A/N: And now that the 3rd chapter of "Coven of Rings and Darkness" was posted, here is the 2nd chapter! It starts off a bit differently with Sasha and the toads, including Captain Grime involved. :)
Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia
Chapter 2
Act I: The Ballad of Hopadiah Plantar
It all started with the Plantars, Sundews, Boonchuys, and toads traveling in both the fwagon and Stumpy, the pumpkin monster coincidentally named after Stumpy the Chef, through a deserted place as Sprig was playing a fiddle and Anne was browsing through photos on her cell phone before noticing a peculiar one of Toad Tower.
"Huh. I don't remember taking this picture of Toad Tower.", Anne said.
"Yeah, how'd that get there?", Sasha puzzled before Polly explained while on top of Hop Pop's head.
"Oh, that was me. Wanted a little reminder of how we messed those orcs up!", Polly responded, pulling on Hop Pop's eyelids
"Heh, sure did!", Hop Pop responded.
"Aw, look, guys. There's Mew!", Rose said, pointing to an apparent sighting of Mew above the tower, but a bit too far from the camera to get a clear enough view.
"Oh, wow! That is Mew.", Ivy said in surprise.
"How can you tell it's Mew?", Pat asked.
"I think we all know by now what Mew looks like.", Rose responded.
"Huh. Still, I wonder how it's doing these days.", Anne said.
"Who knows?", Bombina responded.
"Maybe it's just chillin' somewhere else, you know?", Ivy asked.
"Yeah. Maybe even looking for a place to rest.", Sylvia agreed before Sprig spoke up, grabbing his fiddle.
"You know, I've actually been working on a song based on the battle.", Sprig responded.
"A song?", Ivy asked.
"Oh! Am I in it?", Hop Pop asked.
"Maybe.", Sprig replied before clearing his throat and playing his fiddle again while Hop Pop gasped, giggled, and laid down in the seat with Anne, Polly, Sasha, Grime, Jackie, and Rose as well as Ivy, Felicia, and Sylvia.
"I'm in it.", Hop Pop whispered.
"Well, let's hear that song!", Ivy said excitedly.
"Well, don't keep us waiting.", Percy grinned.
"Yeah, play that fiddle!", Braddock added before Sprig started singing as he played his fiddle, even hopping toward the top of Bessie's shell with Hop Pop gasping with a cheerful expression, which then became sour and filled with annoyed disappointment while Jackie was just filled with disbelief as Sprig finished the song.
There was a purple frog who won the toads' respect
But then, the orcs invaded and were set on getting 'em wrecked
But thankfully, frogs and toads stepped up to take the tower
And they saved Hop Pop, who... Mostly hid and cowered
And cowered
and cowered
and cowered
and cowered
and cowered
and cowered
and cowered
and cowered
"All right, that's enough!", Hop Pop said before everyone else cheered.
"Wow! Great song, dude!", Anne grinned.
"Yeah, you had them riveting.", Sasha agreed.
"Huzzah! Excellent fiddle playing, Sprig.", Grime grinned.
"That was great, Sprig!", Ivy grinned.
"I didn't even know you can play fiddle like that!", Felicia added.
"Yeah, that was awesome!", Polly grinned.
"Hey, you took the words out of my mouth.", Braddock grinned.
"What? Awesome? It was missing all the context! Like what about the time I stood up to those nasty tax collectors?", Hop Pop critiqued.
"Eh. Boring.", Anne and Polly said in unison.
"Still, I don't ever remember Hop Pop being a coward when we were at Toad Tower.", Jackie retorted.
"Me neither. Wasn't he leading everyone else away from the tower when it was collapsing?", Bombina agreed.
"Yeah, but audiences want clear stakes, Jackie. And action.", Sprig responded.
"Act‐ion!", Anne and Polly shouted in unison.
"Well, can't reason with crazy.", Jackie sighed before Hop Pop sighed, too.
"Feels like just yesterday, people thought I was a revolutionary hero.", Hop Pop said sadlye.
"Ah, don't sweat it, Hopadiah. You're a hero in my book.", Sylvia assured.
"Aw. Thanks, Sylvia.", Hop Pop grinned before looking up upon noticing a sign at the entrance to a town called Bittyburg.
"Whoop. Heads up, gang! Looks like we're about to stop at our first town.", Hop Pop stated.
"Our first town outside of Wartwood. I wonder what it'll be like. Will the frogs be friendly? Will they have a bathroom?", Anne asked intensely.
"I don't know if this is such a good idea. What if this is a ghost town? Or worse? What if there are bad frogs?!", Felicia said intensely.
"Don't get too excited or stressed, fellas. It's just your average small town.", Hop Pop responded.
"Pssh, how small can it be‐", Anne said before gasping upon seeing the town herself.
"Wow!", Anne exclaimed.
"Aw. They look so cute.", Rose grinned as she, Anne, Sasha, Sprig, Grime, Percy, Braddock, Bombina, Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, Ivy, Felicia, Sylvia, and the duo of triplets all got off the fwagon and Stumpy to see the town.
"Oh, my gosh! It's literally a small town!", Anne and Rose said in unison.
"Aw, those little angels are so cute.", Sylvia grinned.
"Yeehaw!", a frog shouted.
"Just look at the 'wittle' buildings.", Rose said before she and Ivy both took the roof off a building and saw the little frogs known as Bitties inside, making them gasp.
"Uh..., yeehaw!", Ivy shouted.
"Yeehaw!", the bitties shouted before Rose giggled.
As for Sasha, Grime, Bombina, Percy, and Braddock, that was a different story. When the bitties saw them, they quickly became afraid.
"Run! They're with the Hasselback Gang!", a bitty shouted.
"Wait, what?", Sasha puzzled before Percy spoke up.
"The Hasselback gang?! Whoa, whoa, whoa! How dare you affiliate us with them? We're not with them.", Percy spoke up.
"And we're not like those thieving money-grubbers!", Braddock added.
"We were just passing by and looking around at the place. Right, Captain Grime?", Percy asked to the slightly befuddled Grime.
"Uh..., yes. We were just passing by.", Grime agreed.
"Yep. That's what we're doing.", Sasha concurred.
"Wow. I had no idea you feel very strongly about this.", Bombina said in surprise.
"Well, they always picked on us back when they were around at Toad Tower.", Percy explained.
"Oh, yeah. That checks out.", Bombina responded.
"Really? Well, how do we know we can trust you toads?", the bitty asked.
"Oh. Layin' it on a bit thick, huh?", Percy responded, a bit dumbfounded before coming up with something.
"Oh, right! I became a jester, recently.", Percy responded.
"So, you have. But I got my eye on you.", the bitty said.
Meanwhile, as Hop Pop was feeding Bessie, Felecia was on edge.
"There you are, girl.", Hop Pop said.
"Okay, time to head back out now.", Felicia said.
"But we just got here.", Hop Pop responded before the bitties gasped.
"What's all the ruckus?", Hop Pop asked before Grime, Sasha, Percy, and Braddock turned to see a scene of a group of bitties looking scared at someone in front of them.
"Apparently, that is all the ruckus.", Grime, hanging his eyelids half closed.
"B‐but, please. Just listen‐‐", the bitty spoke before getting kicked back and screaming as he was launched.
"Ooh. I gotcha.", Anne assured, catching the bitty.
"Aw... You look so cute.", Rose cooed.
"Now, who is that?", Sylvia puzzled.
"That, Sylvia, is the money-hoarding sheriff of Bittyburg and one of its four resident toads: Judro Hasselback of the Hasselback Gang.", Grime responded.
"All right. Y'all know the rules. Pay me, and no one gets hurt. That's right, pay up, keep it coming.", Judro spoke to the group of bitties, passing his hand through the bitties and receiving a coin from each.
"Sorry, Mr. Judro, sir, but I need the money for my boy, Bailey. He's been very sick and, uh‐‐", Bailey's father explained as he showed his son, who not only looked as though he was about to cry, but was also coughing.
"Oh, son.", Bailey's father said sadly before he was grabbed tightly in Judro's hand.
"Papa!", Bailey shouted.
"I don't want your excuses. I want your money.", Judro said, laughing as he shook the frog and made his coins fall off as the Bitties gasped.
"Those poor bitties.", Anne said sadly.
"Now that is just awful.", Sylvia glared.
"How could anyone be that cruel?!", Jackie shouted angrily.
"Yeah, doesn't he have any heart for the kids?!", Allison concurred.
"Yes! The kids!", Ivy agreed.
"Someone should do something!", Sprig shouted.
"Yeah, and put that bully in his place!", Rose agreed before Hop Pop got an idea.
"Hmm. Yes, somebody should.", Hop Pop said.
"Hop Pop? What are you doing?", Sasha asked.
"Sprig, get that fiddle ready. You might have a song to write. Hyup!", Hop Pop only said to Sprig as he held up his pants and walked forward.
"Ready and willing.", Sprig responded as he got out his fiddle.
"Go get 'em, Hopadiah!", Sylvia cheered before Hop Pop stepped up, catching Judro's attention.
"Huh?", Judro puzzled.
"Hey there, uh, feller. Who do you think you are, pushing good people around?", Hop Pop asked.
"I'm Judro Hasselback, and this here's my town. Who in the heck are you?", Judro asked.
"Name's Hopadiah Plantar, the frog that's gonna teach you some manners!", Hop Pop responded as he distended his vocal sack and pushed Judro, who fell to the ground before standing up.
"Hey, you better‐‐ Stop! What in the‐‐", Judro exclaimed before he was pushed by Hop Pop again, three times, in fact, before Judro fell to the ground.
"Oof! You'll pay for this!", Judro exclaimed before he crawled away.
"Nobody's paying you anything anymore.", Hop Pop smirked.
"You saved us, mister.", Bailey said before Hop Pop turned to see him.
"Huh?", Hop Pop puzzled.
"Three cheers for Hopadiah Plantar.", Bailey said before he and the Bitties all raised Hop Pop together.
"Hip, hip, hooray!", the Bitties exclaimed.
Unfortunately, they couldn't take the weight of Hop Pop and he fells on them before they just lifted him back up again.
"Yay!", the bitties cheered.
"Wow, Hop Pop. Nice work.", Anne grinned.
"Yeah, way to push him back!", Sasha cheered.
"Go, Hop Pop.", Sprig cheered.
"Why, that was nothing. Judro's just a big blowhard. Not like those tax toads I stood up to.", Hop Pop said before the bitties gasped.
"You stood up to toads?", one of the bitties asked.
"That was due to a misunderstanding.", Allison said.
Of course, the bitties were more focused on Hop Pop.
"Tell us the story. Please? Please?", Bailey asked.
"Aw, sweetie, there's not much to tell.", Hop Pop responded.
"10 to 1, he tells those stories for 3 hours.", Felicia said.
Then, three hours later, Hop Pop was still telling the story to the bitties.
"And then I lifted not one, not two, but three orcs over my head and threw them off Toad Tower.", Hop Pop fibbed before the Bitties gasped and cheered.
"Called it.", Felicia said.
"Threw three orcs? I don't remember that.", Polly asked.
"That's because it didn't happen.", Sprig whispered.
"Oh, let him have this. He's just juicing up the details a bit. In my world, we call this marketing.", Anne said.
"Really? From where I stand, that sounds more like lying than marketing.", Jackie argued.
"Yes, and lying is always wrong.", Felicia agreed.
"And so, using my frog‐given natural strength, I kicked the side of Toad Tower, and it exploded, blasting those orcs that were too close to Kingdom Come.", Hop Pop said before the Bitties cheered.
"All right. That's enough. Hopadiah, I'm worried. For all we know, you may as well have picked a battle that you can't win.", Bombina said in worry.
"She's right. I mean, shouldn't you be at least a bit concerned over the possibility that Judro may bring some reinforcements, like, I don't know, the rest of his gang the next time he comes back?", Grime asked.
"I'm sorry, did you say 'gang'?!", Hop Pop asked in shock.
"Hopadiah Plantar!", Judro shouted before Hop Pop turned around and saw Judro and his gang with the bitties hiding behind him as Hop Pop gasped.
"Whoo‐whee! You done asked for it, so here it comes. This here's the Hasselback Gang. My brother Heathro, half sister Ruth, Uncle Talbert, and of course, the matriarch herself, Mama Hasselback!", Judro introduced as Heathro snorted and Mama Hasselback hit her roller on the ground, making the bitties gasp.
"You the frog who dare throw my Judro outta town?", Mama asked before Hop Pop chuckled nervously.
"Well‐‐", Hop Pop began.
"Yep. And he's gonna run you outta town too. Right, Hopadiah?", Bailey asked before the rest of the bitties cheered him on.
"Hop Pop! You show 'em, Hopadiah! Go get 'em, Hopadiah!", the Bitties cheered before Mama laughed.
"Now this I gotta see.", Mama spoke before she sat.
"Um, uh, you're‐‐ You're gonna regret this.", Hop Pop said before trying to move Mama Hasselback with effort but failed to the point of exhaustion.
"Think I almost got her.", Hop Pop panted before Mama Hasselback nonchalantly hit Hop Pop in the head with her roller, instantly smacking him through the crust, much to the bitties' shock, as well as everyone else's.
"Back off.", Polly shouted.
"Yeah, you heard her!", Rose shouted.
"That was a new low!", Jackie added.
"Even for you!", Sasha added.
"Stay away from him!", Anne added.
"Come here, you no-good, little...!", Ivy began, about to charge in, before she and the others headed for Hop Pop only for Judro tied them up with his tongue, then the Hasselback gang put them in barrels from which they cannot free themselves.
"Aw, dang it. I'm stuck.", Ivy groaned.
"Anne! Are you okay?", Sasha asked.
"Aw, man. This is just like middle school.", Anne groaned.
"Not much different from my bucket, really.", Polly responded.
"Barrels are fun.", Danny grinned before Mama Hasselback laughed.
"Glad you like 'em. You have no idea how hard it is to make barrels like these. And as for the rest of y'all, looks like you folks chose the wrong frog. Or should I say 'fraud'?", Mama sneered as she lifted Hop Pop by one leg and dropped him to the ground with the Hasselback gang laughing.
"The nerve of those Hasselbacks!", Sasha grunted.
"I know. They are the worst!", Percy agreed.
"Word of advice, folks‐‐ Don't believe everything you're told about heroes. After all, they don't exist.", Mama smirked.
"Is it true, Hopediah? Are heroes a lie?", Bailey asked sadly before Hop Pop sighed.
"It's true, Bailey. IT'S TRUE!", Hop Pop said sadly.
"Now, get lost!", Mama said before the Hasselback gang rolled the barrels that Anne, Sasha, Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, Sprig, and Polly were in out of town.
"And take your garbage with ya.", Mama said.
"Garbage?!", Grime exclaimed as the Hasselback gang laughed.
"THAT'S IT!", Grime shouted as he drew his sword and slashed at Mama, only to slice through her roller, cleaving it in half, much to everyone's surprise as Grime panted.
"Take note, bitties. Let rage give you strength. If you funnel it correctly, it can be a secret weapon.", Grime stated before turning back to the Hasselbacks.
"And as for you...! You can crudely steal money from the bitties, you can terrorize the bitties, you can even take away all their hopes for all I care, but no one..., and I mean NO ONE, calls my top lieutenant GARBAGE! Who do you all think you are?!", Grime roared.
"Do I really need to explain this again?", Judro asked.
"Oh, please. That was a rhetorical question. But this one isn't: do you all know who I am?", Grime asked.
"Yeah, we know you. You're Captain Grime of the 'Toad Tower'. And guess what? We don't care.", Ruth sneered.
"Well, I think it's time you start caring for once! Didn't anyone notice that eerie eye in the sky and hear that ominous voice that followed sometime ago?", Grime asked, surprising the bitties as they remembered judging by the murmuring that followed.
"I don't care to know what you four think about this, but I believe this is a bad omen, foretelling an incoming war that will impact everyone involved! And if you don't believe the words I say, then there's only one recourse to get that through your thick heads.", Grime said before then yelling while thumping his chest, vocalizing with his mouth, and then punching Judro back and then making a circle around Mama and her gang with it before finally anchoring the sword to it, making the gang gasp.
"Uuh... what is happening right now?", Sasha puzzled.
"Mama, did he just...?", Judro began.
"Invoke the sacred law of toad challenge? Yup. That, he did.", Mama said.
"And more than that, I challenge you all to a Midnight Showdown!", Grime proclaimed.
"A Midnight showdown? What are you, off your rocker? There's four of us and only one of you.", Mama asked in slight disbelief with some sneering involved.
"Did you forget about my reinforcements?", Grime retorted with a returning sneer back toward her, making Mama growl uneasily.
"All right. Not like I have much choice, seeing as I am technically honor-bound to accept it. Hopefully, for the last time. What are your terms?", Mama asked.
"Our posse against your posse. Anything goes. If we win, you leave the bitties alone and leave this town of Bittyburg altogether. For good.", Grime stated.
"That's fine with me. If we win, you'll be the ones who leave. And you never come back.", Mama stated.
"Grime, you don't have to do this.", Bombina said.
"Oh, Bombina, for the sake of everyone's survival, and for our companions', I must.", Grime said before he shook hands with Mama Hasselback.
"Well, now. We got ourselves a deal.", Mama sneered.
"We will all be back here at High Moon to settle this. And when we come back, you will all be sorry.", Grime threatened as he and Bombina helped Hop Pop roll the barrels that Anne, Sasha, their siblings, Sprig, and Polly are in.
"Whee!", the two sets of triplets said happily as Stumpy walked alongside Bessie.
"I'll take that bet!", Mama laughed as she and her gang laughed again.
Some time later, Sasha, the Plantars, the Sundews, the toads, and the Boonchuys were back on top of Stumpy and in the fwagon.
"Finally, we're out of this place!", Felicia said.
"For now. We still have that showdown to attend to.", Grime responded.
"Wow. That was really big of you back there, Grimesy.", Sasha said.
"Yeah. I get that you hated them, but I didn't think you'd challenge them like that.", Braddock added.
"Oh, please. They had this coming for a very long time the moment they called you garbage, Sasha. That worked my last nerve! But if we're going to beat them, we need to come up with a battle plan.", Grime said before Sprig grabbed his fiddle and inhaled before Hop Pop quickly took his fiddle and raised it.
"AAAH!", Hop Pop shouted, about to smash the fiddle only for Grime to grab it.
"Whoa, there, Hopadiah. Excellent execution of rage, but not for a good reason.", Grime commented as Hop Pop panted and sighed.
"Not proud of what happened back there, kids. Sprig was right. No one's ever gonna write a song about this old coward.", Hop Pop said.
"Oh, Hop Pop. You're not a coward. I thought you were very brave.", Sylvia responded.
"She's right. And who cares about some dumb old song? Being a hero isn't about songs and glory anyways. It's about doing the right thing.", Anne agreed.
"That's true. Why do you think I challenged Mama Hasselback the way I did back then?", Grime agreed before Hop Pop thought for a second and suddenly stopped the Fwagon, making Bessie screech to the point of prompting Grime to stop Stumpy as well.
"My frog, everyone. You're right. This whole time, I was so focused on getting a song that I lost track of what really matters. Heroes are supposed to help those in need, and I was only trying to help myself. Well, that changes now. We're going back!", Hop Pop stated, earning Sylvia's nod.
"What?", Sprig reacted.
"Are you crazy?", Polly added.
"Correction: YOU ARE CRAZY!", Feleicia shouted.
"Not yet, you're not. If you're going back to stand up to them, you need to be trained first. Otherwise, you'll only be overpowered like before.", Grime responded.
"Good call, Grimesy. I'll help with the training.", Sasha said.
"That makes two of us.", Bombina added.
"Of course, we might need a back up plan in case things go south.", Hop Pop stated.
"Well, what's the backup plan?", Allison asked before Hop Pop gathered everyone around.
"Well, it goes a little bit like this, you see...", Hop Pop said with everyone whispering.
"Why are we whispering?", Sarah whispered playfully.
Then, as everyone else prepared the backup plan, Bombina and Sasha were training Hop Pop and they started off by lifting pole-like sticks with one water barrel on each side before Hop Pop tried only to fail as he lost his balance and fell, but not before two barrels landed on his head before Sasha then launched her tongue toward a big rock, smashing it to pieces before Hop Pop tried his hand only for his tongue to stick to a similar big rock and just launch himself over to the side. Then, after that, Grime puffed up his chest and patted it a few times with grunts before Hop Pop then tried punching the chest, only to suffer a cramp. Then, Grime shook his head and then got ready for a punch as Hop Pop tensed his abs, which didn't quite work out before he was sent back by a punch toward Stumpy, although Jackie caught him and the tensing did at least help with the defense.
"Are you okay, Hop Pop?", Jackie asked.
"Yep...! Just a bit groggy from that punch.", Hop Pop responded.
"I said tense your abs. Tense them!", Grime urged.
"Yeah, I don't think this is working.", Hop Pop groaned as he got back up.
"You think? No offense, but your small frog body is too frail for traditional toad conditioning.", Grime said.
"Uh, Captain? You might want to look.", Percy said before Grime looked to see the sun setting on one side and the moon rising on the other side.
"Look, I don't think you're ready, but we're literally out of time.", Grime stated.
Later, in the town, the Hasselback gang was sitting in the middle of the street with some bitties massaging Mama Hasselback's feet.
"Keep it up, Bitties. That's good. Just keep working on Mama's toes. I need 'em to be in shape for our showdown.", Mama smirked as Bailey's father was carrying a bag of coins to a pile of coins.
"Looks like no birthday gifts this year, kids.", Bailey's father said sadly.
"Don't worry, Papa. We'll always have the gift of music.", Bailey said before inhaling only for Judro to take his flute away.
"Yoink!", Judro said before he put the flute in his mouth and broke it.
"A‐whoops.", Judro smirked.
"You know, I'm actually pretty numb at this point.", Bailey responded.
"Serves you little runts right. If you thought things were bad before, just wait and see what we've got planned for you‐‐", Mama began.
"Not if we have anything to say about it!", Percy shouted, surprising Mama.
"What the...", Mama puzzled before she saw not only Grime, Sasha, Jackie, Allison, Rose, Pat, and their triplets just in front of Percy and Braddock, but also Hop Pop in front of them, wearing a hat and playing a harmonica.
"Ma'am.", Hop Pop said.
"Well, look who decided to show his frauddy old face again. And just in time for the showdown. Ya back for more punishment?", Mama asked.
"We're back to do what's right. Stand up to bullies like you.", Hop Pop responded before both Posses stared at each other.
It wasn't until the red moonlight ensured that the tip of the highest building in the small town touched the center of the circle Grime drew earlier that the showdown finally began.
"Stand back, fellas. They're all mine.", Hop Pop said.
"Sure. If you say so.", Grime responded with a wink.
"Get him!", Mama ordered before Judro charged toward Hop Pop screaming.
But Hop Pop stuck out his tongue and seemed to have given him a blow that made Judro fall to the ground with a grunt, much to the bitties' surprise as they gasped. Then, Mama Hasselback sent Heathro and Talbert toward Hop Pop.
"You boys ready for a lickin'?", Hop Pop asked before he threw another punch with his tongue which left Talbert on the ground.
"His tongue feels like iron.", Talbert said in surprise.
Then, Heathro went for Hop Pop, who threw his tongue, and this time, it looked like a stone fell on Heathro just as the tongue passed near him, which, in actuality, made it look like Hop Pop was the one who hit him as he laughed.
Then, Anne, Sprig and Polly, accompanied by Felicia, Sylvia, and Ivy, were seen standing on a high place near the town and using a slingshot to throw stones and help Hop Pop.
"Two degrees left.", Anne said.
"Load me up.", Sprig said.
"Fire three.", Ivy added before they threw another rock and knocked down another Hasselback in the process.
"Go, Hopadiah!", one bitty said.
"He's doing it!", another shouted before cheering as Mama backed away in fear up until she saw a flash of moonlight, which ultimately came from the place where Sprig, Polly and Anne are.
From there, she figured out the Plantar's plan and laughed.
"So, that's the game, is it?", Mama asked.
"End of the line, Mama.", Hop Pop discouraged before Hop Pop threw his tongue while Sprig threw a stone.
Unfortunately, Mama Hasselback dodged Hop Pop's tongue and caught the stone before throwing it toward Sprig, who fell off after getting hit and had Ivy falling on him, making the both of them blush when they noticed.
"Sprig! Ivy!", Rose shouted as everyone else gasped.
"The jig is up!", Anne shouted.
"I knew this was a bad idea.", Felicia said.
"Run, Hop Pop!", Polly shouted.
"Run like the wind!", Felicia shouted.
"Uh‐oh.", Hop Pop said in worry before the Hasselback gang got up off the ground with a grunt.
"Well, I best be gone. Toodles!", Hop Pop shouted before he turned and was about to run away when Sasha stopped him.
"Aw, heck nah! Are you really going to leave them behind like this?", Sasha asked.
"She's right! Just look at their faces!", Jackie agreed as she blocked Judro with Grime knocking Judro back.
"You can do this, Hopadiah! We believe in you! I believe in you!", Sylvia assured before Hop Pop saw the faces of the Bitties before stopping and remembering what Anne told him.
"Being a hero isn't about songs and glory anyways. It's about doing the right thing.", Anne's voice echoed.
Hop Pop groaned and turned around with effort toward the Hasselback gang, the rest of which were being held back by Allison, Rose, and Par with Allison helping Jackie.
"He's doing it...", Allison said in surprise.
"You know what, Mama? I'm through running. When you see someone that can't fight for themselves, it's your job to fight for them! Standing up to bullies like you is the right thing to‐‐", Hop Pop finished before he was quickly beaten by Mama Hasselback with her tongue, making him groan as Bailey gasped before Mama laughed as Hop Pop rolled backwards and landed toward a garbage pile.
"Mr. Plantar! No...", Bailey said as he and Sylvia rushed over to Hop Pop.
"Oh, Hopadiah! Are you all right?", Sylvia asked.
"Don't cry for me, Bailey. I don't feel a thing. Bleh.", Hop Pop said before he laid his head down.
"No! No! No!", Bailey cried before turning to Grime and remembered what he said earlier.
"Let rage give you strength. If you funnel it correctly, it can be a secret weapon.", Grime's words echoed before Bailey looked back to his broken flute and then at his hands before tensing them in determination as well as a rising surge of anger, which caused his eyes to turn red and his teeth to sharpen before he growled as he turned toward the Hasselbacks, one of which grew worried and motioned to Mama, who was too busy laughing to notice.
"Uh, Mama?", Judro asked in worry before the bitties started following Bailey's cue and then got just as feral as well.
"What...?", Mama puzzled.
"What the...?", Ivy puzzled as she and Sprig got up.
"They're changin'.", Judro said before the Bitties finished changing, now showing sharp teeth and red eyes, surrounding the Hasselback gang, much to the group's surprise.
"What the heck?", Sasha puzzled as the bitties growled.
"Huh. What the... Now you listen here, Bitties‐‐", Mama began before Bailey suddenly roared with the sound of a feral beast while the rest of the bitties rushed at them and quickly leapt onto them to attack before they could have time to react.
"My face!", Ruth screamed as she leaned back upon getting swarmed before, while one of the tamer bitties was singing, crushing a building.
"How are they doing that...?!", Bombina said in surprise as the bitties even swiftly clawed at Talbert's mustache, shaving it clean faster than he can toss his combs, making him squeak sadly.
"That speed. It's...actually impressive!", Grime said in disbelief before Anne and the others regrouped back to Hop Pop.
"Whoa, mama.", Polly said.
"For once..., you took the words out of my mouth.", Felicia responded in surprise.
"Hop Pop, we gotta go. The bitties are going nuts.", Anne urged.
"Believe me. Nuts would be an understatement.", Jackie responded.
"Well, I guess after years of abuse, even the most timid of frogs might get a little‐‐", Hop Pop began.
"Feral? Hostile? Berserk? Murderous?", Grime asked.
"Now, just what do you mean by mur-", Hop Pop began before he turned and saw what the Bitties were doing to Mama.
"Whoa! My goodness!", Hop Pop exclaimed as a bunch of bitties attacked her with one even popping out of her chest (seemingly) before Mama crashed onto the ground on her back.
"You ruined my shirt!", Mama shouted before Bailey growled and changed to normal.
"Hi, Mr. Plantar.", Bailey grinned.
"Bailey? You frogs are fighting back?", Hop Pop asked in surprise.
"Yep! All because of what you said.", Bailey responded.
"You mean about how standing up to bullies is the right thing to do?", Hop Pop asked.
"Uh... no. The part about how when someone can't fight for themselves, you need to fight for them. You clearly can't fight for yourself.", Bailey responded.
"Dang right.", Grime agreed.
"Wow. That's... sorta blunt.", Ivy stated.
"But you did stand your ground, there, Hop Pop. For now, that's what counts.", Jackie assured.
"Thanks, Jackie.", Hop Pop said.
"Here's a tooth, by the way.", Bailey said before changing again and then running toward Mama.
"Are you sure you're all right?", Grime asked.
"Well, that Mama's punch hit less hard than yours if that means anything. Maybe I could stand to learn a few things from you every now and then.", Hop Pop responded.
"Yes. And I think maybe I've been training you all wrong. Instead of molding you into a perfect toad, I should be focusing on your strengths as a frog. Speed, agility.", Grime said.
"You think maybe we could try this training again sometime?", Hop Pop asked.
"Indeed.", Grime responded as he and Hop Pop shook on it.
"Then, can we please do it elsewhere?!", Felicia urged before they noticed buildings on fire from the Bitties' rampage on the Hasselbacks.
"Well, now that all that's settled, time to get going.", Hop Pop suggested.
"Wait. Where are the triplets?", Jackie asked before she noticed 6 of them helping the bitties attack Mama, even popping out from the hole and giggling.
"Come on, triplets. Time to head out.", Jackie and Allison called before the triplets turned to the two.
"Okay.", the 6 triplets spoke before they left with everyone leaving in a hurry.
"Farewell, bitties! May we cross paths with you as warriors, one day!", Grime shouted as everyone left before Sprig played his fiddle before a whiplash sounded as they rode off into the horizon with the moon in front of them with Bessie whinnying.
Oh, Hop Pop stood his ground
In hopes he'd save the day
But then the townsfolk Went berserk
And so, he ran away
Meanwhile, somewhere in the desert, a robot was seen walking.
Act II: Anne Hunter
Later, in a certain area in the forest, the Plantars, Sundews, Boonchuys, Waybrights, and toads were setting up camp as Hop Pop hummed.
"Okay, dinner's ready.", Hop Pop said, carrying a covered tray to an excited Anne, Sasha, Polly, Rose, Ivy, Sprig, and Jackie.
"Whoo-hoo!", Anne cheered.
"About time.", Sasha grinned.
"Yeah!", Polly added.
"Hooray!", Rose cheered.
"All right!", Ivy grinned.
"I'm starving.", Sprig added.
"What are we having?", Jackie asked.
"Now hold onto your butts.", Hop Pop said before he took off the lid.
"Bam! Stick surprise!", Hop Pop said before the trio sighed.
"Ah, boo!", Ivy groaned.
"You've got to be kidding me.", Sasha said.
"You dare call this food?", Grime said angrily.
"But I didn't tell you what the surprise is.", Hop Pop said.
"Let me guess. No surprise?", Sasha retorted.
Hop Pop was about to retort back but then stopped himself.
"Actually, you're right. There's no surprise.", Hop Pop responded before everyone all groaned.
"Sorry, kids. This journey's been longer than expected, and we're out of food.", Sylvia explained.
"No food, huh?", Polly asked before she took out a biscuit from her bow.
"That's what you plebes think.", Polly smirked before she then took a bite of the biscuit and put it back in her bow.
Unfortunately for her, Polly heard a gasp and turned to notice Rose, who saw what she did.
"Oh, no!", Polly squeaked before running from Rose.
"Give those cookies back, you thief!", Rose shouted as she chased after Polly, who ran from her.
"You didn't see nothing!", Polly shouted before Ivy then followed in pursuit just for fun.
"Halt, cookie thief!", Ivy shouted before Anne grunted.
"This is all our fault. We dragged you guys out here to figure out how to get us home, and now we're all gonna starve to death.", Anne said, ashamed before the Plantars only laughed.
"We're not gonna starve to death. This is our chance to find food the way nature intended... as hunters.", Sprig responded.
"Say what now?", Jackie and Felicia puzzled.
"Yep. This isn't the first time I had to deal with somethin' like this, you know.", Sylvia responded.
"Hunters, eh?", Anne said as she touched her chin before imagining herself as a hunter running through the forest.
There, she stopped and spotted a roasted chicken running as it clucked. Anne jumped up and used her bow to shoot an arrow at the roasted chicken, which clucked as it ran before the arrow hit and exploded on impact. Then, the smoke cleared to show Hop Pop, Sprig, Polly, Ivy, Felicia, and Sylvia, who seemed to be very hungry as Sprig groaned.
"I'm dying.", Hop Pop groaned before Anne fell next to them, bringing a large leg of roasted chicken.
"I have provided. Now feed!", Anne shouted before they all started eating the chicken leg frantically.
Then, Anne put a big pot of ranch sauce next to them and laughed with said laughter coming off as a chuckle in reality as Anne finished her fantasy.
"Anne! Anne! Are you there? Hello?", Jackie asked before Anne shook her head.
"Guys, leave the hunting to me.", Anne offered, surprising everyone.
"Wha?", Hop Pop and Sprig puzzled.
"That came out of nowhere.", Polly said.
"Wait. Where are you going with this?", Grime asked.
"Anne, are you sure about this?", Ivy asked.
"You guys do so much for me. Let me do something for you for a change.", Anne offered.
"Ooh! I can teach her to hunt the Plantar way, Hop Pop. Just like you taught me.", Sprig assured.
"The Plantar way?", Rose asked.
"Oh, yeah. Like in the book I read.", Jackie realized.
"You actually know that?", Allison asked.
"You'd be surprised what we learned in the archives.", Jackie responded.
"Can I come, too, Mom?", Ivy asked.
"Hmm, okay, but you all need to be careful", Felicia warned.
"She's right. We're not in the valley anymore. Who knows what dangerous predators could be lurking about? They could be poisonous or they could be psychic. They could be poisonous and psychic. You don't know!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"Whoa! Whoa! Hop Pop, it's fine. Guys, you ready to hunt?", Sprig asked.
"I'm so pumped.", Anne said.
"Glad to see you feel that way.", Ivy grinned.
"Are you sure? 'Cause I'm warning you now: the hunting method is not what you think it is and it is very unconventional from what you believe.", Jackie said.
"Well, bring it on! This is gonna be awesome.", Anne only smirked before it then cut to show her head in mud.
"Bring it off. This is not awesome.", Anne said, disgusted.
"I did try to tell you that it was unconventional.", Jackie responded as Sprig was seen tasting the mud.
"Ugh! I thought hunting was supposed to be cool. Conquering nature and stuff. Not eating mud.", Anne said.
"Actually, he's tasting for clues to where the prey would be.", Ivy stated.
"You know that stuff?", Anne asked before she scoffed in response.
"Well, everyone knows that. Even me.", Grime responded.
"And conquering nature? Oh, no, no. Hunting is about becoming one with nature.", Sprig explained.
"What? Uh, do I at least get a cool weapon? A crossbow? Kunai? A crossbow that shoots kunai?", Anne asked.
"Double for me?", Sasha added.
"Crossbows and Kunai are out of the question!", Ivy exclaimed.
"That's not how it works, Anne.", Jackie responded
"And in what universe is Kunai used for hunting, anyway?", Allison asked.
"Weapons are for barbarians.", Sprig added, smacking the log away before Anne gave a sour look.
"Now then, hunting the Plantar way involves three main steps. The first, track your prey.", Sprig stated before he grabbed a bit of mud with his hand.
"The soil is a buffet of clues.", Sprig stated before he ate the mud.
"Told you.", Grime stated to Anne.
"Oh, oh! I think I'm getting something. This way.", Sprig said before walking through the forest eating things as everyone, even the blank Anne, following him before he suddenly saw something moving in a bush; it was a light brown worm with a chocolate-covered spot and three patches of white fur resembling frosting.
"Aw. It looks so cute.", Rose grinned.
"And sweet, too.", Pat added.
"They have that effect.", Ivy grinned.
"See, Anne? Nature provides. We found some grubbles. They're supposed to be delicious.", Sprig said.
"I can already see why.", Pat grinned.
"Step two, use your surroundings. Hmm.", Sprig said before he dug a hole next to the bush and then removed some bark from a tree and put it in the hole.
"Perfect.", Sprig grinned.
"Well, at least the trap part should be familiar enough for ya, Anne.", Jackie said.
"And now it's time for the final and most important step... the dance.", Sprig said as he brushed his foot against the dirt and clenched his fingers into fists while raising his arms.
"Dance? What do you mean da...", Sasha began before she looked at Sprig dancing from behind as he knelt on all fours and started doing his stuff.
"Oh, my gosh. You gotta be kidding me.", Anne said, covering her eyes.
"Dude, no...!", Sasha groaned, covering her eyes as well.
"This dance has been in our family for generations.", Sprig explained.
"You mean that silly dance?", Sasha asked.
"Actually, he's right. I read before on the archives that the very first person to invent that kind of dance was named Lily Plantar. And that's just 1,000 years ago.", Jackie responded.
"Of course...", Sasha sighed.
"Yep. Now, watch me closely. It's designed to both entice and disorient.", Sprig stated.
"Oh. I guess that explains what's going on with those three.", Sasha said, pointing to the fact that Grime, Percy, and Braddock had just become entranced in the dance.
"Yeah, don't know what that's about.", Ivy puzzled before some more grubbles came out of the bush and got thrown into the hole that Sprig made.
He continued to dance as more grubbles continued to come out of the bush.
"Oh, boy. Okay, that's enough. I think I can hunt just fine without a funny little dance.", Anne joked.
"There's nothing funny about the sacred Plantar hunting dance, Anne.", Sprig retorted as Grime, Percy, and Braddock came to.
"Huh? What?", Grime puzzled.
"What happened?", Braddock asked.
"Did anyone else just black out?", Percy asked.
"Apart from that. Besides, I thought you loved dancing.", Sprig added.
"Well, yeah, when there's music and a dance floor. I mean, is this even necessary? These little guys seem pretty easy to catch. I don't even think they have brains.", Anne said before the grubble squealed, making Rose gasp.
"Don't say that about Grubbie.", Rose said.
"'Grubbie'? Seriously?", Sasha asked.
"What? It's just so darn cute!", Rose responded.
"Not all prey will be as easy as grubbles. But that's not the point. Hunting is about connecting to the harmony of nature. Let its rhythm flow through you. Can you hear the drums, Anne? Can you hear them playing the beat of the hunt?", Sprig asked.
"No. Now let's split up and catch double the grubble. Don't worry about me. I've got the eyes of a hawk.", Anne said before Sasha noticed where Anne was headed.
"Anne!", Sprig and Sasha shouted before they both grabbed Anne by each arm, stopping her before she could fall into an abyss.
"Eyes of a hawk, eh?", Grime said sarcastically.
"More like eyes of a snail. No offense to Bessie.", Ivy responded.
"Totally saw that.", Anne responded.
"No, you didn't.", Jackie retorted before Sprig sighed.
"All right. Just be careful, okay? We still don't know what's out here.", Sprig responded.
"And to be sure, we're all gonna help you get more grubbles, got it?", Jackie added as she, Rose, Andy, Danny, Lily, Sasha, Allison, Pat, Rebecca, Abby, and Sarah left in one direction while everyone else left the other way.
"Well, good luck, everyone!", Percy shouted, not knowing that a drop of water was falling, which turned out to be saliva from a creature that was watching Anne and the others behind them and growling as it observed them further via infared vision.
"Oh, man, are we gonna feast tonight.", Sprig grinned.
"Ooh, I can't wait!", Ivy grinned.
Later, at night, Anne, Sasha, and their siblings were seen by the side of the bush, the grubbles still coming out of it as Anne chuckled.
"Aw. Aren't you just the sweetest thing?!", Rose cooed, hugging one of them.
"Careful. We don't wanna squeeze 'em too hard.", Jackie warned.
"Okay.", Rose responded, loosening her grip somewhat before Anne chuckled.
"'The dance, Anne.' Ha! You know what's better than a ridiculous dance? A stick. Time for some grubble satay.", Anne spoke as she held the stick with the purpose of hitting the worms.
"You can't just stab them!", Rose exclaimed.
"I'm not even sure it'd work, anyway. They'd just slip out of the way.", Jackie added before a loud bestial roar sounded with Sprig, Polly, Hop Pop, Ivy. Felicia, Sylvia, Percy, Braddock, and even Grime screaming.
"Wha... Guys!", Anne exclaimed.
"They're in trouble!", Sasha shouted before they and their siblings hopped over back to the place where the Plantar's set up their camp.
But when they got there, no one was here.
"Sprig? Hop Pop? Polly?", Anne gasped.
"And neither Grime, Percy, nor Braddock are here, either.", Sasha added.
"What could've happened to them?", Rose added, starting to get scared before Bessie chirped.
"Hey, hey, hey, girl. Shh. Bessie.", Anne said, calming the frightened Bessie.
"Where's the family...", Anne said before a dark shadow hung over her along with a monstrous growl before Anne, Sasha, and the others turned and gasped in horror upon seeing the predator that had all 6 frogs and toads alike wrapped up around its scorpion-like tail.
This predator was mostly canine in appearance, acquiring a muscular body covered in grey fur with 4 glowing yellow eyes set on the front of its head, not to mention red mandibles resembling those of a scorpion's before the 6 victims wrapped around its scorpion tail screamed with the beast roaring beastily once again.
"AH, CRUD!", Sasha shouted.
"Cool!", Pat said in amazement, puzzling and peeving the rest.
"What? I can't be the only one who thinks that.", Pat responded.
"It came out of nowhere!", Sprig shouted.
"Who knew it'd hunt so well!", Ivy added.
"Careful, everyone! It still might be psychic!", Hop Pop warned.
"It better not be!", Felicia exclaimed.
"I'm too cute to die!", Polly shouted.
"You kidding? I'm not even old enough to die.", Sylvia retorted.
"You can beat that thing, Sasha!", Grime assured.
"After all, you did just take down massive herons.", Percy added.
"Yeah. What's another creature like that, huh?", Braddock added.
"Wait, what?", Sprig and Polly puzzled.
"Guys!", Anne shouted.
"Just hang in there! We're gonna get you out!", Sasha assured before the predator only left, taking the frogs and toads with it.
"My biscuit!", Polly shouted as her biscuit fell out of her bow with Rose grabbing the biscuit that fell near her.
"Dang it, Polly. Food hoarder", Rose grumbled before she and the others noticed the trail of destruction the monster left behind when it left.
"It left a trail.", Anne gasped.
"You're right. It did. That means if we follow it, we should be able to catch up to them and save them.", Jackie realized.
"But we're going to need a plan. Otherwise, we'd just be that thing's next meal.", Sasha added.
"Pssh. Plan, schmlan. Super huntress instincts engage. I can totally do this.", Anne said before she ran through the forest.
Unfortunately, after some time, Anne became confused, not knowing which way out of the forest to go.
"Yeah, I-I can't do this.", Anne said, stuck at a crossroads of three paths.
"The trail's gone completely cold. Sprig was right. I don't know what I'm doing. If only he were here with me.", Anne said in worry.
"Anne!", Sprig's voice spoke before Anne, in puzzlement, gasped upon noticing a floating Sprig head appearing behind her as did everyone else who saw him.
"Follow the true way of the hunter.", the Floating Sprig Head said, wrapped in a blue light.
"And follow the steps.", a floating Ivy head added, appearing while wrapped in a blue light as well.
"And only then can you truly catch your prey.", Grime's voice added as his floating head appeared as well, but wrapped in a red light.
"Sprig!", Anne shouted.
"Ivy!", Rose exclaimed.
"And Grimesy?!", Sasha said.
"Oh, no, are you guys dead?!", Allison shouted.
"Are those your ghosts?!", Pat added.
"What? No. The real Captain Grime, Ivy, and Sprig are still out there and they need your help.", the Floating Grime Head responded.
"Us? We're more likely stress-induced hallucination.", the Floating Ivy Head said.
"But, we can all see you, can't we?", Rose asked.
"Why, yes, actually.", the Floating Grime Head replied.
"So what you're saying is, we finally snapped.", Anne guessed before the Floating Sprig Head showed a thumbs-up in agreement.
"Yeah, I don't think that's a good sign. For any of us.", Sasha said a bit worriedly.
"Well, as long as you're helping. So what do we do?", Anne asked.
"Follow the steps.", the Floating Sprig Head responded.
"Right. The steps. What was the first one again?", Anne asked before Jackie groaned.
"Track your prey, Anne! Keep up!", Jackie responded.
"Thank you, Jackie.", the Floating Ivy Head thanked exasperatedly.
"Right, right. Track. How do I track again?", Anne asked, frustrating the Floating Sprig Head.
"Ugh, sheesh. Smell the dirt, Anne.", the Floating Sprig Head suggested.
"Oh, right. Got it. Got it.", Anne responded before she bent over and smelled the dirt.
"Good. Now taste it.", the Floating Grime Head stated before Anne gagged.
"Well, by all means, take your time. We're only about to be devoured by a savage creature!", the Floating Grime Head spoke as he turned into the scorpion wolf monster from earlier, taking 11 out of 12 of the group aback as they exclaimed.
"Okay, I'm tasting, I'm tasting.", Anne assured as the Floating Grime Head then turned back to normal before Anne tasted a little bit of dirt and gagged.
"Guys, what is the point of thi... Wait a minute.", Anne spoke before munching on the dirt further.
"I'm tasting something. I'm getting...", Anne spoke before gulping.
"Polly's biscuits! Which means it's this way.", Anne gasped, running toward the path.
"All right! Now, we're cooking!", Sasha grinned as she ran up to Anne.
"YES! Excellent job!", the Floating Grime Head spoke.
"You're doing it, Anne!", the Floating Sprig Head added.
"Good job!", the Floating Ivy Head agreed.
"With you guiding us, we might just be able to pull this off. Now come on, Hallucination Sprig, Hallucination Ivy, and Hallucination Grime.", Anne grinned as they followed, not knowing that Mew was watching from the leaves of a tree.
"Can we eat the dirt?", Rose asked.
"No.", Allison and Jackie responded in unison before Mew giggled.
Then, there was a musical montage while Anne, Sasha, Jackie, Allison, Rose, and Pat hopped through the forest with each frog and toad holding one triplet before Anne tried to swing on vines only to fall, although she managed to use her tongue to recover and grinned as she swung this way and caught up with the others before later, the 6, who each carried a triplet on their backs as they climbed a wall before crossing a chasm using a tree trunk as a bridge. Unfortunately, it broke and they all fell. Fortunately, they landed in the water deep enough for their heads to be the only thing not covered by the water. Then, Anne even looked at the monster's footprints on the ground only to turn around and notice, much to her chagrin, the Floating Sprig Head singing.
When the hunt is on
And the moon is high
You can hunt the hunt
Only if you try
but you better hurry up
for the time is nigh
'Cause if you don't listen to Sprig
Your family will die
"You really need to stop that.", Anne said.
"Okay!', the Floating Sprig head responded.
Sometime later, Anne, Sasha, Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, and the 6 triplets arrived at the monster's lair, which had many toad skeletons scattered throughout the place. At that moment, the monster arrived, bringing the Plantars, the Sundews, and toads with it before it placed them on the ground and clutched them with its claws.
"We no wike bad monster.", Lily said intensely.
"We neither.", Sarah agreed.
"Yeah.", Andy, Danny, Rebecca, and Abby agreed.
"What the heck is that thing anyway?", Anne asked.
"That, Anne, is a Lupion. Half scorpion, half wolf.", the Floating Grime Head responded.
"Lupion? That is one messed-up horoscope.", Anne responded.
"Okay, look, I get how messed up that is, but we don't have much time.", Allison urged.
"Yeah, we can't have that Scorpi-wolf chow down on our friends!", Pat agreed.
"Right. Think. What was step two?", Anne asked before she gasped upon remembering something.
"Use your environment!", Anne and the Floating Sprig Head said before she started digging.
"We'll help!", Rose and Pat offered before they, Sasha, Jackie, and Allison all started digging.
Meanwhile, the Lupion roared as its lower jaws expanded.
"Who knew? Devoured by a savage creature. Well, there are worse ways to go.", Grime stated.
"Sasha and the others will make it. Right?", Percy asked a bit worried.
"I should have eaten more biscuits!", Polly shouted as Sprig and Hop Pop screamed.
"NO! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE!", Rose shouted before Pat pulled her away.
"Rose...!", Pat whispered, pulling Rose away and covering her mouth before the Lupion turned to the sound and growled uneasily.
"What are you trying to do, blow our cover?!", the Floating Ivy Head whispered.
Although, fortunately, that didn't mean it wasn't preoccupied with its current prey.
"Okay, running out of time here.", the Floating Grime Head said before Sasha and Anne then covered the hole with leaves.
"Okay, what's next?", Anne asked.
"Oh, you know what comes next. The dance.", the Floating Sprig Head said before Anne grunted.
"Okay, but just this once because I like you guys a lot.", Anne responded as she ran forwards.
"You go do that! We'll ambush it while that thing is distracted.", Sasha said.
Meanwhile, the Lupion growled as it licked Grime.
"Well, go ahead. Do your worst.", Grime dared before the Lupion then raised its stinger high up in the air before lurching it toward him as Grime braced himself.
"Hey, furball!", Anne shouted before the Lupion stopped its stinger inches from his head and then turned toward Anne with a whine out of puzzlement.
"Anne!", Sprig, Hop Pop, and Polly shouted.
"You guys are here!", Ivy grinned in relief while Sylvia and Felicia were surprised.
"Well, Hallelujah.", Sylvia grinned.
"I don't believe this.", Grime said in surprise before Anne inhaled while the Lupion growled still.
Anne started to dance, but then she noticed that the monster was ignoring her.
"Uh, it's not working.", Anne said in worry.
"That's because you don't believe. You have to feel the music.", the Floating Sprig Head responded.
"There is no music!", Anne shouted before the Lupion growled, about to eat its prey as Polly screamed.
"This is it, Anne!", the Floating Ivy Head exclaimed.
"It's now or never!", the Floating Grime Head urged.
"You have to save them. Me! Us! Them! This is confusing!", the Floating Sprig Head added.
"You're right. I have to do this.", Anne agreed before she got ready to dance, scraping her shoe across the ground and then clutching her hands into fists while raising her arms before getting on all fours like Sprig did earlier.
"Listen, Anne. Listen to the rhythm of nature all around you.", Sprig's voice said before she heard the water splashing in rhythm and drums beating in similar rhythm as well.
"That's it. Let it take hold of you.", Sprig's voice said before Anne then started dancing the same moves that Sprig used for the sacred dance, finally attracting the Lupion's attention before it then started to get entranced as did Grime, Percy, and Braddock.
"She's doing it... She's actually doing it!", Jackie said in awe.
"Come on. We got us a Lupion to ambush.", Sasha said as she led the way around where the Lupion wouldn't see them as it was too busy being entranced.
"I am the leaves. I am the morning dew. I am... The Hunter!", Anne shouted before she then flopped like a fish and danced away, even banging her head against the tree trunk.
"Yes, you're doing it!", the Floating Sprig Head grinned.
"And it's so beautiful.", the Floating Grime head added before the monster dropped the Plantars, Sundews, and toads in order to approach Anne.
While it watched her do her dance, quietly, the frogs and toads noticed Sasha, Jackie, and the others going behind Lupion. Then, just as Anne dropped dirt on his head with her foot as she danced, they took a tremendous jump off the ground, lurched their tongues toward the creature, and pushed it off the ground and into the hole, just missing Anne, who ducked as part of the dance. The monster was much too surprised to fight back.
"You did it, Anne! You did it!", the Floating Sprig Head grinned.
"Huzzah!", the Floating Grime Head added before Anne stopped and opened her eyes.
"What?", Anne said before looking to see that the Lupion was trapped.
"Whoo-hoo! I did it! Danced in your face.", Anne grinned before the Lupion growled as it managed to get out of the hole.
"Whoop! Gotta go. Come on, family, let's skedaddle.", Anne urged.
"No argument here!", Felicia said.
"The sooner, the better!", Sasha added.
"You got it.", Sprig responded.
"Ditto.", Ivy agreed.
"An excellent point.", Grime agreed.
"Don't have to tell me twice.", Polly added before the Lupion gave a roaring howl.
At the campsite, Bessie was sad as she ate a twig sadly. Then, it saw the Plantars, Sundews, Boonchuys, Waybrights, and toads returning, earning its excited chirps.
"Well done, Sasha!", Grime grinned.
"We knew you'd save us!", Percy grinned.
"And dang it, that was the best ambush we have ever seen!", Braddock added.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Braddock.", Ivy grinned.
"It was the best hunter's dance I've ever seen.", Sprig grinned.
"You did it, Anne!", Hop Pop grinned.
"I did, didn't I? I heard the music, Sprig. I felt one with nature. You were right. And so were you, guys.", Anne said, talking to the floating Sprig, Ivy, and Grime heads in her imagination, who winked at her before vanishing.
"Uh, who are you talking to?", Sprig asked.
"Not important.", Anne responded.
"We've all had a very long night.", Sasha added as Mew, who was watching, blinked before then flying away.
"Mew.", Mew spoke before she flew off.
As she was flying, though, Mew noticed Frobo walking somewhere in the forest before getting a closer look. Upon seeing it walking and bumping into some trees clumsily, Mew giggled before vanishing.
A/N: Looks like Mew has shown up in this one, too. But this is only a brief visit here before returning to the Boiling Isles. Who knows what may happen in the next episode to look forward to? :)