Just another Amphibia AU rewrite no one asked for!
This is my first fic, and also English is not my first language. So I apologize for the quality of writing in advance.
But anyway, hope you enjoy this fic and the many dangers that are about to happen in it.
I don't own Amphibia. Only my OC characters are owned by me. Disney owns the rest.
SOMEWHERE IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF AMPHIBIA
The light from the rising sun shines down on the world of Amphibia. The continent is in the shape of a lily pad. Populated by insects and anthropomorphic amphibians, who live under the rule of King Andrias Leviathan and his court.
The picture shifted to the middle of a swamp, with huge trees all around her, water pooling nearby, and large bugs flying through the air.
Just another piece of land in Amphibia. But these days hidden within is a dark secret.
Hidden beneath the grass and the soil, we find an underground lair, belonging to a member of a dark cult.
Light comes from the glowing mushrooms lining the walls. The walls themselves were decorated with carved statues, talismans, charms, and shelves. The shelves were full of books and jars filled with unusual contents, whether it be eyeballs or organs. A large cauldron stood in the center of her lair. Dried herbs, roots, and twigs hung on the ceiling. Lit Candles, pieces of crystals, wooden boxes, and bowls of various shapes and sizes could be found on the tables.
At one table, while grinding something in a mortar stood a female frog.
The frog was dressed in gleaming black robes with orange stripes. On her face she wore a frog's skull, painted in black, as a mask, with two tusks tied around her head, tangled with red strings. She was also wearing a black fur shrug stole cape over her robes, black gloves, boots, and a bone-carved necklace around her neck. Around her waist was a black leather belt with a circular buckle depicting thirteen dark-orange eyes. The same symbol can be found on both of her pauldrons and rerebraces.
"And now the two main ingredients" she reached out and opened a sack containing dark, knobby, multiple-branched roots.
Blackroot...to strengthen the body.
And the other dried leaves.
Dead leaves from the Crimson Orchid.
Then she took out a bowl, mixed in several potions, and chanted something in an unknown tongue. The mixture began to bubble, producing a thick smoke and practically steaming.
Just as the room went silent, the remaining smoke was swept by the wind, coming from the newly opened door. There stood a hooded brow-colored newt, dressed in ragged clothes.
"Ah Echion, my favorite Watcher, how was your 'trip' around Wartwood?"
"Dull and boring, just like the last eight times. Honestly Leasleach, they are just farmers and boring ones for that matter. We are wasting our time."
"The Order is interested in their potential, so the task of testing them falls to us," Leasleach added.
"And I have just critter for the job." Spoke to a brown frog dressed in a tracker set of armour. She was armed with a bow and a curved sword. Around her neck, she wore a tooth and claw necklace.
Behind her, a larger than average red praying mantis with small scars across its body appeared.
"You have chosen well Zoisme." Leasleach congratulated her as she marveled at the insect's potential.
Zoisme brought the mantis before Leasleach, as she offered her the bowl to it and started drinking. "There you go, become strong and powerful."
Suddenly the mixture began greatly amplifying its strength and aggression as well as physically transforming it into a hulking and imposing brute. The insect grew in height and physical size significantly, and even the spikes on the mantis's claws and exoskeleton grew much larger. When the transformation was complete, its appearance became much more monstrous.
"With our help, you have finally become your best self. Now you shall fulfill your destiny."Leasleach said, "You shall be Wartwood's first test."
"Zoisme, take this magnificent beast straight to Wartwood, Echion, observe the reaction of its citizens, determine whether they should remain as farmers or something greater in the New World Order."
"Hah, something greater?" He laughed, "I wouldn't be surprised if they soil their pants at the mere sight of it."
"Perhaps. Do not forget; that tests make us stronger, and strength is power, and power is the point. We must pass all the tests we face or die in the effort. This is the way of our master." Leasleach declared.
WARTWOOD SWAMP, SOUTHERN PARTS
Wartwood swamp, also commonly known as simply Wartwood. A sleepy town located in the Southern part of the marshland world of Amphibia.
Of all the four towns of frog valley, this one was the least interesting. Not particularly glamorous or amazing. Not the birthplace of a famous amphibian. Heck, it even lacks a single tourist attraction.
Surrounded by a wild world of large insects, dangerous predators, and an unforgiving climate.
But its citizens don't mind any of that. Because it's their town, their home and they love it anyway.
It was another peaceful day at Wartwood, with only one casualty, this time inflicted by the dragonflies.
Grub n' Go is a grab-and-go market located in Wartwood. Full of various daily goods usually not sold in other nearby shops. From implements such as nails and wooden planks to foodstuff such as spices and berries, one can find almost anything in the store. However, supplies such as cheese, insect meat, worms, and vegetables are often bought at the weekly farmers market.
If one was looking for truly unique and exotic goods then they should check the Bizarre Bazaar. Unlike others, it is a night market-based in an unknown location somewhere outside of town.
Several artifacts, like pottery, ancient calendars and clocks, beads, metals, minerals, plants, some creatures, and other strange objects are sold, including many odd foods. It also has games and other activities for participants.
Nonetheless, the store is still crucial to Wartwood.
Inside we find a reddish-orange, elderly frog with a light orange chin. He wore a grayish-green waistcoat with a button yellow shirt and a light blue ascot, grayish-brown trousers, and light brown socks that slightly covered his frog feet. The frog's name is Hopidiah Plantar or Hop Pop as his friends call him, patriarch of the Plantar family.
He was just in the middle of shopping, while also mumbling his displeasure of his grandson's Sprig antics yesterday.
"A copper coin to your thought?"
He turned around and saw a blue-skinned salamander in her 20s with short red-brown hair that is kept in a tomboyish ponytail. She was sporting a grey sleeveless hooded waistcoat over a green long sleeve shirt with white lines on each sleeve. She also wore brown cargo pants with holes and patches and muddied knee-length boots.
"Nadia!" Hop Pop happily exclaimed, "I didn't know you would be visiting today."
"Just picking some grub worm bars," said as she pointed to her shopping bag. "The best part is, there are made from real firefly larvae."
"So light shopping then"
Nadia smiled, then by looking at his face, she noticed that something was bothering Hop Pop.
"Everything okay?" Nadia asked him.
Hop Pop sighed and was ready to reply.
"Wait, wait, let me guess…Polly or Sprig?" Nadia interrupted him. "Sprig" Hop Pop replied as the two amphibians walked through the aisle. "What kind of shenanigans did he pull this time?"
"Oh, nothing much" he sarcastically said "only making my favorite gumbo explode, after putting Frog knows what in it; crashing through my bedroom wall, while riding a cow worm," his voice becoming more serious, "leaving the lights on too long, which consequently attracted some fireflies!"
Nadia was about to speak when Hop Pop interjected her.
"Oh, did I mention all of this happened just yesterday?!" he finished.
"Wow, talk about a handful, "Nadia chuckled to herself before she noticed that Hop Pop was staring at the floor.
"Honestly, sometimes I don't know what I'm gonna do with that boy." Hop Pop said, frowning. "I wish… his parents would still be here." He said with a mutter.
Nadia gave him a sympathetic look while listening to his story. She knows what it is like to miss someone you lost.
"I'm…. actually considering quarantining him in his room, so he could finally stop acting like a child." Hop Pop said bluntly.
"But he is a child." Nadia pointed out.
Hop Pop stooped, looking embarrassed.
"I have known Sprig for about two weeks and the best way to describe him is as a brave boy with an adventurous flame. The same kind I witnessed in my mother and myself." Nadia said, patting the old frog's shoulder.
"So I can tell you from experience that extinguishing such flames would only either increase his desire for adventure or leave him bitter," Nadia assured him.
"He's young, what he needs is boundaries and structure, just not in the form of locked rooms, to mature. Don't give up and stand by him."
"Who knows, maybe one of his adventures will end up being a wake-up call for him."
"Thank you, Nadia, I needed that." Hop Pop thanked her.
Nadia nodded. "You're welcome," she said before they continued walking.
Hop Pop exited the store carrying a bag full of groceries, with Nadia helping him carry the rest.
That is when she caught sight of half the town armed with pitchforks and torches in hand gathered around a large well-dressed toad that seemed out of place among the roughly dressed frogs. This rather unpleasant toad happens to be the mayor of Wartwood named Toadstool.
"Hey hop Pop, what's the occasion?" She points towards the mob. Even though in this town mobs like this aren't too uncommon, she was still curious.
Hop Pop (Hums): Huh?
Major Toadstool: "Now, when I say, "kill," you say 'it.' Kill!" Villagers: "It!" "Kill!" "It!"
"Oh, Wally claimed that there is a monster in the forest that tried to eat him." Hop Pop answered.
"A monster?!" That caught Nadia's attention. "Has the Cult already made its move on the town?"
"Yup. Another day, another mob." He begins to look behind him, at the wagon "Come on kids, time to - What the?!"
"Huh?" Nadia asks and then stares into the wagon.
They find a bloated Polly, the third and final member of this family who is basically a soccer ball-sized tadpole, who sees them.
"Polly, not again," Nadia stated disappointingly.
"I don't have a candy problem! You two have a candy problem!"
"Polly, where's Sprig?" Hop Pop asked concerned.
Polly casually answered: "Uh... something-something monster, something-something woods."
"Sprig went off to try and hunt the monster down didn't he?" Nadia quested correctly.
"Why,.. why in frog names would he do that?" Hop Pop asked himself.
"Oh, if your boy went into the woods, he's as good as eaten. That beast will devour everything in its path." Declared a male turquoise frog, who Nadia recognized as the local vagrant nicknamed One-Eyed Wally. To most of the town, he is considered as a village idiot-type joke. Nadia on the other hand quickly befriended him. The reason behind it is probably the fact that her uncle shares the same personality as Wally.
"Not on my watch!" Hop Pop picks up Polly "Hang in there boy! Hop Pop's a-comin'!" dashing into the forest. Shortly after the rest of the angry mob follows them as well, led by Mayor Toadstool.
"Harvest the toenails for medicinal purposes!"
Nadia knew that the townsfolk were easy to provoke, thus it is likely that this is all just them being paranoid. But she had to investigate whatever it was, especially these days.
She unbuttoned the first few buttons on her waistcoat and looked inside. There she saw a hidden shoulder sheath that contains her personal short blade.
"It will have to do for now." Said to herself, although she privately wished she had her armor and other weapons.
"Wait up!" Nadia, as fast as her legs could carry her, sprinted towards the forest.
FOREST OF AMPHIBIA, JUST OUTSIDE OF WARTWOOD
THERE IT IS! THE BEAST!"
"Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!"
One-Eyed Wally, leading an entire group of townsfolk behind him, had arrived on the scene, quickly surrounding them. Anne gasped before looking at Sprig in disbelief.
"What? Stay away from me!" Anne screamed as the townsfolk tackled her to the ground and tied her up, "DUDE, WHAT THE HECK? YOU SET ME UP!? I THOUGHT WE WERE CONNECTING!?
"N-No, no no no! This wasn't my plan. You got it all wrong, I-" Sprig was interrupted by Hop Pop, who had also rushed into the scene with Polly, "Ha-ha! You caught the monster! Sprig I'm impressed also I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU RAN OFF like that after bribing Polly," Hop Pop scolded, "I was worried sick!"
Nadia appeared on Sprigs left and glanced at Anne, who was tied to the ground.
"Huh. That's the monster? Not what I was expecting. She looks.." Nadia paused "harmless". She had seen some seriously vicious creatures in her life, but this one was the most innocent looking of them all. "Almost reminds me of…"
"W-Wait, Hop Pop, please, you don't understand! None of you do," Sprig tried to explain, only for Nadia to be the only one to listen to him, "Everyone, please, stop! That beast is kind, it's true! Her name is Anne, and she saved my life from a-"
A loud roar was heard, "MANTIS!" The townsfolk shouted.
Then a massive green mantis twice Anne's height crashed into the clearing, drawing gasps from the crowd.
"Hurry! Everyone, Mantis formation" Mayor Toadstool commanded all the frogs.
"Mantis formation, is this guy serious?" Nadia thought, rolling her eyes.
"Hup, hup, hup, hup." Said the mob, not missing a beat, as they got on top of Mayor Toadstool and stacked in a triangular shape to appear taller than the green mantis. "Hyah!" Said the frog at the peak to the mantis.
The mantis looked up and squeaked in fear, and quickly backed away from the mob, retreating to the forest "Seems like it was afraid of us! Good work, y'all," Mayor toadstool said. "We have the power!" The mob cheered.
"Guys, I doubt that's what's scared it off." Nadia looked around concerned.
Suddenly, a monstrous red mantis, larger than even the battle formation, fell out of a tree, and let out a powerful roar.
Polly: [casually] "Nope. THAT scared it off. "
Hop Pop: [also casually] "Yeah that makes more sense. I didn't know mantises could look like that."
"They don't," Nadia said, staring at the insect with wide eyes in alarm.
The pyramid quickly split up and the mob of the townsfolk was sent in disarray, as the towering mantis screeched and tried to catch prey.
"IT'S GONNA EAT OUR GUTS!"
"EVERYONE SAVE YOURSELF!" The villagers scream at top of their lungs.
"NOOOOO! … huh?" Anne screamed as the mantis attacked before feeling her restraints loosen. She looked in front and saw Sprig and Nadia untying her ropes. "Huh? Sprig?! Is this another of your froggy tricks?!"
"We'll keep the beast occupied!" Sprig insisted, "Quick, get yourself to safety!" Nadia added.
Finishing up, he stood up and took out his old slingshot from his pocket. Then with his reckless bravado, he ran towards the giant mantis. "Hey!" Screamed drawing the mantis's attention away from the villagers.
Sprig slingshots a rock into the mantis' eye, flinching it. "Aha!... Oops." The look on Sprig's face communicates near-instant regret.
Okay, yeah, this definitely is not a good plan.
The mantis, growling like a rabid beast, retaliated with a swing of its scythe-like forelegs at the poor kid, too shocked to dodge. "Aaah!"
"Sprig!" Nadia rushes towards the small frog to shove him away from danger. "Move!"
Sprig braced for his doom - but it never came.
He opened his eyes, which he had initially closed in fear, to see Anne, holding up the mantis' claw, but struggling to hold it for much longer.
"Don't just stand there, do something you two!" Anne grunted as her eyes briefly flashed a brilliant bright blue. Which went unnoticed by the frog, but not the salamander.
"Light blue, just like…" Nadia stood there, processing what she has just seen.
"Oh, right! On it!" Sprig shouted, before quickly grabbing one of the ropes that had been used to tie the human initially and began circling the mantis at many different angles.
Anne caught on to what Sprig was planning. She managed to push the blade away, unsettling the insect and quickly rolling out of the way of the mantis' swing. Grabbing the other end of the rope, she and Sprig pulled with all their might to tighten it.
With any normal mantis, this tactic would have been effective.
But it wasn't enough, as this was no normal mantis.
The unnatural creature forced itself free. The mantis thrust out, pushing Anne and Sprig off their feet to the ground.
Anne had barely any time to think when the angry insect swung one of its forelegs at her.
"Aaaaaa!" Her scream could be heard, as the mantis gashed her right leg, just below her kneecap.
Nadia shifted her gaze to Anne, who was clutching her leg in pain, with Sprig hopping to her side, concerned.
At the same time, she witnessed the mantis preparing to strike at the helpless pair.
The female salamander reached into her waistcoat and pulled a knife, whose dark-colored blade is curved inward, similar to a machete, and gave the predator a determined look.
"Not on my watch" she declared, fuming with anger. If there was one thing she couldn't stand, is seeing innocents suffer or die.
Nadia sprinted towards it as fast as she could and slashed her blade at one of its legs, wounding it.
The mantis screeched in pain and, spreading its wings, attacked the salamander. Almost immediately the vengeful beast swung its sickle at Nadia's legs, who avoided the attack by performing an acrobatic backflip.
While all of this was happening, Anne was still wincing on the ground, holding her bloodied leg.
Hey, hey it's okay." Sprig rubbed Anne's back softly, comforting her
"Can you walk?" Sprig asked her.
Although reluctant, she slowly released her grip on her lower limb, biting her lip the entire time.
"I think…eh?"
When she let go, examining her leg, she came to a realization; there was no wound. "…How in the world?!" Much to her confusion, the wound had magically disappeared, leaving only a large scar.
"Um… do wounds usually close up by themselves this quickly for humans?" Sprig asked.
"Uh, no" Anne wiggled her toes before standing on her own two feet.
That is when she saw the female salamander, armed only with a curved knife, dodging the mantis monster's blades.
All of a sudden its mouth opened and fired gouts of blackish liquid at Nadia. She saw it coming and crouched down.
The liquid ate away and completely dissolved the parts of the tree on contact, revealing itself to be acid.
"I'm going to say this again, RUN!" Nadia insisted on handling the mantis by herself.
Anne became concerned for Nadia. She could see that despite her impressive skills the fight was going nowhere. The mantis's barrages were getting more ferocious by the second.
"Her chances are getting thinner, we have to help her take down the mantis," Anne is always willing to help anybody.
"How? There is no way we can fight that thing. It is too big and strong!" Sprig exclaimed, reminding Anne of their failed attempt of subduing the mantis.
"Okay, okay, okay, think, think, think!" She had to think strategically like Sasha would have.
"Not unless we all work together," She looked around and noticed several townsfolk hiding in the bushes, watching the duel. But first, we need to disorient it."
Sprig followed her gaze and then everything clicked.
"On it, QUICK EVERYONE, GRAB ANYTHING YOU CAN AND THROW AT THE BEAST!."
"Right" A villager processed to pick up some mud and throws it at Anne's face.
"WHAT THE HECK!?, She removes the mud from her face: "We're on the same side!"
"Debatable" the villager replied unapologetically.
Nadia was good at dodging — she had experience — but she couldn't last.
The oversized mantis was surprisingly faster than her. The mantis swiped at her with both his forearms. Nadia just managed to avoid the blows but was knocked off her feet, tumbling in the dirt. Seizing the opportunity, the hungry beast approached her with a wide jaw,
But rather than an easy meal it received a kick directly in the eye.
"Not now," she declared, jumping on her feet. "Not ever."
The next thing she knew, a loud sound pierced the air.
"HEY! WHY DON'T YOU PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE?!" Anne yelled, throwing rocks at the mantis, with others following suit.
The large mantis no longer had the upper hand. Each thrust, each hack, coupled with being bombarded by balls of mud, rocks, and branches on all sides by the townsfolk, greatly weakened it.
Nadia then witnessed Sprig and Anne surrounding the mantis with the same rope used previously. She caught wind of their intention to subdue it but wasn't convinced it was enough.
The mantis, trying to scare its attackers, raised its forelegs, creating an opening.
This was her chance. Finally, after so many brushes and misses, Nadia lunges under the mantis and slashes across its abdomen, the beast, in turn, lets out a scream that could curdle the blood of the fiercest toad.
"DO IT NOW!" She gave the signal.
With each end of the rope, Sprig and Anne hopped all around, over, and under the mantis, which was too much in pain to retaliate, and steadily wrapped the mantis.
Once done, Sprig hopped back onto the ground and screamed, "Let's do this!"
"And... PULL!" Anne ordered, her eyes glowing blue, pulling alongside Sprig. A sudden burst of energy surged through her, which she mistook for an adrenaline rush.
The rope tightened and in turn, the wounded and exhausted mantis' limbs are pulled closer and closer until its balance shifted. With the screech, the mantis fell down to its side with a loud thump. The ground quaked underneath its weight for a second and suddenly, everything got quiet.
Both Anne and Sprig breathed a sigh of relief.
The once cowardly townspeople popped out of their hiding spots and saw the mantis, as it stopped twitching and became completely motionless.
Realization washed over them quickly and Mayor Toadstool cheered, "They did it! It's down!" followed by everyone else.
"Yes, we did it!" Anne cheered, pumping her fist in the air, glad that the threat was over. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
While they were celebrating, Nadia approached the mantis's head, raised her knife, and with one swift movement, she decapitated the beast.
"Oh my..!" Nadia heard and glanced at Anne and Sprig.
"Just to be sure" she casually replies as she wipes her knife clean on the grass.
"Fair enough," said Anne, raising her hand towards Sprig. "Up top"
Sprig in turn high fived Anne with his tongue, covering her with his froggy saliva and grossing her out "Should've seen that coming…" Anne muttered, flicking her hand to get rid of the slimy fluid from her hand.
Noticing her gross expression Nadia reached into the pocket of her waistcoat and pulled out a handkerchief, lime in color.
"Here, take this" She handed it to Anne, who uses it to wipe her hands clean.
"Thanks, dude," she says fondly and returns the handkerchief.
"Well! Now that that's settled, what should we do with this thing?" The toad exclaimed, the frogs grumbled in discontent "Maybe we oughta run it out of town for good measure. Let it be someone else's problem."
The frogs growled in anger moving forward.
"Stop right there!" Sprig stepped in front of the mob.
"Knock it off, all of you" Nadia did the same "She just helped us take down the real monster and this is how you repay her?!"
"Nadia is right, she's not a monster!" Sprig confirmed. "She's just lost and just needs our help."
"The least we could do is to take care of her," Nadia said defensively, putting her knife back in its sheath.
"Are you crazy?" Mayor Toadstool gasped.
"If it goes nuts and eats people tomorrow, it's your fault," Wally added.
"Trust me. Even if I go crazy, I wouldn't eat you." The beast.
"Plus she didn't mean to scare anyone!" Nadia added and looked at Anne "Right Anne?" She gestured her towards Wally.
"Oh, Yeah! Wally, right? Sorry about last night. I was just hoping to ask you about directions!" She said awkwardly. Wally blinked before looking to the other townsfolk and then blushing.
"Um... well thank you…. Anne, was it?" he said awkwardly.
"No problem! She said with a warm smile.
"Don't worry yourselves silly! I'll keep an eye on her." The older frog said.
The crowd began mumbling, discussing amongst themselves.
"Hmm… fine, have it your way, Hopadiah Plantar. But I don't like it." The toad huffed. "All right everyone. Pack it in." The mob marched away, grumbling various things under their breath, with their next meal tied up behind them, leaving only Sprig, Polly, Hop Pop, Nadia, and Anne.
"I'm sorry, Hop Pop..." Sprig said, "I never should've runoff. I shouldn't have bribed Polly. I just... wanted to seem cool and responsible." Sprig rubbed his arm as he turned to Hopadiah "... looks like I'm back to causing trouble for the family again, huh."
"Trouble? Sprig, standing up to that angry mob to help this creature out was… some of the bravest and most responsible stuff I've ever seen!" Hop Pop
"I agree and you did it without even realizing it." Nadia acknowledged.
"It was really cool," Polly admitted, "but it was also dumb!"
"Yes, really really dumb."
Sprig selectively listened to Hop Pop, however. "You think I'm responsible?"
"Well, yeah, I mean just this one time, but-"
"YEAAAH! HOP POP THINKS I'M RESPONSIBLE," Sprig cheered.
"Sprig, don't get carried away…" Nadia places her hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
"Big win!" Sprig shouted, raising his hands.
Hop Pop gave an annoying look at Nadia. "As I said, he's still young. In time he will mature, this day is proof of that." She assured, before noticing dry blood on Anne's leg.
"Does it hurt?" Nadia asked as she knelt down.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. In fact, it completely closed by itself!" Anne assures her, while Nadia inspects it to make sure Anne is all right.
Her eyes widened when she saw a large scar where Anne's wound was only moments ago. She looked shocked and blinked twice.
"No wound could heal that fast without a healing potion. Unless…" The salamander thought, standing up.
"I still think I'm dreaming," Anne said "See if I'm awake"
"Okay," the salamander proceeds to pinch her arm. "OW!"
"Well, that proves it, you're not"
"I don't think we've been properly introduced." The salamander offers her hand. "I'm Nadia."
Nadia. What a nice name, Anne thought.
"Names Anne Boonchuy, and I am a human from Earth," Anne replied, taking it. "Which probably doesn't mean anything here."
"That would be correct," answered, as the girls shook their hands.
"Welcome to Amphibia, Anne," Nadia added brightly.
"Gotta say, a really nice place," Anne replied sarcastically.
Picking on her sarcasm Nadia assured, "I admit, not the best first impression, but I assure you for all the many things that make it unpleasant, there's just as many things that make it beautiful."
"Good to hear." Anne's mood brightened "I just wanted to thank you for saving me back there, I really appreciate it."
"I saw someone in trouble, so I decided to help. Nothing special. Although it was your quick thinking that saved me and subsequently defeated the mantis, so lets call us even." Nadia replied, smiling.
"Aw, shucks." The gratitude made Anne's face show a tint of blush.
"Well, this was a pleasant experience, but please just give me a map and some supplies so I can get out of here," Anne exclaimed.
"Oh a map won't be enough," Hopadiah said pulling out a map showing a ridge of mountains surrounding a valley from all sides. A tower was off to the side and several small settlements with names written down were in the valley.
"This here valley is surrounded by mountains that are impenetrable this time of year."
"It should clear up in a couple of months." Sprig commented trying to lift their spirits a little.
"But until then, you try to cross those mountains," Hop Pop started,
"You'll either freeze to death or get your guts ripped out by flocks of migrating birds!" Nadia cut in.
"In other words, you will die." Polly finished.
"Wait. Are you telling me that I'm stuck in this crazy place for, like what, two months?" Anne growled, "Where am I gonna stay?"
"You could stay would us," Sprig excitingly stated.
"Wait you're offering me a place to stay?" Anne asked.
"We don't usually have guests, so you'll be sleepin' in the basement of our farm," said Hop Pop
"Wait, you guys live on a farm?
"That's right. Now follow me, before the sun goes down." Hop Pop said
Noticing the sun was about to set, Nadia buttoned her waistcoat, before approaching the Plantars.
"It's getting late, I should get going."
"All right Nadia, you definitely earned a good night's rest." Hop Pop
"Huh, I would've thought you were Sprig's older sister or something" Anne admitted.
"Oh no, I'm not part of this family or Wartwood for that matter. I live outside of town, in a small community with my mom, my uncle, cousins, and a few others.
"My bad," Anne said, looking embarrassed. "Okey, safe journey home."
"Thanks, I'll see you guys later" Nadia waved at them.
As Anne and the Plantar family exited the forest, back to the vegetable cart, Nadia just stood there processing what had just transpired.
"Can it be, after all this time…our salvation? "She whispered hopefully.
Just then she heard a twig breaking in the forest, and instantly turned towards the direction of the noise, seeing something shaking in the bushes. Despite not seeing anyone, she knew who was watching.
Nadia narrowed her eyes in frustration. "I know you're there. If you know what's good for you, you'll leave them alone!"
PLANTAR FARM
The journey to the Plantars farm was quick and Hop Pop showed Anne the basement where she'll be staying. The basement was made of stonewalls and lighted by bioluminescent mushrooms. It was also mossy, slimy, and rather chilling. But anything was better than the cave or the outdoors, and she could make this place work for her. At least she had her backpack with her.
"All right, breakfast at sunrise, sharp!"
He said before heading up the ladder to the ground floor.
"Okay. Thanks, dude," She sighed, lying down in her makeshift bed, getting ready to sleep in this odd world she still couldn't understand.
The basement door then opened, some light pouring in and revealing Sprig.
"Hey! Gettin' comfy?" Tosses some plushies on ground
"Brought some toys to keep you company. I'm too old for these. O-oh, except for this one. And this one. Oops, this one too! Sorry, this one as well."
"I'm glad you're living with us."
"Yeah, Me too, weird little frog," Anne replied, smiling slightly.
"Okay. Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite!" Sprig climbed up the ladders, then turned back to say "Seriously. They can drain a body in seconds."
The moment she was sure Sprig was gone, she pulled out a box from her bag, wrapped in dirty cloth.
She wasn't sure what role the box played in getting her here, but she was sure it played a part. After all, opening the box got her here and when she found herself here, the box was right next to her.
So Anne carefully opened the box… and nothing.
She tries it again a few times before sighing and claiming "Looks like I'm gonna be here for a while".
Those Plantars seem nice enough, plus Nadia struck me as an interesting individual. Maybe with their help, this won't be so bad.
Anne stared at the picture of three smiling girls for a long moment. Herself, Sasha, and Marcy smiled at the photographer. Beneath the image was a sparkly note that read "BFFS" in bold letters.
"Don't worry guys. I'll find you soon," Anne promised as a tear rolled down her right cheek, "I miss you two..."
And so, Anne Boonchuy, a thirteen-year-old girl, thrown into this unknown world, went to sleep.
CITY OF PROTEUS
Mother Olm was quietly sitting in a meditation trance in her chair.
Kneeling in front of her was Lyra, who appeared to have white streaks in her now longer hair. Her hands were folded and placed under her chin with her eyes closed.
That is when her world turned dark as she was struck with ominous visions and voices.
"Think carefully on your choice. If you choose this, if you to fight them, there will be no turning back."
"Back on Earth, your reputation is everything." Anne exclaimed, "Well in my experience the popular belief isn't always the correct one." Nadia answered. "Especially if it comes out the mouths of boozos." Added a platinum-haired salamander.
"Anne… how did you understand Domino 2?" Sprig asked.
"What?" Anne asked, having not realized before now how weird it was that she could understand Domino 2. "I don't know."
"The entire multiverse will know our names."
"One for all"
"All for one"
"Every frog for himself"
"Now when I look back all I see is just a rotten kid who-" "Anne, stop" Nadia hushed her, wrapping her arms around Anne. "You made a lot of mistakes, but you've learned from them."
"Who best to judge the fate of the wretched many, if not the strong and worthy few?"
"You have your entire life ahead of you," Nadia advised, as she wiped the tears from Anne's face. "Just let your friends and loved ones help you. You will find your way eventually and take comfort in knowing that you won't be alone."
"What about all those on whom you experimented, all those lives lost?!" Macy demanded with tears in her eyes. "Oh Marcy, progress demands sacrifice." Answered the armor-clad cultist, which made Marcy sick in the stomach.
"The masses are the cattle of the Night, driven by the herdsman's whip. You are one of them, Calamity of Heart." Anne laid his hand on the Cultist's shoulder, who turned, "you are a cowapillar!"
Who are you warrior?
Sasha, Sasha Waybright.
Sasha, I'll remember that name.
"Not everyone wants to rule the world." Hop Pop stared into the eyes of a Cultist. "Some of us just want to live in it."
"The Order condemns all creatures to pain, for all creatures are but a shadow of the perfection we should know. The perfection of the Night."
"What if it was my fault?" A brown-haired toad stared at Sasha as tears slowly leaked out.
"I think...No…I know you are capable of amazing things." Nadia had her hands on Anne's shoulders
"When the time comes to show what you're made of, you Anne Boonchuy will shine so bright!"
"The Order is the only way forward. Everyone must be told what to do." Sasha's face suddenly froze; as if she was hit with a huge realization, with a single tear streaming across her cheek.
"Tell me, Marcy, what would you sacrifice for infinite knowledge?
"We all wage war with the past and it leaves its scars."
Sasha was sobbing in the arms of a large brown-haired armored toad "It's okay Sasha, I'm here. It's going to be alright." as a smaller brown-haired toad approached her.
"Y an stop us creating a better tomorrow, forged with the blood of visionaries." Exclaimed a wounded Cultist. "All I see is the blood of a lunatic," Anne answered.
"A wise salamander once told me; There is no greater challenge than to change from within."
"I should be better!" Anne told them.
"I want to be better!" Sasha told them.
A Police Officer: "You live here all alone?"
A frog with a mustache: "Yes. Just my memories and me. I'm practically a hermit."
A Police officer: "Oh. A hermit. I notice the table's set for seven."
A frog with a mustache: "That's nothing - my alarm clock is set for eight. That doesn't prove a thing."
"I must resolve to find them, return them home, and work to become a better friend to them." Sasha declared, with a toad family listening to her.
Anne, clad in armour, clashed her blade against the one belonging to an armoured Cultist. "Beware my power, asshole" Her hair, eyes, and sword glowed bright blue, as the Cultist's sadistic smile was replaced with pure fear.
"Did he say 'blood'?" Asked a frog with a bald spot.
"I'm anemic!" Declared a frog with a shaved head, running back into the house.
A sword-wielding newt approached Sasha as she was down on her knees. "The Order taught us how to rip the filth from this rotten place, but you don't have the guts to see what's right and necessary." The newt raised his sword when Sasha picked hers and slashed across his chest. "To hell with your right and necessary!"
"They must know the truth." An elderly, one-eyed frog sat in the chair, conversing with Nadia." I know the Plantars, it won't bring happiness to their hearts." "Accepting the truth is rarely easy." The frog added.
"The problem is that you encourage a stupid survival of the fittest philosophy where the powerful look down upon those they see as less," Sasha exclaimed towards a defeated Cultist. "Mighty high Heron, you would have done the same," the cultist argued. His words made Sasha silent for a few seconds before she answered. "Once perhaps, but not anymore."
INSPECTOR: Passport!
A curly-haired toad hands him a piece of pasteboard.
INSPECTOR: I didn't say pasteboard, I said passport.
"Destiny is truly complicated. Destiny doesn't choose good or evil. It doesn't honor the light. It doesn't judge the darkness."
"Don't you understand?! I fight! I suffer! So that innocents don't!" Nadia said with tears in her eyes.
"And I would do anything for them, not because they demand it of me but because… I love them." Anne declared as she gazed towards the Plantars and Nadia.
"I'll take a milkshake," said a frog with a shaved head "made with sour milk!" said with a deeper voice.
"When I reunite with Sasha... I'll talk it out." Anne felt Nadia and Hop Pop pat her shoulders. "And we will be right behind you."
"No matter what I do, they will always view me as some sort of weirdo." said a depressed newt wearing glasses. Marcy leaned closer, hugging them "Well I think you're pretty awesome" The newt in turn smiled at her.
"This isn't the life I promised you," Lyra said, as her hand touched Nadia's cheek, who was wearing a full suit of armour.
"I know she did, but that doesn't give us the right to be worse than her," Anne told a winged dark entity covered in quills.
"FOR THE GLORY OF THE NIGHT! LEAVE NONE ALIVE!"
"This used to be such a beautiful place. Good people lived here once." Lyra turned to see Anne and Sasha, with their hands on her shoulder "Good people still live in Amphibia."
The vision ended and Lyra opened her eyes. She found herself eye gazing with Mother Olm. During that silence, two words could be interpreted from their facial expressions; It begins.
In this chapter we meet the first members of the Cult of the Night:
-Leasleach is a Witch, talented in the dark arts and techno-sorcery.
-Zoisme serves as a Beastmaster, who has been entrusted with the taming and training the animals into hunting down the Cult's enemies.
-Echion is someone well-versed in secrecy, and for this reason, the Cult tasked him with a special mission: given that everyone ignored the man, Echion was told to watch everything, see everything. Thus becoming a Watcher.
The red mantis is instead reshaped as a product of the Cult's training and black magic, making it more monstrous than its canon counterpart.
Also, we get to meet a member of the Guardians: Nadia, who will be a recurring character and play a crucial role in future chapters. I imagined her as having Sasha's tough spirit, Anne's endless compassion, and she devours knowledge just as quickly as Marcy.
So... How was it? Trying too hard, not trying hard enough?
Feel free to leave a Comment. Knowing people are interested keeps me motivated.
