*UPADATE* What's going on, guys? I got some good news and bad news. Good news? This chapter has been published since I've already started from yesterday! Bad news? My departure to San Diego has been pushed back due to full capacity at the hotel that I will be spend the night with my family. But at least I still have the time today before I leave tomorrow. In the meantime, please enjoy!
Marcy and the Frogs
Chapter 10: Queen For A Day
Meanwhile in Newtopia Castle, it has been few weeks since Anne has been zapped in the city gate and her feet is finally healed meaning that she can walk again. During her stay in the castle, she's already went on a tour around the castle by Lady Olivia and being told no to wonder off while they're at it.
Today, she's being summoned to by the king to play Flipwarts with him so that they'll get to known each other. While they're playing Flipwart, it's like a chess game, but with amphibians appearance on each pieces. Anne picked the white pieces while King Andrias is playing with the black pieces.
She barely tried to win, but he out bested her since he's good at it. Now it's was Anne's turn to move the piece, but couldn't figured out which pieces can she choose in order to win. Andrias waited patiently while sitting in a large chair.
"So, move." said Andrias.
Then she started to think if it works when she move the pope piece to to the opposite queen piece and crosses her arms, smirking.
"Checkmate." said Anne.
"Hmm, not bad. Not bad at all, but unfortunately..." When he paused, he moves the queen piece and took out her own piece much to her dismay. "Looks like I win."
"Aw, come on! How are you still winning?!" Anne exclaimed.
"What can I say? I'm very wise king and ten times smarter than ever." King Andrias chuckled.
"Man, I wish Marcy was here to see this."
"(chuckled) Indeed you are. So, tell me about this Marcy. I know that you keep mentioning about her."
"Oh, you know Marcy. She's one of my childhood best friend since were in kindergarten. She's an A grade student and likes to play games. That makes her the Queen of the Chess Club." Anne explains.
"Sounds like you've been hanging out a lot." said King Andrias. "Now, tell me about this Sasha."
"Well, Sasha is my second best friend. We first met her when she protect us from those bullies and we've been friends for very long time."
Andrias is rubbing his chin by brushing his beard.
"So, what do you girls do before you were transported here from Earth?" King Andrias asked.
"We hang out a lot. We play games, having sleepover, go for shopping, hang out at the beach, watching TV, and all kind of stuff like most people do. We go to school together when we grow up along with most of our friends. Sasha was like the most popular girl in school and made everybody treats her like a queen, but in a good way." replied Anne.
"Interesting. Have you ever study school by any chance?"
"Well, a little bit. I was far behind because my grade is falling. Let's just say, me and my teachers don't mix."
(Flashback starts)
We cut back in Saint James Middle School where it shows a math teacher is teaching his students to do some math for schoolwork.
"Okay, so then you carry the three and-"
The math teacher pause when he noticed that the book was on desk when he walked over to set the book down, but what he didn't expect to see Anne playing a retro portable game as the Thai girl was slacking off instead of doing math.
"(sigh) Not again." The math teacher sighed.
Anne looked up when realize that she's been caught.
"You'll never take me alive!" Anne sped off from her desk.
"Anne! Anne, get back here!" The math teacher ran after before things could get worse.
(Flashback ends)
"Teachers. They just don't like me. Probably cuz they're jealous of my carefree spirit." said Anne.
"It seems that you rebelled against your teachers. That's very touchy." King Andrias chuckled.
"Tell me about it. Since I was only six, my parents forced me to be a simple responsible kid that they've always wanted, but what is wrong with that? Why can't they just let me... be me?"
"You know, kiddo. You reminded me of myself when I was very young back then. My father once told me if I become king, I will have to follow the rules of royalty and do all the hard task by counseling, royal duty, and look after my subjects."
"That's a huge hard task. Say um, I never asked you a question. Do you have any friends?" Anne asked curious.
Andrias dropped his smile for which she has mentioned it. He lowered his eyebrows when staring at the chest piece.
"I have friends once." King Andrias lowered his voice.
She took it back when she noticed that he looked sad for short instance.
"What happened?" Anne asked.
"If I told you what happened, you wouldn't know." King Andrias answered.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Anne rubbed her arm.
Then the king raised his emotion high up a bit when he formed his small smiles.
"Ah, don't be, kiddo. It's all in the past now. Looks like you and I are on the same common."
"What do you mean?" Anne raised her eyebrows.
"It means that we have each other. Like my father, your parents tried to change you and be the responsible girl that they've always wanted. Which is why I put Olivia in charge to look after you while you be a Queen for a day."
"What, wait?"
"Congratulations! You've been promoted, just for a day!" King Andrias smiles.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up! No offense, dude. But, being a queen for a day? I'm too young to be in charge. I'm just a kid." said Anne when concerns about it.
"Oh, don't worry. You'll be fine. I promise you that everything will be taken care of while I have business to attend."
"Then how am I supposed to be a queen for a day while you are busy?"
"Just doing some royalty duty. How bad can it be?"
Perhaps he spoke too soon. King Andrias addresses Olivia that Anne will have to be a proper young lady as the advisor escorted the Thai girl to the dressing room. She told Anne that she will have to wear her new dress in order for her to become a queen for a day. She wasn't very much fond of makeover from her world, but Olivia insist that she has to change her outfit.
Once they've arrived at the dressing room, Lady Olivia has introduce Anne to the newt fashioner, Bernado. He is the best armorer of Newtopia and he likes everything that is in fashion. Especially for that armor.
Anne has switched out her school uniform into her new royal dress that are blue. Her long sleeves are blue and grey, torsos that tied up like young women, her long skirts are blue and purple, and her blue boots for newt size.
When she looked in a mirror, she was touched that reminds her of her favorite princess that she read about or watching the movie. She looks very pretty. Lady Olivia was very much pleased that Anne is wearing her new dress.
"Viola! You look quite stunning! Absolutely marvelous!" said Bernado smiling.
"So, what do you think? Do you like it?" Lady Olivia asked.
"Well, I think I kinda like it. It's like I'm in a princess movie, except that my shoe doesn't fall off." said Anne.
"I am very much delighted to put new dress on for this fine young lady. It is an honor." said Berndo.
"Thanks, dude."
"Not at all, Anne. Not at all. If you're interested for more fashions, you know where to find me."
"Oh, uh... thanks."
Later on, they have exited the castle as the two went to the city, only because Olivia is teaching Anne that being a queen is a huge responsibility when looking after the city. Anne remembers what she used to be in the city during her first landing until she accidentally falls down the stairs.
When she looks around to see newts, salamanders, and axolotl as local citizens wearing casual clothes while others are wearing medieval clothes. Two newts in a robe are passing by, a bartender salamander is selling ice cream with crickets on it, and two of younger kids are playfully chasing while they're laughing.
"Beautiful day, isn't it? Here in Newtopia, where everyone's are doing their daily like work at the market place, children's attending school, and guards are doing their own duty." Lady Olivia explains as the guards walks passed them.
The whole city reminds her of her own world that has many cities, except that they don't have modern technology here.
"Huh. It's like walking in L.A." said Anne.
"What is this L.A.? What does it stand for?" Olivia curiously asked.
"Los Angeles." Anne answered.
"Ah, I see. What does it like?"
"Well, it's totally huge. So many people like me that travels by cars, by bus, by-HOLY CRAB!"
What shocking her that there was a huge hermit crab that's carrying newts inside a huge conch shell with wheels on it like a bus. Anne couldn't believe what she was staring at right now, then she sees newts riding on snails, then a salamander is riding on a rhino beetle, and a centipede are carrying a mother and her six children. Olivia can only smile when Anne went dumbstruck.
"Shocking, isn't it?" Lady Olivia asked.
"Yeah, but there were bugs and hermit crabs!" replied Anne.
"That's because we tamed some insects and animals for centuries. It is easy for amphibians to travel with their own creatures by land or the sky. Some are very friendly while others are extremally dangerous."
"It reminds me how I travel with my mom when I was little."
(Flashback starts)
We cut to flashback in 2011 where Anne as five years old sitting in a rental car with her mother while they're visiting Thailand. She was staring out the window where two customers are having Thai noodles at the market place.
"Mom, can I please try some of that?" Anne asked nicely.
"No, sweetie, your California stomach can't handle it. But you can have carrot stick and trail mix."
Her mother hands over a small bag of carrot sticks and trail mix much to the poor girl's disappointment with her lips quivered.
(Flashback ends)
Now we cut back to present where Anne is banging on a car window sobbing.
"I DIDN'T WANT THE BABY CARROTS, MOM! I DIDN'T WANT 'EM! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!"
Olivia pulls her away to prevent from making the scene while a female newt is inside the car promptly rolls up her window. Anne turns her head at Olivia when putting her hands on the advisor.
"You got to show me around town!"
"Indeed, you will. And speaking of which, this is where we start now."
They have arrived at a pet store where they sold some small creatures like pets. When Anne and Olivia enters, it shows some pet stockings for food and chew toys on the shelves, then it shows small snails, a caterpillar like cats, a bug like parrot with bugeyes, and some small fish from the aquarium.
From there, they see two newt couples. One is a male yellow-orange newt with red hair, wearing yellow shirt under white t-shirt, and blue pants. Another one is a pink female newt with blonde hair with blue bow that ties around as ponytail and wearing blue dresses. They were doing their daily schedule until Olivia approach.
"Hello, Simon. Bianca." Lady Olivia greeted.
Anne blinked her eyes. As they newt couples turns around, they form their friendly smiles. She started to think that they look familiar.
"Why, hello, Lady Olivia." said Bianca greeting.
"How are you this morning?" said Simon.
"Pretty as same old. Anything going on today?" Lady Olivia greeted.
"Yeah, we got some fish that was delivered. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, you know the rest." Simon shrugged.
"Wait, what is that?" Bianca asked when noticed something.
"Oh, where are my manners." Lady Olivia realized that Anne is with her. "Simon and Bianca, allow me to introduced to the human I've taken care of. Anne Boonchuy."
"What's up?" Anne greeted when pointed finger like a cool kid.
"Uh... hi, Anne. It's so nice... to meet you." replied Bianca when unease a bit.
"Yeah, people are getting used to see me like I'm just some odd creature." Anne shrugged.
"Amazing!" said Simon when examine her around in circle. "I remember seeing you when you're around. What are you exactly? Hummus? Is it?"
"Human, actually." Anne correct him.
"Fascinating!"
"My husband was very fond of studying creatures since he and his partner worked together when they're young before I met him." Bianca explained.
Then suddenly, a little newt girl has approached like around 9 years old. Her green skin, white skin on the bottom of the mouth, and her hair is olive, wearing a grey shirt and skirt. When she approach to her parents when she's asking something.
"Hey, mom? Have you seen my snail?"
"He's having his own breakfast, sweetie." Bianca answered.
"Okay."
Before she walks off, she sees Olivia smiling.
"Hi, Miss Olivia."
"Why, hello Sammie." Olivia greeted back.
Then when she sees Anne standing, her eyes went wide open and then spread her wide grin.
"WHOA! What are you?!" Sammie exclaims, but smiling.
"Huh?" Anne blinked.
Before she reply, Sammie step closer to examine Anne by take look at the skirt.
"Are you some sort of odd creature?" Sammie asked excited before she reach Anne's arm to examine.
"Oh, uh... I'm Anne, Anne Boonchuy and I'm a human." replied Anne.
"Wow! What's a human? How many fingers do you have? What's that on a huge bump in your face? Your hair looks messy."
Anne nervously chuckled as the newt girl keep examining her by climbing all over her until she turns her head at Olivia smiling.
"Where'd you find this?" Sammie happily asked.
"I found her when she falls off the stairs and then I took her in and look after her. Poor thing when her legs were injured." Olivia explained.
"Ouch! That's a long way down, huh?"
"You can say that, again." said Anne.
"So, what brings you all the way down here?" Simon asked kindly.
"Just showing Anne around the city because King Andrias made her a queen for a day while he's having attended." said Olivia.
"Wait, this thing?"
"Uh, I'm a girl." Anne corrected him.
"Right, sorry. I mean putting her in charge as a queen?"
"That's the idea." Lady Olivia turns on Anne to show her properly. "Go on, Anne. Tell them what they're working on."
Anne turns her head at the newt couples before she speaks.
"(ahem) So, uh... you run pet store, right?" Anne asked.
"Right." Simon answered.
"Then what kind of pet store are you running?"
"Well, we sell snails, spiders, small birds, Coastal Kill-A-Pillar..."
"Wait, Kill-A-Pillar?" Anne takes a quick glance, but what stunning her when it shows a kill-a-pillar as kittens. Then she formed her adore face with eye sparkles. "(gasp) Kittens!"
Anne runs over and picks up a small kitten like caterpillar in her hands.
"D'aaaaww! You're so cute! Hey, there little fella! Where've you been al my life?" Anne cooed at the kitten when nuzzled before it meowed.
Olivia, Lily, and her parents were in quite surprised that Anne went adored of all sudden until the father of the pet shop made a sound.
"(ahem) Kill-A-Pillars are amphibivore. They may be cute when they're all caterpillar, but they're evolved into a butterflies when they grow up." Simon explains.
Anne took it all back. She moved her pupil eye at the kitten she picked up and slowly set the kitten down gently. She raised her hands up in defense, but Bianca already explains.
"Oh, don't worry. The king has made an agreement with our ancestors by preventing them from evolving." said Bianca.
"Huh. How about that." said Anne.
"We should be heading our way. Thank you for your time." Olivia thanks the newt couple kindly.
"Of course, milady." Simon bows in respect.
"It was nice meeting with you, Anne." Sammie waved.
"It was nice meeting with you, too." replied Anne before she exits the store with Olivia.
Lily and her parents were watching them leaving through the door.
"What an odd creature." said Simon.
"I like her." Sammie smiles.
Anne and Lady Olivia are in the other side of the town as they're still walking around like a tour. As they have arrived at the clothing department store, Olivia is showing Anne around how many dresses that were designs for any girls like presenting makeup as the Thai girl picks up one of the perfume that smells like lavender and it smells really good.
While they went to the antique store, it has many valuable treasures and furniture that she has never seen. As they approach to the a newt that's been held out a pearl to Anne with her permission. When she looks at Olivia for which she has nodded and Anne made approved much to his pleased.
Then they went visit to the museum where it talks about an ancient history of Newtopia. She looks quite amazed that they have everything that are artifacts and tapestry. She can also see some fossils of prehistoric amphibians.
"Whoa! We have those things from my world!" Anne smiles.
Few hours later when they left the museum, they went to the east side of the city where they made an encounter with a conman newt that offers them a cockroach on a stick, but Anne quickly flips it off by accident.
"NO MORE BUGS!"
The conman flinched while Lady Olivia facepalm in embarrassment. Later on, they went to the arcade much to Anne very excited as they approach to the main entrance. A newt employee looks up and see Olivia with Anne as the advisor presenting the Thai as the queen for a day and then he bows in respect before letting them in.
Olivia was watching Anne playing games as the whole crowds surrounds her like no one has even seen her playing like this before. Once she has reach the high score, the game set and she won while the whole crowds are rooting for her. Most players are challenging her, but they lost as long as they play fair and have her respect.
As they went outside after the arcade, then suddenly Anne hears a meow. She turns her attention at a axolotl girl who was distressed that her pet beloved fluffy Kill-a-pillar that was stuck on a coral like tree while meowing.
"Goblin! Come on, girl! Goblin, get down from there!"
Anne frowns that this poor girl tries to get her pet Kill-a-pillar down from the tree. It reminds her when she used to bring her pet cat down from the tree at home. What would she do?
Without thinking twice, she walks over to the tree to get the Kill-a-pillar, leaving Olivia turns and looked at Anne when concerned.
"Don't worry. I got you." said Anne when patting the girl's head.
She climbs up to the coral tree with her combat skills and then rescue Goblin by grabbing her with her hand when she meows. She jumps down and hands over the Kill-a-pillar to the axolotl girl.
"Here you go, kiddo." said Anne kindly.
"Thanks, lady." Said the Axolotl girl smiling.
"No worries. I actually have one just like that back home. But with less legs. Don't let that thing grow up."
Goblin lets out a meow.
"(giggles) She says she likes you. I'm Efty."
"I'm Anne. Nice to meet you."
Olivia couldn't help, but stares at Anne when she formed her small smile. She has never seen this creature risking her life to rescue the Kill-a-pillar. Then she approach to Anne when it's time to go.
"Master Anne, it's time to go." said Lady Olivia.
"Okay, catch ya later." Anne waved.
"Goodbye, Miss Anne. Thanks for saving my Goblin." Efty waved as her Kill-a-pillar meowed.
Once they approached at the stop sign, they were waiting to see the street is cleared. But then she sees an old newt lady wearing her glasses and she's having her hard time to solve the puzzles. So Anne decided that she could help her out instead.
"Excuse me? Do you need help?" Anne asked.
The old lady turns her attention to Anne and smiles at her.
"Why certainly. Pull up some bench, dear."
Anne sat down next the elder newt.
"The name's Doris." said Doris.
"I'm Anne. Nice to meet you." replied Anne.
"It's nice to meet you, too. Do you solve puzzles?" Doris asked.
"Sure do. I've been solving puzzles from my home." Anne answered.
Olivia was watching her helping Doris to solve the puzzle. She smiles that Anne is helping newts. No creature has ever been so kind before. It only takes a minute when it's time to go after Anne helped Doris solved her puzzles.
"Come along, Master Anne." said Lady Olivia.
"Well, gotta go. Nice meeting you, Doris." Anne waved after got off from the bench.
"Goodbye, Anne. It was nice meeting you, too." Doris waving her hand at Anne when she walked off with Olivia.
As the two of them pass by the gnacho cart where it was owned by a female axolotl who's been waiting for her customer to buy some gnachos, but then the wind blew off some trays when she noticed.
"What? My trays!"
Anne sense the wind blew, but it got her attention once she saw some trays blew away.
"I got 'em!"
She ran to catches some trays and caught some in time.
"Thank you, sweetie!" said The gnacho vendor.
Anne nodded before she handed some trays back to her. Olivia was impressed.
"Here, have some gnatchos on the house." She offered one tray of gnacho to Anne.
"Thanks! My name's Anne, by the way." said Anne.
"I'm Gertie. Nice to meet ya." said Gertie.
Then she took a bite out of purple gnacho and she went wide that it taste so good.
"Mmm! It's so good! It's like nachos from my home!" Anne smiles.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Say, I think I've seen you before. What are you, exactly?" Gertie asked kindly.
"Oh, me? Well, I'm a human being from another world called Earth." replied Anne.
"What's a human?"
"It's what I am. I walk like you, talk like you, and eat some kind of food like you, too. Except that I don't eat bugs."
"Oh! You don't eat bugs?" Gertie blinked.
"Well, it's complicated." Anne shrugged before she takes a bite of it again.
"Please, excuse her. She's not some kind of insectivore." said Lady Olivia kindly.
"That's okay. Nobody is perfect. With or without bugs. And look at me, I run gnatcho cart." said Gertie.
"And I help my parents running a restaurant." Anne added.
"Looks like we got in commons."
Suddenly, they heard a commotions going on when they all heard some shouting.
"STOP! THEIF!"
Up far from ahead, a blue newt who is ten year old boy that has blonde hair, wearing his olive green shirt and brown shorts. He was running away with fear while carrying a bread that's been chased by an axolotl vendor along with two newt guards.
"STOP THAT BRAT!"
The newt boy was looking back where they're getting closer, but he wasn't paying attention when he rammed into Anne and fell backwards when dropping a bread. She turns around and stares down at him.
"Hey!"
The newt boy looks up and gasp at her appearance, then he took a quick glance as he looked scared, and then he ran behind Anne's skirt before they reached him.
"Please! You gotta hide me!" cried The newt boy.
Olivia looks concerned towards the boy, but she turn her attention to an axolotl vendor with guards behind him.
"Jerry, what's the meaning of this?" Lady Olivia asked when suspicious.
"That little thief just stole my bread!" Jerry accused him with fingers pointing at the boy.
"Wait, you stole a bread?!" Anne disbelief.
"I'm so sorry! I was so hungry, but I don't have any money!" cried The boy with his innocent looks.
"Well, you should've thought twice before you start paying." Jerry turns his head at the newt guards. "Arrest him!"
"No! Don't let them take me! I'm too young to go to jail!"
Anne felt hurt that this poor kid was stand accused that he couldn't commit. It brings her a painful memories when her old friend was framed that he wouldn't commit. Well she can't stand here and watch him getting dragged to the dungeon. Not today.
"Not on my watch! I'll have you know that I'm a Queen for a day while King Andrias was very busy." said Anne sternly.
"I don't take order from that creature!" Jerry retorts when swipes the bread from the ground.
"Oh, yeah! If you don't respect to your queen for a day, you'll have to have a word with King Andrias! He'll be so disappointed if anything happens to me."
Jerry went stunned that she's bluffing.
"You're bluffing!"
"Is there a problem?" Anne crosses her arms sternly.
Olivia and Gertie were shocked that Anne is defending this boy. Jerry started to sweat that she's bluffing, but what if she's right? What would he do if the king was so displeased. When he stares at the Thai girl's eyes glaring, he finally gives up.
"Fine, but keep that troublemaker away from my cart!" Jerry stomps off with a huff.
Two guards were dumbstruck that Anne is taking charge. They took their glance at her before they bow to her when apologize and walks off, leaving only Anne, Olivia, Gertie, and the newt boy. He poke his head out and spit tongue at him. However, he heard a sound and sees Anne and Olivia crossing their arms with disappointed look.
"Young man? What do you have to say for yourself?" Lady Olivia asked when calm.
"Uh... thank you?"
"Thank you? Dude, you could've go to jail if it weren't for me. Clearly, most kids got arrested that they could do or couldn't do. You can't just stole that bread from this lizard guy." said Anne when scolded.
"He's an axolotl." Lady Olivia correct Anne.
"Right, axolotl. What would your parents say if you stole something for food?"
He put his arms around his back and looked down when ashamed.
"I...I don't have parents." said The newt boy quietly.
Anne drops her stern look. It really hit her. She forms her frown when he's telling her that he doesn't have his parents. She knelt down to her knees to reach for his height.
"What happened to your parents?" Anne asked softly.
He was rubbing his arm sadly.
"I lost my parents when I was a tadpole. When I grow up, I ran away so I can live here to get away from all those stupid bullies."
Anne felt guilty at him.
"Aw, dude. I am so sorry. I know what is like when my best friend lost her own parents as a baby after she was separated from her older brother." said Anne softly.
"Really? What was her name?"
She forms small smile the he asked.
"Marcy. I'm Anne by the way. Anne Boonchuy."
"I'm Alex."
Both Anne and Alex shaking their hands, but her hand felt very slimy that his hand was made of mucus coat.
"Eugh! I forgot that your hand was all slimy." Anne shuddered.
"Haha! That's funny." Alex laughed.
Then they heard stomach growling that it was Alex. She noticed that he's really hungry. Anne takes a quick look at gnachos in her hands before she offers him something that's really thoughtful.
"Here, have some gnachos." Anne offers.
Alex takes the gnachos tray from her and takes a bite out of it in his mouth until he eyes went wide and takes a lot of it.
"Whoa! Slow down, little guy." said Anne.
Then he swallows it down until the tray is empty.
"Tasty." said Alex when satified.
"Well, now that's out of the way. There's one thing left for what we should do with you." said Lady Olivia.
"What do you mean?"
"You stole the bread without paying it."
"Oh. I said I was sorry." Alex apologize.
"You did, but that doesn't excuse to steal the bread from the food market." replied Lady Olivia.
"Oh, it's true. I would hate to think what would happen to my gnachos cart." Gertie agreed.
"So, you're not gonna put me to jail?" Alex asked when worries a bit.
"Don't worry. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you while I'm in charge for a day." said Anne.
"You? In charge? I thought the king is in charge?"
"Well, he makes me a queen for a day." Anne turns her head at Olivia. "Seriously, what should I do when I was in charge?"
"Well, you do whatever you want, but you have to be a simple responsibility and choose wisely." Lady Olivia answered.
"Hmm..." Anne started to think what can she do with Alex until then her mind just came off. "I think I have an idea."
Meanwhile, they've ventured back to the pet store where she has met with the Lilypads family. Once they have entered, the Lilypads couples turned their heads, but looked surprised that they just got back. They must've thought that they left something.
"Oh, my lady! Back so soon?" Simon asked.
"Yeppers! I have found you a new volunteer." Anne smiles when presenting Alex up front.
She has already made a decision is to bring her new friend to the family for what he need the most. Lily pops out and stares at him curious while her parents were smiling.
"Who's your little friend?" Bianca asked in friendly way.
Before Anne made an introduction, but Sammie cuts in as the newt girl approaches.
"Hi, I'm Sammie! What's your name?" Sammie smiles.
"I'm Alex." replied Alex shyly.
"It's nice to meet you, Alex. What brings you here?"
"Uh, I'm an orphan and I... ran away from all the trouble."
Sammie dropped her smile a bit.
"Wait, you're an orphan?" Sammie asked.
Alex nodded. Anne knew that he may be shy and nervous, but she'll know what to do explain everything.
"He lost his parents as a tadpole. He wanted to live here so he can get away from these bullies and that's when I met him after he stole the bread without getting paid. But I assure you that he won't steal anything from you." Anne explains.
"Really? Then why bringing him here?" Simon skeptically asked.
"As your queen for a day, I here by decree that this young Alexander will be under your supervised and I vow that you won't be disappointed. If it's alright with you?"
The father of the Lilypad is rubbing his chin when he started to think twice before he made his decision. Alex felt nervous if he is accepted or not. Olivia knew that every kid deserves a chance, especially him. And then he formed his smiles at Anne.
"You got yourself a deal!" said Simon.
Alex sighed with relieved. As he approach to him when he put a volunteer nametag on his shirt.
"Welcome aboard, kiddo! Tomorrow morning, you can help by restocking the food and supply, and then you can give these snails some bath while you're at it."
"Y-yes sir!" Alex saluted. "And thank you."
"No problem."
"It is a great honor to have you joined us." said Bianca when she smiles.
"Yeah! Now we can be roomies!" Sammie gave him a warm hug.
Anne giggles for that moment. It totally remind her how her best friend has her own brother after years of drifted. Olivia is very proud that Anne was doing the right thing.
An hours later when it was time for to return to the castle. The door opens when Anne and Olivia enters with some souvenirs in their bag that they just carried and they approached King Andrias sitting in a throne while reading his newspaper until he formed his friendly face.
"Ah, you're back! So, how'd it go?" King Andrias asked.
"I feel great! They have everything! Just like you said!" replied Anne when excited.
"I'm glad you enjoyed you are having your fun. You can thank Olivia for showing you around the city and get to know these citizens."
Olivia bows to her king in respect while Andrias continues.
"Now then, how does it feel to be a queen for a day?" King Andrias kindly asked.
"It's not that bad. I met a lot of people. I brought Goblin down from the tree to Efty, helping Doris to solve the puzzle, saving trays for Gertie, and volunteer Alex to the pet store." Anne response when counting her fingers.
"That's what I heard. I see you manage to maintain the peace by preventing this young lad from being taken to the dungeon."
"Wait, you knew?!"
"Oops! Guilty as charge!" King Andrias jokingly teased. "But not to worry. You're secret is safe with me."
Anne smiles that he made promise to keep a secret. Then suddenly, the door burst opens as the two turns around where it shows a tall pink newt who is a general with a slender build, and white-blonde hair that protrudes from the back of her head. She's wearing her armor made out of silver, a cape that has a symbol of Newtopia, and her military insignia, boasting her rank as general.
When a tall pink newt enters, she took step closer to the king and bows to him in greetings. Anne was all curious like she has never seen her before. Olivia on the other hand has already knows her. King Andrias smiles as his general returns.
"General, welcome back! How's the missions doing?" King Andrias proudly asked.
"I have driven these raiders scum back to their hideout before I apprehend them to you, your highness." The general bows.
"Excellent work, General. Good news! We have a new visitor here!"
She turns her head at Olivia, but it's not her. She was staring at Anne who was standing while blinking her eyes and then she examine the Thai skeptically.
"So, you must be this creature that I've heard about. Haven't seen you before." said The general.
"Uh, yeah. That's me, and who are you?" Anne asked.
"Who am I? My name is General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army!"
The great General Yunan, poses while making her famous catchphrase. It sounded like an anime that Anne used to watch. However, Olivia pinched her bridge nose, but gently that she looked a little embarrassed.
"Uh, I'm Anne? Anne Boonchuy? I'm a human being."
"Human, eh? I see why Olivia told me all about you. Are you a friend or are you a foe?" General Yunan asked when testing her.
"A friend! Of course, I'm a friend! I don't bite." Anne raise her hands in defense.
"My mind exactly. Just making sure that you aren't dangerous, but if any friend is Olivia is a friend of mine."
"Oh, thank you."
"(ahem) You have to excuse her. She's known to be skilled and ruthless as a warrior." said Lady Olivia.
"D'aw, I'm flattered." General Yunan blushed.
"Okay! Now that the pleasantry is out of the way, let's have a fine meal for lunch." said King Andrias when sat up from the throne.
"So, what's for lunch?" Anne asked.
"If I tell you, it wouldn't be big surprise. Now, come! Our meal awaits!"
The king walks down from the throne and passed them with Yunan follows him behind, but Olivia turns around and see Anne standing.
"Master Anne, are you coming?" Lady Olivia asked.
"You go ahead. I'll catch up in a minute." replied Anne.
The king's advisor nodded and follows behind to join with the others. All that's left in the throne room was Anne. She walks out to the balcony and watches over the city wall as the seagull with bugeyes flew by.
Anne did enjoyed having her best day ever in Newtopia b making new friends and see a lot of things, but what's missing what she really miss the most. She looks up to the sky when clouds moving to the west and she sighs sadly where she speaks.
"Mom… Dad… I wish there was a way to tell you I'm okay. Because I am." Then she looks over the horizon beyond the wall. "I just hope the same can be said for my friends. I promise you that if they find Sasha and Marcy, I will come home to you. No matter what."
Anne looks up to the sky and promising that once they find her friends, she'll find a way home to them.
Meanwhile on Earth when its nighttime, we looked to a house where Anne lives. It was very peaceful when no one was around, but what's sad that the rumors is where three girls have mysteriously vanished during her birthday party.
Her parents are missing Anne and trying everything they can to find her, with Domino meowing sadly as she lies on the chair where her owner once would, longing for her warm embrace again.
Her father, Bee having called either one of her friends' families or the authorities with no luck on getting any closer to getting her back. Her mother, Oum quietly holding a bowl of noodles before she looks over to their family photo.
She walks over and picks it up, sitting back down on the couch as she stares at the photo of herself with her husband and her daughter are at the theme park in front of the castle wearing mouse ear hats, smiling. She sighed sadly at how much she misses her daughter.
"Oh, Anne… where could you possibly be?"
And that's all folks! It took me longer to figured it out, but at least I made it on time before I went to bed because tomorrow that I'm going to San Diego with my family to celebrate my older brother's 31st birthday! I'll be back on Tuesday along with my sister and my father while he stays behind to hang out for over a week. I'll be seeing ya' real soon! Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Amphibia (c) Disney