Whilst on a scavenger hunt arranged by the king, Anne becomes increasingly envious of how smart Marcy Is compared to her, especially when she and Leo start to get along quicker than expected.

...

...

Right about now. Leo was feeling weirdly content, the overbearing weight of his feelings towards Sasha had somewhat simmered, even if they were still apparent.

They were currently sitting outside a restaurant Marcy had suggested, all of the stuffing their faces with beetle burgers, a so-called delicacy in Newtopia, Leo didn't mind much – he'd given up caring about eating bugs a long, long time ago.

As the group ate, Polly took notice of Marcy jotting something down in her journal, "Hey what's that?" The tadpole asked, shoveling another whole burger into her mouth with absolutely no restraint.

"Oh, just my journal. I like writing down random things about Amphibia that I find out, I've been doing it since I got here," She explained, not taking her eyes off the page.

Leo perked up at that, silently making a note of remembrance, although it wasn't like he was going to bring up his own journal, he wasn't nearly that much of a conversationalist, "Leo, didn't you start a journal as well?" Sprig queried innocently, still chewing on his burger.

Leo shot a tired glare his way, it was still completely emotionless, but he was at least trying to seem angry, even if wasn't doing a particularly good job.

"You've got one too!? Lemme see it, I bet there are a bunch of entries about what you and Anne got up to in Wartwood!" Marcy was more than eager than ever now, seconds away from rummaging around in Leo's pockets.

That kind of evasion of his personal space made him uncomfortable enough, so he reluctantly pulled the small hand notebook and handed it to her, watching as she flipped through every page in excitement.

"Anne is she even-"

Turning to her, he saw Anne with two straws up her nose, pulling a weird face at Sprig, "Look, guys, I'm a Strawlrus! You know like Walrus, but with straws."

Polly, Hop Pop, and Leo all had the expected blank stare reaction, Sprig let out a hearty laugh, before reverting to the same dull gaze, "What's a Walrus?"

"I'd guess something that has things pointing out its nose. Judging by Anne's depiction of it," Leo gestured, the Thai girl quickly pulling them out due to embarrassment, not that Leo was trying to make fun of her.

Just then, a waiter arrived with the bill in hand, "Now, who'll be taking the bill?" The newt glanced at Hop Pop's worn and raggedy shirt, "I'm hoping one frog here has money, or at least the price which is.."

"Oh, oh wait. Let me guess, is it 34 coppers?"

The newt revealed the receipt to them all, being what Marcy had guessed, "Right you are."

The Plantars, Leo, and Anne were all impressed, "Can you do math like that Anne?" Hop Pop questioned, the bushy-haired girl lazily slumping next to him.

"What do you mean with numbers and stuff? That's a little out of my comfort zone.." Anne replied.

"Then what can you do? Not that I'm one to talk, but when you talk about multiplication it still sounds like gibberish.." Leo responded, slightly disappointed in himself.

It was another thought he couldn't help but wonder about related to his memory, was it just his own inability, or did he actually forget simple math equations?

If that was the case what else had he forgotten, what if it was something important that he was never supposed to?

"Really? When you told me that you'd lost your memory I didn't think it was by that much. I can help you if you want, you can ask Anne. I had the best grades in our class!"

"Really? You could help?"

Anne nodded in approval, she was somewhat distant though, "Yep if me and Sasha were ever struggling on a test she'd always get us to scrape by."

"Man, if only Anne was good with numbers, if she was like Marcy we'd be set for life!" Anne frowned even more at that, Hop Pop scolded her accordingly, not helping, "Hush Polly. Think those thoughts, don't say them."

Leo tossed the burger wrapping aside, about to say something to Anne before an arrow came flying in his direction, narrowly missing his head, and planting itself in a nearby wall.

"Ah, we're under attack!" Sprig yelped, Leo stood at the ready, his sword already in hand. Marcy got him to back down, showing off what was attached to the arrow.

"Woah, woah. Don't worry, it's just a message from the king," She made an 'o' shape with her mouth, realizing what it actually was, "Oh! Correction, it's a puzzlegram from the king!"

"Mar Mar remember, not all intellectuals like you," Anne spoke up dryly, nodding to the hooded girl and flipping the scroll their way, "Pretty much, the king has scattered clues around the city for us to find. It's basically an interactive letter."

"I can't write," Leo commented, which all in all wasn't a total lie. He'd been doing so in his journal, yet he didn't have too much faith in his own punctuation or grammar.

"Ah, don't worry about it. I can get us started; the first symbol is a tree so we should probably head towards the coral park."

Before she could, Leo caught up with her, showing a rare emotion of sheepishness, "Hey Marcy, I was just wondering, if I could help out with the puzzle..."

He was doing his best not to sound embarrassed, which usually wasn't too hard considering his generally mellow tone. But he couldn't help but feel concerned, he wanted to get along with Marcy, at least better than he originally had with Sasha.

Marcy looked surprised yet happy, scrunching the paper as she showed it off to him, "Perfect, the king's puzzlegram is starting to get harder and harder so I could use another head!" With that, she was already on the move.

Hop Pop kept Polly back as Anne, Sprig, and Leo all followed behind one another.

A few minutes had passed since they'd made their way over to the park, Sprig was in awe of all that was around him, the city itself was a marvel to behold.

Anne, on the other hand, wasn't in the best of moods. She of all people should've been enjoying herself, she'd finally made it to Newtopia and found Marcy of all people, yet she felt a little dissatisfied...or maybe that wasn't the right emotion.

All she knew was she couldn't help but stare at Leo and Marcy ahead of them, chatting away about who knows what. It seemed like they were getting along better than she and he ever had.

They were happily trying to figure out whatever puzzle was on the scroll, something she felt she wasn't smart enough to solve.

Sprig was quick to pick up on her moody and disgruntled silence, "Anne, you're not in awe of everything, what's wrong?"

"Mm, I don't know. I should be having fun, but I just can't help but feel how I did back home. Whenever I'm around Marcy I'm made even more aware of how much smarter she is compared to me..."

"Not to mention...Leo and Marcy are getting along way too well," Anne crossed her arms, once again boring holes in the back of the two, although nothing had changed with his demeanor, she hadn't seen him speak so much...ever.

Whilst Sprig did feel bad about what she'd originally said, a part of him couldn't help but smugly grin up at her, "Dude, stop that you're creeping me out," Anne grimaced, turning away from the frog.

"So, what you're saying is...your jealous? That Leo is talking to another girl."

"What!? No! I mean, it's because I feel dumb around her that's all...i-it's got n-nothing to do with Leo.."

Looking back, she watched Marcy hand the scroll over to the white-haired boy, nonchalantly brushing hands as they did, 'Dammit, Sprig's right! I never got jealous over any of the boys back home, why is Leo any different.'

In truth, Anne had never really had a crush on anyone back home, there had definitely been boys she'd liked, but it hadn't lasted longer than a week. Although, most of that was in part due to Sasha.

"I know!" Sprig sprung up enthusiastically, "If you can solve the puzzle scroll or whatever, then you can both prove that you're just as smart as Marcy and maybe even impress Leo!"

"I mean that's a good idea, but I'm not sure Leo would be impressed with something like that. But, hey it's worth a shot. Let's do this, I'll prove I'm not an idiot!"

Sprinting off, Anne ran headfirst into a hanging sign, falling right on her back, "Starting now.."


"Here we are guys, coral park!" Marcy announced aloud, handing the scroll over to Leo who began to inspect it, he was actually somewhat excited to figure it out, even if he wasn't having the best of luck figuring it out.

Admittedly, Leo knew he was at base level dense, but he had begun to sharpen up on things, at least when it came to his surroundings.

Besides, if Marcy was willing to help him then he could at least try to figure out a puzzle, especially if it was from the king of Amphibia. Glancing at the page he was struggling to make out what one eye open and the other closed could mean towards coral trees.

"Anne, do you have any ideas.."

Looking back at her, he saw what looked like utter confusion written across her face. Once she took notice of him, she turned her attention back to the coral.

"Mmm, one eye open and one eye closed. Maybe it's a misdirect, there's a chance we have to listen to the trees! See what they really are inside," Anne mumbled, rubbing her face right up against it.

Dropping his brows, Leo wasn't too confident. But what she'd said had given him an idea of sorts, taking a step back to glance at the coral branches from a distance, squinting his eyes directly at them.

"Hey, Marcy. Is there any way to get a better look at this coral?" He was skeptical of something, feeling like something was written on the trees.

The black-haired girl quickly took notice of the statue facing them all, "You might be on to something Leo. This statue of Ezor Brackish has one eye open and the other closed, and he's looking through a telescope so maybe..."

Marcy nonchalantly tossed aside the clay hat, smashing it to pieces. She peered into the telescope lens, and the yellow paint across the coral became clearer, the blurry word ready out as 'Bring'.

"Well, that's one down, good work Leo. I wasn't thinking about that."

Leo held up a short smile at the praise, "Really? Maybe I got lucky."

"Luck is only a small factor when it comes to puzzles, c'mon let's see if you can solve the next puzzle. I recognize it already!"

Anne felt another twinge of envy at Marcy pulling Leo along, even more so as he had a tiny, yet noticeable smile on his face.

'It took me ages to get him to do that!'

"C'mon Anne just cause Leo and Marcy figured it out together doesn't mean you can't!" Sprig assured her, hyping up the girl just as quickly.

"You're right, I can do this!"

Just as she was about to follow after the two, she spotted a small newt reaching up for her cat, one that resembled Domino Two, "C'mon girl, get down from there. We've gotta go."

Acting almost immediately Anne, hopping up the branches to retrieve the feline-like creature, handing it back down to her, "Here yah go.."

"Thanks, lady!"

Before she could say any more to the small newt girl, Sprig called her back, getting her to hurriedly chase after them.


They now stood outside an old library that only Marcy seemed to recognize. Leo murmured alongside her about something to do with her favorite game and possibly lending it to him, even if he hadn't shown any interest.

It sounded intriguing but he much more enjoyed the outside, even the short time he spent with Anne learning how her phone worked, he'd enjoyed that time weirdly enough but not because it involved a phone.

"Leo, why are you spacing out? We're here," Anne explained, waving her hand right in his face. Staggering him back a bit.

"Oh, has Marcy figured out what this has to do with the second puzzle?" That earned him an unwanted flick to his forehead, with Anne frowning back at him, part of it was fake, even he could tell that.

But another part of her downcast eyes and bleak expression told him that some of her expression was real.

"So, the dragonfly means the library. But, why the w?" Marcy questioned aloud.

Anne puffed her cheeks out, gently taking the puzzlegram in hand, "Let me take a crack at it, I'm sure I can..."

Staring at the page, the images meant absolutely nothing to her, she swore she could hear its quiet mocking as the dragonfly stared back at her.

It only made her feel more insecure than she already did, she wasn't smart enough to bond with Leo the way Marcy was, especially not as quickly. In all of her months in Wartwood and she'd only managed to get so close to him.

And apparently, that was close enough where she'd developed feelings for him that she wasn't quite ready to unpack.

"I'll be right back, I'm sure I can figure this out, I just need to get a better look around Newtopia.."

The moment she'd gone Marcy had spaced out whether or not she was there, to begin with, inspecting every nook and cranny of the building.

Sprig kept his eyes on her as she ran, "Is Anne alright?" Leo questioned, sounding somewhat worried, although his typical poker face hadn't changed, "Even for her, that was weird."

"Um...she's probably just thinking. This is a puzzlegram from the king of Newtopia after all!" The pink frog choked out, even if it was a blatant lie.

Leo was buying it, normally he would, but anyone could've seen through it, "Sprig..." He paused, now sounding much sterner "...You clearly know what's up with her, why is she acting all skittish when it comes to solving these puzzles?"

"No idea what you're talking about...you're acting skittish. How come you've got red eyes huh!"

The erratic yelling was more than enough to convince him. As well as the more than hurtful words about his appearance that he'd heard enough of by now.

"Look, if something's bothering Anne, then I want her to be able to talk to me about it...I mean isn't that what all of you taught me to do? Usually, I would've tried to deal with problems alone.."

Sighing, the pink frog admitted defeat, "It's just that-"

"Wait a second! That's it, these markings along the wall, there match up exactly to the layout of Newtopia, and if you pinpoint exactly where we would be thennnn..." Trailing off, Marcy removed a loose brick from the building, marked across was the next word 'me'.

"Bring me. That's two words down and only one more to go, let's move!"

Marcy didn't waste any time hurrying along, the three of them coming across Anne. Was she chatting with what looked like an older newt?

"Anne, are you alright? You seem a bit preoccupied," Leo asked, slightly uncomfortable. He wanted to ask what seemed to be bugging her but couldn't bring himself to, "Marcy's solved the second puzzle, and thinks she knows where the third one is."

"Oh, wait the puzzle!" Anne shot right up from the bench, waving the old newt off, "Sorry, Dorris I'll talk to you later."

"Anytime Anne!"

She waved back returning with the group, Sprig quickly tried to keep up with her, but Leo did the same not too sure what he should say.

Anne was now at an all-time low, dropping her head as she traipsed behind Marcy, Sprig was doing her best to cheer her up, but it wasn't doing much to boost her self-esteem.

She'd done nothing to prove she was smarter than Marcy and was only able to prove to herself that Leo and she got along better than she and him ever had. No matter what quarrels, or conversations they'd had she felt like they were all a step down compared to whatever talk they would be having.

"-nn, Anne, ANNE!" Sprig yelled out repeatedly, hopping around his best friend frantically. Anne eventually dulled back into reality, looking back at them all.

There towering over a bridge, was a golden sculpture of Marcy, being adorned and awed by all the newts that passed it.

'Great...that's just something else to remind me of how much better she is compared to me..'

"Anne, we're almost at the final puzzle. Do you wanna try and solve it?" Sprig suggested, "Even if it's not to prove anything. You can still try."

She shook her head, "Sorry dude, but I think that I'll sit this one out. Marcy and Leo can figure this one out.."

"C'mon, it shouldn't matter that you're jealous of Marcy making you feel dumb because of how stupid she is, and not to mention how close she is-"

"SPRIG!" Anne exclaimed, turning a dim shade of red; throwing her hands up in the air in frustration, she glanced up to see Marcy's shocked expression, having finally taken her eyes off the puzzlegram.

"L-Look...I'm gonna get something to eat, y-you guys' finish this," Anne mumbled, breaking into a brisk walk, moving out of sight. Deciding it would be best if they solved it without her.


'That was stupid. And not worth it, I'm getting upset over nothing..'

"Whatcha' looking so down for hun?" A kind voice questioned, turning to it Anne saw an axolotl running what looked like a nacho stand, and she was handing a box of them over to her.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. I'm just wondering, have you had the problem of thinking you're not smart enough? And that everyone around you is.." Anne sulked, sagging her shoulders as she slumped against the bench.

"Of course, where do you think we are? This is ding, dang Newtopia, and I'm just old Gertie with her nacho stand. I still don't know if that's even considered being a chef.."

Anne was quick to shoot her down, snacking away at the food, "Are you kidding Gertie! You're a professional businesswoman, have some more faith in yourself!"

She failed to see the irony in her words.

"Anne.." A low voice spoke, one that startled her up from the seat, "Is this seat taken.."

Try as she might, even Anne couldn't help herself from snorting at his dry delivery, "That's the best way you think to start a conversation?"

"Sorry. I think every time I try, I get worse at it. Wait, don't try and derail the conversation, what was up with you earlier? Especially with what Sprig said," Leo questioned, awkwardly seating himself down next to her.

"It's stupid, I don't even know why I got upset," Anne brushed it off, too embarrassed to want to explain herself.

"I mean, we all heard what Sprig said. How come Marcy makes you feel dumb.."

"Because Leo! It's an undeniable fact that she's smarter than me and I just feel dumb around her, today was no different. And it didn't help that you too were figuring it out together, just made me feel worse."

"Sorry. I didn't think, never do really. But I don't get you. Yeah, Marcy might be smarter, but that doesn't take away what you've done, and it doesn't mean you're not smart. You've come up with multiple plans against killer plants, bugs, or even frogs. You come up with a plan to fight and to get out alive, half the time none of us even realize, like at the inn with the cannibals."

"Or with those toads, you were smart enough to realize what they were doing, the moth man, and at that little town, you came up with the ideas with those pebbles to shoot them down."

As Leo continued to list off reason after reason, Anne continued to realize why she'd more than likely developed feelings for him. Even if it was without realizing it, he was cheering her up in the best way he could.

"Thanks, Leo," Anne said under her breath, unfortunately, it was a little too loud. Chewing on the rest of the food to hide her blushing face.

Soon enough, Marcy and Sprig caught up to the two of them, "There you two are, we've been looking for you."

Marcy approached much more sheepishly, "Anne, about what Sprig said. Is it true?"

"Not all the time, just back home, and today there were times when I was made painfully aware of how much smarter you're compared to me. And sometimes I get a little jealous.."

"That's crazy!" Marcy shouted, "All I've seen from you back home and in Amphibia is how you can connect with people, heck you've got yourself an entire found family. And Leo, who ran off after you to make sure you were ok. I'm happy if I can keep direct eye contact with someone for longer than five seconds."

Anne suddenly felt a little guilty, 'That's probably why she's been happy getting along with Leo..'

Picking up the last of the nachos, Anne was about to swipe away at the green vegetable stuck to the front of the chip. Until she glanced back to the open puzzlegram in Marcy's hand, "Wait a minute, this is the symbol! Leo! Help me finish these nachos!"

Leo poorly listened to her orders, he was never much of a fast eater, and he preferred to savor his food. Eventually, (with some help from Sprig) the box was left empty, a final message left at the bottom, The Plantars.

"So, the full message reads out. Bring me the Plantars! We've been summoned! And you solved the puzzlegram Anne!"

"See, even if wasn't on purpose you figured it out in your own way," Leo praised, boosting Anne's self-esteem even more than it already had been.

"Yes! That's definitely a bump to my ego. And we get to meet the ruler of this world. Let's go!" Anne marched onwards towards the castle, "Anne, that's the wrong way," Marcy commented, getting her to swerve around quickly.

"Right, onwards!"

The group walked up to the towering castle overhead, awaiting their meeting with the King of Amphibia.

...

A much more laid-back chapter this time, it's different from the actual episode, but that's mainly because I wanted a Leo and Anne moment, even if it wasn't that long.

The next chapter will actually be another Sprig and Leo focused one, covering the Plantars Check-In but with my own touches to switch it up, until then though, see yah!