In the dark of night, in the city of Los Angeles. The residents of Signal Hill were getting ready for a good night's sleep. The street lamps were dimming, the crickets were chirping, and the moon shone bright in the sky.
In one house, a young girl stood by her windowsill looking up at the night sky. That girl is Alexis Loyalitat. At twelve years old, she developed interests in illustration, poetry, and stargazing. She also was going through a goth phase in her life. She even dyed a patch of her hair with streaks as blue as the sky above them. She also painted her fingernails to a dark greenish blue, and wore dark eyeliner. She wore a dark night shirt, with black shorts and gray socks.
Her bedroom consists of night sky blue walls, a counter table on the side of her bed, dark bed sheets and quilts, and reddish purple carpets. All over her walls were covered with white dots to make them look like stars, a band poster called 'Star Power', a frog constellation, and various sketches she drew from frogs to stars, from keys to runes.
Alexis looks up to the sky with a gloom look on her face. She wasn't looking forward to another day at school again. She looks back at her school uniform, her Saint James Middle School uniform. She was a little disgusted by the fact she had to wear that everyday. But it makes her feel a bit better that her friends had to wear the same uniforms as well. And they would get the chance to complain about them.
"Alexis, bedtime," said a voice. That voice was her mother, Anne Boonchuy-Loyalitat. She was seen carrying a laundry basket with dirty laundry and picking up some of her socks. She closely resembles her own mother, but still wears her hair back with her signature leaf hair tie. She wears a purple polo shirt, blue shorts, and wears her Thai wristband and gold wedding band on her left hand.
"Okay, mom," said Alexis. She turns away from the night sky and gets herself tucked in.
"Did you remember to brush your teeth?" Anne asked.
"Already did. Shortly after dinner," replied Alexis.
Anne could see that she was a tad bit annoyed. As a pre teen, she started getting used to the question as part of a daily routine. But she nodded in understanding. "Okay honey." She goes over to the bathroom to find Cyrus brushing his teeth.
Cyrus Loyalitat, the oldest child in the family, thirteen years old, made sure he was brushing and flossing his teeth. His glasses were hanging on his undershirt and was wearing light green sweatpants.
As the oldest child in the family, Cyrus began to develop a sense of responsibility for his siblings. His little brother Timothy looks up to him, but Alexis tolerates him. Sometimes, she gets under his skin and gets a good laugh at it. Cyrus tends to think he's the one in charge, and tries to keep his siblings in line for their parents.
Cyrus developed an interest in music. He has shown he can play almost any instrument in music class. But his main instrument of choice was the guitar.
Anne smiled at Cyrus' attention to detail with his teeth. "Cyrus, don't forget to soak your retainer."
Cyrus spits out his tooth paste. "Already on it mom," He takes his retainer case and shows it to his mom. He rattles it a bit to prove it's in there. "That'll keep the bacteria germs at bay."
Anne smiled again. "That's my smart ถั่วฝักยาว (Stringbean)," she said. She takes the laundry from the bathroom hamper and makes her way to Timothy's room.
Timothy, at age nine, was feeding his pet rat, Remy. He got Remy for his birthday, and he was taking good care of it. But Timothy can also be a handful in the family. At a young age, he was very hyperactive. It can be difficult to sit still in school, but gym class took a liking to his activeness. That would explain why he's passing gym class with flying colors.
He was wearing pajama bottoms with vegetables on them, and a night shirt that has an apple on the front. His room was a tad messy, with clothes on the floor, a few toys here and there, but there's leg room to walk around. His bedroom walls consist of tropical rainforest wallpaper, and animals on built-in shelves.
"Here you go, Remy," said Timothy. He takes down a small piece of camembert cheese and places it on top of his food pellets. Remy takes a big whiff of the cheese, but then decides to eat around it and go for the pellets instead. "Aww, what's wrong? You don't like cheese?"
"Timothy." He heard his mom enter his room and found her with a firm look. "How many times have I told you not to feed your rat camembert cheese?" She goes to Remy's cage and takes out the cheese. "He can't eat off of it."
"I'm sorry mom," said Timothy with a glum look. "I thought rats love cheese. That's what they show on tv."
"They are only cartoons," said Anne. "And besides, it depends on what kind of cheese they eat. You're just giving him the wrong kind." She takes a small piece of cheddar cheese and places it in Remy's food bowl. Remy sniffs it and chews on it right away.
"I'm just really excited," said Timothy. "We all know my birthday's coming tomorrow. Then, my big party on Saturday. I just wanted to give Remy something special."
"How about I give you something special," said Anne. She goes over to sit on Timothy's bed. "Want me to tell you your favorite bedtime story?"
Timothy perked up and hopped his way to his bed. He tucked himself in and smiled. "I'm ready," he said.
Anne turns to the door, and watches Alexis and Cyrus walk by. "Wanna hear the story, kids?" she asked.
"Yeah," said Timothy. His hyperactive attitude soon faded into a gloomy mood. "Come on! We used to hear this story all the time together. Why did we stop?"
"Because we're growing up," said Alexis, entering the room. "And we've heard this story hundreds of times. It's like this story has gone stale." She takes Timothy's bean bag chair and sits down, slouching.
"Actually," said Cyrus. "It's quite unique. One great story is worth telling over and over again. And who knows. One day, it could help us face the challenges of everyday life." Cyrus takes a chair and sits next to his mom. "But in your defense, I understand that this story is less likely to happen in real life."
Anne was slightly happy to see the kids ready to hear the story. But at the same time, she wished that her daughter would be slightly ecstatic about spending time with her brothers. As for Cyrus, Anne was approving of his realistic views, but it wouldn't hurt for him to believe in anything that could not be true. Eventually, they got comfortable and were prepared for her story.
"Okay. Once upon a time," she began. "There was a world of miraculous discovery. And within this world, there were four kingdoms. One was built on the community of farmers, the other built with the hands of soldiers, the third with the brains of scholars, and the fourth with the wonders of wizards."
Timothy gasped at the imagination of the kingdoms being built. Cyrus smiled to support his brother. And Alexis just nodded and gave her eyes a roll.
"All four kingdoms had different points of view. And none would hear any of the others opinions. Soon their opinions turned bitter, bitterness turned into rivalry, and rivalry turned into fighting. And over the next three hundred years, the kingdoms forgot how, or why, or when the fighting started. And then one day, darkness came to all four kingdoms."
"The clouds started to loom over the sky. No rain, no sun, just lightning and thunder on occasion. The farmer's crops began to die, and they assumed the wizards had something to do with it. 'We must force them to bring the sun and rain again,' they said. 'So that our crops may flourish with food.'"
"One farmer of the Frogolite Kingdom took it upon herself to bring the wizards to justice and return the sun. She was under the guidance of her foster family. Her overprotective grandfather, his grandson, and granddaughter. One night, while they slept, she snuck out of the house and journeyed to the Wizard kingdom. The journey was vast and dangerous, but her heart was set and pulled through."
"However, her heart wasn't enough to guide her in the right direction. And because of that, she stumbled into the Kingdom of Toadron. It was there, she met the mighty lieutenant of the army. 'You weak farmers are not welcome here,' she said. 'Turn back if you know what's good for you!'
"'I am looking for the Wizards' Kingdom,' said the Farmer. 'Do you know where it is?' The lieutenant laughed. 'Are you kidding me?! The people you should ask are the thick-headed scholars at the Newtewpian Kingdom,' she draws her sword and points at the Farmer."
"But before she could threaten her any further, her aunt and uncle came up to her with worry. 'Lieutenant!' they cried. 'It's the general, he needs you urgently.' The lieutenant and the farmer race into the general's quarters, and find him sick and dehydrated."
"'General!' cried the lieutenant. 'Father…'
The general coughed, 'Lieutenant, find the wizards. Help me…' the general shuts his eyes and the lieutenant cries for a moment.
'I must find a wizard and make him heal my father.' She turns to the farmer. 'Very well. I will help you get to the kingdom, but our kingdom has no idea where the wizards reside. We must make haste to the Scholar's kingdom. They may know.'"
"The farmer agreed to the task. 'Let's get going, lieutenant.' As they journeyed on, the two travelers bickered and fought along the way. But their purposes kept them going. Then they reached the Kingdom of Newtewpian."
"They enter the gates and find the Royal Vizier in the king's courtyard. She was going over the plans of making sure they're archives were to be locked up and preserved for safe keeping. 'We can't let history repeat itself,' said the Vizier.
'Great Vizier,' said the guard. 'These two citizens from the two kingdoms come to the gates seeking aid.'
'Oh good,' said the Vizier. 'It's been so long since we could finally trade with them.'"
"'We are not here to trade,' said the lieutenant. 'We've come seeking guidance to the Wizard Kingdom,' said the farmer. 'Since you are scholars, we believe you have the knowledge of where they reside.'"
"The royal vizier nodded and said, 'Of course, but the king must know about this.'"
"However, the farmer was impatient at the moment and didn't have time to explain to the king. So she took it upon herself to abandon the scholar and the lieutenant, and make haste to the wizard kingdom herself."
"Luckily, she snatched the map that leads to the hidden path of the wizard kingdom. The path was long and treacherous. And when she got to the kingdom, a frightening sight met her eyes. The kingdom was abandoned."
"She looked around the ruins of the kingdom, but found nothing. She turns around to find smoke coming from the cave above. She quietly enters the cave and finds a wizard feeding on meat and vegetables."
"The farmer looked at the wizard with pity, seeing him all alone in the cave. But she remembered that her people were suffering. 'Your people have hurt mine with your long lasting overcast…,' she told him. She draws her sword at the wizard. 'And now you must suffer the consequences.'"
"The wizard said nothing. He stood up and drew out his staff, ready to fight. And so they did. The wizard was strong, but then he stopped. He looked into the farmer's eyes and uttered four simple words. Those words changed that moment."
Cyrus counted the words as he guessed them, "I… love… you… farmer?" Alexis nudged her brother's arm, and looked back to her mother.
"'You are my quest,' he whispered. The farmer was stunned, not seeing a wizard's warmth of his gaze as she looked into his eyes, that she had never known. It was his humanity she saw within the magic he possessed. That humanity that was more powerful than anything the wizard had ever known."
"And recognizing his compassion, the farmer recognized her own. She spared his life, and the wizard spared hers in return. The wizard explained that the darkness wiped out all of his people, leaving him the last of his brethren. The farmer felt saddened by his story, so she decided to help him."
"But then, the lieutenant and the scholar arrived. They were shocked that she was helping the wizard. They attacked, and the wizard defended him and the farmer. The wizard explained that he isn't powerful enough to cast the Darkness across the four kingdoms. That something even more powerful is coming thanks to the will of another. They asked who, so the wizard casted a spell to lead to the source of the one who unleashed it."
"They followed the trail back to the scholar's kingdom of Newtewpian, and discovered a horrible truth. That their king was the one who unleashed the darkness. And why? To unlock the secret of eternal life. The scholar could not believe her eyes, but the farmer, lieutenant, and wizard fought the king.
"The king's connection with the darkness was strong, he easily overpowered them and wounded his Royal Vizier in the process. The four retreated to the kingdom of Frogolite where they told the citizens that the world is in danger. The farmers were skeptical due to the presence of the wizard, lieutenant, and the scholar. But seeing as how hurt they are, they decided to aid them."
"After recovering from the King's attacks, and a long deliberation with the Kingdom of Toadron, the two kingdoms banded together to stop the King of Newtewpian. And thanks to the wizard, more subjects from the outer reaches of the kingdoms came to their aid."
"Victory was near. But the powers of darkness could not be undone. The farmer, scholar, lieutenant, and wizard took up their arms and stood alone against the terrible foe. They gave it their all, and thanks to the wizard, they used a spell to shine brighter than the sun itself."
"And with that, the darkness was defeated. The sun returned and the clouds dispersed, and the king of Newtewpian was free from the darkness' spell. He had decided to retire the crown and live among the common folk of the outer reaches of the kingdoms. The four kingdoms celebrated victory, and vowed to make the world a better place not as four kingdoms, but as one community."
"The scholar made plans to record the events that transpired into history books. The lieutenant was promoted to commander by her father, who was healed by the wizard out of the kindness of his heart. As for the wizard, he settled down with the farmer. They fell in love, and had a few kids. In a way, they exchanged one life of adventure for another. Trading staffs and swords for parenthood, an uncharted compelling quest in its own right."
Cyrus, Alexis, and Timothy were at awe when she came to the end of her story. Even though they hear this story over and over again, it was still fascinating. They look at one another, then back to their mother to hear her wrap up the story.
"And, uh, they were better off," concluded Anne. "The end." She kisses Timothy on the forehead, re-tucks him in, and Timothy falls asleep.
"No happily ever after…" Alexis assumed, considering that all great fairy tales end with that phrase.
Anne shrugged her shoulders. "I said they were better off," she replied.
Alexis and Cyrus quietly leave Timothy's room and go to their own rooms. Along the way, they give their opinions on how the story concluded.
"A great story mom," said Alexis. "But I think it needs a new ending." She closes the door to her room and turns off the light.
"It needs a cliffhanger," said Cyrus. "Like how the darkness comes back stronger and it was up to the next generation of heroes to stop them."
"Oh is that right," said Anne. "Maybe you and your siblings will make up a new story. You guys should try that."
"I could, mom," said Cyrus. "But it's hard work, and we have different interests." Cyrus looks down at the ground. He wanted to try to hang out with his siblings, but they were always interested in something else.
"It is true," said Anne. "I mean, Alexis draws, you sing, and Timothy cooks, roughly but he's getting there. You never know what life has to offer." She turns to her daughter's bedroom and slightly opens her door seeing Alexis in bed. "Goodnight, ไฟดาว (Starfire)." She slowly closes her bedroom door, leaving only her and Cyrus outside.
Cyrus goes into his room, where it consists of red walls, with music decorations all around. "Goodnight mom," he said. He kisses her cheek goodnight and climbs into bed.
Anne smiled. She turns off his bedroom light and closes his bedroom door. "Goodnight Cyrus." She exhales and takes the laundry basket downstairs.
After coming out of the laundry room, she walks into the study and finds her husband, Darrel, in the room. Darrel has features closely resembling his father. At age thirty six, he has grown much taller, and built like an average everyday man. He is still wearing Tint's neckerchief and crystal from his old staff. He wears a yellow orange polo shirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes. On his left hand he wears his grandfather's old watch and his gold wedding band.
Darrel was busy writing on his desk when he spotted Anne walking up to him. He knew the look on her face and smiled as he looked back at his desk. "What was the story tonight?" he asked.
Anne kissed the back of his neck. "Ours," she replied. She walks over to her desk filled with amphibian artifacts. One of them is a small stick figure of herself, made by her friend Sprig.
Darrel sighed, "How many nights I wonder, you send the children off to bed with hidden truths."
"Timothy wanted to hear the story," said Anne. She starts writing down entries in her log.
They hear a kettle going off and Darrel rushes to the kitchen to serve him and Anne tea. He pours the tea into their cups and comes back in with two cups. "That life is over now," he said. He turns back to his desk and sits down. "We are consultants. Not warriors, not wizards…" He looks up to his family portrait overlooking them above the fireplace. "Especially not heroes." He closes his log book and the two get ready for bed.
As they settle in for the night, Darrel was brushing his teeth while Anne was reading a magazine. "So, how'd that meeting with the principal go today?" Darrel asked. He got no response as he was finishing up. He looked over to see his wife with a serious look on her face.
"Alexis has been skipping school three times a month," said Anne. She waited to see Darrel give her a shocked look on his face. "And that's not all. Turns out Cyrus has been lagging on his assignments lately. And remember those school friends Timothy talks about having?"
Darrel nodded, "Yeah, Sid, Aspher, Miguel? He talks about them all the time."
Anne shook her head. "No such beasts," she replied. "Turns out most of the kids pick on him. He has no friends."
Darrel looks down with shame. He gets in bed and looks at Anne, "All of this sounds familiar," he said.
"And I think it's our fault," said Anne. "They've gotten this behavior from us."
"But the difference between us and our kids…" said Darrel. "is that we learned from our mistakes. If they continue to make these mistakes, then it's only a matter of time until they get into a lot of trouble."
Anne takes a deep breath. "And that's why we have to tell them at Timothy's birthday party."
Darrel was shocked. She wanted the both of them to tell their kids how their behavior got them in trouble. Even if it means talking about their adventure in Amphibia. At first he didn't want to tell his kids. But after remembering the incident when Hop Pop tried to hide the box from them, he began to understand the problem. That some secrets can't be kept in the dark forever.
"You're right," said Darrel. "We've given our kids everything we could provide them. The least we could do is tell them the truth."
Anne smiled. "Aww, I love it when you agree with me." She takes her hand to Darrel's face and plants a quick kiss on his lips.
"And that's why I love you, honey," said Darrel. "Because your heart is in the right place." Darrel turns off his lamp light, and tucks himself in. "No more secrets."
"No more secrets," said Anne as she turned off her light and tucked herself in too.
Meanwhile, as the kids slept soundly, the crack below Timothy's doorway started glowing green. The glow started to grow brighter and brighter until it filled the cracks of the entire door. Then, three small bright yellow keyholes appeared on each of the kids' doors. Then instantly disappeared.