Welcome back to the stage of history! It's time once again to leap into the uncharted territory of Amphibia. This time we begin exploring the town of Murkwell, the home of the caecilians close to Wartwood. Let's hop to it!

Chapter 2: City of Water

The next morning, Akira had awakened from his slumber. He stretched his arms and legs, yawning all the while. He then opened the window of the cottage that he was staying in and looked outside. Sunlight peered from the waterfall that flowed from the outside into the underground. For some reason, it gave off a cool air.

He saw outside that several caecilians were going about their business. Some looked and then looked away. Guess they weren't used to a weirdo being in their town. Akira shrugged. I mean he felt strange being in a land filled with amphibian people. With nothing else to do at the moment, he went downstairs of the house to see the four caecilians.

Zeppy was the first to see Akira, "Well, look who's the early bird!" he cheered. "Good morning, Zeppy," the boy greeted. He went downstairs and then saw the couch. He sat on it and relaxed on it. Skittles was seen slithering by, "Hi Akira," Skittles greeted, "Good morning, Skittles," Akira chirped.

Loofy was using his tail end to modify Berry's mechanical arms. Afterwards, Berry twirled them around, "All set for the performance tonight!" Berry announced, "You guys have a show tonight?" Akira asked curiously, "Yep. I got to practice my instruments to be ready," Loofy replied.

"As for me? I plan to explore the whole town of Murkwell," Akira replied, "Uh, you sure you want to do that?" Skittles asked, "What? What's wrong?" Akira asked, "Well, not everyone here in Murkwell trust you yet. I mean you are just a newcomer in this strange new world," Skittles explained.

"I know, but I should least know about this place. Plus let's not forget I need to find my friends and brother who may have been transported here in Amphibia. I mean, what if one of them was here and I don't know it?" Akira inquired, "Well, that's something you'll have to do yourself," Berry replied. Akira sighed, "I suppose so."

"I'm curious, what do these friends of yours look like?" Zeppy asked, "I thought you'd never ask," Akira said. He took out his cellphone and opened a selfie picture of him alongside Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and Beo, showing it to the comedians. Skittles couldn't help but smile at the picture, with their smiling faces.

"Awwwww," Skittles chirped, "By the way, Mr. Hot Shot in the selfie, that's my brother. If Anne is here, then perhaps maybe my brother could be in this world. Which is why me exploring Murkwell is needed. And as for who these friends are, the girl with brown hair is Anne, the blond is Sasha, and the one with black hair and a hair clip is Marcy. Man, I have so many memories I want to talk about. But you guys have your comedy performance to worry about so another time," Akira replied.

"By the way, what sort of device are you holding?" Berry asked, "Oh...that's called a cellphone. All my friends and brother have one...normally I would call their numbers, but..." Akira began and saw there was no reception on his phone, which was not surprising. He sighed sadly. Zeppy looked at the teen boy with sympathy, "Cheer up, buddy. We'll help you find them. I mean, we have an upcoming world tour where we travel across Amphibia soon so that's still being prepared. With that, we can help you find your friends," Zeppy promised.

Akira gave them a smile, "Thanks guys,"

A few minutes later, he exited the cottage. He took the elevator that was at the waterfall, which the lever was located. He pulled it and the elevator began pulling him to the surface. He exited the elevator and began walking on the pier. He looked around to see many caecilians slithering, swimming, and sailing around town.

In the sky, he saw many dragonflies flying in the sky. Akira looked around, he then bumped into another familiar face. It was Jansen, "Why hello, Master Akira!" Jansen greeted, "Hello! Also, uh, you can drop the master part. Just call me Akira," Akira requested, "Yes, very well. I am guessing you're hungry?" Jansen asked. Akira nodded, "After that, why don't I take you on a tour of Murkwell?" he offered. "Sound's good," Akira answered

Jansen began leading Akira to a restaurant. It was a buffet in which the main food was worms. Only it didn't use just earthworms. Maggots, mealworms, larva, all cleaned and cooked. Akira gagged at the maggots and larva being served. "Is everything alright, Akira?" Jansen asked with concern, "I think I'll stick to earthworms, thank you very much. No offense," Akira gagged.

They were given a table, "Consider this your first part of the tour," Jansen assured, "Well...can't go on the tour without breakfast," Akira considered. They ordered earthworms. It felt funny that Akira would be eating something that wild animals would normally be eating as part of their diet. On the plus side, earthworms contained plenty of protein. What he found on the menu caught his attention: earthworm noodles.

After a while after ordering their food, it came. Jansen's order was also a bowl of earthworm noodles just like Akira's. They dug in, "Funny story, see in my world and my friends and brother's, earthworms have been a delicacy in other parts of the world. Even other bugs like crickets," Akira chatted, "Really? That's fascinating," Jansen answered, slurping a cooked worm.

Akira was doing the same, "By the way, I heard that the Four Cae-Sillies will be going on a world tour across Amphibia soon. This might be the perfect opportunity to find my friends," he informed, "Certainly indeed," Jansen agreed. Then it happened again. The caecilian mayor asked what Akira's friends and brother looked like. Just like he did with the Four Cae-Sillies, he showed the mayor via his phone.

Jansen looked at it, "I must say, you sure have a mighty group. And the one boy with black hair..." he replied, "Yes, that's my brother. That's Beo, we're both in the friend circle with Anne, Marcy, and Sasha," Akira answered, "My, these are a nice group of friends you got. And your brother must be something else," Jansen complimented, "Well, he's sometimes a bit of a grump and sometimes he's Mr. Hot Shot himself, but yes, you are correct...er, don't tell Beo I said that," Akira spilled, "My lips are sealed," Jansen assured.

Akira began describing Anne, Sasha, and Marcy. Anne is like a sister to him, Sasha is like someone who's a superhero encouraging bravery, and Marcy is a very, very, very close friend to him, "I see," Jansen agreed. Then Jansen noticed something off about Akira...he was blushing. What was up? "And uh, between you and me...I seem to have a crush on Marcy," Akira confessed, still blushing.

Jansen couldn't help but chuckle, "Is that all? Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!" Jansen chuckled heartily, "What? What's so funny?" Akira demanded, "Oh nothing," Jansen assured. He then sighed, "Young love," he chuckled, "I remember when I was just a little boy, I've had crushes on girls before," Jansen admitted. "Really? Did you ever succeed in sticking the landing?" the boy asked, "Sadly no. But who knows if someone asks me out one day. You should do the same if your love for Marcy becomes apparent," Jansen recommended, "Oh it's not that I'm shy to even admit it...I know I'm blushing but hear me out. I just need the right time to do so," Akira replied, nodding his head, chewing on a worm noodle.

"Wise words, my boy. I'm sure you and Marcy would look so cute together," the mayor beamed, "Oh stop it," Akira teased, "You're making me blush more."

They continued eating and conversing all the while. Jansen paid for the bill and tip since, well of course, he was the one with the money and Akira was new in Amphibia. Afterwards, Jansen was now the tour guide for the boy across Murkwell. He had a yacht ready, and they sailed around Murkwell, looking at all the sights.

Akira was amazed. He never saw anything in Venice since, well he's never been to Venice before, but he was beginning to imagine he was. All around, sights, attractions, markets, homes, bridges, and everything else was on full display.

During one part of the tour, there was an art museum that Jansen showed Akira. The boy was amazed. He never thought amphibians could be artists, "Just how do you do that without any limbs?" Akira wondered, "Art masterpieces like that require a lot of training. And often it's a three-man thing," Jansen answered.

It made sense. Aside from Berry, who had mechanical arms, caecilians had no legs or arms. All they had were their bodies: mouths and tails. And of course, something like that would take a group effort. Nonetheless, Akira was impressed with the culture here in Murkwell. He wondered what else was in store in terms of Amphibia's culture.

During the part of the tour, there was a message board that showcased upcoming events, there's a carnival which is not open at the moment, but Akira had all the time in the world. Throughout the tour, he was taking pictures on his phone. Wait till my friends and brother see this, he thought.

Hours later in the noon, they stopped at a stand. This one seemed to be a food delivery group where food from a place called Newtopia was being spread across the land so that others could try food like this. Akira tried beetle burgers. Much to his relief, it was actually better. Never thought something like this would be good on burgers. Jansen chuckled out how Akira wolfed it down. Guess surviving in the wilderness kinda got to the boy a bit, "Smaller bites," Jansen cautioned.

As the tour continued, they saw the statue of the mayor. Akira requested a selfie. Jansen didn't know how a selfie worked but Akira helped the mayor out. With that done, Akira and Jansen had their picture taken, "Wait til Anne sees this. And Beo," Akira chirped. The tour nearly finished, but something lingered in Akira for a minute...

"Jansen, I have a question," Akira quizzed, "What is it?" Jansen asked, "Well, you've shown the attractions above ground, but what about underground?" the boy asked, "Well we don't have alot of those," Jansen answered, "But we do have a cave tour where inside are these glow worms. They are a sight to behold I tell you."

And that was their next part of the tour. Only this time they were going underground the same way. The next part was a cave boat tour. In the tour were cave walls crawling with glow worms. Akira wandered around the boat, looking at every direction. He was amazed. He really wished his friends and brother saw this.

He saw the glow worm's light dance in the cave. He took out his cellphone. He figured some music would come in order. He looked into his playlist. He then took out headphones and played the song, Step as sung by achi-achi.

(Step - achi-achi)

Akira felt one with the cave with the song playing in his head. He danced around as he mouthed the lyrics. Jansen watched from his seat. He never saw Akira feel more at peace than ever before. Akira smiled as he watched the glow worm's light dance across the walls and ceiling. The cruise lasted for several minutes. Akira figured if he were to ever ask Marcy out, even if he is trapped in this world, he thought this would be perfect. It just seemed to him it looked very romantic. Murkwell being based on Venice was already romantic already, but this...this is something else.

Akira was more at peace...but suddenly he felt the boat rocking. He took his headphones off and put his cellphone into his pocket. Akira looked from the water and watched for anything, "What the heck was that?!" he yelped. He looked around, "Jansen? Are you alright? What was that?!"

Jansen used his body to wrap around the rails and slithered to Akira, "I'll be fine! But I think something has attracted the worms and might find us as it's food," the mayor cautioned. "What?! A predator?! Just great!" Akira complained. He took off his makeshift scarf and decided to make it into a whip. Not that it would help but he needed some way to defend himself.

Akira then heard water sloshing. He then saw in the water what looked like a carapace plowing through the water. That made his skin crawl, "Oh crud..." he said, Jansen slithered to Akira, "What's wrong?" Jansen asked worriedly, "Jansen, I think...we found the problem. A bug problem."

He then saw one of the glow worms dragged under the water. Akira's heart stopped. He didn't think those were what they were, did he? He then saw the bug crawl up the wall, causing the glow worms to scatter. The boy then recognized what bug they were dealing with. It was a giant water bug.

The passengers on the boat began to shriek. The bug began to notice the passengers and unfurled its wings. It then flew at the boat and clung to it with its front legs. Akira used his makeshift whip to whack at the toe biter, trying to fend it off. The water bug plunged its front legs onto the boat in an attempt to get the boy. He dodged just in time. The passengers were scattering.

"Ugh, this is no good! At this rate, if it continues to damage the boat, we're all going to be sunk and bug food!" Akira yelled, "Well we got to do something to get it out of here," Jansen suggested as he got behind Akira, "Let's think about this for a minute. It seems that it went for the glow worms first before it went at us...but why though?"

Akira began to think for a minute. But then, his brain began to go to work. He learned this in science class. Giant water bugs were flyers. However, they were attracted to lights. Perhaps with the glow worms, he can lure them away, "Jansen, I have an idea! Get the guards on this boat to get this back to port at once! Have them on lifeboats!" Akira suggested, "Uh...caecilians are aquatic beings, remember?" Jansen reminded him.

"Right. I forgot about that. In that case, I have a plan! Have the guards evacuate the boat immediately back to the port. You and I will lure the giant water bug away from here with a few of the glow worms," Akira planned. He then sees a small rock floating that can provide as a platform for Akira, "Can you haul a rock and move fast?" Akira asked.

"I can only try," Jansen acknowledged. Akira hopped onto the rock and Jansen wrapped his tail on it. "Alright, now to spring my plan into action," Akira said to himself, "Alright mayor! Once the bug starts to chase us, get moving!" Akira instructed, "Will do, my boy!" Jansen answered. He sprang into the water but made sure that he wasn't caught by the water bug.

Akira began scooping up the small glow worms with a leaf from a nearby plant. He then grabbed a rock and threw it at the bug to get its attention, "Hey, stinkbug! Over here! You want the glow worms? Come and get it!" he taunted before pulling his eyelid and sticking his tongue. The bug unfurled its wings and began to fly at Akira.

"Now!" Akira shouted. Jansen began pulling on the rock whilst slithering in the water that Akira was standing on. The bug began to pursue them. For every time it got close, Akira used his scarf/whip to drive it away. After a few minutes, Akira threw the covered glow worms out and the bug began to go at it. It then flew and chased it. A water snake suddenly lunged at the water bug and the two apex predators were locked in combat.

This gave them the distraction Akira and Jansen needed to escape. Afterwards, they were back at the port in the cave. He began checking if the passengers were okay. Everyone seemed to be accounted for, "You see what I mean by giant bugs?" Akira told Jansen, "Yeah, Amphibia has those. I'll be sure to have the guards drag the river for any other predators. I have the best guards I have so I'll make sure no other bugs made it in. But unfortunately, there won't be another cave tour for a while. Gotta repair the boat which could take weeks," Jansen announced, "And I must say, you sure are concerned for us caecilians."

"Well, I just didn't want any of you to get hurt. And yes, I can see they kinda give me dirty looks though," Akira noted, "Well, they're just not used to outsiders," Jansen answered, "Fair enough," Akira agreed begrudgingly. After they dried themselves, Akira decided to head home. Dinner was different this time. This time they were steamed mushrooms. Zeppy was cooking them up on top of that. Akira figured he needed a break from fried worms and probably something planty and healthy too. They talked and discussed the day they had. Akira had enjoyed the tour. But he could make do without the giant water bug incident.

Skittles even shuddered at this. Guess caecilians feared predators like this. Akira knew this was only the beginning as they weren't the only giant bugs around. But he shuddered to thing if there were bugs like earwigs. But he knew that he had to trough through them all to find his friends and brother.

"Anne and friends and brother, I hope you're okay wherever you are..."

Somewhere, a flash of thunder in a roaring storm revealed a tower. Inside, a figure was interrogating someone in a prison cell, "Take a look at this please, Sasha and Beo," the figure said. He held a shoe that belonged to someone, "It was found far from here, in the South Forest. Now we know that you've been lying to us. Now we know that there are more of you," he inquired.

In the prison cell, as thunder flashed, we see a chained from ankle Sasha as she scowled at the figure. Next to her was another individual who had flowing black hair, a dirtied-up school uniform with dirty tennis shoes, and gloves was none other than Akira's brother...Beo.

And that's all for now! Just one last original episode idea and then finally, Akira reunites with Anne and meets the Plantars for the first time! I wonder what the Plantars would think of the Four Cae-Sillies. Anyway, tune in next time!