Chapter 5: A Thunderbird, Two Portkeys, and Trouble in New York
The next day, early in the morning.
Agas, who had been unceremoniously pulled out of bed by Grindelwald, stretched out his chubby little hand and pinched his right fat cheek, trying to wake himself up.
"Why do I have to get up so early?" he whined resentfully. He looked at the large clock hanging in the living room and slapped his legs indignantly. "It's six o'clock! I never get up before Abu wakes me!"
"Alright, quiet down. You're going to America today. Someone will receive you there." Grindelwald placed a small black round hat on Agas's head and pointed his wand at Agas's hair.
"No! You can't do that to my hair!" Agas panicked, stretching out his two little hands to block the wand. "You're not going to shave it again, are you?!"
"Change the color. Otherwise, you'll be exposed the moment you step outside. Do you want Dumbledore to know who you are right now?" Grindelwald narrowed his eyes as he remembered a certain scene from the future. Raising his eyebrows, he smirked and added mockingly, "If your mom finds out who you are now, wouldn't that help me rekindle my old love with him? We'd love each other again—muah muah muah…"
As he said this, Agas jumped up on his short legs and began circling around Grindelwald dramatically.
"I swear, if you keep talking," Grindelwald threatened, "I'll let you find out what it really means to be reborn in love. Love so intense it gives you a swollen butt."
"Hmph. You don't know how to appreciate a good person," Agas muttered, but wisely shut his mouth.
He pouted, hummed to himself, then took out a water mirror and looked at his reflection. His previously dazzling, shoulder-length red hair had turned into an inky black. The slightly curly strands now stood up awkwardly and clung to his chubby cheeks, making his round face look even rounder.
"But black isn't as nice as red! Can I change it to gold? Like your hair?" he asked, annoyed.
"No." Grindelwald squatted down and looked into Agas's bright blue eyes. "Agas, remember—you're going to New York to meet Newt Scamander." He gently patted the black hat on Agas's head. "The journey has begun. Stand still."
Before Agas could ask what was happening, he felt something tugging at his belly button. Suddenly, everything around him spun violently like he was inside a washing machine. The world twisted and blurred around him.
"Bastard! Ugh!" When the spinning finally stopped, Agas stumbled to the nearest trash can and began vomiting.
"I hate New York," he said quietly after finally standing up straight again.
Rocky Colt, who had been waiting nearby, handed him a glass of warm water and a towel. He studied the boy carefully, surprised at how much he resembled the leader from his memories.
"The taste of Portkey travel isn't pleasant, but just now—you looked exactly like him."
"Agas Albus Grindelwald," the boy replied, taking a sip of water. "What's your name?"
"Rocky Colt."
"Alright, Rocky, now tell me how to find Newt." Agas shrugged indifferently, straightened his slightly wrinkled shirt, and looked up at the man towering over him.
"That depends on you." Rocky curled his lips into a mysterious smile, his brown eyes twinkling.
"Me? I'm a child, hello? I haven't even met Newt yet!" Agas patted Rocky's arm in frustration.
"A Thunderbird recently snuck into New York City. It made the sunny weather turn cloudy. The bird's owner met Newt while looking for it."
Rocky stretched out his right hand to Agas, motioning him to take it.
Agas furrowed his brows, pinched his chin, and thought aloud. "Wait a second… Could that Thunderbird be the one that escaped from the valley behind Nurmengard a few days ago?"
Then his eyes widened. "Wait—YOU MEAN I'M THE OWNER?! That big guy? With the terrible temper?! You actually said I'm its master?!"
He backed away from Rocky's hand, unconvinced. "That bird was furious at me last time because I burned some of its feathers! I'm lucky it didn't strike me with lightning when it saw me!"
"Hahaha! But Wenda said you're an animal expert, and this Thunderbird is still in its larval stage. Don't worry."
Rocky laughed, then swiftly grabbed Agas (who tried to dodge again) with his right hand and pressed a golden key on his chest with the left.
"Damn it! What rotten luck! Two Portkey trips in one day—what a nightmare," Agas groaned as they were whisked away again.
After another disorienting spin, they landed on the rooftop of a tall building. The sky was blanketed in heavy, dark clouds, hanging low over the city. Occasional flashes of lightning lit up the sky, accompanied by distant bird calls.
Agas jumped off Rocky's side, leaned forward slightly, and squinted up at the sky.
"How did you lure it here?" he asked, closing his eyes and twitching his ears like he was listening to something only he could hear.
"The master said this Thunderbird is the most special one in the flock. It follows anything that looks delicious. So I had a few subordinates use fruit to attract it here." Rocky puffed up his chest proudly. Thunderbirds were XXXX-level magical creatures—fast, powerful, and dangerous. It took serious skill to lure one in.
"No wonder," Agas muttered.
"No wonder?" Rocky looked puzzled.
"No wonder it cursed you so badly," Agas grinned brightly, showing all his teeth. "You despicable, shameless human being… a bipedal animal without claws… a deformed creature without a majestic beak… How dare you!"
Rocky stared up at the stormy sky, lightning flickering overhead, and listened to the distant cries of the Thunderbird. He glanced back down at Agas in disbelief. "Wait... Can this kid actually understand what the bird is saying? Or is he just making this up to insult me?"
"I can understand it. I'm not joking," Agas said seriously. "Animals and humans speak differently. I'm just translating."
He shielded his eyes with his tiny hands and peered up at the Thunderbird again.
"If Newt doesn't show up soon… Coco's gonna lose it. And when that happens—New York's in big trouble."
If you ignored Agas's slightly smug expression at that moment and only listened to the tone of his voice, you might've thought he was a responsible and wise little wizard.