Chapter 4: While You were Out
Sometimes, Sprig was surprised at how quickly Wartwood could get things done. The place was the dictionary definition of a sleepy, out-of-the-way town at least on the surface of things, but when it got organized, it got organized. Part of that was due to Mayor Toadie's influence; he'd spent years getting things done for the former Mayor Toadstool, whose interest in the nitty-gritty of governing was limited to how much he could profit off of it. Actually getting stuff accomplished was usually left to Toadie's discretion.
In this case, it wasn't that impressive; we weren't talking about road repairs or school renovations, but a mere egg-laying party. Still, getting everyone possible together on such short notice took quite some doing.
The party was being held under a tent outside Stumpy's, which, while it had expanded in the last few years, was still too small to host everyone. All the expected attendants were here: Mrs. Croaker, still spry as ever despite approaching her centennial; Loggle, who had never quite reattained the massive physique he'd achieved during the war despite trying to keep up his regimen; Mr. Flour, flanked the triplets, now full-fledged frogs; Chuck, the Tulip King; Gunther Hayseed, author of a successful series of books on anger management; Albus Duckweed, editor of the Valley Bugle and arts patron, Frodrick Toadstool, settled as Toadie's "kept man", and a number of others who played roles just as important despite their names not being recorded.
Not everyone could be reached in time, of course; General Grime was in the capital overseeing the Paladin Corps. Tritonio Espada was there as well, running a (legitimate this time) orphanage to care for the many displaced by the war. To everyone's surprise, the former Captain Beatrix had joined him in this endeavor and much more; there was a development virtually no one had seen coming, but as Tritonio himself put it, "The heart, she wants what she wants, no?"
Once Ivy had deposited her three eggs in the ancestral mud behind the Sundew home, the two had made their way to the celebration, taking the two seats their families had saved them at the head of the table.
Hop-Pop tapped his glass. "Folks… I think I speak for all of us when I say what a joy it is to have Sprig and Ivy back in town on this, the occasion of the birth of a new generation of Plantars and Sundews. A toast to two of Wartwood's finest!"
To his side, a blue newt cleared her throat. "I think it's appropriate that we mark this occasion with the first bottle of Chateau Olivia."
The larger orange newt at her respective side huffed. "I still think we should have gone with Chateau Yunan… SCOURGE OF THE SAND WARS, DEFEATER OF RAGNAR THE WRETCHED, CHAMPION OF THE BATTLE OF THE TWO WORLDS, AAAAAND…"
Olivia hushed her wife. "I told you, dear, there's no way all that would fit on the label."
"It would if you wrote really small," Yunan grumbled back.
Olivia passing on becoming the next queen of Amphibia in favor of a quiet life in Wartwood was another unexpected development. Her reasoning was given in her farewell address: "The last thing Amphibia needs is another monarch. I will be quite content to leave this land to be governed by its people." She stuck around in the capital long enough to oversee the transition to a parliamentary republic with equal representation from all of Amphibia's sentient species (though the Olms representation was mostly token, as they tended to still keep to themselves; they had, however, opened their tunnels to surface traffic, making getting around Amphibia faster), then moved with her new bride to Wartwood, whose peaceful air she found more appealing.
Another, more unexpected guest made herself apparent when she appeared seemingly out of nowhere behind him with a raspy "Heeeeeey, Spriiiiig."
After nearly having a heart attack at the tender age of 21 out of sheer startledness, Sprig turned to face his near-murderer. "You… really should stop doing that, Maddie," he scolded.
"But it's fun," the sorceress replied.
"Not for me!" He took her in. "I am never going to get used to seeing you in white."
"Yeah, it still feels weird, but when Valeriana came to me to help her start rebuilding her order, I really couldn't say no. There are some pretty cool things you can do when you know dark and light magic. So… kids, huh? Weird."
"Yeah… to tell the truth, I don't know if I'm ready to be a dad."
"Hey, could be worse. You could still be married to me."
"Aw, c'mon… it's not like I didn't like you or any-"
"Nah, s'cool… I know I wasn't exactly known for my sparkling personality back then. *snicker* Or now, really. Also… I'm really not what you'd call parent material. You though… you and Ivy'll probably be great."
"Thanks, Maddie."
"So, Sprig…" asked Hop Pop. "I know it's a bit early, but… y'got any names in mind for my great-grandpoles?"
"Well, I was thinking Lily for the first girl and Weed for the first boy, after my parents. The third… Briar if it's a boy, after Ivy's dad, and if it's a girl… Savisa."
"Savisa?" Maddie asked. "That's kind of an unusual name. Pretty, but unusual. Honestly, I'm surprised you aren't naming her after Anne."
"I kinda am. Not a lot of people around here knew this, but Savisa is her middle name. See… using Anne felt wrong, because the real Anne is still alive, she's just not with me. If I used that name, it'd be like she really was gone. But this way, I'm still giving my child a name that reminds me of her… you know what I'm saying? Besides… Anne once told me it meant 'determination,' and that's something I want my kids to have."
"It's a good name, Sprig," agreed Ivy.
The evening passed, into night, conversation drifting from topic to topic, most of them light, recent events, engagements, hatchings, etc. As the night went on, the guests began to trickle out. Sprig and Ivy themselves were about ready to call it a night when Maddie indicated that she'd like a few words with them in private.
"I didn't come back to Wartwood just to say hi," she said as soon as the three were alone. "The truth is, Valeriana believes that a new threat may be on the horizon. She's almost certain that it may be connected to the new continent. And, since you two have been exploring it, well… you don't mind if I pick your brains, do you?"
"As log as it's not in the literal sense," joked Ivy.
"Please, what do you take me for? It'd mess up my robe," retorted Maddie. "Seriously, do you have any idea what a pain it is to clean this thing?"
"…I can never really tell if you're joking or not," Sprig admitted. "Well… we did find this weird temple. I didn't really get a chance to explore it much, but if anyplace might be hiding a threat, that'd be where I'd start looking. Here…" He fished for Anne's old phone. "I took some pictures…"
Maddie examined the photos of the pyramidal structure's exterior. "There's nothing I recognize. Those glyphs don't correspond to any sort of Amphibian symbology the order's come across. Granted, I haven't had access to every resource the Order has, but it doesn't look like Ancient Newtopian, or Olmish, or even Caecillian…"
"Maybe it's from some extinct civilization?" pondered Ivy.
"That, or… maybe it's something not of Amphibia. We know at least one other realm, and it's said the ancients traveled to many others. Perhaps we're seeing something from one of those realities." She nodded. "So… when are you two planning to go back?"
"Well… Joe Sparrow needs to rest a while before he can make the trip back. So at least a couple of days."
"Perfect. Do you have room for another passenger?"
"I think we can make room."
"Better make it room for three," added Polly. "Me n' Frobes are coming too. Not… that I was using his sound amplifier to eavesdrop… I wouldn't do that… nope, not me… yeah, I know you're not buying any of this, but I had to try."
"I guess it's settled then." Sprig agreed. "In three days, we'll all leave for the new continent. I kinda feel bad for leaving the eggs, but if it's really some huge threat…"
"We'll just have to make sure to come back, won't we," assured Ivy.
"Good, it's settled!" Polly declared. "Hey, Frobo, it's time!"
"WHAT-TIME-IS-IT" inquired Frobo, holding out a hand for a hi-three.
"Adventure Time!" Polly exuberantly answered, returning it. "What? I saw it in an Earth cartoon once."
A.N.: And here we go! Our heroes are on track for their imminent reunion. But what could be lurking in the temple? And is it from Earth, or somewhere else? Stay tuned…
Oh, and regarding the Owl House finale, damn good episode, but also I FREAKIN' CALLED IT! OWL HOUSE AND AMPHIBIA SHARE A UNIVERSE!
Lyger: Interesting, but not at all what's going to happen.
Jose: True enough…
Tall T: What are you talking about, Froglet is an original character do not steal. And yes, there is a reason Cleaved is something of a taboo subject among Project X. Let's just say Echo Creek is something of a restricted area.
(Oooh I wanna take ya down to) kokomo: We'll see Sasha soon, don't worry.
Reishin Amara: Well, well, another Disney series where Keith David turns out to be the villain…
MarMarFaAnne: Yes, I saw the finale… don't be too surprised if I work in something related to it. They are naming one of their kids after her, kinda. Literally everyone's doing Sashannarcy, I don't wanna cover the same ground as everyone else. As for parents… I can see Sasha reconciling with both of them, and maybe having a Stepsibling she'd close to. Marcy, I mentioned that she and her parents had a big falling out over her going to art school and they haven't really been speaking to each other.
Next: Convergence
