A/N: And now, we have another episode of Amphibia ready. And in the second half of said episode, Toad Hunter will go a bit differently.
Amphibia: Secrets of Amphibia
Chapter 4
Act I: Quarreler's Pass
It all started high in the mountains with gray skies with Anne checking her map.
"Hey, looks like we're almost halfway to Newtopia, HP.", Anne grinned.
"Well, isn't that nice?", Percy grinned.
"Yep, we're making good time.", Hop Pop responded.
"I gotta say, this trip has been a lot smoother than I thought it'd be. And that's saying something, considering what happened recently.", Braddock stated.
"Yep.", Grime responded.
"But the one thing we'd change...", Pat began.
"The only thing I'd change...", Rose began.
"The thing that really needs changin'...", Hop Pop began before Sprig and Polly were heard fighting.
"Stop pushing me!", Sprig shouted.
"You stop pushing me!", Polly retorted.
"Is that.", Hop Pop responded.
"Get that stupid stuff out of my face!", Polly exclaimed.
"Well, sorry for showing you all this cool moss I found!", Sprig argued before Polly hit him.
"Ow! What was that for?", Sprig exclaimed.
"I saw a punch bug! Punch bug!", Polly responded before she hit him again.
"For the last time, I'm not playing punch bu...", Sprig began before Polly hit him again.
"Ow!", Sprig exclaimed.
As for Jackie and Sasha, it wasn't any better.
"You know, Sash? Where we're from, no amount of training is worth seeing those you love get hurt at the cost of getting stronger.", Jackie said.
"Well, back then, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.", Sasha argued.
"That was then, Sasha. This is now!", Jackie argued.
"Two weeks of nonstop arguing really starting to wear on me.", Anne groaned.
"They're really going at it.", Ivy added.
"And our triplet sets are really starting to get uncomfortable with all this fighting, too.", Rose added.
"And my triplets, especially. They hate fighting the most. The last time they heard anyone fight, it was when Mom and Dad were fighting right before they divorced.", Pat responded as the Waybright triplets started crying while the Boonchuy triplets were close to doing so themselves.
"That's horrible.", Rose said in worry.
"See what you're doing, Sasha? Even your triplets are crying!", Jackie scolded.
"What I'm doing?! What about what YOU'RE doing?!", Sasha exclaimed.
"At least they're keeping it in the fwagon this time.", Hop Pop said.
"And so far, I've been surprisingly sane.", Grime said just before Polly came out of the fwagon with Sprig's hat.
"Starting to lose it now...", Grime said.
"Look everyone, I'm Sprig. Look at all this dumb moss I found. Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Woooooooow!", Polly spoke in Sprig's voice as she looked at Hop Pop and threw moss in Hop Pop's face, even saying it in Hop Pop's ear and deep tone at one point before Sprig came out of the fwagon.
"Oh, yeah?", Sprig asked before speaking in Polly's voice.
"Well, I'm Polly, and I decided we're all playing punch bug. Punch bug!", Sprig shouted, speaking in Polly's voice.
"This is incredibly annoying but I have to say, their impressions of each other are spot on.", Anne commented.
"Yep, always had a knack for that.", Hop Pop agreed.
"Wow! Wow!", Polly spoke in Sprig's voice.
"Punch bug! Punch bug!", Sprig shouted in Polly's voice while punching Anne, unfortunately making Grime angry as his growls grow louder and louder as they kept going; moss after moss, punch after punch; never-ending arguing and it was too much!
"THAT'S IT!", Grime shouted, forcefully stopping Bessie, causing Sprig, Polly, Jackie, and Sasha to fall off the fwagon.
"Oh, dear. Shouldn't have done that.", Braddock said.
"Yeah. Now, they're in for it.", Percy agreed.
"I HAVE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOUR CONSTANT ARGUING!", Grime shouted with a fierce echo, much to everyone's (mostly, Jackie, Sasha, Sprig, and Polly's) shock before the Boonchuy triplets started whimpering.
"What... now?", Grime asked before the Boonchuy triplets started sobbing just as loudly as the Waybright triplets, making Grime sigh.
"Oh, no...! Hey, it's okay, little triplets. It's okay.", Rose assured.
"Yeah. They're just letting their feelings out.", Pat agreed as he helped.
"Oh, I don't think I can take two more weeks of this. If only there were some way to get them to stop fighting for real.", Anne groaned before Hop Pop noticed a sign nearby.
"Hey. Maybe there is!", Hop Pop assured, pointing to a sign just near an unusual fork with Polly reading it aloud.
"'Quarreler's Pass. A road to reconciliation for weary travel-mates.' Okay, so what?", Polly asked.
"Quarreler's Pass?", Jackie asked in worry.
"Wait, guys, you don't think they're gonna...", Sprig began.
"You're seriously leaving us here?", Sasha asked.
"Aw, quit your bellyaching. It says right here that the paths meet up eventually.", Hop Pop assured as he flipped the sign, showing that it is the case.
"Your fighting is driving us nuts AND making the triplets cry! You brought this upon yourselves!", Anne exclaimed as she pulled her hair and pointed to the triplets
"This is all Sprig's fault for being so zippy and obnoxious all the time!", Polly exclaimed as she hit Sprig.
"Me?! You're the one who's punching everyone!", Sprig added, hitting her back before the two hit each other, fighting again.
"No, you are!", Polly exclaimed.
"No, you are!", Sprig argued.
"NO MORE ARGUING! I CAN'T HAVE THIS TOMFOOLERY! I CAN'T!", Grime shouted before panting angrily as the four shuddered and/or whimpered.
"You see? Even Grime can't stand you guys fighting.", Anne stated before Grime turned to Rose and Pat, getting an idea as he calmed down from seeing the two calm the two sets of triplets down.
"Mm-hmm. See you kids on the other side and good luck.", Hop Pop said.
"Here. If you get in trouble, just call me.", Anne said to Jackie.
"Uh..., okay?", Jackie asked.
"And to make sure that you four all get along... Rose? Pat? Can you keep an eye on them and make sure that they stop arguing by the time they reach the end of the pass?", Grime asked.
"Okay.", Rose and Pat agreed before they got off and accompanied the four.
"And as for you four... Listen closely. Do NOT come back until you ceased this insipid arguing. You all come back with the nerve to argue again and this is you!", Grime threatened before he then crushed the rock he was holding with his hands, crumpling it to dust, making them gasp and gulp nervously.
"Oh, man. That was my favorite rock.", Percy groaned.
"YOU GOT THAT?!", Grime exclaimed.
"Yeah! We got it. We got it. Please don't hurt us!", Polly and Sprig exclaimed as Jackie and Sasha shuddered.
"That's all I ask.", Grime responded.
"Heeyah!", Hop Pop exclaimed before he, Anne, and the others fled with the fwagon on the safe path.
"Good luck, fellas.", Percy shouted.
"See you on the other side!", Braddock added as Stumpy left as well.
"See you, Stumpy!", Rose waved before turning to the others.
"Okay. You guys don't need to worry. For we are Lakeside Scouts.", Pat assured.
"Lakeside Scouts?", Sprig puzzled.
"Well, we're kinda like a kid scout group that help people out whenever they need help.", Rose responded.
"Yeah, and we're gonna help you settle those differences like a boss.", Pat assured.
"Yeah. As long as we all stick together, we can all get through this.", Rose agreed.
Soon after, Sprig and Polly watched the passage for a moment.
"Let's just get this over with.", Polly and Sasha said in unison before the former tripped him and ran off.
"Try to keep up, slowpoke.", Polly smirked before Sprig grabbed her.
"Oh, no, you don't!", Sprig retorted as she threw her back and ran ahead with Polly chasing after him.
"Sprig! Polly! Come back!", Rose shouted as she and Pat chased after them.
"Yeesh. No wonder we got dropped off here. Are we really that unbearable when we argue?", Sasha asked.
"Not to mention scary to the triplets, apparently.", Jackie responded.
Then, Sprig and Polly hit the first challenge of the step while hitting each other before Polly bumped into the sign and read it aloud as Jackie and Rose caught up.
"'The Beam of Balance'?", Polly asked before looking down to see many spikes down below the bridge.
"More like the beam of... Race you across!", Polly shouted as she ran across the log like a motor car.
"Hey! Get back here, you dang cheater!", Sprig shouted as he chased after Polly.
"Guys, wait!", Jackie urged.
"Yeah! That's not a good idea to run across that log!", Pat added.
"Eat my dust, lame-o!", Polly shouted before the beam started to move, making her fall down.
"Polly!", Sasha and Jackie shouted as Rose and Pat exclaimed in worry.
"Help me, lame-o!", Polly screamed.
"Hang on!", Sprig shouted before he stuck his tongue out and grabbed her, holding her in his mouth.
"Thanks.", Polly said before Sprig spat her out.
"Rule #22: Never cross thin logs through a cliff too fast.", Rose stated, making Polly groan.
"Polly, I think we're supposed to go across slowly.", Sprig said before he got on all fours and went on his tiptoes with Polly doing the same thing as Sprig while sighing.
"Okay. This works. Yeah. Slow and steady.", Sprig said as it showed that they were nowhere close to the other side.
"Uh, hate to be a buzzkill here, but Rule #23: Never cross thin logs through a cliff too slow.", Pat stated.
"Aw, dang it!", Sprig exclaimed as he stopped.
"This is gonna take forever. Let's just jump.", Polly urged.
"Jump? I can't make that, it's wider than Croaker's Creek.", Sprig retorted before Polly laughed.
"Remember when you tried to jump over Croaker's Creek?", Polly asked.
"Yeah, don't remind me.", Sprig responded.
"What did happen there?", Sasha asked.
"You landed right on a cactus flower! All those spikes sticking out of your...", Polly laughed before gasping as she also remembered something important.
"Wait! Remember Croaker's Creek?", Polly asked.
"Yeah! I don't wanna talk about it!", Sprig said objectively.
"Yeah, weren't you listening to him?", Jackie shouted in agreement.
"No, no! There was a rickety bridge, remember? And the only way we got across was...", Polly began before Sprig gasped as he realized something.
"The walk-and-roll! Polly, you're a flipping genius!", Sprig grinned before the log moved again, prompting them to try to balance it.
"Forgot where I was.", Sprig said.
"Fine, whatever works! We'd just like to cross that log sometime today!", Sasha urged.
"What's a walk-and-roll?", Pat asked.
"Well, I'm glad you asked.", Sprig responded before he put Polly on top of him and stretched out his arms while standing up.
"Let's roll! And walk.", Polly said.
"Okay, ready.", Sprig began before he then started walking forward.
"Whoa! Whoa! Okay, left. Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left!", Sprig shouted as Polly steered Sprig toward said directions as they went along before the two managed to get to the other side while falling and standing up.
"We did it!", Sprig and Polly cheered.
"All right!", Sasha grinned.
"Wanna go next, Rose?", Pat asked.
"Uh... I don't know. What if we fall?", Rose asked.
"Hey, it's okay. I'll go in first and you go behind me. Just be sure to keep your eyes on me, okay?", Pat asked before Rose nervously nodded.
"Cool. So, we'll follow their lead.", Pat assured as he went on the log first before Rose got on behind Pat.
"Okay. Left. Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left!", Pat said before he and Rose got on the other side.
"Hey... I did it. I got to the other side, guys!", Rose shouted.
"Looks like we're up. Think we can get across the way they did? It isn't going to be easy.", Jackie asked.
"Good. I wasn't expecting easy.", Sasha responded before Jackie moved in first across the log.
"Jackie! What's the big idea?! I should be going first because I'm bigger than you!", Sasha exclaimed.
"No. I'm going first because I'm more nimble!", Jackie retorted before they started to lose their balance.
"Guys! Come quick! Jackie and Sasha are about to roll off!", Rose shouted before she, Sprig, Pat, and Polly rushed over to the other side of the log.
"Hang on, guys!", Sprig shouted.
"Yeah! We'll help ya!", Polly exclaimed
"Uh, are they gonna be okay?", Sprig asked.
"Yep. Now, let's breeze through this thing so we can slap Hop Pop.", Polly grinned.
"I support that. Huh. Wonder how those two are doing without us?", Sprig wondered.
Back with Anne and the others, they took a deep breath of relief as the wind howled.
"Finally. Peace and quiet.", Hop Pop sighed.
"Yep. Nothing like a little R and R to calm the nerves.", Grime agreed before sighing as the triplets were now sleeping.
"Almost a little too quiet.", Sylvia said before chuckling nervously.
"Almost a little awkward, isn't it?", Felicia asked.
Then, Anne opened her eyes and stared at Hop Pop.
"So do you have a boyfriend back home?", Hop Pop asked before Anne quickly pushed Hop Pop out of the fwagon.
Play Big Top Scooby-Doo! Music "Mystery, Inc." (Instrumental)
Back with Rose, Pat, Sprig, Polly, Jackie, and Sasha (who continued to argue with one another), they begin to sing while overcoming challenges of the pass.
Jackie: Why are we here?
Why here at all?
My rage, my hate break through the wall
Sasha: Why are we here?
Why here at all?
You know that this is all your fault
Jackie: You're the one who got us tossed with no shame
Sasha: Clearly, you forgot that you're one to deserve the whole blame
"Stop fighting, you guys! We're almost there and you two made no progress whatsoever!", Pat shouted before Sprig bumped into a wall.
End Big Top Scooby-Doo! Music "Mystery, Inc." (Instrumental)
"It's fake.", Polly said.
"What the heck? Someone blocked off the pass and painted it to look like the end? Weird.", Sprig said.
"What?! No! No, no, no! We can't be stuck here!", Jackie panicked before trying to pry the bars off and away from the path.
"Relax, Jackie.", Sasha said.
"Oh, no! YOU don't get to tell ME to relax!", Jackie reacted angrily.
"This is horrible.", Rose said sadly.
"Must be another test. What if we took (points it) that tunnel over there?", Polly asked, pointing toward a dark, dirty, dangerous tunnel with the words, "THIS WEIGH ALSO GUD" painted on it.
"Oh, no! We are not going through that tunnel! That's a death sentence!", Jackie reacted.
"Not as long as I'm around.", Sasha assured as she went forward with Sprig and Polly following her.
"Okay.", Sprig grinned.
"All right! Test passed!", Polly added.
This made Jackie sigh in frustration.
"I give up...!", Jackie groaned before she stopped trying to pry the bars off and then went with them.
"Hmm, that was too easy.", Polly commented.
"Or maybe we're just the best!", Sprig grinned.
"Yeah!", he and Polly shouted as the two high-fived, making Rose and Pat grin before Jackie used the flashlight on her cellphone to help the others see the way with Sprig and Polly bumping into the top of the tunnel.
"Oh, perspective.", Sprig said.
"Clever.", Polly added.
"Well, at least they're doing better.", Pat grinned.
"But what about Sasha and Jackie? They're worse off now more than ever.", Rose said in worry before Jackie bumped her head into the top of the tunnel.
"Sasha! Why didn't you warn me when I was about to hit my head?!", Jackie scolded.
"Well, how was I supposed to know you were about to hit your head?", Sasha asked.
"I was using a flashlight!", Jackie argued before she and Sasha continued along as they, Rose, Pat, Sprig, and Polly entered the narrow tunnel.
"Okay. Not much farther. Hopefully.", Sprig said before Sasha stepped on Jackie's foot.
"Hey!", Jackie exclaimed.
"Oops. My bad.", Sasha apologized sarcastically.
"Sasha, watch where you're putting your big, dumb feet!", Jackie angrily shouted as she stepped on Sasha's foot.
"Aah! Oh, yeah? Well, why don't YOU watch where YOU'RE putting YOUR feet and then we won't have a PROBLEM!", Sasha retorted as she hit Jackie back.
"Ugh! You're so annoying!", Jackie groaned.
"No, I'm not! You are!", Sasha argued before Jackie and Sasha exchanged a back-and-forth response with Rose and Pat starting to get tired, upset as they are at the two fighting with one another, as Rose sighed.
"You are!", Jackie argued.
"You are!", Sasha argued.
"No, you are!", Jackie argued.
"No, you definitely are!", Sasha argued.
"No, you are!", Jackie argued.
"No, you are!", Sasha argued.
"No, you are, infinity!", Jackie argued before shoving Sasha off her.
"All right, girls, that's enough!", Pat urged.
"I'll decide when it's enough!", Sasha exclaimed just as the 6 all came to a couple of tunnels.
"Oh. Would you look at that? Two tunnels. Why don't you take that one and find another frog to step on?!", Jackie shouted.
"Fine! And maybe you can restrict someone else in that one!", Sasha retorted.
"Fine!", Jackie shouted.
"Fine!", Sasha retorted before she and Jackie got separated by the tunnels as the two each walked through it angrily while Sasha pulled out a light mushroom with Sprig and Pat with Sasha and Rose and Polly with Jackie.
"She thinks I'M annoying? She's the annoying one.", Sasha said to herself.
"I can hear you! These rock walls are surprisingly thin!", Jackie shouted.
"GOOD! I WANTED YOU TO HEAR THAT! OH, AND ALSO, YOU'RE SURPRISINGLY THIN, TOO! I'M SURPRISED YOU DON'T GET BLOWN AWAY IN THE WIND!", Sasha shouted angrily, only serving to make Jackie angrier before she shouted back louder.
"OH, YEAH?! WELL, I'M SURPRISED YOU CAN STAND BEING SO FAT, YOU STUPID JERK!", Jackie shouted back.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!", Sasha shouted.
"YOU HEARD ME!", Jackie retorted.
"Just calm down, Jackie.
"Jeez. Were we really that annoying when we argue?", Sprig asked.
"YES!", the two arguing girls shouted.
"Nah, bro. This is way worse than when we did it.", Polly responded.
"Good one.", a sudden voice spoke out before Polly, Jackie, and Rose looked up to see a female olm in front of them.
"Hi.", the female olm greeted before Rose and Polly screamed.
"Whoops, didn't mean to frighten you.", the female olm apologized.
"That's okay.", Rose assured.
"I meant to eat you!", the female olm responded.
"Wait, what?", Rose puzzled before the creature then tried to chomp at her, but missed as she and the two with her ran off, screaming.
"There's a giant wormy thing! It's trying to eat us!", Polly shouted.
"What?!", Sasha said in worry.
"We'll save you!", Sprig assured before he, Pat, and Sasha ran into another giant olm.
"And I'll save you for dessert.", the Male Olm spoke before Sprig backed up but fell down a hole.
"Sprig!", Pat shouted before he ended up in a mountain of bones.
"Well, this isn't a good sign.", Sprig said before Polly fell down a hole and ended up in the mountain of bones as well with Rose, Pat, Jackie, and Sasha landing there as well.
Then, the two Olms arrived and stopped toward the 6.
"Ah, good catch, Lysil.", the male olm grinned.
"Yes, Angwin, and they sound juicy.", Lysil responded.
"Okay, hold up. Just how many of you weirdos are there?", Sasha asked before Lysil and Angwin laughed and revealed themselves to be conjoined as they exited the tunnels.
"Only one.", Lysil and Angwin said in unison.
"WHAT THE...!", Polly began before Sprig shushed her.
"Shh! I don't think they can see us.", Sprig whispered.
"No, but we can hear you. And it's only a matter of time before my bro and I find ya!", Lysil responded.
"That's how we olms do.", Angwin added.
"For the record, Jackie, I blame you for this.", Sasha said.
That was the last straw for Jackie.
"OKAY, THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU INTO PASTE!", Jackie shouted before pouncing on Sasha, the two girls tumbling.
"Oh, my. Dinner and a show? I mean, I know we can't see, but still.", Angwin grinned.
"I'll get the popcorn.", Lysil assured before she went elsewhere.
"Just don't go too far, now. I don't want to miss this.", Angwin shouted.
"Seriously? You and Jackie are fighting now?!", Pat exclaimed.
"Oh, come on, Jackie! Really?", Rose sighed exasperatedly in annoyance as Jackie and Sasha continued fighting physically and verbally.
"Oh, you wanna go?! Well, come on and hit me with your best shot, you flimsey frog.", Sasha dared.
"Flimsey?! You hit every branch when you fell out of the ugly tree!", Jackie argued.
"You're so bony, I bet that the dragonflies wouldn't even want you!", Sasha retorted.
"Oh, yeah? Well, Mayor Toadstool called! He wants his body back!", Jackie retorted before Sasha gasped dramatically with the two continuing the fighting, much to Sprig and Polly's apparent frustration.
"Ah! All this bickering is driving me crazy.", Sprig groaned.
"It's like wearing a beehive on your head.", Polly added.
"Can you imagine having to listen to this for more than an hour?", Sprig asked.
"Yeah? Well, we've been dealing with that for 2 darn weeks!", Rose exclaimed.
"And from the back of the wagon, too!", Pat added, prompting the two Plantars to realize their mistake and shed some tears.
"I guess Hop Pop, Anne, and the others were right to ditch us here and leave Rose and Pat in charge of us.", Sprig realized.
"Mm-hmm. So, what do you two have to say now?", Rose asked.
"If we get out of this, maybe we can call a truce. Not argue for a couple weeks? Give them a break?", Polly suggested.
"Deal!", Sprig agreed as he and Polly shook hands, but not before each spat in their hands.
"Ew. I mean, aw.", Rose grinned.
"That's all well and good. If only we could get Jackie and Sasha to talk it out.", Pat said.
Speaking of which, the brawl continued with both frog and toad sustaining injuries just as Lysil returned with some popcorn.
"Hey, Angwin. Did I miss anything?", Lysil asked.
"Oh, no. In fact, it's starting to get good.", Angwin responded with a grin.
"Ah, put a cork in it, Mucus-skin!", Sasha sneered.
"You big roly-poly!", Jackie argued.
"Cricket lips!", Sasha argued.
"Bug snot!", Jackie argued as she got pinned by Sasha.
"Rat barf!", Sasha insulted.
"I HOPE YOU DISAPPEAR!", Jackie shouted to Sasha.
"AND I HOPE THE SAME THING FOR YOU! YOU'VE BEEN NOTHING BUT UNREASONABLE SINCE WE WENT ON THIS TRIP, ANYWAY!", Sasha retorted.
"WELL, LOOK WHO'S TALKING! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S BEEN UNREASONABLE RIGHT FROM THE START EVEN BEFORE WE WENT ON THIS TRIP! SO UNREASONABLE THAT I HATE YOU!", Jackie shouted.
"Oh, my. This is so entertaining, Lysil.", Angwin said.
"Who knew the meat could tenderize itself so well?", Lysil agreed while eating another handful of popcorn.
"WHAT ARE YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT?! WHAT DID I EVEN DO TO YOU?! AND WHY DO YOU HATE ME?!", Sasha shouted.
"BECAUSE YOU TRAPPED US HERE!", Jackie exploded, starting to shed tears, making Sasha gasp as well as Rose, Pat, Sprig, and Polly.
"Say, whaaaat?! Plot twist!", Lysil commented.
"IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT WE'RE STUCK IN AMPHIBIA IN THE FIRST PLACE! IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT ANNE HAS BEEN DOING HORRIBLE THINGS BACK HOME! LIKE SKIPPING OUT ON SCHOOL, SKIPPING OUT ON OUR FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY, ALL OF IT! IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU, WE'D ALL STILL BE HOME WITH OUR PARENTS! PARENTS WHO LOVE US, SASHA! NOW, WE CAN'T EVEN HAVE THOSE MOMENTS ANYMORE! YOU RUINED HER LIFE, SASHA! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! AND I WANT IT BACK!", Jackie shouted angrily, still shedding tears before shaking and shuddering in anger, on the verge of crying.
After a moment, however, it was Sasha who started to cry as she fell on her knees, much to Jackie's surprise.
"Sasha...?", Jackie puzzled, starting to calm down, although still shedding tears.
"Uh..., excus-a-what-now?", Angwin puzzled.
"Oh, no. Jackie broke her.", Sprig commented.
"True that.", Polly responded.
"Uh, I don't think that's that.", Pat responded as Sasha then sat up, still sobbing.
"Oh, Jackie... I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have tried so hard to be in control again... In the end... where did it get me? Where did it get us?", Sasha sobbed.
Angry with Sasha as she was, even Jackie felt sorry for her as she sadly turned away from her and toward the two olms.
"Finish her! Finish her! Finish her!", the two olms chanted before Jackie turned back to Rose, Pat, Sprig, and Polly, who gave sad looks for her before Jackie then sighed and hugged Sasha, surprising her and shocking the two olms.
"What the...? Jackie, what are you...?", Sasha puzzled.
"Don't get me wrong... I still am angry with you over what you did back home that got us trapped here in the first place, but... This is the first time I ever saw you cry. And for some reason..., I don't feel like leaving you all alone to be miserable, let alone kill you just for these olms' amusement before they eat us. I guess I only said those thing about you because... well..., I just miss my family back home... And the thought of not being able to see them again was too much for me. I even started thinking about what it might've been if you weren't there at all... But now, I realized that you were just trying to help since we got stuck in Amphibia. In your own way, too...", Jackie responded.
"Aw...", Sprig, Polly, Rose, and Pat grinned.
The Olms, however, were a different story.
"Boo! What is this?! Get back to fighting again!", Angwin demanded.
"Yeah! Tenderize yourselves real go...", Lysil began.
"DO YOU TWO MIND?! We're trying to have a moment here!", Jackie exclaimed, making them gasp.
"You really... think I helped you?", Sasha asked.
"No... Better. I know you did. I mean, each time we fought about what's right and wrong, some more literal than others, before now? You always beat me easily. So, I guess I have your training to thank for that after all. I mean, I wouldn't have held on for that long if it wasn't true.", Jackie grinned.
"So..., does that mean...?", Sasha began.
"Yeah. I forgive you. I'm still mad at you, but I forgive you.", Jackie grinned.
"But... are you sure you'd still want me around after what I did?", Sasha asked.
"Well..., the trip would be a bit too peaceful without you anyway.", Jackie responded before Sasha's eyes practically watered, her face etched, this time in joy before the two hugged.
"Well, that show was a disappointment.", Angwin sighed.
"Perhaps. But it could mean that the meat has tenderized themselves well enough.", Lysil stated.
"Hey, you're right. Let's eat 'em!", Angwin smirked, preparing to devour them whole.
"Oh, no, you don't!", Jackie and Sasha exclaimed before leaping up and each bumping into Angwin and Lysil with their chins puffed up in croaks before the two olms landed on the ground by their backs with Jackie and Sasha landing on the ground.
"Quick! In there!", Sasha urged before she and the others went into the crack to take refuge just as Lysil and Angwin recovered.
"Oh, great. We lost 'em 'cause you were dragging your feet.", Angwin blamed.
"Okay. A, we don't have feet. And B, I could've helped if you'd bothered to communicate at all.", Lysil responded.
"I said 'Over here!' Try listening for once.", Angwin retorted.
"Ugh! Just help me find a stick to pry them out of the crack. You are literally a pain in my backside.", Lysil commented.
"Ugh! I'm a pain? You're the pain!", Angwin retorted.
"No, you are!", Lysil argued.
"No, you are!", Angwin argued.
"No, you are!", Lysil argued.
"No, you are!", Angwin argued.
"Okay. How do we escape two, mostly blind, argumentative siblings?", Sasha asked before she, Jackie, Rose, Pat, Sprig, and Polly came out of hiding with Polly gasping.
"I have an idea that might make an impression.", Polly said before she winked at the group.
"'Impression'?", Jackie, Sasha, Rose, and Pat puzzled before they gasped a bit and realized what she meant.
"Oh.", the 4 siblings said.
"Something in your eye?", Sprig, the only one who didn't get the plan, puzzled.
"Just follow my lead!", Polly urged.
"Okay, whatever. Let's just eat these kids and get back to never talking to each other again.", Angwin said.
"Ugh! Finally. A good idea out of your mouth. Now, let's find that stick already.", Lysil said before Polly inhaled and spoke in Angwin's voice.
"Do it yourself, you smelly dum-dum!", Polly said before Lysil gasped.
"Who you calling dum-dum? Yeah, I found your stick. Right here!", Lysil exclaimed before she hit him with a bone.
"Ow! Hey! Watch where you're swinging that thing!", Angwin exclaimed as Sprig, Jackie, Rose, Pat, and Sasha all stuck their tongues out and grabbed stalactites with them before ascending to a higher part of the cave. with Sprig inhaling and speaking in Lysil's voice.
"Not my fault, you've got such a humongous swollen head, brother!", Sprig spoke in Lysil's voice.
"Hey! Now that's uncalled for! Take this!", Angwin exclaimed before biting her on the neck and pushing her into a wall, causing a landslide.
"Biting, is it?", Lysil glared before Sprig dodged Lysil, Angwin and the collapse while the two started fighting.
But unfortunately, Sprig ended up in Angwin's mouth.
"Spriiiiig!", the group of five shouted.
"Belly flop.", Lysil spoke before she fell on Angwin, making him spit out Sprig before he landed on the ground and panted with Polly taking his hand.
"Get up! Come on!", Polly urged before she and the others went to another exit tunnel above the cave.
"Move, move, move!", Sprig urged before Rose turned back around to see Lysil and Angwin fight.
"Mom always liked me best!", Angwin shouted.
"That's because she had terrible taste!", Lysil retorted, making Rose feel bad before she then leapt closer to the two, much to everyone's shock.
"What the heck?", Sasha puzzled.
"Rose, what are you doing?!", Jackie shouted.
"BOTH OF YOU STOP!", Rose shouted, puzzling the two olms who fought.
"Why are you two even fighting with each other?", Rose asked.
"Uh, because Mom liked me best and Lysil can't take it!", Angwin responded.
"Are you daft?! Mom liked ME best and YOU can't take it!", Lysil argued.
"But that's just it. I don't know much about your mother. But I'm guessing that she loves the both of you in your unique ways. I know what it's like when it comes to sharing attention with the little triplets back home. It wasn't easy at first, but we found some common ground to make up. And to this day, we still love each other. So, if we can make peace like that, then you two can, too. So, can you two try and do that?", Rose asked as Lysil and Angwin all got surprised and a bit teary-eyed before sighing.
"Well..., all right. I guess we can give it a try.", Lysil assured.
"Thanks. See you two later!", Rose waved as she returned to Jackie, Sasha, Pat, Sprig, and Polly outside of the cave and jumped down.
"Aaaand they got away, didn't they?", Angwin guessed.
"What do you say we actually work together the next time our meal arrives?", Lysil asked.
"It's a deal.", Angwin responded.
Meanwhile, after everyone got off, they panted and started laughing.
"Whoo, man. Promise me we never end up like that.", Polly said.
"Us? Are you kidding? We're way too good of a team.", Sprig responded.
"You know what? So are we.", Jackie responded, surprising Sasha a bit before she grinned.
"So, why'd you go back down there? And how'd you know that it'd work?", Sasha asked.
"Well, they needed to stop fighting. I did earn my empathy badge for a reason.", Rose responded.
"Oh, yeah. Point is, we won. At least for now.", Pat grinned/
"Bring it in, buddy.", Polly said before she and Sprig hugged.
"Hmm, looks like we're back on the road. Where're Anne and the others?", Polly puzzled.
"Yeah, they should be here by now.", Sprig agreed before they all overheard Hop Pop mumbling.
"Wait, do you hear that?", Sprig asked.
"A relationship is like a farm. You plant a seed of trust and it grows into a better relationship.", Hop Pop stated as Grime sighed and Percy and Braddock were just whistling before Sprig whispered to Anne.
"Anne, over here! Anne!", Sprig said.
"Hi! Sup?", Polly added.
"Hey, Anne.", Jackie grinned.
"Sorry we took so long. Had a couple of issues that needed ironing out.", Sasha added.
"You guys! Thank frog!", Anne grinned.
"Anne, you'll be glad to know we've decided to stop...", Sprig began before Anne grabbed him and Polly before sitting them on the fwagon.
"I don't care! I need you to fill the silences. Hop Pop can't deal with them! He can't deal with them!", Anne exclaimed.
"Woof. Sounds like things didn't exactly go well on your end, huh?", Sasha asked before Anne shook her head.
"Oh, hey, kids. Didn't see you there. How'd the trials go?", Hop Pop asked.
"It was fine, except for the bloodthirsty olms.", Polly responded.
"Which turned out to be a couple of olms that had the same problem as we did.", Jackie responded.
"And you'll be glad to know we've decided to stop arguing...", sprig began before Hop Pop interrupted him.
"That's great, Sprig. Anyway, we were just getting into the nitty-gritty. Now that you guys are back, we can talk about Anne's boyfriend again.", Hop Pop stated before Grime quickly pushed Hop Pop into the void with a smack of his tongue before Grime grabbed Hop Pop with his tongue.
"NEVER... do... that... again.", Grime sneered.
Act II: Toad Hunter
One day, in a forest, Sasha, Grime, Sprig, Ivy, Felicia, Percy, Braddock, Bombina, Jackie, and Anne were shown on a run, doing some pull-ups and wound up facing some mannequins resembling Azog and the Orcs.
"CHARGE!", Grime shouted before he and the others all smashed the orc mannequins with Sasha looking at Azog's, remembering the fateful battle at Toad Tower.
After reflecting on said memories with one of them involving how Anne saved Jackie before Sasha grunted as she stabbed Azog's mannequin and flung it away from behind. taking a breath after that. As she took said breath, she turned to Grime.
"Yo, Grime! How was my form on that last swing?", Sasha asked.
"Ha! You were spectacular, Sasha. If we keep this training up, we'll defeat the dreaded Melkor and his armies in no time.", Grime stated with a grin before sighing a bit.
"But first, a little break. A good rest helps fortify muscle memory, after all.", Grime stated.
"Well, I am getting kinda hungry anyway.", Bombina agreed.
"Ditto.", Ivy agreed.
"I guess we all are.", Anne responded before Sasha then turned to Percy and Braddock.
"Hey, Percy, Braddock. Can you two go into town and get some food or whatever?", Sasha asked as she passed some coins to Braddock.
"M'okay.", Percy grinned.
"Suits us.", Braddock agreed before she and Percy left.
Meanwhile, two unknown newts arrived in the city. And in the restaurant, while the customers were being served, a Bartender was cleaning some cutlery, and a frog was playing while another sang while yodeling, the mysterious newts arrived slamming the wooden doors to the point that any singing and piano-playing was interrupted. The pianist frog then played a suspenseful tone as customers fell silent and watched them as the 2 mysterious newts walked up to the Bartender.
"I suppose you're wondering who we are?", the first unknown newt spoke.
"Not especially.", the bartender responded before she took some blades out of her gloves and broke the plate in two, surprising him.
"My name is General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, aaaaaand... the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of General in the great Newtopian army!", Yunan said as she made a series of poses, even doing some deadly cartwheels and standing on the counter while displaying a flag for her final pose before she noticed that everyone is silent as a chirping cricket was heard and a frog ate it.
"And this is why I hate coming out to the boonies.", Yunan sighed.
"Okay... Uh, what about you?", the bartender asked.
"I'm not one for fancy words but I am fluent in Death!", the 2nd unknown newt spoke before extending out spiked blades from the knuckles of his gauntlets, frightening him.
"At ease, Salamancer. Yeah, he's not really that big on titles. Anyway, we're here to hunt the fugitive, Captain Grime.", Yunan said as she got off the counter and pulled out a wanted sign for Grime.
"Hey, ain't that the toad warrior that started out as a gladiator?", the newt asked, whispering to a toad before Salamancer walked up to the newt and toad, squeezing them.
"So, you know of our quarry? Tell me, where has he last been seen?", Salamancer asked assertively before Percy and Braddock entered the restaurant.
"Whoo... Do you think we're gonna be ready for them?", Percy asked.
"I don't know, but talk about a workout. I'm starving.", Braddock said as she sat down.
"Hey, let's get the cheesy flies!", Percy suggested.
"Okay. Hey, Gertrude...", Braddock began before General Yunan and Salamancer walked over to Percy and Braddock and the former handed them a couple of plates of cheesy flies.
"Mind if we join you?", Yunan asked with a smile.
"Uh, well...", Percy began.
"Kind of 'party for two' thing here.", Braddock chuckled before guessing something.
"Wait. Who are you? Our server?", Braddock asked, making Yunan growl.
"I am General Yunnan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the...!", Yunan began before Salamancer grabbed her wrist and tightened his grip.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!", Yunan exclaimed.
"There isn't any time for this, Yunan.", Salamancer urged.
"Okay! No announcing titles...! I get that, Salamancer...!", Yunan groaned in pain.
"Do you?", Salamancer glared for a moment.
"Yep...! Totally do.", Yunan wheezed before she was released.
This left Percy and Braddock quiet for a moment as the former ate.
"Okay.", Braddock said.
"We're here searching for a certain toad. Perhaps you know of him?", Salamancer asked as he pulled out a "Wanted" sign and showed it to them.
"Uh, nope. Sorry. Never seen him before.", Braddock said as she spoke nervously.
"Then why are you sweating?", Yunan asked.
"'Cause it's hot.", Braddock asked with Salamancer suspiciously getting deeply close to Braddock just as Yunan got an idea and then whispered to him.
"Hmm. I see. Well, if you do happen to know anything, you will inform me first. Understand?", Salamancer asked.
"O-Okay. I get the point...", Braddock said.
"Good. Now, we will continue our search elsewhere.", Salamancer spoke as he left first with Yunan cartwheeling after him.
"General Yunan, away!", Yunan shouted.
"Phew, that was close! Good thing we're such good actors, huh?", Braddock sighed.
"Yeah, now they'll never find them at the old mill, which is on the edge of town. And we're not going to be here for very long, anyway.", Percy stated, neither him or Braddock knowing that General Yunan and Salamancer were shown hiding on the roof as well as Salamancer nearing the window and overhearing Percy and Braddock before they proceeded to go to the cabin.
Back with Sasha, Grime, and the others...
"So, how well do you know agriculture?", Hop Pop asked.
"Well, I'm glad you asked, Hop Pop. First...", Grime began before he heard someone whistling.
"Wait. Do you hear that?", Sasha asked.
"Yeah. I hear it, too.", Allison responded.
Just then, General Yunan and Salamancer approached the hut while the former whistled.
"Who're they?", Sasha asked.
"I don't know. But they look really cool.", Pat said.
"Aw, thanks, kid. You're too kind.", Yunan grinned.
"Oh, crud. That armor... They're Newtopian military for sure. And worse yet, one of them is... Salamancer.", Grime said.
"What?! You mean he's THE Salamancer you told me about?", Bombina asked.
"The same.", Grime responded.
"Grimothy! We found you at last.", Salamancer sneered.
"Who the heck are you guys?", Anne asked.
"And what do you even want with Grime, anyway?", Sprig asked.
"All right. Third time today. Let's do it! I am General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar...", Yunan began as Salamancer sighed before stepping forward to interrupt.
"It is my destiny to do what my ancestors could not; to restore the ultimate power to the home of our people.", Salamancer said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up! What's this I'm hearing about ultimate power?", Hop Pop asked.
"We don't even know what you're talking about.", Sprig added.
"But it sounds pretty awesome, so, there's that.", Polly added.
"Don't play dumb with me, accomplices of Grimothy!", Salamancer retorted.
"Okay. Do you two have some kind of history with each other?", Anne asked.
"Aside from the orcs, Grimothy and his toads were the sworn enemy of my tribe, the Salamanders! We fought and died at their hands, and now, HE will die in mine.", Salamancer responded, drawing out an advanced warhammer.
"So..., no autograph?", Grime jokingly asked.
"Do I look like I need YOUR autograph?", Salamancer asked.
"Nope, we're actually here for your head!", Yunan grinned crazily as she extended her blades.
"Well, that took a dark turn.", Grime said.
"Some general you are.", Sasha scoffed.
"Yeah. Where's your army?", Allison agreed with a bit of a smirk.
"I had an army once.", Yunan said before she cut the mannequins and 4 trees.
"They slowed me down.", Yunan spoke before the four trees fell.
"Ooooh-kay, we're leaving now.", Anne said as she took off.
"Ditto!", Sasha agreed as she grabbed Grime.
"You heard her, everyone! Retreat!", Sylvia shouted before everyone fled after them.
"Pitiful...", Salamancer sneered with a glare.
"Eh, we'll give them a head start. Keeps things interesting.", Yunan said as she took off her cape, neither one knowing that Percy and Braddock were on their way back with some food and noticed the two here.
"Oh, no! They found us!", Percy whispered.
"And where is everyone?", Braddock asked.
"My guess is that they're either toast or they were forced to retreat to come up with a plan.", Percy guessed as Braddock then looked around at the forest.
"Speaking of plans, I got one.", Braddock sneered.
Meanwhile, Anne, Sasha, and the others were now on the run.
"What the heck, dude?! You never told us you knew him?!", Anne exclaimed.
"Just my luck! They sent a vengeful Salamancer who I may or may not know and some psychotic glory hound after us! We'll never escape them.", Grime said.
"Like heck we won't. Follow me, everyone!", Sasha urged before everyone nodded.
Then, they all jumped down and bounced off 3 mushrooms before jumping the other way.
"Ha!", Sasha exclaimed.
As they ran, though, they eventually came across a cliff.
"Sasha, look out!", Grime and Allison shouted after the latter gasped before both grabbed Sasha by the arms with Sasha noticing that she almost fell through a cataract void.
"Whew! Thanks, guys.", Sasha sighed.
"You're welcome.", Allison responded before they pulled Sasha back to safety.
"Ooh, that's a long way down.", Grime said as he peered down the bottom.
"Any ideas?", Felicia asked.
"Looks like our only option is to make a stand.", Sasha responded.
"No, our only option is for you to get out of here.", Grime said.
"What?", Sasha asked.
"Wait, what?", Polly asked.
"They only want me, Salamancer, more so. Go! Save yourself. Now! Before it's too late. What are you waiting for? Get going! LEAVE ME!", Grime urged.
"No! Listen, there's another reason why we've been training so hard. To protect the people I know I can count on right now. That includes you...", Sasha responded.
"Wow. I did not see that coming.", Grime said, flattered, before Salamancer leapt up and then struck Grime in the cheek with his gauntlets, scraping him by the cheek and knocking Grime toward a tree, leaving two scars on the same side of his face from which it was struck.
Play DBZ Kakarot OST: "Cruel Game"
"Grimesy!", Sasha shouted before Salamancer and General Yunan arrived from a landing, stood up, and looked at the group as the former hit his knuckles against each other as they sparked red lightning.
"Okay, I gotta admit. THAT is cool.", Anne commented.
"Uh-huh.", Rose agreed.
"Ah! I see you have decided to submit to the great General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, the youngest newt ever...", Yunan began before Rose interrupted her.
"Uh, do you have to do this every single time?", Rose asked.
"Honestly, yes. Repetition helps it stick.", Yunan said before she took a deep breath with a sigh.
Then, Anne and Sasha yelled out as they charged toward Yunan and Salamancer only for the two to give them a nudge with their tails.
"Anne!", Hop Pop, Sprig, Polly, Jackie, and Rose shouted.
"Lieutenant!", Grime shouted before Sasha bumped into a rock with Salamancer brandishing his warhammer.
"It's time we put an end to this.", Salamancer said, raising the warhammer before Percy and Braddock jumped out.
"Ambush!", Percy shouted as he and Braddock glommed onto Salamancer, restraining him from lowering the warhammer.
"Percy? Braddock?", Sasha asked.
"Sorry we took so long, Sash.", Percy grinned.
"Whoo! Way to fight back!", Polly shouted before Bombina kicked Salamancer back with a swing form her tongue on a big horizontal branch above.
"Oh, and we brought some food on the way back.", Braddock added, getting out a bag.
"Thanks.", Sasha grinned.
Then, Grime stuck out his tongue toward a thick branch and pulled it out to use as a weapon while he stood guard.
"If you want me, Salamancer and General, you'll have to fight all of us.", Grime dared.
"Why not? After all, multiple heads are better than one.", Yunan said as she extended her blades.
"I was expecting more of you. You're unskilled. Untrained. And... UNWORTHY!", Salamancer exclaimed.
"You forgot one, buddy. Un-stoppable.", Sasha retorted before she and everyone started to fight General Yunan and Salamancer.
It worked for a good while, but she jumped up and kicked Sasha while Salamancer snapped the thick branch Grime held.
"Oh, nuts...", Grime said before Salamancer then struck with his gauntlets again, this time, slamming him into the ground with a literal burst of red energy much to everyone's shock and/or awe on Yunan's part.
"Woof. That IS cool. Good thing I had you with me, Salamancer. But I think I'll take it from here. You are gonna look good stuffed...", Yunan spoke before Allison kicked General Yunan, who jumped and fought against her.
She managed to break the knives of the right glove with her sword.
"Well, that can't be good.", Yunan spoke before Allison kicked her back with Sasha stepping in.
"Ha! Are you struggling? Didn't think you'd meet your match out here, did you?", Sasha asked before General Yunan grabbed Sasha with her tail, making her end up near the edge.
End DBZ Kakarot OST: "Cruel Game"
Then, Sasha saw Grime, who asked for silence before she distracted General Yunan and Salamancer, who was moving in to strike with his warhammer.
"Shoot. What did you say your name was again? I forgot.", Sasha said as she gave puppy dog eyes.
"You mock me with your weak jokes, but you know nothing about me, Toad!", Salamancer exclaimed.
"So? Tell us!", Sasha responded.
"Yeah. Why are you even after Grime, anyway?", Allison asked.
"Didn't you two used to be friends or something?", Pat added.
"'Friends'?! Another bad joke! I lost EVERYTHING because of him! My tribe was on the verge of its greatest victory. The toads have been located. Soon, the Calamity Box's secrets would be ours. But then, HE showed up. Because of him, my family perished in the onslaught of our war. Their fresh corpses were the only thing I saw of my parents that day. Then, King Andrias found me and took me with him, raising me as his own. From that day on, I trained every day for this very moment.", Salamancer responded, not knowing that Grime had a look of guilt as he sighed.
"Wow. That's heavy. But, hey. I know how that feels to be taken in when you don't know where to go.", Anne said.
"We all do.", Jackie agreed.
"Look, I hate to ruin the moment, but before you showed up, we were training to fight the orcs because apparently, they're back!", Pat explained, surprising Salamancer.
Just then, Polly pushed him into the void while the triplet sets tripped Yunan, who screamed as she, too fell.
"Boom! Ambush!", Polly exclaimed.
"Sorry about this, old friend! That wasn't a trick, I swear!", Grime shouted.
"Hope you can swim!", Bombina added toward Yunan.
"DECEIVER!", Salamancer shouted before he extended the spiked blades from his gauntlet's knuckles and was barely able to stop the descent before landing softly on the ground.
"THIS CANNOT BE! I AM GENERAL YUNAAAAAN!", Yunan shouted before she splashed into the river.
"Oh, yeah!", Well, I'm Sasha Waybright, captain of the cheerleaders, top scorer in Super Dance Fusion, and First Lieutenant to Captain Grime!", Sasha shouted.
"And I am Captain Grime, destroyer of Orcs and watcher of Suspicion Island!", Grime added.
"WHAAAT? HALF THOSE TITLES ARE WEAK!", Yunan shouted while being carried away by the river.
"Well. Looks like someone has something to tell us, doesn't he?", Jackie asked with a glare from one eyebrow raised.
"Yeah. What does he mean by Calamity Box? Is it that music box?", Anne asked, making Hop Pop somewhat weary.
"And he was fighting the orcs, too?", Sasha asked.
"Did you really off that guy's family?", Polly asked darkly.
"No. No, I didn't! But... the truth can be just as difficult...", Grime sighed.
"Hey, Grimesy. It's okay. You don't need to tell us right away. Whenever you feel ready, you can tell us.", Sasha assured, earning Grime's sigh.
"And I will, Sasha. That, I can promise you.", Grime assured, looking toward the setting sun.
Meanwhile, Salamancer looked toward Grime with a fierce glare.
"You may have won for now. But mark my words, Grimothy. You will pay for this treachery.", Salamancer swore before turning and leaving, his glare somewhat wavering with confusion for a moment before continuing further.
A/N: So, what'd you think? Pretty cool, huh? So, with all that's happened so far, how would you suppose that chapter 5 goes? Perhaps you can help come up with ideas for how differently it would turn out. If you want, that is. :)