On a trip to a seemingly unassuming daycare, Leo and the others quickly learn of its true intentions, with Tritonio planning to train them in his Combat Camp, all without realizing his slightly sinister intentions.

...

...


With another day in Amphibia already set in motion, Leo was forced to endure the roaring heat of the world, it wasn't nearly as bad as what it was like in Wartwood, but still enough to affect him. Perhaps he was meant to stay inside the rest of his life.

Sprig was the most adamant about being placed in a daycare for the majority of a week, making his complaints known to them all, "Hop Pop, why did you have to bring us to a daycare, I'm sure we would've been fine on our own."

Even Anne looked at Sprig with some disbelief, despite how much she'd wanted to agree with him, "Are you kidding me boy? If I left any one of you alone then the farm would be up in flames, heck, it feels like we have almost two wacky adventures a week!"

"I'd say it's more like 7-10 business days that something 'wacky' happens to us," Anne mentioned, trying her best to be funny, earning a pity laugh from Sprig.

"Can't forget about the emotional impact they end up having," Leo plainly added, his monotone voice barely being registered from the back of the wagon, this was why he never wanted to get involved in any of their banter.

They soon arrived at an honestly decrepit looking tower, just asking to be toppled over by the smallest gust of wind, it had its own ancient look to it, a lot like the temples Leo had read about on their harrowing trip to the archives, which had ended in yet another escapade.

The second they did the door at the foot of the building was slammed open, revealing a different kind of amphibian, one Leo hadn't seen before. Technically, he tended to stay away from the familiarly colored newt; except this one wore a gown as well as a moustache and goatee.

"Greetings! I am Tritonio Espada, the instructor of this daycare," The newt politely bowed to them all, introducing himself confidently.

Hop Pop raised a brow, "I thought Briar and Iris Bogwater ran this place?"

Leo fizzled out the rest of whatever they were saying, not that he wasn't interested, quite the opposite. He'd just been finding himself getting distracted lately, usually he was composed and focused, not that he was trying to act overconfident.

Maybe it was because he'd been hanging out with Anne and Sprig, a lot but he found himself drifting further off than who he used to be, the lifeless boy who was hunting in the forest. Whatever it was, Leo was going to make sure he could keep being like this.

Resurfacing back into the conversation, Leo found Polly trying to shake him off of the cart, "C'mon it's time to go, you can help me destroy the tower from the inside," She planned darkly rubbing her flippers together, hopping away with her bucket.

Anne looked nothing but sullen as she sluggishly picked out her luggage, "Are you alright, I thought you wouldn't mind this kind of thing, there are no chores for the entire week after all," Leo pointed out, thinking it was the right thing to say to cheer her up.

It did nothing to change her mood though, he slightly blamed it on his own delivery, not putting all that much if any emotion into it.

"No, why would I be. It's an entire week of being stuck with a teacher, there the worst! The enemy of everything!" Anne grumbled, showing her distaste to it all pretty clearly.

Leo and Sprig both had the same mindset, not really seeing the problem. Although, neither one of them had any real knowledge of what teachers on Earth we like, "They can't be that bad Anne."

"Trust me there are, teachers just don't like me. That's just how it is," The 16-year-old girl stated matter-of-factly, knowing that it was a true fact.

Hop Pop was up and ready to leave, wishing them all good luck.

Once he had, Tritonio immediately stripped away his so-called 'illusion'. Now wearing a loose buttoned-down shirt, with tight brown trousers.

"This is no normal daycare, what I'll be putting you all through is my very own Combat Camp, for kids!" Tritonio than went on to explain that children shouldn't be nurtured and instead taught how to defend themselves.

As much as Leo was invested in what he was saying, he couldn't help but pick up on the suspicion behavior from the newt, he'd been trying to look at the frogs more than just what they seemed, but even now, something felt off.

Not wanting to let his own mind get in the way of enjoying himself, he upset both Polly and Sprig by judging them on how they seemed.

"This guy seems great!" Polly looked up to Anne, who seemed anything but pleased.

"Yeah, we'll see."


Even Leo had to admit, the inside of the tower was almost like a hall of armor, caped to the brim with shields, equipment and weapons of all sorts, his eyes were practically shining as he admired every single detailed craftsmanship that was out for display.

"You really like this kind of stuff huh Leo? I remember how excited you were when those toads gave us daggers and those badges," Anne recalled, only met with denial from him. He was slightly embarrassed on his slight obsession with things like this.

He never normally was, but seeing Anne trying to peer in on it made him feel self-conscious for some reason, "I just think it's cool, nothing you need to look too far into," Getting a tad too defensive, Leo brushed off her claim.

"Now, now. There is no need to fret, I want each and every one of you to pick out a weapon of your choosing. Make sure it is something that resonates with you!"

Polly was rather quick on her chose; it was something that fit her perfectly, a barrel of glowing blue mushrooms, "What a lovely chose malady! These are the lovely boom shrooms. They can seem harmless and no help, but if used properly..."

Clicking the bottom of the mushrooms much like a grenade, Tritonio tossed it up into the air watching it detonate into a bright blue explosion, leaving Polly stunned and amazed.

Anne wandered around the tower both lost and uninterested on what to pick, 'What the heck, doesn't really matter what I pick anyway..'

She made a fairly basic chose on one of the several swords hung up, until she was stopped by Tritonio slapping her hand away, "Why!" She yelled out rubbing her now red hand, confused.

"You do not have the dexterity to wield a sword!" said Tritonio sounding weirdly serious.

Despite that, he allowed Sprig to make a chose without any thought to it whatsoever, being two Sai blades.

Leo was making sure to put some actual thought in what kind of weapon he wanted, not bothering to admire the metal or how it was made after all he knew nothing about that, he only appreciated the weapons designs and how they looked.

That was when something reaching the top of the stack of swords caught his eye, it was a simple katana; with a traditional black cloth wrapped around an otherwise typical metal handle. What got him to notice it the most was the frog shaped hilt; resembling the badge the toads had given him a few weeks back.

Removing it from the mantle it had been placed on, Leo further observed the long sharp blade, feeling the sword tightly in his hand, "Ah, a fine choice yes," Tritonio spoke from behind him, almost earning a jolt from the snow-haired teenager.

"That blade was crafted right in Newtopia for the Newtopian guard, someone with your fighting capability will do well with it!"

Nodding, Leo waltzed pass the newt, swinging the katana with as much force needed, cleaving a deep cut into a standing target that had been presented for them, impressed with how well it worked. He gave it a few more swings of it, slashing at nothing in particular.

"Yep, this is perfect."


The rest of the week consisted of several strangely specific training exercises, Leo was fruitlessly jumping into the swing of things, hopping through each one of the tire holes that were presented.

Sprig and Polly found it at relatively the same ease, quickly following behind the human. Anne was going to start the exercise just like them, before Tritonio quickly chastised her posture ruining any kind of determination she may have had.

It was the same for any other trial, when climbing monkey bars, whether it was by Sprig sling-shotting his tongue across each slot, or Polly as she made her way over the top of the bars. Leo effortlessly swung from each one; he could somewhat rely on his upper body strength to claw his way across.

Like before, Anne began to climb as well, she wasn't as fit as Leo, but she was a reasonable athletic person, hence her reasoning for becoming a tennis player, that and it was solo sport.

Yet again, Tritonio made it a point to call out Anne on how she was slacking, "You must be nimbler Anne, you'll never make your way up a train car being that slow!" he explained, his words were weirdly cryptic.

"Of course, that's just an example," he excused.

Afterwards, all four of them were tasked with ascending the ancient tower, which was just as hard as it seemed, as neither one of them could slip up or it would be straight down to the bottom.

"Tritonio's awesome isn't he!" Sprig gushed, jumping off of a collapsing piece of rubble.

Leo nodded; his eyes glued to the each of the bricks that could possibly be used to hoist him higher up, for some reason he felt a weird determination to climb up to the top.

Anne could only let a low grumble, "I'm glad you guys are enjoying yourself," She sagged once more as Tritonio ridiculed her hand stance.

"He really doesn't like you," Leo said lowly, the wind harshly rushing into his face, "Maybe you're the problem Anne."

Like usual, Leo's bluntness cut deep.

Wearing a shocked expression, Anne wasn't even thinking about something like that. She hadn't thought herself unlikeable, not that she didn't think she was sometimes annoying, she wasn't that narcissistic.

But with this many teachers who seemed to pick on her for no reason that she could remember, Anne honestly wasn't surprised that Tritonio didn't like her, "You should just ask him why he doesn't like you, Anne. Tritonio says an honest dialogue is stronger than any weapon."

"That's super corny," Anne stated simply, clearly not impressed.

Leo agreed, "And just not true, I can stab someone before they even get a couple words out," The others shuddered slightly at his cold delivery.

About to respond, Anne took a single step off the open stone window, slipping off and barreling straight towards the ground, a nearby bush luckily breaking her fall.

"Even your fall, needs work Anne."


That night, Leo wolfed down the bowl of soup that had been handed to him. If there were bugs involved in the meal then he didn't care or even notice, the meal was that good. Although he did feel the slightest bit sorry for Anne, she had been at least trying to get along with Tritonio as well as attempting all of his activities.

That was when he spotted the newt heading up to the top of the tower where Anne was perched at, a sword in hand.

It only got him to admire his own, there hadn't been much of a choice to use it yet, but Leo was still just as excited to have it, something about it made him feel even more prepped to explore the outer regions of Amphibia.

There was only a week and a half left until they'd be making the trek out of the valley and to Newtopia or wherever the journey would lead them.

What concerned him however, was what his point in coming was. Sure, maybe if he really was from Earth then there was an obvious reason; it would be to return home just like Anne. But, what he wanted the most was to earn his memories back, whether it be due to time or someone outside the valley.

Finishing his meal, Leo set the bowl aside and drifted off against the log he'd been leaning against, it wasn't particular comfortable, but Leo was tired enough to not really care.

As he and Anne held their swords, beginning to slip further into slumber, unaware of the test that awaited them tomorrow


Now training in the equipment room that they had previously been introduced to at the start of their combat camp, Leo was currently sparring with Sprig – who was using his tongue wrapped around Sai as a long-ranged weapon.

Polly was enjoying her own company prepping one boom shroom atop of another, causing an even more devastating explosion.

More importantly, Anne was locked in a duel with Tritonio, currently losing. The newt was simply too fast and tricky to handle, his swordsmanship was leagues above hers, although she still had an idea up her sleeve.

After all, everything he went on about was thinking outside the box to win a fight; so, with the sun just peeking through the window and casting over her eyes, she bounced the light off her newly gifted sword blinding Tritonio and allowing her to knock the fencing blade right out of his hands and across the room.

"Each of you are all ready, I am proud of each and every one of you," Tritonio smiled, pulling a map from thin air, slapping it against the wall, "Which is why I've prepared this final test for you all!"

Not to long later, after having heard the explanation, Leo was the most skeptical about it all, "You want us...to rob a train, that you've apparently rented out with hired actors and a fake train conductor to steal a fake ruby, did I get that right?" He repeated everything he had heard, his monotone voice not helping his words.

"Why yes, is there a problem?" Tritonio questioned, actually ignorant to how suspicious everything sounded.

Leo had no opportunity to argue his reasoning before Anne smacked her hand over his mouth, keeping him shut, "No problem! We'll make sure to study these maps!"

"What happened to you Anne, you're being weirdly compliant," Sprig squinted his eyes, peering up at his best friend.

"Yeah, what happened to the 'I hate teachers' Anne?" Polly added, seeming just as doubtful.

Checking that Tritonio was gone, Anne face became overshadowed, lifting the tadpole up into the air, "That Anne is dead and buried!"

No longer getting to argue with Anne's persistence, Leo accepted defeat and went along with plan, "Just saying, I don't trust this..."


Before long, the time came to board and then rob a train. There final test.

For starters, Sprig was one who would instigate the start of the plan, a plan that had actually been thought out by Anne, surprising Leo as he hadn't really been all the much help in the development process of how they were going to get on.

Masquerading as a young orphan, the train skidded to a halt just before it could hit him, "Please sir's I'm just a young lad, trying to find a home; and now I've wounded my leg."

"Poor kid, guards help me!" The conductor ordered, grabbing the attention of the toads inside of the train.

Leaping into action, Leo hoisted Anne and Polly up to the front of the train, clambering up it himself. He lifted the hatch to reveal the top of the beetle that seemed to be driving the train, only slightly poking his katana into it, revving the creature back up.

Anne had expected the train to quickly speed off, preparing herself against a pole. Only for it to slow start chugging along, "This is what is similar to Earth, c'mon!" Anne let a cry of frustration escape her.

Still, it wasn't enough for the guards to keep up with, especially as Sprig shot his tongue out, knocking them off their feet, "Haha!" Bounding off of the conductor, Sprig was quickly grabbed by Leo placing him onto the train.

"Nicely done, although if those are actors, you might want to tone it down," Leo observed, wincing internally at how roughly the toads had hit the floor.

Even Sprig acknowledged what he'd done, "Yeah, but it's like Tritonio said, the beauty of actor is how it feels."

"Yeah, and I bet they really felt it when they smacked into the floor," Leo deadpanned, shaking his head and sagging his shoulders.

All of a sudden, the conductor returned smacking his sword downwards, only narrowly missing the pink frog, "I trusted you!" he yelled in outrage.

Anne came to his aid in a hurry, blocking the blade and pushing back and off the train onto a nearby hill, "Sorry," Leo said in a tone that was just above his usually pitch.

"These are some really good actors," Anne recognized, almost impressed with how real it all was.

The four of them made their way across the train eventually reaching the car that housed the 'fake' gem. Polly wasted no time, blowing off the locks with her boom shrooms.

Each of them dropped down into it and stared an overly realistic red jewel, "Anne, this feels way too real. Something's not right," Leo turned to the girl, his crimson eyes saying all he needed.

"That is true, it is as a told you all. Trust no one!" Tritonio's face suddenly piped up, popping out from the top of the car, promptly slamming it behind him and locking the hatch shut.

"Sorry you four, I really was proud of how far you've come. But there's no way I could've robbed this train myself. So, give my regards, to the guards!"

"Not funny!" Polly belittled.

Anne slid against the wall in defeat, brandishing the Espada family sword from its sheath staring her appearance, "The first teacher who I actually got along with double-crossed us!"

There didn't any time to sit around though, Leo skepticism had been realized and he knew Anne wasn't contempt with just sitting around to wait.

"Polly. You still got those boom shrooms?" Anne asked, the only response being the tadpole revealing a entire cluster of them.

"How did you even carry th-"

An explosion to the ceiling immediately cut him off, "Why do I even bother," Leo inquired to no one in particular, climbing back up on top of the train.

He was directly met with Tritonio's sword, having the fortitude to hold it back and reflexes to stop it. It didn't mean much however, Leo was able to hold himself in a fight, but even he had to admit that there was a definite gap between the two of them.

The sword swished around the katana, completely sweeping Leo up into the air and almost off the now speeding train, "You're fast Leo, especially involving your reflexes. But you're fighting style, it ends up being rigid because of you second-guessing things, that will be your downfall!"

Just like that, in one swift motion, Leo had no way to defend himself, flailing back. With some level of intuitive thinking, he grinded the katana into the side of the train car, holding himself up, but with no real way to climb back on in time.

Tritonio veered his eyes back over to Anne, egging her on.

Working like a charm, Anne grit her teeth and charged at him, angrily forcing herself to swing her sword up and back down just as fast. It was easily countered, stopped and used to prop him and rest himself on the sword; booting his foot right into her face.

She lost her footing, almost slipping right off the train. A sword in her face only served to inch her even closer to edge, "I never should've trusted you!" Anne berated, her voice shaky, feeling her shoeless foot teetering to the point that it was off the train.

Whilst she was keeping herself upwards, Anne winced as the sun flashed in her eyes for a brief moment, "But you also shouldn't have trusted that you could teach me how to fight!"

Like she had previously, Anne shifted the light off of her sword, stunning Tritonio for a brief moment, entangling the broadsword with his fencing one, flicking out of his hands and far away from the train, "School's out teach!"


After everything had all been sorted out, with Tritonio being arrested and sent away. Each of the kids had been forced to try and hobble back to 'daycare', not noticing at first how withered and bruised they were from the entire ordeal, managing to make it over to the steps of the tower.

"He really wore us out, surprised we didn't even notice," Leo mumbled, his voice even more sullen than usual, not having the energy to even attempt to sound like he usually did.

"Guess you must really hate teachers now Anne?" Sprig guessed, letting out a low groan from a sudden surge of pain.

Despite everything that had occurred, Anne felt entirely the opposite, she didn't feel any ill intent towards Tritonio, only thankful that he had actually opened her eyes to how her teacher back home actually felt.

"You know what, think when I get back, I'm gonna try and be better. If it worked in Amphibia then it's worth a shot back home," Anne decided, not getting much of a reaction from either of the other three.

"To be honest, if any of your teachers are like Tritonio than I'm happy I don't remember anything about them," said Leo bitterly, obviously not feeling the same way.

From across the hill, Hop Pop rode in on Bessie; also covered head to cuts and bruises, "Hey kidssss," he greeted with a tired sigh.

They all raised an eyebrow to the frog, somewhat curious, "Don't ask.." Hop Pop groaned, his eyes now dead serious.

"Don't bother," The rest of them chanted back in unison, almost like they were recalling a motto.

The broken, tired and worn Plantar family rode away, neither one of them bothering to break the bout of silence they now had.

"Anyone else regretting their life choices right about now?" Hop Pop turned to them all, still just as exhausted.

"Yep," Leo and Anne replied.

"Sure," Polly said dryly, not even particularly sure what her grandparent had said.

"I regret everything, always Hop Pop," Sprig smiled, a now even eerier silence filling the wagon, "Alway-"

Leo shoved Sprig off the wagon with almost no hesitation, "One is too many wacky adventures, too many."

...

I hope you enjoyed the chapter; I thought about writing something that better included Leo, but I felt like there was no reason for it and it was best to just have a fun one that just had nice character interactions. It'll be Anne of the Year next, and then we'll finally be moving onto Reunion, which I actually have a lot things planned for, especially with the how Sasha and Leo will act around one another, until then, see yah.