Welcome back to the stage of history! This original idea was thought of after watching episode 1b, Best Fronds, where Anne and Sprig are seen riding on a water strider. So, this gave me the idea of a premise where competitors ride on water striders in a race.

Chapter 3: Striders

It was another beautiful day in the town of Murkwell in Amphibia. Akira had been with the Four-Caesillies for a while now in the town. The boy had hoped for a while that he would have found his friends and brother. Unfortunately, no such luck. This could take a while, Akira thought.

He and the other four caecilians were looking at a message board in the center of town. They were looking at the one that was announcing their upcoming world tour. And needless to say, they were getting excited, "Whoo! I'm ready to kill the audience with some laughter!" Zeppy whooped. This pleased Akira since this will mean that in no time, Akira will find his friends.

Skittles could tell how hyped Akira was, "So, you excited for the tour too?" Skittles asked the boy, "Yep! This will help me find my friends, wherever they are," Akira acknowledged, "But first, I want to see the town of Wartwood the next day or whenever we can and see what it's all about," he announced.

"Well then, consider it the opportunity for us to perform at Wartwood. I'm sure Toadstool will be laughing at our comedy act!" Loofy boasted. Akira tilted his head, "Toadstool?" he asked, "Oh nothing, just the corrupt mayor who's more money hungry," Berry answered, "I see," Akira noted. The teen then noticed another flier. It showed a picture of a frog on top of some water bug. It even had a racing helmet on. Akira began to read it.

Want to be the fastest strider racer all across Amphibia?

Partake in the strider races across Murkwell's rivers!

Experience is required.

For training, meet Owen for further details.

Akira scratched his head in question. Strider racing? What was that?

"Hey Skittles? What's strider racing?" Akira asked, "Strider racing is where competitors from all over Amphibia ride water striders across the rivers of Murkwell from start to finish. You need to train in order for you to be an expert at strider racing," Skittles explained. Akira began to think. He never once participated in a sport before outside of gym class. As those were more a part of physical education than anything.

"Hmm...perhaps I could learn how to ride a strider," Akira suggested, "I don't know if that's a good idea, Akira boy. Water striders aren't something you can just jump on and ride you know. You need training to do so," Loofy told him, "Well what do you suggest I do?" Akira asked, "My advice, I would ask Jansen if that's a good idea. You've only been in this world for several days and we still haven't found your friends," Zeppy insisted.

"Yeah but...I survived long for a few days before you guys even found me," Akira protested. "Well, it's not our call. I doubt the mayor would allow it, why don't you ask him yourself?" Skittles suggested. The boy sighed, "Okay I will. I mean I never got to ride a horse, plus it feels like an equivalent to it," he said storming off. Zeppy, Loofy, and Berry joined Skittles, "You think he'll be allowed?" Berry asked, "I don't know. Probably not,"

Akira was walking in town, asking for directions to the mayor's building. After asking, he began walking to the mayor's office. One of the guard caecilians noticed Akira on approach, "Halt!" one of them said. They blocked the boy's path, "What business do you have with Mayor Jansen?" The way they spoke sounded in a sort of French accent.

"I just need to ask him something," Akira assured them. The guards looked at each other before looking at the boy as if he was on display or something, "Okay, follow us," the second guard instructed. The guards led Akira to the mayor's office.

In the office, Jansen was seen using his tail to use a feather to write notes down after dipping the tip in ink. He suddenly heard a knock at the door, "Come in," Jansen responded. The guards and Akira entered the office. Jansen, at first, was in shock to see him escorted into the office, "What is the meaning of this? What have you done to earn the ire of the guards, young man?" Jansen scolded.

The guards left them to have their talk, "I didn't do anything. By the time I reached your building, they stopped me, and I had to be escorted here. All I came here to do was to tell you something," Akira explained. Jansen raised an eyebrow before chuckling, "Oh, was that all?" he chortled. The boy chuckled as well. He was glad that it didn't escalate out of control, "So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" the mayor asked, "Well, first of all, tomorrow in the morning or whenever we can, I think I'm ready to see Wartwood," Akira declared. Jansen thought for a minute, "Your request shall be granted. And don't forget to bring the Four Cae-Sillies along. I'm sure they're going to want to perform there."

"Yeah. Sure thing. Second, it's about that water strider race. I've never ridden a horse back home, but I can imagine what it's like with a water strider," Akira told Jansen. Jansen dropped his feather, "No. No no no. That's not a good idea," Jansen reprimanded, "Well, why not?" Akira asked, "Well first off, water striders aren't easily tamed. Even the flier you mentioned said experience."

"I know, but it said training can be done," Akira protested, "Even still, I can't allow it. I'm sorry. And I forbid you to seek Owen out. Is that clear?" Jansen maintained. Akira sighed in disappointment. His first opportunity to try an activity he never done before turned down, "No, I understand..." he reluctantly agreed. He exited the office.

Jansen sighed sadly. He didn't want to forbid the boy, but after all, he cared for his safety and wanted to be sure that Akira returned home safely.

Akira was walking down the sidewalk next to the boat docks. Skittles took notice of the teen boy, "So... did he forbid you from partaking in the race?" he asked, "Don't! Rub it in..." Akira scolded, "What? I wasn't going to. I was just asking," Skittles defended, flinching when the boy angrily shouted. Akira inhaled and then exhaled, "Yes he did. He said that striders aren't easily tamed in one day,"

"Well maybe he's right. I mean after all, it's not like he has it in for you. He just cares for our wellbeing. Yours now that you're trying to find your friends," Skittles answered, "Is that a fact now?" Akira scoffed, "Listen. You may not know it but if it weren't for us and Jansen letting you stay in this town, you wouldn't last long out there. Just remember that," Skittles recommended, giving him a soft look on his face.

Akira listened. He did have a good point. If it weren't for them, he'd be digested after being eaten alive by a bug or whatever kind of creatures were out there, "I suppose," the boy sighed. They walked home back underground where Akira, in the spare room of the Four Cae-Sillies, was left to ponder at what Skittles told him.

Is it really true that Jansen cared? He sorta reminded Akira of his mom back when he was only ten. His mother would sometimes scold him for disobedience especially in school. But at the same time, she cared. Though there were times where he did sneak out for certain events though.

Akira sighed. He had to at least try and ride a water strider at least once. But first he needed to sneak out in order to do so while the sun was still up. He took a blanket and made it into a hooded cape to help disguise his face. He then opened the window and then crawled out. He then began walking to the elevator near the waterfall.

A few minutes later, he asked for directions to where this Owen would be. Upon following the path, he arrived at a river ranch. There were many water striders. Caecilians were attempting to ride them. However, it mostly ended in failure as the striders would go wild and attempt to throw them off. Akira had a goofy grin on his face as he marched forward.

The caecilian training new and inexperienced riders had a cowboy hat and had a piece of wheat in his mouth. Akira approached the cowboy. The cowboy looked up and saw the boy, "Well howdy, neighbor!" he greeted.

"Greetings!" Akira greeted back, "Do you happen to be Owen? The water strider trainer?" Owen tipped his hat in respect, "Indeed I am! I am Owen Belostom, not just a water strider trainer but also a giant insect wrangler!"

Akira sweatdropped at the title. Where were you when I was attacked by those bugs when I teleported to Amphibia then? Akira thought, "Uh huh? So do you wrangle with water bugs as well?" Akira quizzed, "Certainly I do. Especially the water beetles. Darn critters are the nastiest of the bunch," Owen explained. Akira inhaled for a minute, "I hope you won't freak out by my appearance," he said, removing the makeshift hood of his tunic. Owen gapped in surprise, "My word! You are sure one unique specimen if I ever saw!" he exclaimed, "I'm just a human. I'm nothing special, really. Honestly, I don't remember how I even got to Amphibia in the first place," Akira exclaimed.

"You mean you're not from around here?" Owen asked, "Yeah...this is awkward..." Akira added shaking his head, "Tell me. Do you know of the mayor of this town?" he asked, "Why I do! The head honcho, Jansen himself! He has kept this beautiful town in check for years. Only once was it invaded, but with enough guards, it remains uninvadable," Owen explained. The boy blinked, "I didn't even know that was a real word."

Owen gave a hearty laugh, "So, you have come for strider training? You've come to the right place for the annual strider races. Note that it'll take a lot of mess-ups. But once you have tamed a strider, you got what it takes."

Akira sighed, "I don't expect to win the race, but I want to have the experience of riding an animal for the first time," he replied, "Well often first timers don't win races, so I don't expect perfection," Owen agreed. The caecilian wrangler led Akira to a stable where water striders were being kept. The wrangler used a sort of clicker with his tail end to attract its attention to the exit.

The water strider was then led to a training track where it goes around in an oval. Water sloshed around in the area. The boy then began to get on the strider's back, "No! Wait, that's not how-" Owen protested but didn't get to finish as Akira was already on the back. The water strider reared itself on it's back legs and then sped around the track. Akira was barely clinging on to dear life before he lost his grip and fell into the water. Akira swam up and gasped for air, coughing out water before swimming back into the platform. Owen helped the boy up and helped him recover, "Like I said, don't expect perfection. This takes patience," Owen informed.

Over the next hours and days, Akira continued to train in riding on the water strider. Many of the attempts have begun to frustrate him over and over. He thought he would at least have control over the training part by now, but it seems no matter what he did, the strider would always throw him off.

After many times of being thrown off, nearly drowning, and being soaked, he was just about to throw in the towel.

"I don't understand how I'm still not able to tame this thing!" Akira exclaimed, "Perhaps you're just not being patient enough," Owen responded, "Patient? I've been at it for hours and days and still made no progress whatsoever!" the boy argued, "Well...maybe you should try bonding with it. Maybe feed it what it likes. And then maybe and only maybe can it be your pal for the race. That's the key to patience," the wrangler suggested.

Akira didn't know if he was being serious or not. He thought that the wrangler was just giving him some useless information that probably would do no good whatsoever. But at the same time, he wondered if this sort of thing could work. He just had to try it. So, he gave Owen a nod and then returned home. Of course, he had to make up a lie to the caecilian friends that he was out swimming or something.

The next day, Akira returned. This time he was ready, "So Owen, I've learned of water striders in my home school and stuff but here, what do you normally feed them?" he asked, "Why we gave them a special diet of larva. Its proboscis is used to suck up the insides of it like a milkshake," Owen replied, "Uh...okay eww..." Akira was grossed out at this.

So, for the next hours, Akira began to train again. This time to follow Owen's instructions: feeding the strider, bonding with it, rinse and repeat. Still, some things remained the same. However, eventually it would dwindle down as soon, Akira had begun to somewhat gain control of the strider.

Soon, after minutes of trying, Akira finally was riding the strider around the track. He whooped as he zipped around the track. Though when he had the strider grind to a stop, he fell into the water. Surfacing and gasping for air, he raised his fist in the air and whooped. Now he was ready for the race. Win or lose, he didn't care. He finally got to ride an animal.

The next day, it was the day of the race. Akira was ready for the race. However, he knew that the Four Cae-Sillies and the mayor would be watching so he couldn't take any risks. He borrowed a racing helmet to hide his face amongst the crowd of caecilians that were in the race. Even Owen participated in the race.

He rode his strider to the starting line. Akira looked around him and saw other caecilians carrying straps in their mouths or tails to help the striders. It seems everyone was in on the competition. He looked at the crowd. Akira could make out the Four Cae-Sillies and Jansen in the spectator's crowd. He remembered that while his face was obscured, his bare feet is noticeable.

In the crowd, the Four Cae-Sillies and Jansen were watching the race, "A fantastic day!" Zeppy whooped. Skittles and Berry arrived with snacks and drinks. Jansen drank what appeared to be tea with his tail. He then noticed something off with the racer with the helmet. He had bare feet as well, "Skittles, do you notice anything off about that racer with the helmet?" Jansen asked. Skittles looked at the racer that was Akira, "Yeah. He has bare feet," he answered. The mayor raised his eyebrow. That couldn't be who he thought he is, could it? "You don't think..." Skittles asked, "I wonder myself," Jansen responded.

The announcer of the water strider races came up. He was at the stands with a microphone, "Ladies and gentlephibians, boys and girls! I am Mr. Rolfe! And welcome to the annual water strider races! Competitors will be tasked with racing their striders all around Murkwell's rivers through Wartwood's and then all the way back in one lap! Striders! Prepare the striders for the beginning!" This caught Akira's attention. He'd finally get a glimpse of what Wartwood really looked like.

The competitors and Akira had begun to hop on to their water striders and gripped their handles. While the caecilians used their tails, Akira used his hands to do so. He even popped in headphones and turned something on his phone. He then had his finger on the button to play the song.

Akira's heart was pounding. He never felt so excited in his life. The first-time riding on an animal in his life. He waited for the race to begin. He didn't care if he won or lost. He just wanted that adrenaline rush. The feeling of speed. Just like those amusement park rides he's ridden on before.

The announcer, Mr. Rolfe, began to prepare a firework cannon to signal the race to begin.

"On your marks..."

"Get set..."

Akira smiled under the helmet. Here it comes! he thought excitedly. Mr. Rolfe then fired from the cannon and after the firework exploded in the sky...

"GO!"

Akira pressed down onto the headphones and the song from the phone began playing: Dare to Be Stupid as sung by Weird Al Yankovic. As soon as that happened, he sped into the race alongside the other caecilian racers. The water striders speeding into the race sprayed water everywhere, wowing spectators and causing the crowd to go wild.

Akira began mouth singing along to the song as he sped across the ponds of Murkwell into the watery fields of Murkwell. He sped through river and was racing against the other racers. Akira could make out dragonflies in the air flying at the speed of the racers. The racers then sped into the jungle as many of the fauna were out grazing and watching the racers. Akira grew weary of the wildlife. He made sure to stay out of their way. He managed to speed past other racers. He sees Owen in the race and raced next to him. He looked to the side and looked at Owen.

"Yo! Nice of you to be in the race!" he shouted. Owen turned to the boy, "Same to you!" he concurred. Now, Akira had no intention of winning the race, but he wanted to challenge Owen to prove that his training didn't go to waste. That his efforts to finally tame a water strider didn't go to waste.

"Owen! I may not care about going in first place in this race for the other racers! But I challenge you to see who can go in first. Doesn't matter if anyone else crosses the finish line, if one of us does, it decides to winner! I want to prove my training has paid off!" Akira challenged, "If that's a challenge, accepted, pardner! You're on!" Owen yelled with glee. He then sped off. Akira smirked and sped up to catch up to the bug wrangler. Akira whooped with joy. The boy had never felt so alive, "I NEVER FELT SO ALIVE!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, "Whooo woo!"

The racers sped out of the jungle into a water field where on land, we see groups of basking frilled lizards. They spread their frills to show dominance as if to ward off the intruders. Akira took note and made sure not to get too close in case the frilled lizards would attack. Still, he never thought he would see giant frilled lizards. The ones back on earth were kinda cute.

The racers then sped into a river that was next to another town. Akira wondered if this was Wartwood. He could see what looked like frogs watching the spectacle. So that's what frogs look like in this world. Like the caecilians...only they have arms and legs unlike the caecilians minus Berry who has mechanical arms.

As soon as they sped away, Akira and Owen were now side by side. The finish line was so close now. The boy and Owen were now focused heavily on the finish line. Of course, two of the competitors have already crossed the finish line by the time it came into view, but that did not matter.

Akira, with a battle cry, his eyes glowing crimson for a flash of a second, sped forward, finally finishing third place and beating Owen. Akira was then flown into the river. Underwater, Akira floated there and closed his eyes, finally content to have ridden an animal for the first time. The need for air got the better of him though, and he swam up. He broke the surface, gasping for air and swimming to the bridge. He laid there and rested for a few minutes.

Upon the winner being declared, Akira had then remembered Owen approaching the wet boy, "Well, son...you beat me fair and square. I taught you well, pardner," Owen congratulated. "Yeah...let's...do it...again...sometime..." Akira responded in breaths. The wrangler bid him farewell and rode on his water strider into the sunset. The boy sat up and rubbed his head. And then realized that he wasn't wearing his helmet and he was exposed, "Crud..." he muttered.

Jansen and the Four Cae-Sillies were now behind him, "Akira Feidragon! What is the meaning of this? You participated in the race after I told you not to," Jansen scolded, "But mayor, I-" Akira didn't get to finish as the mayor cut him off, "I don't want to hear it young man. The Four Cae-Sillies here will see to it that you head back at once. Honestly, what you did today was reckless," Jansen said.

Akira couldn't help but put his head down as he and the four caecilians got on a boat and headed back to the other side, "Don't worry, Akira. We're almost to our home," Loofy comforted. Skittles hopped onto the boy's head to comfort the boy. From afar, Jansen's face softened, "Oh...what have I done?"

That night, Akira was on his phone. Pretty soon, it was gonna run out of charge soon anyway. He saw the selfie at one point he took alongside his brother, Anne, Sasha, and Marcy. He sighed. He had learned the hard way of patience and thus was not allowed to leave the house for the rest of the day.

A knock was then sounded at the door. Zeppy slithered in, "You doing okay, my boy?" he asked with sympathy, "I suppose. Maybe Jansen was right. He was only looking out for me. And then I went and disobeyed him with me sneaking out and training. I really arrogantly shunned his lesson there," Akira said sadly.

"Well, speaking of Jansen, he came to talk with you. I'll leave you to it," Zeppy replied before he slithered off. Akira inhaled and exhaled as he was expecting a lecture to come through. The mayor slithered in. But instead of looking angered, he looked concerned, "Are you alright, my boy?" he asked.

"I'm fine," he replied. Jansen sat next to the boy, "Now Akira, what you did was irresponsible and reckless," he reprimanded, "And why are you here? Did you come to lecture me or something?" Akira asked, "No no no, far from it. But you did disobey me, so all I came to do was talk."

Akira sighed. He then spat out this revelation, "Well...if you're gonna say what I did was reckless, yeah...water striders are no ones fools. Overtime, I was frustrated that I made no progress whatsoever. I was impatient. So yeah, learned that the hard way," Akira admitted, "And yet you were able to ride one. As I said, it requires patience to tame a water strider," Jansen agreed, "And I have Owen to thank for that," Akira concurred, "Owen?" Jansen asked curiously, "Oh. He's the water bug wrangler. He deals with aquatic arthropods...and racing him was kind of fun. Especially the race itself. I guess I had my fun," Akira explained. The mayor chortled, "Well, at least you got something out of it. And did you glimpse at Wartwood during the race?"

"Certainly indeed. I caught a glimpse of it for the first time. And I saw the inhabitants too. So those are what frogs look like in this world. Only they have arms and legs like us humans," Akira replied. "Yep. I just want to mention, I didn't mean to be mad, I just want you to return back to your home safe and sound. Not out of spite," Jansen confessed, "Yeah, I should apologize for deliberately disobeying you too," Akira apologized.

"Now...dinner is being served. But I want to say this...rest up tomorrow, my boy. You and your four friends shall be heading to Wartwood tomorrow. Consider it a full package," Jansen said, smiling at the boy. Akira beamed. At last, he'd go to Wartwood for the first time. He is hoping that he'll find one of his friends there. "Sure pal..." he said. Jansen slithered out of the room. Akira then smiled. This was it.

He was finally going to Wartwood.

And that's a wrap, folks! Now I know what you're thinking, why didn't we see Anne if the racers sped by Wartwood's rivers? Well, since the next episode that will be worked on is The Domino Effect, the episode that came before the latter episode is Stakeout, which by then Anne and Hop Pop would be trying to watch for the crop thief...though if you've seen the episode, that was Sprig's idea to stop the two from fighting though. Oh and before I sign off for now, hear are the headcanon voices for the debuts.

The two caecilian guards - Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki (since the guards I portrayed them had a French accent, they would sound like the French Peas, Jean-Claude and Philipe from Veggietales)

Owen Belostom - Grant Goodeve (The Engineer from Team Fortress 2)

Mr. Rolfe - R. Bruce Elliot (Makarov Dreyar from Fairy Tail and Captain Ginyu from Dragon Ball)

And that's about it. Next chapter, we finally meet up with Anne and the Plantars. Til next time! Ta-ta!