A/N: And now, the Amphibia Point of View for the crossover!
Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia
Chapter 6: Marcy at the Gates
Act I
It all started one morning as Sprig ran his fingers across the map until arriving in Newtopia.
"Doo, doo, doo. Newtopia! Ugh. I can't believe it!", Sprig grinned.
"I know! It's been a long journey, but we're finally almost there.", Ivy grinned before the two noticed Anne and Sasha sadly looking at a picture of their friends.
"Anne? Sasha?", Sprig asked.
"Huh?", Anne and Sasha puzzled.
"What's wrong? We thought you'd be more excited.", Ivy asked.
"We ARE excited. It's just... we've been traveling Amphibia for weeks now.", Sasha responded.
"Yeah. We thought there'd be some sign of Marcy by now. But nothin'.", Anne responded.
"So, what's Marcy like, anyway?", Sprig asked.
"She's harmless.", Anne responded before it flashed back to Saint James Middle School's gym where Marcy was playing her Nintendo Switch lookalike console playing a role-playing video game.
"Boom, just cleared new game plus.", Marcy grinned.
"Heads up!", the coach shouted before Anne bounced the volleyball away from Marcy.
"Whoa! Thanks, Anne.", Marcy grinned.
"Hey, no problem.", Anne responded before the whistle blew.
"Marcy, Sasha, Anne! You lose!", the 2nd coach spoke up, making Sasha groan before it then went to the Lockers in the hallway.
"Okay. Sash, Anne. Dungeon's almost ready. Then we can finally play some Creatures and Caverns. Oh, yeah!", Marcy shouted.
"Locker door! Locker door!", Anne shouted as Marcy was about to hit herself from behind only for her to go underneath the door in time.
"Oop! That was close.", Marcy grinned.
"One of these days, she's gonna get herself killed.", Sasha said.
"Ugh! Don't say that...", Anne said before gasping upon noticing where Marcy was headed.
"Wet floor, wet floor!", Anne exclaimed before she saved Marcy from slipping on the wet floor.
"Oh, man. Where'd I be without you.", Marcy grinned before she was stopped by what appeared to be her brother.
"I did it again, didn't I, Max?", Marcy asked.
"You kinda did, sis. You really need to watch where you're going.", Max responded.
"She was super smart. But super oblivious.", Sasha added as it showed Marcy getting a graded worksheet with an A+ on it before playing on the console, unaware of her stuff falling out before it even showed her playing a game.
"Whoo!", Marcy shouted before she started tripping on the table with Anne and Max getting ready to catch her.
"And I mean insanely clumsy. She's practically the clumsiest person alive.", Sasha added as it went back to the present.
"Wow, that must be horrible.", Sprig said before he drank a glass of water and then accidentally slipped only for Ivy to grab him.
"Gotcha.", Ivy grinned.
"Phew! Thanks, Ivy.", Sprig sighed.
"Back home, we were there to protect her. But here, she's alone, and instead of kickballs...", Anne said.
"She could get mauled by an elephant scarab. Or crushed to death by a heron. Or worse, flayed alive by a...", Sprig began before Sasha grabbed him in a choke hold.
"SAY ONE MORE POTENTIAL DEATH SCENARIO! I DARE YOU!", Sasha dared angrily, making Sprig whimper.
"Easy, there, Sash. At least Max is watching her. I hope. If he is, that kinda evens things out, doesn't it?", Anne asked.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot.", Sasha said before releasing Sprig from her hold, making him breathe in loudly before he panted.
"Guys! Come... It's... I... Not gonna believe... Ah! Just get out here!", Polly shouted before Anne, Sasha, Sprig, and Ivy climbed up the fwaggon and gasped in awe with the frog and toad jumping off the fwaggon and running toward the grass to see the view of Newtopia while the rest of the Plantar Family, the Sundew's, and the toads ran toward it and watched the view as well with gasps.
"There she is, everyone... Newtopia.", Grime spoke.
"If there's a way to get you home, it's in that city.", Hop Pop added.
"It looks so amazing...!", Rose spoke in awe.
"Well, then let's get down there.", Anne grinned before everyone jumped in excitement and proceeded to Newtopia.
"Well, my feet are soaked. Not really that big of a deal, though.", Anne grinned.
"Now this is the life.", Polly grinned before noticing several slashes and dents on the wall.
"Huh? Hey, what do you think made these slashes and dents?", Polly asked before also noticing a foot print with a gasp.
"And is that a set of footprints?", Polly asked.
"Mmm...Better not to ask. Come on!", Hop Pop urged.
"Yeah, I feel like this is going to come back later.", Felicia said before she and the others advanced.
"We're finally here.", Anne grinned before Grime cleared his throat.
"Ahem! Hello?! Anybody home?", Grime asked before the Gatekeeper opened an apparent window at the gate.
"You can't come in here. Newtopia's closed.", the gatekeeper spoke.
"Seriously?", everyone exclaimed.
"Closed? Like closed, closed? Or like closed for lunch?", Anne asked.
"The city is closed, closed to all outsiders.", the gatekeeper responded.
"What the hey hey?! Why?! Till when?!", Sprig asked.
"Until Azog and the orcs are gone, of course.", the gatekeeper spoke.
"Azog? The orcs? I should've known...", Grime sneered.
"Good luck out there.", the gatekeeper said before trying to close the window, but to no avail.
"Stupid handle. Whoa!", the gatekeeper exclaimed as he wound up hanging off the handle, which made Polly laugh, which Rose found detestable with a groan before the Gatekeeper got back inside.
"I'm okay!", the gatekeeper said before closing the window.
"Well, it looks like we're not getting inside unless we take care of Azog and the orcs first.", Grime said.
"But how will we know when we find those orcs?", Braddock asked before the orc roared as he charged in.
"One of his scouts. Azog must've be sending this one in to find any structural weakness for the castle", Grime said.
"Well, he won't find any.", Anne said before she then hopped over to attack the orc with a loud scream of a battle cry, only for the orc to notice her right away before heading toward her, making her stop.
"Nerp!", Anne shouted before she took off, although leading him away from the castle.
"You'll never take me alive!", the blue frog girl shouted before she hopped up and saw a human girl, making her gasp before Anne gasped herself and they both fell over, splashing in the water.
"Luz! Are you okay?", Amity asked.
"Well..., never better.", Luz responded with a slight grunt.
"Whoa! Who are you people?!", Hop Pop asked in surprise.
"I don't believe it! Another Anne?", a pink frog shouted in surprise.
"And she's better dressed too.", a tadpole added.
"Whoa! Uh, giant frog-people… either that, or this is the best apple blood I've ever had. Kids, are you seeing this too?", Eda asked.
"It's kinda hard not to.", Luke responded.
"It's times like these that make me wonder if I'm going crazy.", Lucia added.
"No, you're definitely not going crazy. Because I see them too. Though, being in a place called Amphibaland, I guess we should have expected this.", Amity added before the blue frog girl helped Luz up and the two regarded one another with awe.
"Another... human? I don't believe this!", the blue frog girl shouted in surprise as she then turned back into a human, much to Luz's surprise as she and the others gasped.
"Me neither. I'm Luz Noceda. And I am very impressed that you're able to turn into a frog.", Luz said.
"Eh, It took some getting used to. I'm Anne, by the way, Anne Boonchuy.", Anne introduced.
"And who are they?", Amity asked, gesturing to the other frogs and toads with Anne from behind.
"Oh. Those are my friends.", Anne introduced.
"Hi. I'm Sasha. Those are my sibs, Allison and Pat. And don't forget the triplets. They're Rebecca, Abby, and Sarah.", Sasha greeted as she, Allison, and Pat turned back into humans as did the triplets as well.
"Hi.", Allison greeted.
"'Sup.", Pat greeted.
"Wait. You guys have triplets?!", Luz exclaimed in surprise.
"Uh..., yeah.", Anne responded before Luz quickly rushed over to Lily and picked her up.
"¡Ay, que lindo! Anne, she's so cute! Who's a widdle girl? Who's a widdle girl? Is it you? Is it you?", Luz asked as she hugged Lily, making her giggle.
"Whoa, Luz. I didn't know you like them that much.", Anne said before Luz noticed.
"Well, it's just that she's just so cute, Anne! And there were so many cute triplet babies! I just couldn't help it.", Luz explained before Amity went over to Abby and picked her up.
"Aw. You're so cute.", Amity said, picking Abby up, but not before kneeling down enough so that she doesn't seem big, as the baby grinned.
"Hewwo.", Abby greeted.
"Aw.", Amity beamed before setting her down.
"Anyway, this is Grime, Bombina, Percy, and Braddock.", Sasha added.
"Hello.", Grime greeted.
"Hi.", Bombina greeted.
"Hi, there.", Percy added.
"Nice to meet ya.", Braddock added.
"I'm Amity.", Amity greeted.
"And those are Hop Pop, Sprig, Polly...", Anne began.
"'Sup.", Polly greeted.
"Ivy, Sylvia, and Felicia. And those are my siblings Jackie, Rose, Andy, Danny, and Lily.", Anne finished.
"Hey, guys.", Luz greeted.
"Hey.", the group greeted back.
"Uh..., hi. I'm Luke. And this is Lucia.", Luke greeted.
"Hi.", Lucia waved.
"I'm Willow.", Willow greeted.
"I'm Boscha.", Boscha added.
"Selena's the name.", Selena added.
"I am King Clawthorne. And those are my brother and sister, Grimedale and Crimsondale.", King greeted.
"Hello.", the two little demons waved.
"Grimedale? That sounds like a cool name.", Grime grinned.
"Thank you.", Grimedale grinned.
"And who are you?", Hop Pop asked.
"I am Eda, the Owl Lady. The most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles… until recently. But you can call me Eda, you weird little frog-man.", Eda responded.
"And we already know Mew.", Rose said, pointing to Mew, much to Luz' puzzlement.
"Wait. You mean you already...?", Luz began before turning to Cotton.
"Mew-re?", Mew squeaked.
"Cotton. Did you get there before us?", Luz asked with one eyebrow raised and a grin.
"Meeeeeeeew.", Cotton giggled.
"Wait, Cotton?", Anne asked.
"Yeah. That's actually my palisman's name. At least that's what my mom told me at one time.", Luz said, turning to Cotton, who glanced at her.
"Rew?", Cotton spoke, tilting her head to the left.
"Why do I get the feeling we have a lot in common?", Luz asked.
"I dunno, but I can already tell we're gonna be besties.", Anne grinned before Aruman spoke up.
"I'm terribly sorry, but we're here on urgent business.", Aruman stated.
"Do you know where our friend Mithril is?", Maltheal asked.
"Mithril?", Anne puzzled.
"Ah, you know. Tall guy with a white beard and staff. Any of those ringing a bell?", Luz asked.
"Wait! I know him! He helped us escape form those orcs in Dol Guldur!", Anne realized.
"Dol Guldur...?! But that place has been abandoned!", Maltheal reacted in surprise.
"Apparently not. There was a whole army of orcs down there!", Sasha responded.
"An army of orcs...! Do you know what that means?", Maltheal asked.
"It appears the orcs are finally making their move. We must find Mithril and save him! If we can.", Aruman said before Eda leaned over.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt, but we've got company!", Eda shouted.
"Me-ew?", Cotton puzzled, turning to see a band of orcs.
"Now, we have found our prey. Run them down!", Azog ordered before the orcs charged with yells.
But Anne and her friends and family were ready. While the triplets were uneasy as they stayed with King, Grimedale, and Crimsondale, they charged toward the orcs with Anne elbowing one of the orcs as Sasha fought with Azog, clashing swords with one another as Grime fought with Bolg in similar sword clash as Luz and her own group stared in surprise.
"Whaaaa...?", Luz puzzled in surprise.
"Me-ew? Mew-re.", Cotton spoke as she flew away from Luz a bit.
"What the...? Cotton, what are you...?", Luz began.
"Me-re. Mew.", Cotton squeaked as she then flew over to the battle.
"Mew, wait! It's dangerous!", Luz shouted as she went after Cotton.
Of course, Luz saw Cotton take down some orcs with a burst of psychic speed, although strung together in one hit per orc near her vicinity.
"Oh. Right. I forgot you could do that.", Luz remembered.
Meanwhile, Ivy blinded one of the orcs while Felicia and Sylvia each fought off the orcs back-to-back as Percy and Braddock fought a couple orcs to a standstill while Polly leapt up and bit into one of the orc's legs, much to said orc's annoyance before he flung her off with King stepping in.
"WEHHHH!", King shouted to slow down Polly's speed enough for Rose to catch Polly, intriguing Azog as he noticed this as well as Crimsondale and Grimedale.
"Three titans...?! It can't be...!", Azog spoke in surprise.
Meanwhile, as Aruman repelled some orcs with his staff and Maltheal fought with his sword, Jackie fought with another orc with her katana as Anne and Sprig prepped Hop Pop for launching.
"Release on my signal! One... two... three... FIRE!", Grime shouted before Anne and Sprig launched Hop Pop toward Azog, who got promptly knocked back by Hop Pop by the chin.
"Yay-uh! In your face, Azog!", Anne shouted with a grin.
"Wow...", Luz spoke in awe as Cotton came back and landed on Luz's head.
"Me-ee! Mewe.", Cotton squeaked giddily.
"You think you've won?! To me, orcs!", Azog shouted as he raised his sword before his reinforcements surrounded the group while standing by Azog, even worrying a big snail to the point of hiding in her shell.
"Starting to feel a bit antsy.", Anne said in worry before Hop Pop clutched onto Eda's leg.
"Save us, foxy lady!", Hop Pop pleaded before Eda just shook him off her.
"Get off of me!", Eda ssaid, shaking the frog off.
Suddenly, blotches of tar landed on the water between the orcs and the frogs, toads, and witches.
"What the...", Anne puzzled.
"Wait, isn't this...", Lucia began before getting an idea and whispering to Luz, who widened her eyes before giving a look of determination.
"Leave this one to me, guys.", Luz said before then creating a fire spell circle to make a flaming fire ball.
"Spicy toss!", Luz shouted, tossing the fire ball toward the tar, igniting the flames from the tar, catching the orcs by surprise.
"Whoa!", Polly and the Plantars spoke in surprise.
"Orcs! Retreat for now!", Azog commanded before they took off with only Azog remaining for now.
"You may have won this time. But we'll be back.", Azog warned before taking his leave just as the fire went out.
"Wow! You're like a… magician, or something. It's incredible!", Anne exclaimed.
"I'm a witch. And so are Luke and Lucia.", Luz responded.
"But... we came from the human world originally.", Lucia explained.
"See? Our home was the Boiling Isles, but we came to the human realm sometime ago when we were young. True story.", Luke added.
"Witches? I know a certain curse-wielding frog-girl who would love to meet you.", Sprig grinned.
"So, what're you doing here, better-dressed-Anne?", Polly asked.
"Polly, rude much?", Hop Pop asked.
"We have names, you know.", Lucia retorted.
"Oh! I love the chaotic energy coming from the tiny one.", Eda grinned.
"You think?! Up top, you absolute beast.", King agreed, raising his hand before Polly gave him a high-five.
"Actually, right now, we're looking for our Mom. She went missing recently, and now, we're trying to look for her.", Luz responded.
"Don't tell me. You're trapped in a medieval fantasy adventure rigamarole too?", Anne asked.
"Mmh, less of a medieval fantasy, and more of a kid-friendly heckscape on top of a giant carcass, but… yep!", Luz responded as Jackie, Rose, Sasha, Allison, and Pat all saw in a bit of surprise before Anne grabbed Luz's hands before taking a deep breath.
"OH, MY GOSH! I have so many questions for you. How are you coping? Do you miss your parents? How was the food there?", Anne asked.
"And I got questions for you. Where'd you learn how to fight like that? Do you have a found family too?", Luz asked before Anne gasped.
"You have to come over! Hop Pop, can we have a sleepover, like, right now?", Anne asked.
"Uh, I-I-I don't know Anne. We need to get permission from, uh… eh, what did you say your name was again?", Hop Pop asked, making Eda growl in annoyance.
"It's Eda the Owl Lady! Doesn't anyone listen?", Eda asked, peeved.
"Well, all giddy merriment aside, the fact that the tar showed up was odd.", Willow said.
"Yeah. But who could've tossed that tar up from above?", Amity puzzled before Aruman turned, looked up, and noticed.
"Perhaps this person up there had something to do with it.", Aruman said, pointing up to the being before everyone turned to see a hooded figure with a cape, never mind three of them together, much to everyone's surprise before one of the figures shot out an arrow with a rope from a crossbow wrist.
"Hop Pop, can I get a crossbow for my birthday? Please, please, please!", Polly asked before the arrow landed onto the wooden tire.
"Eh, we'll talk.", Hop Pop responded.
Then, the figure went in first with two others following her, sliding down the rope.
"That's one cool newt.", Hop Pop grinned as everyone looked in awe.
However, the rope suddenly broke with the trio falling down.
"Me-we!", Cotton exclaimed before making a big bubble for the three, making them bounce softly on it, much to their surprise.
"Been there. Didn't really stick the landing.", Polly commented.
"Good thinking, Cotton.", Luz grinned while Anne started to come to a realization as did Sasha.
"Wait a second.", Anne said.
"Is that...?", Sasha asked.
"Mew-rew!", Cotton spoke as she then flew over to the three figures and blinked a couple times.
"Uh... thanks?", the male figure thanked, making Allison gasp softly.
"Max...?", Allison puzzled.
"Oh, that's the cutest little animal I've ever seen!", the littler figure beamed.
"'Lexy?", Rose said in hope.
"Mew. Me-ew, Mew!", Cotton squeaked, popping the bubble she made before the trio landed on the water.
"Well, it looks like the rope couldn't hold all of us.", Alexis stated.
"Me-ew?", Cotton squeaked before picking up a wet journal that fell into the water from Marcy earlier and looking at it curiously.
"Mew...", Cotton spoke as she then spun around in a circle to dry off the journal before flying over to Marcy and her siblings.
"Mew!", Cotton squeaked, handing the journal back to the hooded figure.
"Aw. Thanks, little fella.", the figure said.
"Me-ew?", Cotton squeaked.
"Aw. She's just so cute, isn't she?", Luz asked.
"I know! She's just so adorable...!", the figure grinned.
"Marcy?", Anne and Sasha asked in unison before the figure took off her hood, showing her familiar, yet newt-like face.
"Anne? Sasha?", Marcy asked in surprise.
"Say whaaaaaa?", Luz puzzled in surprise.
"First frogs, then toads, and now newts?! What's next, lizards?", Eda asked.
"NO FLIPPN' WAY!", Sasha shouted as she took off toward Marcy, tears of joy starting to be shed form her eyes.
"Marcy!", Anne shouted as she ran toward Marcy along with her.
"Sasha! Anne!", Marcy shouted before Anne jumped onto Marcy, knocking her into the water before Sasha picked her up and hugged her tightly, sobbing in joy as were Allison, Pat, Jackie, Rose, and even Anne as well.
"Oh! Anne? Sasha? Is that really you?", Marcy asked in surprise.
"Marcy! I can't believe it!", Anne shouted with tearful glee.
"WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!", Sasha sobbed joyfully.
"You, Sasha, me, here?", Marcy asked.
"I know! We've all missed you!", Rose added before Marcy giggled.
"Oh, I missed you too!", Marcy grinned as she returned the gesture.
"Aw...", Polly grinned as everyone looked in awe.
"Look at you. Look at this outfit. You're like an Amazon warrior queen or something.", Anne grinned.
"I know, I know, right? It's nuts! This is real!", Marcy exclaimed, inadvertently arming her crossbow with an arrow.
"Yeah, very real.", Anne said nervously, pushing the arrow away from her.
"Even more real than a reality show, am I right?", Sasha added before she, Anne, and Marcy laughed together.
"Ah, sorry...! Isn't this place wild?", Marcy asked as she disarmed her crossbow.
"Wild? That doesn't even begin to cover it.", Anne responded.
"You know, Mar-Mar, I'm kinda surprised that you, Max, and Alexis changed into newts.", Sasha commented.
"Really?", Marcy asked.
"Yep. But you know what's really surprising? This!", Anne said before she croaked and then turned back into a blue frog.
"Ta-da!", Anne responded as Marcy, Max, and Alexis gasped.
"Wow! That's really incredible! Does that mean...?", Alexis began.
"Yep. We can do that, too.", Sasha responded before she, Jackie, Rose, Pat, and Allison all croaked and turned back into frogs and toads.
"What witchcraft is this?!", Aruman exclaimed.
"Wow! All of you turned into amphibians here, too?! What an adventure.", Marcy grinned.
"So, how have you guys been doing?", Allison asked.
"We've really grown out here, Ally. Come into our own. Leveled up. And apparently changed along the way. We'll talk about that later, though.", Max responded.
"Mm-hmm. No more clumsy, klutzy Marcy. Can you believe it?", Marcy grinned.
"Uh, Marcy? Your cloak's on fire.", Alexis responded.
"What? How?!", Marcy exclaimed as she ran around.
"Don't swing it around!", Anne exclaimed.
"So, uh, Anne. Who's your friend?", Luz asked.
"Note to self: nonflammable cloak, preferable.", Marcy stated to herself.
"At least she's taking notes.", Maltheal stated.
"Yeah, that's a good call.", Max agreed.
"You guys, meet Marcy and her fam!", Anne introduced.
"I'm Max. And this is my little sister, Alexis.", Max greeted.
"And those are the triplets. Jamie, Alex, and Adam.", Alexis introduced.
"Oh, my gosh. Who are these cuties? And for that matter, who are these guys?!", Marcy asked.
"Hi, Marcy. I'm Luz. Luz Noceda. And these guys are...", Luz introduced before Marcy gasped.
"Are they your surrogate witch family? Did they find you and take you in? Oh! I love the found family trope! Gosh, this is just like the hero in my favorite game, Vagabondia Chronicles. The greatest JRPG of all time. Have you played it? Do you wanna play it, borrow it? Just say the word and I'll lend you my copy. Man, it'll change your lives!", Marcy exclaimed.
"Actually, I do play it. I happen to have a copy of it back home. That's kinda how I got into Azura the Good Witch in the first place.", Luz responded.
"Really?! You do?! This is so cool!", Marcy squealed excitedly.
"Yep, the Plantars took me in. The one you got there is Hop Pop.", Anne introduced.
"And this is Sprig.", Luke stated.
"Hey, Marcy.", Sprig greeted.
"And this Pollywog, here, is Polly.", Jackie greeted.
"I like kicking butts and taking names!", Polly stated.
Then, Marcy went over to Hop Pop and measured him.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. As I thought, 62 centimeters!", Marcy stated.
"Yep! All brain.", Hop Pop greeted.
"Judging from the size of your cranium and flecks of sediment, you're from Frog Valley, right?", Marcy asked.
"You can tell all that from my head?", Hop Pop gasped in surprise.
"Oh, Anne. I'm so jealous you found a farming community. I've been studying Amphibia history, and farm culture is super underappreciated in my opinion. You're the backbone of society and do not get enough credit for it.
"Hub, bub, bub, bub. Hub, bub, bub, bub...", Hop Pop spoke before gasping and clutching his heart while inadvertently falling back onto Polly.
"Get off of me!", Polly exclaimed.
"Thank you, thank you!", Hop Pop thanked.
"Well, Luke, Lucia, and I were taken in, too. But by Eda and her family.", Luz stated.
"Yeah. They even helped take us in, too.", Amity added.
"Really?", Marcy asked in surprise.
"In a manner of speaking, yes.", Amity responded as Marcy picked up Polly and examined the inside of her body using the light of the sun and a magnifying glass to focus on Polly's developing legs.
"Hmm. I'd say those legs should be coming in in about... bub, bub, bub, buh... two months, give or take.", Marcy stated.
"Can I get that in writing?", Polly gasped.
"Oh, yeah, absolutely.", Marcy responded as she put Polly down and gave her a note, saying "Legs in 2 months - Marcy", making Polly squeal and giggle.
"Thank you!", Polly thanked.
"Wow. She's a real people-pleaser, huh?", Sasha asked.
"How does she know all that?", Lucia asked in surprise.
"She's eager to learn like I am. And I learned most of everything from her. That's how I became leader of the Lakeside Scouts.", Alexis stated.
"Lakeside Scouts? No offense, but that sounds like something out of a coven.", Eda responded.
"Oh! And hi there. Wow. I've never seen a frog your color before. You're not poisonous, are you?", Marcy asked.
"Yeah, I literally actually don't know.", Sprig responded.
"So what about you, Mar-mar? Have you been in Newtopia this whole time?", Sasha asked.
"Here and there, but, uh, mostly here.", Marcy responded.
"How?", Allison asked.
"We actually warped right inside the city walls.", Max explained.
"Pretty lucky, right? Like, what are the odds...", Marcy added before gasping as she remembered something.
"Oh, oh, okay! Oh, my gosh! Remember that game I tried to get you and Sasha to play, Creatures and Caverns?", Marcy asked.
"No.", Anne responded.
"Actually, I remember that game. Why?", Luz responded.
"It turns out newts are just like Cephalons.", Marcy said before Luz gasped,
"From Shadows of Xel'noth!", Luz grinned.
"Exactly! Anyway, I just role-played like your typical artificer/rogue and the next thing I know... Boom... I'm the chief ranger of the Newtopian Knight Guard!", Marcy said as she fist-bumped.
"I don't even understand half those words.", Grime commented.
"Tell me about it. Were those even words?", Polly asked.
"I literally have no idea.", King responded before Grimedale and Crimsondale shook their heads.
"By the way, it was really cool how you used that sonic wave.", Polly said.
"Thank you.", King thanked.
"So, Marcy, can you get us into the city? We tried the gate, but they won't let us in.", Anne asked.
"Wait, what?", Luz puzzled.
"But why?", Selena asked.
"Unfortunately, those gates will stay closed until the orcs are defeated.", Marcy responded.
"And based on what we heard, the orcs are residing in Dol Guldur. We must find someway to rescue our friend from this place.", Aruman urged.
"Luckily, we've got a plan. Come on!", Marcy assured before she fired her crossbow and was carried off through the air due to the rope being pulled in.
"Hop Pop. Birthday. Make it happen.", Polly said.
"Yeah, I wouldn't recommend it.", Max warned.
Act II
Meanwhile, a few newts were talking in the tent.
"I'm telling you, Branson, what we need is a direct frontal assault.", a newt named Bartley stated.
"And I'm telling you, Bartley, a sneak attack is what's called for.", Branson retorted.
"Yeah, well, you're both wrong. We need to learn how to communicate with our orc brethren and live in sweet, sweet harmony.", a newt named Blair stated.
"Ludicrous! There can be no reasoning with an orc!", Bartley rebuffed.
"Yeah, shut up, Blair.", Branson agreed.
"You shut up!", Blair retorted before the three started arguing up until Marcy entered the tent.
"'Sup, triple B?", Marcy spoke up before the three stopped arguing and turned to Marcy and company.
"Ahem. Ah, Masters Marcy, Max, and Alexis.", Bartley greeted.
"Have you three been arguing again?", Max asked before the Boonchuys, Plantars, Sundews, Toads, and witches all entered.
"Uh..., no. But egad! Toads?!", Bartley exclaimed.
"Fear not, newts. Today, we have a common enemy. The orcs.", Grime assured.
"And we also have some new company with us, too.", Bombina added.
"That many travelers?!", Bartley asked as Luz gasped with a squeak at the sight of the triplets inside.
"No, no. They're with us. These guys traveled here all the way from the valley.", Marcy explained.
"Ah, welcome, weary travelers.", Bartley greeted.
"And those are my friends, Anne and Sasha...", Marcy introduced before Anne poked her cheek, which she held.
"Ow.", Marcy responded with Anne laughing.
"Sorry. Just... still can't believe you're here.", Anne responded as she started playfully patting Marcy's head like a drum, earning her giggles.
"Anne, quit it.", Marcy giggled.
"All right, Boonchuy. Marcy's had enough.", Sasha said with a grin.
"All right, all right. Keep doing what you're doing.", Anne said as she then gave Marcy a bit of space.
"Anyhoo, these are their siblings.", Marcy introduced, gesturing to Jackie, Allison, Rose, Pat, Andy, Danny, Lily, Rebecca, Abby, and Sarah.
"Aw. Those little babies look so cute.", Blair grinned.
"You mean the triplets, right, Blair?", Branson asked.
"What do you mean? Of course I mean the triplets.", Blair responded.
"Anyway, you'll be glad to hear we've agreed on a battle strategy.", Bartley said.
"What? We've agreed on nothing!", Blair exclaimed.
"That's because you've been arguing again, isn't it?", Max guessed.
"How dare you accuse u... Yeah, we were arguing again...", the three newts sighed.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk...", Alexis scolded as Max shook his head.
"Well, no worries. I think I got it figured out.", Marcy said.
"What do you mean?", Selena puzzled.
"Since the weather warmed up, those orcs have been sending scouting parties deeper into our territory. In fact, I predict a full-scale invasion is just around the corner.", Marcy stated as, while she went on, Anne got distracted playing with the hood of Marcy's cloak until Sasha cleared her throat, prompting Anne to back off.
"The king has asked me to stop them before they lay waste to Newtopia.", Marcy added before, as if to prove her point, she crushed the model of the city with a model of what appear to be little models of orcs.
"Wait. You three work directly for the king of Amphibia?", Sprig asked in amazement.
"Sprig, behave yourself.", Hop Pop spoke to Sprig.
"Uh-huh. True story.", Max responded.
"I even started a little scout troop of my own. Of course, it doesn't hold a candle to the Lakeside Scouts back home. It does come close, though.", Alexis added.
"Yeah. So, what's the plan here?", Edalyn asked.
"Okay. Plan is we're gonna sneak into Dol Guldur and drive the orcs away. With them gone, it should be easy to find and rescue Mithril.", Marcy said.
"Oh, yeah? And how are we doing that?", Sprig asked.
"Check it out!", Marcy exclaimed as she got out Boom Shrooms.
"Boom shrooms?", Polly gasped in surprise.
"Boom shrooms? What are those?", King puzzled.
"They're bombs that you can toss out and explode against your enemies!", Polly responded.
"My interest has been piqued.", King grinned as his younger siblings ooh'd in awe.
"We'll have to be extra careful, though. If one thing goes wrong...", Alexis said before, in leaning on the table, Marcy nearly toppled it.
"Whoa! Flimsy table.", Marcy spoke.
"Maybe you should try not to lean against the table so much, okay?", Max suggested.
Of course, this worried Anne and Sasha altogether as well as Luz and her own company.
"Uh, Marbles, this sounds pretty dangerous. Yeah, why don't you leave the mission to me and the Plantars? We did stuff like this all the time in the valley.", Anne assured before she and the Plantars struck a pose.
"To the max!", Hop Pop said.
"You got that right, Hopadiah.", Sylvia agreed.
"And while you're at it, you can let us help, too, Marcy.", Luz offered.
"We've been through some stuff like this, ourselves.", Amity added.
"Ugh. Come on, guys. And you, too, Anna Banana. I'll be fine.", Marcy assured.
"Banana?", Sasha and Sprig asked in surprise.
"I've changed, remember?", Marcy asked.
"Then, why's your cape on fire again?", Luz asked.
Sure enough, it was. Marcy screamed upon noticing this.
"Fire! Fire! Fire! Somebody do something!", "Triple B" shouted.
"Hold still.", Anne urged before she removed the cape.
"There!", Anne said as once it's on the ground, Amity flung a few bits of abomination goo to put out the fire.
"Those capes sure are flammable.", Hop Pop commented.
"Guys, trust me. I can handle this.", Marcy said.
"I don't know if I trust you about this, but we don't have much time. Now, come! Let us be on our way.", Aruman urged as he and Maltheal left first.
"Yep. Let's get going. Mission, engage!", Marcy shouted before she ran off with Anne sighing and then following.
"Yeah, we'd better make sure nothing happens to Marcy.", Sasha stated.
"Agreed. True she may be an excellent strategist, but when it comes to constant coordination, it does leave a lot to be desired.", Grime agreed.
"Plus, she's liable to get hurt if we aren't there to help her. Or worse.", Bombina added.
"You guys coming?", Hop Pop asked.
"What, us?", Bartley asked before Branson chuckled.
"Of course not. We're analysts. We don't do... field work.", Branson snorted.
"And what's wrong with field work? I'll have you know we farmers are the backbone of society!", Hop Pop exclaimed before ribbiting, pulling his pants up, and storming off the tent.
"Weirdos.", Branson said.
Meanwhile, the company arrived at Dol Guldur.
"Well, this is the place all right.", Sasha said.
"Wow... That's Dol Guldur?", Luz asked.
"Yes, and I strongly recommended against going there the first time.", Grime replied.
"And you were right to do so. Lingering here any longer would drain you of what energy you could have left.", Aruman responded.
"That is why it is imperative that we rescue Mithril fast before we get drained ourselves.", Maltheal added.
"Yeah, but I don't think everyone should head in at once this time. This time, our triplets need to stay behind.", Sasha suggested.
"I'll stay behind and keep watch over them.", Jackie assured.
"And I'll stay behind, too. Someone's gotta be backup around here.", Pat responded.
"Welp, that takes care of who'll keep an eye on those cuties this time.", Anne grinned.
"Good. Now, if there are no more delays, we should all get going, posthaste.", Aruman urged with everyone nodding.
As they trod onto Dol Guldur, Sprig stayed behind and turned to Bessie.
"All right, Bessie, we're about to be ambushed by orcs... probably. If we're not back in three hours, send for help.", Sprig said before Bessie neighed and nibbled his head.
"Good girl.", Sprig whispered.
Meanwhile, Mithril was chanting something while held in a cage before an orc guarding the cage lifted it up and then spoke to him.
"Spells will not save you, old man.", the orc spoke before tossing the cage to the ground.
"You have something my Master wants. Where is it?", the orc asked before tossing Mithril to the ground, sans cage this time.
"One of the Magic Gems.", the orc added before Mithril then noticed a mace nearby, grabbed the chains, and then flung the mace toward the orc, hitting him in the face.
But that didn't do much as the orc turned back to Mithril and spat something out before he then grabbed Mithril and then slammed him into the ground chest first and then noticed a magic ring he was wearing.
"The Emperor's Coven Gem...! Where are the others?", the orc asked.
"Woof. Looks like that orc is really going to town on him.", Eda commented as sounds of the orc wounding Mithril were heard.
"No...! No!", Luz spoke in worry before looking as if she was about to cry.
"We can't just sit here. We've gotta do something!", Amity urged before Luz then bore an angry, yet determined look.
"I know. And we will.", Luz responded determinedly before she stepped forward across the debris as Cotton followed her.
"Me-ew?", Cotton squeaked.
"Luz? What are you...?", Amity began.
"This'll only take a second. But if I'm not back with him by a minute, some help would be appreciated.", Luz interrupted as she continued while only turning back to Amity for a moment before turning back to the stairs.
Meanwhile, the orc spoke in a foreign language as Luz and Cotton went in. Before the orc could strike down with his sword to cut the ring off, he noticed Luz and Cotton present.
"You! I, Luz Noceda, have come for Mithril! And I'm coming back with him.", Luz spoke before the orc then turned his attention away from Mithril and his gem to Luz and Cotton.
"If you try to stop me, I will destroy you!", Luz said angrily before the orc only roared and charged toward her.
"Me-we!", Cotton exclaimed before quickly turning into a staff for Luz, who then traced a spell circle, not only destroying said orc, turning it to dust, but also causing a white wave to pass from the castle, lifting the apparent enchantment, causing the clouds to darken more than they already have.
"Huh. That was quick. Well, at least Mithril's all right. Kinda...", Luz said as Cotton then turned back into her palisman form and flew to Mithril.
"Mew...", Cotton spoke sadly as she then checked his pulse, which is very slow.
"He doesn't have very long. We need to get him out, now!", Luz urged before she tried scooping him up, only to fail before Cotton then started levitating him.
"Oh. Thanks, Cotton.", Luz said before going downstairs with Cotton lifting Mithril up.
Just then, Amity, Willow, Gus, Boscha, Selena, Eda, King, Grimedale, Crimsondale, Anne, Rose, Sasha, Allison, Marcy, Max, Alexis, Hop Pop, Sprig, Polly, Ivy, Felicia, and Sylvia arrived from opposite sides.
"Uh, hey, guys. We could really use some help here.", Luz responded.
"What happened?", Gus asked.
"It's Mithril. Where are Aruman and Maltheal? He doesn't have much time left.", Luz replied.
"Then we need to get him out, now!", Selena urged.
But there was an ominous voice sounding around her.
"Three Gems... for the Titans under the sky. Six for the Amphibians in their landscapes of old... Nine for all doomed to die...", Melkor spoke before 9 ghosts appeared, one of which was Azog, surrounding Luz, Cotton, and Mithril, much to her worry.
"Just hang on, Mithril. We're gonna make it out of this...", Luz assured.
"Mew!", Cotton agreed.
"You cannot fight the shadow. Even now, you fade. One light... alone in the darkness.", Melkor discouraged as Luz tightened her fist and stood up boldly.
However, Melkor was wrong. For that was when Aruman and Maltheal arrived at different sides of the entrance to the halls as the latter drew his sword.
"Are you in need of assistance, my friend?", Aruman asked to Mithril before the 9 ghosts turned to see him and Maltheal.
"You should've stayed dead.", Maltheal spoke before he and one of the 9 ghosts fought while Aruman fought with two ghosts with his magic staff.
That was when everyone else joined the fray as well in teams of two or three. Of course, there wasn't much progress in driving the ghosts away completely as at one point, Hop Pop even used the same move he did on Azog earlier, but the best it did was knock him back in the air before he floated around and went toward Hop Pop only for him to hop up, just barely dodging it while Marcy fired her arrows at one of the ghosts but missed a couple times before landing a hit in, though it only stuck and did no damage.
"Even with twice the numbers we have against them, it's not enough!", Marcy spoke in worry.
"Uh, kids? How are you doin' back there?", Hop Pop asked.
"I gotta say, at this rate, I do feel pretty safe back here.", Sprig responded as he held his own against two of the ghosts, surprisingly, before suddenly, one of the ghosts shrieked and grabbed Sprig from behind.
"Sprig!", everyone except Aruman, Maltheal, and the weakened Mithril shouted.
"Why me? Ow! Why always me?", Sprig asked before the ghost tossed him down with a scream.
"Hang on!", Amity shouted as she leapt after him and caught him while falling before suddenly stopping in time to see herself being held by the legs by Boscha, who, herself, was held by the legs by Willow's vines, much to Sprig's amazement.
"Just hold on, guys. I got you!", Willow assured.
But it wasn't for long. One of the ghosts suddenly pushed Willow off to the edge, making her scream before Luz, Luke, and Lucia all turned to see Willow falling down, although not without grasping onto the edge, causing the vine to wilt and whither a bit, loosening its grip as Boscha had to lurch Amity upward to the edge with Sprig now on top of her back before Boscha started trying to climb up as well alongside her.
"Those who would dare interfere with the dark lord... Fall...!", the ghost spoke, raising his sword to send them off to their demise.
This sight of what the ghost had in mind upset Luz, Luke, and Lucia so greatly that they started to get angry as their eyes started glowing blue (for Luz), white (for Luke), and purple (for Lucia) before they all started growing fur and tails similar to King, Grimedale, and Crimsondale's, much to their surprise as they gasped from seeing this as did everyone else, though Aruman and Maltheal just widened their eyes in shock. Next, Luz, Luke, and Lucia's faces turned into those of human skulls, but not only with their eyes present, as well as horns, but also stopping at the upper jaw for their mouths.
"NOOOOOOOOO!", Luz, Luke, and Lucia shouted, emitting a wave that blasted the ghost past Willow, Amity, Sprig, and Boscha, sending it screaming before it landed on the ground, much to their surprise.
"Now, that is a rough fall.", Sprig said before he and the three girls turning back to see Luz, Luke, and Lucia now back to normal as they were quite surprised.
"Luz..., how did you guys do it?", Amity asked as she, Willow, and Boscha got back up with Sprig in tow.
"Huh...? Do what, Amity?", Luz asked.
"Never mind that. We'll talk later after we save Mithril.", Amity said.
"Oh, right! Mithril! I forgot!", Luz shouted before rushing over to him.
"Luz, wait up!", Lucia shouted as she followed her.
"All right, guys. Fight mode!", Anne spoke.
"On it!", Polly, Hop Pop, Sylvia, Felicia, and Ivy agreed.
"Yeah, on it!", Sprig agreed.
"Okay, Marcy, stay close.", Anne said before noticing Marcy wander off and blow a raspberry.
Little did she know that Marcy went over to Luz and Lucia.
"How's he doing?", Marcy asked.
"Not good. We're losing him...", Lucia responded, making her gasp.
"Oh, no.", Marcy said.
"We can't lose you, Mithril! Not here! Please..., come back...!", Luz pleaded.
Meanwhile, Luke and the other witches helped the frogs and toads fight with the ghosts as Aruman and Maltheal managed to take down one more each, one of which fell off the castle with a shriek.
Act III
Meanwhile, Azog reported to Melkor in the Archives.
"What news do you bring me, Azog?", Melkor asked.
"It is about our raid on Newtopia. We discovered outsiders not in this realm. And what's more... we also found three Titans...", Azog reported.
"Titans...?", Melkor puzzled before growling with a rising bellow as his smoke-like form turned into flame with his body visible once more.
"So, they have come for Mithril in Dol Goldur, have they...? Good.", Melkor spoke before then blasting out of the archives and into the sky.
Back in Dol Guldur, Luz and Lucia hugged Mithril, who then started to breathe again, albeit a bit hoarsely.
"Mithril...!", Luz shouted in relief.
"You're okay...!", Lucia added, just as tearful.
"He is... here...!", Mithril said.
"What...?", Luz puzzled.
"The darkness... has returned.", Mithril spoke.
Meanwhile, Luke helped Maltheal fight off the remaining ghosts, troublesome as they are, before elsewhere nearby, Marcy looked up and saw a boulder headed for her, no doubt pushed there by one of the ghosts remaining in the fight. using her quick-thinking, Anne and Sasha pushed Marcy out of the way before the ghost shrieked as it then went after her only for Anne to fend off against it to save her.
"Anne, Sash, what are you two doing?", Marcy asked.
"Um, saving you from a giant rock that was about to crush you?", Anne responded.
"Not to mention that ghost who tossed it at you!", Sasha added as she guarded against the ghost.
"Well, you didn't have to. I was about to get out of the way myself.", Marcy responded.
"No, you weren't. Anne has to protect you. Like she always does. Just like back home.", Sasha rebuffed.
"But we're not back home, Sash. And I've been doing just fine by myself.", Marcy argued.
"Yeah, but, but...", Anne began.
"But you have no idea how dangerous these ghosts are! Even we don't know! And we don't want to find out!", Sasha added.
"Ugh! Why can't you guys just trust me?", Marcy asked.
"BECAUSE WE JUST GOT YOU BACK, OKAY?!", Sasha shouted, starting to cry, causing Marcy to look surprised, especially Anne.
"And we don't... I don't wanna lose you again.", Sasha responded, sniffling as Marcy's look softened into a gentle smile before she grabbed Sasha's hands.
"You won't. I promise.", Marcy assured before Sasha sniffed as she dried her tears.
"Okay... go.", Sasha grinned.
"You got this.", Anne added.
"See you on the other side.", Marcy grinned before the ghost that was attacking earlier shrieked loudly, especially when Marcy fired an arrow at the ghost and hit it, causing it to crumble.
"Whoa.", Sasha spoke in surprise.
"Say whaaaat?", Anne added in surprise.
"You took it down with an arrow?", Grime asked in surprise.
"But how?", Bombina asked.
"It's easy. Just look for the weak points and the rest should come naturally.", Marcy responded.
"Weak points, huh?", Max grinned before he then noticed a certain one in the ghost he was fighting, even getting out a bow and arrow, launching the latter right at the gut, making it crumble away, leaving behind the crest of the orcs.
"Now, we're talking. Yeah!", Max shouted excitedly.
As for Alexis, she got out her own bow and arrow as well before launching it at the area just above the waist, quickly causing it to crumble.
"Who knew these ghosts are easy to handle when you know how to deal with them?", Alexis grinned.
"I did, 'cause I studied them.", Marcy grinned.
Just then, Luz and Lucia turned to Anne and the others.
"Anne, you need to get Mithril out of there! He's weakened!", Luz urged.
"He can't stay here any longer! This place is draining his life!", Lucia added as Maltheal knocked one ghost back and was starting to drive another away.
"Please, hurry!", Luz urged before Mithril grabbed Luz by the wrist.
"Come with me, Ms. Noceda...", Mithril spoke weakly to her in worry.
After a moment, Luz shed a tear and then tore her arm away from Mithril before turning back to Anne as Lucia spoke to Rose.
"Take Mithril and go, guys. And bring your found family with you. The sooner he gets out of here, the sooner he can recover.", Lucia urged.
"Yeah, but...", Rose began.
But Lucia wouldn't waste any time!
"GO!", Luz and Lucia shouted, surprising Anne and Rose as the latter exclaimed.
"Okay.", Rose responded before she and Anne helped Mithril up.
"Everyone! With me! Mithril needs help!", Anne urged.
"Oh, my crubs! Mithril!", Marcy shouted before she, and the others caught up, but not before Sylvia knocked the ghost back.
"About time... I was starting to get tired myself.", Sylvia responded as she then left.
"Hey. Thanks for having my back.", Marcy grinned.
"Not that you needed it.", Anne responded.
"You're right. You really have changed.", Sasha grinned.
"Uh, I hate to interrupt this touching moment, but you're on fire again.", Bombina said.
"What?", Marcy puzzled as everyone skidded to a halt to notice one thing: Marcy's cape really is on fire again somehow.
"Oh, come on! There wasn't even any fire this time!", Marcy exclaimed as she started stomping on her cape.
Meanwhile, Luz and Lucia were starting to feel tired.
"Luz...? I think it's... starting to drain us, too...", Lucia said.
"Fly, you fool...!", Luz said weakly to Mithril before losing consciousness with the same happening to Lucia as well as Luke noticed from nearby.
"Luz! Lucia!", Luke shouted before the ghost took advantage of the distraction and then whacked him over to where Luz and Lucia are, preparing to kill him, only for Boscha to fire at the ghost, causing it to crumble as well.
"That's my boyfriend.", Boscha said intensely.
Meanwhile, Gus was on the ropes with the ghosts.
"So, you think you have me cornered, do you?", Gus smirked before he then produced a spell circle, creating an illusion of Gus wielding a big sword before he swung at them as Aruman, Cotton (with psychic bursts), and Eda (in harpy form) blasted and/or kicked one ghost away and Maltheal knocked another down the castle before Amity and Willow blasted one ghost away and then smashed against another with Selena and Gus piercing through the last remaining ghost, making it crumble away as well before Gus dropped the illusion.
"Phew. That was too close.", Gus sighed.
With that, all seemed calm.
"Is everyone all right?", Amity asked.
"Not exactly...", Selena said, pointing to Luz, Luke, and Lucia.
"Luz!", Amity shouted before she rushed over to them as did Boscha and Willow.
"No... It can't be!", Amity said in worry.
"Mew...", Cotton spoke sadly.
"There's no cause for concern. Yet. Look.", Aruman assured, noting the fact that the trio was breathing still.
"They must've lost consciousness.", Maltheal guessed.
"Mew.", Cotton grinned in relief before she started healing the trio.
"So, we just need to get them out real quick, right?", Eda guessed.
"Easier said than done at this point, Eda. For all we know, there could be something else coming after us.", King responded before a shrieking sound was heard.
"You've no idea how right you are...", Aruman responded just before a burst of flames erupted on one part of the castle, revealing a flaming eye, only it was wider than before.
"Is that...?", Amity said in worry.
"I'm afraid it is.", Aruman responded, no one knowing that Luz, Luke, and Lucia were starting to stir.
"It has begun... The Isles will fall. So shall the Titan's kingdom rise. The time of witches is over. The Age of the Titans has come...", Melkor spoke to the present company as the 9 ghosts returned.
At that moment, however, Luz, Luke, and Lucia were starting to regain consciousness and transform again, much to Cotton's surprise.
"Me-we!", Cotton squeaked, puzzling Amity and the others before Luz, Luke, and Lucia, now in the same forms from earlier when they saved Amity, Willow, Boscha, and Sprig, stood up and then held their hands up, causing the 9 ghosts to be repulsed and Melkor's flames on his body to convulse.
"You have no power here, Master of the Dark Territory!", Luke shouted.
"You are nameless! Faceless! Formless!", Lucia added as Melkor groaned while Amity and the others gasped in shock and awe.
"GO BACK TO THE VOID FROM WHENCE YOU CAME!", Luz finished before Melkor shouted as he was forced out of the castle for good.
Soon after, though, Luz, Luke, and Lucia quickly turned back to normal and fell on their knees while outside of Dol Guldur, Anne, the frogs, toads, and newts turned back, especially the recovering Mithril, to see Melkor forced out of the castle from a distance.
"They... DID IT!", Polly shouted in joy.
"Luz...! Are you all right?", Amity asked.
"Yeah... Just a little winded...", Luz responded.
"Same here...", Luke groaned as Boscha helped him up.
"I think we all need a rest from this.", Willow added as she helped Lucia up.
"We were deceived.", Maltheal said.
"So..., the big bad finally showed himself here, huh?", Luz asked.
"And has been banished.", Aruman responded.
"It looks like he's headed east.", Selena responded.
"Well, at least we managed to save Mithril.", Eda responded as she picked Luz up.
"But what now?", Grimedale asked.
"Amphibia should be warned. They must set a watch on the walls of Newtopia.", Maltheal said.
"What? But we saved Mithril, didn't we? So, we should all go back and think of a plan.", King suggested.
"No. Look after, Luz and her siblings. Even if that power they unleashed was unknown, they have spent much of it. Their strengths are failing.", Aruman said.
"Well, I guess it explains why I'm feeling tired again...", Luz giggled weakly before Cotton flew over to her.
"Mew...", Cotton squeaked in worry.
"Don't worry, little guy. We'll be okay.", Luz assured with a weak smile.
"Not if you linger here any longer, you won't. Edalyn..., take them to Newtopia.", Aruman spoke.
"So, you two won't be coming back?", Eda asked.
"Without the Ring of Power, Melkor can never again hold dominion over Multiverse.", Aruman responded.
"And we will remain here until Melkor is hunted down and destroyed once and for all.", Maltheal responded.
"All right. We'll hold you to it, then.", Eda said.
"Just be careful, okay you two?", Crimsondale asked.
"We didn't know you for very long, but... we'll miss you.", Grimedale added.
"And we will miss you all as well.", Maltheal responded.
"Go now. Leave Melkor to us.", Aruman said.
Later, outside the castle, everyone returned with Mithril, who's now feeling better, before Marcy grunted as she faceplanted.
"Mission success!", Marcy grinned.
"Not quite... We still didn't get to find our mom...", Luz sighed.
"So, what now?", Lucia asked.
"We must get back, posthaste.", Mithril urged.
"But what will we do from there?", Amity asked.
"We must warn Bonesborough. They have no idea what is coming. I saw them with my own eyes, rank upon rank of Moria Orcs. We must summon our friends, witch and demon. The Battle for the Multiverse is about to begin.", Mithril said.
Just then, Sprig noticed the portal nearby beginning to flicker and waver.
"Uh, Luz, Eda? Is your portal supposed to do that?", Sprig asked just before Luz noticed the portal flickering and wavering, much to her worry.
"Oh-no! We're out of time!", Luz shouted.
"I told you this thing would be unstable!", Aruman scolded to Eda.
"I'm sorry, Anne, we've got to go!", Luz said as she ran before Anne ran after her.
"No! Luz, don't you dare go!", Anne shouted before the two clasped hands again, both tearing up.
"Someday, Anne, we'll have that sleepover. And with your friends, too.", Luz assured.
"Really?", Anne asked before Luz nodded tearfully with Eda grabbing Luz by the shoulders and dragging her into the portal.
"Sorry, kiddo, but I ain't about to get stuck in a world of frogs. Demon Realm, here we come!", Eda urged.
"Hope we get to meet you all again, soon, guys!", Amity waved.
"Sure enough. Get out of here, you crazy kids! And Luz…", Anne spoke up before Luz turned back one last time.
"Never give up. You can do it. You and your siblings are both gonna find your mom. I just know it.", Anne assured.
"You got that right. But, you know..., you could come with us and we'll find a way back home if you want.", Luz responded.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll find my own way home. Plus, I don't want to be away from Hop Pop and the guys just yet", Anne assured.
"Yeah... I understand what you mean.", Luz grinned.
As for Mithril, Aruman and Maltheal caught up with the former speaking to him.
"Mithril! If you're going to return, if what you say is true, you may need this.", Aruman said, gifting him his staff.
"Are you certain you won't need this?", Mithril asked.
"Last I heard, there is a curse-wielding frog somewhere in Amphibia. So, if we do cross paths, I do hope that she'll help me manage.", Aruman responded.
"Thank you.", Mithril spoke as he stepped through the portal into the same side as Luz and the others who already went through it.
"Take care, Anne… I love your hair!", Luz shouted before...
KABLAOEY! The portal collapsed with an energy shockwave. The frogs, toads, and newts are left dumbfounded.
"I don't believe it. A triad of has-been humans stuck far from home in another world, just like us!", Marcy squealed excitedly.
"Six kindred souls!", Sprig grinned.
"What are the odds?", Polly grinned before Hop Pop sighed before realizing something.
"Hey, have any of you seen my wallet?", Hop Pop asked.
Just then, the bells tolled before the gates opened.
"Wait. The gates opened? But we didn't even find Azog and the other orcs.", Sasha puzzled.
"Now, come on. Who's ready to go to Newtopia? And write up a detailed report!", Marcy grinned.
"Yeah!", Sprig and Polly shouted in unison as they ran ahead, as did Ivy.
"Wait, what?", Sprig and Ivy puzzled.
"A report? Boo!", Polly commented.
"Wow. Marcy hasn't just changed, she's flourished.", Anne said in amazement.
"Yeah. I've never seen her so happy.", Sasha added.
"Isn't this nice? Seeing someone this happy, Sash?", Allison asked.
"Good thing we're there to help, huh?", Jackie grinned.
"Always impressive what people are capable of, isn't it?", Hop Pop asked before he and the others have already entered the city.
"Whoa!", everyone ooh'd in awe, except Aruman and Maltheal.
"So, this is the great Newtopia.", Aruman stated.
"How quaint.", Maltheal added.
"Whoa, look at this place!", Anne spoke.
"Mighty impressive.", Hop Pop grinned.
"'Impressive'? It's swanky!", Pat grinned.
"I want to touch everything!", Polly gasped excitedly.
"I have to say. This city is not what I thought it'd be like.
"Yeah. This is like a city, city.", Anne responded.
Just then, the Newt Guards marched across the street
"Huh?", Anne and Rose puzzled.
"What the...?", Sasha puzzled.
"That's the Newtopia Guard.", Grime said.
"What's going on?", Hop Pop asked.
"I didn't do it!", Polly exclaimed.
After that, the guards stamped their staffs onto the ground and made room for one person, a regal-looking newt with blue hair and 2 newt babies with a third sucking on her tail like a pacifier as the royal newt cleared her throat.
"Well met, Lady Olivia.", Marcy spoke as she, Max, and Alexis bowed.
"The king sends his greetings, Marcy. He trusts you have succeeded?", Olivia asked before Marcy imitated a trumpet fanfare as Max presented a crest from one of the ghosts of Dol Guldur.
"We came across this while we were at Dol Guldur.", Max stated.
"Ah, still fresh, I see. Excellent work. As expected of the great Wu's.", Olivia spoke before snapping her fingers with the guards retrieving the item and marching away with it.
"So, how were the babies?", Alexis asked.
"They are very well-behaved. Though, I do wish that they wouldn't use my tail like... what did you say it was, a pacifier?", Olivia asked.
"Yep. That's the one.", Alexis grinned.
"Sounds like a good company for you.", Max grinned.
"Yes. And I see you have... company of your own.", Olivia stated.
"Yep. Kinda do.", Max responded.
"Lady Olivia... Meet Anne and Sasha, the friends I was telling you about. Turns out they got transported to Frog Valley.", Marcy explained.
"And my sisters and I wound up at Toad Tower.", Sasha added.
"Uh-huh. Wait, did you say Toad Tower?!", Olivia exclaimed.
She then calmed herself immediately before snapping her fingers.
"Guards, take them away.", Lady Olivia said.
"Yes, Lady Olivia!", the guards responded before they proceeded to do so.
But then, everyone else rushed in defense of the toads.
"Stop! They helped us find out what was going on at Dol Guldur!", Marcy said.
"Yeah. They even fought those orcs with us!", Anne added.
"Orcs? They helped you fight off those orcs?", Olivia asked.
"It's true. Everything's been crazy for the past few days since we saw that flaming eye in the sky. I think we all know what it means. We must all steel ourselves against a common enemy: Melkor.", Grime said.
"You honestly expect me to believe that he's back? He's been dead for 1,000 years.", Olivia argued.
"I think that little trinket Max handed to your guard is evidence enough. it came from one of the nine ghosts we fought at Dol Guldur while rescuing Mithril. We even saw to it that he returned back to the Boiling Isles safely. Whatever that place is.", Grime responded.
"What he speaks is the truth.", Aruman concurred.
"We were there.", Maltheal agreed.
"And who are you two?", Olivia asked.
"I am Aruman.", Aruman greeted.
"And I am Maltheal. We come from a realm called the Boiling Isles.", Maltheal responded.
"The Boiling Isles? I think I heard something about such a place.", Olivia responded.
"Oh, you did, did you?", Grime asked.
"Yes. But I'll explain later. For now, let's get down to business. Where'd you say they wound up again?", Olivia asked to Max.
"A little town called Wartwood.", Max said.
"Oh. Well, then. It's a pleasure to meet you, Anne, Sasha.", Olivia greeted.
"You too, dude! Oh, uh, I mean... milady.", Anne greeted with a bow.
"Uh, yep. Nice to meet you, too, madam.", Sasha greeted as she bowed, too.
"Oh, oh... And these are the Plantars and Sundews.", Marcy greeted.
"Hey there!", Hop Pop greeted.
"'Sup.", Polly added.
"How do you do?", Felicia bowed.
"It's a pleasure.", Ivy bowed.
"It's great to meet you.", Sylvia grinned.
"Hello. We can bow too.", Sprig assured as he bowed as well.
"Your Highness.", Hop Pop said as he bowed, too, inadvertently causing Polly to roll off Hop Pop's head before he went to her as the guard snickered.
"Yes, well, uh... Welcome to Newtopia, Plantars, Sundews, frogs, and, to a lesser extent, toads. This is an old city, but one rich in history and splendor. Please don't touch anything that looks important.", Olivia requested.
"Hey, look what I did!", Sprig smirked.
"Sprig, get off of there!", Rose shouted before Sprig wound up falling off as an arm broke.
"I'm okay! Statue's broken.", Sprig said before Olivia twitched her eye.
"Do enjoy your stay.", Olivia said before walking away.
"She seems friendly... ish.", Hop Pop said.
"So, are you like a big deal here or something?", Percy asked.
"Let's just say I have a perfect record when it comes to missions.", Marcy responded.
"Okay. So, Marcy, I've got a couple of questions. How'd you get so smart? What's your cloak made out of? What's in this pouch? Where'd you get that wrist thing? What was Anne like back home?", Sprig whispered before Hop Pop cleared his throat.
"Kids, will you help me get the fwagon unloaded? Let's give Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and the others some space.", Hop Pop spoke before Sprig and Polly groaned.
"Fine.", Sprig sighed as he hopped away.
"Buzzkill.", Polly commented.
Later, the Boonchuys, Waybrights, and Wus caught up.
"So, you haven't found a way home either, huh?", Marcy asked.
"Nerp. The only clue we have is the Calamity Box.", Jackie responded.
"And now that we know there are other realms besides Amphibia, I don't know what to do next.", Anne added.
"Well, even if we find a way home, it's pointless as long as those orcs are around.", Alexis said.
"So, what now?", Rose asked.
"Simple. We figure out how to stop Melkor and his orcs and make it so that everyone in Amphibia is safe.", Sasha responded.
"That's all well and good, but where do we go from there? We have no idea what we could use so far for that. It'd take way too much time.", Jackie responded.
"Usually, Sasha is the one who comes up with plans.", Allison said.
"Then, maybe it's time we started making our own decisions and come up with plans of our own.", Max guessed.
"Wait, what?", Sasha puzzled.
"Yeah! I mean, it's worked out for us so far, right? Come on, stand up everyone! Or at least those who aren't standing already.", Marcy agreed.
"Uh... okay.", Anne spoke as she and the rest who weren't standing up did just that.
"Come on, Anne. Let me see that power pose!", Marcy said before Anne took a deep breath and made a silly face with puffed-up cheeks.
"This good?", Anne asked, making Sasha giggle.
"You look silly, Boonchuy.", Sasha giggled as Rose laughed as well.
"Good enough!", Marcy said before clearing her throat.
"I'm Marcy Wu!", Marcy shouted.
"I'm Max Wu!", Max shouted.
"I'm Alexis Wu!", Alexis shouted.
"And, uh, I'm Anne Boonchuy!", Anne said in a slightly muffled voice.
"I'm Jackie Boonchuy!", Jackie shouted.
"I'm Rose Boonchy!", Rose shouted.
"I am Sasha Waybright!", Sasha shouted.
"I'm Allison Waybright!", Allison shouted.
"And I'm Patrick Waybright! But call me Pat for short.", Pat shouted.
"And together, we're gonna stop those orcs and find a way home!", everyone vowed as they posed before losing their balance a bit and then laughing.
"Oh, my gosh. Okay, so I wanna know everything that's happened to you guys since you got here. You got any photos?", Marcy asked.
"Do I?! Here's me and Domino 2. She tried to eat us. Here's me and Sprig by the lake. There was a snake that tried to eat us. Oh, oh! Here's us running from a giant centipede that...", Anne began.
"Let me guess. Tried to eat you?", Marcy asked before Anne gasped.
"How did you know?", Anne asked.
"It's repitition, Anne. It's not exactly hard to miss.", Max responded.
Meanwhile, the bell tolled as King Andrias watched from above with the dark mist appearing behind Andrias.
"Everything is proceeding perfectly as planned.", Melkor spoke,
"Indeed. The pieces are starting to fall into place. It's time for the game to begin.", Andrias smirked as he placed a chess piece resembling Anne next to one resembling Marcy on the chess board, not knowing that Aruman and Maltheal were watching them, growing concerned.
A/N: And that's that. Of course, there will be more chapters in the future. As for the actresses, they are Alyson Stoner as Alexis, Colleen Clinkenbeard as Jamie Wu, Emily Neeves as Alex Wu, and Michelle Ruff as Adam Wu. :)