Snail Theft Auto – The Ballad of Reckless Anne
"Welcome to a strange and dangerous new world. A world beyond the mere limits of knowledge, one filled with horrors and terrors…of the flesh!"
"Jacob!" Sasha called him out from the chair she was forcefully sitting, "Stop talking about my face like that!"
"I remind you this giant magnifying glass is to show us the effect of my magic ointment," Marcy said, her hands keeping on blending the mixture, "not to give you a show."
"But look how gross it is!" The boy turned around, pointing at the image of the glass with a disgusted look, "It resembles an alien primordial planet, and not in a good way!"
"That's still not a good reason for you to be here!" Anne said, walking at that moment, "Marcy is trying to help Sasha, and your comments are not helping! Plus, seriously guys, it's not a show!"
"It's so disgusting that it intrigues me," Sprig said, his eyes unmoving from the image on the glass.
"Humans are gross…" Polly nodded, on Amelia's hands. Luckily, the young samurai-wannabe was too focused on the images to care or react.
"This scene makes me want to puke, and yet I cannot look away!"
"Would you guys knock it off?" Marcy glared at them, "When you magnify something a few thousand times, of course it ends up looking hideous and disgusting." Then, noticing the look Sasha was giving her, she added: "Hideously and disgustingly beautiful, that is."
"Oh, yeah?" Jacob smirked, "Tell that to "Pimplezilla" over there." he pointed back at the image. Sure enough, an even larger pimple, even bigger and uglier than any other pimple before, was swelling at an alarming rate.
"Agh!" Sasha yelled, seeing the image magnified on the glass and feeling the pimple grow on her face, "Marcy! You told me you could take care of it!"
"I will, Sash, I will! I'm working as fast as I can!"
"It's going to blow!" James yelled, diving behind the couch, "Take cover!"
"Incoming!" Jacob quickly imitated him, pressing his Viking hat over his head.
"Prepare for the blast!"
"I don't know what's happening, but this looks scary!"
"Get rid of it, Marcy! Get rid of it now!"
"The ointment is ready, Sash!" the Taiwanese-American girl replied, taking a drop of her finished work and applying it all over Sasha's cheek. In a few seconds, the pimple stop growing, and reversed, quickly shrinking and turning back into common, healthy human skin. Around it, all the other pimples quickly shrank and disappeared.
"Ta-dah! Done!" Marcy announced as Sasha gleamed, seeing all her pimples disappear in a few seconds, "The Magical Skin Ointment is ready and tested!"
"Mar-mar, that's amazing!" Looking at the results, Anne said, "When did Maddie teach you such a formula?"
"Well…this is not one of Maddie's spells," Marcy confessed, looking embarrassed, "Actually, this is an original spell. I made it."
"You made it?" both Sasha and Anne exclaimed, genuinely surprised.
"Maddie said I'm skilled enough now for small, but more elaborate spells, and she asked me to develop one spell for mundane utility as a test for this week. I thought that a magical ointment to remove all skin imperfections was something I could do."
"Mar-Mar, this is sincerely the best thing you could ever do to ease our stay here!" Sasha smiled, checking her own face, "A magical all-serving ointment to remove all skin imperfection with just a small application? It would make a mint if something like this was selling on Earth."
"But on Earth, there is no magic, so the whole process to create it would be impossible."
"I think it's still worth trying, Mar-Mar! And – ugh–can you guys please come out? It's all clear!" the Thai-American girl spoke, upset by their friends' attitude on Sasha's behalf.
Jacob, James, and Amelia, together with Sprig and Polly, jerked up from behind the couch.
"Man, I am so not looking forward to my thirteen birthday."
"Well, be prepared, Amelia." Jacob glanced at her with a pitying look, "Every teenager goes through the gigantic, terrific, ugly zit phase. It's Mother Nature's way to tell you "Growing up sucks."
"But now, we have a weapon against it!" Marcy smiled triumphantly, raising the leftover ointment all over her head, "No matter what Amphibia can throw at us, for we have Marcy's magic ointment now to fight any kind of enemy to our faces and skins."
"Kids" a voice called down, as Hop Pop walked from the stairs, "Are you – what was happening here?"
"Huh, nothing."
"Huh-uh."
"What even there is to say?"
"Kids?" Hop Pop looked at them, waiting for their confession.
"Ok, fine!" Jacob admitted, "Sasha promised Felicia she would take care of Ivy for today, but then she woke up this morning she found out she had some…imperfections on her face. Marcy was helping her remove them, with the help of some magical spell ointment she made."
"And in the meantime, she gave us an almost-splatter show."
"Amelia!"
"What? It's the truth."
"You stinky little-"
"Sasha, please. I'll deal with my cousin. Shouldn't you be preparing yourself in order to go to Felicia's teashop by now?"
"That was why I was calling you!" Hop Pop grunted, "It's time to go."
Sasha glared at Amelia, who replied by sticking her tongue and giving her a silent raspberry, before Anne and Marcy came to her side.
"Come on, Sash. It's not worth your time."
Sash looked at Amelia for another second, before turning her back on her. "You're right Boonchuy. She's not worth my time.
"What are you going to do today, girls? I still cannot believe Sasha actually accepted to play babysitter."
"I'm not playing babysitter, Jacob!" the blonde girl replied, "Ivy is my friend, and Felicia trusts me. She just asked me to spend some time with Ivy while she was away for commissions, that's all."
Plus, she promised me she would teach me some very kick-ass martial moves if I manage to keep Ivy in check.
"Sprig and I have the rest of the day free, so… I guess we still have to decide? What about you, James?"
"I'm going to have a walk back in Wartwood, and look out if Swindtog has some nice new book. Something that actually looks interesting to read… and that he didn't steal."
"Good luck with that, bro!" Jacob laughed, "By the way, I plan to go back to Loggle and ask him if he could work on a project of mine."
"You're still thinking about asking him to make yourself a skateboard?"
"I am a natural-born rebel. Of course, I never forget my dreams. And you, Marbles?"
"I'm planning to do some exploring in the forest, and check for more fauna and flora to add to my journal."
"Aren't you planning to go to Maddie's home today?"
"The bakery is closed, so her father told me to take a day off. Moreover, Maddie told me that she plans to spend the day with her sister."
"Maddie spending the day with her sisters?" Sprig gasped, unbelieving his own ears, "I never thought she would spend a whole day with them willingly."
"Neither could she," the girl chuckled, "And yet, I guess the RPG we do in our spare time actually helped to relate. But you know this, right Thung'né Dee Nay?"
Jacob sighed, hearing the name of his Orcish RPG character, "I've joined only because you told me Maddie's sisters kept rolling critical misses."
"They did. And your addition gave them a powerful ally in-game to keep them safe."
"I do what I can to help, but really there is only so much my RPG experience could help with! Seriously, they're just like Amelia: reckless and stupid."
"Hey!"
"About that-" Marcy said, turning toward his cousin, "Amelia, you know that Maddie actually asked me about you?"
"Me? Why, does she plan to use me as a test subject for one of her spells?"
Marcy grimaced, hearing such words come out of Amelia's mouth. Her master had fought so hard against such prejudices, to show the world that wizards and sorcerers were not as evil as everyone believed, but no matter what, no one would accept her for what she was.
Would Amelia refuse the offer? Or was it the chance to show her Maddie was not dangerous?
"No." Marcy replied, a rare glint of irritation shining in her eyes, "However, Maddie heard your passion for martial arts and wanted to ask you if you could…train her sisters."
Amelia's mouth gasped, a shining light of excitation becoming brighter and brighter. Marcy knew it and decided to move her pawns.
"Of course, I know it will not be an easy task: they're quite energetic and aggressive, the complete opposite of her sister," she moved her imaginary horse piece, "Plus, I do not know how expert you actually are," Check, "Thus if you want to refuse-"
"I accept!" Amelia shouted, her eyes full of determination, "I'll turn them into the first students of my dojo! No matter how hard it will be, I'll do it! And there's nothing you can do to make me refuse! Nothing!"
Checkmate, Marcy smiled as the enemy felt for her logic. In truth, she doubted someone like Amelia could be able to control, let alone teach something to Rosemary, Ginger, and Lavender. Yet, Amelia was stubborn, and if this could help her as well as Maddie's sisters…why not?
"Amelia, are you sure?" Jacob asked her, approaching her on the left, "You're not a teacher. Frog, you can't even-"
"This is my battle, Jacob, not yours! I'll do it! And now, if you want to excuse me…"
She left in a hurry, Sasha and Jacob checking she was out of range before high-fiving.
"Done!"
"At least for a couple of days, she'll not be able to bother any of us!"
"Jacob, you seriously doped your cousin? And by using Marcy, to boot?"
"James, bro. I do love Amelia, but she's too exuberant and unable to think forward, as our adventure with the giant skunk showed-"
"Please, Jacob!" the English boy protested, "I still remember that monster's smell."
"Anyway, I haven't doped her. I simply asked Marcy to convince her to do something more useful on her time; plus, since she will be in charge of Maddie's sister, that means that she'll be with people of her same mental age."
"They're polliwogs."
"Exactly."
"And while she will try to live on her unrealistic fantasies of teaching them how to do martial arts, we will get some quality time!" Sasha concluded, hugging Marcy, "Well done, Mar-Mar!"
"Actually, I was simply thinking that this could be a good occasion for Amelia to grow up and-"
"Kids!" Hop Pop intervened again, "It's time to go! And, Marcy?"
"Yes, Mr. Plantar?"
"I think it's a good time for me to keep that promise."
Marcy's eyes widened, enthusiasm and fervor once again filling in her pupils and making the Taiwanese-American girl look even more cute and adorable than usual.
"Really? Can I? Can I? Can I?"
"Sure thing, Marbles" Hop Pop smiled at her.
"Huh, what are you talking about?"
"This is so awesome!" Marcy said, holding the reins that allowed her to drive Bessie, while Hop Pop relaxed, leaning on the back, enjoying the ride together with Sprig, Polly, and Anne. They left Sasha at Felicia's teashop and Jacob nearby Loggle's, while James and Amelia decided to go by walking, thus now Bessie's large shell looked more spacious and comfortable than before.
"You are surely getting good at this, don't you?" Hop Pop smiled at Marcy, "Even Bessie is not protesting."
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Plantar, but it's Bessie whom you should compliment: she's doing all the work herself."
"Anyway, Mar-Mar, you're quite good" Anne commented, "I have to admit, when HP said you could drive Bessie I was a little worried-"
"Anna-Banana, why you should get worried?"
"Well, you remember the time Sasha brought us to the go-karts?"
"…I was never there, no one saw me, and I don't know what you're talking about."
Anne chuckled, deciding not to stress the matter, and looked around, enjoying the trip. As Bessie moved forward, they passed between some road signs, some promoting local Wartwood activities or business, but most of them were political signs inviting frogs to re-elect Toadstool…with dubious means.
"Ah, a leisurely outing with Bessie." Mused Hop Pop, feeling the warm kiss of the sun and the gentle breath of the wind, "Any time we have a day as beautiful as this, I feel like we could go anywhere. Do anything!"
"Ooh, ooh!" Sprig raised his hand, "Can we get Swamp Slushies? They have new flavors!"
"Absolutely no," respond Hop-Pop with the same candor.
"Why? With all the money we made from the pizza and the other recipes Marcy gave to Maddie's dad, plus Sasha's paycheck, we can afford some small luxury."
"Anne, Anne, Anne" Hop Pop looked at her with an amiable, but still paternal look, "We had lunch less than an hour ago. And Sprig shouldn't ruin his appetite for dinner."
"No fair."
"Then, how about going off-road?" Polly intervened, pulling Hop Pop's eyelids, "Do some crazy stunts?"
"Double no."
"Then, can I try to drive too? Please, please, please?"
"Sure thing, Anne."
"Aw, come on! You are giving Marcy the chance to drive and you – Wait, I can? Really?"
"Absolutely." the old Frog smirked, "I've been trying to teach this guy for years."
"It's true."
"Plus, Marcy herself is going quite well. Focus on the reins, kiddo!"
"Sure, Mr. Plantar."
"All right! Mar-Mar, pass me those reins!"
"Not yet, Anna-Banana. Can you at least wait until we return to the farm? I want to finish this ride to be sure I learned it well."
"I think it's for the best. Plus, Anne still has to read the book."
"Wait, what?"
"So, your mom left already, huh?"
"She does it every once in a while," Ivy admitted, pouting, "At least, I can stay home with you today."
"Why? Does Felicia usually leaves you in a daycare?" Sasha chuckled, joking at the idea.
"Oh, yeah," Ivy said, not a trace of silliness in her voice, "There is a place run by two toads, called Briar and Iris Bogwater. Whenever mom had to go-"
"Wait, for real?" Sasha looked at Ivy with a worried, disbelieving look. The fact that Ivy actually had to spend time in daycare under the supervision of a stranger made Sasha feel uneasy, as her brain remembered some previous episodes of her youth.
Having to deal with the worst kind of babysitter. An uncaring, grumpy, and despotic teenager.
"Sasha? Are you feeling well?"
"Huh, yeah?" she lied, "Why do you ask, Ivy?"
"Your face went pale for a few seconds."
"It's nothing! Just some…unpleasant memories from back home. Anyway, is there something you wish to do today? Your mom told me I have to watch over you, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun together."
"Well, usually I like to go around hunting for bugs-"
"Something else, Ivy?" Sasha replied, smiling tightly. Even if Ivy and she were friends now, she didn't like the idea of spending all the time in muck and mud, hunting "supposed" rare bugs for the little frog's collection.
"Well, we could go for a walk in town, or go playing on the ruins of the former school, or-"
"Is that the most excitement here in Wartwood?" Sasha blinked, feeling her socialite spotlight–magnet side grow bored.
"Almost. How you and your friends used to have fun?"
"Well, we usually hang out together at the mall, going to our favorite malt shop, dancing at the disco- I guess none of my words makes sense to you, huh?"
"Yes, and yet I cannot help but feel sorry for you. Your life in your world must have been…amazing with so many fun options."
Sasha grimaced, while Ivy's innocent sentence slashed through her, as when Marcy reminded her to be "the middle child" of the trio. Sure, her life surely looked amazing to the young frog who never saw anything outside Wartwood …but would she still have thought that, if Sasha told her about her family issues?
No, I can't tell her. She must never know.
"Hey!" Ivy smiled, looking at Sasha, "Want to go and check Liptea?"
"Liptea?"
"That's the name of Mom's sports snail. She thinks I do not know of her yet, but I found out a year ago. I usually go to check on her, when I'm sure mom cannot bust me."
"Your mom has a sports snail? Why she didn't tell you before?"
"I don't know much, only that apparently she's keeping it a secret from anyone else as well."
Sasha scoffed, as she guessed the tea-obsessed didn't want her daughter to find out about her shiny "toy". Then, a reckless idea bumped into her mind, making her smirk.
"Let's go and see her."
(Back at the Plantar's farm:)
"I don't understand!" Anne protested, looking at Hop Pop, "You told me I could drive, and I agreed to wait in order to allow Marcy to finish her training. Why now I can't, all of sudden?"
"It's not all of sudden, Anna-Banana. You see, before Mr. Pop said I could practice driving Bessie, I had to learn the theory."
"And this is the theory?" she asked, pointing at the larger-than-dictionary book Hop Pop had found somewhere.
"Yup," Hop Pop proudly said, "This is all of Bessie's history. I wrote it myself, and before even touching her reins, you have to know her. Feel her heartbeat next to yours, and become one!"
"Hop Pop, she's just a vehicle. My parents have a family car, back home, and so did Sasha's and Marcy's. There is no reason for -" Anne stopped as Hop Pop pushed the book into her hands.
"Just a vehicle? Bessie's not just a vehicle! She is a member of our family, and she has been since I was a young frog rich of dreams! You can't drive her unless you read this cover to cover. And that's final!"
Anne took a step back, hearing the old frog's words. It was in moments like this, that he sounded awfully similar to Sasha.
Then, another question popped up.
"Marcy had to read this too?"
"Yes," her friend replied, a natural kind smile on her face, "Mr. Plantar gave me to read yesterday after I asked him if I could drive Bessie too."
"Everyone who wants to drive ol' Bessie has to read it. That said, you should start to check it as soon as you want, Anne: the earlier you read it, the earlier you can practice. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think Polly's due for a wash."
"What?" the mud-covered pollywog protested, "No, no. Wait. No! I will just get dirty again. You cannot stop me! You can't tell me what I have to do, Sasha taught me this!"
Anne, Sprig, and Marcy looked as Hop Pop simply grabbed Polly and walked inside before their focus turned back to the large book.
"Ugh. I'll be old as him before I finish reading this thing."
"That's not true!" Marcy intervened, "I finished it in one night."
"Huh, Marbles? We are talking about you. The only student in the whole school who managed to read the whole of Les Misérables in a day, in order to write a report for a test."
"And look how it went! I got A plus!"
"Mar-Mar, you always get an A plus in every subject except gymnastics. And all the rest of us made reports on books way shorter than that. Or this!" She raised the large book about Bessie.
"My point," the girl continued, "is that not everyone can read books as fast as you!"
"Trust me, Anna-Banana. You have to read it. Sure, it may look big and long now, but once you start, you will find out that you can't stop reading. Moreover, it completely changes how to see old Bessie here."
Bessie squeaked, almost as if she was nodding with Marcy.
"Are there pictures?"
"Better! There are diagrams."
"Noooo!" Anne screamed upward, as she realized her task was even more harsh and difficult than she imagined it to be.
"Don't be so dramatic! You just need to start reading the first few lines, and the book will flow naturally. I can help you later when I return."
"Can't you help me now?"
"Sorry, Anna-Banana, but I really cannot stay. But I promise that, when I return, I'd love to discuss it with you about it."
Anne quickly hid her real expression: she knew that when Marcy talked about "discussing a book together", she would in fact interrogate her.
"Anyway, gotta go now. Don't worry Anne, the words will just flow in you!" Marcy smiled, before turning and walking toward the forest, her journal and a pen in her hands, "Amphibia Fauna and Flora, here I come!"
Anne stood silently, looking in Marcy's direction until she disappeared from her sight, pouting silently at the large book she was holding.
"I really have to read all of this?"
"Yup" Sprig replied without looking, focusing on a small fly on his finger, "He tried to make me read it too when he wanted to teach me how to drive. Never managed to finish it."
"And how far did you get?"
"Page five. Too much description, and not enough plot."
Anne grimaced, as natural feelings of rebellion and frustration poured through her body. Why she had to read this huge, useless book out of HP's stupid fears and paranoia? Marcy said it would be easy, and Marcy was her friend. Even so, she wasn't going to trust her when she said this book would just "flow" into her.
"This is ridiculous. I don't need history!" she moved to Bessie's side and placed the book in the bag on her side, before jumping onto her, "I need practice, experience. I need to drive just a little bit, to understand how to do it! Hey!" she gleamed, as an idea hatched into her mind.
"Anne?"
"Sprig, what do you say we take a harmless test drive? Drive ol'Bessie around, for a bit? Just to prove to Hop Pop that we are fast learners?"
Sprig looked aside, a worried expression on his face. Somehow, he felt a sensation of déjà vu.
"I'm not sure, Anne. Do you get the feeling this is one of those decisions we will look back on and say, "Ooh-boy, we probably shouldn't have done that?"
" ~ We'll get Swamp Slushies while we're out ~ " The girl sang, teasing him.
"No regrets! Lead on, Anne!"
"That's what I wanted to hear. Hyah!" Anne then cracked the reins, making Bessie move forward and out of her paddock.
"Loggle," Jacob said, looking at the axolotl with an annoyed look, "Stop dancing around my question and just answer. Can you do this for me, or not?"
"Of course, I can…not. I cannot."
Geez, even now I know he is not doing this on purpose, this talking defect of his is so annoying. Maybe, I should still ask Marcy if she still wants to try and work on it?
"Ok, and why you can't do this? I am not asking you to build a bridge or chariot. This is just a skate!"
"First, I have…never seen something like this. I can understand how it should work…a little from your description. However…there are some parts that are not clear."
"And the second reason?"
"In order to make this thing for you…I'd need a strong wood that cannot break easily, and yet, is flexible enough for you to use it in Wartwood. From what I was able to deduce, there is one wood type that would be the most adaptable for your use: the Toad Nut Tree wood."
"And the problem is?"
Loggle didn't say anything else, but he raised his hand and pointed to a corner of his shop. There, Jacob saw an empty space, with no wood furniture or items.
"I'm out of that wood," Loggle continued, "I used last stocks half a month ago, and I didn't get new ones yet. You'll have to wait."
"How usually do you receive new stocks of wood for your work?"
"I do receive one every…three months."
"Three months? I can't stay skate-less for so long!" Jacob protested, "Come on, Loggle, we brought you that very rare and expensive wood. Are you telling me you can't simply go into the forest and get some wood for your own use?"
"Actually I can…I can do it, but I won't. The forest around Wartwood is dangerous, filled with large ferocious bugs, and to find such wood would require facing untold dangers."
"But, you get supplies regularly. How is that possible?"
"Adventurers," Loggle replied melancholically, "They usually bring back rare resources and sell them for a good price. Unfortunately, there aren't currently in Wartwood, and-"
"Then, how about we make a deal?" Jacob said, his eyes filling with gleam.
"What you-"
"I'll go looking for the wood you need." The human boy said, "Just tell me what it looks like and where I can find it… and I'll bring it back to you. The first shipment is free, as long as you use it to make this beauty!"
Loggle smirked.
"Oh, it's lovely! Ivy, why you didn't tell me she was such a cutie?"
Ivy and Sasha were now in Felicia's hidden stable, far away enough from the teashop to not be considered part of it. It was a small, round building made of stone, with a roof of wood, and a small window on the side. While the door of it was locked, Ivy already knew how to enter, taking a hidden key out of her turquoise hat and removing the latch on the door.
Once inside, Sasha saw that Lipteawas a young snail, white with a honey-yellow shell, slightly smaller than Bessie, her shell more elongated and tapered. While she looked scared when she saw Sasha for the first time, Ivy's help and support allowed the human girl to approach the snail and gently emphasize with her, squeaking adorably.
"I wanted to make a surprise. Tough, I am amazed she is this cheerful. I guess she really likes you."
She…likes… me? Sasha thought as the realization ran through her brain. She never had a pet before, and yet, just watching Liptea munch leaves and small mushrooms from her hands made her wish for one.
"Does your mom let her out sometimes?"
"I … guess so?" Ivy replied, unsure, "I mean, obliviously she has to bring her outside sometimes, but I never got the chance to see for myself. I guess that's another thing I'm not allowed to do."
"You mean you never tried to ride her? Even for a small ride?"
"I wish! But if Mom ever finds out about it, I'd be grounded for the rest of my life!"
Sasha grimaced, looking at Ivy's face twisting into an unfamiliar expression of fear. Felicia was a strict employer (as she herself learned) and as a mother, she could only guess what Ivy had to experience everyday living with her. Even knowing that all her daily toils were in fact hidden martial training did not make Sasha feel better. She had promised not to reveal anything to Ivy until Felicia herself allowed it, but…what could she do to make her feel better?
Suddenly, Sasha had an idea: it was risky, but if they could pull it off, they would have an even funnier day, Ivy would have the time of her life, Liptea would get a priceless occasion to see the world outside her stable, and Felicia would have never found out.
"Ivy?"
"What is it, Sash?"
"You know there's a saying in our world? There is always a first time for everything."
"And how that relates to us?"
Sasha smirked, "How about taking little Liptea out for a ride?"
Ivy's eyes widened, "Sash! I cannot do that! If mom finds out -"
"She won't! We are just going to take a small ride outside; we will stay far from Wartwood to reduce the risk of someone seeing us, and we are going to return before your mom comes back. I'll even help you with placing Liptea back on her stable and erase any trace we ever brought her outside."
"Well, that's good. Yet-"
"Ivy," Sasha looked at her, a characteristic smirk on her lips, "Didn't you say you wanted to become an adventurer someday? Walk on the world and live a life of adventures?"
"I do."
"Then, why are you scared of taking a small adventure now? I told you: we'll stay away from Wartwood proper, as to reduce the risk of anyone seeing us."
"But-but I never learned how to drive a snail yet!"
"Don't worry about that. I'll drive!" Sasha chuckled, seizing the opportunity.
"You?"
"Come on, Ivy. How much difficult it can be?" Sasha patted Liptea as she moved on her shell, "Now, let's open the door of this stable, and seize our chance!"
Ivy didn't say anything more, but she moved to the door, opened it wide so Liptea could move outside, and jumped on her back alongside Sasha, the human girl cracking the reins and making Liptea rush outside at good speed.
And now, Sasha thought with a smirk, let's have some fun with this place.
On a lonely, empty road around Wartwood, surrounded by other signs calling for voting Toadstool or visiting peculiar places all over, old frog Sadie Croaker was strolling on her ladybug when she heard something loud and rumbling moving on the road.
"Huh? What in tarnation-"
Sprig and Anne, riding Bessie, overtook her on the right, yelling in happiness, causing her ladybug to spin out of control for some seconds.
"Hey!"
"Out of the way, slowpoke!" Sprig taunted her.
"Hooligans! Ruffians! Swamp suckers-"
Another snail, just as fast as the previous one, surpassed on the left, making the ladybug spin around once more, this time out of the road completely.
"Stay at home, Grandma!" Sasha mocked while Ivy blew a raspberry.
"Twerps! When I get my hands on you…"
(…)
"Whoa! Sprig, what were you doing?
"I've always wanted to try road rage."
"And the verdict?"
"Exhilarating."
"You're not a real expert on road rage, don't you?" a female voice called to their left.
"Sasha!" Anne exclaimed, recognizing her friend, "What are you doing here? And where did you find that snail?"
"Surprised, huh?" The blonde girl smirked, feeling like the kid with the coolest toy in the shop, "She's Liptea, Felicia keeps her in a stable far away from her shop. Isn't she cute?"
"No way!" Sprig said as he kept looking at Liptea and Ivy, "Your mom keeps a sports snail?"
"That's something I'm not supposed to know," his contemporary replied, "Sprig, can you keep this a secret?"
"Of course, Ivy! Isn't it amazing? We are rampaging on the road together!"
"Well, I have to admit: this is fun!" the yellow frog exclaimed, letting out an enthusiastic shout, "Woo-hoo!"
"Hey, Boonchuy," Sasha looked at her, "Where you and Sprig were going?"
"Right now, we were going to get a couple of Swamp Slushies. Want to get one for Ivy and yourself too, Sash?"
"Of course I want to, Anne! Move, you plebs: make way for Wartwood's Road Queens!"
The two girls high-fived each other, as the snails kept on running forward, toward freedom and adventure. Or toward the Swamp Slushies shop, to be more realistic.
(Four Swamp Slushies and several road rages after:)
"Anne, you were right. We didn't need to read some silly book. You drive just fine!"
"Just fine? Pshh. Boy, I'm a natural!"
"And I am one too, Boonchuy! Hey, how about we make a little dare among us?"
"A dare?" Anne asked, looking at Sasha with suspicion. Sasha's dare challenges were never easy to do.
"More like a race, between our snails. The loser has to pay the winner."
Anne pondered about it, "How about ten coppers on ten laps into the forest?"
"Agreed! Be prepared to pay!" Sasha smirked, cracking the reins and inciting Liptea into moving faster, prompting Anne to do the same with Bessie. The two snails, thus, raced in a crazy race among trees and brushes, as the two girls attempted to surpass each other.
"Come on, Bessie, come on! Let Sasha eat our dust!"
"Faster, faster Liptea! Let's show Boonchuy who is the leader here!"
Of course, since both the drivers were focused on each other in their attempt to distance each other, none of them paid too much attention to the road. Meanwhile, Sprig and Ivy were too busy holding to the snail's shells to notice that Sasha and Anne were now leaving the road and delving into the deepest areas of the forest.
"Anne, you can't win! Just give in to the real Road Queen!"
"Sorry, Sash, but there is only one Road Queen in Wartwood… and that's going to be me!"
Bessie and Liptea then continued to rush forward, until they landed in a small opening among the trees, surrounded by small spiky bushes of green-yellow color, and there, they stopped.
"Now I recognize you, Anne! That was the most epic thing we did since we ended here!"
"I know! To think that Hop Pop wanted to stop me until I read that stupid book. Sprig, Ivy, you all ok?"
"That. Was. Awesome!" Ivy cried, jumping upward, "Sasha, can we do it again?"
"Sure thing, little one! Sprig, everything ok?"
"I'm fine," the frog boy replied, cleaning himself of various leaves, "Now, can we go back to good old reliable on-roading, please?"
"No problem. How about that, Sash? I'm even upping the stakes to twenty coppers!"
"Let's make twenty-five, and if you cannot pay, you must lend me your powder for a month!"
"One week!"
"Two weeks!"
"Fine!" Anne grumbled but in a happy tune, "All right, Bessie. Let's move!"
However, Anne quickly noticed that Bessie was no more moving.
"One more time. Let's move. Uh, Bessie?"
"Hey, what's happening?" Sasha protested, noticing something odd.
Bessie and Liptea were now holed up in their respective shells, just the eyes emerging, looking around with a nervous, somewhat scared look. Since both snails were now unmoving, Sasha, Anne, Ivy, and Sprig jumped down to check what the issue was.
"Liptea, what's going on?"
"You all right, girl?"
"Hey, what's going on here? Does it need fuel in the tank or something? Is the oil low? Come get the tasty fuel, Bessie."
"Ew, Anne. These leaves are tastier. Here, Bessie. I got dem good leaves, girl."
"Come on, come on, you lazy slug. Just get out of that shell!" Sasha knocked on Liptea shell.
"Liptea, what's gotten into you? We can't stop here: if mom returns and finds you're not in your stable, I'm in big trouble!"
Yet, no matter what the four of them tried to do or say, neither Bessie nor Liptea got out, hiding in their shells with scared expressions.
"Oh, for frog's sake!" Sasha yelled, her frustration quickly evolving to rage, "You can't leave us stuck in this stupid forest!"
"This is bad! If I can't get Liptea back by the time mom returns-"
"Hey, maybe we can push? Give them a jump-start? I'm sure that's a thing."
"I'm not very convinced about it, Boonchuy. Still…"
Sasha and Ivy tried to push Liptea's shell, while Anne and Sprig did the same with Bessie. Still, none of the snails moved by an inch.
"Okay, they are too heavy."
"How about we try to kick-start just one?" Sasha suggested, "Liptea is smaller, maybe the four of us are more than enough for her."
"That's a good idea!" Sprig jumped to her, "Hop Pop told me snails tend to have cooperative behavior with each other. Thus, if one of them gets moving, the other should follow her."
"Ok, guys. On the count of three. One, two-"
Sasha and Anne pushed again, and so did Ivy and Sprig, trying to push Liptea forward and make her come out of her shell. Still, the shell moved only by a few centimeters, while Anne and Sasha strained themselves.
"It's no use! Even if smaller, she's too heavy for all of us! Plus, we are crazy out of shape."
"Speak for yourself, Boonchuy! It's not my fault these two lazy snails are too heavy for us to push!"
"What are we going to do now?!" Ivy cried, her face full of fear and remorse, "When mom finds out what I did-"
"Don't worry, Ivy!" Sprig tried to comfort and reassure her. "Sure, both snails are stuck, and we cannot figure out how to make them move again, but I'm sure we can come up with a solution!"
"Then, I guess we have no choice," Anne said, "Sasha and I will stay here and watch over the snails, while you two hitch a ride back to the farm and…" she let out a groan, anticipating a scolding lecture "… go get Hop Pop."
"What?"
"Good idea! It's the right thing to do, even if we get an earful. Ivy, you're coming?"
"Right behind you, Sprig! Sash, can you-?"
"I'll keep watch over Liptea until you return, sure." The blonde girl snickered, clearly uncomfortable. "Don't worry about her."
"Ok, be careful!"
"Back in a flash, girls!"
Sasha and Anne looked as Ivy and Sprig used their long tongues to grab on the branches, jumping from tree to tree. Only when the duo disappeared from their sight, Sasha spoke again.
"Now you've done it, Boonchuy."
"Hey, we have to get them moving. Plus, Hop Pop will probably not say a word to Felicia: as long as Liptea gets back to her stable, Ivy-"
"I'm not talking about Ivy, I'm talking about us! Now that old frog will never allow us to drive ever again!"
"Hey, you have a better option?"
Sasha tried to reply, only to stop abruptly. She realized that Anne had a point: they hadn't any better options.
"At least Marcy will still have the permission. Any chance we can ask her to be our designated driver?"
"Forget about it."
"Do you know what's the worst thing is, Sash? He was right, after all: we did mess up. Even if we couldn't read his stupid book…wait, the book!"
Anne moved to Bessie's side bag and quickly grabbed the large book that Hop Pop had instructed her to read before.
"Anne, what is that?"
"Bessie's History book," she replied, "HP told me to read it before ever doing any attempt of driving her."
"This big, old, stuffy book?"
"Yeah. Anyway, could be something that can help us. Let's see - It was an especially cold morning the day Bessie was brought into this world. The leaves had just changed color, and now I shall describe those leaves to you in great detail. Some leaves were green with flecks of yellow in them, like a wart-ermelon that was getting good and ripe. Others were red as the first caterpillar- Nope! Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope!"
"Old stupid boring frog! This isn't helpful at all. This is useless and boring!"
"That's for sure!" Anne said, before giving the book another glance, "Maybe, let's skip some pages?"
"It's a dangerous forest, filled with large ferocious bugs… silly, crazy Loggle. I've already got the wood he requested, and I'm not in any life-threatening situation yet."
In a nearby area of the great forest, a human boy in a hiking outfit, a large backpack, and a sturdy quarterstaff on him, was walking among the trees and bushes, wary (but not scared) of the surrounding nature. In the previously empty backpack, the kid had not only stored a large chunk of the wood Loggle described to him, but also a couple of strange, unknown fruits, some kind of bright mineral, and other things that could be worth something, maybe.
"I guess I can call it a day!" Jacob smirked, almost congratulating himself, "Now, let's go back to Wartwood. Let's see…"
He looked around, trying to remember the path he had taken. However, he realized that no matter the direction he looked, the forest looked all the same.
I turned left before, so if I turn right now - wait, wasn't there a large rock when I turned? And was it left or right?
The boy realized then he had lost his sense of direction and was now lost.
Oh come on, there must be some way to find the way back home. Wait, I got it! Loggle's notes!
His hands moved to his waist, grabbing the papers Loggle gave to him, his eyes immediately studying them. Only to find out there was nothing that could help him.
Damn you, Loggle!, the boy groaned with irritation, You can describe perfectly the wood I need to gather, how I need to gather it, where I can find the tree that produces it… and yet you cannot spare a mention of how to return after I got it?"
A part of him knew it wasn't Loggle fault. Jason had never ventured so far from Wartwood alone, before, and with no GPS or Wi-Fi available anywhere, he couldn't simply use his phone to find the road back. And he was so focused on his mission, that he didn't think about how to get back until it was too late.
Come on, Jacob, relax. Surely, you'll find someone who'll help you-
"Ah!" A female voice, indubitably human, called ahead. Driven by his instinct, Jacob jerked up and started to run in the direction of the sound.
After a couple of minutes, he ended up in a small clearing, quietly surrounded by some large mushrooms and with a small flow of water running through it. And with her face down in the water, a dark-haired girl who really, really needed to watch where she walked.
"Marcy!" Jacob said, running to her and helping her back on her feet, "Are you ok?"
"Jacob! Yes, all ok: I was just studying a very interesting bug that was sitting on that branch a minute ago, but when I tried to get closer-"
"Let me guess: you tripped."
"But I managed to save my journal!" She showed it to him, "Look how many notes I got so far."
"You went to the forest to study the animals and drive sketches on your own?"
"Huh, yeah? What's the problem?"
"The problem," the boy gently scolded her, "is that it's simply too dangerous to go alone in the wood. What could have happened if you trigger your peculiar skill of tripping over thin air while being pursued by a giant monster with no one to help?"
Marcy looked aside "Sorry, but Anne had things to do, Sasha was away, and thus-"
"Why you didn't ask me? We could have come together."
"Yeah, I know. It's just that - wait... what were you doing in the forest?"
"Just some starter-level adventuring," Jacob said, taking a second to gaze at the light the word "adventuring" had lightened up in Marcy's eyes, "Loggle said that if I could bring him some peculiar wood, he could work on my skateboard project."
"And you were adventuring? Alone?"
"Huh, yeah?"
As response, the girl simply raised an eyebrow while pointing at herself and Jacob, until the boy realized the irony of his previous statement.
"…touché."
The humans looked at each other. Jacob was still a bit irritated that Marcy had decided to explore the forest on her own without taking account any risk (especially as she looked unprotected as well), and Marcy was somehow offended that Jacob had decided to go adventuring without her. Yet, the fact they were together now quietly helped the conflict among them to dissipate.
"So…what do we do now?"
"Well, I think I gathered enough material for my journal today. I think we should go back home, but I don't recognize the surroundings. Can you tell me in which direction we have to go?"
"Actually, I was planning to ask you this exact same question, Marbles. I have no frog no idea now how to get back to Wartwood."
Silence.
"Oh."
"Eh."
"Sprig, you see something?"
The pink-skinned frog focused, looking forward onto the road. Then, he noticed a slow-moving vehicle coming closer.
"Aha! Ivy, follow me!"
The two frogs jumped among the trees, before landing in the middle of the road as the vehicle approached.
"Over here, over here!"
"We need a ride, please!"
A screeching sound signaled the other driver did hear them and had stopped.
"Oh, thank you so much for stopping. We - oh-oh."
As the dust dissipated, Sprig and Ivy saw that the vehicle was a ladybug, and the driver was ol'Mrs. Croaker. The same person both of them had mocked on their road rage earlier.
"Bless my socks. If it isn't Sprig Plantar. And little Ivy Sundew, too: how's your mom?"
"Huh, she's fine, Mrs. Croaker," Ivy smiled nervously.
"Huh, sorry about earlier. I know that was wrong, but we got a little carried away-"
"Oh, pish-posh. Sadie Croaker never holds a grudge against anyone, lovebirds."
Wait, lovebirds? Ivy thought with irritation, Sprig and I are just friends!
"Well, that's lucky. Can you give us a lift back home? It's quite urgent."
"Oh, absolutely. Jump aboard!"
"Thanks, Mrs. Croaker."
"Same, Mrs. Croaker."
"Oh, my pleasure, kids. Go on and get comfy. Be careful of ol' Archie, though: his venom can cause paralysis. Now hold on to your eyebrows, cause here we go!"
"Whoo!" Sprig yelled before he and Ivy noticed a not-small inconvenience. That is, the ladybug was moving slowly. Very slowly.
"Can't this thing go any faster?!"
"And it was at that moment I realized Bessie was no ordinary snail," Anne read aloud the book, Sasha listening with interest at her side, "but a kind, clear soul who would help others at a drop of a hat. I raised my bid to 400 copper pieces, winning the auction, and in the process, saving Bessie from the nefarious Jim Snapes."
"Yes! In your face, Ugly Snapes." Sasha yelled, raising her fist in admiration, "I can't believe it: the old frog worked his back off doing work for everyone in town to raise enough coppers in time for the audition."
"This…this is actually amazing!" Anne nodded, "I guess HP really wanted to be sure Bessie would have an owner that would treasure her."
"And he did it alone. He could have asked for help from his family and friends, but he didn't. He worked this much, and saved all he could, so he could do it by his own hand."
It was at that moment that Sasha started to feel empathy for Hop Pop. Like him, she never liked to ask someone for help, and always strived to resolve her own issues on her own.
"I feel like we owe HP some apologies," Anne said, taking another leaf and chunking it in her mouth, "Man, I need to stop eating leaves."
"Can you pass me some too?"
"Come on, Marcy, there must be something we can use to orientate ourselves. Idea: moss grows on the north side of a tree, doesn't it? We use that as an indication."
"Sorry, Jacob, but Amphibia moss does not behave like Earth one. I dated this in my journal already: contrary to its Earth counterparts, Amphibia moss does not seem to follow a scheme in its growth, and thus it can grow on any side. I do believe this might be a consequence of climate differences between Earth and Amphibia, as this world is considerably more humid and moist-"
"Mar-mar! This is not the time for a naturalistic dissertation! Are you sure you've got nothing in your journal, that could help us orientate in this place?"
"Huh, sorry Jacob" she smiled awkwardly, "I was planning to add a map of Wartwood and nearby areas, that I could add or remove without issue. Only, I was so taken by the local animal and vegetable species that…I didn't finish it."
"But you started it, didn't you?"
"Of course I did! I made a map of Wartwood already, and the areas around the farm."
"Then, give it to me! If we manage to find a landmark to orientate-"
"Huh, the map is on my bed. Back at the farm."
Jacob looked at her.
"What? I was working on it last night!"
"Come on, come on."
"Is this the fastest this thing can ever go?"
"Do you know what would make this ride go a lot quicker?"
"What? Anything. What?"
"A song!" Mrs. Croaker started to vocalize, " ~ Ninety-nine jugs Of juice on the wall Ninety-nine jugs of juice Take one down, pass it around ~ "
Is too late to choose to be grounded for the rest of my life? Ivy mused with dread on her face.
Please, kill me! Sprig silently prayed, Something kill me now!"
"The snow swirled around us and I knew we were doomed." Anne was still reading Hop Pop's book out loud for her and Sasha's interest, "I could feel the strength leaving my body bit by bit. The sweet embrace of eternity crept closer and closer. Until suddenly I heard a sound pulling me back."
"A sound?" Sasha asked with interest, trying to get hold of the book, "What was it? Anne, don't leave me hanging!"
"Bessie... Bessie was singing!" Anne continued, her eyes leaking out tears. Even Sasha, the power of those words warming up her heart, started to cry.
"You go, girl." Anne sobbed, hugging Bessie's shell, "You noble, noble creature."
"I can't believe I was so blind and heartless before," Sasha sobbed, walking up to Liptea's shell and warmly caressing it "Liptea, I know no word I can say can even make up for all the nasty things I said before, but…I really hope you'll grow up like Bessie, someday. Now, I understand why HP was so protective of her. She – she is a rare soul."
"Wow, this is messing us up. Let's continue then! Where was I?"
Anne grabbed the book once more, and Sasha sat on her side, silently listening to her words. For the first time in many years, Sasha actually felt happy about doing something with Boonchuy, rather than simply dictate her what to do.
"The reason Bessie had hidden in her shell was now very clear to me. A predator was close. And not just any predator. A natural enemy … of all snails."
Alarmed, Sasha jumped to her feet and looked around. It was then that she realized that the surrounding area was unusually silent: that was not a good sign.
"A predator…is close?"
"Keep reading, Boonchuy!" Sasha immediately replied, as she looked around to see for any possible danger, "Does the book tell what kind of predator is?"
"On it!" Anne rushed the pages, looking for info, "Come on, is there anything about this predator? Oh, there we go!" she showed to Sasha the image of a harmless-looking hedgehog, "Aw, it's actually pretty cute-"
The girls almost jumped back out of fear, as a real, living Amphibian hedgehog appeared, snarling toward them. It surely didn't look cute at all: it had glowing orange eyes, its snout was long and its mouth was filled with sharp, predatory teeth. More than a hedgehog, it was more similar to a wolf or hyena.
"Ah!" Both girls screamed, taking a step back out of fear. Around them, they could see various hedgehogs coming out of hiding, some disguised as brushes, others hiding behind fallen logs or trees. How many of them were? Four, five, seven, nine?
Too many, in any case.
The hedgehogs moved around the girls, encircling them like wolves and pushing Sasha and Anne against Bessie's large shells. They were surrounded.
"Get over the way, you ticks-filled critters!"
Anne looked with amazement as Sasha tried to break the encirclement by going into offense, using her martial arts skills and training against the predator hedgehogs. Her techniques looked Tai Chi, but her moves… there was something new, unique about them. When did Sasha learn those moves? She asked herself.
It was only a brief moment, however, as a hedgehog snapped at her, almost biting her hand and stopping her daydreaming.
"Anne!"
"Backup's here!" Anne shouted, jumping to Sasha's side and starting to use her Muay Thai against the hedgehogs. The two girls fought with their backs to each other and took advantage of every chance to hit the hedgehogs on their snouts, their eyes, and even their undefended bellies. For almost a minute, it looked like they would be able to repel the attack on their skills and unarmed hands alone.
Yet, they were two, and the hedgehogs were many. Worse, the predators didn't have any remorse for attacking at the same time. Shortly, the chance the two girls had to win was gone, and the hedgehogs were now going into offense once again, forcing the humans to take refuge aboard the large snail shells, outside the hedgehogs' vicious bites ranges.
"What do we do now? Shoo!" Sasha kicked one of the hedgehogs, holding on to Liptea's shell.
"Let's see. Come on, come on - yes! When Bessie senses danger, you gotta sit on her shell and yell at the top of your lungs, 'Bessie, things are getting messy!"
Hearing that sentence, Bessie pulled out of her shell and quickly rushed forward, immediately followed by Liptea, leaving the hedgehogs behind.
"Yes! Whoo!"
"Boonchuy, that book is amazing!"
"I know Sash. Now - look out!"
Sasha heard barking behind her and turned to see the hedgehogs' pack was now running behind them in pursuit.
"Ah! Faster, Liptea, faster!"
"You too, Bessie! Run as fast as you can!"
"- then how about we lift a bonfire in a prominent position, hoping someone sees it and comes to investigate Marbles? I was taught-"
"There is no guarantee that someone would see it, Jacob. Plus, would you risk starting a fire in the forest?"
"I'm trying to find a solution!" the boy grunted, tired of his ideas being shot down, "Do you expect for a miracle to jump in running and get out of this forest?"
Before Marcy had the chance to reply, the duo heard a sound like crushed wood and turned just as Bessie and Liptea came out of the woods and ran into them, Marcy instinctively clamping into Bessie and Jacob on Liptea.
"Jacob? Marbles?"
"Anna-Banana! Did you read the book yet?"
"Sash! Stop this snail-"
"Look behind, Jacob!"
It was then that the two involuntary hitchhikers noticed the ferocious hedgehogs pack running behind the two snails.
"Sasha," Jacob murmured, his face turning pale, "What are those things?!"
"Hedgehogs!" Marcy said as she looked at them "They are large carnivorous mammals with behavior unique similar to Earth's wolves, and-"
"Marbles! Less Discovery Channel, more solution time!"
"Oh, right. Don't worry, Maddie taught me some spells that I think they'll be useful now."
She moved to her side and grabbed some spell bags in bright yellow color painted on them, throwing them behind the snails at the incoming hedgehogs. As the bags landed on their targets, they blew up covering the hedgehogs with a sticky, gluey, and porous substance of yellow color, restraining their legs and blocking them from running.
"Yes!"
"Mar-Mar, what the frog was that?"
"A trapping spell, Sash. Maddie told me it was quite useful if a predator pursues you: it restraints your pursuer for an hour top, before wearing off and dissolving."
"By then we'll be long gone. Well done, Marbles!"
"I have to admit, girls: that was a close call."
"That's amazing driving, Bessie! You are the queen of the road!"
The snail purred as Anne hugged her, Jacob side looking to Sasha.
"Sash, aren't you going to say anything?"
"Why should I?" the blonde smiled in effect, "Bessie surely deserved praise for today. I guess little Liptea here now has a new role model for herself. Don't you, Lipty-lippy?"
"But, she and Bessie are just-"
"Don't you dare to call themselves "mere vehicles" Jacob!" Sasha looked at him with a furious glare that made the boy hesitate, "Bessie is a member of the family, and she's been longer than we are!"
"Huh, OK, I guess?"
"Anne!" Marcy looked up, her eyes filling with happiness, "You read the book, then?"
"We did, Marbles" Anne replied, exchanging a complicit glance with Sasha "I had some difficulties getting started, but once I was able to get past the opening part…I guess it just flowed into me?"
Marcy hugged Anne, the two girls happily embracing as Sasha laughed amicably. Then, Jacob's voice came to ruin the moment.
"Huh, girls, can we go home now?"
" Take one down Pass it around No more jugs of juice On the wall "
"Ugh!" Sprig groaned, curled on the set with Archie on his head, Ivy blinking as she strived to keep up her mental sanity, "Glad that's finally over."
"One more time!"
"Noo!" Sprig and Ivy recoiled in horror.
"Hey, kids, you need a lift?" A friendly voice called out to them. The duo looked up to see Anne, Jacob, Sasha, and Marcy, riding on Bessie and Liptea, approaching to the left.
"Sasha! And Liptea? You managed to figure out what's wrong?"
"Yep: both snails are good once again!"
"Thank goodness!" Sprig said as he and Ivy jumped back with their friends, "Okay so, bye, Mrs. Croaker. Thank you for your help."
"Bye, kiddo. And Ivy, don't worry about your mom: my lips are sealed."
"Really?! I mean...I have no idea what you're talking about, Mrs. Croaker."
"Hah! Good one kiddo!" exclaimed the old frog, "Just one piece of advice for the future: next time, try to keep that road rage in check!" she laughed, before cracking the reins of her ladybug. Immediately, the insect started to move faster, much faster than Bessie and Liptea were, rushing to the horizon.
The six of them stood silently, their mouths agape, as they realized the old mild frog was not mild at all.
"Pretty sure we just got played, Ivy."
"Big time, Sprig."
"That woman is everything I want to be!"
"Me too, Boonchuy!"
"Amphibian ladybugs can be that fast?"
"I guess you can never judge a book by the cover. By the way, girls, before returning home, can we stop at Loggle's shop for a minute? I have something to give him."
(…)
It was twilight when the group returned to the Plantar's farm. They were all tired and dirty, and yet happy from the crazy adventures they experienced that day.
With one grumpy, disappointed exception.
"Loggle's a swindler!" Jacob as he counted down the meager reward he managed to get in exchange for the spoils he grabbed in the forest, "Ten copper pieces are a waste of my time and skills!"
"Well, he did say that the wood was the most precious thing you brought him. Also, he said he'll be able to work on the skateboard project now."
"Considering how much that wood was worth, Mar-mar, I think that's little consolation. Next time he asks me to go fetch materials in the forest for him, I demand a list of what's worthy and what's not!"
"Guys!" A voice called them from the entrance of the farm. The humans noticed Amelia, sitting at the entrance, looking at her phone with a thoughtful look. "Welcome back."
"Amelia, what are you doing outside?"
"Hop Pop is still trying to wash Polly, and she hasn't surrendered yet, so I decided to vacate the building until it's all over."
"You'll never take me alive!"
"Dang it, Polly. You're getting filth everywhere!"
"I guess the wait it's not over yet."
"And, what were you doing with your phone and a notebook in your hand?" Jacob noticed the times on her knees.
"I was trying to work up a suitable training program for Maddie's sisters. If I need to teach them how to become my disciples, they can't have a half-baked training."
Jacob and Marcy exchanged a glance: later, they would need to check up on what Amelia was writing.
"Well, I guess that's it for today" Jacob yawned, "I'm going to wash and relax before dinner is ready."
"Hey." Sprig walked to the door, looking at the girls, "Are you coming?"
"Not yet. I think I'm going to spend a little more time with ol' Bessie here."
"Boonchuy," Sasha looked at her, "I'm bringing back little Liptea in her staple and returning Ivy to her mom. Can you wait until I return before you proceed with the book?"
"Sure thing, Sash!" Anne laughed, patting the bag on Bessie's side where the book was still laying, "Don't take too much time, however!"
"I'll be back before you'll ever know it. Come on, Liptea: bedtime for you is!"
"Bye, Sprig!" Ivy saluted him as Sasha drove away, "I was quite happy to share this day with you!"
"Me too, Ivy! Well," he looked at Marcy and Anne, "Suit yourself, See ya at dinner!"
Sprig entered, uncaring about the mess that was happening inside, and Marcy turned to Anne, a familiar expression returning to her face.
"So…" Marcy said, teasing her friend, "I guess you did read the book, huh?"
"Of course I did, Marbles. I guess you deserve some apologies from me: I thought it was an old, stuffy book and that I could never go beyond page 5, but as you told me, once I surpassed the beginning it simply flowed into me."
"Aww, it's amazing you think the same too. But, why Sasha- ?"
"She was with me when I read it. And she grew enamored of it, too."
Marcy's eyes widened again, this time in surprise, "Sasha actually liked it? For real? She never likes books when I propose them to her?"
"I guess for once we found a book all three of us can enjoy together. The only reason why I'm not proceeding with it, right now, is that she wants to read it together with us."
Marcy's mouth opened again, as a strange, warm feeling of happiness and acceptance spread from her heart to the rest of her body. When they were on Earth, Anne and Sasha, while they were her friends, never hanged with her about things she liked. They never participated in her RPGs sessions, they never watched anime together, and they didn't discuss their favorite books together. They hang out, true, but most of the time, they did things that Sasha decided, no matter what Anna-Banana or herself wanted.
Yet, since they arrived here, something had happened. They watched War of Warlocks together,they shared happy moments with each other, they helped each other, and now Sasha was willing, even wishing to read a book that she and Anne liked?
Were her hopes becoming true?
Was Amphibia bringing them closer than they had ever been?
What if what she did... was for the best after all?
"Anne," the dark-haired girl said, smiling at her friend, "How about we could do more than…just read it?"
"Huh, girls?" Amelia raised her head, looking at them, "What book are you talking about?"
Anne and Marcy turned to look at her… and grinned.
"- and then Bessie's song, warm as the warmest kiss of summer, brought him back from the cold winter that was going to swallow him alone-"
"Wow," Amelia said, her eyes big in emotion as she listened to the story narrated by Anne, Sasha, and Marcy to her side, while James heeded silently, giving disappointed looks at the books that Swingtog sold him earlier.
"Why can't any book for sale I can find in this place be this good?" the boy lamented, "If I'd ever known Hop Pop had written an epic story by his own hand, I wouldn't have needed to have to deal with that swindler!"
"You think Swindtog is a swindler?" Jacob replied, still grumpy from before, "Come with me the next time I go adventuring in the forest, and we'll talk again."
"Jacob," Marcy looked at him, detaching herself for a very brief moment from the book discussion the girls were having about Bessie's History, "If you want it, I can come with you adventuring next time. I think it would be a good occasion to explore the Amphibian wildlife without risking going alone, and I think I can help you with-"
"Kids!" Hop Pop walked into the basement, "Dinner's ready. W- kids?"
"Hop Pop!" Amelia looked at him with eyes filled with emotions, "I didn't know – I didn't know this side of Bessie and you!"
"What?"
"Huh-uh!" Sasha nodded, "I apologize for my earlier words, I was wrong about Bessie. She is not just a vehicle. She is a noble, beautiful creature whose presence and actions permeated the story of the Plantar family from the very first day she joined it!"
"You – you read the book?"
"We all read the book, Mr. Plantar," Marcy gleamed, her characteristic enthusiasm filling her body once again, "We were just discussing it. Even James joined us!"
"As a lover of all good stories, I am honored to be let in this circle," the English boy smirked.
"Well," Hop Pop straightened his face, looking at Anne and Sasha, "now that you've read it all, I guess you two can proceed with direct experience on the road."
Silence. Anne and Sasha looked at each other, Amelia looked at Sasha, James looked at Anne and Jacob looked at both.
"He said…"
"…experience?"
Then, the two girls started to laugh, first chuckling, before devolving into a full-blown laugh that quickly spread among the humans. Quickly, Hop Pop walked back out of the hatch, and without hesitation, locked it.
"I don't feel safe at all."