The next day come along and Charlie was summoned to meet with King Andrias at his castle but Charlie was a bit nervous in doing so. But as Charlie was there, he was speaking with at least forty amphibians in another room that looked like a room used for having a meeting in. King Andrias wasn't present in the room at the time.
The forty amphibians were consisting of twenty males and twenty females. Eighteen of them were between the ages of twenty-one to thirty-five, ten of them were in the age range between late twenties to early forties, and the remaining twelve were all in their fifties, the oldest one probably looking to be at least ten years younger than Hop Pop.
"This agriculture meeting will begin now. Charlie Matsuda, what solution do you have for us that you've expressed can heal any if not all residents of Newtopia if any of them are suffering from an affliction of sorts?" asked the oldest amphibian in the room.
Charlie did feel a little nervous but there was something he thought about that was giving him a sense of confidence. He was thinking of Anne as he imagined Anne's face was talking to him.
"Charlie, imagine your the smartest one in the room. Imagine your Malcolm from that old film we saw when it was movie night back at Wartwood"
As Anne's face disappeared, he imagined he was a very rational, intelligent male adult who wore black and he imagined that he was this male adult that Anne mentioned. He shown an oddly confident yet stoic expression.
"I think we should plant and grow something that the population of Newtopia can benefit from. There are people who have afflictions that some people don't have a reliable solution. Being visually or hearing impaired, suffering from injuries and wounds that take a long time to heal from and the healing process isn't always fast while they're in some slight agony that I wish upon no one, some people even suffering an affliction that is hereditary such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, insomnia, or some thing that are not hereditary but they just are suffering from something they developed that is a problem for them such as bladder infections, heart conditions that can only be resolved by taking medications or wearing a pace maker or those who lost part of a limb. Especially if losing part of a limb led to them being confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of their lives. It's afflictions or conditions that people struggle with and it's affected their lives." explained Charlie.
They were all murmuring as they all knew that he had a point in his lecture. But they still didn't know what solution he had in mind, other than planting and growing something that can be used for a natural cure to anything he's listed.
"What are you suggesting for us to plant and grow?" asked one of the younger male amphibians curiously.
Charlie pulled out a bag that he had with him and the bag was about the size of a backpack. They looked at it curiously and he loosened the tie he had on the top of it. Their mouths fell open as they gasped when Charlie pulled out one of the golden apples that was in the bag.
"It can't be!" said one of the young female amphibian in shock.
"The golden miracle all healing apple!" everyone said in unison.
"And I got plenty more in this bag and more somewhere else." Charlie told them. "I would like for you to use the seeds from these apples and plant them anywhere in Newtopia that is perfect to plant and grow them. Plant and grow as many of them as you can. But use some of the apples to go and heal people suffering from any afflictions. Even use the juices from the apples for ether drinking or if you have to. Put them in a needle and inject it inside them. I was told by a reliable source that it works any other way."
The group of amphibians in the room were murmuring happily as if they knew that this was one of the best ideas anyone has ever suggested to them. So many of them smiled and looked excited with a twinkle of excitement in their eyes.
"All in favor of this brilliant idea. Say aye." said one of the younger male amphibians.
"Aye!" said everyone in the room.
"All oppose?" said one of the forty year old amphibians.
There was a silence in the room as no one opposed of the idea that Charlie had presented them and they knew what it meant.
"Well, it's unanimous. Charlie Matsuda's idea is approved." said the oldest amphibian with a grin. "We move forward with the suggestion immediately, meeting over."
The oldest amphibian had used a gavel to bang on the desk and everyone gave a salute. As the meeting was over and done with. Charlie was leaving the room as they were all going to discuss where to plant and grow the seeds of these apples and Charlie walked out of the room with Anne, Marcy, and the Plantars waiting for him.
"How did it go?" asked Anne curiously.
"They loved the idea and they're going to plant and grow as many of them as they can in the right places of Newtopia. There's a new hope for the civilians around here." said Charlie happily.
Anne pulled Charlie in a hug and her rise in euphoria seemed to fill her with incredible strength as she lifted Charlie off his feet from the floor, letting out a happy squeal of excitement.
"Whoa there girl." chuckled Charlie.
"My boyfriend is the best." said Anne jumping for joy.
"Anne! Too tight! Too tight!" Charlie said weakly.
Anne loosened her grip on him and let him stand back on his feet as his feet met the floor. She hugged him gentler which he was able to breathe probably afterwards. After the hugging, that's when Lady Olivia shown up to their side.
"Charlie, first off, how did the meeting go with the agriculture experts?" asked Olivia curiously.
"It went as good as the the martial arts tournament during the way of the spirit celebration. Minus the whooping butt in the martial arts tournament." answered Charlie.
"Splendid. Although, Charlie, there is something else I'll have to run by you right now. King Andrias wanted to have a word with you in private." Olivia informed.
Charlie's confident mood had felt like a balloon got a puncture. A private word with King Andrias? Between him and the huge salamander male? His heart raced and his stomach felt a bit sickly as his smile faded into a visible panic, letting out a loud hiccup.
"King Andrias, wanting to chat with me in private, as in just me and him in one room?" said Charlie slightly shaking.
"He informed me last evening which I assumed he was going to give you the talk about puberty but he made it clear that wasn't reason. Even though I'd suggest Hopediah be the one to give you that talk." said Olivia giving a slight blush to her cheeks.
Charlie gulped and his stomach made a loud gurgling as if he was feeling sick or was about to be sick. They all noticed his sudden change in mood and knew this wasn't a good sign.
"Charlie, are you feeling alright?" asked Marcy worriedly. "I think he's about to be sick."
"It's not that feeling. As for what King Andrias wants to talk to me about. I'd rather not." said Charlie with another hiccup.
Charlie was about to walk off but Anne and Marcy stopped him by holding onto his hand as they knew immediately he was afraid of something when he was informed about having to meet with the king and there was a reason why he was having to chat with him in private.
"Charlie, what's going on? You're acting like your afraid of something or..." Anne stopped mid sentence.
"You're afraid of King Andrias, are you?" asked Marcy guessing the truth.
Charlie shown his eyes were widened slightly and his cheeks were red and Charlie slowly pulled Anne in his arms to hug her as if looking for any form of emotional consolation.
"Please don't leave me alone with him." said Charlie in a low voice.
"Oh my word. He's afraid of King Andrias." Anne said realizing the truth. "He seems to be harmless, if not gigantic as Goliath."
"That's not what has me quivering in my shoes." said Charlie grimly. "There's something about him that I might not trust. Or maybe there's something about him that's just got me feeling uncomfortable and tense around him, even though he's shown to be nice to others. There's something about him that's got my heart sinking like a rock in the water."
They were all seeing that it was confirmed. Charlie was afraid of King Andrias but the reason to why was not what they expected. The expected it to be because the king was just so gigantic but it wasn't his size. One of them had a word of comfort.
"You have nothing to be afraid of King Andrias. He's shown to be completely harmless around everyone, even towards human children." Olivia attempted to reassure.
Even as Lady Olivia's word of comfort did little to console him. He looked at her as if hoping that she could console him or to go with him.
"Would it help to console him if he knew I'd be there with him?" asked Olivia.
Charlie was looking at Lady Olivia with a sense of hope and nodded once. Lady Olivia took hold of Charlie's hand as Anne, Marcy and the Plantars followed. They followed down the hallway that led to the throne room where King Andrias was suspected to be. The stopped at the double doors but Anne gently pulled Lady Olivia to the side to face her.
"Promise me you'll be with him the whole time?" asked Anne hopefully. "Only tell me if you really mean it."
Anne shown a determined face that got the message to be received by the slender newt woman as her mother bear instincts were revved up. Lady Olivia nodded and turned to walk Charlie inside the throne room. The slender newt woman reassured Charlie by taking hold of his hand once they walked inside the throne room where King Andrias was inside. He was placing a book to the side as he took his glasses off. Appearing to have gotten done reading it. He looked up to see them now inside and his attention turned towards Charlie as he shown.
As the two walked forwards and both of them stood in front of the giant male salamander which he had concerned yet curious face once the two were inside. Lady Olivia walked over towards King Andrias and whispered something to him. What ever it was she whispered to him, that gave him a slightly wide eyed expression as if surprised about something he agreed with.
"Charlie, the reason why I've summoned you here, well, just gonna be honest. It's not a matter of life and death, no, but it's something that's enough to be considered concerning. But keep calm, you're not in any trouble." said King Andrias trying to sound consoling.
Charlie looked up at him and his heart and mind racing but with his words sounding the way they did. His fear slightly faded.
"Charlie, please don't laugh at me when I ask this as it's been something that's left me worried and concerned to even bring up." King Andrias continued.
Even Lady Olivia was curious to what King Andrias was getting at with his words and where the conversation was leading to while she gave Charlie a reassuring look. That's when the huge male salamander got down on one knee and reached out his large hand towards Charlie. He flinched and closed his eyes, expecting something horrible about to happen but all he felt was a large and warm finger pressed to his right cheek. He opened his eyes and saw King Andrias with a reassuring expression. His fear was slowly fading.
"Charlie, I sense you have an issue that your struggling with. When you're around me, you show to be tense, stoic, and possibly a shaking mess." King Andrias listed off. "Charlie, are you, afraid? Afraid of me?"
Charlie fell silent at the question. He knew that he guessed the truth but he was struggling to saw a word or even make any sort of sound in response. Lady Olivia was even showing a surprised look as she didn't expect this.
"Are you afraid of me because I'm so gigantic? I'll admit my size is intimidating." King Andrias starting off.
"It's not the size that's bothering me." Charlie blurted out.
This left King Andrias curious. It wasn't his size that terrified him. He suspected a reason to why he was afraid of him.
"Does this have anything to do with your father?" asked King Andrias curiously.
Charlie was surprised that he knew about his father. How did he know was something that Charlie didn't know.
"Did your own father hurt you when you were little? Did he hurt you physically or emotionally? You can tell me." King Andrias guessed.
"How do you know about my dad?" asked Charlie feeling uneasy.
"Marcy told me about your...daddy issues." paused King Andrias. "But don't blame Marcy, she accidentally blurted it out when she was talking about how you've changed in the amount of time Anne and the Plantars first met you and took you in. She told me about how you used to be but was surprised at the dramatic change in your personality because she's a bit surprised that you've changed for the better. Yes, she told me about what went on between you and your father and if anyone is to blame for that personal issue to have been blurted out or brought up, my curiosity got the better of me and I'm to blame for bringing it up. I basically am worried if the reason why you're so afraid of me is because of how your father hurt you as a child-or smaller child."
Charlie now knew that the huge male salamander was showing concern and worry about why he was terrified of him. He probably wanted to tell Marcy not to blurt out that personal issue to anyone but hearing that she blurted it out by accident had him feeling like he couldn't blame her at all since Marcy is generally a sweet and bubbly girl by nature, he often wanted to hug Marcy when she was showing her sweet and bubbly disposition. So he knew that it wasn't Marcy fault.
"To be honest, I got over my daddy issues a while back. The support from Anne and the Plantars was what helped. The day I confessed my feelings to Anne was when I got over my daddy issues. Hop Pop told me that if my dad can't see how lucky he'd be to have me as a son than I didn't need him. He told me I have him and he's right. Hop Pop's been more of a dad to me than my real dad ever was." Charlie cleared up.
"Hmm. Than might I ask why are you so afraid of me for?" asked King Andrias.
Now the young male human was afraid to answer as he didn't want to insult or hurt him with what he's about to tell him. He looked towards Lady Olivia who mouthed silently to him "It's alright" and he felt somewhat reassured as he let out a sigh, facing King Andrias.
"The reason is, well, I suspect that there's something about you that scares me. The first people I met in Amphibia. They were." Charlie paused. "They were bad people and they used me and lied to me and it hurt me. I don't like it when someone lies or uses me for any personal, selfish reasons. I've had a small history with that, my biological dad may have been the one who started the issue but I just don't like it when someone uses or lies to me for the stated reasons. These people also wouldn't let me do what I preferred to do, even my first girl friend was not the best girl friend and as surprising as it is to hear. Anne's my second girl friend in my life and she's more of a better girl friend to me than my first one was. She lets me be myself, she lets me do what i want to do and I let her do what she wants to do. Being with them while I was out of place in this world helped me get through so much out there. When they found me in Wartwood along with others, I had a wound to my leg, it was infected, I ran out of food and water and I got sick but they were there for me, even when at first I didn't like talking about my problems."
Hearing Charlie's words seemed to reassure King Andrias as he suspected the reason for him being afraid of him was ether having something to do with his biological father or something else. He sees that Charlie is afraid of getting hurt if he was to try to trust even him. King Andrias went in and placed his large finger underneath his chin in an attempt to reassure him that he's got nothing to be afraid of the huge male salamander. Charlie's fear was disappearing faster as he saw the reassuring expression on the huge male amphibian's face.
"Oh little Charlie. You have nothing to fear from me. Who ever these people you first met when you arrived here in Amphibia are, and who ever your first girl friend was. I'm sorry that they've hurt you inside, broken your heart, but if you're able to stand up to them with the love and support from Anne, the Plantars, even the residents of Wartwood and even Marcy. Than I know you can take on anything and anyone. You've got nothing to fear from me." reassured King Andrias. "I'd never hurt you."
King Andrias's words and his comforting reaction seemed to be showing that Charlie has nothing to fear about him. The huge male salamander even went in and wrapped a gentle arm around Charlie in the form of a hug. He knew that being much larger meant he was much stronger than someone of Charlie's size compared the the both of them. Charlie's fear of him seemed to have been erased like erasing chalk from a chalkboard.
King Andrias had suddenly planted a soft kiss to Charlie's right cheek which made him blush wide eyed. He unwrapped his arm from him and looked right at the human male.
"Don't worry. I'm not gay or anything. That was more of a kiss of platonic affection. I know that your with Anne and I would never commit adultery. The closest thing to cheating I ever did was when I was a teenager and was first playing bugball. I wasn't good at first but I took an easier way to learn it but it was considered cheating. That's the only time I cheated." admitted King Andrias. "Which that was ten feet, six inches ago."
Charlie burst out laughing when he heard that size joke the king told just now.
"Although my mother survived the birthing process and the doctor told my mother "Congratulations, your baby has broken the world record of Amphibia's biggest baby ever to measured" ." joked King Andrias.
Charlie laughed a little louder as he saw that King Andrias has a sense of humor that he found hilarious. The two took a minute or more to calm down from the laughing fit. The jokes were humorous to the both of them.
"I guess your not the only comedian around here." said Charlie feeling comfortable around him.
"Makes me wonder. What's it like being the only male in a house full of women? Marcy told me you were raised in a house full of women which I at first thought she was joking but now that you've confirmed it. I wonder what it's like?" asked King Andrias curiously.
Charlie blushed slightly and knew that he'd eventually ask him that which he knew that curiosity wasn't a sin so he smiled and let him know.
"I was shy of them women at first. I was really little when they moved in but it wasn't long till I got used to being the only guy in the house. But when I got used to being the only male in the house, it felt like I had an extended family. But everytime someone messed with me, the offenders had two choices, turn themselves in to the police or run. Eight mama bears are scarier than one." said Charlie looking serious.
"They must really love you to be there for you. Imagine their faces when they find out you got a girl friend." said King Andrias blushing.
"I'll let you know if ever find out." said Charlie.
He laughed a little and the sound of the double doors from the exit of the throne room opened and they turned to see some newt soldiers enter the room. There was four of them.
"Pardon us, your highness. We're having to discuss a minor problem. There's a dent in the walls surrounding Newtopia and we're going to need to discuss how to repair the dent, otherwise we're going to have a hole in the wall." said one of the newt soldiers.
"Lady Olivia, I think it's time for us to walk out the door." said Charlie.
Lady Olivia didn't expect the next thing to happen as Charlie came over to her and scooped her up into his arms and carried her out of the throne room and Lady Olivia saw that Charlie was really strong. Strong enough to carry a slender newt woman like her. She stared at him with blushing cheeks.
"He's gorgeous!" Olivia thought to herself.
They were outside the throne room and both Anne, Marcy and the Plantars were seeing them now next to them. Lady Olivia saw that they've seen him carrying her which she blushed deeper and carefully climbed down to the floor and was standing on her feet. She tried to look professional.
"Everything alright in there?" asked Anne curiously.
"Everything was completely fine and when some of the newt soldiers came in. I asked Charlie if we could make a quick exit and I let him carry me out since I knew he was faster on his feet." said Olivia telling half the truth and half a lie. "Charlie was completely alright and King Andrias was really kind to him."
"That's good to know." said Hop Pop relieved.
"How did it go?" asked Polly.
"I'll talk to you guys about it later." said Charlie.
"Do any of you need someone to escort you anywhere?" asked Olivia curiously.
"I think we'll be alright but thanks though." answered Anne kindly.
As Anne, Charlie and the Plantars walked in one direction, Marcy walked down another to tend to what she was doing from before. As Lady Olivia walked off to tend to her duties. She was starting to have some feelings welling up inside her. Her heart was racing as she was seeing Charlie's face in her mind.
"In the name of frog. Please don't let anyone break the boy's heart." Olivia thought to herself.