A/N: Hello, everyone. Sorry it took so long, but I finally got this chapter ready! In this chapter, we see 9 additional friends, all of which appear in the second half of the chapter. If you want to know who they are, you'll have to see for yourself. For now, enjoy.
Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia
Chapter 8
Main Theme (Update)
First, Anne Boonchuy, Sasha Waybright, and Marcy Wu glanced at the Calamity Box while Anne opened it on Earth while and Rose jumped in just as the magic box glowed and overwhelmed the group of 18 in a bright light before Anne, Jackie, and Rose were seen face first in a puddle and then stood up to realize they are not home as the triplets popped up from the mud puddle before it zoomed away to show a lily-pad shaped island, Amphibia.
Creatures, Amphibians, and more were seen before Anne, Jackie, and Rose walked out, accompanied by Sasha, Allison, and Pat as the first trio ducked under the Plantar family house's small door and stood up straight with Anne's hands on her hips. She was interrupted, however, by a bunch of dragonflies zooming over her head, prompting her to duck as they flew past an upper window which opened and introduced Sprig Plantar and Ivy Sundew, the former of which tripped out the window when looking through a handheld telescope after the latter ambushed him with both falling down in front of a window from which it showed Hopadiah Plantar (or Hop Pop for short) and Sylvia Sundew reading as Grime and Bombina reviewed the History of Amphibia and looked out the window to see Sprig falling for his life with Hop Pop darting his eyes to similar direction while Bombina and Felicia rushed outside upon noticing what happened. It turned out, though, that Ivy and Sprig had landed in a wooden bucket with Ivy removing Sprig from the bucket to make room for Polly Plantar who used the bucket to stay cool in her water as Percy and Braddock fawned in awe for her.
Then, Ivy and Sprig joined Anne, Jackie, Rose, Sasha, Allison, and Pat (the first three of which turned into frogs while the other three became toads) as he hopped on top of Anne before pointing the way and then traveling to various locations in Newtopia and meeting different characters. Of course, Hop Pop and Polly appeared in some scenes as did Ichabod for one. It even showed Sasha, Allison, and Pat hopping in the air with several toads behind them before, while the trio landed on their hands and feet, the rest just landed flatly, making the triplets who were watching giggle. At the same time elsewhere, Marcy, Max, and Alexis were fighting pirates on a Pirate ship with Yunan while protecting the Wu trio's own awe-filled triplets.
Then, it showed a scene of Melkor leaping out with his ring glowing and his sword stretched out and etched in black speech markings all across his blade and then Anne, Jackie, Sasha, and Allison sword fighting and Marcy and Max firing their arrows at him at Newtopia all against Melkor on a tower, which transitioned out to Mew floating up in the sky with the Calamity Box behind the silhouettes of Anne and Sasha, especially those of Luz, Luke, Lucia, Amity, Willow, Gus, Boscha, Selena, and King before the main characters, the Wu's included, met in the outskirts of Newtopia joined by King Andrias himself (who gave a wink in the end) and other supporting characters (toads and newts included) especially those who appeared closer to the screen.
The Amphibia logo appeared, then a shine streaks across it with a stormy and rainy background as light panned across "Secrets of Newtopia" beneath "Amphibia" with lightning striking behind it. The theme ends there.
Act I: Lost in Newtopia
It all started one morning while a robot watched from a hill, though not without scaring off the birds on top of him, with Anne, Sprig, Polly, Hop Pop, Ivy, Felicia, Sylvia, Sasha, Grime, Jackie, Allison, Marcy, and the triplets in the tour bus.
"Welcome, ladies and gentle-phibians, to a safe uneventful afternoon of touristy nonsense. It may not be as eventful as other tours but did I mention it's safe?", the tour bus guide said.
"This is the last time we let Hop Pop pick the activity.", Anne groaned.
"No kidding... This is boooooring...", Sasha agreed.
"Come on, guys? How is being in a tour bus like this boring?", Marcy asked.
"She has a point, Anne. Besides, we've got a few days to kill before King Andrias reveals his findings about the music box. And what better way to spend that time than learning?", Hop Pop asked, making Anne, Sprig, Polly, and Sasha groan.
Just then, Anne, Jackie, Allison, and Sasha all saw an outdoor market on the other side.
"Oh, wow, what's that place?", Anne asked before the tour guide rushed over, stopping her.
"Imminent danger. Look away!", the tour guide urged.
"Aw, come on! Imminent is the best kind of danger.", Grime groaned.
"I know, right?!", Polly agreed.
"Now then, what's the most important thing to do when visiting Newtopia? Any guesses?", the tour guide asked.
"Ooh, ooh! Eating like a local? Looking like a local? Partying with the locals?", Anne asked.
"It definitely has to be one of those.", Sasha responded.
"Nope. It's getting to know the city from a safe distance. Like on this bus.", the tour guide said.
"Such wisdom.", Felicia beamed before everyone else, apart form Jackie and Marcy, sighed.
"Why are the triplets here with us again?", Anne asked.
"Because they wanted to learn more and see if there was any more stuff beyond what they had already learned in their previous tour.", Jackie responded.
"Yeah.", the triplets agreed.
"This is just like when I'd go traveling with my mom.", Anne groaned before it went to a time when Anne was young and in her mom's car.
"Mom, can I please try some of that?", Anne asked.
"No, sweetie, your California stomach can't handle it. But you can have carrot stick and trail mix.", Anne's mother responded, only serving to make Anne sad as she whimpered before, in the present, Anne was reliving her personal trauma in that instance.
"I didn't want the baby carrots, Mom! I didn't want 'em! Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?!", Anne sobbed just as someone in the vehicle next to the bus, rolled up the window, silencing her sobs as she continued.
Back in the tour guide bus, Jackie spoke up to Anne.
"Because when Mom finally let you have that to get you to stop crying and you ate it, you got sick as soon as we got home and had to be in bed for 3 whole months, remember?!", Jackie scolded.
"Fair enough. But you know what?", Anne asked.
"What?", Jackie puzzled.
"This time I'm gonna experience the city the way the locals do, not sit on a bus like some dumb tourist!", Anne said.
"Anne, look. I know how boring this is, but trust me when I say, this is for your own good. Besides, it's not like he's gonna give a tour of the bus.", Jackie said.
"And now for our tour of the tour bus. This is the ceiling, what a good ceiling! Not to be outdone by the floor!", the tour guide spoke as a tourist got impressed with it.
"I stand corrected.", Jackie responded.
"Count me in. So what do we do?", Polly asked.
"Follow my lead.", Anne said before touching fingers with Polly (like a high five) and groaning.
"Oh, man, Hop Pop, my stomach is killing me. Can we go back to the hotel?", Anne asked.
"Yeah. I have a bad stomachache, too.", Sasha added.
"Uh, me three.", Marcy added.
"Me four. I need to get off now or I'll explode.", Polly added, making the other passengers gasp.
"Oh, come on...", Jackie groaned.
"Why does this keep happening? Now I'll never make it to the cheese museum.", Hop Pop sighed sadly as he took off his hat.
"No, no! Why don't you stay on the tour? We can head back ourselves.", Anne assured.
"Yeah, we'll keep watch with them.", Sasha assured.
"And we're back. But you two gotta promise me you'll go straight to the hotel. No detours!", Hop Pop warned as he put his hat back on.
"We promise!", the group of four responded.
"Sprig, Ivy, you guys coming?", Anne asked.
"I thought you'd never ask.", Sprig replied as he and Ivy were about to leave only to notice that the two were handcuffed with Sprig handcuffed to Hop Pop and Ivy handcuffed to Felicia.
"You handcuffed us together?!", Sprig and Ivy shouted.
"Sorry, fellas, but after the Ruins of Despair incident, you've left us no choice.", Hop Pop said.
"We can't even trust you two not to run off into danger anymore.", Felicia added before Ivy groaned.
"Well, the joke's on you. Anne and the others would never leave us.", Sprig said before he noticed them leaving.
"Later, dude.", Anne said.
"No! No, no, no, no, no!", Sprig exclaimed.
"Jackie, could you...?", Hop Pop began.
"Way ahead of you.", Jackie said before she got off and left as well.
"What?! How come she gets to...?!", Ivy began.
"And Grime, could you watch over the triplets?", Hop Pop asked.
"No problem. I've only watched over the Waybright triplets for months. What's the harm in looking after 6 more?", Grime asked.
"Just be really careful, okay, Grimesy?", Sasha asked on her way out.
"Well, on the bright side, at least we're together.", Sprig said.
"Oh. Yeah.", Ivy blushed.
"Now sit your butts down and put on your cheese hats.", Hop Pop said as he and Felicia set both Sprig ands Ivy down before putting individual cheese hats on them.
Then, the bus left with Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, and Polly taking a look at the city.
"Welcome, Polly, to the bowels of the city.", Sasha grinned as the crowd chattered.
"You know, it's been a long time since we had a solo adventure.", Polly said.
"Heck, yeah! We're way overdue.", Anne said.
"Especially for a long overdue adventure with the three of us together.", Sasha added, referring to herself, Anne, and Marcy.
"Looks like it's finally time for team P'Sashannarcy to get more screen time.", Anne grinned.
"P'Sashannarcy?", Polly, Sasha, Marcy, and Jackie puzzled.
"Just thought I'd come up with a cool name. And I can't come up with anything else yet.", Anne responded.
"Uh, okay.", Polly responded before she, Sasha, Marcy, and Anne jumped in the air.
"Team P'Sashannarcy for life!", the group of four shouted before landing on the ground with Anne and Polly landing face first.
"Ow!", Anne groaned.
"Our team name's bad.", Polly said.
"Yeah, it could be better. But like I said, can't come up with anything else yet.", Anne agreed.
"Anyway, let's get this authentic experience started.", Sasha grinned.
"Okay, sounds good.", Polly began before Anne stopped Polly.
"No guides! People will know we're lame-o tourists.", Anne refused, making Polly gasp.
"You're right. Don't wanna be like that guy.", Polly said before said tourist groaned.
"I don't know about this, Anne. What if those maps are here for a reason? I can understand Marcy because she's been here longer than any of us, but...", Jackie began.
"All right. Step one, eat like the locals. Street food, baby. Nothing more authentic.", Anne stated before she and the others went over to one stand where a butcher was chopping a sort of crab leg in half.
"Hey, buddy. Can you whip us up a couple of... Uh... Uh...", Anne began as she noticed how difficult the list is to read, especially when it's in a different language.
Just then, Marcy stepped in.
"We'll each take spicy burritos to go.", Marcy spoke.
"Uh, are you sure? I mean, we don't usually serve this to outsiders. You're cool, though. But it's pretty spicy.", the butcher warned.
"Ha! That don't scare me. After all, I'm Thai.", Anne said.
"So am I, but you don't see me ordering it, do you?", Jackie leered.
"Uh, Jerry. All right. Whatever. Four extra spicys. Here you go.", Jerry said, handing the spicy burritos to the four.
"All right! Cheers!", Anne said.
"Cheers!", Polly, Sasha, and Marcy said in unison.
"Don't you want one, too, Jackie?", Marcy asked.
"And risk burning the stand to the ground in my agony? No thanks.", Jackie refused.
"Okay. Suit yourself.", Marcy responded before she, Anne, Sasha, and Polly ate their spicy burritos.
"Hey, not bad!", Anne grinned.
But all of a sudden, Anne groaned as she started to sweat from the intense heat before panting, coughing, and finally, screaming as fire came out of her mouth, prompting her to rush over to the biggest tank of water and douse the fire with gurgles, making Polly, Sasha, and Marcy laugh, although it was more of a giggle from Marcy.
"Weak!", Polly and Sasha said in unison.
Then, all of a sudden, Sasha and Marcy screamed as they, too, breathed fire and ran for the tank while Polly wound up shooting up past the stand, inadvertently burning the cloth in the process before landing near the trio, who were both panting as the fire was now doused.
"Oh, man...! It was hot enough to torch a dragon for real...!", Sasha panted.
"Told ya.", Jackie sneered.
"Hey! You four torched my roof.", Jerry scolded.
"Prove it!", Polly shouted as she turned around, her left eye now bloodshot as her right eye was swollen shut.
"Oh, crubs!", Sasha and Marcy exclaimed.
"Sorry, my good man... Eh, newt. This should cover the cost.", Anne apologized, getting out the card.
"Didn't you read the sign? Cash only!", Jerry sighed.
"Uh...", Anne said before nervously chuckling.
"Marcy, do you have any money on you?", Jackie asked.
"That depends. What's the cost for damages?", Marcy asked.
"85 Coppers.", Jerry replied.
"Hmmm, gotcha covered, big guy.", Marcy said, handing 85 coppers to Jerry.
"Well, thank you. But you still gotta pay for those spicys. 15 each.", Jerry responded.
"No problem, Jerry.", Marcy said, giving him 60 coppers.
"I appreciate the compensation, but you four are still banned.", Jerry spoke, much to 4 out of 5 of the group's disdain.
"Aw, what?!", Anne reacted.
"Come on!", Sasha exclaimed.
"We just wanted to hang out!", Marcy exclaimed.
"Boo!", Polly shouted at the same time.
"And as for you, young lady, you can stop by any time. So long as those 4 aren't here, that is.", Jerry offered.
"Uh, thanks, Jerry. But we should be going now.", Jackie said as she started leaving as the rest followed.
"Make sure you think about it sometime!", Jerry shouted.
Meanwhile, the group was leaving.
"Whew! That was close!", Anne said.
"Well, girls, I hope you learned something from this.", Jackie scolded.
"Man, I feel so authentic.", Sasha said.
"I can't feel my face, but my heart feels alive.", Marcy added.
"Did you see the part where I breathed fire? What's next? What's next?", Polly asked.
"Alas, I spoke too soon...", Jackie sighed.
"Step two, look like the locals. What's the one thing they've got that we don't?", Anne asked.
"Cash money.", Anne suggested.
"Tails! Big, beautiful newt tails.", Anne responded.
"Actually, I kinda have one already.", Marcy responded.
"Well, actually, I have a tail, too, but I see what you're doing.", Polly said.
"I, however, am staying out of this one. I never had a tail the whole time I was a frog. And I'm doing okay.", Jackie stated.
"Okay.", Marcy responded.
"Suit yourself.", Polly added before they, Anne, and Sasha started chanting.
"Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails.", the four started chanting.
"They're gonna be like that the whole way, aren't they...?", Jackie sighed.
Later, this was the case as the four entered the shop, chanting, while Jackie remained outside.
"Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails. Tails.", the four chanted with the salesperson chanting with them for the rest.
"Four tails, please, for four locals.", Anne said.
"Locals, hey? Well, nice to meet ya.", the salesperson grinned as he turned around.
"Whoa, uh... Am I supposed to, uh...", Anne began.
"Now let's get you fixed with a temporary tail until your new one grows back.", the salesperson responded.
"Gross. And okay!", Sasha grinned.
"Hmm. Exactly how long was your old tail?", the salesperson asked.
"Uh, actually, not all of us have tails. We were just looking around.", Marcy responded.
"Oh. Okay, I understand.", the salesperson said.
"Well, girls. Time to go.", Marcy said.
"Aw, what?!", Anne exclaimed.
"Lame", Sasha added.
"Weak!", Polly exclaimed.
Then, the group of four were now outside.
"Well, getting tails was a bust. Being authentic is more work than I thought.", Anne said.
"I don't know. Seems pretty cool to me. What's next?", Polly asked before the whole group then looked up to see a parade of sorts with a mascot being held up with sticks.
"Look at that sweetie.", the mother spoke.
"Ooh.", the newt spoke in awe.
"Wow. That is some parade.", Jackie grinned.
"Step three, baby. Party with the locals.", Anne grinned before she, Sasha, Marcy, Polly, and even Jackie ran up to the front where the performers are, no one knowing that Melkor was leering at the paper dragon-like newt with a growl.
"Hey, can I join in?", Anne asked to one of the performers.
But before he could answer, Marcy spoke up.
"Ah-ah-ah. Anne, what do you know about this mascot?", Marcy asked.
"Uh, that he looks kinda funny?", Anne asked, making the crowd gasp.
"What?", Anne puzzled.
"Anne, that funny mascot was is Igor the brave, a great hero who once gave his life to save Newtopia. And if I'm guessing right, this parade must be in his honor.", Marcy stated.
"Yeah. It's true.", the performer responded.
"My bad. I had no idea.", Anne responded, stepping away, unknowingly toward the back of a rock, much to Jackie's concern.
"Anne, look out!", Jackie shouted before Anne inadvertently tripped on a rock from behind.
"Whoa!", Anne shouted, trying to stop herself from falling by grabbing the paper dragon only to rip it off and fall anyway as one of its eyes bugged out with a spring attached to it, making Marcy, Sasha, and Jackie wince as Polly gasped while everyone else gasped and clamored with the little newt crying.
"We should run, right?", Polly asked.
"You think?!", Jackie shouted.
"Heck, yeah!", Anne agreed before she, Sasha, Marcy, Polly, and Jackie ran off.
"After them!", the performer urged before an angry mob of performers and patrons ran after the group across the alley before they dodged through a crevice with an agry mob passing by them.
"Whew! That was too close!", Jackie sighed.
"Forget authenticity. Forget being a local. We should've used a brochure. A guide. Anything! Heck, we should've never left the tour bus.", Anne said.
"You're just realizing this now?!", Jackie exclaimed.
"Could this day get any worse?!", Polly exclaimed.
Unfortunately, it could. For suddenly, a pillar of flames burst in front of the parade and Melkor in his mist form appeared, much to the parade's surprise as they stopped with gasps of shock.
"Guys. That's Melkor!", Sasha exclaimed.
"Melkor's back?! But how? He got blown away by Luz and her brother and sister.", Anne said in surprise.
"Well, apparently, he's back for more.", Marcy responded before Melkor bellowed out a mean laugh and zapped his magic onto the paper dragon.
"Um, this can't be good...", Anne said in worry.
The parade dragon then started shifting around by itself as it changed from paper to flesh. The parade dragon then flew into the sky as it separated from its sticks. The crowd shivered as it looked at them with a vile grin and let out a vicious roar heard round the world.
"Definitely not good...", Polly stated. Then, the parade dragon started roaring and wreaking havoc as the black mist sneered before vanishing.
"We have to do something.", Jackie urged.
"But how?", Sasha puzzled before she thought of something.
"Wait a second... Sasha, how hot did you say the spicy wrap was?", Jackie asked.
"Hot enough to torch a dragon for real?", Sasha asked.
"That's it! Anne, Sasha, Marcy, I need you to get the guards over here and see if they can help distract that thing while I get something that'll burn it away.", Jackie urged as she ran off.
"But this is hardly the time fo...", Marcy began before gasping in realization.
"Ohhhh. Okay, I'm getting what you're putting down. But wait! You might need those.", Marcy grinned, handing 15 coppers to Jackie.
"Oh. Yeah. I almost forgot about those. Thanks, Marcy!", Jackie thanked as she quickly left for the stand.
Meanwhile, Jackie noticed Jerry patching up his stand.
"There he is.", Jackie shouted.
"Oh, hey, there. So, you thought about it, huh?", Jerry asked.
"Yeah. And I actually would like one of those Spicy wraps. As in now. Please?", Jackie asked.
"All right. Here you go, lady. But why the rush?", Jerry asked as he handed her the spicy wrap while she handed him the 15 coppers Marcy lent her.
"That would be why.", Jackie replied, pointing to the dragon, which roared while breathing fire.
"I have a plan for that, but I'll need to be quick if I'm gonna take it down. You should probably hold down the fort and make sure your stand is safe.", Jackie urged.
"Are you kidding, lady? I came prepared.", Jerry said before pulling a lever, causing the stand to turn into a convertible.
"Whoa. Your stand can do that?", Jackie asked.
"Yep. Siege mode!", Jerry shouted before he sped off toward the dragon.
Meanwhile, as the dragon chased after Anne and the others, Sasha got near the two newt guards from in front of the Tails 'R Us store.
"Hey, it's a toad.", one of the guards spoke.
"Listen. I'm not sure I like you guys and I don't know if you like me, but that dragon out there? It's the worst! So, can you help us pin it down?", Sasha asked.
Then, the two guards gave it some food for thought. Normally, they don't trust toads like Sasha, but there was also the matter of the dragon to consider. After a moment, they gave their verdict.
"You got it!", the guard shouted in reply.
As for Anne, she, Marcy, and Polly were panting as the dragon chased them up until it breathed fire on the ground, creating a ring of fire with which to surround them.
"You've got to be kidding me.", Anne groaned before the dragon charged with a roaring hiss and whacked Anne and Polly away with its tail, shocking Marcy.
"Anne! Polly!", Marcy shouted in unison.
In the tour bus, Hop Pop, Sylvia, and Felicia screamed in surprise the moment Anne and Polly's faces landed on the window.
"What's wrong?", Grime asked as he was holding 6 triplets in his arms while the last 3 are on top of his head.
"Street freaks! Oh, wait. No, it's just my granddaughter and my adopted granddaughter.", Hop Pop replied.
"Anne? Polly? What's the meaning of this?", Grime puzzled as he went over to them with Anne and Polly turning back to see the dragon towering above them in the air before turning back to the window.
"It's a long story.", Polly responded.
"But you have to get everyone out of here, quick!", Anne urged.
"Everyone, remain calm. As long as we don't open the doors or windows, this disaster will pass us by.", the tour guide spoke before the dragon landed on top of the bus and not only broke some windows with its claws, but also scraped said claws against the ceiling, tearing claw-shaped holes right through it, much to the guide's surprise before hissing and then roaring, much to most of the bus' panic.
"Forget that!", Ivy exclaimed before getting out his slingshot with Ivy getting her own out with both firing at the dragon, forcing it to back away with a roaring groan in pain.
But the dragon, having had quite enough of this, decided to grab Grime and plucked him out of the bus, tearing a hole it could fit its whole hand into, leaving the triplets worried for him.
"Gwime!", the triplets shouted.
"Finally! I've been looking to have some danger for a while now.", Grime smirked.
Just then, the two newt guards tossed their spears at the dragon, only missing, although it did attract its attention to see Sasha and the guards with Marcy.
"Sasha!", Anne shouted.
"Stop, you foul beast! In the name of King Andrias!", the newt guard urged before the creature only got off the bus and then proceeded to breathe fire on them, practically singeing them while Sasha managed to hop out of the fire breath's path.
"Ow.", one of the guards spoke.
"Hey, you big lizard!", Jackie shouted.
This puzzled the dragon before Jerry and Jackie arrived with the latter holding a spicy wrap, surprising Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and Polly.
"She's gonna do it!", Anne exclaimed.
"Are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, it is pretty dangerous.", Jerry responded, earning her hesitant look toward her spicy wrap.
"Usually, no. But today..., Let's... get... dangerous.", Jackie responded before then eating her spicy wrap whole, bite by bite.
When she did, she started to sweat in pants with her face turning red.
"Oh, boy...", Jerry sighed.
"Quick, get in!", Hop Pop urged to Anne, Polly, Sasha, and Marcy before they all got in with Jackie yelling out as she spewed out fire from her mouth all over the dragon, burning it to a crisp while being sure to avoid burning Grime, who managed to free himself from the dragon, before it faded into a black mist, which blew away, which mystified the four inside the bus before overhearing Jackie's anguish of pain from the fire in her mouth.
"AAAAH! MY MOUTH IS ON FIRE!", Jackie shouted.
"Hang on, Jackie! We got ya!", Anne assured as she, Sasha, and Marcy hopped out the bus and hurriedly brought her over to a nearby tank, dousing the fires in her mouth before Jackie popped out of the water.
"Ohhhhh... Yeah...", Jackie sighed in relief.
"Wow, Jackie. I can't believe you actually did that.", Anne said in shock.
"Well, I had to. I couldn't just let the dragon wreck the city.", Jackie replied.
"Yeah, but still...", Sasha added in surprise.
"It was a really gutsy move back there.", Grime added.
"I know. But I won't be doing this ever again...! Mainly because it burns...", Jackie wheezed before Anne dunked her head into the water again and lifted it back up.
"Oh. Thanks, Anne.", Jackie thanked.
"Don't mention it.", Anne responded.
Then, they all went back inside the bus.
"Whoo.", the boy spoke in amazement.
"You guys still want to check out that cheese museum?", Hop Pop asked.
"Yes, please!", everyone shouted before the bus continued onward from where it stopped.
"But how did Melkor get here...?", Jackie pondered to herself.
Meanwhile, Alexis, Ben, and Andrias were studying a book in their own archives in the castle with apparently no success.
"This is the last book and still nothing on the music box.", Alexis said.
"Well, even I have to admit I'm surprised. This is one of the most comprehensive libraries in all of Amphibia. Maybe we missed a book somewhere.", Andrias said.
"At this rate, I think we're gonna need more bug-accinos. I'll be right ba...", Max began before noticing something odd about the tapestry.
"Your Majesty, are tapestries supposed to stick out with bumps like those?", Max asked.
"No, but come to think of it, I think there might be something behind it.", Andrias responded before he then lifted the tapestry up and noticed a button.
"It looks like some kind of button.", Max said before pressing it, apparently causing the archives to shake.
"What the...!", Andrias exclaimed in surprise.
"Huh?", Alexis puzzled before the walls opened up, revealing an underground passageway.
"No way. A secret library wing!", Alexis beamed.
"Did you know about this, Andrias?", Max asked.
"No. It must be thousands of years old, judging by the smell. Whew!", Andrias said, shaking his hand as if wafting away the smell.
"Well, the answers are down there somewhere waiting for us. So, let's go.", max urged before he went down with Andrias and Alexis following him.
"I wonder where this leads to.", Alexis said before the doors closed behind her, not knowing that Melkor had appeared in front of the walls and gave a menacing sneer.
Act II: The Kids Get Schooled
One afternoon, the gang was walking across town when Hop Pop sighed.
"City walking is great. But I could use a little sitty-sitting.", Hop Pop stated.
"Me, too. Why don't we stop at this park for a bit?", Sylvia asked.
"Works for me. Sprig, Polly, you guys want to toss the old frisbeetle around?", Anne asked as she got out a sort of frisbee-like beetle before Marcy gasped upon seeing something.
"Guys! That's no park! This is Newtopia University!", Marcy realized just before the bell tolled.
"Say whaaaaaaat?!", Hop Pop exclaimed as he and the rest of the gang turned to see where it came from. There were majestic dragonflies in the air, a statue, unicyclists, rowers, fencing newts, and even a band club.
"En garde.", one of the fencing newts spoke.
"Wait. You mean THIS is Newtopia University?!", Jackie exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, man. College is the best. According to movies back home, you can do crazy things and be horribly irresponsible with no consequences.", Anne responded.
"That's not how it works in real life, Anne, and you know it...!", Jackie said exasperatedly.
"I can't believe we're actually here. No Plantar has ever gone to Newtopia University. And it's my dream that one day, far, far from now, one of you two will attend.", Hop Pop spoke, pointing to Sprig and Polly.
"Huh?", Sprig puzzled before Polly chuckled.
"Sorry, Hop Pop. I don't think that either of us is cut out for this. Especially Sprig.", Polly said.
"What? What you talking about?", Sprig asked.
"You don't have the attention span.", Polly responded.
"Ha! That's ridiculo...", Sprig began.
"Sprig, go long!", Anne shouted, interrupting him.
"Okay!", Sprig responded, only proving Polly's point, before he ran backwards.
"Oh, no, you don't!", Ivy, Rose, and Pat shouted before they went after Sprig.
"No, guys! Wait!", Alexis shouted, going after them.
Meanwhile, a group of students was taking an outdoor class just as Sprig, Rose, Pat, and Alexis stopped near them.
"Now, how does one escape from a mountain mantis?", the professor asked before the students raised their hands.
"Yes, Parsifal.", the professor said.
"First, we must calculate the probability of escape by average number of mantises per capita.", Parsifal responded.
"Divided by the average body weight of those fleeing for their lives.", another added.
"Whoa, whoa, guys. All you gotta do is tickle it behind its hind legs with a willow branch.", Sprig responded.
"That way, you'll escape no problem.", Rose agreed.
"Uh-huh.", Rose nodded.
"That's correct.", the professor said in surprise.
"Sprig, catch.", Anne shouted as she tossed the disc before Sprig jumped up, not knowing that Ivy was doing the same, and caught the frisbeetle (with both hands touching each other, much to their surprise), much to the students' amazement.
"Ooh.", the students said in awe before Sprig and Ivy landed.
"Uh..., did we just...?", Ivy began.
"Touch hands? Yeah. I guess we did.", Sprig responded.
"My, my, my, my, my. Aren't you precocious young children? Resourceful, survival-savvy, athletic. Any other hidden talents?", the professor asked.
"Hmm. I can do funny things with my arm.", Sprig responded.
"And I can use the element of surprise. I normally do this for ambushes, though.", Ivy added before Sprig "broke" his arm, making one of the students scream before fainting over, making Alexis wince at this.
Just then, though, Ivy popped up near one of the students who was fainting and lifted him up, puzzling him.
"Surprise!", Ivy spoke up.
"Oh, my! Uh, anything else?", the professor asked before Sprig then "fixed" his arm with a swing.
"I play the fiddle.", Sprig responded.
"And I can solve any algebra equation.", Alexis responded.
"Any equation?", the professor asked before Alexis nodded.
"Show me.", the professor insisted before Sprig got out his fiddle and played it a bit, this time, impressing the students and the professor.
"Ooh.", the students spoke.
"And you, young lady?", the professor asked, handing her a piece of paper with an algebra equation, which was labeled as "4x + 16 = 25 - 3x".
Then, Alexis did some writing on the equation before, after a moment, handing it back to the professor.
"Here. I made sure to show my work.", Alexis spoke, showing him the answer she wrote down with the necessary work shown as the answer was "X = 9/7".
"Oh, yes. Good.", the professor spoke, stroking his goatee.
Just then, Hop Pop and Jackie rushed in, the former being fearful of what might've happened.
"Sprig, what did you break? What did he break?!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"Oh, no, nothing, nothing. I'm Professor Herringbone. Headmaster here at Newtopia University.", Professor Herringbone introduced.
"Oh, well, uh, I'm Hopediah Plantar. Big fan of your school.", Hop Pop said.
"And I'm Jackie. You've met Sprig, Ivy, Rose, Pat, and Alexis. The rest are outside.", Jackie responded.
"And what of those cute little things?", Professor Herringbone asked, gesturing to the 9 grinning triplets.
"Oh, those? They're our triplets, 3 of which are mine and Jackie's.", Rose replied.
"Their names are Andy, Danny, Lily, Sarah, Abby, Rebecca, Alex, Jamie, and Adam.", Jackie added.
"Well, that's good to know.", Professor Herringbone grinned.
"I hope one day far, far in the future one of my grandchildren will attend your fine institution.", Hop Pop spoke up.
"What a coincidence. I wanted Ivy to go there, too. I'm Felicia Sundew, by the way.", Felicia added as she turned up.
"Ever since hearing about it, I wanted to go there, too, one day. At least for a look around.", Alexis added.
"Well, what if that one day is today?", Professor Herringbone responded, puzzling Hop Pop and Sylvia.
"We have a program for young, promising students of the future! Next to another involving a preschool division, of course. And I think Sprig and his company here are a perfect fit!", Professor Herringbone said, surprising Sprig.
"Huh?", Sprig puzzled in surprise.
"Wait. There's a preschool division?", Jackie asked.
"But of course. The point is, we could do a trial stay for Sprig and company tonight. And if it all goes well, they can start with us next semester.", Professor Herringbone grinned.
"That seems reasonable.", Ivy grinned.
"Isn't this great, Hop Pop? It's just what you wanted.", Sprig asked.
"Yeah, isn't this great, Mom?", Ivy asked.
"Hmm. Well, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.", Hop Pop said, a bit unsure.
"And it is a bit nice to take an interest in it...", Felicia added.
"And can these cuties try out the preschool division, too?", Jackie asked, gesturing to the triplets.
"Then it's agreed. Sprig Plantar and company, your trial begins immediately. Welcome to the university.", Professor Herringbone grinned.
"What about us?", Pat asked.
"Of course you can join. Same with Rose and Alexis. After all, it is a trial run.", Professor Herringbone grinned.
"And the triplets, too, right?", Jackie asked.
"Why not? There is a preschool division for this reason.", Herringbone responded.
"Yay!", the triplets cheered.
"All right! Hop Pop, your dream is coming true.", Sprig grinned.
"And don't worry. We won't let you down.", Ivy assured.
"You sure you can handle it, Rose?", Jackie asked.
"Uh-huh. I want to know what big classes are like.", Rose responded.
"Me, too.", Alexis added.
"Aw. That'd make you a mini scholar.", Marcy beamed, making Alexis giggle.
"Hey, you gonna throw that bug-disc back or what?", Anne asked.
"Yeah, what's taking you so long?", Sasha added.
"Guess what, Anne? We're going to college!", Rose shouted.
"Cool. Wait, what?", Anne puzzled in surprise.
Later, Sprig, Ivy, Rose, Pat, and Alexis watched as the triplets waved to them as they entered the preschool division.
"See you later.", the triplets waved before hopping in.
"Aw. I miss them already.", Rose grinned with tears of joy.
"Yes. It tends to have that touching effect, sometimes... Well, let's get to your class, shall we?", Herringbone asked before leading the group inside the corridors of the school.
"Now, there are a couple of school rules you'll all need to get adjusted to.", Herringbone warned as he gave the four students books.
"Oh, please. If we can handle a mountain mantis, we can totally handle this.", Pat assured as he and Sprig tosses their books aside.
"That's the spirit. Enjoy your first class, my children.", Professor Herringbone grinned before he walked away with the five eagerly getting into class with Sprig, Ivy, Rose, and Pat hopping in as Alexis walked.
But on the way in, Alexis noticed them about to bump into the teacher.
"Guys, watch out! You're gonna jump into...!", Alexis began.
But unfortunately, it was too late. They bumped into the teacher. Or rather, her book, which caused the trio to land on the ground.
"At Newtopia Prep, we do not bound around heedlessly.", the teacher scolded.
"Oh, uh, yes, of course." Sprig understood before being promptly stopped from going any further by the tail.
"We also tuck in our shirts. And straighten our ties. And we absolutely do not wear hats!", the teacher scolded, taking Sprig's hat away, making Sprig scream a bit before sighing.
He then tried to get up right away, but the professor cleared her throat against that, prompting Sprig to go up the staircase and go to his seat.
"Hey, hi, how's it going?", Sprig greeted.
"Wow. She's strict.", Pat said.
"I guess she's just not used to teaching anyone other than newts.", Ivy responded as she, Pat, and Alexis got to their seats.
"All right, class. Let us begin with concept of...", the Professor began just as Rose noticed Sprig getting out his slingshot.
"Sprig...! Put that away!", Rose whispered.
"Ahem! No talking in class. Not even a whisper unless you're spoken to, if you please.", the professor spoke to Rose.
"Sorry, ma'am.", Rose apologized.
"Now, as I was saying...", the professor began before Sprig followed through and fired a few rocks at the center of the chalkboard, much to the shock of the professor and the present students.
"Hmm? Hmm? Uh, I mean, we all wanted to do that, right?", Sprig asked, only prompting the students to look away from him in disdain.
"I know I did.", Ivy responded, making Sprig blush a bit.
But the professor did not like it one bit.
"Mr. Plantar, hand over that contraption this instant!", the professor urged before Sprig sighed as his slingshot got confiscated.
"Now, back to the lesson.", the professor spoke.
"I tried to tell you before.", Rose whispered.
"How did you know?", Ivy asked.
"We had the same punishments back at my old school.", Rose replied.
"Oh. Harsh.", Ivy responded.
But Sprig was not the sort to be deterred easily.
"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this for Hop Pop.", Sprig said determinedly.
"Yeah. And for Mom, too.", Ivy agreed.
Later that day, as the triplets were learning basic ABC's to start off in the preschool division, Alexis drew a theory on a chalkboard in class before presenting it, much to the class' amazement. However, for Sprig's case, he instead drew a diagram of a mountain mantis and a few people fighting it as Pat acted as another who was fighting it, much to Ivy's joy (as she giggled a bit) and the teacher's disdain as she shook her head.
At another point, while the newts, especially Alexis, were reading and studying eagerly, as Rose and Ivy watched as Sprig and Pat stacked books and chairs on top of one another only to fall off, earning a shake on the head from the librarian. As for the triplets, they were now doing basic numbers with the other preschoolers.
Next, Sprig, Ivy, Rose, Pat, and Alexis were being taught about Worm Anatomy. While Alexis dissected a worm cleanly, Pat, however, had difficulty even cutting it as it squirmed away, much to his frustration, which got shaken off when Sprig ate his worm, making the group surprised as Ivy giggled again and the biology teacher shook her head.
Finally, Alexis, Ivy, and Rose were on the sidelines studying as Ivy shouted.
"You two can win this!", Ivy shouted as Sprig and Pat were on the field, wearing "N.U." Jerseys with a team of beetlebug (a possible Amphibia equivalent to Football) on the other side running toward them.
"Oh, no...", Pat sighed before he and Sprig got promptly pushed aside, earning the trio's winces.
As for the triplets, they were introduced to a few more friends, if not 9 of them.
"Hewwo! Nice to meet you.", the new friends greeted.
"Hi, thewe.", Lily greeted.
"You must be the new fwiends visiting today.", one kid guessed.
"We awe. Who awe you?", Lily asked.
"I'm Haslie.", Haslie greeted.
"I'm Elira.", Elira added.
"I'm Macelyn.", Macelyn added.
"And they'we Newton, Fwed, Josie, Matt, Amy, and Wiker.", Haslie finished.
"Hi, evewyone. I'm Wiwy.", Lily greeted.
"I'm Andy.", Andy added.
"I'm Danny.", Danny added.
"And those are Sawah, Webecca, Abby, Alex, Adam, and Jamie.", Lily responded.
"Can we all pway with you guys?", the triplets asked.
"Uh-huh.", the school kids grinned before everyone laughed as they played with blocks and figures.
They even had a fun time in recess as they played Amphibia's equivalent of hop-scotch. Once back inside, the triplets eventually started doing a rhythmic dance with everyone joining in, even their preschool teacher, at that!
Meanwhile, outside at night, Hop Pop, Sylvia, and Felicia were looking through the telescope at the classroom windows where Sprig, much to everyone's horror (or at the very least, worry for Rose, Ivy, Alexis, and even Pat's case), set off his potion due to getting distracted by a passing butterfly and caused almost everyone to panic.
"Just look at how happy they are. They grow up so fast.", Felicia grinned.
"I know...", Hop Pop agreed as he got out his memory box, opened it, and then gasped upon picking up an old tadpole tail.
"Sprig's tadpole tail. I remember when it fell off. It's so cute.", Hop Pop said, starting to cry.
"And what about Ivy's? Hers is cute, too!", Felicia responded, starting to cry herself, before both hugged Bessie, who purred as she comforted them, not knowing an explosion occurred with students screaming.
Inside the fwagon, Anne was showing Grime, Polly, Sasha, Allison, Marcy, Max, Bombina, Percy, and Braddock a video as Jackie only looked out the window.
"Rodney Mcdonald, for the last time, get that cow out of the lecture hall.", a professor demanded.
"Eat my shorts, prof.", Roddy said before slapping a cow, making it moo and charge toward the professor, making Anne and Sasha chuckle.
"Sprig gets to do all that?! Jelly!", Polly groaned.
"Yeah. They're probably having crazy cool parties and slapping farm animals right now. Just over that wall. But Jackie says that's not how it works in real life.", Anne said before sighing.
"It's true.", Jackie responded.
"Mainly because this was purely in the interest of comedy and not meant to be taken seriously.", Allison added.
"Well, there's still one thing I don't get. Where did that cow come from? And why is he Roddy's buddy?", Percy puzzled.
"Actually, that's two things.", Braddock said.
"I don't know, guys. Maybe it's for the best. Schools can be tough on rule-breakers, anyway.", Max said.
"And it wouldn't help if you get caught.", Marcy added just before Polly got an idea.
"Hey, Anne, how good at climbing are you?", Polly asked.
"Oh. I'm picking up what you're putting down.", Anne smirked before she and Polly cackled evilly, prompting Hop Pop and Felicia to burst out.
"Will you two keep it down?!", Hop Pop shouted.
"Yeah! We're trying to cry up here.", Felicia added.
"Sorry, guys.", Anne and Polly apologized before laughing quietly.
"Ahem! What do you think you're doing?", Grime asked, making them nervous.
"Whatever it is you're planning..., I want in.", Grime responded, somewhat relieving them.
"Heck, we all do.", Sasha added.
Meanwhile, in school, a couple of newts were passing by.
"I got extra homework." one student said.
"Lucky.", another added in surprise just as Sprig, Ivy, Rose, Pat, and Alexis went to their individual rooms.
"Ugh...! I can't take it anymore! This place sucks! I wanna go home...!", Pat groaned.
"Just hang on, Pat. We'll all be home soon.", Rose assured.
"Yeah. It's only a trial run.", Alexis concurred.
"I mean, it's not like we're gonna enroll here...", Ivy sighed sadly in agreement.
Although, Alexis, so far, was really happy with how the day went for her case.
"Oh, it was so exciting! Algebra, biology, history! Just like a dream come true!", Alexis beamed.
But the rest of the group who attended (apart from the triplets) was a different story.
"Ugh.", Sprig groaned before setting his stuff down just before Herringbone popped up.
"Mr. Plantar, could I have a word?", Professor Herringbone asked.
"Oh. Hi, Professor. So you've heard, huh?", Herringbone asked.
"Yes. I've spoken with your professors.", Jackie shouted.
"And they all think I'm a terrible student. I get it. I'll leave.", Sprig sighed.
"'Leave'? Oh, no, no, no, no. It's true, your energy can be a bit disruptive, but it's a good disruption.", Herringbone agreed.
"Huh?", the group spoke out of surprise.
"And, since this is going to be such a project, we are starting early. No waiting for next semester. No, no, no, no. Tomorrow, you officially start as students of Newtopia University.", Herringbone announced in surprise.
"What?", Sprig exclaimed.
"With extra classes and extra work, oh, we will shape you into something amazing.", Herringbone grinned.
"'Extra work'? 'Extra classes'?", Sprig said in worry.
"Now, sleep well. Because at dawn, the real work begins. Oh, your family is going to be so proud.", Herringbone said before closing the door.
"Nope! Nope, nope, nope, nope. Not one more second of this!", Rose exclaimed.
"Yeah, extra work? This is where I draw the line!", Ivy exclaimed.
"Sorry, Hop Pop. But we can't be here another ding-dang second. We're leaving tonight.", Sprig said as he, Ivy, Rose, and Pat all started to leave.
Just then, a school bell rang, waking the triplets and puzzling all the children.
"All right, students, doors locking in three, two, one.", the PDA spoke before said doors locked with red lights turning on.
"No! We're locked in!", Pat exclaimed.
"That... that means we're... we're prisoners!", Rose squeaked in fear.
Meanwhile, Hop Pop, Sylvia, and Felicia were looking up at the sky when they heard a noise nearby.
"What's that?", Hop Pop puzzled before he and the others turned to see the gates closing and search lights being turned on with sirens sounding.
"Now why would a school need all this security?", Sylvia puzzled.
"I know. That doesn't make sense. Unless... This ain't a school at all! Maybe they're frog-nappers and this whole thing was just an elaborate scheme to steal Sprig's beautiful pink skin?", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"Oh, yeah. I don't think that's happening. But I'm getting the sense that they're in trouble somehow, so we'll leave it at that. Hang on, kids! We're a-comin'!", Felicia shouted.
Then, Hop Pop tried to squeeze through the gates, but got stuck.
"Guess I gotta cut back on those bug burgers.", Hop Pop said.
"You guess?", Felicia puzzled.
"You need some help getting through, Hopadiah?", Sylvia asked.
"No, thanks. Maybe...", Hop Pop responded.
Meanwhile, Sprig managed to pick the lock.
"Got it!", Sprig spoke before he picked the locks on Ivy's, Rose's, Pat's, and Alexis' doors, opening them.
"Psst! Come on!", Sprig whispered before he and the others then snuck out across the halls.
Meanwhile, both Anne and Polly giggled as they went over the wall with Sasha, Grime, Percy, and Braddock going over the wall as well.
"We're in.", Grime said.
"Ready for the time of your life?", Anne asked.
"Bring it.", Polly responded.
But as Anne took a step, however, she inadvertently stepped on a bug, worrying everyone else.
"Uh, I think I just killed somebody.", Anne said in worry.
"Oh, no, Anne. I'm afraid you've done something much worse than that.", Grime responded before the bug she stepped on lit up and blared like a car alarm.
"Oh, shoot.", Anne spoke.
"Nice going, Anne!", Sasha scolded.
"Make a break for it!", Polly exclaimed before Grime then swung his sword and knocked the big away like a golf ball toward the wall on the farthest side of the campus.
Meanwhile, though, as Sprig and the others were scaling the wall, while the 18 children were walking out and headed back before looking up to see Sprig and the others, they overheard a siren and a guard speaking up.
"A security breach! Hit the lights!", the guard shouted before the group fell down as search lights turned on just in time to bump into the little tykes.
"What the...? Lily? Andy? Danny? What are you all doing here? And who are those guys?", Sprig asked.
"They'we ouw fwiends.", Lily responded.
"What awe you pwaying?", Haslie asked.
"Playing? What are...?", Sprig began before he got an idea.
"Ohhhhh. Well, we're playing 'Cops and Robbers'. You see, the goal is to avoid being spotted by any one of those spotlights and the guards until you make it to the exit. We need to be very careful and quiet so they won't hear. If we get caught, we all lose. Game over.", Sprig responded.
"Oh.", the kids spoke.
"Wanna play?", Ivy asked, making Rose gasp a bit before she covered her mouth.
"Yeah!", the group of kids shouted before being shushed.
"Yeah...!", the kids resounded quietly with whispers.
From there, they opened up the strollers they carried, placed 3 triplets (and 3 stowaways) in each one, and scattered in all directions and all did their best to avoid being seen, determined to win at the "game", which was working very well so far, until...
"Nailed it!", Sprig shouted.
"Sprig...!", Ivy whispered glaringly.
"Hey, did you just hear someone yell, 'Nailed it'?", one of the guards asked.
"Release the weevils!", another shouted before the doors opened to show a few weevils in spiked collars acting as ferocious dogs as they growled and barked.
"'Weevils'?", Sprig puzzled.
"RUN!", Rose shouted before she, Pat, Sprig, Ivy, and Alexis ran from the weevils just as Anne and the others overheard barking nearby.
"Hey, do you hear dogs?", Anne asked.
"Depends. What's a dog?", Polly puzzled.
Just then, they saw Sprig, Rose, Pat, and Alexis (carrying the triplets via strollers) fleeing away from the weevils.
"Is that Sprig?", Anne asked.
"And Ivy?", Sasha asked.
"That's them, all right.", Grime said.
"And Rose, Pat, and Alexis are there with him, too. And so are the triplets!", Braddock added.
"Yo, Sprig, where the party at, man?", Percy asked.
"Can't talk. Running.", Sprig shouted in reply as the weevils barked for a while.
"This game is fun!", Haslie shouted before the weevils stopped and turned to Anne and the others.
"Looks like those weevils are changing targets.", Grime said.
"Oh, boy. Run!", Anne exclaimed before she and the others took off from the weevils.
"This is my fault for looking like such a snack.", Polly exclaimed.
"Snack...? Of course!", Alexis realized before she got strawberries out of her pouch.
"Hey, weevils! Catch!", Alexis shouted before tossing the strawberries out past the weevils for them to notice, making their eyes grow big with adoration before going to the strawberries and enjoying them, much to her relief as she sighed.
"That was good thinking, Alexis. Not sure I would've come up with something like that.", Sprig grinned.
Meanwhile, Sylvia and Felicia were helping Hop Pop through the gates before they saw Sprig, Ivy, Rose, Pat, and Alexis with the triplets.
"Mom?! Grandma?!", Ivy exclaimed.
"Hop Pop, what are you guys doing?", Sprig asked.
"Coming to save you guys.", Hop Pop replied.
"Hang on.", Sprig said.
"We'll get you out.", Ivy added before she and Sprig went to the other side.
"We'll pull on this end while you three push over here, okay?", Ivy asked.
"Okay.", Rose, Pat, and Alexis responded before Sprig and Ivy started pulling while the trio pushed from the other side.
But before they could continue, a voice called out.
"All right, hold it right there!", Herringbone exclaimed before he arrived with the guards only to find quite a surprise.
"Plantar's and Sundews? What's going on?", Herringbone asked.
"You're not frog-napping our kids!", Felicia shouted.
"You were trying to make us your prisoners!", Rose shouted.
"I'm sorry, frog-nap? 'Prisoners'? They aren't locked up. They can leave whenever they like.", Herringbone assured.
"Really?", Rose asked.
"Then what's with all the gate locking? The alarms, the guards?", Alexis puzzled.
"That's for the students' safety. We are in the city, after all. There are some dangerous oddballs out there.", Herrngbone explained.
"Such as?", Pat flared with one eyebrow raised.
"Hey, Professor, we found these dangerous oddballs trying to sneak into the university.", the guard spoke, bringing in Anne, Sasha, Polly, Grime, Percy, and Braddock.
"You can torture me all you want. I'll never talk.", Polly exclaimed.
"Polly? Anne?", Sprig puzzled.
"Sasha? Grime?", Pat puzzled.
"Et tu, Percy and Braddock?", Alexis asked before Anne sighed.
"We were just looking for a rad college party.", Anne said.
"Hey, what can I say? We wanted in on it.", Percy added.
"And we were trying to escape.", Ivy responded before Sprig turned to Hop Pol whole Ivy turned to her mother.
"Sorry, Hop Pop, but we hate this place. It's boring and stuffy, and they don't let you wear hats.", Sprig stated.
"And they're too bossy and strict!", Pat added.
"I know it's your dream. I'm sorry we couldn't make it come true.
"'Dream'? 'Dream'?! Forget the ding-dang dream!", Hop POP exclaimed before pushing through the gates and hugging Sprig.
"I ain't ready to let you go yet. Heck, I ain't letting you go ever!", Hop Pop shouted, shedding tears.
"That goes double for you, young lady! It's homeschooling for the rest of your life. Forget higher learning, or big opportunities. You belong at the bottom of the socioeconomic barrel with me.", Felicia said to Ivy, shedding tears just as much.
"Yay! Wait, is this a good thing?", Sprig puzzled.
"Just go with it.", Ivy responded.
"Aw.", Rose and Alexis beamed as Pat chuckled a bit.
"My children, you continue to impress. No one has ever evaded campus security before. The offer of admission still stands.", Herringbone offered.
"Thanks, Professor, but I don't think it's for us right now.", Sprig responded.
"But in a couple of years, who knows?", Ivy added.
"Well, we'll be here waiting for you when you're ready. Now, come on, everyone, let's get back to that crazy party.", Herringbone grinned as he and the others left, making Anne and Sasha gasp.
"I knew it.", Anne spoke before the weevils barked, making Anne and Polly scream,
"You think we'll ever be ready for 'em, Grimesy?", Sasha asked.
"There's always next time, Sasha. There's always next time.", Grime responded.
"Happy you're back, Sprig.", Hop Pop grinned.
"Me too, Hop Pop.", Sprig responded.
"Double for me.", Ivy added.
"We'll all miss you.", Riker said.
"Yeah. Us, too.", Danny said.
"Hope we get to meet again, guys.", Andy added as the 9 preschoolers head off after Herringbone.
"Hey, Sprig, go long!", Anne shouted, tossing her frisbeetle to Sprig.
"Okay!", Sprig grinned before he then jumped up.
"Yeah!", Sprig shouted as he caught the frisbeetle.
🎵Ultimately, College ain't for everyone
A/N: And with that, I can finally get to work on Chapter 9. Seeing as I got used to my revised itinerary, I'm confident that it won't take too long for it now. :)