All was quiet in the Harveston household. Jean sat alone at the kitchen table, eating her breakfast as she read one of Pebbs books. The mother newt sat in front of the fire-place, reading her own book.
A loud shriek sounded from the floor above, followed by footsteps rushing down the stairs. Flossie, with a bright smile on her face, ran up to Jean, a big book in her arms. "IT'S HERE IT'S HERE!" She squealed, jumping up and down excitedly. Jean put her book down, giving her friend a weird look. "Wwwhat's here…?" She asked.
Flossie placed the book down, opening it up to show Jean a page. "The Bizarre Bazaar! It's a mysterious night market that passes through once a year! Exotic treasures, foods, and games! I've always wanted to go!" She let out another squeal. Pebbs turned to face the excited axolotl. "Flossie, every year you ask, and every year I always tell you no. It's too dangerous, there aren't just treasures, but also greedy thieves who'll take everything you own when you're not watching. No is my final answer." She said sternly, returning to her book.
Flossie's smile falls, picking up the book sadly and walking back up the stairs. Watching her go, Jean felt sad for the joyful axolotl. "Aw, c'mon Pebbs. I can take her! I'll protect her from any thieves, and I promise to bring her home safe and sound plus in one piece."
Pebbs glared at the human, before sighing. "Jean, this is the first time you've heard of the Bizarre Bazaar, so you haven't heard of the dark side of it. People get hurt, or even worse die. I don't want to put you OR Floss in harms way." She said. Jean scoffed, putting her feet up on the table. "C'mon, you saw how I handled those Horned Bull Frogs the other day, I think I could handle a few rogue newts or whatever. Besides, this could be the one chance Flossie could go to the Bizarre Bazaar, you gotta let her live her dream at least once, right?"
"Get your feet off the table." The newt ordered, to which Jean quickly obeyed. Pebbs glanced up the steps, thinking for a minute, before sighing. "Fine, as long as you bring her back before sunrise."
Jean fist bumped, cheering silently in victory. "Yes! I won't let you down Pebbs, I'll watch her like a hawk."
A loud thud followed by a "YES!" Sounds from up the steps. The two looked up the staircase to see Flossie eaves-dropping. She laughs sheepishly. "So…I get to go to the Bizarre Bazaar tonight?"
"Don't make me change my mind young lady." Pebbs stated, and Flossie saluted as she came down the stairs. "Yes ma'am!"
Jean thought for a moment, before realising something. "So where is this Bizarre Bazaar?" Flossie freezes, scratching the back of her neck nervously. "Uh…I'm not exactly sure…" she replies.
Pebbs chuckles, "Well, aren't you lucky I've been before."
It was getting dark, and Flossie was hugging bye to her mother, clutching a map with directions. "Now, you gotta have eyes in the back of your head, got it? And don't lose that map!" Pebbs fussed, straightening Flossie's cloak. Jean, wearing her own cloak waved her hand. "We'll be fine Pebbs. Don't worry!"
Pebbs stared at the human blankly. "It is a mothers job to worry, now come here, let me fix you up." She said, reaching over to straighten Jean's cloak. Flossie groaned. "Muuuum we gotta go!" Pebbs held her hands up in surrender. "Alright alright, have fun you two."
The two friends waved bye, making their way into the darkness.
"Alright…it should be just around this corner…" Flossie said, taking the map out of her face as she looked around. The human and axolotl's eyes widened in wonder at the sight before them. A trail of glowing mushrooms led to an archway, a hour-glass symbol placed over it. Jean pulled her hood up. "Ok Floss, remember: we have to be very careful in-FLOSS!"
Flossie was already running ahead, pulling the curtains aside as she stared inside. Jean walked up behind her, also taken aback by the hidden world before them.
The place was crowded, crawling with all sorts of amphibians and cute critters. Stalls were lined up side by side, all with unique goods and wares. They even caught sight of one frog wearing a mask stealing from another frog's pocket.
Flossie's eyes dazzled at the sight. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!" She squealed, about to run in when Jean grabbed her hood. "Floss, we need to be careful. Stay close, ok?" Jean asked, to which Flossie sighed. "Fiiiiiine." With that, Jean let her go, allowing her to walk ahead as she grinned at her excitement.
They spent the next few hours trying new foods, checking out unique treasures, and mostly ignoring other people standing by. Neither noticed a certain tall creature wearing a hot pink back-pack walking by, followed by a small pink frog.
Flossie gasped as she caught sight of a stall with plenty of things hanging on a wall. "Can we play can we play?!" Flossie shrieked, pointing at the wall. Jean glanced around the stall, finding no owner in sight. "There's no one here, Floss. We'll come back and see when the owner comes back, and we'll check out his game." She said. Flossie's shoulders drooped, but she nodded. "Ok…"
Upon walking around more, Jean noticed the same small frog wearing a mask from earlier, carrying a hot pink backpack. Raising an eyebrow, she tried to remember where she'd seen it last as Flossie dragged her to the next stall.
"Where have I seen that backpack before….I swear I've-wait, no, it can't be!" She gasped. Grabbing a confused Flossie, she rushed back to the direction the frog went. "Jean, what gives?" She asked. Jean didn't hear her, as her eyes searched frantically for the frog or anyone familiar.
"Anne! Anne! Are you here?!" She called. She halted in her search, hearing a commotion to her right. Heading for the source, she found herself at a bug-racing ring.
Looking down at the ring, her heart skipped a beat, and she excitedly made her way to the front of the crowd. Many amphibians grumbled at her shoving, and Flossie followed close behind, apologising as she went.
Reaching the front, Jean looked excitedly to the racing people. There was Anne, in the lead of the race as a large frog growled at her. Waving her hands around, she began to shout excitedly. "ANNE!"
Anne looked up at the familiar voice, eyes widening as Jean's hood fell off, revealing herself. "JEAN?!"
The frog racing them took his chance, using a beetle to knock Anne and the small pink frog Jean hadn't noticed before off their cockroach, leaving them in the dust as he crossed the finish line. Jean winced, shouting in protest. "Hey! That's not fair!" She yelled.
All of a sudden, tall newts wearing hoods came up behind her, grabbing her arms. Jean was startled. "Hey! What's the deal!? I didn't do anything!" She yelled, as she was dragged from the cockroach racing ring. Flossie followed close behind, looking up at the intimidating newts. "Jean, I don't think you were supposed to push to the front." She stated.
Jean looked over to Anne and the buff looking frog, as Anne's backpack was handed to the winner. Yelling in protest, her cries landed on deaf ears as she was kicked out of the arena.
Jean paced around anxiously outside. Almost all the amphibians, including the tall frog that Flossie had informed her was named "The Wrecker", had left. Before long, the loud chime of a bell sounded, alerting everyone that the Bizarre Bazaar was over.
Looking around, Jean realised Anne was now out side, searching the area. Tears pricked her eyes as she rushed to the younger girl. "Anne!"
Anne turned to face her, just as Jean ran into her, crushing her in a bear hug. "Jean! Is that really you?! I don't believe it!" She laughed, hugging the older teen back. "Where have you been?!" Jean pulled away, checking over the girl as she pulled a leaf out of her hair. "Where have I been? Where have YOU been! And what are you doing blowing up frogs houses?!"
Anne was about to answer, before she stopped. "Wait how do you know about that?" She questioned curiously. A cough interrupted the two, and they looked down at the tiny pink frog. "So Anne, who's this?" He asked. Anne stepped aside. "Oh! Sprig, this is my friend slash older sister Jean, and Jean, this is Sprig!" Anne introduced. She let out a gasp as she caught sight of a certain axolotl watching them. "And who's this?! Oh my frog you're so adorable!" She shrieked. Flossie seemed unfazed by her excited and aggressive demeanour. Smiling brightly, she held out her hand. "Hi! I'm Flossie, you must be Anne! I've heard so much about you! And Sasha, Marcy, the human world…"
Anne's eyes widened as she let out a tea-kettle squeal. Reaching out her hand, she was about to shake Flossie's when Sprig slapped her hand away. Anne was surprised. "Sprig, what gives?" She asked, a little annoyed.
Sprig stares at Flossie, straightening himself out as he leans toward Anne. "Can I talk to you for a second." Before the human could answer, Sprig grabbed her hand and, without taking his eyes from Floss, drags her far enough away to talk alone.
"Dude, what the heck was that about?!" Anne asked, looking back at the hurt axolotl. Sprig only frowns. "You don't understand, Anne. She's an albino! Hop Pop says they're dangerous, holding unnatural abilities! At least he said all except one." He finished.
—-
(Flashback)
Sprig and Polly were listening to Hop Pop rant. "Now remember kids, if you ever meet an albino amphibian, keep away from them! They're known for holdin unnatural and dangerous powers! All except for one of course."
(End flashback)
—-
Anne frowns down at Sprig, glancing over her shoulder to see Flossie staring at the ground, Jean patting her back comfortingly. She turned back to the pink frog, kneeling in front of him. "Sprig, she's just a kid like you." She said gently. "And Jean trusts her, so I will too. Besides, Hop Pop isn't ALWAYS right-"
"HEY!"
The two friends scream. It was the Wrecker. Getting to her feet, Anne faced him. "Look, I know you won my backpack, but there's something inside I really need. You gotta give it back. I'll do anything!" She begged. At that, the Wrecker grabbed his hood, ripping it off to reveal an elderly frog standing on stilts. Anne and Sprig gasped. "Hop Pop?!"
"HOP POP!" Another voice cried. Flossie ran toward Hop Pop, jumping up to hug the frog. Hop Pop's eyes widened, as a smile grew on his face. "Lil Flossie!" He greeted, embracing her. "Haha! You've grown so big since last time I saw ya!" He chuckled, ruffling her hair. Sprig and Anne were taken aback. "Wait, you know her Hop Pop?" Sprig asked, flabbergasted.
"You know him Floss?"
The trio looked up to Jean, who was walking over. Hop Pop gasped, pointing at her. "OH MY FROG IT'S ANOTHER ANNE!" I hollered. Anne laughed, standing next to the rather short 17yo. "HP, meet my friend, Jean. Jean, this is Hop Pop. Now, could you please explain to us how you know Flossie?" She asked suspiciously. Hop Pop let Flossie down, a stern look on his face. "I will, right after you tell me why you came to the Bizarre Bazaar against my orders!" He shouts. Jean coughed into her arm. "Busted." She mumbled, hiding her smile. Anne and Sprig are silent, rubbing their arm nervously. "I wanted to know more about the music box." Anne muttered. Jean stared in disbelief, but kept quiet.
"You were right Hop Pop, I was too impatient for answers, and I almost lost the music box because of it." Hop Pop sighed, taking off the hot pink backpack and handing it to the human girl. "Here you go, Anne." Anne let out a gasp, taking it from him. "Hop Pop, you're the best! Thanks for having my back." Reaching into the backpack, she pulled out the music box.
Jean's eyes widened, recognising the familiar markings and gems.
"Here. Go through your trusted channels. I'm okay with waiting a little longer." Anne said, handing the box to Hop Pop. The elderly frog let out a sigh, taking it. "I'll do my best, Anne. I know how important this is to you."
Jean let out a cough, gaining the frogs and Anne's attention. "Sooo…you have the music box?" She asked, looking at the box suspiciously. Anne nodded. "Yeah, but Hop Pop will take care of it for me. Right HP?"
"Of course Anne."
The group of five made their way out of the Bizarre Bazaar, Sprig pestering Hop Pop about being the Wrecker, while Anne and Jean caught up on their adventures in Amphibia. Flossie stuck close to Jean, cutting in with stories of when her mother tried to attack Jean.
Unknown to them, a tall newt lady watched them leave, her tail resting on her chin in thought. "Leander, I think we've found both Heart and Soul." She whispered, paying close attention to Anne and Jean. "Now, only time will tell if they truly are worthy."
Back at the Plantars house, Hop Pop had sent a letter to Pebbs, informing her that Jean and Flossie were with him and were spending the rest of the night in their home.
Jean slept with Anne, while Flossie bunked on the couch.
Later that night, Flossie awoke to someone moving around the house, eventually opening the door and exiting the home. The curious axolotl stood up, creeping to the door and opening it slowly.
Hop Pop stood outside, digging a hole under a tree, the music box Anne had entrusted him with sitting on the ground beside him. Finishing the hole, he picked up the box.
"Sorry, Anne, but I can't have you showing this thing around. Too dangerous for all of us." He muttered.
"Hop Pop?"
Hop Pop jumped in fright, spinning around. Flossie stood behind him, looking at him in disbelief. "Flossie! Lass, whatcha doin up this late-"
"What are you doing with the box?" The elderly frog is silent for a moment, looking at the box in his hands, then back to the axolotl. Letting out a sigh, he knelt in front of the child. "Flossie, darl can I ask you to keep this a secret?" Flossie stares at him with a blank expression. He sighed again. "This box isn't safe, and it needs to stay hidden. When we find a way home for Anne and her friends, we'll give the box back to them. Alright? All I want you to do is forget you saw me. Can you do that?" He asked.
Flossie looks over her shoulder back to the house. Hop Pop's words rang in her head. "When we find a way home for Anne and her friends, we'll give it back to them". She'd forgotten her first friend didn't belong in this world, and that she had a home to go back to. Jean had a family to return to, and she was going to leave her alone. Flossie didn't know what to do.
Letting out a sigh, she nodded to the elderly frog.
"Good. Now, run along back to bed." He ordered. With a final glance to the music box, Flossie turned back to the house, leaving Hop Pop in the dark.
Hop Pop finished burying the box, returning to bed, hoping that Flossie wouldn't tell the girls about his plan.
