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I'm Toni Topaz. I was supposed to give you the full animatronic tour of Southside High, but some of the robots went insane and started killing the guests, so, we'll just wing it.
— Toni to Jughead[src]

The friendship between Jughead Jones and Toni Topaz began when Jughead transferred to Southside High. Following his transfer, Toni volunteered to be Jughead's tour guide and the two became good friends. Toni knew Jughead was the son of FP Jones and the leader of the Southside Serpents and, because of this, Toni vowed to always have his back along with the rest of the Serpents, as they consider Jughead family.

Toni gives Jughead advice when needed, especially when it comes to surviving Southside High and the Ghoulies. Toni is also loyal towards Jughead, as she knew that Jughead got jumped by the Ghoulies, however she knew Jughead wanted to keep it a secret from Betty, and so she choose to honor his wishes, proving her loyalty towards him.

Toni and Jughead also work together at The Red and Black, after he convinced Mr. Phillips to re-open the school newspaper, later recruiting her in the process as the school photographer. As he described Toni to have an amazing eye and a hunger for social justice like he was. They're currently working on a case together for the papers on the Black Hood, with Betty and Kevin aiding them.

Throughout Riverdale[]

Season 2[]

Southside High's Welcome Wagon[]

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Toni giving Jughead a tour of Southside High

Toni arrives at school in the morning to find Jughead Jones, Southside High's newest student passing through security. While taking a quick photo of him, Toni calls out to Jughead by his first name, Forsythe Pendleton Jones III, before introducing herself as his mentor. She is supposed to give him the full animatronic tour of the school, however, she jokes that with some of the robots going insane and killing people, they will be forced to wing it. Toni makes sure to tackle the basics as she guides Jughead throughout the school. The classrooms don't have Wi-Fi. The bathroom stalls don't have doors. And the school paper, The Red and Black, had closed down long ago due to budget cuts. To their right was a rare glimpse of Jingle Jangle being consumed in its natural habitat, though Jughead has no understanding of what she means. Toni tells him that it is a highly addictive gutter drug that's better off avoided. On to the cafeteria, where she informs Jughead of the Ghoulies, a rival gang of drug dealers, street racers, and rumored cannibals. As for her and Jughead, they sit on the other side of the cafeteria with the Southside Serpents, which Toni failed to mention earlier, though her affiliation to the Serpents is precisely why she volunteered to be his mentor. However, Jughead would rather sit alone, which baffles Toni considering that he is a Serpent by blood; the son of FP Jones. Toni advises Jughead to stick with the Serpents. Should the Ghoulies discover that he's alone and vulnerable, they'll attack.

The next day in class, Toni warns Jughead against answering Mr. Phillips's question in relation to the dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451. However, Jughead fails to heed her warning.

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Toni helping in the Red and Black offices

Later that day, she joins Jughead in the Red and Black offices to help him unpack after receiving approval from staff to revive the school paper. She congratulates him on finding his safe space. All he needs now is a photographer with an amazing eye and a hunger for social justice, looking to Toni in hopes that she will agree to join him. However, before Toni gets the chance to reply, they are interrupted by Sweet Pea and two fellow Serpent members, who are wondering if Toni and Jughead will be joining them at the quarry. Although Toni is prepared to leave, Jughead declines Sweet Pea's offer, which leaves him feeling a bit upset considering that Jughead has come to them in the past for assistance. They are good enough for him to ask for help, but not good enough to hang out with, Sweet Pea concludes. While Jughead appreciates what they have done for him and his father, he is through with the Serpents, which angers Sweet Pea, enough to make him attack. Fortunately, Toni is there to keep the two of them apart, telling Sweet Pea that Jughead just isn't that into him.

That night, Toni accidentally walks in on Jughead kissing his girlfriend, Betty Cooper. Toni apologizes for the intrusion, sarcastically remarking that she didn't see the sock on the door. Betty is not at all what Toni had pictured. She imagined someone more resembling of Emily the Strange. Jughead then pulls an old kettle pot out of the box of items that Betty has brought over. Surprisingly, Toni has brought one off her own, commenting that great minds think alike.

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Toni, Jughead, and Sweet Pea in the cafeteria

Toni joins Betty and Jughead in FP's trailer the next day, following an attack on Jughead, presumably orchestrated by the Ghoulies. However, he lies to Betty, telling her that the cuts and bruises are the result of a motorcycle incident. While cleaning him up, Betty is initially worried that Jughead was going to tell her that he got jumped by the Ghoulies, which according to Toni, the Serpents would never allow because they have Jughead's back. Even though he wasn't an actual member, there was still that connection of family loyalty. Before leaving for school, Betty asks Toni if she can keep an eye on Jughead while she is gone, to which Toni replies that she is all over it. Once Betty is gone, they are able to speak freely. Toni reminds Jughead that she has warned him about the Ghoulies and how they would attack. She is hoping that this would serve as a lesson to take the threat more seriously.

The following day in the cafeteria, Jughead voluntarily joins her and Sweet Pea at the lunch table. It would seem that he has finally realized the severity of the threat, as well as accepts their offer to join them.[1]

Cracking the Cipher[]

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Fogarty. Sweet Pea and Toni watching the Red Circle's video

Toni sits alongside Sweet Pea and Fangs Fogarty in the school's cafeteria as the three of them watch Archie Andrews' message to the Black Hood, where he threatens to hunt the killer down. With Fogarty becoming more anxious to earn his Serpent stripes as the day grows on, they can think of no better way for him to earn his way into the gang than for him to bring them the head of the Northsider in the video. Unfortunately, Jughead advises them against such action, claiming that he knows the guy in the video, who he describes as being a lame target. If they actually seek to prove something, Jughead suggests that they got after the Black Hood, though as Sweet Pea explains, this won't be in their best interest. The Black Hood is doing their work for them by going solely after Northsiders, essentially making him a hero.

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Jughead ignores Betty's call

Later that day, Toni finds Jughead in the Red and Black offices reading Beware of the Zodiac. She notes that while it is a decent read, she prefers Robert Graysmith's definitive books on the subject. Jughead's phone then begins to ring. Calling him, is Betty, though he chooses to ignore it. Jones, Jones, Jones, you disappoint me, Toni says. If serial killers are an interest of his, Toni suggests that he check out Ted Bundy, Albert Fish, Aileen Wuornos. However, as Jughead explains, none of them fit the profile. Unlike most serial killers, the Black Hood wears a mask. He's most likely someone consumed with self-loathing. Conversely, he also sent letters and cryptos to the press. Admittedly, Toni is a "true crime junkie". Toni confesses that she didn't stop by for a friendly chat, she is seeking Jughead out, hoping that he will help her crack the Black Hood's cipher that is posted in the latest print from the Register.

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Toni at FP's trailer

The following night, Toni, Jughead, Betty, and Kevin convene in FP's trailer. where the four of them work together in an attempt to decode the cipher. Betty remarks that the codes looked familiar, though she can't quite place them. Toni suggests that she loosen her ponytail, which she swore is a joke, though the awkward tension is apparent. Back on the topic of cracking the cipher, Toni explains that she is looking for double letters, such as double L and four-letter words like kill. It is then that Jughead begins to question why the Black Hood chose now to start killing. From what little they know of the Black Hood, he is obsessed with cleansing the town of sinners and hypocrites, seemingly attacking anyone with ties to the north side, which Toni refers to as fake news. All the Northsiders ever do is demonize the south side, so it comes as no surprise that they would suspect the killer of being from there. Betty's defense is that she is merely stating facts, though Toni makes a point of addressing how drugs in town are sold mainly to north side crackheads. She then turns her attention to the Red Circle, or as she prefers to call them, the Red Psychos. She is surprised that Betty hasn't already come out to say that she thinks the Black Hood is a Serpent, as they all know how much Betty hates the Serpents, proving this claim to be true as she outs Jughead for hiding from Betty the fact that he sits with the Serpents at lunch. Having said that, she decides to leave.[2]

Display of Love and Concern[]

When Jughead approaches Sweet Pea, Fangs Fogarty and Toni, among other young Serpents who crowd the lunch table in the courtyard. They are confronted by Jughead after learning that Dilton Doiley has supposedly been jumped and stabbed by Southside Serpents. They clarify that they didn't jump Dilton, but recount what really went down; a large brawl broke out between The Red Circle and Southside Serpents which explains Sweet Pea's black eye that he acquired from Archie Andrews's blow to his face. The Bulldogs were let off free, whilst the gang was hauled in by the police. Tired of being subjected to unfair treatment and looked down upon as second-class citizens in their own town, Sweet Pea and Fogarty have devised a plan to blow up the Register with a pipe bomb. Jughead objects to such action. Doing so will only worsen the divide between sides, suggesting instead that he first talk it out with Archie, but is quickly turned down as Sweet Pea is tired of Jughead playing both sides.

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Toni showing concerns for the young Serpent pack

After the Serpents leave the table, Jughead sit down next to a concerned Toni, who says that the Northside has been dumping on them for years. Jughead's father, FP Jones, tried to keep both sides of the pot from boiling over and trying to prevent the bloodshed. But with him in prison, and no leader present, reckless individuals such as Sweet Pea think that there is only one solution: violence.

At the Whyte Wyrm, Jughead appears in the Serpent jacket, claiming that he is ready to embrace being a Serpent. Tall Boy interjects, saying he'll only become an official member of the gang only if he survives the Serpents initiation. Toni and Jughead locked eyes, and he can see her signs of concern.

Before Jughead's second initiation test, Toni meet up with him at FP's trailer. She tests Jughead's memory of the laws of being a Serpent, which are the following; "a Serpent never shows cowardice", and "if a Serpent is killed or imprisoned, then their family will be taken care of". However, he fails to cite the remaining laws. Toni instructs him to focus and to take the initiation seriously, which he swears he is, but he is struggling, though this still leaves the question as to why Jughead suddenly wants to go from conscientious objector to full-fledged member. Much to Toni's surprise, Jughead's sudden change of heart is because of her earlier statement in regards to his father being responsible for keeping Serpents like Sweet Pea inline. Someone has to step up in order to prevent an all-out war from erupting. Hearing these words from Jughead convince Toni to continue helping him with his review of the laws.

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Toni and Jughead kissing

After Jughead's successful initiation, they sit in the trailer, as he heals up. Toni congratulates him for passing that initiation. As he holds an ice pack against his face, Toni points out that he is going to have a difficult time hiding his brand new double-headed Serpent tattoo from Betty, though as Toni comes to learn, he and Betty broke up, thus making his tattoo a non-issue. Upon hearing this, Toni leans in for a kiss, which he reciprocates.[3]

After this kiss, they sleep in the same place, in Jughead's trailer in Sunnyside Trailer Park. They have breakfast at Pop's, and Toni reveals that the kiss was platonic, and she says she's more "into girls". She continues by saying that she knows that Jughead is still reeling over Betty Cooper and their forced breakup, and that he still loves her. [4]

Jughead is forced out of the Red and Black newsroom by Archie, as he's warned that there's a raid of Southside High. Right on cue, Mayor McCoy and Sheriff Keller round up everybody who has the sign of a Southside Serpent on any article of clothing, and Jughead calls Toni to help her escape as well. She runs towards him, but is caught by a cop and slammed against the lockers, and handcuffed.

As they are walking the halls of Southside High, Jughead sees a group of cops round the corner. Thinking that this is another raid, Toni calms him down, saying that they found out the Sugar Man, who, to their shock, is Robert Phillips, their English teacher and adviser of the Red and Black.[5]

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Jughead and Tall Boy arguing over the sit-down with the Mayor

Jughead enters the Whyte Wyrm to announce his father's upcoming release from prison. The Serpents rejoice, including Toni. Upon FP's release, Jughead plans to him up to speed on his plan to have a sit down with the Mayor McCoy, which will supposedly "bring the Southside back". Unfortunately, Tall Boy expresses his frustration with Jughead's plan to compromise with the Mayor and the Northsiders. Hearing this, Jughead explains that he is sick of Tall Boy acting like "a little bitch". Furthermore, Tall Boy's whispers of Jughead being half a Serpent are becoming a great concern of his. Looking to resolve the conflict, Jughead decides to put their next move to a vote. If the Serpents disagree with his mission to find a peaceful resolution with the Northside, then he will step aside, however, if they stand alongside him, he will follow through with the plan as scheduled. Toni stands to her feet, asking for a show of hands as she says "all those who stand with Jughead and think that Tall Boy should shut the hell up". Many of the Serpents within the bar raise their hands in agreement with Jughead's plan to negotiate with the Mayor on their behalf.

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Jughead and Toni in the Whyte Wyrm

Jughead later returns to the Whyte Wyrm, where he and Toni speak about his father's release. Though, this discussion leads them to the Snakee Charmer and the drug delivery that Jughead had made for her in Greendale, which he has informed Toni of. Toni asks if Penny has called him for any more favors since, to which Jughead replies that the delivery is the favor, meaning that he technically no longer owes Penny. For Jughead's sake, Toni hopes that he is right.

The following night, Toni works from behind the bar during FP's retirement party, which Betty has arranged in honor of him leaving the Serpents. Toni offers Jughead a drink as he looks nervous while walking past the bar, but he declines. She then silently observes as Betty enters the bar with her mother, Alice Cooper, a former member of the Southside Serpents.[6]

Taking out the Snake Charmer[]

While wrapping up gifts at the Whyte Wyrm with Fogarty, Sweet Pea, and the other Serpents, Toni was approached by Jughead who is still new to the Serpents and had not the slightest clue as to what they were doing. Toni explained that they gave back to the Southside every year. It had become a Serpent tradition to look after the young and the elderly of the Southside during the holiday season and to help out via Toys for Tots and Meals on Wheels. Jughead remarked that he was always down for charitable works.

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The young Serpents joining together to take down the Snake Charmer

Jughead rallied Toni, Sweet Pea, Fogarty, and many of the other young Serpents to reveal that Penny had forced his father into dealing drugs. He knew this because he was dealing Penny's drug before his father's release from prison. Since then, she had dragged in Tall Boy and Sweet Pea. Jughead feared that the Serpents would eventually end up like the Ghoulies. Furthermore, he couldn't imagine that any of them became Serpents merely to be at the beck and call of a drug Queenpin like Penny. The path that the Serpents were currently headed down only ended in two ways, jail or death. Which is why in the interest of self-preservation, Jughead wanted to take out Penny before she could take out the Serpents. However, Sweet Pea wasn't sure that his plan was wise, especially considering that the Snake Charmer had helped some of them in the past. Though this admittedly came at a price, several favors to be exact. Jughead promised that if they didn't stop Penny that night, she was going to get every single one of them in on the business of drug-running. The only remaining question was whether or not they were willing to risk their lives in order to his father's life. "What is the first law", Toni asked. "No Serpent stands alone", Sweet Pea replied. Having said that, Toni, Sweet Pea, Fogarty, and the others agreed to assist Jughead in stopping the Snake Charmer.

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Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, and Fogarty surrounding Penny

That night, led by Jughead, the young Serpents, hidden behind snake masks, entered Penny's warehouse, placed a black hood over her head, and carried her away. Toni removed the hood from over her head after they drove her out to Greendale, as she had been banned from returning to the Southside. While they didn't care where she set up shop, it wasn't going to be in Riverdale or with the Serpents. If she sought to deal drugs and extort people, that would be done elsewhere. Penny laughed at them, then pulling up the sleeve of her leather jacket to reveal her Serpents tattoo, stating that Serpent law prohibited them from hurting one of their own. With that being said, it was time that she learn that her tattoo didn't make her a Serpent considering that she hadn't been honoring their ways. Toni and Sweet Pea held Penny down as Jughead pulled out a knife, and forcefully removed her tattoo with said knife, which was an excruciatingly painful process.[7]

Transferring to Riverdale High[]

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Toni reading over Jughead's script

Jughead and Toni sat on the steps of Southside High as she read over his novel, which she remarked as being "very Lovecraftian". Which is a direct reference to the subgenre of horror fiction that emphasized the cosmic horror of the unknown more than gore or other elements of shock. Toni asked if he had written the script on a typewriter, which he had, claiming that his interest in typewriting was merely a technique to better understand H. P. Lovecraft's headspace. However, Toni concluded that his interest peaked with Betty giving him a typewriter for Christmas. They were then interrupted by the sound of Sweet Pea and Fogarty kicking open the school's doors. They explained to Toni and Jughead that Southside High was closing down due to quarantine and that they were all transferring to Riverdale High.

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Jughead, Sweet Pea, Toni and Fogarty arriving at Riverdale High

The next day, Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, Fogarty and the other transfers from the Southside arrived at Riverdale High to the sight of a welcoming committee awaiting their arrival. They were greeted by Veronica as well as others. To ease their transition to the Northside, she had set up a registration desk in the hallway, where they can get locker assignments, class schedules, and a list of sports and extracurriculars. Cheryl and Reggie interrupted just as Veronica was encouraging each of them to drink deeply from the cup that is "fair Riverdale". With the River Vixens and Riverdale Bulldogs in tow, Cheryl approached the registration desk to hurl insults at the Serpents, referring to them as "Southside scum" and "raggamuffins". Cheryl refused to allow Riverdale High's above average GPA to suffer because of overcrowded classrooms with underachievers such as themselves. Cheryl instructed them to find another school to deface. In doing so, she angered Toni. Just as the two were about to face off, Archie stepped in the middle of them, hoping to put their differences aside so that they could start over. But the rivaling sides went back and forth until Mr. Weatherbee arrived to send them off to class.

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The Serpents being framed by Reggie

In the student lounge, Toni became acquainted with Veronica Lodge, of the Park Avenue Lodges, Jughead added. Toni introduced herself as well. Veronica was intrigued by her last name, Topaz, like the purple colored gemstone, Veronica commented. After Fogarty, Josie and Kevin introduced themselves, Mr. Weatherbee called them out into the hallway to find out who had defaced the school's seal with a spray-painted Serpent on top. Next to Weatherbee stood Reggie, who they suspected of being the actual vandal. The Serpents were innocent, though Weatherbee believed otherwise, especially with Reggie in his ear, claiming that the Serpents were doing what they do best, tagging their territory. Having fallen victim to Reggie's lies, effective immediately, Weatherbee outlawed gang behavior of any kind. As of that moment, Serpent jackets would no longer be tolerated and tattoos were expected to be covered. Possession of any gang paraphernalia would lead to immediate suspension.

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Toni at the Whyte Wyrm

After school, at the Whyte Wyrm, Jughead expressed his frustration with Weatherbee to Toni and Sweet Pea, claiming that they were being profiled. He was already telling them what to wear. Jughead was worried about what might follow, possibly brain implants that can control what they think. Toni advised him to calm down as he sounded like a conspiracy nut. She and Sweet Pea went on to explain that with the closing of Southside High, they were now attending a better school with a computer lab, textbooks, and fully functioning toilets. As far as Toni and Sweet Pea were concerned, getting transferred to Riverdale High was the best thing that could've ever happened to them. If it meant that they had to take off their Serpent jackets from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday, then so be it.

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Jughead getting suspended while Reggie, Fangs, Toni and Sweet Pea are given a week of detention

The following day, in the student lounge, Toni, Sweet Pea and Fangs were shocked as they watched Jughead return to school while wearing his Serpent jacket even though such attire had been banned. Along with them, was Reggie and the Bulldogs, who demanded that Jughead remove it. Jughead declined, telling Reggie that he couldn't comply and that Reggie wouldn't understand why because he had no sense of honor, history, or loyalty. This angered Reggie to the point where he became physical, forcefully trying to tear Jughead's jacket from his body. To no surprise, Sweet Pea and Fogarty came to Jughead's aid as Toni stood back, helplessly watching on, resulting in a rumble in the center of the lounge between the Serpents and Bulldogs. After Weatherbee managed to separate the feuding sides, they were each given a week of detention. Weatherbee then looked to Jughead, who still wore his jacket proudly. He demanded that Jughead take it off. Should he refuse, he would be suspended. In that case, Jughead took the suspension.

Jughead arrived at school the following day, without his jacket, only to find that Toni and Sweet Pea had been issued standard uniform (navy blue collar shirts and khaki pants) by Weatherbee, who claimed to understand that not every Southside student had the means to purchase Riverdale High acceptable clothing. The uniform would supposedly help them fit in. Where's Fogarty, Jughead asked. Sweet Pea told Jughead that he was suspended after refusing to wear the uniform. Essentially, their choices were conform or be cast out.

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Toni, Fogarty and Sweet Pea at the club meeting

Later, Jughead welcomed Toni, Sweet Pea, Fogarty and the other Serpents to the inaugural meeting of the "Swords and Serpents" club. When Toni asked him to elaborate on the purpose of the club, Jughead explained that officially, they are a gaming group sanctioned by Mr. Weatherbee, where like-minded students can meet to concoct world building, role-playing scenarios, inhabiting fantastical heroes, and dispatching mythological creatures. Unofficially, it's a safe haven-like club for them to be Serpents during school hours and under everyone's noses. Jughead refused to allow them to shed their skin, rather they would simply be lying low in the tall grass.[8]

Honoring the Uktena[]

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Toni sitting in as Jughead interviews her grandfather

With Toni's help on his upcoming oral history report, Jughead would be interviewing her grandfather, the oldest living Serpent and one of its founding members. They conducted the interview in her grandfather's trailer, where Thomas told Jughead that the snake and the laws were all based on Uktena tradition. The Uktena is a horned serpent and/or a water serpent. Before there was a Riverdale, all the land belonged to the Uktena. Jughead asked how did the Uktena evolve into the Serpents. Toni's grandfather laughed hysterically as the Uktena didn't evolve. They were all slaughtered. When Toni's great-great-grandfather was a baby, there was a raid, and it was led by Riverdale's very own General Pickens. The battle only lasted for 12 minutes, but the slaughter was total and savage. General Pickens, whose statue stood proudly in Pickens Park, was responsible for the massacre of many, including children. To make matters worse, every year the Northside honored him. When Toni's great-great-grandfather died, Thomas and the remaining Uktena formed the Serpents as a way to keep the family together. Jughead wondered how no one knew of this. While few were aware of this, Toni told Jughead that it was called the whitewashing of history, then referencing to Jason Blossom, as she added that he wasn't the first person to be murdered in Riverdale.

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Toni reading Jughead's article

Toni confronted Jughead a couple days later after he published a Blue and Gold article addressing General Pickens and the massacre of the Uktena tribe. The article read "General Pickens was a murderer and ripples from his gruesome acts continue to be felt today. Descendants of the victims are still being displaced. So I challenge the Northside, instead of honoring men like General Pickens and Hiram Lodge, hold them accountable. Reparations must be paid to men like Thomas Topaz, who are too old and beaten down to fight back for themselves." Riverdale was a troubled town, and Jughead thought that publishing the article would strong-arm them into owning up to it. Toni exclaimed that her grandfather wasn't a broken down victim nor was he a prop for Jughead's vendetta against the Northside. While she understood that he hated the Northside and that being invited to work the Pickens Day party triggered all the rage about being born on the wrong side of the tracks, the Uktena tribe, as far as Toni was concerned, wasn't Jughead's story to tell.

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Toni waiting for Jughead to apologize to her grandfather

On Pickens Day, Toni took Jughead back to her grandfather's trailer to apologize for what he had done. Jughead explained the reason behind his actions. He was angry because the Southside is their home and he was sick of watching it get dismantled piece by piece in front of their eyes. The Northside took their drive-in. Then they took their school. As Jughead started to get off track, Toni reminded him that he was supposed to be apologizing. Admittedly, he shouldn't have used Thomas' story or what happened to the Uktena against the Northside. Jughead knew that he had no right and he was sorry. However, whatever his reasons were, Jughead had opened an old wound by publishing that article, and something had to be done to heal it. Toni asked her grandfather if he had something in mind.

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The Serpents honoring the Uktena tribe at Pickens Day

Later that day, the Serpents, led by Toni, interrupted Veronica and the Pussycats' performance and invaded the Pickens Day celebration. With duct-tape over their mouths and signs in their hands that read 'honor this land' and 'sacred land, they marched into the park. Jughead stood next to Thomas. With Sweet Pea and Fogarty at her side, Toni stood in front of the stage to announce that they represented the dead and the silenced. Pickens Day was a lie. General Pickens slaughtered the Uktena tribe, her grandfather's family. And the land in which they were standing on, would soon give way to a new Southside, which was stolen from them. While the Serpents couldn't bring them back, they could at the very least honor them. Hoping to prevent any further dilemmas, Hiram Lodge got on stage to applaud the Serpents for standing up for justice, as well as the honor and legacy of the Uktena, who contribute to the rich tapestry that is Riverdale, that is the Southside and that will be SoDale.[9]

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Toni, Sweet Pea and Jughead listening to FP's speech

Days after the desecration of General Pickens' statue, Sheriff Keller stopped by the Sunnyside Trailer Park to issue two week eviction notices for all its residents with the order coming down from the Mayor's office. Supposedly, there was a lot of back rent owed at the trailer park though the Serpents knew that the abrupt evictions from their homes had little to do with back rent. At the Whyte Wyrm, Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea and the Serpents listened to FP as he got on stage to declared that none of them were going anywhere. The heat had been on them since Pickens Day and the Mayor was using the decapitated statue of General Pickens as an excuse to turn up the heat. But if they were going to solve their dilemma, FP had to ask if anyone in the bar was responsible for cutting off the statue's head. Tall Boy suggested that FP ask Jughead what he had to say since he wrote the article that started it all. And he and his posse (Toni, Sweet Pea and Fogarty) only made it worse by firing the first shot at Pickens Day. Though Toni pointed out that it was a peaceful protest.

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The Serpents gathered around Penny

The next day, the Snake Charmer returned to the bar after being brought back in by Tall Boy who requested her legal assistance with the two week eviction notices at Sunnyside from the Mayor's office. Toni, Sweet Pea and the Serpents gathered around Penny as she told them how Jughead sliced a chunk out of her arm where her Serpent tattoo used to be and how he left her bleeding in a ditch in Greendale. Regardless, the Snake Charmer was still willing to help the Serpents. While the eviction notices that Tall Boy had shown her were legitimate, she could think of no shortage of ways to possibly stall the process by years. Her price, however, was blood for blood. An eye for an eye. She not only wanted her membership with the Serpents reinstated, she wanted Jughead to be kicked out in her place. But for her final demand in exchange for her services, she wanted to carve off Jughead's tattoo with a dirty knife.

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The Serpents voting for Tall Boy to be exiled

The Serpents decided that they would put it to a vote, Jughead vs Penny. At the Whyte Wyrm a couple days later, as they were determining whether or not Jughead would remain a Serpent, Jughead, FP and Betty entered the Wyrm with General Pickens' head in hand. FP demanded that they stop the vote in light of recent developments. They sat Tall Boy down to ask him what he was doing at the dump last week since they had discovered that it was, in fact, him who cut the head off the Pickens statue and dumped it at the junkyard. Tall Boy revealed that he stole the head because he was tired of seeing the Serpents go soft under FP's rule. Hiram Lodge came by, wanting to stir up trouble. He told Tall Boy that if he took the head, he'd get Mayor McCoy and the cops to swarm all over the Serpents, causing chaos in the process. Tall Boy helped Hiram Lodge start a mutiny, and Jughead wanted to know why. Tall Boy did so, hoping to get rid of Jughead and FP, leaving the Serpents under the leadership of him and Penny. In doing this, Tall Boy betrayed his own kind and broke Serpent law. His punishment was being stripped of his jacket and exiled.[10]

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Toni at the meeting

At school, Jughead holds a meeting of the Swords and Serpents to discuss the demolition of Southside High. He believes that Hiram Lodge plans to take over everything that makes the Southside their home, like the Whyte Wyrm. He explains to Toni, Sweet Pea, Fogarty and the other Serpents that Southside High is the soul of the Southside. The Uktena fought and died trying to protect the land. Their parents fought to keep it safe during the riots. Now, it is their turn to protect it. Jughead is ready to go to war. As are the others.[11]

Return of the Black Hood[]

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Musical rehearsal

As the rehearsal for "Carrie: The Musical" commences, everyone runs into the auditorium, singing and dancing together. Toni, Cheryl, Josie, Veronica, Betty, Midge, Moose and Archie get on stage, where they continue to sing and dance before being joined by Fangs Fogarty, the assistant director. The cast then begins introductions, starting with Archie who will portray "Tommy Ross", the boy next door. Betty plays "Sue Snell", the good girl. Veronica portrays "Chris Hargensen", the mean girl. And Cheryl will be playing the iconic role of "Carrie White". As for who will be portraying, "Margaret White", Carrie's mom, that role goes to Alice Cooper, which comes as a surprise to almost everyone. Kevin explains that while her casting is untraditional, to him, there's nothing more amateur than age-inappropriate casting. Alice is both looking forward to playing Margaret and spending more time with Betty. Chuck Clayton joins them late after mistaking that rehearsal was in the music room.

As the videographer, Jughead begins his behind the scenes interview of the cast and crew, starting with Chuck. Jughead wonders why he chose to join the school musical. Chuck is trying to reform his image. It may be counter-intuitive to be playing the villain, but someone has to do it and Chuck wants to do it right by showing up, putting in the work, and being a member of the team. He hopes by the end of it, people will start to change their minds about him.

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Cheryl singing "Carrie"

Cheryl interrupts as rehearsal gets underway as she has heard whisperings that some of them, mainly Ethel and Josie, don't think she's fit to play the role of Carrie White. So to settle the matter, she begins to sing "Carrie" to prove them wrong. Kevin initially doesn't believe that this is necessary, but after hearing Cheryl's performance, all doubts surrounding her casting are no more. Ethel Josie, Veronica, Betty, Alice, Toni, Midge, Moose, Archie, Jughead, Kevin, Fangs, Chuck give Cheryl a round of applause. As Cheryl heads back to her seat, a heavy sandbag falls from above and nearly crushes her.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Kevin informs Fangs, Toni, Ethel, Alice, Moose, Midge, Betty, Chuck, Veronica, Archie, Jughead and Josie that Cheryl will no longer be playing Carrie. When they ask why, Kevin simply replies that Penelope Blossom isn't much of a stage mom, which comes as no surprise to Alice. He then informs Toni that Cheryl can be found by the bleachers. In the meantime, Cheryl's understudy will assume the role, that being Midge, who Kevin appointed after the sandbag incident.

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Jughead recording Toni singing backstage

Opening night, Jughead records backstage as Toni, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Kevin, Midge, Moose, Kevin, Alice, Chuck and Ethel sing "A Night We'll Never Forget". The play begins and the crowd is packed. Jughead records from the crowd, sitting alongside Kevin and Cheryl as Alice sings "Evening Prayers". Betty, Veronica, Moose, Toni and Archie watch from backstage. When Alice cues Midge, the curtains raise only to reveal that Midge has been murdered by the Black Hood. She has been stabbed with knives and scissors and pinned to the wall. On the wall, written in blood is a message. "I Am Back From The Dead. All Those Who Escaped Me Before Will Die... B.H" When Alice screams in fear, the crowd realizes that this is not part of the play and the auditorium erupts in panic and chaos.[12]

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Swords & Serpents meeting

At a meeting of the Swords & Serpents, Toni, Sweet Pea, Fangs and the other Serpents learn that their old adversaries, the Ghoulies, have been released from Shankshaw Prison. Jughead informs them that word on the street is that they want Serpent blood. They want war. Their meeting is interrupted by Reggie, Archie, Kevin, Moose and the rest of the Bulldogs. They've come for answers to who was hooking up with Midge. Reggie immediately points his finger at Sweet Pea, who does not take the allegation lightly. He claims that while he didn't know Midge, he completely understands why she wouldn't want flees from the mangy Bulldogs. Reggie is angered by Sweet Pea's insult and pushes him. This nearly leads to a fight. Thankfully, Archie and Jughead are there to keep their respective sides at bay.

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Jughead and Toni watch Fangs' video

The next day, at school, Toni shows Jughead the leaked behind the scenes documentary footage of Fangs in Midge's dressing room. According to Toni, it was posted on the Registers' website. Jughead and Toni set out to find Fangs as Mr. Weatherbee announces over the intercom that he's looking for him. Luckily, they find him fairly quickly. However, so does Reggie, Kevin, Moose and the rest of the Dark Circle. The Dark Circle stand on one end of the hallway, whilst Sheriff Minetta and his deputies stand on the other. Fangs insists that he didn't do anything, but when he tries to run, Sheriff Minetta wrestles him to a wall as he resists arrest. In doing so, a switchblade falls out of Fangs' pocket. Seeing this, Sheriff Minetta slams Fangs onto the ground before cuffing him.

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Toni, Fangs, Jughead and Sweet Pea

The Serpents gather at the Sheriff Station to try to find a way to get Fangs out safely as an angry mob has formed just outside. Jughead tells Sheriff Minetta that the can't take Fangs out front and that they should take the side exit. However, a crowd has formed out there as well, meaning the station is surrounded. Toni, Jughead, Sweet Pea and Fangs are left to wonder what move they have left to make. Fangs begins to panic as he doesn't wish to die. Jughead assures him that he won't. They'll stand together so that none of them fall. Together, they recite that "In unity, there is strength". Toni, Jughead and Sweet Pea shield Fangs from the crowd as they escort him out. FP joins them, though the crowd is massive. Archie arrives at the station just as they're making their way through the crowd. As does Reggie. However, he has a gun and he's come to see to it that Fangs doesn't get away with Midge's murder. Archie spots the gun and before Reggie can use it, Archie tackles him to the ground. They fight on the ground over the gun, which unintentionally goes off, shooting Fangs in the abdomen. FP, Jughead, Sweet Pea and Toni tends to Fangs as he lays on the ground bleeding. While Jughead yells out for help, Sweet Pea looks to Archie and Reggie as his hate for them builds. A fight then erupts within the crowd.[13]

Toni is captured by the Snake Charmer, Penny Peabody, and used as leverage to arrange a meet up with Jughead. When Penny calls him, she threatens to carve up Toni's, who is restrained. When Toni tells Penny to go to hell, Penny threatens to cut out her tongue.

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Toni tied up

Jughead meets with Penny at his old hangout as planned. Toni, who is tied to the couch with rope, informs Jughead that Penny's not alone. She has apparently joined Malachai and the Ghoulies. She never goes anywhere without back up now, not after what Jughead did to her. Besides, Penny and Malachai want to talk, but Jughead sees no reason to continue the conversation. He pulls out his knife and tells them that he's taking Toni. However, Malachai won't allow for it. It seems that much like Penny, Jughead did not come alone. He called Cheryl, who armed with her bow and arrows, tells Malachai to stand down and requests that Toni be untied. Penny and Malachai comply, but Penny tells Jughead to remember that when his friends are dead, she tried to give him a chance to stop it. Penny wants the Southside. There's money to be made in Riverdale. So, she partnered with the Ghoulies to sell drugs on the Southside. She makes Jughead one final offer. The Serpents leave Riverdale tonight or there will be a showdown at Pickens Park at dawn with the Ghoulies.

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The Serpents vote to go to war with the Ghoulies

At the Whyte Wyrm, the Serpents gather to discuss Penny's offer. Sweet Pea wants to end the Ghoulies along with Penny. However, Jughead would rather they avoid going to war with the Ghoulies, especially over territory that they don't even control anymore. Jughead explains that this is Hiram Lodge's problem. Toni speaks out against Jughead's notion to just give up the Southside, Sunnyside Trailer Park included. Jughead explains that they will die in a fight against the Ghoulies. While it may be a suicide run, Sweet Pea would rather that than a coward's death. FP arrives and brings an end to the back and forth. He just got a call from the sheriff's office that Fangs in dead. They will mourn his death, but first they will honor him. So, FP wants to put Penny's offer to a vote. Jughead is the only Serpent against going to war with the Ghoulies. The rest of the Serpents and Cheryl are for going to war, as they raise their hands and bend their fingers to simulate snake fangs.

When FP learns from Betty that Jughead had called her to say goodbye, he asks Toni where Penny's hideout is. Toni, Archie, Betty, Cheryl, Sweet Pea, and the Serpents arrive at Jughead's old hangout where he sacrificed himself to Penny and the Ghoulies in order to save everyone else. FP comes out of the woods holding a lifeless Jughead in his arms. He has been beaten bloody and senseless, and his Serpent tattoo removed. Toni, Archie, Betty, Cheryl, Sweet Pea and FP are speechless.[14]

A New Serpent King is Crowned[]

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Jughead meets with Toni and Sweet Pea

When Jughead calls a meeting of the Sword & Serpents, Toni and Sweet Pea are the only Serpents left to attend. He called the meeting to discuss the memo that was sent out by Mr. Weatherbee, which claims that Riverdale High is overcrowded, resulting in the transfer of all Southside High students to Seaside High, which is two hours away, meaning Weatherbee blames the Southsiders for trashing the school during riot night. To be fair, Sweet Pea and the Serpents did in fact trash the school. Realizing that it is his fault, Sweet Pea looks to Jughead for their next move. However, Jughead doesn't know if they even have a move. They can't keep fighting for a gang that no longer exists i.e. the Serpents. Toni asks what will come of her and Sweet Pea, along with all the other Serpents at the Whyte Wyrm. However, Jughead had no knowledge of any Serpents at the Wyrm.

Toni, Sweet Pea and Jughead arrive at the Wyrm. Jughead is disgusted to see what has come of the Serpents, sleeping on the old sofas and eating out of cans. They're almost unrecognizable. The Ghoulies destroyed most of Sunnyside, and a lot of Serpents couldn't afford to leave Riverdale, so they came to the Wrym. Jughead asks if his dad knows about this, which he does.

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The Serpents prepare to leave the Wyrm

The following night, Toni gets a call from Cheryl, alerting her that Sheriff Minetta plans to raid the Wyrm. And if things turn violent and some Serpents end up shot, so much the better. Archie, Jughead and Cheryl arrive at the Wyrm to coordinate with Toni, Sweet Pea and the other Serpents. Jughead tells them to only take the necessities and what they can carry with them. They need to move quickly and quietly. Sheriff Minetta's forces are all over the Southside and they're looking for Serpent blood. If they want their skulls to remain uncracked, they have to go undetected, Jughead states. When Sweet Pea questions where they are headed as there is no place safe for them, Jughead informs them that they've been offered asylum on the Northside. Toni, Sweet Pea, Archie, Jughead, Cheryl and the Serpents exit the Wyrm. They creep throughout the quiet streets of Riverdale, avoiding police detection.

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The Northside and the Southside untie against Weatherbee

The asylum on the Northside that Jughead spoke of turns out to be the Andrews house, as Fred Andrews feeds the Serpents the following morning. Toni then joins the rest of her classmates at school, where they all come together in a show support of the Southside students who are being wrongly transferred. Toni, Cheryl, Sweet Pea, Jughead, Archie, Josie, Veronica, Reggie, Moose, Kevin and many other students put on Serpent jackets and confront principal Weatherbee. Archie explains that everyone is ready to walk out. Mr. Weatherbee threatens to expel any student that does, though Archie calls his bluff. He knows that Weatherbee is a good man who doesn't discriminate, and if he isn't, Archie tells Weatherbee to expel him as he doesn't wish to be a part of that. With that being said, Weatherbee tells everyone to get to class. As they head to class, Toni tells Cheryl that the Serpent jacket looks good on her. Cheryl remarks that everything looks good on her. In that case, Toni suggests making it official.

Toni, Cheryl, Sweet Pea, Jughead, Archie, Veronica, Reggie, Kevin and Moose are in the student lounge when Mr. Weatherbee announces that the student council election votes are in. The new student body president of Riverdale High is Archie Andrews. The entire student body applauds his election. In unrelated news, Weatherbee also announces that for the foreseeable future, all former Southside High students will remain at Riverdale High. The entire student body applauds once more in celebration.

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Serpents meeting

Later that evening, FP calls for a meeting of the Serpents by the lakeside. Jughead, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Toni and Cheryl are all in attendance. Along with all the remaining Serpents. More than 60 years ago, the very first Serpent meeting took place on the very same riverbanks in which they stand, FP explains. So it seems fitting that this is where they gather for FP's goodbye. He calls Jughead up onstage to announce that he's retiring from the Serpents, but that Jughead will take his place considering that he's never stopped fighting for the Serpents and almost died for them. Jughead tells FP that he loves him and that the Serpents won't die out while under his leadership. As his first official duty as Serpent King, Jughead is to grant Cheryl membership into the Serpents. He even gifts her with a custom red Serpent jacket. Cheryl puts on the jacket and is welcomed with open arms into the Serpents.

The following day, Toni, Cheryl, Jughead, Veronica, and Betty watch from the stands as Archie prepares to be inaugurated in the school gymnasium. However, the event goes awry when Sheriff Minetta and two deputies enter the gym to arrest Archie for the murder of Shadow Lake resident, Cassidy Bullick.[15]

Quotes[]

Jughead: "Last night was--"
Toni: "A PG-13 grope-session?"
Jughead: "Ooh. Way to knock a guy down a peg."
Toni: "Look, cards on the table, you're not over Betty. And I'm not interested in being anybody's rebound. Besides, I'm more into girls anyways."
Jughead and Toni talking about their kiss[src]

Gallery[]

Season 2 Screencaps[]

Season 3 Screencaps[]

References[]

  1. Maxwell, Ross (writer) & Sullivan, Kevin (director) (October 25, 2017). "Chapter Sixteen: The Watcher in the Woods". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 3. The CW.
  2. Lasher, Amanda (writer) & Anders, Allison (director) (November 1, 2017). "Chapter Seventeen: The Town That Dreaded Sundown". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 4. The CW.
  3. Allen, Aaron (writer) & Pressman, Ellen (director) (November 8, 2017). "Chapter Eighteen: When a Stranger Calls". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 5. The CW.
  4. Williams, Tessa Leigh & Anderson, Arabella (writers) & Kiley, Maggie (director) (November 15, 2017). "Chapter Nineteen: Death Proof". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 6. The CW.
  5. Williams, Tessa Leigh & Anderson, Arabella (writers) & Kiley, Maggie (director) (November 15, 2017). "Chapter Nineteen: Death Proof". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 6. The CW.
  6. Lawrence, Yolanda (writer) & Sullivan, Kevin (director) (December 6, 2017). "Chapter Twenty-One: House of the Devil". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 8. The CW.
  7. Boucher, Shepard (writer) & Seidenglanz, Rob (director) (December 13, 2017). "Chapter Twenty-Two: Silent Night, Deadly Night". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 9. The CW.
  8. Lundin, Britta & Paterson, Brian E. (writers) & Hunter, Tim (director) (January 17, 2018). "Chapter Twenty-Three: The Blackboard Jungle". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 10. The CW.
  9. Murray, Greg & Turner, Devon (writers) & Araki, Gregg (director) (January 24, 2018). "Chapter Twenty-Four: The Wrestler". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 11. The CW.
  10. Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto (writer) & Talalay, Rachel (director) (January 31, 2018). "Chapter Twenty-Five: The Wicked and The Divine". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 12. The CW.
  11. DeWille, James (writer) & Shilati, Sherwin (director) (March 21, 2018). "Chapter Twenty-Nine: Primary Colors". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 16. The CW.
  12. Anderson, Arabella & Leigh Williams, Tessa (writers) & Stone, Jason (director) (April 18, 2018). "Chapter Thirty-One: A Night to Remember". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 18. The CW.
  13. Lawrence, Yolonda (writer) & Smith, Gregory (director) (May 2, 2018). "Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadow of a Doubt". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 20. The CW.
  14. Boucher, Shepard (writer) & Nowlan, Cherie (director) (May 9, 2018). "Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 21. The CW.
  15. Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto (writer) & Adelson, Steven A (director) (May 16, 2018). "Chapter Thirty-Five: Brave New World". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 22. The CW.
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