“Life was simple when you were a Shield Bug.”

“the chocolate raisins tasted somewhat fishy, but Lucy didn't care-chocolate was chocolate. She changed her mind however, when she realized that the raisins were tiny fish heads.”

“That, dillop brain, is what getting close to the Darke does. It makes you think only of yourself. It takes you away from people you care about. And now you don't have anyone to talk to and it serves you right.”

“Blue to get readyGreen to goYellow to guide you through the snowOrange to warn you that over you’ll goThen red will be the final glowNow seek the black, there’s no going back.”

“Things have a habit of working out, you know. Eventually.”

“You can't just rattle it off like a demented parrot.”

“Why?” breathed Boy 412. “Why me?”“You have astonishing Magykal power. I told you before. Maybe now you’ll believe me.” She smiled.“I—I thought the power came from the ring.”“No. It comes from you. Don’t forget, the Dragon Boat recognized you even without the ring. She knew. Remember, it was last worn by Hotep-Ra, the first ExtraOrdinary Wizard. It’s been waiting a long time to find someone like him.”“But that’s because it’s been stuck in a secret tunnel for hundreds of years.”“Not necessarily,” said Marcia mysteriously. “Things have a habit of working out, you know. Eventually.”