So, after I'm finished with this, I will be working on the final chapter of The Owl and the Pussy-Cat. It will take a while, though.
"Dang, girl. This is where you've been hanging out this whole time?" Anne asked as Marcy escorted her, Johan and the Plantars into the castle.
"I wouldn't say I 'hang out' here, but yes! Staying at the castle has been awesome!"
"Fortunato," muttered Johan with envy, taking a glance at the walls and pillars of marble and silver, the crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows and the green banners with a gold Amphibia frog foot symbol.
"Wow, I can't believe we're here!" Sprig said to Polly, who was sitting on his head.
"And that we're about to meet the king of Amphibia," she said with excitement.
"Wow, just look at this place," said Hop Pop. "Am I dressed okay? Should I have worn my silk ascot? I'll go back and get it."
Marcy stopped him before he could run off. "Hey, hey. Don't stress, guys. This is no big deal."
Hearing Hop Pop's worry, Johan suddenly became self-conscious of his appearance. He was still wearing Anne's black school shirt, he lost his sandals in the sewer and his right pant sleeve was torn after his fight with the alligator. In spite of his status as a gang leader (son of a gang leader, actually), he felt out of place now. Probably even more so.
Suddenly, he felt another presence in the room. Something that gave off a sinister aura. But before he could mention it, the door to the throne room opened and Lady Olivia stepped out. "Okay, frog family. You're about to meet King Andrias. This is a big deal." Everyone gulped.
The throne room's interior was massive, supported by pillars of silver with statues of snakes wrapped around them. On the floor was a royal rug with a blue fish scale pattern and on the ceiling were mosaics of various scenes depicting amphibian warriors and scholars. Like in the last room the group was in, there were stained glass windows.
At last, they came face to face with the king, who was sitting on a giant throne of coral. "May I present to you Andrias Leviathan, Lord of Amphibia. Peacekeeper of a thousand years and the first of his name," Olivia said with a bow.
Anne, the Plantars and Johan gasped. "Now THAT'S king-sized," said the human girl.
"That's an understatement," said Johan.
The king was a blue, bearded newt as big as a Tyrannosaurus Rex and wearing purple and silver armor with a seashell motif, a belt with an ouroboros buckle and a gold crown. He stared down at the group and then...
"HELLO, PLANTAR FAMILY!" he said in a deep, booming, yet jovial voice. "Oh, bring it in, you guys. Bring it in." He stepped down from his throne and held his arms out, intending to give them a BIG hug.
"Quick, kids, bow," whispered Hop Pop.
They did, only to be shocked when Leviathan actually hugged them tight. "It's so good to finally meet you!"
He let them go and Polly said, "I LOVE this guy!"
Leviathan laughed jovially until Olivia said, "Dear King Andrias, just once, it would be nice if you followed proper castle etiquette."
The king blew a raspberry and said, "Oh, etiquette smetiquette!"
Johan's left eye twitched. Non è così che mi aspettavo che fosse, he thought.
And then Leviathan turned his attention to the two humans. "Ooh! And what do we have here?"
Anne nervously waved. "Hey."
Johan, remembering his manners, made a bow. "È un piacere conoscervi, Vostra Maestà."
Leviathan laughed. "I don't know what you said. You must be Johan Shiobana."
"My friends call me JoJo, Leviathan."
"Then consider me a friend, JoJo! And don't be so formal. Call me Andrias," Andrias said, shaking his hand...and entire body in the process. Then he turned to Anne. "You must be Anne. 'Sup? Um, am I saying it right? 'Sup?"
Marcy gave him a thumbs up. "You got it!"
Andrias chuckled. "The thumb of approval. And here's a thumb for you, Anne." He gave her a thumbs up.
"Oh, uh... right back at ya." She gave him a thumbs up followed by a fist bump.
Andrias chuckled then laughed loudly. "Delightful!" he exclaimed as he jumped up, making the whole throne room shake as he landed. "But now, let's get down to business, shall we? Getting you kids back home, safe and sound." He exhaled. "Hmm... Alas, without the music box, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. Marcy doesn't have it, and, well, I assume you don't have it either."
"Kind of," said Johan. "Hopediah left it behind with some trusted people back at Wartwood. Right, Hopediah?" The old frog made a very nervous smile and did not say a word. "We do have a picture of it, though. Show him, Anne."
Anne held up her phone and showed the king a photo of the music box. He had to wear glasses and squint his eyes to see better. "Let's see here. Hmm, how peculiar. Marcy, didn't you say the gems were colored? Look here. They're... They're gray."
Anne looked at the photo. "Hey, you're right. I never actually noticed that."
I did, thought Johan. I just thought it was obvious. But then again, this is Anne we're talking about.
"This will require further study in the deepest of our archives," said Andrias. "Give me a few days to work with this information. At that time, we shall reconvene and set a glorious plan in motion."
"Great! Mar Mar, what can I do to help?" asked Anne.
"Can you translate ancient Amphibian runes?"
"I sure... can't!"
Marcy chuckled. "Don't worry, dude. I got this."
"Nice! Just like group projects back home."
"So, you did all the work while Anne and Sasha goofed off," deadpanned Johan.
"Hey! I did not always goof off!" snapped Anne. "I was there for moral support!"
"Bullsh-"
Andrias cleared his throat. "Moving on."
"Oh, yeah, that's right," said Johan. "We need to talk about the gang that has set up shop here. Marcy says they're called the Bearded Dragons."
Andrias' jolly smile vanished. "Oh. Right. Them." He exhaled as he sat on his throne. "They showed up two months ago, when they were just a group of small-time thieves, before starting their own casino in the south part of town. They specialize in 'vice crimes'..." he air quoted. "...such as prostitution and gambling with street racing and protection rackets on the side."
"And the casino is their biggest moneymaker."
"I don't get it," said Anne. "You're the king. Can't you do something about it?"
"Rex regnat et non gubernat," Johan said, confusing all the amphibians in the room. "It's Latin, a language from Earth. In English, it means, 'The king reigns but does not govern.' It means the king cannot intervene when it comes to domestic disturbances."
"Worse," said Andrias. "I fear that some of my guards may have been taking bribes from the Bearded Dragons to look the other way, which means I cannot trust anyone. That's where you come in, JoJo."
"Me?"
"With your gangster expertise, maybe you can save my people from this threat."
"It's Gang-Star." Johan paced back and forth as he said, "We still don't know who's calling the shots, or if any of these guys are Stand users."
"Unfortunately, you won't get any help from me in that regards," said Lady Olivia. "They never registered, so I do not know if they are Stand users either."
"But I know whose leading!" said Marcy with her hand up. Johan looked at her. "Uh...I mean..."
"If you have something to say, say it now."
Marcy looked left, then right, before she reached into her bag and pulled out some papers. "The one running the Bearded Dragons is a young salamander named Bishop Hellbender." She showed him a picture of a brown salamander with orange spots wearing the same gold clothing of the Bearded Dragons and a snooty expression.
"What's his story?"
"Well, he spends more time on his hair than he does running the gang, but that doesn't mean he's not ruthless. Despite the fact that he's rich, having come from a family of bankers, the only thing he seems to be good at is burning right through his parents' money. Outside of spending sprees involving weaponry, exotic animals and clothes, he's also fiercely competitive. He would participate in races of any kind: running, boating, swimming, you name it. All of them rigged of course. And get this. On the rare occasion someone does beat him, he would invite the winner for dinner...and serve them a meal to die for."
"That means he poisoned them," said Polly cheerfully.
Johan exhaled. "So, we're dealing with a spoiled brat and a sore loser. Very dangerous combination. My guess is he's probably not that experienced in leadership if he has to rely on daddy's money to get him what he wants." He started pacing the floor again. "We're first going to have to get people on our side, take away the Bearded Dragons' income. This will also put their money into Passione's pockets. After that, we gotta take their territories while we kill their lieutenants, then go after Hellbender. Without their leader, the Bearded Dragons will fall apart."
Lady Olivia coughed a little, getting his attention. "While I like that plan, I insist that you cease all of Passione's activities in the city once all is said and done. We cannot afford to have any innocent people caught in the crossfire."
Johan made a smirk. "Not likely."
Olivia frowned at him, then she scoffed, "I knew this was a bad idea, Andrias."
"No, we have to go through with it," said Leviathan. "As much as I don't like it myself, we don't have a choice. But, I do agree with Olivia, though. Try not to get anyone innocent killed."
"I can't make any promises, Your Highness," said Johan. "But I'll try.
"Well said," said Andrias. "Until then, my dear Plantars, go forth and enjoy the sights of Newtopia. Do not worry, you will be carefully monitored to make sure you are safe. We've booked you a suite at the Hemisphere Hotel, my treat. And here... pick a hand!" He held out two fists. Johan looked at the fists, then at the king. He nudged his head to the left. Johan picked the right. There was nothing in it. "Oh, and I gave you a hint!" Andrias opened his left hand and there was nothing in it. "Oh, look at that! I had nothing at all!"
Johan's left eye twitched. How did this man child become a king?
"But what's this?" Something slid out of the king's sleeve. It was small and flat, rectangular shaped and it had the symbols of a shell and the Amphibia frog foot on it.
Johan couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Is that a...?"
"The Royal Credit Card!" Andrias handed it to Anne. "It will grant you access to do anything in Newtopia. Be safe with this now. Wars have been waged for less. Heck, with the Bearded Dragons roaming the streets, it may put a target on your heads."
Johan was lost in his thoughts. We assumed this world was something straight out of Tolkien's work, but robot factories and now credit cards? How advanced is this world really?
Suddenly, once again, Johan felt a sinister presence. It was closer now. He turned to the left and saw a newt leaning against one of the pillars with his arms folded and his legs crossed. He was dark blue in skin color and had blonde hair styled in a mullet, and he wore an equestrian helmet with the Amphibia symbol loosely mounted on bending pins emerging from a small ribbon tied at its front, a turtleneck jumper patterned with a diagonal grid, light, mid-forearm-length gloves, light, wide-legged breeches, and tall, dark riding boots.
"What are you looking at?" snapped Johan.
"Dude, who are you talking to," asked Anne.
"That newt over there has been staring at us since we got here."
The newt continued to glare at the group. "Hey!" shouted Polly. "You got something to say, you say it to us!"
"Polly, don't aggravate him," warned Hop Pop, not liking where this was going.
The newt glared at her and said in a baritone voice with what sounded like a British accent, "Peasants should learn to mind their own business."
"Why, you got something to hide, blue tang?" snarked Anne.
"Anne..." said Marcy. Johan noticed the fear in her voice.
Suddenly, the newt reached out and grabbed Anne by the collar. "Maybe your ears don't work so well."
She waved a hand and muttered, "Yeah. Too bad my nose works just as fine."
"Why you impudent little...!" The newt slammed her into a wall and began to tighten his grip around her throat. "Anne!" Johan shouted. He charged at the newt with his harpe only for the newt to grab him and slam him into the wall next to Anne.
"Let them go now!" shouted Sprig as he charged at the newt with his slingshot only to be whipped in the face with the newt's tail and crash into a vase.
"Sprig!" shouted Polly. She wanted to help him, but a glare from the newt stopped her.
"Captain, that's enough!" shouted Olivia.
The newt tightened his grip around Anne and Johan's throats, ignoring the others' protests and shouts to make him stop. He continued to strangle the two human children, who at this point, were kicking and struggling desperately to break free. Johan couldn't find the strength to summon DARE and with her breath cut off, Anne couldn't use her Ripple.
Marcy was prepared to take out her die and use the Spin when Andrias slammed his fist on the throne's armrest and shouted, "CAPTAIN DIEGO! RELEASE THEM NOW!" Now he decides to act like a king, thought Johan.
Diego ignored him and continued to strangle and stare intently at the two humans. It was only when he saw the sparkle of blue in Anne's eyes did he let them go. As they gasped and coughed, he said, "You're special like Marcy it seems, Anne Boonchuy. Nevertheless, you are still an outsider like her, like these frog peasants. And as for you, Johan Shiobana." The boy glared at him. "Just remember that you are not above the law." He pointed at him and warned, "If you become unpleasant to my eyes, you will face severe consequences."
"That's enough," Andrias boomed. "I'm so sorry," he said gently to the humans. "You're not hurt, are you? I apologize for my Captain's actions. He just forgets to think sometimes. Right, Diego?" Diego only glared at him. "Right. Anyway, Plantar family, do enjoy yourselves. Olivia, please take the guards out and escort the Plantars, Anne and JoJo to their room. I want to have a word with the captain. Alone."
"Someone's in trouble," sang Sprig.
As soon as the two of them were alone, Andrias snarled at Diego, "What were you thinking, man?! I know you have a short fuse, but attacking our guests out of the blue like that was unnecessary! I should demote you for this!"
Diego chuckled. "I was just putting on a show. Make you look good." His voice became a hiss as he said, "That's what you told me to do, right, Andrias?"
"You will refer to me as Your Majesty."
Diego snorted as he turned away. "I'll keep an eye on them like you said." He was about to leave when he stopped and said, "Anne has the blue power. JoJo doesn't have the pink power. I thought you should know that." And with that, he left as Andrias narrowed his eyes.
"Who the hell was that guy," asked Johan as he rubbed his throat. His voice was still sore from the strangling.
"Diego Brando," said Marcy apologetically. "He's the captain of the royal guard, the undisputed grand champion at the beetle races...and he doesn't particularly like me."
"What makes you say that? Did you step on his tail when you first met?"
"Nothing! I swear! All I did was say 'Hi!' and...he did to me what he did to you two."
"He tried to strangle you?!"
Anne rubbed the sore spot on her throat. "How did that gargoyle get to be a captain?"
"He's got a spotless record and is the best racer in Newtopia. He is also the one who led the fight against the Bearded Dragons...until they made themselves legally untouchable."
"Is it me, or does that creep's name sound vaguely familiar," asked Polly.
Johan thought it over. "Nope. Doesn't ring a bell." Really, JoJo? Aren't you supposed to be the smart one?
Despite being thrown like a rag doll, Sprig was too excited to care. "Whoa, ho, ho, ho! We get to explore Newtopia with unlimited money? This is a dream come true! Onward, family! Time to see Newtopia!"
Hemisphere Hotel
"What do you mean, nobody wants to see Newtopia?" Sprig complained as everyone settled in the hotel room, changed into bathrobes with towels wrapped around their heads and got in bed.
"Not happenin'," said Hop Pop as he read his book.
"Polly happy right here," said the little pollywog sleepily.
"Anne, come on. You're with me, right?"
"Sorry, dude," said Anne. "The only thing I want to explore is that gift basket." She reached for the gift basket, which was sitting at the foot of the bed...and gave up. "Eh. Maybe later," she said with a dismissive wave.
"JoJo!" protested Sprig. "Come on, don't you wanna go out in the city and shoot some bad guys?"
"Dude, after getting strangled by that jockey with anger issues, I just want to wind down." He sat down in bed next to Anne and began to read "The Hobbit" for the umpteenth time.
"But we have the Royal Credit Card!" complained the young frog. "The city's our playground."
"Sprig, the city will still be there tomorrow," said Hop Pop before adding, "Probably."
"Tomorrow?" A sly grin then formed on his face as he eyed the credit card sitting on the bedside table. "Or... I could take the card and..."
"Sprig Plantar!" Hop Pop shouted as he put the credit card in his bathrobe pocket. "Under no circumstances are you to take that card outside of this hotel!"
Sprig exhaled in exasperation. "I won't, Hop Pop."
"Good!" And just like that, everyone went out like a light and began sawing logs. That sly grin returned to Sprig's face as he slipped his hand into Hop Pop's pocket. "He didn't say anything about using it inside the hotel," he said.
"You should know, in the mafia world, people who steal from the familia end up severely punished."
Sprig let out a yell and turned to see Johan's eyes peeking over the book. "You're still awake?!" He suddenly shushed himself and whispered, "You're still awake?"
"This is a good book. Now, do me a favor and put that credit card back."
Sprig didn't care. "Come on! I just want to see everything in the hotel if I can't explore the city! Besides, you HAVE to come with me now."
"And why would I do that when I could be sleeping right now?"
"We all know I won't take no for an answer," said Sprig. "And Hop Pop will probably chew you out for knowingly leaving me all alone with the credit card."
Johan stared then realized he was right. He cried, "Solo una buona notte di sonno! È chiedere troppo?" He recomposed himself and said as he got out of bed and put on his slippers, "Fine. But I'm holding onto the credit card, I don't trust you with it."
"Aw, no fair."
He opened the door and was about to leave when they saw who was outside the door: a young, pink, female newt bellhop carrying the rest of the Plantars' luggage. She was muttering to herself, "Four years of Newtopia University and a mountain of student debt for this?" She noticed Sprig and Johan watching and she said, "Oh, hi there. Bella the bellhop, at your service. Got the rest of your bags here." She pushed the luggage in, exhaled from exhaustion and held out a hand.
"Oh!" Johan reached into his bag and placed some money into Bella's hand. "Here you go."
"Thanks."
"What was that?" asked Sprig.
"She was asking for a tip."
"What?! You have to pay her for a tip? Okay, we payed you, Bella, so if you were to do one thing in the hotel for fun, what would it be?" Not THAT kind of tip, Sprig.
"Well, I've never gone, but everyone says the view from the top of the indoor Ferris wheel will change your life," said Bella with stars in her eyes.
"Great. Thanks for the tip." And with that, Sprig took off.
"Sprig! Get back here!" shouted Johan.
The hotel lobby was massive and came complete with various stores. Sprig's eyes sparkled. "This place is amazing! Look at that fountain!" The fountain was shaped like an actual pond. "And ooh! That must be the indoor Ferris wheel." Sprig pointed to said Ferris wheel and said with a wink, "I'm gonna save you for later."
Johan made an impressed whistle. "You don't see hotels like these back in Italia. Not in Napoli, anyway."
"Excuse me," said the manager, who had just noticed them. "Are you winking at that Ferris wheel?"
Sprig snatched the credit card out of Johan's hand and said proudly, "Yes, and I'm rich, so deal with it. Ha ha!"
"Very good, sir," said the manager.
"Technically, it's not our money," said Johan.
"Who cares?!" Sprig shouted as he took off with Johan chasing after him.
The first stop for Sprig was an ant cream store. Ant cream was ice cream with ant sprinkles, in case you didn't know. "One ant cream sundae, my good man."
"Make that two," said Johan.
The server placed two big sundae bowls in front of the two boys. "Napkin, sir?"
"What do I look like, a slob?" Sprig asked before he wolfed down the whole sundae, splatting ant cream everywhere.
The server muttered as he wiped himself clean, "Why do I always get the nuts?"
The next place Sprig went to was the gift shop where he bought a "Big Frog" souvenir t-shirt. "Looking good!" Unfortunately, the shirt proved to be too big as it made him trip and fall, causing the shelves to topple over like dominoes.
Johan chuckled. "A classic." The newt running the store did not look amused. Johan sighed and held up the credit card. "Will this cover it?"
"Why, yes!" the manager said happily.
Next was the barber shop. The first hairdo the barber gave Sprig was a mullet. "Nope." Super Saiyan Blue spiky hair. "Nope." A messy bedhead with ribbons tied at the ends. "YES!" He shook the barber's hand and paid with the credit card. "Thank you, my good man. And now, to put on my hat." After seeing his masterpiece ruined, the barber cried.
Then he turned to Johan and asked, "You! Let me style your golden hair! Please!"
The boy exhaled. "You're so lucky I'm not Josuke." He was given a short, braided tail, with three distinctive oversized curls arranged in a row over his forehead. "Thanks, man," he said. He left the barber shop and as soon as he was out of the hairdresser's eyeshot, he immediately undid the hairdo, returning it to its original messy look.
The next stop was a Vose's coffee shop. "Care for some Bug-accino, sirs?" asked the barista. "Made fresh daily."
"Five, please!" said Sprig.
"Um, these are pretty strong," said the barista, unsure.
"Five, I say!"
The barista served him five cups. Johan asked, "Rametto, are you even allowed to drink coffee?"
Sprig ignored him and guzzled down all five cups before spitting out the cups. "Blah! Disgusting! But maybe Hop Pop will like it. One to go, please." The server gave him a to go cup. "And she said they were strong. I don't feel a thing." The instant he said that, a strange thing happened. Everything around him started to move veeeeeeeerrrrrrrryyyyyyy slooooooooowwwwwllllyyyyy...
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeee yooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuu allllllllllrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhtttttttt, RRRRRRRRRRRaaaaaaameeeeeetooooooo...?"
"I'm the time lord now," said Sprig as he laughed and danced around the fountain before he landed on his face.
"I'll have what he's having," said one of the customers.
Johan slapped Sprig silly until the caffeine wore off.
20th floor balcony...
"Alright, can we go back to the hotel room now?"
"Not yet! All that's left is to ride the Ferris wheel, and I have just the thing to pay for it." Sprig spun the credit card and to his and Johan's horror, he dropped it and it fell. "No! The Royal Credit Card!" They ran to the elevator and Sprig pressed the Open button rapidly. "Come on! Come on! Come on!" The elevator opened and the two of them ran in.
But before the doors could close, an elderly couple held it open and the old man said, "Excuse me, youngsters. Could you push the 19th floor?"
Johan blinked once before saying, "I'm taking the stairs. You deal with this."
"Deal with what?" But Johan was already out the elevator and running down the stairs. Sprig looked at the elderly couple and said, "Uh, come on in." The elderly walked in and the elevator went down to the 19th floor.
"Oh, shoot. Can we try the 18th?" asked the old man.
"Yeah-huh," said Sprig, who was starting to lose his patience. They went down a floor. "Here we go, 18th floor."
"Nope. This isn't the casino either," said the old man. "Looks like we'll have to go to every floor until we find the right one."
"It may take hours, but what do we care?" asked the old lady. "We're old and have all the time in the world."
Sprig crashed out the elevator window. "WAIT FOR ME, JOJO!"
Down below, Bella was on her lunch break, though her lunch was nothing much. It was just an ice cube sandwich. "Five minutes left on your break, Bella!" her boss shouted.
She said with a sad sigh, "Is this it? Is this the rest of my life? Oh, well. If the real world's taught me anything it's that magic is dead and miracles don't exist." The Royal Credit Card landed in her hand, to her confusion.
Johan managed to reach the bottom floor and approached her, panting heavily. "Hah...hah...hah...just need a moment to catch my breath." He sat down at the table and drank some water. He exhaled after he was finished and said, "Alright, can I have my credit card back now?"
"Oh, sure."
Bella was just about to hand it to him when Sprig fell into the fountain. He got up and said, "Oh, thank goodness, JoJo! You found the Royal Credit Card with unlimited funds."
"SPRIG! NOT SO LOUD!"
Too late, Bella heard that. "Did you say unlimited funds?"
Johan glared at her as he summoned DARE. "Lady, I'm a Stand user and a Gang-Star. So don't you try anything funny-" Bella threw salt in his face. "Aaah! My eyes!"
"Finders keepers!" Bella shouted as she ran off.
Sprig chased after her and hopped onto her back, making her let go of the credit card. Unfortunately, it flew up into the air and landed on one of the Ferris wheel's cars. "Well, Ferris wheel. The time has come," said Sprig with a wink.
"Are you winking at that Ferris wheel?" asked Bella.
"Yes, and I'm rich, so deal with it!" said Sprig as he hopped off.
"Hey, get back here!"
Sprig hopped onto one of the cars and blew a raspberry at her. He hopped onto another car and said, "Glad I'm a frog right about now." To his surprise, he saw Bella swimming up the waterfall feature on the Ferris wheel's support beam. "Hey, no fair! I'm just a frog!"
Finally, both amphibians reached the credit card just as the card it was on reached the top. Both of them began fighting over it. "Give me that!"
"It's mine!"
It was then they looked out and saw the incredible view of the castle. "Ooh."
"Whoa, it's spectacular," said Sprig.
"It's even more amazing than everyone says," said Bella.
Suddenly Johan popped out of nowhere and grabbed Bella by the shoulders. His eyes were red from the salt as he shouted, "Do you know what we do to thieves in Passione?!"
"Wait! Wait!" she handed him the credit card and said, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have. I... just... I just really need the money."
Sprig started to feel bad. "JoJo, let her go."
"Huh?"
"I know what it's like to be poor too, remember?"
Johan remembered how the little frog came from a poor family and he said, "Yeah. That's right." He let Bella go...then suddenly, the car lurched forward as the Ferris wheel turned again, causing Bella to fall. Johan tried to reach her, only to fall as well.
"I'll never get to her in time!" exclaimed Sprig. "Unless..." He took out the coffee he was saving and took a deep breath, activating his Ripple. "Caffeine Overdrive!" He guzzled down the whole cup and his perceptive of time slowed down once again. In his state, he used his Ripple to run around the entire hotel, grab the pillows from the bedrooms and place them on the ground just beneath Bella and Johan, where they landed safely.
Johan let out a "Hoo! I think my heart just stopped."
"What the... You saved me!" exclaimed Bella. "Thanks, kid."
Suddenly, the manager arrived and shouted, "You three are in big trouble! Nobody rides the Hemisphere Ferris wheel for free!"
"Isn't that a bit harsh?" asked Johan.
"Besides, we didn't get in for free," said Sprig as he showed the credit card. "
"My mistake, sir!" said the manager before he glared at Bella. "You, on the other hand, are fired!"
Johan felt bad again, even though she stole from them. She was bored with her job and a little excitement in her life. She deserved it. "Sir," he said to the manager. "Why were you about to fire one of your best employees?"
Bella made a gasp. The manager raised an eyebrow. "My best?"
"Why, yes," said Sprig. "This bellhop recommended the Ferris wheel, but also went above and beyond her duty by showing it to us personally."
Johan grabbed the manager by the collar and growled, "I think King Andrias Leviathan, who I happen to know, would be upset if she didn't get a raise!"
"The king? Uh, yes, absolutely. Sound good, Bella?"
"Yes, sir!" Bella said with a salute. As the manager left, she said to Sprig and Johan. "Thanks, kids. It's people like you that make me ever so slightly more positive about the future."
"Non menzionarlo," said Johan.
"I don't know what you said."
"And hey, if you feel like it, I can probably get you a better job with the connections I have."
"Nah. Thanks for the offer, but I gotta make it on my own. Without stealing from people, mind you."
Johan took her by the hand and said, "I believe you will, madam." Bella blushed and turned away.
"Wanna go buy, like, 500 ant sundaes?" asked Sprig.
"If you're paying, let's make it 1,000," said Bella.
Finally, Sprig and Johan returned to the hotel room and crashed onto the bed. "What a morning," said the latter.
Suddenly, Anne's cell phone's alarm went off and she, Polly and Hop Pop awoke.
"Nothing like a nap to feel rejuvenated and full of energy," said Hop Pop. "You guys wanna check out the hotel? Rise and shine, Sprig!"
"Let's go, little buddy!" said Anne as she shook Sprig.
"Time for more crazy hijinks!" shouted Polly.
A very, very, VERY groggy Sprig grumbled, "Go away."
Johan said, "Don't worry, I got this." He summoned DARE, who proceeded to numb Anne, Hop Pop and Polly's brains, knocking them out. "That should render them unconscious for a few more hours. Of course, that means they'll have twice as much energy when they wake up."
"Thanks, JoJo..." muttered Sprig before he went out like a light.
"Don't mention it," said Johan before he went out as well.
To be continued ➟