A/N: I don't know which episode came first, bizarre bazaar or family fishing trip, but I decided to make family fishing trip after.
A cool breeze swept through the town of Wartwood. It blew in the sails of Hopediah Plantar's boat, as the door of the family's home opened. Out walked Sprig, carrying a fishing rod and bucket, who was followed by Anne and Polly. "Ah, the annual Plantar fishing trip. I can't wait to cast off." He stated, placing his bucket down. "Me either, my froggy friend." Anne said. "But I'm not fishing." Reaching off screen, she pulled something out from a pile of things they were planning on taking for their trip. "I'm parasailing, baby!" She cried, lifting the homemade parasail above her head. Polly stared up at the parasail in adoration. "Wow! Flying? What a great way to spy on my enemies." The polliwog cackled to herself. Anne glanced down at her for a moment, before turning back to the frog. "So what do you say, Sprig? Why fish when you can fly?"
"Ooh, tempting." Sprig commented, but he shook his head. "But, nope. I'd rather fish. It's what Hop Pop and I have done on this trip ever since I was a polliwog."
(Flashback)
A small Sprig gasped at the huge worms looming out of the bucket.
"First we'd get the bait ready."
Hop Pop grabbed the largest worm, pinning it to the boat as Sprig kicked a smaller worm, knocking it unconscious. Hop Pop gave him a thumbs up, but the worm took this as an opportunity to throw him overboard.
"Then he'd let me steer the boat."
Sprig clung to the wheel, balancing between the handles as he steered. Leaning too far to the right, he suddenly starts spinning uncontrollably.
"Then we'd spend the rest of the day fishing together."
Hop Pop and Sprig sat at the edge of the boat, holding their rods as they watched the sun setting on the horizon.
(End flashback)
"It's our special time, and that's never gonna change." Sprig stated proudly. A tooting sound could be heard in the distance. Anne, Sprig and Polly glanced to each other, before racing out the front. Upon opening the door, they noticed a wagon coming closer. Driving was a newt they'd never seen before, with purple skin and dark spots, but the next two figures they recognised immediately as Flossie and Jean.
Anne let out an excited gasp. "Jean! Flossie! What are you doing here?! Are you gonna come with us?" She asked excitedly, running out to meet them. Jean nodded, wrapping an arm around the unknown newt and Flossie. "Yep, Hop Pop invited Pebbs, Floss and I to hang out with you on your fishing trip! Said something about us spending time together to get better acquainted, since I've been staying with the Harveston's."
Getting down from the wagon, Flossie reached into the back and grabbed a small book, along with a fishing rod. "I'll be writing down what fish we're gonna catch!" She stated happily.
Anne squinted at Pebbs curiously. "Do I know you from somewhere?" She asked the newt. Pebbs looked her up and down, smiling. "I don't believe we've met, you must be Anne. As for where I might look familiar, and knowing Hopediah he would've shown you his family tree." Anne gasped in realisation. "EMMA PLANTAR! So that's how Hop Pop knows you?!"
As the two got along, Polly hopped up to Jean. "You got any of the candy you promised?" She whispered, looking around suspiciously to make sure no one was looking. Jean chuckled, handing her candy. "All yours kid."
Sprig glared at the newcomers, but calmed himself down. "It's fine, as long as nobody else interrupts Hop Pop and I too much."
"Hello children!" A voice said behind Sprig. Everyone looked up to see Sylvia standing in the doorway. She let out a loud gasp when she caught sight of Pebbs. "My my if it isn't Pebbles Harveston, why haven't you grown!" She exclaimed, walking to Pebbs and giving her a hug.
"Oh hey Sylvia." Anne greeted, now holding Polly's bucket. "You're coming too?" The polliwog asked. "Cool!"
Sprig seemed more than uncomfortable with all the people now joining them. "Oh, hey Sylvia."
After everyone introduced each other, Sprig looked around, seeing the main host missing. "Has anyone seen Hop Pop?"
"Morning, everyone! Ready for the brisk open waters?"
Everyone's jaws dropped in disbelief at the Hop Pop. He wore a sailors cap, with a collared t-shirt and shorts. The scarf he wore blew in the wind. Winking, he tilted his cap at the small audience on his front lawn. "Ahoy, there."
Anne was impressed. "Dang, HP. Looking good." She commented. Sylvia sighed dreamily. "Isn't he dreamy?" She asked. The elderly couple chuckled, as Hop Pop linked his arm with Sylvia, leading her back to the boat.
Pebbs chuckled to herself, smirking as she watched the young couple walk off. "Hmm it's been a while since I've seen those two together." She followed after them, carrying her picnic basket to take on the boat. "Be right back kids."
Sprig was taken aback by Hop Pop's appearance, and he gestured angrily at the retreating couple. "What the heck? He can't fish in that ridiculous outfit!" He exclaimed. Anne grinned. "Looks like Hop Pop's fishing for something else." She remarked. Jean fell into a fit of laughter, while Polly let out an "Ew. Gross, Anne. You're no better Jean!"
Sprig waved his hand at the immature humans. "Pfft, this doesn't change a thing. He and I are still gonna spend the day together and have our special time."
He made his way toward the house, followed by Jean, Anne and Polly. Flossie, however, was trying to carry all her things together, and ended up dropping her bucket. "Uh…can someone help me? Please?" She called out. When no one replied, she let out a sad sigh.
"Anchors away, and here we go!" Hop Pop pulled the horn. Everyone cheered as the boat took off.
"Boat trip! Yeah!"
"Let's do it!"
"Bring it on!"
As the boat departed, they all heard a snap. Looking back at the house, the Plantar and Harveston family looked down at the now broken dock, realising none of them had untied the boat. Hop Pop waved his hand. "Eh, we'll fix it when we get back. To the sea!"
The house collapsed, leaving nothing but rubble.
Gliding through the swampy waters, each and every member upon the boat was doing their own thing. Hop Pop and Sylvia steered the boat, teasing each other and giggling like Love Doves.
Sprig watched the elderly frogs, standing in front of a bucket of worms. Flossie sat on the floor not too far away from him, fixing up her fishing hook. One worm slapped Sprig across the face while he wasn't watching, knocking him off his feet. The axolotl winced, getting up to help the frog, who only looked at her suspiciously before standing up on his own and going back to the worms.
Pebbs sat on a lounging chair, sighing in content as she placed a hat over her eyes.
At the end of the boat, Jean, Polly and Anne stood with the parasail. "Parasailing is easy. The wind does all the work." Anne exclaimed, holding the parasail up for demonstration. Polly looked skeptical. "Where did you learn all this again?" She asked critically. "Hours and hours of extensive research." She gloated.
(Flashback)
Anne was back home, watching a guy parasailing on a video. "Sweet. Mom! Can I try parasailing?" She called out. Her mother answered from the kitchen, speaking Thai. "No, but you can fold your laundry if you want."
Anne groaned. "Never mind!" Turning back to the video, a whale jumped from the ocean the guy was parasailing over, crashing into the man and causing him to fall underwater.
"I'm sure he's fine."
(End flashback)
Jean chuckled, ruffling up Anne's hair. "Let me guess, hours and hours worth of videos?" She chuckled. Anne pushed her hand off, smirking. "Like you'd know, shorty."
"OOOOOOH!" Polly hollered, to which Jean turned red. "Hey! That's my thing!" She cried. The trio laughed.
With a rope tied around her waist, Anne raised the parasail. "Whoo! Time to prove my mom wrong-AH!" She let out a scream as the wind picked her up, carrying her up and above the boat and sending her into crazy spirals.
"Looking good Anne!" Polly yelled. She and Jean watched Anne for a moment. "What's the bet she's gonna crash into a tree?" Jean asked. Polly placed a flipper on her chin. "Hmmm depends. Whatcha paying with?"
Jean held out candy, and Polly let out a gasp. "You're on!" Polly hopped away, leaving Jean to watch over Anne.
"I told you, I'm fine!" Sprig said, as the worm held him tightly. Flossie was trying to help the frog, but he refused her assistance.
Polly hopped up to the two, concerned. "Um, don't you and Hop Pop usually do that together?" She asked. Sprig pursed his lips. "He said to start without him."
"Ouch."
Flossie grabbed one worm, wrangling it down so she could help Sprig, even though he did't want it.
"Hey. This doesn't mean anything. Hop Pop and I are still gonna-wait they're fishing together?!" He shrieked.
Hop Pop was helping Sylvia fish, the two of them flirting all the while.
Flossie had finally gotten the worm off Sprig, but he didn't acknowledge her, instead turning to rant to Polly. "I can't believe this! He's ditching me?!"
Flossie was about to say something, when the sounds of Anne's screams filled the air. She crash landed onto the deck, letting out a yelp of pain. "I really think I'm getting the hang of this." She cheered, before she was interrupted by a, "NO YOU'RE NOT!" from the otherwise of the boat. "CAN IT SHORTY!" She retorted.
:Anne, you're not going to believe this. Hop Pop is-"
The human girl interrupted Sprig. "I know, dude. I saw the whole thing from up top. Bummer. But what can you do, right? It's not like you can make Sylvia go awa-" she let out another scream as the wind carried her off once again.
Pebbs took the hat off her eyes, glaring up at Anne. "Would you quiet down up there? I'm trying to take a nap!" She yelled, placing the hat back over her eyes.
"Come over here, Sylvia!" Sprig, Flossie and Polly glanced over to Hop Pop, who was leading Sylvia around. "I wanna show you this thing Sprig and I used to do that'd super fun."
Sprig glared at Sylvia, eyes burning with pure hate. Polly pointed to him accusingly. "Hey! I know that look. You're going to sabotage this fishing trip so that Sylvia leaves, aren't you?" She glared at him in suspicion.
Sprig gasped. "What? No! What do I look like, some petty child to you?"
Polly had a blank expression on her face. "Yes." She muttered. She let out a yell when Sprig threw garbage at her. "Chum bomb!" He yelled, hopping away.
Flossie followed him, willing to do anything just for the frog to acknowledge her existence. "Hey uh…I could help with it? I just…wanna pull some pranks." She said, looking around the boat. Sprig looked at her suspiciously. "Suuuure…" he replied, before going back to his evil scheming.
—
Sprig and Flossie hovered over the sandwiches packed for the Plantar family. Getting out Sylvia's, Sprig placed Pain peppers. He let out an evil chuckle, while Flossie looked confused and unsure.
As Sylvia and Hop Pop ate their sandwiches, Flossie and Sprig hid behind where they were seated. Sylvia took a bite, barfing out fire in their direction. The axolotl ducked in time, not realising Sprig hadn't. As she peeked back over the seat, she winced at the singed Sprig.
Sylvia and Hop Pop giggled, continuing to eat their sandwiches.
—
Flossie held Sprig above Sylvia, as he placed a centipede into her hair. He laughed maniacally as Flossie hauled him back up, springing back to the ground out of sight of the elderly couple.
Sylvia noticed the centipede, taking out her hair band the centipede and the lady frogs hair fell free. Sylvia let her hair blow in the wind, swinging it back and forth as it seemed to dazzle in the sunlight.
Hop Pop was in pure adoration of this woman, and even Sprig was amazed at how pretty she appeared. But when Hop Pop walked right by him, he shook his head fiercely, glaring at the elderly frog.
Flossie, who was still clinging to the rope, fell off, landing face first on the hard wood.
—
Sprig made his last and final move. Hop Pop stood over the side of the boat, watching the scenery go by. Sylvia carried buckets of bait towards him.
Hiding behind a giant barrel, Sprig and Flossie pushed the barrel over, allowing the chum to slid across the deck. Sylvia slipped, and was about to fall when she felt someone catch her. Looking up, she giggled as Hop Pop pulled her upright, giving her a spin as she did. The lady frog hugged Hop Pop, as Sprig watched on.
Grumbling in defeat, he walked away from Flossie, who followed close behind.
—
Sprig sighed in defeat, leaning over the side of the boat and looking at his reflection sadly. Flossie was beside him, lying on her back and drawing sketches in her book as she listened to Sprig.
"A little baby frog like me
Thought of only possibility."
Sprig sang sadly. Flossie glanced up at him briefly, but resumed back to her sketch. Sprig created a doll of Hop Pop using a rock and fishing hook, hugging it close as he continued to sing.
"Of hanging with my Hop
Of hanging with my Pop."
Sylvia and Hop Pop laughed as the lady frog chased him. Sylvia noticed the two children together, mostly Sprig's sad posture. Smiling softly, she went to talk with Hopediah.
"But now what once was two is three
And it's looking pretty dark to me
This baby frog is sad."
A small tear hit the swamp water, as Sprig let out another sigh. A loud scream filled the air. Looking up from her book, Flossie yelped and rolled out of the way as Anne crash landed on the deck once more.
"Hey Anne!" Flossie greeted, sitting up properly. Anne only rolled onto her back, as Polly and Jean walked over. "You almost had that one!" Jean encouraged, as a dazed Anne smiled up at them. "Really?" She asked, to which Polly patted her head. "Yeah, nah."
Anne stood up, brushing herself off. "Whoo! Gonna get back out there." She cried. Glancing to Sprig, she started pulling at his hat to gain his attention. "Dude, you have to shake off this whole Hop Pop thing and just have fun. We're on a boa-AAAAAAAGH!" Once again, the wind picked up Anne, carrying her away from the frog, polliwog, axolotl and Jean.
Polly began to talk to Sprig, while Jean leaned towards Flossie, whispering in her ear. "So…have you two gotten along or…" she asked, gesturing to the depressed frog. The axolotl shook her head. "He won't even talk to me face-to-face, and when it was it was just to tell me his plan." She muttered, crossing her arms sadly. Jean raised a brow. "So you WANTED to do all those things?" She asked. Flossie opened her mouth as if to say something, but stopped herself, looking away from the human. Jean sighed. "Look, Floss. Trying to impress someone by doing everything they say isn't the best relationship. They end up using you for their own benefit. Just…try a different approach, don't change yourself just for someone else. I love you the way you are, and I don't want you to change." Ruffling the axolotl's hair, she walked away, following Anne's movements. Sprig had been dragged off by Sylvia, leaving Polly to watch Anne.
As the human looked up at Anne, she winced at all the stinkbugs hitting her in the face. "Those don't hurt you, do they?" She asked, to which Polly scoffed. "Nah, they're harmless. But it's fun to watch." She giggled evilly, and the two watched Anne, Jean wincing every time she flew into a bug.
Flossie watched them, sighing as she glanced to Sprig and Sylvia. They were talking, as Sylvia pointed to an island with pretty blue flowers on it. Sprig grew and evil smirk, and it made Flossie furrow her brows in concern. Before she realised, Sylvia had dove off the boat, and Sprig had pulled the ladder up to prevent her from climbing back up.
Rushing over, she watched as Sylvia disappeared around the bend. "Sprig! What did you do?!" She asked worriedly. Sprig held the ladder, so Flossie couldn't let it back down. He chuckled darkly, a wide grin plastered on his face. "I did it! I got rid of Sylvia! Now Hop Pop can spend time with me!" He cheered.
Flossie glanced over her shoulder. "B-but-Sprig, these are dangerous swamp waters! This is going too far!" She cried. She tried to reach for the ladder, but Sprig moved away from her, jumping up high and out of her reach. "Stay back! You wouldn't understand what it's like having your time with a loved one taken away from you!" He yelled. Flossie stopped, staring up at him in shock. Her anger bubbled up inside her, as she watched the young frog gloat about his success. "You're right, I don't know how that feels. But I sure as heck know how painful it is to be ignored." She said coldly.
Sprig looked at the axolotl for a moment, her words running through his mind as she walked away, going to tell Hop Pop what had happened.
Flossie growled. "That son of a-ugh! Hop Pop! We need to turn the boat around-"
"Not right now Flossie darl, I'm busy." Hop Pop said. Flossie turned the corner to find Hop Pop in a more casual attire, carrying a bucket and rod. "I'm going to fish with Sprig, you can tell me after." He said, walking past her. "But Sylvia-!" She begged, but it fell on deaf ears, since he walked right by her, humming a tune to himself. The axolotl could only stare in shock.
Shaking his head, the young frog pushed the words out of his mind, yet he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for the way he treated her. Hopping over to the wheel, he called out for his Hop Pop. "Oh, Hop Pop! We don't have much time. Let's-"
"Oh, there you are, boy." Sprig looked up, face falling in disbelief. Hop Pop was dressed in his old fishing gear, carrying a bucket and fishing rod. "Sylvia thought you might want fishing time with me." He said, grinning at his grandson.
Sprig was in shock. "She…she did?" He questioned, watching Hop Pop walk over. "Yep. She said she could tell something was bugging you and suggested I spend quality time with you." He stated. "So, here I am."
The young frog smiled, "Sylvia's…a pretty cool lady. You're lucky to have her." Sprig said. Hop Pop chuckled. "Oh, I thank Frog for her everyday."
Sprig glanced over his shoulder, a guilty expression on his face as he fiddled with his hands. "Hop Pop, not related to anything, but, uh, can we turn this boat around, please?" He asked nervously. Before Hop Pop could question him, a loud scream pierced the air, and this time it wasn't Anne. Hop Pop let out a horrified gasp. "That's Sylvia! She's in trouble! What's she doing off the boat?"
"I'll explain later!"
The two frogs rushed toward the back of the boat, where Anne, Polly, Jean, Flossie and Pebbs stood. "We heard Sylvia scream, is everything ok?!" Anne asked. Sprig looked to Flossie, who only glared at him, crossing her arms as she looked away from him. Guilt wracked his gut, twisting it into knots as all the things he'd done that day raced around his brain. Leaning over the side, he pointed into the distance. "She's back there!" The group followed where he pointed. "Where? I can't see her!" Pebbs yelled, clutching at Flossie's shoulders. Hop Pop began to panic. "If only we had a birds eye view!" He moaned.
"Step aside."
Everyone turned to the little pink frog. He'd tied the rope around his waist, and prepared to the parasail. Anne held up her hand, trying to stop him. "Sprig, it's not as easy as it looks-" she started, but the wind picked him up, lifting him above the boat. Anne stared up at him in envy. "How is he doing that?!"
Up in the air, Sprig squinted into the horizon, trying to find any sign of Sylvia. He pointed up ahead, where Sylvia was still on the island. "I see her! Over there!" He yelled.
The island Sylvia sat on shook, rising up to reveal it was a giant crab. It attacked Sylvia, and the lady frog used a piece of wood to protect herself.
Hop Pop turned the boat around, heading back. "I'M COMING SYL!"
Reaching the crab, he rammed the boat into it, distracting it while Sprig dove to grab Sylvia. The giant crab smashed it's claw onto the boat, knocking the small group to the ground. "This thing is making me very scared! But also very hungry!" Anne yelled. Jean gave her a terrified look, grabbing Anne and Polly as she backed up. "NOW?! YOU WANNA EAT NOW!?"
Floss rushed to where the rope was tied, just as Sprig grabbed Sylvia. Pulling on the rope as hard as she could, she started to bring Sprig closer to the boat.
"Put the boat in reverse! Put the boat in reverse!" Sprig screamed in a panicked voice. Hop Pop did so, but the crab began to chase them. Just as it was about to bite Sylvia, a cane was thrown in its direction, getting caught between its jaws and preventing it from biting.
"Whoo! Go Pebbs!" Anne cheered. Pebbs grabbed a fishing rod, preparing to throw that too.
Sylvia took this as her chance to kick the crabs teeth, breaking them. It retreated back into the water, as Syvlia cursed. "Get back to the briny depths of filth where you belong, you son of a sea slug!"
"Wow, HP. That's a lot of woman." Anne smirked. Hop Pop chuckled. "Don't I know it."
Flossie pulled Sprig and Sylvia back to the boat, and Hop Pop rushed to her, giving her a hug. "Oh, Sylvia! You're safe." Sylvia giggled, holding out a bunch of blue flowers. "Sure am, and that's not all. Got your favourite flowers."
The group went silent, observing as Hop Pop explained that his favourite flowers were actually daffodils. "Everybody knows that. Hehe, they funny."
Sylvia turned to Sprig angrily, and so did Flossie. Sprig smiled nervously, letting out a sigh. "Sylvia, I have a confession to make. The reason you were on that island and almost became a crab snack is because I'm a selfish, petty child who wanted his Hop Pop all to himself." He admitted. Polly groaned angrily. "Oh, now he admits it!" She yelled. Jean giggled, picking up Polly. "Ha, too bad we didn't make a bet over that."
"You're a cool lady." Sprig continued. "And Hop Pop's lucky to have you. We all are." Picking out one of the blue flowers, he places it in her hair. Sylvia smiled. "Well, thank you, Sprig." She blushed. Walking over to Hop Pop, she holds his hand. "I know sharing a man like Hoppy is difficult. After all, he's such a catch." Leaning down to give the elderly frog a kiss on the cheek, Hop Pop is left a babbling, blushing mess.
"Now, what do you say we cut the chatter and get fishing? Together." Everyone cheered, except Pebbs. The newt grumbles as she makes her way back to the hammock. "All I wanted was a peaceful and stress-free afternoon, is that too much to ask?"
"And this baby baby frog
Is glad!"
Later that evening, Polly was busy parasailing, Anne attempted to steal the boat and drag it back to the crab, but Jean put a stop to her. Pebbs was sleeping peacefully, Sylvia, Hop Pop and Sprig were busy fishing, while Flossie sat in the shade, drawing in her book quietly to herself.
Sprig glanced up, still bothered. He looked sadly at the axolotl in regret. Hop Pop noticed his behaviour, and asked what was bothering him. The young frog let out a sigh. "I pushed Flossie away, and now I bet she hates me for being so mean to her." He groaned, looking down into the water. Hop Pop glanced over to Floss, then back to Sprig. "Well, maybe if you go talk to her, you can make it up to her." He advised. Sprig thought for a moment and, after saying thanks to his pop, walked over to Flossie.
The axolotl was busy drawing Jean and Anne, taking note that Anne was almost Jean's height. "Huh, she must be tall for her age." She muttered.
"Ehem."
Looking up from her book, she frowned at the young frog. "Oh. Hey Sprig." She said, turning her gaze back to the book. Sprig sat next to Flossie, and a moment of silence passed between the two children.
"Hey, uh… Flossie, I'm really sorry about the way I've been treating you recently. I wasn't putting your thoughts and feelings before my own, and took your help for granted. I hope…we can be friends?" Sprig held out his hand.
Flossie stared at it, remembering what had happened the first night they met.
"He's really trying to change, isn't he?"
A small smile fell on her lips, as she shook Sprig's hand. "Alright!" She beamed. She couldn't stay mad, that wasn't her personality.
Sprig stood up, saluting the axolotl. "Welp, gotta get back. Spend time with Hop Pop and all. You wanna hang out later?" He asked. Flossie's eyes brightened. "Sure! Have fun!"
Sprig walked off, and Flossie turned back to her book. Smiling to herself, she began a new sketch, this time with everyone. Sylvia, Hop Pop, Pebbs, Jean, Anne, Sprig, Polly and herself.
A/N: Before people get cranky: no, I don't ship my oc's with any of the amphibian characters.
