Two of a Kind
Ten years later, Marcy sits in her apartment bedroom alone. After what happened with Darcy in the past, her parents decided it would be best if they moved out of state. It was hard, but she understands it's what she needed at the time.
Now Marcy's twenty three years old and recently moved back to California so she can be closer to Anne and Sasha. Tonight they're celebrating Anne's birthday and she's excited to see them again.
Marcy holds the green stone in her hand, looking at it with a wishful sense of foreboding that she can't explain. Even after all these years, part of her still wants to go back to Amphibia.
Why don't you just go back? All you need to do is get Anne and Sasha and find some sort of artifact like the music box.
"No. I've worked so hard to get to where I am. Plus, I'm twenty three now, I don't have time to get lost in another fantasy adventure." Marcy replied.
You lose yourself in escapism everyday writing and drawing for your webcomic. Admit it, you want to go back just as much as I do. You think we're opposites, but we're actually very similar.
Marcy starts to get frustrated. The last thing she wants is to be told she's like Darcy. From what she's grown to understand, Darcy's the dark part of her personality she created to cope with her trauma, using them to escape what she can't outrun.
"I get it, you're a part of me, but we're nothing alike. All you want is power and control. I just want to be okay again. To feel like myself again…" Marcy replied.
I want that too. So tell me this, before you went to Amphibia, were you really happy? No. You wanted to escape reality. Why? Because you were trying to run away from a darker part of yourself that you don't understand. I'm not wrong. You're just afraid to accept the truth.
Marcy thinks about this for a moment, realizing maybe she's not so different from Darcy after all.
"You're right, I wasn't happy. I was happiest when I was in Amphibia, but even then the fantasy became a nightmare I had to escape. So I'll ask you again, what's the solution?" Marcy asked.
Well, as much as I want to say it's going back to Amphibia, that's not true. In the past, it was so easy for me to take control because you had so much fear and anxiety. You've calmed down, but you're still holding onto something that's preventing you from moving on. So what are you afraid of and how can you let it go?
Marcy laughs, thinking how ironic it is that her dark side is being her voice of reason.
"I guess I was afraid of losing my friendship with Anne and Sasha. That's why I used the music box to transport us to Amphibia. I didn't know it would work, but when it did I was finally happy. I was living my dream in a fantasy world, but you already know how that turned dark. I don't know…Maybe what I think I want is not what I need." Marcy replied.
What do you mean by that? I may be a part of you, but I don't always know what you're thinking.
Marcy ignores Darcy for the moment and puts the green stone in her pocket. Then she heads out of her room and downstairs, heading out to meet up with Anne and Sasha.
Once Marcy's in her car, she starts driving, watching as the road passes her by and listening to music to tune the world out.
Darcy's silent, letting Marcy's mind rest as she escapes reality through zoning out. It may not be healthy to do all the time, but it calms her in the moment.
Suddenly, Marcy arrives at Anne's workplace. She parks and waits outside, ready to pick up Anne and Sasha. Then she hears Darcy again.
Are you finally going to tell Anne and Sasha that you want to use the stones to go back to Amphibia? Is that what you meant by trying to figure out what you need?
"You really have an obsessive one track mind don't you, Darcy? No, that's not what I meant. I moved back to California so Anne, Sasha, and I can be closer. That's what I need, connection." Marcy said.
So what you're saying is you haven't really changed. You still need your friends to be happy.
"Yes and no. The difference is, after spending all that time apart from them, I've realized I'm okay being alone. I know who I am and my connection with Anne and Sasha is a bonus. I've changed and grown so much, and I'm ready to be a better friend." Marcy replied.
Before Darcy can reply, Anne and Sasha start running towards Marcy's car, smiling and waving. Marcy waves back, excited to see her friends for the first time in years.
Marcy gets out of her car and the trio hugs, happy to be reunited after all these years.
"Marcy! I missed you, how have you been?" Sasha asked.
"I'm good! It's so great to see you both. I missed this." Marcy replied.
Marcy looks at Anne with a big smile.
"And happy birthday Anne!" Marcy said.
"Thanks Marcy! I'm just so happy we're all together again." Anne replied.
"Me too." Marcy replied.
With that, Anne and Sasha hop in Marcy's car and she starts driving. She's happy to have her girls back and hasn't heard Darcy since. She thinks about telling them eventually, but wants to focus on celebrating Anne's birthday.
The trio plans to just hang out at Sasha's apartment. It's what Anne wanted to do, just have a chill evening with her friends, talking and laughing just like old times.
Once they arrive at Sasha's they sit on the couch, grab some snacks, and before they start a movie, they decide to catch up.
"It's been so long, what's new with you both?" Anne asked.
"Well, I've been working as a therapist, mostly with kids. It's actually really rewarding work, helping them work through their emotional baggage. I have a lot of experience." Sasha replied.
"Good for you, Sasha. I'm sure you're great at helping those kids. They're lucky to have you as a role model." Anne replied.
Anne looks to Marcy who's been quiet and wonders what's on her mind. Then Sasha speaks up.
"How about you, Marcy? Still working on that webcomic? I read a few chapters, it's awesome!" Sasha said.
"Thanks! It's doing pretty well online. I'm just happy I get to do what I love." Marcy replied.
Anne and Sasha smile, glad Marcy seems genuinely happy.
"Well, I'm glad you're here. It's nice we all get to spend time together again." Anne replied.
Suddenly, Marcy hears that eerie voice in her head again.
Ask them if they still have the stones and if they want to go back to Amphibia. Come on, you know you want to make that dream a reality.
"Actually, there's something I need to tell you both." Marcy said.
Marcy looks sad and a bit anxious, so Anne and Sasha try to help.
"What is it, Marcy?" Sasha asked.
"Is everything okay?" Anne asked.
"It's just, I've been hearing Darcy's voice in my head again. They know you both have the other stones. They haven't taken over, but I guess they're back because a part of me still wants to go back to Amphibia." Marcy explained.
Anne and Sasha look at one another surprised, then back at Marcy.
"Actually, I've been thinking about going back there too. It's been so long and I'd really like to see how Hop Pop, Sprig, and Polly are doing." Anne replied.
"Me too. It would be nice to see Grimes again. I hope he's doing okay after all these years." Sasha replied.
Marcy's shocked, but relieved that Anne and Sasha are on the same page.
Great, now's your chance, you can finally escape to your fantasy world again.
"That's great you both want to go back to Amphibia too. I want to let you both know this is not an escape from reality for me like it was last time. I just want to see how Olivia and Yunan are. Plus, I do miss the adventure and I'll probably get some great inspiration there for my webcomic." Marcy said.
Anne and Sasha smile.
"No need to explain, Marcy. I trust you and I know you'll be okay this time." Sasha replied.
"Yeah, we've all grown and changed so much over the years. I think we're ready to go back and create new memories with some old friends and our found families." Anne replied.
Marcy starts to tear up, feeling so happy that her friends trust her and recognize how much she's grown.
"Alright girls, let's do this." Marcy said.
With that, the trio gets their stones out, focusing on their connection with one another. They don't know if this will work, but they're hopeful.
Suddenly, the three stones glow blue, pink, and green. Colorful lights flash as a portal opens right in front of them and they all stare in amazement.
"It actually worked!" Sasha said.
"Wow. This is incredible. I finally get to see everyone again. I can't believe it." Anne said.
The trio slowly starts walking through the portal, but Marcy stops for a moment when she hears Darcy.
Finally, let's go! I'm so ready to take over again and make Amphibia pay for what they did to me.
"No. This time, I'm in control and I'm going to enjoy the adventure with my friends. Goodbye Darcy." Marcy said.
With that, Marcy steps through the portal with Anne and Sasha, leaving behind a darkness that once consumed her and stepping into the bright light. She knows she'll still have her dark side, but she's finally learned to let go of her past mistakes. She's in control now, and ready to move on, coming into self acceptance.
Once the trio's through the portal, they arrive on top of the hill they left Amphibia on as the portal closes behind them. They all look down at the familiar marshy landscape and smile.
"Well, here we are again. Are you girls ready?" Sasha asked.
Anne starts to tear up a bit, a big smile on her face.
"Ready as I'll ever be. Honestly, this is the best birthday present you girls could give me." Anne replied.
Sasha and Marcy hug Anne, happy they could make this day special for her.
"Now come on, let's go see how everyone's doing." Sasha said.
Marcy looks back where the portal was one last time, then back at Anne and Sasha and takes their hands excited.
"Let the adventure begin!" Marcy said.
As they go, Marcy thinks about Darcy, but chooses to let go and live in the moment. She's confident she'll be okay knowing the end of one story is a new beginning, a chance to start anew.
The End