And so begins the adventure. At last, let's hop to it! Here we go!
Chapter 1: The Four Cae-sillies
Outside of the wet swamps of the unknown location, there was a town where one half was above ground but very wet and tropical and happened to be a river town, while the other half laid underground. In this town, it functioned like a river city, where boats were made with rocks as the platforms and leaves as sails...but some of the inhabitants prefer swimming sometimes.
The underground half is entered via a stone elevator in the waterfall that leads underground. Inside were mushrooms that function as streetlamps or otherwise. This was the city of Murkwell, a beautiful town where a race of creatures called caecilians inhabit, which are limbless Amphibians. Some were small and some were big. At the moment, the townsfolk were turning in for the night after a performance from four of the slapstick comedians.
"That's a wrap folks! Wow, we gave them the cure for depression with our performance!" one caecilian hollered. The first caecilian to exit out was one with a bowl cut and a smiley face button on his suit. This is Zeppy, the bully of their comedy act, "Sir, nobody was depressed. We were just performing for the audience," said another. This caecilian was small had a bowtie on his chest. He was the youngest of the group. His name is Skittles, which also he was aptly named for the freckles on his face. The last two caecilians exited out as well.
The third member wore a musician's outfit and a pompadour akin to that of Elvis. This is Loofy. And he loved to sing songs. And then there's the last member of the group. The only caecilian to have arms. Or rather mechanical arms since caecilians are limbless. He was dressed like a jester so that with the arms, he could perform all sorts of tricks. His name is Berry.
"That sure was one heck of a show. It makes me wonder how we can top that performance," Loofy wondered. "Luckily for your pal, we can make it possible," Berry boasted, "Can you just imagine the idea of us on tour all around the Valley of Amphibia?" Skittles inquired, "Heh. That would be the day. I can just imagine. The entirety of Amphibia marveling and chortling at our slapstick comedy act," Zeppy praised.
"We'd have to do a lot of convincing to the mayor if we're ever to do that one day," Loofy responded, "Yeah," Skittles answered. He sighed. He slithered from the group momentarily, "Hey bud, where are you going?" Zeppy asked, "I'm just going out for a walk. So, I can reflect on the performance. And who knows, I might have ideas on next performance," Skittles answered.
"I suggest you be careful out there. There have been rumors that a creature roams the parts of the forest. It has a huge head, long limbs, webbed feet, matted fur, and grimy hands," Loofy warned, "We don't even know how dangerous the creature is, so don't get too close to it if you see it," Berry advised, "I'll take your word for it. I'll be back before you know it," Skittles assured them.
He slithered into the water and swam out of the town. Skittles then slithered onto dry land and began his walk, "Pfft, strange creature. What do they know? I bet it's some stupid fairy tale they just made up just to keep us from wondering around these woods. Heck, it's even about a mile from here just to get to Wartwood," he mumbled.
He thought about stopping by Wartwood. He was slithering on over when he heard the sound of a breaking twig. Skittles stopped in his tracks and looked around. Of course, even with the creature rumor, there were still predatory fauna around as well. At the very least he knew to be careful around them.
He hid in a bush and then buried himself in the dirt. Skittles even covered the hole by biting a piece of the dirt and spitting it out. He remained silent. He then heard the sounds of footsteps all around him in the dark. Skittles remained under until after a few minutes the footsteps disappeared.
He waited for a few minutes. A second passed. Then another. Silence. Skittles then poked his head out from under the ground. The caecilian looked around and slowly crawled out...and then froze when a shadow cast over him. The creature looked exactly as the rumors mentioned. It was wearing what looked like a shirt, but it looked splattered and stained with mud and wet, the pants sleeves were torn, showing only the knees as if they were shorts, he was barefoot too. His hair on top of his head was matted and his hands were dirty. And he happened to be wearing a scarf handcrafted from the vegetation.
"Uh...hi?" the creature spoke.
Both Skittles and the creature screamed and hid in separate bushes. After a few seconds, they peeked to see what they would do. So many questions rushed at them from their heads? What did they want? Did it want to eat them? Where were they? Slowly they crept out of the bushes and looked at each other. From the creature's point of view, the caecilian was small. More like as tall up to the creature's hips.
"So what are you waiting for? You gonna eat me? Do it now!" Skittles screeched, "What?" the creature said quietly, "Well you're a monster, aren't you? Aren't you supposed to eat me?" Skittles challenged, "Ok! No! First of all, I'm not a monster. I'm just a human who's just lost in the wilderness. Not that it felt exciting with all the fauna...although the bugs are too big. Yuck!"
"Okay...so you're not going to eat me and you're not a monster. Just a weirdo," Skittles confirmed, "Yep...hey!" the human protested, "Well I never seen anything like you before," the caecilian defended. The human tried to think of a protest, but Skittles had a point. This land was very unfamiliar, and it doesn't look like any part of Earth that he knows, "Touche."
"Do you got a name?" the caecilian asked, "My name is Akira. Akira Feidragon," Akira introduced himself, "My name is Skittles of the Four Cae-Sillies," Skittles introduced, "I would shake your hand but I don't have hands, so I'll just do this." Skittles used his tail end to do a bump. Akira recognized it and formed his fist. It was more of a fist-tail bump, "Eh, that will do."
"Say, Skittles, you got anything to eat?" Akira asked. Skittles lifted a rock and small insects crawled out. Akira had a disgusted look on his face, "I see, I guess you don't eat bugs?" Skittles asked. He then used his head and dug out with his mouth a pair of small earthworms. Akira saw this. He wouldn't want to eat earthworms, but his stomach said he had to eat something.
"As much as I don't want to eat earthworms, I don't have food on me...but I may need to wash them to get the soil off first. I bet that's how other countries do it," Akira said. Skittles led the boy to a stream. Akira proceeded to wash the earthworms until the soil was washed off.
"Uh, question? Is there pesticide in these?" Akira asked before took a bite, "What's pesticide?" Skittles queried, "I'll take that as a no," Akira assumed. "But first..."
Akira moments later started a fire with Skittles' help and fried the worms. Once cooked, he devoured the fried worms. "Whoa! Tastes like bacon!" Akira exclaimed, "Question. Why wouldn't you eat them raw?" Skittles asked, "Well, maybe it's because they taste like dirt and unless washed really good, they can carry diseases," Akira answered. Skittles thought for a minute, "Hmm...fair enough," the caecilian concluded. Akira then proceeded to put the fire out.
After Akira devoured the fried worms, the two suddenly heard a growling noise, "Oh crud! It's back! We should probably get back to town where you came from!" Akira shrieked. Skittles motioned Akira to follow the caecilian down the stream the same way Skittles came from. From where they hid, a lizard-like head looked around with horns. It then stomped away. The two made it back to the entrance of Murkwell. Akira looked around and was amazed, "Wow..."
He saw that several stone boats that used leaves as sails sailed into the town, "Is it just me did I just wander into Venice?" Akira wondered, "What?" Skittles asked, "Oh um, between you and me, I'm not from around here," Akira confessed, "So where are you from?" Skittles asked, "From Earth. As a matter of fact-" Akira stopped himself. He had forgotten about what happened. "Oh...my friends! Anne! Sasha! Marcy! And my brother!" he cried.
Skittles tilted his head, "Oh no! Don't tell I'm the only one here!" Akira panicked. Skittles smacked him in the head with his tail. Akira rubbed his cheek, "Thanks. I needed that."
"Slow down, dude. What happened? And take it from the top," Skittles instructed, "I don't remember exactly, but I do know that an artifact had done this. It sent me, my three friends, and my brother somewhere. But I'm not sure if I'm the only one in this world or not," Akira explained. He couldn't mention the music box because how could it do that? It wasn't like they would know something.
"I see, I think my crew can help out with that," Skittles offered.
"Help out with what?" a voice said, causing Skittles and Akira to jump. Skittles turned to see that Zeppy, Loofy, and Berry had found them, "I must say, who is this strange creature? He almost looks like what the rumors have been saying alongside the other one with branches in her hair," Loofy examined. Akira was a bit weirded out that not only could caecilians talk, but they also act like people.
"Pardon me if I look like a weirdo around here, and I assure you, I'm not a monster. I'm just a human who was lost. And your little buddy here, Skittles, found me and fed me. Though I made a campfire and then cooked them up. Surprisingly, tastes like bacon when cleaned and fried," Akira chuckled, "You know for a weirdo, you sure do like the earthworms," Zeppy complimented.
"So, I know Skittles here. What about the rest of you?" Akira asked.
Loofy then took out a horn and began playing it. The comedians then got in line, "We are the Four Cae-Sillies!" they shouted in unison.
"Skittles!"
"Loofy!"
"Berry!" Berry then twirled around as his jester hat bells rang, "And your silly host, Zeppy! The embodiment of comedy! ~"
Zeppy did a twirl and bowed. Akira looked at them, "Well...what kind of jokes do you tell?"
"Jokes? We don't tell jokes," Zeppy corrected, "What? But your comedians-" Akira was about to protest, "We're slapstick comedians!" Zeppy announced. Akira then was convinced, "Oh...fair enough," Akira noted, "If you're slapstick comedians...make me laugh," Akira challenged. "Oh, by the way, can you get me some more fried earthworms please? I'm kind of still hungry?"
Moments later, Zeppy, Loofy, Berry, and Skittles had set up their magic act on a floating rock that doubled as a stage for them. Whilst Akira had the only seat and a bowl of fried worms, which tasted better every time, "I must say, I prefer these over any other bugs. I can't imagine if I had to eat earwigs, hard ticks, or freaking heck leeches," Akira gagged.
The first act Zeppy and Skittles were wearing top hats and then doing a little dance while their worm-like bodies were wrapped around canes. Akira so far didn't look impressed. But that changed when he saw Berry sneak up on them. He tapped on Zeppy's head. The caecilian joker turned around and Berry gave him a hand. Zeppy used his tail and was zapped. Loofy was playing a trombone with his tail end wrapped around it so he can play the notes to set the mood. Zeppy was covered in soot and looked mad, Berry stuck his tongue out and the caecilians slithered around in a circle. Skittles panicked and began rummaging through supplies and accidentally got out bomb. The bomb landed next to them as Zeppy had caught Berry, "Uh oh!" the group said before it exploded. Though instead of it killing them, the four were covered in soot. Berry coughed smoke before collapsing, his mechanical hand actually punching Zeppy face down.
Akira had watched the whole thing with his eyes widened. Something was coming out of his chest...until...
"Hehehehehehe...mmm...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Akira exploded in laughter. So much so he slapped the food off his makeshift reclining chair and collapsed onto the ground, still laughing. "Oh gosh...you're killing me..."
"Well, I'll be. Even a strange creature called a human likes our physical comedy," Zeppy chirped. Suddenly, jolly laughing was heard as the comedians and Akira turned to a what looked like a fancy looked caecilian. He screamed of loyalty with the dress he was wearing, and he had white hair. Also compared to the other caecilians he has met, he was the size of a Megaconda, "Jolly good show, folks!"
"Well, Mayor Jansen! Quite a surprise you're here!" Skittles jabbered, "I heard you were performing for a welcoming guest, and I just had to see who it is," the caecilian mayor known as Jansen replied. He began examining Akira, "And I must say, this newcomer is a bit of an oddity. Nothing like the frogs or newts that come here for their stay."
"Frogs? Newts?" Akira was curious now, "Are you telling me you're not the only species here? What place is this? And also, I'm surprised that you're not freaked out by my appearance by the way."
"My weird friend...welcome to Amphibia. And this part of Amphibia near Wartwood is Murkwell, a town/village where us caecilians live. We also provide the best tours and dinners for our guests. We're quite a friendly community," Jansen explained, "I for one welcome weirdo guests. Except invaders. That's why we have guards looking out for invasions."
Akira began thinking. Then he realized something, "Hold on a minute. I heard that. When Loofy mentioned the rumor, he used the words "other one" and "her". There's no way one else could-unless. Does that mean Anne could be here too?" he wondered out loud, "Anne?" Jansen asked.
"She's one of my friends. She has to be here! She's just gotta! We gotta find her now!" Akira then started to rush, but Berry and Jansen stopped him, "Relax, dear boy...um what's your name?" Jansen asked, "Akira Feidragon," Akira introduced himself, "Yes, Master Akira, we'll help you find your friends if they're here in Amphibia. But you can't go looking like that now. You need rest. I bet you must be exhausted," Jansen commented.
"Now you tell me. I was in the wilderness for a while before Skittles found me. I do love me some adventure and excitement, but even I have limits. Especially the giant bugs, eugh..." Akira shuddered, "But wait, I don't have any money. I can't afford a hotel room," Akira whined.
"No need, you can rest at our cottage." Zeppy recommended, "For real?" Akira said, "Zeppy, are you sure that's a good idea?" Skittles puzzled, "Nonsense, my good fellows. For as long as it takes, why not take the boy in," Jansen recommended, "We'll be happy to take him in!" Berry said. With that, they made their way to their home.
The way to their living place was underground. Even Akira was amazed at how pretty the waterfall elevator is. He then saw the houses underground. So, it occurred to him that caecilians prefer wet and underground habitats. The home of the Four Cae-Sillies was a regular hut with five bedrooms. Their rooms and a guest one. A living room, bathroom, kitchen, and elevator to the outside was seen. But mostly for lookout on nature.
After Akira was given the guest room and another bowl of fried worms, Akira laid in bed with the table that had his worms by his side. He took out a photo which had him, Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and Beo in the picture in the form of a selfie. He had a determined look.
"If what they say is true, then Anne has to be in this world. I doubt one of them would be in Murkwell, but that's the first place we'll look. Plus, hey, a new opportunity to explore as well. Now that's something a superhero would do...Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and big brother Beo...wherever you are...we're coming...hang in there..."
And that's the end of Chapter 1. Now depending on what episode I liked, they will follow the formula and be used, but not all episodes will be featured. But all three seasons will have 5 original ideas to go with. Like for example, the next two will be in Murkwell until the third where Akira finally finds Anne and meets the Plantars for the first time. Oh and if you're wondering what voice I give Mayor Jansen...Bryce Pinkham. For those scoring at home, he's the voice of Stolas in Helluva Boss. So that's pretty much it. Tune in next time!