The intro opens with Anne's hands on the Calamity Box, opening it. Light from inside the box shines brightly before it switches to a scene that shows Kenji, Anne, Sasha, and Marcy, looking inside. Suddenly there was a white light and everything when blank.
Kenji was on the ground when the light faded, covered in mud with Anne next to him. When he woke up, he looked shocked to see he was in Amphibia with Anne. The two friends stood up and looked at their surroundings in awe.
The camera then zoomed out and showed the entire world of Amphibia.
Tenohira ni kizama re teru
Tsugihagi no yona sono sen ni furete
The scene then changed to the town of Wartwood as the frog inhabitants go about their daily lives. As a pair of dragonflies fly past the camera, it followed them until stopping at the Plantar farmhouse while the sun was starting to rise in the sky.
When the camera changed to show the house's front door, Kenji and Anne stepped out from inside and out into the world. Ready to take on the day. But first, they ducked their heads under some dragonflies that passed them.
Hibiware sona atama to
Gurasu ga sasata kokoro de mae hashiru
The camera moves up to a window on the side of the house. Sprig opened the window with a telescope in hand. He looked through it at the horizon before slipping off the windowsill and started falling. Inside the house, Hop Pop was reading one of his books in his study when Sprig's falling and screaming made him look at his window. Down on the ground, Sprig had landed in Polly's bucket. His little sister responded by punching her brother in the butt. Sending him flying out of the bucket. She then dove back into her bucket of water.
Sprig landed on Anne's head, and the three of them smiled at one another. Then Sprig pointed at something. Kenji pulled out one of his Class Cards, and the friends rushed off into the unknown.
The scene changed to show Kenji, Anne, and Sprig hopping across multiple mushrooms that lit up when one of them landed on it.
Koware kake no sekai
Kuzure so o de memai
The next scene showed Anne, Sprig, and Kenji running for their lives from a giant chicken monster. Kenji summons a black steed from his Rider Card then gets the others on and gallops away faster from the giant poultry. The scene begins to break apart as red line spread across the screen.
The next scene showed Sprig, Anne, Kenji, Polly, and Hop Pop fishing together on a lily pad before it suddenly rose into the air. Underneath it was a giant fish that started swimming around as everyone started screaming. Kenji, however, started stabbing it with a black broadsword. The scene to break apart like the scene before.
Another scene showed Sprig in a temple looking at something before Kenji and Anne came rushing down the stairs beside him. Anne picked him up as they ran away from a giant boulder that came crashing into the temple. And just like the last two scenes, it begins to break apart in red lines.
Karappo na karada de
Ibtsuna shikai
The next scene showed a red, dark area. Anne and Kenji had their backs together, and both having looks of determination. Anne raised her card: Alter Ego, and Kenji raised his card: Saber as the cards begin to glow.
Still, in the same scene, the viewer is suddenly pulled back to reveal that they were surrounded by dozens of twisted frog/toad/newt-like creatures and a giant snake crawling up from behind them. Towering over them and hissing.
Zokkuri to myako o utsu inochi no sen
Naifu de nazotte nobashite shimaetara
ne dareka oshiete Tsuki ga mierunara
The amphibian-like abominations started attacking as Kenji now armed with Balmung/Gram and Anne now armed with the Absolute Sword – Endless Three-Stage rushed towards the viewer. Smashing, slicing, and killing any twisted being that came at them. Just as the viewer watched them go past the camera on both sides, the Giant Snake lunged at the fleeing kids. Its mouth opens as it comes towards the camera before the viewer is in the blackness of the snake's mouth, but it didn't last long as Kenji swung his sword and cuts down the snake with one strike.
Kesenai de
mada kesenai de
The scene changed again to a split screen with the left side show Anne's photo of herself, Kenji, Sasha, and Marcy together being held in a gloved hand and on the right is an older man in his fifties with a grin on his face. A flash of light showed the man's face more and the infamous Toad Tower in the background.
Kienaide mada Kienaide
The final scene of the intro showed Kenji standing in the middle of a road looking at the Class Cards he has. He looked to his left and saw Anne walking over to him with a smile. Then Sprig came over to his right and jumped on Kenji's shoulders while Fou jumps on his head with a content smile on his face. Hop Pop and Polly walked/hopped over and joined the trio. The screen begins to pan downwards as it shows reflections not of the group but of legendary heroes of Earth's history.
The intro ends with the title of the story.
FATE / CALAMITY
Book 1: Amphibia
Chapter 15:
Hop Popular with Fate
The last couple of days flew by the village of Wartwood and things were quite interesting.
Kenji, Anne and the Plantars gather with the rest of Wartwood for theater night. While looking for a seat, Sprig finds the best one, only for Hop Pop to come and force him to give it to Polly. Sprig is upset over having to give up things to her because she is younger (Anne can't relate because she's an only child and the same can be said for Kenji). Mayor Toadstool informs the town that the theater troop was eaten, and that theater night would have to be canceled, but Anne provides entertainment with a movie on her phone along with a giant magnifying glass. The movie is called Love Choice and focuses on a girl named Constance who has simultaneously fallen in love with a cyborg lumberjack named Hunter and a Cervitaur emo named Alastair. The film ends on a cliffhanger with the entire town of Wartwood left in suspense. Polly believes that Constance will pick Hunter for his strength while Sprig thinks she will pick Alistair for his poetic life. This causes not just a rift between the siblings, but the entire town as well who all pick sides.
The next day, the town has split between red (Hunter Tribe) and blue (Alistair Tribe) and Kenji swore that he saw this kind of thing before, but can't recall. Anne, Kenji, and Hop Pop, the only three that are immune to the insanity that's happening, decide to try to set things set things right. Anne and Kenji approaches Sprig, asking him to simply admit defeat to Polly, but he refuses. Hop Pop tries talking to Polly to meet with Sprig, but she kicks him out. The three resolve to steal each other's flags with Anne and Kenji grabbing the Alistair flag and Hop Pop getting the Hunter flag. They succeed, but both sides proceed to go to war by tossing fruits and vegetables at each other and the Alistairs retreat while the Hunters chase them. The Hunters get ambushed by the Alistairs and proceed to corner Polly. As Sprig tries to get her to admit defeat, the Alistairs collectively begin tossing and firing vegetables at her. Overcome with remorse, Sprig jumps in the way and takes the entire hit. Polly cries over her brother, who admits defeat while also stating that it is his job to take care of her. The mood immediately shifts with everyone happily returning to their old lives. Both Kenji and Anne are confused by this with Hop Pop telling them that things are like this all the time, "You should have seen last year's avocados vs. almonds fiasco." With Sprig and Polly's relationship strengthened, everyone was about to spend the next movie night watching a "conflict-free, independent movie" called My Dinner with Anders.
However, Kenji had other ideas…
Flashback:
"Are you Kenji? I mean from I heard about this show, it may cause another civil war…t." Anne said as she and Kenji looked over the crowd that was taking their seats.
"I'm sure. Also, that pun wasn't necessary. Besides, with how the show goes, I don't think they would start another one over these guys. Trust me, this will work." Kenji assures Anne as she nodded and head over to her seat. When she did, Kenji takes center stage as he places his phone behind the giant magnifying glass.
"Hello, everyone! For tonight, I've picked a web show from the world Anne and I live known as Red vs Blue. We're going to start in The Blood Gulch Chronicles, which is the first main saga in the Red vs. Blue series, spanning 5 seasons, 100 episodes, and a 5-part miniseries. The saga introduces many of the series' main characters, features several memorable running gags, and sets up numerous events and lore that are continued in later seasons. The saga began with the very first episode of the series and ended with the 100th episode. We're going to do Season 1 for tonight-" Kenji said as he was cut off by the crowd.
"Just start the show!" The group shouted as Kenji chuckled at the crowd's action.
"Alright! Alright! You don't need to yell." Kenji said as he clicks the button to the start the show.
(Play: Red Vs. Blue Intro. Blood Gulch Blues (Bloody Mix) by Trocadero)
Roses are red
And violets are blue
One day we'll cruise down Blood Gulch Avenue
It's red versus red
And blue versus blue
It's I against I and me against you
Violets are blue
Roses are red
Living like this we were already dead
Hop in my car it don't have any doors
It's built like a cat
It lands on all fours
My car's like a puma
It drives on all fours
RED VS BLUE
"Woah!"
"That was cool!"
"Good intro!"
That is what most of the crowd said as Kenji smiled as they liked the intro of this show.
Pan up from the ground and close in on two soldiers on top of a base, one clad in maroon armor, Simmons, the other in orange, Grif.
Simmons: Hey.
Grif: Yeah?
Simmons: You ever wonder why we're here?
Grif: It's one of life's great mysteries isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know, man, but it keeps me up at night.
"Wow, that's deep, I thought that was going to a completely different road." Anne said. A few of her peers, including even some of the others, had agreed.
"What a thoughtful man," Felicia added.
Both stare at each other in silence.
Simmons: ...What?! I mean why are we out here, in this canyon?
Grif: Oh. Uh... yeah.
Simmons: What was all that stuff about God?
Grif: Uh...hm? Nothing.
Simmons: You want to talk about it?
Grif: No.
Simmons: You sure?
Grif: Yeah.
A few giggles and chuckles emanated from the audience; specifically, Anne and Polly, who found the scene hilarious.
Simmons: Seriously though, why are we out here? As far as I can tell, it's just a box canyon in the middle of nowhere. No way in or out.
Grif: Mm hmm.
Simmons: The only reason that we set up a Red Base here, is because they have a Blue Base over there. And the only reason they have a Blue Base over there, is because we have a Red Base here.
Grif: Yeah. That's because we're fighting each other.
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out that one," Kenji had said. Their intelligence was low, for a first impression.
"What I want to know is why they're fighting each other." Anne had stated. Even the others had agreed with her.
Simmons: No, no. But I mean, even if we were to pull out today, and if they would come take our base, they would have two bases in the middle of a box canyon. Whoopdee-fucking-doo.
"Language!" Sprig and Polly had said with a great deal of annoyance.
Grif: What's up with that anyway? I mean, I signed on to fight some aliens. Next thing I know, Master Chief blows up the whole Covenant armada and I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere, fighting a bunch of blue guys.
"Interesting. Kenji said that these events take place in an entirely different universe to ours; it means that there is history to learn!" Hop Pop had practically started jumping for joy at such a thought, causing the others to sigh. "What?"
Zoom in on two soldiers watching Grif and Simmons from atop a cliff, one wielding a sniper rifle and in cobalt armor, Church, the other standing behind him in aqua armor, Tucker.
"So, we now are in the perspective of the red people's opposition, I'm guessing." Maddie had spoken aloud for the first time among the audience. It surprised even some of the audience.
Tucker: What're they doing?
Church slowly turns around to face Tucker, lowering his rifle.
Church: (aggravated) What?
Tucker: I said, "What are they doing now?"
Church: (frustrated) God damn, I'm getting so sick of answering that question!
Tucker: (defensively) You have the fucking rifle, I can't see shit. Don't bitch at me because I'm not going to just sit up here and play with my dick.
Most of the crowd were visibly chuckling at the blue team's pointless bickering, while others were mildly infuriated by the unprofessionalism exerted by the soldiers.
"Kenji, do they swear this often?" Sprig had inquired as Kenji nodded.
"Yes, you definitely have to get used to it. They swear. A lot."
Oh boy, this was going to be a ride, especially for Sprig and Polly.
Church: (interrupting) Okay, okay, look... they're just standing there and talking, okay? (getting angry) That's all they're doing. That's all they ever do, is just stand there and talk. That's what they were doing last week, that's what they were doing when you asked me five minutes ago. So, five minutes from now, when you ask me, "What are they doing?" my answer's going to be, "They're still just talking, and they're still just standing there!"
Both fall silent.
"Oh my god I just realized. I found that universe's version of you Anne!" Kenji sarcastically remarked, his speech responded to by an angry glare from none other than the Thai American herself.
Tucker: ...What're they talking about?
Church: ...You know what? I fucking hate you.
"The soldier in the aqua armor. He infuriates me!" Anne snapped unexpectedly, however she was too late to realize that Kenji made a point earlier. "Oh, crap I just made you right, didn't I?"
'Yep, the cobalt man and Anne are practically the same person but at least you don't get so easily triggered.' Kenji thought with a smile on his face.
Cut back to Grif and Simmons.
Grif: Talk about a waste of resources. I mean, we should be out there finding new and intelligent forms of life... you know, fight them.
Simmons: Yeah, no shit. That's why they should put us in charge.
Cut to a low angle shot of a soldier in red armor, Sarge, who is seen looking up at Simmons and Grif.
Sarge: Ladies, front and center on the double!
Simmons: Fuck.
Grif: Yes, sir!
Fade to black.
"Well, what're your thoughts, everyone?"
Kenji did not expect for the reaction he was given; lengthy, rant-like responses bombarding his ears, giving him a minor headache. Soggy Joe was on about the aliens, Hop Pop wanted to learn about this shows origins (which Kenji did not) and was also scolding the poor performance the soldiers on both teams had demonstrated. You had Anne, Sprig, Polly and Fou, enjoying and immersing themselves in the plot, while Wally had started chugging down his flask of liquor.
"Oh man! I can't stop laughing! You're saying they belong to a company in your universe, right? If that's the case, I want to meet them, so badly!" Polly had bellowed, a laugh or so breaking the flow of what she said.
"Alright, enough chit-chat! Let's continue with the show people! Episode 2 is on!" Kenji made himself clear, and the next episode had started playing. He had noted some of the residents of Wartwoods responses in his head.
Pan out on Grif and Simmons, who were approaching another Red soldier (Sarge) clad in red armor.
Sarge: Hurry up, ladies. This ain't no ice cream social.
Simmons: Ice cream social?
Simmons and Grif exchange looks.
Cut to Sarge.
"Ooh! Ice cream socials! That sounds amazing!" Anne had joyfully squealed. It had been a while since the girl had some ice cream and she was craving some.
"As expected from you." Kenji simply said with a smirk on his face.
Sarge: Stop the pillow talk, you two. Anyone want to guess why I gathered you here today?
Grif: Uh, is it because the war's over and you're sending us home?
"That guy in the orange armor is basically asking for insults," Sprig had given a piece of his mind to the audience. He wasn't wrong, and many had sided with him in his statement.
Sarge: (Sarcastically) That's exactly it, Private. War's over. We won. Turns out you're the big hero and we're gonna hold a parade in your honor. I get to drive the float, and Simmons here IS IN CHARGE OF CONFETTI!
Grif: I'm no stranger to sarcasm, sir.
"That's a bit overboard, even for my standards," Stumpy had coolly stated. "Not that my standards are low. If I had to, I definitely would go to that point for an insult."
Sarge: Goddamn it, Private! Shut your mouth or else I'll have Simmons slit your throat while you're asleep!
The weaker-hearted members of the audience visibly paled over Sarge's words; sure, he was their captain, and they were his subordinates, and yes, they were quite stupid, but still! They were his team members, and you never should try killing your team. Right?
Simmons: Oh I'd do it, too.
Midway through his marathon of chugging down his succulent alcohol, One-Eyed Wally spat the liquid out of his mouth like a geyser shooting water. Sure, he was a bit of a crazy frog, but slitting your team's throats? That's just borderline creepy. "No more for me, thanks!"
Sarge: I know you would, Simmons. Good man. Couple of things today, ladies. Command has seen fit to increase our ranks here at Blood Gulch Outpost Number One.
Grif: Crap. We're getting a rookie.
Sarge: That's right, dead man. Our new recruit will be here within the week, but today we received the first part of our shipment from Command.
"We got a batch of information from Kenji. The man inside the maroon suit is named Simmons. The canyon they're in is called Blood Gulch and they are getting a rookie. The team is receiving some shipment, and that the recruit is coming later." Maddie had deduced, hitting the information bank right on the mark.
"Simmons! What a good man!" Wally said, with all his flamboyant energy, echoed across the area.
Grif and Simmons exchanged looks again as Sarge turned towards a hill behind them.
Sarge: Lopez, bring up the vehicle.
A large, armor-plated, jeep-like vehicle came over the rise with Lopez in the driver seat, who pulled up alongside the Reds.
"Damn, that ride looks sick!" Polly said as she now has quite the infatuation for motor vehicles; there was just something about them that makes her want to drive one.
"Huh, it kind of reminds me of a furry animal that I spotted a few weeks back," said Soggy Joe. Loggle and Mr. Flour nodded with him in agreement.
Simmons: Shotgun!
Grif: Shotgun! (Realizes he is too late) Fuck.
Nobody understood what Simmons and the orange guy had said, many faces turned their focus and concentration to Kenji, who was fiddling with his knife.
"Oh, about that. It's like calling dibs but for taking the passenger seat." With his wise words, a few 'oh' sounds left the mouths of the audience, specifically the older ones (ehem, Hop Pop)
"I can't blame them. Who wouldn't want to hop onto a majestic piece of art like that!" Polly, once again, could only praise the machine.
Sarge: May I introduce our new, light reconnaissance vehicle.
Camera closes in on the front of the vehicle and starts to move left, circling it.
Sarge: It has four-inch armor plating, mag bumper suspension, a mounted machine gunner position, and total seating for three. Gentlemen, this is the M12 LRV! I like to call it the Warthog.
Cut to Grif and Simmons.
Simmons: Why Warthog, sir?
"Yeah, why Warthog. To me, it looks like a big cat." Anne said with a smile on her face.
"What like Domino 2?" Sprig asked as Anne nodded.
"Yeah dude, but without the wings!"
Cut to Sarge.
Sarge: Because M12 LRV is too hard to say in conversation, son.
Cut to Grif.
Grif: I know, but why Warthog? I mean, it doesn't really look like a pig.
"See, I told you guys! The M12 LRV looks nothing like a pig, let alone a warthog!" Anne reinforced her idea.
"Oh, sure, you can believe what you want. I think it looks like a warthog because of the tusks: I'm siding with Sarge over there," rebutted Kenji sarcastically with a smirk on his face. A small 'tch' left Anne's mouth, exposing her disdain to her (boy)friend's comment.
Sarge: (after a brief pause) Say that again.
Grif: I think it looks more like a puma.
Sarge: What in Sam Hell is a puma?
Simmons: Uh, you mean like the shoe company?
Grif: No, like a puma. It's a big cat, like a lion.
This small frame in the episode had caused Anne to frantically point at the show, repetitively saying 'see, see! I told you!'
For people like Hop Pop, it had started their inevitable downwards spiral that was measuring the stupidity of the soldiers.
Sarge: You're making that up.
Grif: I'm telling you, it's a real animal!
Sarge: Simmons, I want you to poison Grif's next meal.
Simmons: Yes, sir!
"Again, with the death threats, seriously?!" This time, Anne, Sprig, and Hop Pop had all shouted in unison. Kenji and Polly had continued their onslaught of laughing bursts, rendering them to the floor.
Sarge: (pointing at the front of the Warthog) Look, see these two tow hooks? They look like tusks, and what kind of animal has tusks?
Cut to Grif.
Grif: A walrus.
Sarge: Didn't I just tell you to stop making up animals?!
"See, children, this is what happens when you don't listen to your lessons. Even though I have no idea what a Walrus is." Felicia firmly reassured.
Cut to a view of the Reds through the sniper rifle scope.
Cut to Church, wielding the rifle, and Tucker, wielding a M6D pistol.
Tucker: What is that thing?
Church lowers the rifle.
Church: I don't know, man. Looks like uh... looks like they've got some sort of car down there. We'd better get back to base and report it.
Tucker: (taken aback) A car? How come they get a car?!
Church: What are you complaining about, man? We're about to get a tank in the very next drop.
"The cobalt man, once again, has a point; why is he complaining at the red team's possession of a car when he and his teammates know that they're getting a tank…whatever that is!" Hop Pop felt a migraine form on the back of his head; maybe this was a side-effect, two rosters of idiots go head-to-head with each other.
Tucker: (disappointed) You can't pick up chicks in a tank.
Church: Oh, you know what? You could bitch about anything couldn't you? We're going to get a tank, and you're worried about chicks. What chicks are we going to pick up, man? And secondly, how are you going to pick up chicks in a car that looks like that?
Wally was on the verge of reaching for another drink – seriously, that's why the aqua-armoured man was so disappointed, for a bunch of chicks! Man, the blue team need to get their act together.
Tucker: (sighs) What kind of car is it?
Church: (looking through the scope of the sniper rifle) I dunno, I've never seen a car like that before. It looks like a... uh... like a big cat of some kind.
Tucker: ...What, like a puma?
Church: Yeah, man, there you go.
With a loud grunt of displeasure, Kenji had swiveled his head so that the back of his neck faced Anne who had a smirk on her face; the cat lover had won this time, but not the war!
Cut to Red Team.
Sarge: So, unless anybody has anymore mythical creatures to suggest as a name for the new vehicle, we're going to stick with the Warthog. How about it, Grif?
"HAH!" Kenji said to his (Girl)friend who only pouted as she really wanted the car to be called a puma because she's a cat person.
Grif: No, sir. No more suggestions.
Sarge: Are you sure? How 'bout Bigfoot?
Grif: It's okay.
Sarge: Unicorn?
Grif: No really. Uh, I'm cool.
Sarge: Sasquatch?
Simmons: Leprechaun?
Grif: Hey, he doesn't need any help, man.
Sarge: Phoenix?
Grif: (sighs) Christ.
Fade to black.
Sarge: Hey Simmons, what's the name of that Mexican lizard? Eats all the goats.
Simmons: Uh, that would be the Chupacabra, sir.
Sarge: Hey Grif, Chupathingy! How about that? I like it. Gotta ring to it.
"So, we got Sarge in the red armour, Simmons in the maroon variant and, if I recall correctly, Grif as the orange one?" Sprig had declared as Kenji.
"I don't know. Either way, sucks to be Grif." Anne said.
"Alright, Let's keep watching the rest of this season and then will head home for tonight." Kenji had stated as the audience nodded as they're now ready for the ready for the rest of Season 1 of Red vs Blue.
After the first two episode, the whole village watched the rest of the season as the new recruit known as Donut is sent on a fool's errand by his teammates, only to accidentally steal the enemy flag when he believed their base to be the store. Meanwhile, Caboose allowed him to take it, believing Donut to be the General foretold by his teammates, in a fool's errand of his own. The rest of the season introduces the concepts of the Freelancer Program and its AIs, explaining that each agent would receive an AI to help them in combat. Church is killed early in the season and returns as a 'ghost'. The Blues then recruit Tex, an agent of the Freelancer Program and Church's ex-girlfriend, who helps them regain their flag. However, Tex is later killed by a grenade thrown by Donut. At the end of the season, Church possesses the Red Team's robot mechanic Lopez to have a body to move in and Caboose suddenly announces that his name is now O'Malley in a sinister tone.
Talk about one hell of a cliffhanger. Now return to todays story...
END OF FLASHBACK:
"Hop Pop, we've got to talk," said 16-year-old Kenji Richards and he, Anne, Sprig, Polly, and Fou stood in front of the elder frog. "It's not you, it's us…Oh, who the hell am I kidding? No, it's definitely you."
"Agreed!/Fou!"
Sitting on the couch, Hop Pop looked horrible. He smelt terrible, has flies over his head, and he hasn't shaved in days. He was dirty, with a stained under-shirt on, tired eyes with bags under them, and looked miserable. And it was evident how miserable he was when the old frog looked at the kids. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Hop Pop, it's been two days now. You've been sitting on the couch and haven't moved an inch," Anne said, being very worried for him.
"Not to mention getting all gross." Polly added, which earned her a nudge from Anne.
"Are you feeling any better," asked Sprig.
Hop Pop sighed and looked down at the photo he had in his lap. Showing him standing next to the family stand. "No. Ever since we lost the vegetable stand, I've just felt, well, lost. I was fine the first couple of days, but it's really starting to catch up with me."
"Well, maybe this will cheer you up. Pa-pow!" From her pocket, Anne pulled out a job pamphlet for the Grub-N-Go.
"The Grub-N-Go's hiring greeters!" Sprig explained. "All you got to do is smile and be friendly."
"You can still smile, right?" Kenji asked.
Still looking miserable, Hop Pop sighed miserably. "Just another job for me to lose," he moaned, slouching on the couch.
"Yeah? Well like it or not, you're getting a job. Even if I must drag you there myself!" Kenji said, grabbing the old frog and picking him up. Peeling his back off the couch. "Now let's get you back in the game."
"Put me down! The couch is the only one who understands me!" Hop Pop yelled, struggling to break free of Kenji's grip.
"Don't worry. It'll be here when you come home," Kenji said, carrying him to the door. However, he stopped and turned to Anne. Whispering, he said, "If the couch can't be saved, burn it to end its misery."
Anne winked and nodded. And with that, Kenji left to get Hop Pop ready. Fou hopped on his head as he lays down on it as he decided to take a nap.
After finally getting Hop Pop dressed and looking nice, Kenji walked Hop Pop to the Grub-n-Go to give him some tips. His dad was the supervisor of the local Spendco back home and would give Kenji advice on everything to do in an interview. And with that knowledge, the young boy passed it down to Hop Pop.
While waiting for the old frog, Kenji sat on the ground with his back against a crate while eating an apple and wrote in his journal. As he wrote about his current experiences in this strange world, Kenji hummed The Touch by Stan Bush to himself. It was one of his favorite songs.
"Thank you, Mr. Plantar. Don't call us, we'll call you," said the manager inside the shop. Kenji looked up and saw Hop Pop walking out of the store before the manager shut the door behind him. Kenji sighed, closed his journal, and ran towards his friend.
"Didn't go too well, huh?" Kenji asked, already knowing the answer as Fou looked at the old frog with a sad look on his face.
"Let's just go home," Hop Pop said, looking down at the ground in depression. How, he stopped when he noticed something up ahead. Up ahead was a large crowd of people that seemed to be surrounding something, or perhaps someone.
Standing high above everyone else, Kenji saw that they were all gathered in front of the greedy mayor of the town, Toadstool. Glaring at the mayor that nearly got him killed, Kenji asked, "What's going on here?"
"Sign-ups for the election!" exclaimed Wally, popping out from behind Kenji, much to the boy's shock. "You been living under a rock? Cause I have and even I knew that."
As Wally walked off, Kenji shook his fist at him. "For your information, Wally, I've been living under a tree!"
"Fou!" Fou said, mimicking Kenji with his paw.
"Election," Hop Pop asked.
Next to the mayor, Toadie wrote down Toadstool's name on a piece of paper and handed it to the mayor. Toadstool took it and placed it into the voting box. "Vote Mayor Toadstool! If reelected, I will always look out for the little guy," the toad said, giving the people peace signs as he walked to his snail.
However, in contrast to his words, Toadstool uses his assistant as a stool to climb onto the saddle of the snail. Toadie then jumped onto the driver's seat and took off with the mayor. Kicking up dust into the face of a little girl, who started coughing.
"What a bastard," Kenji said.
Hop Pop scoffed. "That's putting it mildly, Kenji," he said, glaring at the toad driving off.
"How did a guy like that get to be mayor?" Kenji asked, wondering if there was any reason why the nice people of the town would do such a thing.
"It wasn't by our vote, Kenji. That's for sure," Hop Pop said, gaining the attention of his fellow frogs. "That guy keeps raising our taxes, and what do we got to show for it? Our snail-ways are a mess."
This was demonstrated when a frog and his snail fell into one of many potholes.
"Our buildings are falling apart." This was demonstrated when the front of a building fell, revealing a frog taking a bubble bath. The frog screamed and ducked into the water.
"Heck, we haven't even replaced the schoolhouse after last year's millipede incident!" This was demonstrated when the school kids, who were happy playing in the rubble of the schoolhouse, found themselves running for their lives when a centipede burst from the ground. Scaring off the kids and then crawling away.
"Am I crazy, or is he making sense," asked Felicia.
As the other frogs gathered around him, Hop Pop continued. "Maybe we need a mayor who looks out for the people he's mayoring. Cause ours, well…" He stopped to chuckle in contempt. "He's only looking out for himself."
Kenji looked down at his friend with wide eyes. "Wow, Hop Pop. Never knew that you were a great speaker," he said with an impressed face.
"Heh. Thanks Kenji," Hop Pop said before turning away and looked down again. "Anyway, good afternoon, everybody."
However, before he could start walking away, Wally suddenly ran up to Hop Pop and wrapped an arm around him. "I nominate Hopadiah Plantar for mayor!"
"What!? / Fou?" Kenji and Hop Pop exclaimed while Fou looked confused.
"I second that!" Felicia exclaimed, writing down his name and slipping it into the mayor nomination box. This started a chain reaction from everyone else, as they all started to cheer for the old frog. "Hop Pop for mayor, everyone!"
Wally pushed Hop Pop in front of the crowd and started to play "he was a jolly good fellow" on his accordion. As the crowd continued to cheer and applauded, Hop Pop was taken aback by how supportive they all were for him. But at that moment, Hop Pop began to smile.
When Kenji, Fou and Hop Pop got home, the old frog burst through the door with a skip in his step. "Guess what, kids!"
Anne, Polly, and Sprig were sitting around the couch when he and Kenji came in. When the two entered the house, with Hop Pop looking happy, they immediately got excited. "You passed the interview," asked Anne.
"You got the job?" Sprig added.
Kenji sucked in air through his teeth and scratched the back of his head. "Well, not exactly," he said before Hop Pop jumped in front of him.
"I'm running for mayor!"
"Huh?" said the other kids.
"Don't you see, kids?" He walked over to a mirror on the wall and started combing his hair. Which became bushy. "If I win this election, I'll prove once and for all that Hopadiah Plantar ain't no loser!"
As the kids watched him, Anne got a worried look. "This is bad."
"Actually, this could be a good thing," Kenji said, walking over and sitting next to her on the couch as Fou hopped onto Anne's lap. "Hop Pop's a great speaker, he knows the town and what it needs, and people know him. With him in office, we can get rid of Toadstool and make living here, well, pleasant."
"But if he loses, he'll be more down than ever," Anne said.
"And we just got the couch cleaned," Polly said, not wanting to have to go through the trouble again.
"But if he wins, maybe we'll get the old Hop Pop back!" Sprig said, siding with Kenji on the matter.
"True that. / Fair point. / Fou!" Polly, Anne, and Fou agreed together.
"Hop Pop, we're all in!" Kenji told the old frog, who rushed over to the kids with a giant smile and stars in his eyes.
"Really? Aw, kids. I won't let you down. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bathroom practicing my distinguished expression!" He tried looking all presidential before running off while laughing
"Ugh. Politics are the worst," Anne said, standing up and walking away.
"Yeah, especially the people that are way too into politics," Kenji said.
Polly said, "Yeah. The monster fights are pretty cool, though."
Kenji turned to her. "Wait, what now?"
Kenji and Anne thought that the mayor election would involve things like speeches and that sort. What they were not expecting was it to involve trials and physical challenges. But leave it to Amphibia to subvert their expectations.
Both them and the kids were among the people of Wartwood. They were all standing in front of a large cave entrance. The crowd cheered for either Hop Pop or Toadstool, who were both in leotards. Duckweed was there as well, in charge of the elections.
"You've made a powerful enemy today, Hopadiah," Toadstool said. Punching Toadie by accident as he stretched his arm, but he didn't care. All he could do was glare at his rival. "Toads have run uncontested for decades. This is a disgrace."
"The only disgrace is you as mayor." Hop Pop shot back as he stretched his legs.
"Oh, I like this Hopadiah," Mrs. Croaker said, impressed.
"I don't know," one villager said, narrowing his eyes at Hop Pop before raising his fist. "Toadstool is tried and true!"
"Ahem!" Albus Duckweed silenced the crowd as he raised his hand. "Welcome to the official mayoral trials, where the candidates try to win your vote."
"I'm suddenly very interested in politics," Anne said, with Polly on her head eating a hotgrub (hotdog with a grub). She then blew the horn she had loudly right next to Kenji's head.
"I'm going to shove that horn up your nose if you don't stop," he said.
However, before the events could begin, a frog walked up to Albus and whispers something into his ear. Judging from his expression it wasn't good. After the frog returned to the crowd, Duckweed turns his attention to the crowd. "Bad news, everyone! the other two judges had to withdraw due to...well, being eaten on the way here. Unless we get two more judges from the crowd, we'll have to postpone until then."
The crowd begin to mutter to themselves as they talked about who would be bold enough to take the two judge positions.
Their answer...
"I'll do it!" Two hands shot up from the crowd as everyone turned to Kenji and Anne who both looked at each other in surprise. Kenji place Fou down as he and Anne walked up to where Duckweed is standing.
"While I appreciate you both wanting to help, but do you two have any experience with judging competitions? This will require someone who can handle this." Duckweed asked the two humans as they begin to ponder themselves. After a few moments, Kenji came up with an idea as he whispers into Anne's ear. Anne's eyes widened as Kenji held up one of his Class Cards: The Ruler, causing her to smile as she held up one of her own, the exact same class as his.
"INSTALL! RULER!" They both said in unison as a beam of Light and Darkness surrounded Kenji while a beam of Light and Fire surrounded Anne. After a few moments, the pillars dissipate, revealing who took the teens place.
Kenji now appears to be a tanned-skinned youth with dark ageless golden eyes. He now has long silver/black hair tied into a ponytail. His clothing is a mixture of traditional samurai outfit with European influence. He wears a jinbaori style haori with Christianity crosses decorated on them. He wears a tradition umanori hakama with Shin guards which had cloth straps that were used to tie the Shin guards to the lower leg. He wears a collar shirt underneath his Kimono and a Cravat tied around his collar.
Anne now appears as a beautiful woman with long brown/blond braided hair, amethyst-colored eyes and they were completely pure. She didn't have the precise and molded beauty of a homunculus or the kind of cuteness that made one's heart flutter just by being nearby. She possessed a wondrous beauty that scarcely felt real. Her attire is that of a purple battle dress with bits of metal and a battle flag was next to her.
"Greetings, denizens of Wartwood." 'Kenji' greeted the whole crowd as the crowd was enraptured by his presence. "My name is Kotomine Shirou—ah, pardon, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada. I will be acting as an Overseer and Judge of this election." He said as 'Anne' stepped forward and plants her flag into the ground.
"I will also act as a judge and overseer of this election, for my name is Jeanne D'Arc," She announced with a charisma of a leader. "With the power invested in us as Rulers. We declare this election official and ready to proceed! Duckweed, you may begin the first trail!"
"...Very well then. Let's begin." Duckweed said as he pulled out his own horn. "Our first trial is all about strength. The first candidate to mount the beetle wins! Contestants ready?"
He blew on the horn, which let out a whistling sound. This summoned a large beetle with a spiky horn on its head to come crawling out of the cave.
"Ready, set, go!" Duckweed yelled as he and everyone else, but Hop Pop and Toadstool made a run for it while the two Ruler-Class Servants step back to observe to see the event through in case things got bad. The beetle stood on its hindlegs and let out a loud roar. Hop Pop and Toadstool made a run for it as the beetle chased after them.
"Oh, my giblets!" Toadstool yelled, jumping out of the way of the beetle as Hop Pop jumped on a tree stump. The mayor then tried to jump onto the back of the beast. "I've got you! No, I don't!" He was swatted away with the big horn of the beetle.
Hop Pop tried to jump on the beetle but was hit in the face by the horn of the beetle. He was sent flying towards the tree stump. However, as he got up, Hop Pop looked at the stump and an idea started to form in his mind. Picking up a rock, he threw it at the beetle.
The large insect turned towards him.
"Hey!" Hop Pop laughed, shaking his butt, and spanking it. Trying to get the bug to charge at him. "Come and get it."
The beetle let out a loud shriek, puffing smoke out of its nostrils, before charging at Hop Pop at full speed. However, this is what the old frog wanted. He jumped out of the way at the last moment, causing the beetle to get its horn jammed into the stump. With the beast now down, Hop Pop jumped onto it. Winning the first trial of the day.
"Winner of the first trial: Hopediah Planter!" Amakusa said as the crowd all cheered for Hop Pop, with Sprig and Polly waving flags for him. Toadstool on the other hand was not happy. Growling as he stomped his foot on the ground.
"The second trial is about sensitivity," Duckweed said, standing in front of a large nest of giant baby chicks that were right on the edge of a cliff. The citizens all gathered behind Hop Pop and Toadstool. "Can you figure out what these hatchlings need? A good mayor would."
Toadstool scoffed at this. "I know what these dumb birds want. Money!" He pulled out a sack of coins from his back. Where he was keeping them on himself, no one knows.
As he walked up to the chicks, Kenji looked at him like the mayor was crazy. "The fuck are birds going to do with money?" He asked no one in particular.
"All right, all right," Toadstool said, reaching into the shack. "Here's your handout."
He throws a handful of coins at them. His delusions of grandeur believed that this would be enough to win the love of the chicks. However, the coins bounced off the chicks, and after letting out screeches, they began pecking him. Tearing up his outfit and causing giant pain to the fat toad.
With little choice, Toadstool backed out and ran back to the crowd. There, Toadie tried to comfort him. "There, there, sir."
With his opponent having failed, Hop Pop pondered on a way to succeed. Toadstool's way, obviously, wasn't going to work. So, he needed a new plan. And that's when he got an idea.
Walking over to a log, he lifted it up and some worms under it. Picking up some of them, he placed the worms in his mouth and chewed them up. He then approached the birds, he opened his mouth as wide as he could.
Happy, the baby birds chirped and gobbled like turkeys as they fed from his mouth. Afterwards they happily tweeted and nuzzled Hop Pop.
"Aww…" the crowd gushed at the adorable sight before clapping for the frog.
"Winner of the second trial: Hopediah Plantar!" Jeanne said as crowd cheered louder than before.
"That's how he fed us when we were babies," Sprig said to Amakusa and Jeanne.
"That's doesn't sound ethical, Sprig." Amakusa said with a sweat drop.
The moment ended when the mother bird suddenly returned. Landing on her nest and placing her body over her chicks. Everyone got the hell out of there as the bird screeched at them.
After escaping the bird, Duckweed had everyone return home and introduced them to wait until he called them all back. Once he did, he gathered the crowd in the forest. "Being mayor is a lot like being dropped in the woods naked and forced to find your way home," the newt said.
"I don't believe that's a thing, Duckweed." Amakusa said with an eyebrow raised.
"Oh. Well, that's what we did!"
The two Ruler-Class Servants would have face palmed, but they was interrupted when there was ruffling coming from a bush. From it came Hop Pop, covered in mud and looking like Tarzan. He was accompanied by some smaller, cat-sized beetles. One of them was a blue beetle with a light marine blue head, a darker thorax, and an even darker abdomen. He had a dull-gray underbelly with 6 legs, two antennae, and gray-blue mandibles. He was about the length of a frog's head.
"Thanks for showing me the way, Jeremy," Hop Pop said, placing one of his badges on Jeremy. Jeremy blushed and chirped happily, before flying off with his friends. Hop Pop watched them go while waving goodbye. "Safe travels, brother."
That was when the crowd came to him and started cheering for the old frog. Amakusa even picked him up and placed him on his shoulders. As his chances of winning grew higher and the love of the people turned in his favor, Hop Pop felt like he was on top of the world as everyone chanted his name.
However, as night fell on the town, Toadie remained. Awaiting his boss to come out of the woods. If he ever came out. But fortunately, he did and from his appearance, it was evident that his time in the woods was less than ideal.
Toadstool was covered in bruises and leaves. He lost all his clothes, and his butt was being bitten by a rat creature that would make New York rats blush.
Things were not going as Toadstool hoped it would. For years, he never had to deal with any opposition to his position as mayor. Especially from a frog! The toads made sure that no matter what town it was, there would always be a toad in charge of the frogs. To keep them in line. Toadstool only got the job because they had no other choice.
For years, he ruled over the frogs, but now, it was all coming to an end. And by a frog no less.
As his assistant covered the shivering mayor with a warm blanket, Toadstool said, "This is getting out of hand, Toadie. Morgotts' death was one thing, but I could lose! And if that happens, I'm ruined!" He yelled, as Toadie was about to pull the rat off his butt.
Toadie stopped and looked at him with a blank look on his face as if he was saying 'really?'.
"...oh, yeah, and the toads would come down and destroy the village. Looks like we'll have to stop him…" Toadstool yelped in pain as Toadie ripped the rat off his butt. "Ow! the old-fashioned way," he said, before rubbing his hands together. "Illegally."
Later that night, the Plantars, Kenji still as Amakusa, and Anne still as Jeanne returned to the house. The Plantars asked why they haven't changed back, but the two Ruler-Class Servants said until the elections are complete, they must remain here until then. As the girls tried to come up with a speech for Hop Pop once he won the election, Amakusa was helping Hop Pop in his own way. Tomorrow's final trial was a boxing match, and Amakusa wanted the frog to be ready for anything. So, he had Hop Pop put on some boxing gloves and start punching a log.
A moment later, Sprig came over to the table with a tray of cups filled with coffee. "Excited for the final trial tomorrow, Hop Pop?" He asked.
However, instead of being excited, Hop Pop sighed and walked over to the table. Taking off his gloves as he sat down with the girls. "Not really. I know I've been doing well, but if I mess up tomorrow, it could cost us the election," he said.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Grabbing his sword, Amakusa walked over to the door. Opening it slightly, he saw Toadie standing there in the rain with a cloak over his head. "Toadie? What are you doing here?" Amakusa asked, opening the door wider so that everyone could see the small frog.
"Mr. Plantar, an anonymous associate would like to speak with you," Toadie said, trying to act mysteriously.
Jeanne wasn't fooled. "You mean the mayor?"
"No comment."
"Come on, you only know like one person! And his snail's right there," Amakusa said, pointing to the snail with the luxurious tent on its shell.
"I said no comment!" Toadie yelled.
"This is definitely a trap," Amakusa said, hand on his sword's pommel.
"I'll be fine, Kenji-Oh I mean Amakusa." Hop Pop patted his arm. The old frog then followed Toadie out into the rain towards the snail. Entering the tent of the snail, Hop Pop found (surprise, surprise) Toadstool.
"Ah, so glad you could join me, Plantar," the fat toad said as Hop Pop sat down next to him. "I'll give it to you straight. I want you to lose tomorrow's trial."
"Well, yeah. I figured," Hop Pop said, oblivious to what Toadstool was saying.
"No, you dimwit! Lose on purpose!" Toadstool exclaimed. "In return, I'll give you a new vegetable stand. Heck, I'll put it in the center of the market, tax free! You'll make tons of money."
As Toadstool wrapped his arm around the frog, Hop Pop looked away. While he knew that the mayor was trying to bribe him into quitting so that he could win, Hop Pop wouldn't lie and say that the offer wasn't appealing. After all, that's all he ever wanted. To get his family a new stand to provide for them. However, he was so wrapped up in the election that he forgot about it. "That's, uh...hard to say no to," he said with hesitation in his voice.
"Well, then, don't," Toadstool said, before pushing him out of the tent.
Dripping wet from the rain, Hop Pop walked back into the house, his mind still thinking about the offer that Toadstool made him.
"Hey, Hop Pop," Jeanne said, but the frog didn't greet him. He just walked over to the fireplace and sat down on his chair. Sighing as he stared into the warm flames. This was not a good sign to the kids, as they walked over to the old frog.
"What did the mayor want?" Amakusa asked, knowing that it couldn't be good.
Hop Pop told them, "If I lose on purpose, Toadstool will give us the stand back."
"WHAT?!" The kids gasped in shock while the two Ruler-Class Servants eyes narrowed.
"Hop Pop, you can't just throw the match!" Amakusa said with an edge in his tone. "You've got a real chance to win."
"He'll also make us rich. We'd be set for life," Hop Pop argued.
"Oh, in that case, take the deal," said Polly.
"POLLY!" Amakusa, Jeanne, and Sprig yelled at her.
"What? We were all thinking it!"
Hop Pop sighed in defeat. "Polly's right, guys. It's just too good to pass up."
Amakusa, Jeanne, and the two frog kids' tones started to change when the old frog said this. "Are you sure that's what you really want to do, Hop Pop?" Amakusa asked, as he and the others gathered around him. "Do you really want Toadstool to give you back the stand if you throw away everything?"
"I…I don't know," Hop Pop admitted.
Jeanne then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well, whatever you pick, we'll be behind you." she said, smiling with the others.
"All the way," Sprig said, showing his grandfather the support, he and the others had for him. Together, they walked out of the room.
"Thanks, kids," Hop Pop said, appreciating their kind works of support. He then sighed to himself, however. He was now left alone to think about his next course of action. "Guess I've got some thinking to do."
The final trial for the position of mayor was something no one in town wanted to miss. Everyone from the youngest Tadpole to Mrs. Coaker gathered inside the City Hollow. In it was a fight ring, where Duckweed was standing. "Ladies and gentlephibians, you know the candidates, you've seen 'em fight monsters. But for the final challenge, you'll see them fight...each other!" He announced as the crowd went wild. Cheering and screaming for the two candidates.
Toadstool entered the ring the way that he would. Having Toadie jump onto the rope to bring it down for him, before stepping all over the little frog to get in. Launching Toadie away after stepping off. Hop Pop went under the ropes to enter the ring.
After recovering, Toadies put on a pair of blue mushrooms on Toadstool's hands to act as boxing gloves. He then did the same with Hop Pop. Putting on his hands a pair of red mushrooms.
"Standing in this corner, weighing around 145 pounds of thick muscle(fat), Wartwoods Mayor for four years straight, looking like if the Monopoly man had a baby with a piece of fried chicken: MAYOR TOADSTOOL!" Amakusa said through the mike with a smile on his face as the crowd ate it up from the cheers and boos.
"And in this corner, weighing at 85 pounds, one of Wartwood's Former provider of produce, The wise old frog who still got the hop in his jump. HOPEDIAH PLANTAR!" Jeanne said though her mike as the crowd had the same reaction as the one for Mayor Toadstool.
"Now you both know the rules," Duckweed said as the two fighters met in the middle. "Fight starts as soon as the bell rings."
This had the effect of waking up the official, old bell ringer, who was sitting high up next to the bell. "What? Ring the bell?" He asked, before hitting the bell with his tongue. Ringing it and beginning the fight.
Toadstool attack first. Swinging a fist down at Hop Pop as Duckweed got out of the way. Hop Pop jumped back to avoid being pulverized, but it caused him to go into the rope of the ring. The ropes, acting like bungee cords, launched Hop Pop back towards the toad. Toadstool looked up just before Hop Pop's little body slammed into his face, knocking him back on the ground, before the orange frog landed on one of the posts.
Amakusa and Jeanne cheered with the rest of the frogs.
Hop Pop chuckled for a moment before turning back to Toadstool, who was getting back up. Jumping up into the air, the old frog came falling towards the fat toad and punched him in the face. After the punch, Toadstool tried to punch him again, but Hop Pop jumped over him and punched him in the back of the head.
He was about to attack again, when Toadstool suddenly turned around and punched him in the face. Sending Hop Pop back into one of the posts. The crowd gasped at this. Toadstool saw his opening and rushed in. But just as he was about to punch the frog in the face, Hop Pop jumped up, avoiding the hit. He then landed on Toadstool's arm and ran up it towards his head. Punching him in the face on one side, before jumping over to his other shoulder and repeatedly hitting him.
As was punched repeatedly, Toadstool started to become very annoyed while also in pain. "Ow! Okay, Plantar! You've put on a good show but... that's enough!" He yelled, throwing Hop Pop off his arm and into the air.
"This can't be good," said the old frog before falling back down.
Seeing him coming towards him, Toadstool growled and jumped up, hitting Hop Pop with his fat body. The frog bounced off the chest of the mayor and was flying towards the ground. Hitting it hard as everyone gasped in horror.
Panting from exhaustion and from the pain from Hop Pop's surprisingly hard punches, Toadstool stared down at the frog. Hop Pop was laying near the edge of the ring, face down. "Like we talked about. Stay down, Plantar," he said with a victorious grin.
With the sound of his heart thumping in his chest, Hop Pop lifted his head. He felt so tired and weak. His aging body wasn't used to this. The old frog was just about to throw in the towel. At least he'll have a stand again. But when he looked at what was in front of him, Hop Pop saw everyone. They were all cheering for him to get up. Amakusa, Jeanne, Fou, his grandkids, Mr. Flour, Felicia, Loggle, Wally, and all the frogs of the town were begging him to get back up and fight on.
"Stay down!" Toadstool yelled over the shouting.
However, Hop Pop shut his eyes tight and reached up. Hooking his hand onto the rope, before pulling himself back up.
"I didn't hear no bell," he said with a grin.
Toadstool couldn't believe his own eyes. "Wh-What are you, crazy?" He yelled, approaching the old frog and started punching him over and over again as he ranted. "You could have been rich. You could've had your stand back. All you had to do was give up!"
However, after just a few punches, the overweight toad stopped punching. Panting from exhaustion, he placed his hands on his knees while sweating. All he could do was look up at Hop Pop and ask, "Why?"
"Because this is about more than just ME!" Hop Pop yelled, and with all the strength he had, launched his fist at Toadstool.
BAM!
Delivering a powerful uppercut that sent Toadstool flying up into the air before landing hard on the ground. Completely out cold.
"A Knockout!"
"Huh? Ring the bell!" The old bell ringing frog rang the bell two times.
The crowd erupted into cheers of joy as they rushed onto the fighting ring. Cheering and chanting his name as Amakusa placed the old frog on his shoulders while Jeanne held up Hop Pop's right fist in the air. Insighting more cheers for him as Hop Pop smiled. The fight was over and Hop Pop had undeniably won the hearts and minds of everyone in Wartwood.
After Toadstool regained consciousness, the crowd was gathered outside of the City Hollow to see the results of the election. Hop Pop and Toadstool stood apart from one another at the top of the steps, with a large map that said election map hanging in front of the building.
"Well, folks, that wraps up the trials. Now it's time to tally the votes!" Duckweed said, pulling out a stained piece of paper. "With 88 votes, 100% of Wartwood, Hopadiah Plantar!"
"What? I won?" Hop Pop asked with excitement. However, before he could start celebrating, Duckweed held up his finger.
"And with 22,000 votes, the entire rest of the Valley, Mayor Toadstool!" Duckweed said, presenting the very smug looking Toadstool as the winner of the election.
"...Say what now?" asked Hop Pop, utterly confused.
"Congratulations, sir," Duckweed said, placing a red sash that said mayor on it in gold colors.
"Thank you. Thank you all. You're all too kind. Democracy wins again!" Toadstool said victoriously as confetti was shot into the air from the building's statue.
But there were no celebrations from the frogs of the town. No one, especially Amakusa, Jeanne, Fou, Sprig, and Polly, could believe their ears. This had to be a joke. There was no way this was real. And yet, it was. This was confirmed when the other frogs groaned and walked away. Leaving Hop Pop alone with Toadstool as confetti fell on his head.
"Well, you certainly gave this toad a run for his money. Good thing you didn't win though, huh?" Toadstool asked, brushing the confetti off Hop Pop's head before laughing. "A frog beating a toad. That would have made headlines! Just be proud the whole town loved you. I'm surprised the rest of the valley didn't."
"Wait, what?!" Amakusa said with his eyes narrowed, getting the toad's attention as the transformation stops as Kenji returns to normal, same can be said for Anne as they both have a crossed look on their faces. "How is it that the other towns outside of Wartwood got a vote on this town's mayor? It doesn't make sense whatsoever!"
"Well of course it does!" Toadstool insisted. "But you'd have to be a toad to understand."
"How was I supposed to know the rest of the valley got a vote?!" Hop Pop exclaimed, throwing his arms up. "I'm a theater major, for cricket's sake!"
Toadstool turned back to him with a look of confusion. "Wait, wait now. You didn't campaign outside Wartwood?" He asked, before his eyes widened. "Oh, son. That's just sad. Really is. Almost takes the joy out of my victory."
"The victory piñata is all set up in the lobby, sir," said Toadie, running up to his boss.
"Well, I did say 'almost.'" Toadstool said with a smile, patting Hop Pop on the head. He then started cheering and running off. "Wahoo! Piñata! I'm going to hit it."
"You don't deserve that Piñata, Anata wa rokudenashi (you fat bastard)!" Kenji yelled at the mayor, but there was nothing they could do. It was over and Hop Pop knew this. He sat down on the steps of the City Hollow in silence as the kids approached him from the side.
"Hey, Hop Pop...Are you okay?" Sprig asked nervously.
However, to the complete shock of both the human and frog kids, Hop Pop looked…happy? "Yep! I've never felt better!" He exclaimed with a big smile on his face.
"Huh?"
"Really? You know you lost, right? Are you in shock?" Anne asked, before leaning to Kenji. "Is he in shock?"
"He doesn't look like it." Kenji shook his head, before speaking to the old frog. "Hop Pop, you lost."
"It's like you said before, Kenji. I didn't lose," Hop Pop said before standing up and looking proud of himself. "I merely failed to win. I may not have won, but I stood my ground and fought for something important. And that feels good."
Hearing the wise words of the Frog, Kenji smiled and knelt to Hop Pop's size. "Well, if it's any consultation, you're a winner in our hearts," he said, as the others behind him smiled and nodded.
"Thanks kids. Let's go home," Hop Pop said. The five of them were about to head back to the house when they were stopped.
"Hopadiah?" the five turned to see none other than Wally, Mrs. Coaker, Felicia, Ivy, Loggle, and Mr. Flour. "Uh, may we have a word?" Asked the local crazy frog.
Curious as to what the frogs wanted, Hop Pop and the kids to the farmer's market. "We all pitched in and built you a stand," Felicia said, presenting the Plantars their brand-new stand. It was much nicer than the previous one, with the family name hanging high up over the many fruits and vegetables set up. "For giving us something better than produce…"
"Hope," Wally said.
Hop Pop started to tear up as Mrs. Croaker placed her hand on his arm. "You've made us all proud," she said. Hopadiah looked back at the kids, who gave him thumbs up.
Walking up to his new stand, Hop Pop ran his hand over the smoothly sanded counter. "I may have lost the race, but I'm back at the market with all of you. And that makes me a winner. This is perfect," he told everyone. However, he then noticed something about the stand. "I wouldn't have put the root vegetables with the tubers, though."
Kenji deadpanned. "Hop Pop…"
"You're right. It's not important," he said. "I'll fix it later."
"Hop Pop!"
"Sorry! Sorry!"