This fic now has a TV Tropes page! Thank you so much Donquill for creating it and The Literary Lord for letting me know about it! I added a couple of trope examples to it myself.

"Ready… set… begin!"

Combat training was commonplace at the Toad Towers. There were some exceptions like Mayor Toadstool, but Amphibia's strict caste system meant that most toads were warriors of some sort. Toads train and practice whenever they can so they stay in shape and/or test how strong they can get. At the South Tower, today was training day for not just an ordinary toad soldier, but an honorary toad: Captain Grime's adoptive human daughter Sasha Waybright.

Sasha's appearance had changed quite a bit in the year she'd been living in Amphibia. She was taller and had developed a surprising amount of musculature for a 7-year old. She had long since ditched her human outfit and now sported custom-made armor complete with a cape and shoulder pad. Her once light blonde hair grew a little longer and had reverted to its natural darker color. Making sure hair is an attractive color is less important to toads than it is for humans, so Sasha followed their example.

Currently Sasha is training with her new blades: one light red and one sea green. In terms of size her weapons are more akin to daggers than proper swords, which are a little too big for her right now. She's fighting two seasoned toad warriors: Frankie, a female toad wielding a flail, and Dennis, a male toad wielding a rapier. Sasha matches Frankie and Dennis blow-for-blow as often as she could, and when she couldn't she put her evasive maneuvering training to good use.

At this stage of her training, Sasha's moves were mostly defensive, but she managed to get a few good hits in. Suddenly Frankie swung her flail at Sasha, but luckily she ducked at the last second causing the weapon to strike Dennis. Seeing that her two opponents were momentarily distracted, Sasha decided it was time to finish the match. She concentrated for a few seconds and then slashed her daggers through the air, creating pink blasts which knocked Frankie and Dennis toward opposite sides of the arena.

Ah yes, Sasha's powers. She had no idea where they came from, and definitely didn't know how to fully control them, but over the past year she had at least learned how to trigger them. Deep concentration combined with her constant determination seemed to make the powers manifest. Though considering she's also used them to randomly break weapons that's clearly not the entire story. Grime was convinced her powers somehow came from the music box which sounded a lot like an ancient device mentioned in the annals of Barrel the Brave, but since no one could find the box that would have to remain a theory for the time being.

"This training session is complete! Three cheers for Sasha the Strong!"announced Grime. A round of applause followed. He walked over to congratulate his daughter. "You're getting stronger every day, Sasha."

"Thanks, Daddy," said Sasha, accepting Grime's hug. "These mini swords from Aunt Beatrix are super cool!"

"They are!" said the toad captain. "But why don't you put them away until the next training session. We don't want anyone accidentally getting hurt."

Sasha nodded and walked over to where the training weapons are stored.

"Good work out there, Sash," said Frankie, hanging up her flail.

"I feel the same," added Dennis. "You'll accomplish great things one day, kid. I just know it."

"Thank you so much," said Sasha. There was still a part of her old personality that loved praise within her, but now she was a lot more grateful for it.

Just then, Sasha noticed Percy and Braddock entering the room carrying boxes. "Whatcha carrying?" she asked.

"Eh, nothing much," said Percy. "Just some party supplies."

"Party?" asked Sasha.

"Darn it, Percy," muttered Braddock. "You weren't supposed to mention that in front of Sasha.

"Oh… oops…" said the light green toad nervously. "We're not throwing a party or anything, we're just… stocking up on supplies for the future… you never know when you're gonna need them…"

It was clear from Sasha's unimpressed glare that she wasn't buying it. It was at that point that Grime, having overheard their conversation, decided to step in.

"Sasha, we are planning a party, and we didn't tell you because we wanted it to be a surprise." Grime quickly glared at Percy before turning his attention back toward Sasha.

"A surprise party?" asked Sasha excitedly, her upset mood seemingly gone.

Grime nodded. "Pretty soon it'll be a whole year since you arrived here, Sasha. I figured it would be appropriate to have a little celebration."

"It'll be your One-Year Amphibaversary!" said Percy. "Or something like that…"

Sasha giggled. "That sounds cute!"

"It's settled, then," said Grime. "Amphibaversary it is. Though you will be forbidden from taking part in the planning." Grime quickly explained himself once he saw Sasha's upset face. "Well we still want some surprise, don't we?"

Sasha smiled again. "Okay!"

Later that day, the delegation sent to Wartwood returned. Bog had the other toads take the sack of money to the vaults while he delivers the letter to Grime. It took a while for the red horned toad to find Grime, but Bog eventually realized the captain in Sasha's bedroom, putting her to bed.

"Of course," Bog grumbled. "He keeps bending over backwards for this kid." He knocked on the door and then entered, seeing Grime in the process of tucking Sasha into bed. "Hope I'm not interrupting somethin'," he said.

"As a matter of fact, you are," said Grime, irritated.

"I just wanted to give you this letter as soon as possible," said Bog, handing over the letter. "It's from Mayor Toadstool, might be urgent."

"Hmm," muttered Grime as he opened the envelope. "Did you find anything about Sasha's friends?"

"Nah," said Bog before he turned around and walked out.

"Ugh… this better really be urgent," said Grime as he read what Toadstool wrote.

To Captain Grime—

It has come to my attention that a strange blonde child came into your care about a year ago. Ironically enough, we've got a similar situation here in Wartwood. I don't know how she got here but a strange child appeared in town one day about a year ago.

I don't think I should reveal her name right now, but I can say she has brown curly hair. She's got two friends who are lost somewhere in Amphibia and I think your kid is one of them. Please send a response confirming or denying this.

Also, if the two children are to meet up, I'd prefer if that happened in Wartwood rather than in your territory. The people of Wartwood really care for this child and I'd lose all support if I got her killed on a journey to Toad Tower. I'm sure you understand.

Frodrick Toadstool

Mayor of Wartwood

"What's it say?" asked Sasha.

"It seems we might have a lead about one of your friends after all," said Grime. "Does one of them have brown curly hair?"

Sasha's eyes grew wide with excitement. "That's Anne!"

"Then Anne is in Wartwood. That's a small swamp town a few hours from here."

"So I'll get to see her tomorrow?" Sasha's excitement grew even more.

Grime sighed. "Probably not tomorrow, but soon. Definitely within a week."

"Okay…" Sasha pouted a little, but figured waiting a few more days wasn't the worst thing in the world. "Good night, Sasha. I love you."

Sasha yawned. She definitely needed sleep. "G'night… love you too…"

Grime smiled and put out the light. He then left the room, closed the door, and walked down to his quarters. He'd deal with Bog's apparent failure to actually check for Anne later. Right now he had to write a reply.

Author's Note: Sasha's swords are almost the same as her canon ones, just smaller and without the heron design.