The Plantar Sisters

by jawmax

When beings outside of time change the past the Calamity Trio are sent to Amphibia as babies. Raised by the Planter family the girls grow up not knowing what they are or where they come from. The adventure begins again with the stakes raised as time itself in the balance.

13. Toad Tax & Prison Break

Chapter 13: Toad Tax / Prison Break

Toad Tax

It had been over a week since Sasha disappeared and every day Anne went out looking for. What made her angry was that almost no one in town had bothered to join her in her search. She thought back to last week when she first asked. "Sorry miss Plantar but only the mayor can authorize a search party and as you know he's currently out of town fulfilling a previous obligation." Toad said.

In Swamp Shire confetti fell as Frogdrock Toadstool marched in front of a band followed by a float where Wartbert sat drink from a coconut. "Go on and say it cousin." Wartbert said.

Frogdrick sighed. "Wartbert rules, Wartwood drools."

"Most of the townspeople weren't much better." Anne fumed. She was riding with her family to the grub and go for some groceries. "They all assume Sasha is already dead!"

"Anne… They…" Marcy strung her thoughts together. "It's an easy assumption to make with how dangerous the world is."

"It's true." Polly said. "Frogs get eaten all the time."

"Until we find some remains, I refuse to believe she's dead!" Anne held up a sketch of a human skeleton.

"I still can't believe you had Marcy use her brain boost to draw that." Sprig shuttered. He was used to seeing frog bones but the thought that what Marcy drew is what his sisters looked like on the inside bothered him.

"Okay enough grim talk, were here." Hop Pop ordered. "Now let's get this shopping done."

"Okay, the soon we're done, the sooner I can get back to looking for Sasha." Anne said.

A little bit of shopping later in the Grub and Go, Hop and Anne saw a display. "Oh! Pill bugs are on sale!" Hop Pop said.

"At the very least I can get some of that beetle jerky I like." Anne sighed. "It'll keep my energy up while I search."

"Anne…okay kiddo." Hop Pop sighed. He was really starting to worry about Anne. "Just meet us outside." He put as many pill bugs in his cart as he could.

Where is that…?" Anne wondered looking down the aisle. "Ah ha! And the last one too." Anne reached for the jerky when a tongue pulled it away. "Hey! that was totally mine Wally!"

"Haha! You snooze you lose Scarecrow!" The town vagrant hopped away with the snacks.

"Hey! Don't call me scarecrow!" Anne then felt a shopping cart hit her legs.

"Hey! Move your big behind Scarecrow! Croaker needs her cookies!" Mrs. Croaker snapped.

"Anne, are you okay?" Marcy asked.

"People have been jerks lately!" Anne sniped.

"Well, we did kind of let them down with that dare. Mrs. Croaker is wrong, your behind isn't big. We're big. Technically it's to scale. Woah!" Marcy slipped on a wet floor.

"Hey, didn't you read the sign Fumbles?" The store clerk asked.

"That's clumsy Fumbles Plantar for you!" a random frog said as other shoppers laughed.

Tears welled up in Marcy's eyes. "Hey! leave my sister alone you jerks!" Anne snapped. "Come on Marcy, let's get out of here!"

"I know how this played out before but I'm worried." Ghost Anne said. "Last time I didn't have the anger and frustration she has at the townspeople refusing to help look for her sister."

"You just got believe in how the Plantars raised her." Ghost Marcy placed her hand on her friend's shoulder. "At core she's a good kid just as you were."

"I hope so. Sahsa are things with young you?"

Ghost Sasha was watching through a separate window. "It's a lot like when I was first captured by the toads. I answer Grimes questions, he doesn't believe me. The only info she's holding back where she lives. She probably doesn't want Grime to find her sisters. She knows her strength alone won't get her out. I heard mutter to herself that she would need to get out "the Anne's way". And since in this timeline you're the manipulative one, she's doing almost the same thing I did last time, get toads to quit."

"I'm the inspiration for her to repeat the same bad behavior I inspired you to stop? That is so ironic." Ghost Anne sighed.

The pair went outside and back to Bessie. "So, did you get the beetle jerky you…" Sprig saw how angry Anne was and how sad Marcy was. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"We've been going out in public for over a month now." Anne explained. "And most of the townspeople still treat us crummy."

"I just wish they nicer." Marcy cried.

"Oh, that's just how the way these frogs are." Hop Pop said. That's the reason the town motto is "Slow to accept, even slower to respect". You two will find a way to earn their respect, in your own weird and wonderful ways. Now who wants pill bug pancakes?"

"Oh, our favorite!" Marcy cheered.

"Thanks, Hop Pop. You always know how to cheer us up." Anne smiled for the first time in over a week.

They rode by a statue of Mayor Toadstool kissing a tadpole. "Well, that statue's new." Hop Pop noted.

"And tasteless, woof!" Sprig added.

Then Bessie came to a sudden stop and began to fail around. "Woah, woah girl! Easy, what's wrong?" Anne asked petting the snail.

The answer came as spiked wagon pulled by a large green tarantula pulled up to city hollow with three toads riding it. Frogs ran away as they disembarked. The lead toad bent his neck with an audible crack. "Ah! Nothing like cracking you neck after a long drive! Ain't that right?"

"Oh good! You're here!" Mayor Toadstool said exiting city hollow. "Toadie give them the list." The little frog handed them a scroll.

"Who are those guys?" Anne asked.

"And where do they come from?" Marcy added.

"Toads from Toad Tower, they rule over the entire valley." Hop Pop explained.

"You never mentioned it before." Marcy said as Sprig unfurled a map.

"It's a big scary tower, deep in the swamp, and the toads that live there are the valley's fiercest warriors!" Sprig said excitedly.

"Cool!" Anne said.

"Cool yes, but they can be a rough sort and we don't know if the nemesis is a toad or not." Hop Pop said. "It's probably for the best that we all stay clear of…" He saw Anne, Sprig, and Marcy approach the toads. "Oh, dang it! There they go!"

As the toads unloaded their weapons Sprig said. "Hey guys! So, you're from toad tower?"

"Sure are, runt." The lead toad said dismissively.

"Ha ha. My name's Sprig actually."

"Uh huh, yeah sure." The toad turned around and saw the two humans. "Woah! What are those? They're some kind of gangly critters I never seen before!" Bog was telling the truth but he kept quite the these two looked like the description he was told to be on the lookout for by Grime.

"I wonder what they taste like." The female of the trio said.

"Woah, woah, hey! My sisters are not for eating!" Sprig said pulling out his slingshot while Anne and Marcy picked up some branches.

"Stay back!" Marcy said.

"Don't come any closer!" Anne followed.

"Is that a challenge?" the female toad pulled out a spiked club and charged. She swung and Anne dodged and countered by hitting her in the face. Marcy followed up by knock the toad's feet out from under her.

The lead toad laughed as the woman said. "That was awesome!"

"Well met creatures! I don't know what you are, but you got fire!" the lead complimented as they walked away making Anne and Marcy feel good about themselves. He then whispered to his companions. "If we try to take them now then we'll need to keep an eye on them, slowing down the tax collecting. We'll get what's owed first, then bring them and the loot back to the tower."

"Okay kids, that's enough flirting with death. Let's head home." Hop Pop said.

"Bleh! Finally!" Sprig said disillusioned. "Come on guys."

"I was thinking maybe we can hang out with these guys a little longer." Anne said. "Not only do they seem pretty cool but the fiercest warrior in the valley could be pretty helpful with finding Sasha."

"At the very least they can tell the other toads to keep an eye out for her." Marcy agreed.

"They don't seem like the helpful type to me." Sprig said. "More like smelly, not to mention creepy." Sprig pointed to the third toad with a helmet that covered his face that was making deep breathing sounds.

"Wait a second… is our little brother jealous that we think they're cool?" Anne asked.

"That's adorable!" Marcy cooed.

"No! Ha! If you two want to hangout with some grody toads, then be my guests. No skin off my skin." Sprig hopped back on Bessie.

"Okay but don't dally too long girls and come straight back home." Hop Pop ordered.

"I'm eating your pancakes!" Polly said.

"Not jealous!" Sprig yelled as they rode away.

"He jelly." The sisters giggled.

The girls the walked up to the toad's wagon. "Hey, we didn't get a chance to ask…"

"Names Bog." He said. "The silent one there is Mire, and Fens here you've already met." Mire gave a thumbs up while Fens winked at them.

"I'm Anne." Anne said.

"And I'm Marcy. What are you guys doing in Wartwood?" Marcy asked.

"Every year this town sends taxes to the tower." Bog explained. "Well, this year they came up short. So, the mayor gave us this list of frogs who didn't pay and we're just here to collect. Say! We could use someone like the two of you!"

"Really?" Anne asked.

"Yeah, you have inside knowledge of this town. It'll make this job go a whole lot smoother." Bog offered them a pair of badges with the frog foot mark of the kingdom of Amphibia.

"Um, I'm not sure if this our business." Marcy said.

"You know, the best part of wearing this badge is that everyone in this town will have to treat you with respect."

"I'm interested but there is something else I want." Anne said. "Our sister is missing, and we haven't had much luck finding her. Could you and the tower help?"

"Sure, we can help." Bog said with a toothy grin. "The tower looks after its own. Help us collect the taxes and once we all return to the tower, we'll find your sister in no time."

"Then give me the ding dang thing!"

"Me too!" Marcy said as they snatched the badges.

"Then let's set you girls up with some gear." Bog couldn't believe his luck. Two of the creatures Grime wants were going to make his job easier and were going come to the tower willingly!

A short time later at the farm. "Got your last frog." Hop Pop said knocking Sprigs last piece in their game of bog jump. "Woo! You lose oh yeah!" Sprig really didn't care. He was still fuming over his sisters fawning over those toads.

Speaking of which. "Guess who became toad tower deputies?" Anne said coming in. Both she and Marcy wore straps with a single shoulder guard that they attached their badges to.

"Whaaaat?!" the frogs gasped.

"And checkout the sword they gave Anne and my new spear! Woah!" Marcy said tripping over the blunt end of her spear.

"Girls, when I said earn the town's respect, I didn't mean join a gang!" Hop Pop said.

"I don't believe this! They're not a gang!" Anne said. "They're just here to do a job."

"They may look all rough, but they've been really nice to us." Marcy added.

"Now if you'll excuse us, we have some respect to enjoy." Anne led the way, neither of them seeing Sprig follow them.

Ann and Marcy rode with the toads over to the dilapidated wagon Wally called home "Alright, first name on the list." Bog said.

"So how does this work? Anne asked. "Do we remind Wally how much he owes…?"

"Or do we set up some kind of installment plan?" Marcy interrupted.

The answer was neither a Bog kicked down the door just as Wally was bathing. "Jumping June Bugs! What's all this about?" Wally asked.

"I uh, guess you owe the town money?" Anne said.

"Rubbish! I may live in squaller, but I always pay my taxes!"

"The mayor's list says otherwise!" Bog said. "And since you haven't paid, we'll be taking your stuff!" The toads began grabbing almost all of Wally's possessions. Bog shoved a small sack into Anne's hands. "Here you go girls. A little something extra for ya."

"I don't know, this doesn't feel right." Marcy saw the sad on Wally's face.

"Yeah Bog, this seems a little extreme." Anne said nervously.

"It's just the way we do things. Plus, it's not like we enjoy it. Now who wants to race to the next house?"

Anne looked down at the beetle jerky and felt like she didn't want it anymore. "Here, take this back." she whispered.

"Come on girls!"

"Thanks." Wally whispered.

Sprig spied on the group as they left. "That's weird. Wally always pays his taxes."

"Come on!" Sprig heard, hiding immediately, it was mayor Toadstool. "Come on Toadie while the townsfolk are preoccupied."

"Coming sir!" Toadie whispered carrying a large sack, but something fell out.

"A copper coin?" Sprig asked himself. "The mayor? A hole in the bag… Anne, Marcy, I hope you'll be okay." Sprig followed the mayor.

Later the toads were at Felicia's tea shop. Fens ripped a barrel of tea off the wall'. Mire was heading to the display case of Tinypole figurines, but Marcy stood in front of it blocking the view. "Nothing in here but worthless napkins." Marcy said as Mire turned away, she breathed a sigh of relief. At least their mom's and Sasha's most treasured figurine was safe.

Mire instead took a bunch of cups, mugs and dishes. "Oh, how horrid!" Felicia said hold Ivy close.

"Here take this." Anne whispered handing over a number 1 mom mug.

Next on the list was Loogle. "No, no! Not the statue!" Loggle cried as Bog took it. Anne handed him one cane and Loggle took it with grateful tears.

"Anne, I'm seriously having second thoughts about all this." Marcy whispered.

"But we need these guys to find Sasha." Anne whispered back.

"But would she think it was worth all this to bring her home?" Anne didn't know how to answer that.

"Archie! Sic 'em!" Mrs. Croaker ordered her pet spider that began barking at the tax collectors. However, they just stepped aside to let mire drop down from the ceiling scaring the pet as the took his bet.

The girls pulled a quick switch and gave the bed back. "Here ya go." Anne whispered her doubts have been growing. She and Marcy carried a clock outside.

"I don't know guys, this feels wrong."

"The law is the law, Anne." Bog said. "It can be tough, but this kind of work needs to get done."

"Yeah, needs to get done. It's tough." Fens said as she ate some confiscated snacks.

"I guess that makes sense." Anne said.

"We could be nicer about it." Marcy muttered.

"Who's next on the list?"

Bog checked. "Eh, some nut named Hopediah Plantar."

"What?!" Marcy gasped.

"Oh crud." Anne said. "Bog that list has to be wrong! That's our adoptive grandfather! He's totally honest!"

"He'd do his best to pay even though we're struggling!"

"Girls the tower didn't get any taxes okay! And if we didn't get the money then where is it?!" Bog asked. "We have a deal, you help us get our taxes, we get the tower to find your sister. So, unless you want to back out then come along and finish the job!"

"Alright." The girls sighed.

Later a rainstorm had begun to roll in when they got the Plantar family farm. "Like I said, I already paid my dang taxes! You can't come in here and that's final!" Hop Pop said in defiance of the toads.

"I don't like your tone frog!" Bog growled. "Or did you forget who you're talking to?"

"Bog we are telling you he paid his taxes!" Marcy begged.

"He… he made us watch!" Anne shuttered.

Just before the day the rent was raised the girls were in the den with Hop Pop as he taught them how to do their taxes. Marcy looked on with fascination while Anne and Sasha were bored out of their minds. "So, then you add up your deductibles." Hop Pop said doing the math. "And since I'm not hiding you girls anymore, that makes you deductibles!"

"Make it stop!" Sasha cried.

"Kill me!" Anne begged.

Anne shook her head snapping her back to the present. Bog however was having none of it. "Marcy, Anne! They all say they paid! I don't care what you think you saw, the list don't lie. Now what should we start with?"

"How about that thing?" Fens said pointing to Bessie.

"You stay away from her!" Hop Pop yelled.

"I'll bite your face off!" Polly shouted.

"Good choice, that snail should cover everything." Bog said. "Mire, Fens, Anne, Marcy, move out."

The girls were paralyzed with indecision as Hop Pop yelled. "You monsters!"

"Stop!" Anne shouted. "Keep your claws off that snail!"

"She's family!" Marcy added.

"Better yet…" Anne said as she and Marcy joined their grandfather and baby sister as the rain began to fall. "Get off our property!"

"Care to repeat that?" Bog asked.

"She said get lost, now!" Marcy yelled.

The towns people had followed the toads hoping to convince them that there was a mistake, but instead, they saw the sisters' display. "They're brave." Loggle said.

"What did they just say?" Mrs. Croaker had never seen anything like this on all her years.

Anne torn off her badge. "All we wanted was our town's respect but just because these people believe our sister is dead and treated us crummy doesn't mean I'm going to do the same to them. It's not what Sasha would want. I'm done with this; I don't care they broken the law! You can't treat people like this!"

"Atta girl." Ghost Anne said.

Ghost Marcy hugged her friend. "I told you; you had nothing to worry about."

Marcy tore her badge off too. "There is a difference between enforcing the law and using it like a hammer to beat people down just to make yourself feel big! What you've been doing is wrong!" Both Marcy and Anne threw their badges into the mud.

The towns folk gasped. Bog snapped his finger signaling Fens to push the sisters down and hold them down. Hop Pop and Polly pulled out some farm implements but Mire held the back. "How disappointing." Bog said. "Do you know what we do to traitors in the tower girls?" He pulled out his hammer.

"You're about to be pill bug pancakes, you little brats!" Fens laughed.

"Your hand is about the be a pancake!" Anne said as both she and Marcy slipped out from under Fens and Bog hit her left hand. The sister stood up and pulled out the weapons they were given. Fens charged at Anne while Bog went for Marcy. Anne parried while Marcy dodged, Bog only breaking the tip of her spear forcing her to use it as a quarterstaff. The toads switched opponents; Bog knocked the sword out of Anne's hands while Marcy deflected Fens attack. "No! Anne yelled as the trained warrior switched again, Fens hitting Anne's right arm and Bog hit Marcy's left leg.

Both girls were forced down, Anne cradled her arm while Marcy used her staff to support her weight. "Sorry creatures, it's just business." Bog said ready to strike them down.

Anne and Marcy activated their powers but before they could do anything some mud hit Bog in the eye. "You leave them alone!" Sprig said leading a charge of the citizen of Wartwood.

"Yeah! You leave our Plantar sisters alone!" Wally agreed.

"They're both one of us!" Felicia yelled.

"If you got a problem with them, then you got a problem with all of us!" Sadie agreed as the townspeople pulled out their angry mob gear.

Knowing they could fight of the whole town Bog and Fens dropped their weapons. Mire's helmet opened and the mad a shrill scream as he let the other Plantars go.

"Marcy! Anne!" Sprig hopped up to his sisters' sides.

"What took you so long?" Anne asked.

"Sorry, got tied up."

They then heard someone breathing hard. "Woah boy, I need to cut down on those cricket nuggets!" Mayor Toadstool panted.

"Arrest that toad! He stole the towns money and is keeping it all for himself!" After the rain stopped everyone gathered at the new statue of the mayor. "May I?" Bog gave him his hammer, but it was too heavy for the young frog to lift. "I think you should do the honors."

Bog took his weapon back and smashed the behind of the statue, copper coins pouring out. Bog growled not happy with being tricked forcing him into that humiliating defeat. Toadstool tried to weasel his way out. "People, I needed the extra money for my campaign! Do you have any idea how much it costs to buy your love?" And the produce began flying again. "And as mayor I hereby pardon myself of any wrongdoing. Good day!"

"He can't do that! Can he?" Marcy asked.

Later the Plantars help return everything the toads took. Both Anne's arm and Marcy's leg were in casts and Marcy had a crutch. "If it was respect you girls were looking for you two sure lost mine, and any chance we'd help you find your sister." Bog said. "You got a lot of nerve; I'll give you that. We'll be back Plantars, and we won't be alone."

"They don't need your respect!" Hop Pop yelled.

Yeah! They got ours!" Wally finished as the toads rode off with their taxes.

"So, we're going to tell the captain we found those creatures he was looking for right?" Fens asked.

"Oh, we're going to tell the captain everything." Bog said.

"Three cheers for Anne and Marcy Plantar! Defenders of Wartwood!" Wally exclaimed.

"Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray!"

Anne teared up. "Oh, thanks you guys. Now who want to sign our casts?"

"Me, me, me! I'm their brother!" Sprig said.

"Me! Out of the way, you plebes!" Polly followed.

"Oy! I can't write!" Wally said.

Marcy smiled. "When we find Sasha and bring her home, she'll be coming back to a better Wartwood."

Prison Break.

Far, far away from Wartwood…

The toads of the southern tower were doing their usual rough housing kind of fun when the main doors of the main hall opened, and Captain Grime came in. They stopped and stood at attention. "So, these are the valley's strongest warriors?" Grimes asked rhetorically. "Pathetic! Wait hold on, is this guy seriously wearing his breastplate as pants?"

"I uh, it would happen again sir!" the toad in question answered.

"No, it won't. Take him to the pain room!"

"Not the pain room! I hate pain!" the poor toad cried out as he was taken away.

"I'm sure you all heard, frogs in the valley are getting unruly. They're questioning our authority, some towns have even stopped paying their taxes, and do you know why?"

"Maybe they, I don't know… forgot?" one toad said.

"No, you imbeciles! You've all gotten soft!" Grimes punched a pillar cracking it. "To get this valley under control I need warriors who are fierce, cunning, and above all ruthless!"

Up in her cell Sash used a stone to scratch an image of her family into the wall. "Be safe guys, I'm working on a way to get of here." She whispered. Since she couldn't brute force her way out of this place Sasha had to be sneaky. She began talking with her guards. She had to make sure they wouldn't hit her with more paralyzing darts. She hoped by convincing them to leave the tower they could deliver a message to her family and they or mostly Marcy could figure out a way to break her out here. But it hadn't been easy. Many of the toads were either suspicious of her or too afraid of Grime to disobey him. She got a couple to leave but they wouldn't deliver her message.

However, it was time for a shift change and one of few toads she had grown to like came in. "Hey Sasha, brought you dinner. Cricket Thursdays!"

"Percy!" Sasha smiled at the nicest toad she ever met as the other guard left. If anyone would understand and deliver her message it would be him. Sasha didn't just consider him her best hope, but also one of the first friends she made on her own, let alone outside of Wartwood.

"Hey, I've been working on my act. Do you want to see it?" Percy asked. His dream was to being traveling musical comedian.

"Of course!"

"Okay stay right there!" Percy stepped away and came back as a one toad band. He played the old grey snail and slid on his drum. "Ta-da!

"Woah, wow! You are great Percy! If you teamed up with my brother, you be the greatest comedy act in all Amphibia! Your talent is wasted as a guard." Sasha really meant it.

"You know what, you're right!" Percy took off his helmet and put on a jesters cap. This was it, Sasha thought. Percy could bring a letter to her family. "Thanks Sasha, I can wait to see the look on Grime's face when I tell him that I'm…" Pery turned but bumped into someone.

"Tell me what?" Grime asked.

"Uh, That I quit and I always hated this job! Bye!" Percy said running away.

Sasha was of course disappointed, but she couldn't let Grim see that. "Hey Grimesy, what was that the third toad I talked into leaving since I got here almost two weeks ago?"

"There are far more where that came from, and far more loyal than Percy." Grime said.

"Are you sure about that? You're not exactly Mr. popularity around here. Like my mom said, "You'll catch more flies with sugar than salt."

"What? I use my tongue."

"Mine's not stretchy or sticky. So, my sisters and I made a trap and picked the wrong bait…"

"Enough!" not let the girl get into her anecdote. "Now what are…"

"…am I and where do I come from? I wish I knew. Who sent me? No one unless you count the man left me with my parents. What do I want? To go home to my family and find the answers to your first two question! Haven't we been through this enough?"

"It will be enough when you start giving me real answers!" The thing Grime found most unbelievable about Sasha's tale was that this supposed being of golden light left children as powerful as her in the hands of weak little frogs. "Until then…"

Captain Grime! Captain Grime, sir!" Braddock yelled and saluted. "Oh, hey Sash." She waved.

"Braddock! Hey girlfriend, how did those gardening tips I gave work out?" If Sasha would call anyone the big sister that she never had it would be Braddock who looked out for her and kept some of the other guards from messing her. So, when she learned the blonde toad had a garden of course she'd tell her some of the things she learned growing up on the Plantar family farm.

"Oh, you were right, it's gorgeous!" Braddock gushed. "You should see the squash…"

"Did you need something soldier?" Grime growled.

"Oh! Right! Yes! We may have a small problem." Braddock and Grime went upstairs. "Right there."

"Kill the torches fast!" Grime whispered.

Sash had been in the tower long enough to know her window had a good view of a large area, so she looked outside. What she saw was a memory she wished she could forget. "Herons! Mama, Papa!" Sasha began to cry.

"Keep quite creature! Those birds…"

"I know!" Sasha saw one had red eyes and was taken back to that day.

Baby Polly was crying while Marcy rocked her. Anne held Sprig close. "Let me help you!" an eight-year-old Sasha asked trying to leave the basement. "I'm bigger, and my powers…"

"No Sasha!" Willow said. "We need you to look after you sisters and brother."

Birch pulled the girl to eye level. "We need you to be a big girl and be responsible for them. Promise us you'll do that."

"But…" Sasha cried.

"Promise us!"

"I, I promise."

They closed the door and soon Sasha heard someone shout and then her parents. She cracked open the door.

"Birch why did it stop working?" Willow asked.

"I, I don't know!" Birch said as large beaks came down followed by screams that have echoed in Sasha's head since then.

"I promised my parents I'd take care of my siblings right before those monsters ate them right in front of me!" Sasha's tears of sadness turned into tears of rage.

"She saw it happen?!" Ghost Anne gasped.

"That's why she takes responsibility so seriously." Ghost Sasha said. "I've seen it before in some of my patients. The promise they made make right before their death; she's shaped her whole life around it."

Grime could tell she was telling the truth about this. "Be that as it may, the most important thing right now is that we be very, very quiet!" But as soon as he said that Percy stepped out of the tower gates still wearing his loud instruments.

Immediately Sasha and Grime began calling Percy back. "Sorry guys but this toad's gonna follow his dreams!" That was when the heron's foot landed around him. He was lucky that his instruments broke in a way to let him get away, as Percy ran back to the tower.

"Don't them here you fool!" Grime blew a horn. "Close the gates!"

"Wait for me!" Percy screamed as he jumped inside just in time.

"Thank Frog you're safe Percy." Sasha said as one of the herons broke into her cell. "Oh crud!"

The Herons attacked the tower, eating panicking toads. "Ah! This place is falling apart!" Grime yelled.

"Find a happy place. Find a happy place." One toad said scared out of his mind.

Grime picked up the toad and shoved a mace into his hands. "Come on you cowards! Fight back!" He threw the toad into the fray. "Do something!"

"You'll pay for Mom and Dad!" Grime heard Sasha yell as her eyes glowed an angry red breaking her chain. She punched the heron cracking its beak. "I'll tear you two apart!"

"Of course! Her rage and power, properly focused can be worth something." Grime went back into Sasha's cell and bent the bars. Sasha's powers reach their limit just as the heron tried to eat her again. "Creature! Fight with me! And together we'll… and she's gone." It looked like Sasha was trying to escape. The bird's beak closed pushing Grime onto his back. "I'm not afraid of death."

"I'm not done with you!" Sasha yelled as she threw a barrel at the beast's head making it retreat again.

"Where did you get moves like that?"

"I have four siblings remember? We rough house sometimes."

"Ah yes, I understand." Grimes recalled much the same with his sister Beatrix.

"Okay, listen up. I'll help your get rid of these monsters, but I want provisions and for you to release me! Deal?"

"Deal! Now grab every toad that you can and meet me in the safe room." The heron screeched. "Quickly!"

Sasha did as she was asked so the survivors were huddled up in the safe room but who knew how long it would hold. A sense of doom hung in the air. "You know what lighten this atmosphere a bit? A joke!" Percy said. "How many Herons does it take to storm a castle?" Grime pointed his sword at Percy's neck. "Too soon?"

"You lot are without a doubt the most useless group of toads I have ever seen!" Grime yelled. "Maybe if any of you had a scrub of courage we wouldn't be in here, cowering like a bunch of…"

"Alright take five! Grimesy a word in private please?" Sasha said taking Grime behind a tapestry. "Look your yelling at them is not helping. Remember what I saying about the sugar and the salt? You are the ocean right now!"

"What do you suggest? That I congratulate them? Give them each an award?" Grime spat out some acidic bile.

"Look these guys are like how my sister Anne used to be."

"Was she a coward and a bungler too?"

"No! Back when the three of us were learning our multiplication tables Anne was have a hard time. No matter how much Marcy gave her the answers, or I taunted her to make try her harder Anne just said she couldn't do it. Then our dad took the two of aside and said that as long as Anne believed she couldn't multiply then she couldn't. She needed to believe that she could do it and the first step was for all of us say that we believe she could do it on her own. When Anne saw we were behind her it finally fell into place for her. Sometimes just knowing those who care about you or you at least respect believe in you can believe in yourself. I know these toads respect you, they just need to see you believe in them."

"I don't know."

"I can give you a little head start." Sasha knew if there was ever a time to pull an Anne it was now. "Woah Grime! So, you think your guards are amazing but your afraid to tell them your true feelings?"

"What? What are you…?"

"What's that? You say Braddock is the toughest toad in the tower cause she doesn't take garbage from anyone?" Sasha knew this to true.

"Uh yes! Braddock is tough! Tough as beetle skin!"

Other toads were complimenting Braddock who replied. "Well, I do wash with a steel wool brush. It really hurts."

"And what were those nice things you said about Gary?" Sasha continued pointing to an injured toad.

"Oh, Gary, Gary, Gary." Grime though of something. "Gary never missed a day! Even when he was sick!"

"What can I say? I'm dedicated." Gary said.

"I can't believe he likes us!" one toad said. It was working

"And Percy?" Sasha asked.

"I don't want to do Percy. Grime grumbled.

"And Percy?"

"Percy's a grubbing idiot!" Grime yelled and the room seemed down again making Percy cry and Sasha facepalm. "Uh, but when he makes a mistake, he owns it. And he doesn't stop until he makes things right, and because of that… he has…"

"Come on, come on." Sasha whispered.

"He's earned my respect." Grimes spat out.

All the toads gasped as Percy asked. "I have?"

"Y… yes?"

"Captain Grime sir, we're taking this tower back! Even if we have to fight through twenty herons! Now come on you toads! No one wants to live forever!" The toads grabbed what weapons the could as Percy let the charge against the hungry herons. "For Grime!" The toads fought, more damage was done and at one point it looked like Percy and Braddock were doomed. "Before we die, Braddock I love you! I've always loved you!" Braddock slapped and then kissed him.

"Up here pheasants!" Grime shouted on top of a ruined wall next to Sasha. The only weapons the had were some loose pieces of wood. The pair jumped off and attacked beating the giant killer birds until they flew away.

"This isn't over!" Sasha shouted. "I'm not the scared little girl in the basement anymore! I will never let you hurt my family again! You hear me never! I won't rest until I avenge my mom and dad!"

Ghost Sasha shuttered. "I thought that maybe she was the better version of me. Responsible and at a young age. But she has a different dark streak that… scares me."

"What is it?" Ghost Marcy asked.

"She wants revenge on the herons that ate her adopted parents and that is definitely not healthy! Anne, you know how Hop Pop thinks better than I do. What will he make of this when finds out?"

"I… I don't know." Ghost Anne said. "Revenge wasn't a subject that came up back then. I know he'll think it's wrong, but not what he'll do to try and change her mind. When the Herons show up in the invasion young Sasha might put herself and others in danger!"

"If there's an invasion." Ghost Marcy said. "Remember young me found the letter. Young Sasha may never see those herons again."

"I hope that is the case." Ghost Sasha said. "But I do know one thing as a child psychologist, she needs to find a better way to deal with these feelings."

The toads gasped at the bravery of their captain and the human. "Toads of toad tower! Today was a great victory if it weren't for your bravery the fortress would be lost! You're all heroes!"

"Did Grime…" one toad began

"Just call us…" Braddock continued.

"…heroes?!" Percy finished. The toads broke into cheering.

"Alright troops listen up." Grime said.

"Sir! Yes sir!" the toads replied saluting.

"Okay, wow…" Grime was shocked at the turn around. "Head down to the mess hall for some food and a round of beetle mead! You've earned it."

"Sir! Yes sir!"

"Unbelievable. This complement stuff is witchcraft." Grime said to Sasha.

"It's just… how I was raised and doing things my sister's way for once." Sasha sighed. "But I held up my end of the deal and my family probably thinks I'm dead! Anne must be blaming herself big time. I need to get back so just give me some rations and a map and I'll just head my way home okay?"

"Not so fast!" Grime picked up a sword. "You are far too strong and cunning to be left to roam free."

"Why you…your just as bad as Mayor Toadstool! We had a deal!"

"But we both know I can't stop you." Grime put the sword away. "But if you leave now with your power depleted if you run into another threat, you may very well die before setting eyes on your home again. You rely too much on a power that is temporary and leaves you vulnerable when depleted. But there is another way."

"What?" Sasha asked.

"You could stay here. I misjudged you, Sasha. I saw you as a threat to this valley. That is why this tower, and we are here, to protect it and that's what you really want isn't it? To protect you family? There are things out there that are just as dangerous and far stranger than herons. I can train you to be a warrior, teach you to fight so you can use your power to it's full potential. And when the tower is rebuilt and I think you training has proceeded enough, we can bring your sisters here and train them as well. You might even become my second in command. You said you wanted to leave this valley and find your own kind. There are three other towers that can lend you their aid in finding them. And one day we also find the herons' roost and you can avenge your parents and your family will be safe. Now how does that sound?"

"Can I write my family? Let them know I'm okay?"

"Of course, you have my word."

Ghost Sasha looked on. "This time Grime is using the two things that mean the most to her to try and get young me to stay. First her need to be responsible and protect her family. And second her newfound desire for revenge."

"I think…we might have a new deal." Sasha said.

"Then come my protégé! We have much to discuss." Grime said heading inside.

"Hang on everyone. I'll try to get home as soon as I can. And when I'm done, Anne, Marcy together we'll make those herons pay!"

Sasha couldn't hear what was said inside. "Captain Grime sir! Bog has just returned from Wartwood and is waiting for you in the briefing room." A toad told him.

"Very well." Grime said as Sasha came in. "Sasha something has just come up. Why don't you join the rest of the troops in the mess hall? I'll send for you later."

"Alright, I can tell Percy and Braddock the good news."

In the briefing room after Bog gave his report Grime was deep in thought. "This severely complicates matters. If I'm to have Sasha bring her sister into the tower's service, she mustn't know of these events that just took place."

"Do we really need them sir?" Bog asked.

"That is why I never made you my second in command sergeant. You may be one of the tower's best warriors, but your thoughts and strategies are as blunt as your hammer. You never seen these powers at work! Sasha's strength combined with my training will be a wonder to behold, and I'm sure her sisters are just a potent! We cannot waste this opportunity! However, I did promise her she could write her family and if I rescind it so soon, she will be suspicious. The same thing will happen if she doesn't get a reply."

"Eh mail. Takes so long to get anywhere unless it's from the same town or a royal priority. I just got a letter that was sent to me a year ago." Bog muttered.

"You at least found me a temporary solution. But I must think on this further. dismissed." Grime took a breath. "Order will be restored, and Sasha and her sisters can help me do it, and maybe more."

AN: I'm going to take a short break from writing to complete Return to Monkey Island. My brother finished it, and he needs to talk about the secret with me.