughed. Soon, they all started laughing. Narina realized she had found new friends—better than ever.
"Okay, now we need to focus on the plan. The bandits are coming tomorrow. First, we need to study them," Jane said.
Jane explained the plan. Everyone liked it and shared their opinions.
"Can we wear cool-looking capes during the fight?" Lebo asked.
"You've got to be kidding me. We're fighting, not in a fashion competition," Adam said.
"I mean, we'll look cool. Nothing wrong with that," Lebo replied.
"You know what… fine. I'll add it as part of the plan," Jane said.
"Yes!" Lebo said quietly.
"Okay, we need to go to a tailor and get the capes," Jane added.
They went to the tailor and chose their cape colors. Jane looked to her right and saw Zeliex, Adam, and Narina wearing their capes. Then she looked to her left and saw Lebo wearing yellow.
"Wait, Lebo… why are you wearing yellow?" Jane asked.
"Duh, because it's my favorite color," Lebo said.
"I thought your favorite color was purple?" Jane asked again.
"Purple is alright, but I like yellow more," Lebo replied.
"What about Ams? He's purple," Jane asked.
"I don't have a problem, really. Actually… I'm starting to like yellow too," Ams said.
"Why are my friends and my Uniqe so weird? My favorite color is maroon, and my Uniqe is maroon…" Jane muttered quietly.
"I don't know, but I like yellow. Let's just ignore it and get ready for the bandits," Lebo said.
They all went home, got into bed, and prepared to sleep. They kept chatting, trying to know each other better.
Jane and Narina talked all night.
Adam kept talking about useless facts about the orange dragon because he was bored.
"Did you know the orange dragon had a scar on his neck when he saved the Orange Valley?" Adam asked Zeliex.
"No, I didn't. PLEASE just let me sleep!" Zeliex shouted.
Lebo and Ams were chatting like they had been friends for years.
The next day — the bandits' attack
Three bandits arrived on horseback. At the entrance of the village, they found an old woman wearing maroon.
One of the bandits said, "Hey, old hag, give me all your money or you're going to get killed."
The old woman replied,
"I don't have money… but I do have something else."
"…Potions."