A/N: And here is another chapter for the story. It would've come out sooner, but I wanted it to be on the 1-year anniversary of "The Owl House: Coven of Owls". :) Now, this time, there may be a few references from "Cars: Mater's Tall Tales - Mater Private Eye".
Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia
Chapter 9
Act I: Little Frogtown
It all started one day as everyone was watching a detective movie from the phone.
"There I was, about to split the case of the century wide open. The person behind it all was right behind this chair, and it was my job to deliver justice with my fists.", a man named Baskins spoke, leaving everyone intrigued.
"Well, well, well.", Grime said, his eyes widened.
"Aren't these old detective films the greatest? It's like a normal movie, but no one talks out loud and everybody loses in the end.", Anne responded.
"Ooh. Sounds intense.", Marcy responded.
"It's even better when it's a detective show.", Jackie added.
"Honestly, I love either one of those. Maybe even both.", Rose added.
"I love it. Just a hard-boiled guy tryin' to right wrongs, without any of that fancy color nonsense getting in the way.", Hop Pop said.
"Don't forget the good cop, bad cop routine.", Grime added.
"Hop Pop, shouldn't you be focusing on driving?", Jackie asked as several snails were behind Hop Pop, illustrating her point.
Then, Hop Pop turned to the left, finally allowing the rest to speed back up with the last driver shouting at him as he passed by.
"All right, kids. We're here.", Hop Pop spoke.
"Wow...!", Rose beamed.
"Is that...?", Jackie began.
"An arcade!", the group gasped.
"Totally worth it.", Anne grinned before Polly turned to Hop Pop.
"You're the best Hop Pop who ever hopped.", Polly grinned.
"What? No, no, no. We're going there.", Hop Pop said, pointing to an old place known as "Sal's Wartwood Style Sandwiches".
"Boo!", Polly booed.
"Aw, Hop Pop.", Sprig and Anne moaned before getting slapped with a newspaper.
"Ow.", the trio exclaimed.
"Shush, youngsters. Have a little respect. This is Sal's. Sal was like a brother to me. We've been friends since the old ways were just 'the ways.' He was so good at making sandwiches, he decided to relocate to Newtopia to make the 'buko dolares.'", Hop Pop stated.
"He did?", Jackie asked.
"Oh, kids, how I've dreamed of those sandwiches. That lightly toasted bread, the fresh green lettuce, the thin yet supple slices of roast beetle, and finally... the sauce. Tangy, zippy, and just plain amazing. Oh, lordy!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"You don't say...", Grime said, intrigued.
"Whoa. Sounds like that you really need to be alone with this sandwich, HP.", Anne said before Sprig laughed.
"Zing!", Sprig said.
"Hush. I promised myself if I ever made it to Newtopia, I'd swing by for one of those sweet, sweet sandies. And even give one to Sylvia when we get back.", Hop Pop responded as he and the others got off Bessie and got to the entrance to the shop.
"So, this is your way of keeping your promise, huh?", Allison asked.
"Yep. Now, come on, gang, who's ready to revisit the glory days?", Hop Pop asked.
"Hop Pop, this looks really important to you.", Sprig responded.
"Yeah, and we would never want to get in the way of something so person...", Ivy began.
"You wanna go to the arcade, don't ya?", Hop Pop asked.
"Yes, please.", everyone except Grime responded.
"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.", Anne nodded crazily.
"Not I. I'm keeping him company.", Grime responded.
"You are? Okay, I get that you don't really have a thing for arcade games, and that's nice of you, but why?", Sasha asked.
"Something about those 'buko dolares' might be worth trying. I might even get another for Bombina, too, while I'm at it.", Grime grinned.
"Okay. So, can we go now?", Sasha asked.
"Fine. Play your newfangled games. But it's that attitude that's causing tradition to be left in the dust...", Hop Pop began before Anne, Sprig, and Polly zoomed by, leaving Hop Pop behind as he coughed.
"Yeah, we'll make sure they don't get in any trouble. If we can...", Jackie said before she and the remaining others left as Hop Pop sighed before he and Grime entered.
"Guess what, Sal? It's your old pal, Hop...", Hop Pop began before gasping at quite a horrendous sight.
"What the... Wha... What happened here?!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"The whole restaurant has been ransacked. Not wonder it looked so worn out and abandoned.", Grime said.
"Sal? Sal?!", Hop Pop exclaimed as he strained while tilting the table to notice one thing that was on the ground.
"Sal's trademark fedora. But he never went anywhere without it.", Hop Pop said while turning to the poster of Sal.
"Sal would never leave his shop unattended. Something happened here, something bad.", Hop Pop thought before the light buzzed, practically turning the overall colors almost black and white.
"I don't know much about how this disaster happened, but all I DO know is that this was foul play, and it was our job to get to the bottom of it.", Grime thought as Hop Pop put on Sal's fedora.
"I just wish I had some kind of clue.", Hop Pop said before opening the safe, finding inside a stained piece of parchment.
"What's this? Blood?", Hop Pop asked before tasting the stain.
"No, sauce. People were always asking Sal for his secret recipe. Offered to pay big. But he said family tradition was more important than a few copper coins. My kinda frog, who made my kind of sauce.", Hop Pop thought while chuckling a bit before then tasting the sauce again.
"But even then, there was this faint smell of death in the air... Or more accurately, the smell of soot. From a fireplace. Or maybe even the oven. With those clues, we were about to hit the bricks and then... she walked in. She was wearing a flower bonnet, the kind that used to warm my blood.", Grime thought before in walked a sort of female newt with a sort of bonnet with a flower on it.
"Hello, Grimothy.", the ruby-colored newt grinned.
"You know this girl, Grime?", Hop Pop asked.
"We met during the last time I've been to Newtopia. Now, what are you doing here, Angelle?", Grime responded.
"I missed you.", Angelle responded.
"Like you missed your last song routine.", Grime retorted.
"Grime! You don't have to play gin with her.", Hop Pop spoke to Grime.
"Well, she always was the joker.", Grime said, puzzling Angelle.
"What?", Angelle puzzled.
"Now, then. What do you want?", Grime asked.
"I need you to find my sister, Maria. She's been newt-napped!", Angelle responded.
"Newtnapped, you say?", Hop Pop asked.
"I'll bet you my britches that this could be related to the crime of the sauce.", Hop Pop thought.
"Where did you last see her?", Grime asked.
"She was working for Mr. Littlepot.", Angelle responded, making Hop Pop gasp.
"Littlepot...! It had to be Littlepot. When we first met, I had no idea that he was THE frog reaper himself. By the time I realized that, I was too late. I lost my hair to that maniac. And I never did forgive him for that. Now, he might be going after Sal, too! Things just got personal.", Hop Pop thought.
"Littlepot, you say?", Grime asked.
"She worked at his club, the Newtropolitan Gala.", Angelle stated.
"Hmm. Newtropolitan Gala, tonight 8:00 p.m. Wealthy elites only. 'Get the sauce!'?", Grime puzzled.
"Looks like someone got tired of askin' and took his recipe by force. And to make matters worse, Littlepot kidnapped Angelle's sister. Now all Grime and I had to do was follow the sauce to find Sal. And maybe, even Mary-Kate, too.", Hop Pop thought to himself.
"Follow the sauce. Find Sal. Find Mary-Kate.", Hop Pop said.
"You don't have to repeat me.", Hop Pop's inner voice said.
"Sorry.", Hop Pop chuckled apologetically.
Meanwhile, Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, Max, and Alexis waited in line with the Boonchuys, Waybrights, and Wu's each holding a stroller for the triplets while waiting with Sprig and Polly.
"Man, this is a long line.", Anne said.
"Yeah. Any longer than that and it might as well be a movie theater line.", Sasha agreed.
"Maybe it'll go quickly.", Sprig guessed with a grin.
3 HOURS LATER
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
"Kill me.", Polly groaned.
But to make matters worse, at least for Anne's case, a little frog in a cute attire with a hat on his head stopped by and went in line right in front of her!
"Oh, no, he didn't!", Sasha exclaimed.
"Did y'all see that? We just got cut.", Anne gasped.
"Eh, what are ya gonna do?", Sprig only shrugged.
"You mean you're really gonna take that kind of garbage?!", Sasha exclaimed.
"Are you kidding? We have to say something.", Anne added.
"I don't know, Anne. Isn't it just better to let this one go?", Marcy asked.
"Yeah, Anne. She's right. He's beneath us.", Polly responded.
"Guys, this isn't just about cutting. This is about justice, doing the right thing. And...", Anne began.
"Oh, no, you don't! Every time you say something like that, it's the same thing. You tell someone off, make a scary threat if they didn't go to the back of the line, and get banned for life altogether.", Jackie responded.
"Woof. How many times has that happened?", Sprig puzzled.
"Only countless times.", Allison responded.
"It'll be different this time, and... Huh?", Anne began before seeing both Hop Pop and Grime in tuxedos, sneaking off.
"Was that Hop Pop and Grime in tuxedos?", Anne asked.
"Huh.", the group said in surprise as the triplets cooed.
"I never thought Grime would pull that look off.", Sasha stated.
Meanwhile, Hop Pop and Grime were in the Gala, watching as someone was singing on-stage.
I haven't had a bite since a quarter to three
Now I'm thinking something's gonna take a bite outta me...
"You guys should buy bug coin.", one partygoer suggested.
"And then I said, 'That's what boot straps are for.'", another said.
"...man said You can't have it all.", the third spoke.
"Oh. We don't see many frogs at the Newtropolitan. Or a well-dressed toad, for that matter. You two must be quite wealthy. What do you do?", the newt asked.
"If it's all the same to you, ma'am, we'll be asking questions, here.", Grime responded.
"We're lookin' for Maria. You seen her?", Hop Pop asked.
"Maria? I don't remember.", the newt responded.
"Oh, really? Well, then, maybe THIS will help you remember!", Grime exclaimed, brandishing a sword, much to her shock.
"Whoa! Grime, where'd you get that?", Hop Pop asked.
"I'll never tell. Am I doing it right, though, Hopediah?", Grime responded, shining the light onto the newt, who gasped.
"I remember now... I saw her a couple of days ago with Littlepot.", the newt said.
"That answer your question, Grime? So, where did they go?", Hop Pop asked.
"I don't know. But she did seem to be covertly investigating those mysterious unnatural deaths all over Newtopia as of late.", the newt responded.
"Mysterious unnatural deaths, you say? Over the sauce?", Hop Pop asked.
"Not sure. That's all I know.", the newt responded.
"Well, well, well. That behavior is out of character. Even for him. The question is, why strike here? And why now? Okay, that's two questions.", Hop Pop puzzled.
"Canapé? The sauce is to die for.", the waiter spoke before the last two words echoed with Hop Pop gasping.
"Sal's sauce, and not on a sandwich. He never would have stood for this. One thing was for sure, Sal was in trouble and needed our help.", Hop Pop said before turning to Grime.
"Hey, Grime.", Hop Pop said before whispering to him, intriguing him a bit before nodding.
"Say there, sonny. Would you mind doing a gentleman a favor?", Hop Pop asked.
"Anything, sir.", the waiter responded.
"Hold still!", Grime shouted as he leapt up from behind and whacked him unconscious with his sword while the newt became amazed with his hop and the grace he apparently showed in knocking him out.
"No need to worry. I used the blunt side of it to knock him out. Slicing things up isn't the only thing it's good for.", Grime said as he put the sword away, much to the swooning newt's amazement while Hop Pop dragged the unconscious waiter outside.
Just then, a slightly smaller newt walked in with a hat.
"Hey. This toad buggin' you?", the newt asked.
"Not yet, but a newt can hope.", the female newt responded before a bigger newt walked in next.
"Well, he's buggin' me!", the newt bouncer spoke before cracking his knuckles.
"Oh, fruit flies...", Grime sighed.
Meanwhile, Hop Pop, now dressed in the waiter's clothes, went inside with a tray of Canapé.
"Hoo boy! Gonna need another round with extra sauce. Say, where do we get that sauce again?", Hop Pop asked before inadvertently bumping into the chef.
"Frog cannot be here. Move.", the chef urged.
"Why? 'Fraid of what I might find?", Hop Pop goaded.
Then, the chef only got out a sort of net with his hands, making Hop Pop worried before he placed the hairnet on Hop Pop's head.
"There. Is health violation.", the chef explained.
"Oh, okay. So, any chance you could direct me to your supplier?", Hop Pop asked before the waiter burst in, clotheless, save for a pair of underwear.
"There he is! That's the guy who stole my clothes! And my tray...", the waiter said as a security guard arrived, wearing shades.
"You're gonna have to come with me, sir.", the guard said.
"Okay, okay. Don't want any... trouble!", Hop Pop exclaimed as he tossed his frisbee at the guard and the waiter, knocking them both out.
"Ha! Take that, you...", Hop Pop began before he got grabbed by the chef with his arms.
Then, as soon as the chef walked outside to dump him, the smaller newt spoke up.
"Hold on, big guy. I got somethin' to say to 'em first.", the newt said with him and the bouncer walking in with the bouncer holding Grime.
"Hello, Victor. Where'd you get the bouncer?", Grime asked.
"You know him, too?", Hop Pop asked.
"Again, from the last time I was here.", Grime responded.
"I wasn't sure you'd ever come back, but here you are. You're a very nosy fella, kill-a-pillar, huh? You know what happens to guys who hop into the wrong places? Huh, no? Wanna guess, huh?", Victor asked.
"I don't know. Free sandwich at Sal's?", Hop Pop asked.
"No. They get dumped!", Victor said before both Hop Pop and Grime both got tossed in the trash dumpster by the chef.
"Next time, it's the coffin! Understand?", Victor asked before he and his bouncer left while the chef went back inside, leaving the frog and toad groaning and sighing.
"Looks like we hit a dead end. Without a source on the sauce, or even an address, we were out of luck.", Hop Pop thought before someone stopped by near the dumpster, tossing out empty sauce cans, prompting Hop Pop and Grime to get off, surprising the garbage man.
"Ah! geez. You two scared me. How'd you even get in there?", the garbage man spoke.
"Long story. Say, do you happen to have any dirt on the street?", Hop Pop asked.
"I don't know.", the garbage man responded.
"Are you hiding something or aren't you?!", Grime exclaimed, drawing his sword, surprising the garbageman.
"No! I'm not! Honest!", the garbageman exclaime.
"You really don't know?", Hop Pop asked.
"No. They got me workin' in the alleys, dumpin' those faulty sauces.", the garbage man said.
"Faulty sauces?", Grime asked, lowering his sword from attack position.
"Yeah. It's odd, though.", the garbage man responded.
"Odd?", Hop Pop asked.
"Yeah. They all have this smell.", the garbageman responded.
"Smell?", Hop Pop asked.
"Like death is in the air itself. Though, it probably came from a fireplace. Maybe in the oven. I haven't smelled that since I worked down at the factory.", the garbageman responded.
"So, this is another job for you?", Grime asked.
"You got it.", the garbageman responded.
"Well, that works.", Hop Pop said.
"But we had to hurry. Littlepot could be torturing Sal right now. Brutalizing him. Maiming him. Tearing him a...", Grime thought.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. This is too graphic, even for me.", Grime said.
"Sorry, sorry.", Grime's inner voice apologized.
"Well, we're gonna head out now. Thank you kindly, my good fellow.", Hop Pop said as he and Grime took off.
"You're welcome, mister.", the garbage man responded.
"I am so nailing this.", Grime grinned.
Back at the arcade, the line finally started moving again.
"Finally!", Anne sighed.
"Hey, guys, over here.", the little boy spoke before his three friends entered, making Anne and Sasha grunt angrily.
"Just let it go.", Sprig said.
"Are you kidding me with this?!", Anne exclaimed.
"Anne, I really think you should listen to Sprig.", Jackie warned.
"Yeah! We don't want to be kicked out!", Rose added.
"You know what happened the last time.", Max added before Anne, against her words of caution, tapped him on the spinner on his hat, prompting a groan from Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, Marcy, and Alexis.
"You got a problem?", the boy asked.
"Oh, you think?! You know what you did, cutter.", Anne accused.
"Pfft. Who's cutting, weirdo?", the boy asked.
"Yeah, he was just savin' our spots.", one of his friends agreed.
"Uh-uh. Nope. That is not how this works. That is not how ANY of this works! Doesn't anyone else see this injustice?!", Sasha exclaimed.
"Could you at least calm down a little?", Alexis asked.
"You calm down!", Sasha exclaimed.
"Whoa, there, Sash. I like where your head's at, but I got this. Now, listen up. I'm giving you little twerps till the count of three to get to the back of the line, or I'll...", Anne began.
"And, here we are at the scary threat part.", Jackie sighed.
"Or you'll what?", the boy asked.
"Yeah, what?", another of his friends asked.
"Anne, no! Whatever it is you're about to do, don't! It's not worth it.", Jackie warned.
"Oh, ho-ho. News flash, kid. We're actually monsters from another world. We might eat newts for breakfast!", Sasha said as she and Anne both morphed into human form, much to the four kids' shock.
"And yet, they ignore me anyways...!", Jackie groaned exasperatedly.
"You wanna find out?", Anne spoke in a deep voice.
Then, the little boy started whimpering and crying.
"Oh, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey, don't cry.", Anne spoke up.
"Did she threaten to eat those kids?", one patron asked.
"Someone call security.", another exclaimed.
"Did we just go too far?", Sasha asked.
"Oh, no. You two already went too far when you told him off. Now, you're practically going to prison.", Allison responded.
"I think I just made a mistake.", Anne realized.
Meanwhile, Hop Pop and Grime ventured into the factory and snuck in, quickly finding not only vat after vat of sauce, but also a gagged and bound Maria.
"This was bigger than we could've imagined. We're not sure how, or if he even really did that, but Littlepot turned an old frog's family legacy into a soulless profit machine. The only question left now is, why?", Hop Pop thought as he and Grime snuck across the factory only to notice that someone saw them.
"Uh, can I help you two?", the worker asked.
"Shhhh.", Hop Pop sushed as Grime drew his sword, threatening to cut him up if he started talking.
"Eh.", the worker shrugged before the two continued onward as Grime put his sword away with the two going up the stairs and then peering down at one of the vats.
"We had finally found the girl and the sauce, but where was Sal? More importantly, where is Littlepot?", Hop Pop thought before a voice called out, shining a flashlight on Hop Pop and Grime.
"Oi! Who the heck are you two?", the guard shouted.
"Why don't you tell US who YOU are?", Grime asked.
"I'm the blooming floor manager. And you're trespassing, mates.", the floor manager responded before he then turned off his flashlight and charged at them.
"He was huge, ugly, and probably hit like a truck. Luckily, I knew a thing or two about fisticuffs myself.", Grime thought before then lurching his tongue out at the floor manager, hit him, and pulled his tongue back instantaneously, knocking him back a great deal, which stunned Hop Pop.
"How did you do that?", Hop Pop said in surprise.
"One of the many things I could stand to teach you, Hopediah. It's all in the pull-back.", Grime responded before the floor manager got back up, fuming.
"Oh, a wise guy, eh?", the floor manager sneered before then rushing toward Hop Pop only for him to dodge his blows from his fists.
A moment afterward, Hop Pop dodged again as the floor manager tried to grab him, but missed right before falling through the catwalk and into a vat of sizzling sauce.
"One thing was for sure, the health inspector wasn't gonna like this. But the health inspector was the least of my concerns. I wanted answers. And right before me was the big cheese who had 'em all.", Hop Pop thought as he and Grime found themselves surrounded by guards with crossbows and arrows with Mr. Littlepot stepping forward.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't my dear businessman, Hopediah Plantar.", Littlepot smirked with a twirl of his cane.
"Littlepot...!", Hop Pop sneered.
"And here I was, coming to collect another soul to send him off on his way, but then, I find you. And your..., partner?", Littlepot puzzled.
"Darn right.", Grime retorted.
"Honestly, I expected to cross paths with you again since I heard about your arrival in Newtopia. Though, I didn't expect you bringing someone else here with you, never mind a toad. It had me worried at first, but then I realized, I could use the time to learn more about you since our last encounter.", Littlepot grinned.
"I've got nothin' to say to you, Littlepot. And it's not just about the hair, either.", Hop Pop only retorted.
"We know all about those unnatural deaths occurring all over Newtopia as of late! What we don't know is why!", Grime exclaimed.
"Oh, do you now? Well, as a living embodiment of death, even I get bored of my job at times. Besides, unnatural, natural, is there really any difference as long as their time comes?", Littlepot asked.
"All right. But why bring Angelle's sister into this? And what about the sauce, man?!", Grime exclaimed.
"Simple. She knew too much and I was going to have her disposed of by some company. But, then we struck a deal.", Littlepot stated.
"A deal?", Hop Pop asked.
"Who made the deal with you?", Grime asked.
"Why don't you ask her? She's right here.", Littlepot smirked, looking toward none other than...
"Angelle?!", Hop Pop exclaimed as he saw a shameful, sad Angelle just behind him.
"Why, you two-timing, no-good, double-crossing, double-crosser!", Grime exclaimed.
"I didn't have a choice! It was the only way to save my sister.", Angelle explained.
"Well, you always did the right thing. Just the wrong way.", Grime responded with a bit of a sneer.
"Well, long story short, she was really just along for the ride. And as for the sauce? As I went along, I developed a craving for this stuff like you wouldn't believe! Oh! I even made special requests to the Newtropolitan Gala for special dishes with said sauce! In fact, I think I might be hooked to it.", Littlepot responded with widened eyes of embarrassment as he finished.
"It doesn't matter, Littlepot! The jig is up and as soon as we get out of this mess, we're going to notify the Newtopian Guards about your exploits!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"Oh, but I'm afraid you won't be telling the Newtopian Guards anything. Not now that you knew too much about my excursions!", Littlepot shouted before getting out his scythe and picking Hop Pop and Grime up by the scythe, which held them up by the collars of their shirts.
"Stop this madman!", one of the guards shouted before he and the others then
"No!", Angelle shouted, rushing to stop Littlepot from what he was about to do.
"Oh, let's be honest, here, sweetheart. Their time has come here, anyway. Plus, I have a punctual reputation to uphold. So, if you don't mind... Oh, and by the way? I wasn't exactly alone when I was doing my job here.", Littlepot said as he looked at his pocket watch, which ticked down seconds away from 9 o'clock, before he dangled the two over a vat of sauce, the same one that the floor manager fell into, before cackling as Angelle gasped and Maria looked fearful.
But then, when all hope seemed lost, the Newtopian Guards burst in!
"Looks like we finally caught you, Littlepot.", the lieutenant shouted, catching him by surprise.
"What the...?", Littlepot puzzled before he saw them.
"Not now!", Littlepot exclaimed before he then looked back and saw that the clock had ran past 9 now, much to his shock.
"No! Not my reputation in punctuality!", Littlepot exclaimed.
Just then, in his panic upon realizing his error, he unwittingly shook the two off his scythe and nearly into the vat.
"Grimothy! Hopediah!", Angelle shouted before lurching her tongue at them to push them out of the way.
Fortunately, that worked as when they fell, they instead zoomed past the vat. and had to stop their descents by grabbing onto it with their tongue and then releasing their grip on the vat, landing on the ground. In no time, the newtopia guards surrounded Littlepot and apprehended him while Angelle freed her sister, Maria, and took the gag off her.
"Sorry things unfolded like this.", Angelle apologized.
"It's all right... At least Littlepot's stopped...", Maria assured.
"Like I said: the jig is up, Littlepot.", Hop Pop discouraged as the police surrounded Littlepot.
"You two led us right to him, Mr. Plantar. Take him away, boys.", the lieutenant spoke before Littlepot got picked up and dragged away.
"There is no prison that can hold me! I am Death itself!", Littlepot shouted, worrying Hop Pop.
"I can't help but feel that those words worry me. Not hard to see why, though.", Hop Pop thought.
"You two! The boss wants to see both of you, pronto.", one of the guards spoke before later, he and Grime were forced inside the office.
"There we were. Led inside toward the head honcho's office. One thing is for sure: we might not be prepared.", Hop Pop thought.
"Hopediah. It's been a long time, old friend.", Sal spoke as he turned around to face Hop Pop and Grime, making them gasp.
"Sal?", the two asked in surprise.
"YOU'RE the boss of the factory?", Grime asked.
"Whoa, whoa. Slow down. What are you talking about? And who are you?", Sal asked.
"I am Captain Grime of Toad Tower.", Grime responded.
"Captain? Don't you look more like a detective?", Sal asked.
"I always wanted to try the good cop, bad cop routine.", Grime explained.
"Grime and I went by the deli. It was ransacked.", Hop Pop responded.
"At first, we thought someone stole your recipe and sold it off to the highest bidder! They were even spreading your sauce on fancy food at a swanky gala. But things got very complicated the moment we heard about Littlepot being in Newtopia.", Grime added.
"Fellas, this is my factory. I sauce all the major events in Newtopia.", Sal explained.
"Oh, you do, do you?", Grime asked.
"I don't believe it. The Sal I knew was a sandwich man, through and through.", Hop Pop added in surprise before Sal only chuckled as, afterwards, it even showed him having a difficult time with the sandwich shop before looking at his sauce bottle and eventually selling it to make his own factory.
"You know, it was a tough call. The sandwich biz was dying. I knew my sauce was a hit, but nobody wanted it between slices of bread. I was nervous at first, but the change ended up being great for me. Heck, I even retired that silly fedora.", Sal explained as in the flashblack, he and his workers were even picking up some stuff from the shop only for a couple of workers to bump into a table and drop the crate, causing the bottles to break, much to the workers' shame and worry, before Sal only brushed it off and took off his fedora and decided to help his workers before going to the present.
"I mean the whole mess with Littlepot back there was just a coincidence. The point is, now instead of making traditional sandwiches for no one, I make just the sauce for everyone. Turns out if you embrace change instead of clinging to the past, you get a say in what the future looks like. Heck, you can even bring some of the past along with you.", Sal assured as he pulled out his drawer and got out 2 bottles of his sauce, giving them to Hop Pop and Grime.
"Thanks, Sal. You're a good frog.", Hop Pop thanked.
"Sorry for getting so carried away. We almost took it too far.", Grime apologized.
"What? What are you talking about?", Sal puzzled.
"Yeah. You don't want to know.", Grime responded.
"Boss, we just found a body in vat number three.", the guard exclaimed, surprising Sal.
"What?!", Sal exclaimed.
"Oh, will you look at the time? Gotta go. Bye.", Hop Pop exclaimed as he and Grime took off.
On their way out, they ran into Angelle again.
"It was a fine mess you got us into back there, Angelle.", Grime added.
"I'm not bad, Grimothy. I just swim that way. What do you say we pick up where we left off?", Angelle asked before she noticed that Hop Pop and Grime were already gone.
Later, the two returned to the arcade with Anne, Sasha (both of which are now back in their respective frog and toad forms), Sprig, and Polly outside by themselves.
"Hey, kids. Play any newfangled games?", Hop Pop asked.
"Wait. Where are the others?", Grime asked before Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, Marcy, Max, Alexis, and the triplets came out.
"Hey, guys.", Jackie greeted as Rose giggled, holding a stuffed toad.
"Well, it certainly looks like y'all had some fun in there.", Hop Pop grinned.
"Uh-huh.", Rose nodded.
"Who knew they actually had games we know how to play?", Jackie asked in surprise.
Then, it showed a flashback of her and Allison playing a sort of fighting game together as Max watched.
"I'm gonna kick your butt.", Jackie smirked.
"You wish.", Allison retorted.
"Some things never change...", Max sighed before it went to Rose, Pat, Marcy, and Alexis at the "Whack-a-toad" game.
"Yeah, I don't know how to feel about this.", Pat said.
"Me neither...", Rose added.
"Hmm...", Marcy said before it went back to the present.
"It wasn't exactly easy convincing them to play it, but then I saw this cute stuffed toad on the prize counter. I figured it may be something nice to hold on to for Pat.", Marcy said.
"Aw. That's so thoughtful, Marcy.", Alexis grinned.
"Well, I wouldn't put it past her. But I concur.", Grime grinned.
"So, what about the four of you. Did you play anything?", Hop Pop asked.
"Actually, they banned us for life.", Sprig explained.
"It was Anne's fault.", Polly added.
"You know, if somebody hadn't flipped out on those boys and threatened to eat those kids, they could've joined in with us. I'm just thankful I wasn't banned this time.", Jackie sneered toward Anne.
"Hey! I was willing to stand up for what was right.", Anne said.
"By threatening to eat them if they didn't move to the back of the line? That's not something to take lightly. Especially not with how security reacted.", Jackie glared before it went to the flashback of Anne and Sasha being restrained.
"Hey! This whole thing is their fault!", Anne accused.
"Yeah! None of this would be happening if THEY had just moved to the back of the line!", Sasha added.
"Ma'am, I'm gonna need you two to take a step back.", the guard warned, holding a zap-a-pede taser.
"Oh, yeah, like you're really gonna tase a kid...", Anne began before she then screamed as she got zapped before it went back to the present.
"All right. I'll at least give you that much.", Sasha winced.
"Anyway, I was right, and that's that.", Anne responded, only angering Jackie to the point that she blew up at her.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, ANNE?! YOU'RE NOT EVEN A KID ANYMORE! YOU! ARE! A! TEEN!", Jackie shouted with an echo before panting heavily, only serving to make the triplets cry, making her realize her mistake.
"Oh, boy...", Jackie sighed.
"Aw, it's okay. She's just letting out some steam.", Rose assured as she, Pat, Allison, Alexis, Marcy, and Max pitched in to help calm down the triplets.
"Sorry. Just lost my nerve there...", Jackie sighed embarrassedly.
"So... How 'bout you, Grimesy? You and Hop Pop enjoy those sandwiches?", Sasha asked.
"Not exactly.", Grime chuckled.
"Looks like Hopediah and I had quite a tale to tell. Quite a tale, indeed.", Grime thought.
"Uh, Grime?", Sasha asked.
"Anyone home?", Pat asked.
"Oh, crud. Did I not say that out loud?", Grime thought.
"I guess that's the funny thing about narrating. You're talking, but you're not talking, you know?", Hop Pop thought.
"Well, that's creepy.", Alexis said.
"Yeah, I think Hop Pop and Grime're broken.", Max said.
"Cadets, can you hear me? Is my mouth moving?", Grime thought.
"Are we gonna be stuck like this forever? Help us, oh, frog!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
Act II: Hopping Mall
One afternoon, the group was looking around the shopping mall.
"Whoa. Look at this place.", Sasha said in amazement.
"Yeah! It's just like the outdoor mega mall from back home.", Anne beamed.
"Mm-hmm. Sure. Anyway, since we only have a couple of days left in the city, I figured we could spend the afternoon shopping for souvenirs. Now, get out there and buy anything you'd like!", Hop Pop grinned, leaving everyone excited.
"For two coppers or less.", Hop Pop only said, disappointing the group, Rose, especially, who groaned.
"What?! This ain't even enough for a candy bar!", Polly exclaimed.
"Yeah, what gives? Let's just use that sweet bling-bling from the king-king.", Anne suggested.
"Oh, yeah. The royal credit card.", Sprig realized.
"Nuh-uh. Kids, souvenirs are only meaningful if you pay for them yourself.", Hop Pop responded before almost everyone groaned.
"You could always try haggling.", Hop Pop said.
"Hag what?", Polly puzzled.
"You know, bargain with shopkeepers till they lower their prices.", Hop Pop explained.
"You can do that?", Polly asked.
"No, you can't! Haggling never works out, not even in our world, Hop Pop.", Jackie retorted.
"Why don't we just steal something while the owner isn't looking?", Sasha asked, only earning an intense glare from Jackie, who gave a look that says, "Try it and you'll be eating through a straw".
"Or not...", Sasha said.
"Why don't we just ask if we could work for more coppers so that we can all buy something that isn't worth 2 coppers?", Marcy asked.
"Huh. That is a really good idea, actually.", Anne grinned.
"I'm down for that.", Sasha agreed before everyone else agreed.
"Really? I can understand half of the others agreeing, but normally, you two'd be against this kind of thing.", Marcy puzzled in surprise.
"Well, we have learned a lot since coming to Amphibia. It's better that way.", Anne responded.
"Yeah. And we need to grow if we wanna beat Melkor and his forces of darkness.", Sasha added.
"Huh. That actually makes a lot of sense.", Marcy grinned.
"Well, as long as you girls are learning.", Jackie grinned.
"Ooh, exciting. I guess I'd better get an item for Ivy, since we are an item.", Sprig laughed with a snort.
"Who are you gonna shop for? You know, when you find a job and earn enough money from work?", Ivy asked.
"My mom.", Anne replied.
"Your... mom?", Sprig asked.
"Yup. I figure if I'm gonna go missing in a different dimension, the least I could do is bring back a gift, right?", Anne replied.
"Now that you mention it, I want to get something for both my parents. I know they aren't exactly 'together' together anymore, but I figure they could at least use some happiness.", Sasha responded.
"What about your parents, Marcy?", Anne asked.
"Well..., I don't know... It's complicated...", Marcy responded.
"What's so complicated about it?", Sprig asked, now holding a staff worth 2 coppers, much to everyone's surprise, including Anne.
"Wha... When did you? How did you?", Anne puzzled.
"You weren't holding it before just a few seconds ago.", Jackie said.
"Don't know. But isn't it perfect for Ivy? It even whistles when you swing it.", Sprig said before swinging it to prove said point.
"Hey! Careful where you swing that.", Max exclaimed.
"Watch this...", Sprig said before hopping away and swinging it on several pots nearby at the stand that had the sign, "Very Breakable's Pottery Shack" on it.
"My pots!", the stand owner shouted before Anne rushed over and pushed him away.
"Sorry, sorry! Bill the king! Bill the king!", Anne shouted before she passed by Hop Pop, Sylvia, Felicia, Grime, Percy, and Braddock.
"Wow! Look at all this furniture!", Percy exclaimed.
"I know! Isn't it great?", Felicia asked.
"You're telling me? Check out the bed!", Braddock added, hopping into the bed before feeling the very soft and smooth surface.
"Ah... Like a pillow.", Braddock grinned.
"And the dressers aren't half bad, either.", Grime said.
"Yes, sir, knock on wood.", Sylvia responded, knocking on one of the wooden drawers.
"'Massage your tuchus the right way with this chair full of rumble bugs. Your life will never be the ding-dang same.' Pfft. How good could it be?", Hop Pop asked as he read the label on the chair and sat down.
In no time, the rumble bugs inside the chair started squiggling around inside, causing the necessary vibrations to act like a massage chair back home, which made Hop Pop tingle in amazement.
"Ohhhh, myyyyy FROOOOOOOG!", Hop Pop shouted in amazement, inadvertently attracting everyone's attention for a brief moment as a few birds flew off from the sound of Hop Pop's voice.
"My goodness...! That's the loudest yell I ever heard.", a newt said.
Meanwhile, Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and the gang were inside a sort of thrift shop, speaking with the manager.
"So, let me get this straight. You all want to work here in this thrift shop?", the manager asked.
"Yes, sir. We may not know exactly everything about this store, but we would like to learn how the store works.", Jackie responded.
"Hm. Well, we'll give you guys a trail run for the place. We'll see if you fellas can keep the place standing.", the manager responded.
Later, as Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, Allison, and Max worked, Sprig, Ivy, Rose, Pat, and Alexis were looking around while holding the triplets in strollers.
"Now, this is for my mom, okay? The lady who gave me life. So we gotta find something that's one-of-a-kind.", Anne said.
"Yeah. Same thing for my peeps back home.", Sasha agreed as Anne picked up a jar and sniffed it, only to get a sort of smell that made her cough from how strong the scent was.
"What does she like?", Ivy asked.
"Antiques, butterflies, drinking tea...", Anne began.
"Okay, well, how about this box of herbal tea?", Sprig asked, getting out said box.
"Too ordinary.", Anne said before Sprig fell off.
"Giant butterfly taxidermy?", Pat asked.
"Too creepy.", Sasha responded.
"This antique vase?", Rose asked before she accidentally dropped said vase, shattering it, making her squeak in shock.
"Sorry...", Rose apologized.
"This broken antique vase?", Sprig asked.
"Sorry, Sprig, but no. No one in their right mind would buy this.", Allison responded before Anne noticed something that caught her eye: a sort of portrait of a butterfly teapot.
"Wait. Look over there.", Anne exclaimed, pointing to it and leading everyone to it.
"Whoa. A butterfly teapot?", Sprig asked.
"And it was made by a revered Newtopian artist?", Sasha asked.
"Yep. Penny Paddock, at that, too.", Marcy added.
"Sprig, it's perfect!", Anne exclaimed.
"Excuse me, sir. Just out of curiosity, how much is the teapot worth?", Jackie asked.
"Thing is, it's not for sale.", the supervisor replied.
"What? What do you mean 'it's not for sale'?", Jackie puzzled.
"I mean it's not for sale, because it's the grand prize in the market's annual Shopping Cart Smash and Mash Derby. If you want the teapot, you should sign up. It starts after work if you want to sign up, though.", the supervisor explained, getting out a sort of poster for said Smash and Mash Derby and a sign-up sheet.
"Right after work? Well, as long as we have some time, I guess...", Allison sighed.
"You guys sure about this? We don't even know what this competition is.", Pat asked.
"Pat, it's the perfect gift for Anne, and this is the only way to help her get it.", Sasha responded.
"Yeah. Nothing is gonna stand in our way.", Anne agreed.
"Yeah, I don't think you should count your chickens before they hatch, Anne.", Max warned.
"I have no idea what that expression means, but I do know I ain't gonna let it be easy for ya.", Priscilla spoke up, walking in, much to Anne and the others' surprise, though only Alexis recognized her and her daughter.
"Hi, Priscilla. Hey, Pearl.", Alexis waved.
"Hello.", Pearl greeted.
"That teapot is mine.", Priscilla discouraged before she and Pearl laughed.
However, a voice called out.
"Oh, yeah?! If you two think you can make it for a 21-year-long record, you've got another thing coming, Prissy!", a voice shouted.
The sound attracted everyone's attention and who should they find, but two green imps, much to almost everyone's surprise.
Play Gregor Narholz Music: "Arnold is Back 1"
"Limbo...", Priscilla sneered.
"Say, how're your scars holding up? More importantly, how's your tail?", Limbo asked, slapping it a bit and making Priscilla wince a bit as the imp laughed.
"Hey! You leave mommy alone!", Pearl glared toward the green imp.
"You got spunk, kid. Guts, even. But don't push your luck, or else I'm gonna make your cart tip over all the way off the derby ring before the victor could even be decided! Do we understand each other?", Limbo asked before Pearl only glared cutely and stepped on his toe, making him exclaim in pain and hop in one place for a bit before the pain went away.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!", Limbo shouted.
End Play Gregor Narholz Music: "Arnold is Back 1"
"Say what...?!", Sprig and Ivy spoke at the same time before Limbo growled.
"All right, you little brat. Just for that, I won't show you any mercy come the Smash and Mash Derby. Speaking of which, I'm signing us up first.", Limbo sneered as he signed up.
"Hey!", Pearl exclaimed.
"Did you just cut in line?!", Priscilla added.
"Oh, please. There was no line last time I checked.", Limbo retorted.
"He does have a point there.", Jezebel said.
"Are you kidding me with this?", Priscilla growled.
"Just calm down, Mom. He's not worth it, right now.", Pearl warned.
"You should listen to the brat, Prissy. We just finished signing up first, anyhow. Or second, apparently. Just under someone named Anne. Whoever that is. Your turn, 'Derby Champion'.", Limbo spoke as he finished before Pearl and Priscilla went up next.
"The nerve of that guy...", Priscilla said.
"Woof. What's up with the tension?", Anne asked.
"Yeah, it's so thick you can cut it with a knife.", Sasha added.
"Hey, Mom, how do you spell 'winner'?", Pearl asked.
"Just put your name, sweetie.", Priscilla replied.
"Oh, yeah? Well, I'm Anne, and I'm gonna destroy you! Or maybe Limbo! In this derby thing, as soon as we figure out how to play.", Anne said.
"Wait a minute. You're Anne? And you have no idea how to play this derby?!", Limbo asked in realization before he laughed.
"You think you can destroy me, Limbo the Interdimensional jealousy imp?! That's a laugh!", Limbo asked in disbelief before laughing loudly again.
"Oh, this is gonna be easier than I thought. That little teapot is as good as mine!", Limbo smirked before Jezebel cleared her throat.
"Well, that is... mine to give to my wife as a gift, but still. See you in the ring, Mop Top.", Limbo said as he left with a laugh.
"Just make sure you don't screw it up somehow.", Jezebel warned.
"Yeah, well get ready to eat my dust, Limby.", Priscilla said as she and Pearl left.
"I don't know who seems confident. Priscilla and Pearl? Or Limbo?", Sprig said.
"Come on, girls. We gotta study up on this game.", Sasha urged before Jackie cleared her throat.
"Right after this trial run.", Sasha rephrased.
Later, Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, Allison, and Max were outside on the bench with Rose, Pat, and Alexis, and Sprig sitting with them as Ivy was twirling her staff around.
"That little imp is scary.", Rose commented.
"Uh-huh.", the triplets agreed.
"So, teams of two push carts around and ram into each other. If your cart tips over, you're out. Other than that, anything goes. Sounds like my kinda game.", Anne said as she read the instructions while Ivy tossed the staff upward.
"I couldn't agree more, Anne.", Sasha grinned before the staff landed on top of Sprig, making the group wince.
"Is it bad?", Sprig asked.
"Oh, Sprig.", Ivy giggled a bit, getting the staff off his head with a yank.
Just then, a loud metal clanging sound was heard.
"What's that noise?", Marcy asked before she and the others noticed Polly in a sort of golden bucket.
"Whoa. Polly?", Anne asked in surprise.
"Oh, hey. Like my new bucket?", Polly asked.
"Are you nuts?!", Sasha shouted.
"That's gotta be worth, like, 50 coppers.", Sprig responded.
"How'd you even...", Alexis began.
"Haggling, baby. Turns out I'm a natural. All you gotta do is expose a shopkeeper's weakness, and then exploit it until they're on their knees begging for mercy.", Polly replied before laughing maniacally for a moment only to abruptly stop.
"Oh, look, bows.", Polly said before hopping away.
"That is one scary pollywog.", Sasha commented.
"Yeah.", Anne agreed before quickly shaking her head.
"Okay, focus. Let's go win that teapot.", Anne said.
"And stop Limbo. I don't know very much about him, but he looks like the kind of person who'd do anything to win, even cheat.", Marcy responded.
"No...", Alexis feigned in shock.
"Uh, yeah. Who knows how many tricks he has up his sleeve.", Marcy said.
"Then, we're going to need someone with inside knowledge on how to deal with people like him. Someone like...", Jackie began before realizing the one person who fits the description.
"Hey, Polly! We need your... Whoa.", Jackie shouted upon seeing Polly with a sort of mini snail.
"Guys, meet Micro-Angelo, my private chauffeur.", Polly greeted.
"Okay, I'm not even going to ask how you got that cutie so fast. But I am going to ask for your help. Thing is, we might have a potential cheater on our hands during the race and you're just the pollywog that knows what to do about cheaters like Limbo, over there.", Jackie said, pointing toward Limbo as he chuckled evilly after tripping a newt while walking with Jezebel.
"Oh, I'm loving this.", Limbo smirked.
"Sounds fun. I'm in.", Polly grinned before later, she and the others were heading for the derby.
"So, where do we start?", Polly asked.
"First, we pick our cart, which should be pretty easy.", Anne replied.
"Yeah, you'd think that, but look. It's practically a wrestling match out there.", Jackie said, gesturing to the carnage being ensued just to get the shopping carts.
"Give me that!", one of the participants exclaimed.
"Get your own cart!", another added.
Just then, a newt fell through a window as Anne and the others went for one of the carts for inspection.
"Hmm.", Anne said.
"So, what do you think?", Marcy asked before Anne then checked the wheels for the movement of the cart, its wheels, and even the handling as she sniffed the bar, licked it, and smacked her lips afterwards.
"Pass. This one's a C-plus at best.", Anne responded.
"Wow. You're really good at this.", Polly said as Sprig clapped.
"Anne, Sasha, and I practically lived at the mall.", Marcy responded.
"So she's pretty much a cart whisperer.", Sasha added.
"Oh, wait. If it's that dangerous, shouldn't we leave the triplets with Hop Pop and the others?", Jackie asked.
"Oh, yeah. You're right!", Anne realized before the triplets groaned.
Then, they were brought to Hop Pop, Sylvia, Felicia, Grime, Percy, and Braddock.
"Hey, guys. Do you think you can keep an eye on the triplets?", Sasha asked.
"We shall guard them with our lives.", Percy responded determinedly.
"Thanks, Grimesy.", Sasha grinned.
Just then, a voice called out from far away.
"Attention all smashers. The Smash and Mash Derby is about to begin.", the announcer shouted.
"Oh, shoot. We gotta hurry.", Anne urged.
"Let's split up and find a cart already.", Sasha urged before she and the others dispersed as they headed outside.
"Aw... We wanna help, too.", the triplets groaned.
Just then, they noticed a nearby trenchcoat store before looking toward Hop Pop enjoying the rumble bug chair.
"Can we try out this chair now, Hopediah?", Sylvia asked.
"B-b-b-beeeee myyyyy g-g-g-guuuueeeessssst.", Hop Pop responded before getting off and sighing in relief, giving the triplets an idea before turning to Grime.
"Gwime?", Rebecca asked.
"Yes, Rebecca?", Grime puzzled.
"Could you take us to that stowe ovew thewe?", Sarah asked.
Meanwhile, the group noticed Priscilla and Pearl with the latter starting to worry.
"But, Mom...", Pearl began.
"Ah, stop worrying, Pearl. I've been the Derby champ 20 years running. There's no way anyone else is winning that teapot.", Priscilla assured.
"That's not what I'm worried about. It's your tail. It hasn't healed from your last derby.", Pearl stated in worry.
"Relax. I can beat these chumps without it.", Priscilla said before Pearl groaned in worry.
"Now, come on. Let's get outta here.", Priscilla said.
"Very interesting.", Anne said with a chuckle before she grabbed her cart and went away with Jackie and everyone else looking worried as they followed, all except for Rose, Pat, and Alexis, who stayed behind.
"Aw. Poor thing...", Rose said before 3 trenchcoated beings went over to Rose, Pat, and Alexis.
"Psst. Ovew hewe.", Lily whispered before the trio turned to see the 3 tall beings only to recognize the their faces.
"Lily?", Rose asked.
"Rebecca?", Pat asked.
"Alex?", Alexis asked.
"What are you three doing out here?", Rose asked.
"We wanna help you out, too.", Rebecca replied.
"But it's dangerous out there.", Alexis said in worry.
"Yeah, but you gotta admit, we don't have many partners to turn to right now.", Pat said.
"But what does Grime have to say about this?", Rose asked.
"Technically, I am their supervisor. I warned them that if anything bad happens, they're to hop away as fast as they can. Honestly, those triplets have just about as much nerve as an average toad.", Grime said as he walked in.
This made Alexis sigh.
"Okay. You girls can help, but you all need to do what I say if you wanna stay in the game. Promise?", Alexis asked.
"Uh-huh. We pwomise.", the triplets agreed.
Elsewhere, they weren't the only ones who saw this scene between Priscilla and Pearl. Matter of fact, Limbo and Jezebel noticed this, too.
"Very interesting.", Limbo chuckled.
"Oh, Jezebel. I have an idea.", Limbo smirked.
"Oh, no. Not another one. Every time you get one, it never works out.", Jezebel said.
"This time it'll be different, Jezebel. After all, when all else fails, sever the tail.", Limbo snickered before cackling.
Later, the race was about to start with 12 contestants as for the 3 trenchcoated triplet pairs, Rose was in one cart with Pat in another and Alexis in a third as while Sprig is in Anne's cart, Polly is in Sasha's and Ivy is in Marcy's.
"A tail injury?", Sprig asked.
"Yep. Don't know how that's gonna help us yet, but let's scope out the competish.", Anne said before she and the gang grew shocked from seeing a sort of toad monster holding the cart with a deranged newt in said cart.
"Tea pot! Tea pot! Tea pot!", the pair chanted.
"I think we just made a mistaaaaaake.", Ivy said.
"It's okay, dude. We've got this. Look, even Hop Pop and the others believe in us.", Anne assured, gesturing to Hop Pop, Sylvia, Felicia, Percy, and Braddock, who were too busy in the furniture shop as Felicia moaned in ecstasy from the rumble of the chair.
"Actually, I don't know what's going on there.", Anne said.
"Wait. Where's Grimesy?", Sasha puzzled, not knowing that Grime was among the crowd from behind as he turned to the triplets.
"Good luck, little ones.", Grime said softly.
As for Jackie, Allison, and Max, they eyed at the "mystery riders".
"You know who those riders are?", Jackie asked.
"No, I can't say that I do, Jackie.", Allison responded.
"Yeah, I don't know if I trust whoever's piloting those carts.", Max added.
"All right, Prissy, Mop Top. You both ready to lose?", Limbo asked before cackling, making both Anne and the others mad, yet determined, especially Priscilla and Pearl.
"Players, on your marks...", the announcer began as everyone prepared.
"Get ready... All right, you crazy animals, smash and mash!", the announcer shouted.
Then, the crowd cheered as everyone in the ring clamored and grunted as if it was war! While Anne and Sprig knocked a few back with bumps, Marcy and Ivy just knocked them away with Ivy swinging her staff, and Sasha and Polly rammed through their own targets, Priscilla and Pearl just bashed them aside. As for the triplets, Alexis spoke to her triplets commandeering her cart.
"Go right! Now, left! Now, spin around!", Alexis shouted while knocking a few off the ring, although one pair landed just near the side of the ring.
Limbo and Jezebel even noticed said pair that stood back up after dispensing with another pair of contestants.
"Ah, come on, man. You both got wiped out already. Now, quit wasting my time!", Limbo shouted.
"Sorry it didn't take!", the former of the pair smirked.
"Who do you even think you are, thinking you can take us out?", the latter added.
"I'm Limbo, you old hag! And your partner smells like boogers!", Limbo shouted before he then lifted up the pair with his magic and then toss them out to the ocean with the triplets watching in amazement while, "ooh'ing" with former of the pair popping up from the water as soon as he landed.
"I'm okay!", the former of the pair shouted before the cart and his partner landed on top of him.
After a moment, an air bubble appeared from the water and popped.
"I'm still okay!", the voice shouted after the bubble popped.
"Oh, my! Now, that is a water-logged ending, here, folks!", the announcer said.
"Hey, you can't do that! What do you think this is?!", one of the remaining pairs asked.
"I think it's time for you to get a reality check, man; that's what it is!", Limbo roasted before he then used his magic again, this time, causing him and his partner to disappear from the ring.
"Unbelievable! Another use of magic?! Will wonders never cease?", the announcer asked before jezebel spoke to Limbo.
"Honey, look!", Jezebel urged before Limbo turned himself, and the cart, around to see the toad monster and deranged newt, who snarled before roaring as they charged only for Jezebel to stop him with a block.
"Someone should put you in a box floatin' down the river, Toadzilla!", Limbo shouted before zapping him and his partner off and away from the ring, even exploding in a diagonal column of light, earning Limbo's laughter.
"Looks like that Limbo dude is getting serious.", Pat said.
"Let's show him we can be serious, too.", Rose responded with the "mystery contestants" nodding.
"This is it, ladies and gentle-newts. Only seven carts left.", the announcer stated.
"Come on, Sprig. We can do this...", Anne urged only to get assaulted by Limbo and Jezebel before Priscilla and Pearl could get to them with said pair getting knocked back next.
"Okay, Priscilla. This Limbo dude is clearly being a problem here.", Anne said.
"So, what are you suggesting?", Priscilla asked.
"Why don't we work together to crush him?", Anne asked.
"Yeah, you saw what he did to those other guys.", Marcy added.
"And this guy? He's the worst!", Sasha added.
"Well, I never did like that imp. I'm in.", Priscilla responded.
"Me, too.", Pearl agreed.
"Good. Now, let's go!", Anne shouted before she charged toward Limbo and Jezebel and hit them off the ring, although the race didn't end there as he was still standing.
"Looks like this battle is too big for the ring.", the announcer shouted as while Anne and Sasha got one side of Limbo covered, Marcy and Priscilla took care of the other.
"Hey!", Limbo exclaimed before getting out a bag of blinding powder, which made both Pearl and Polly gasp.
"He's armed!", Polly shouted before Pearl glared at Limbo.
"You want magic?", Pearl asked.
"How's this for magic?", Polly asked before she and Pearl leapt up and smacked the bag onto his face, blinding him right in the eyes with the powder exploding from the bag.
"MY EYES!", Limbo shouted, prompting him to cover his eyes while the carts went out of control and sped toward the wall, much to the group's panic as well as the "mystery riders"'.
"Oh, no! They're in trouble!", Pat shouted.
"We have you go save them!", Rose added.
"Initiate secret special cart maneuver, ollie pop, stat.", Alexis urged.
"Wight!", the triplets said in unison with a nod before they sped off toward the group, spun around, and jumped up toward Anne and the others before landing in the path that the group is headed.
"Did they just get right in front of us with an Ollie pop?!", Anne puzzled.
"Ah! I gotta use my tail. It's the only way to not murder those mystery riders!", Priscilla shouted.
"But, Mom, your injury!", Pearl said in worry.
"It hasn't even healed!", Jezebel shouted.
"Hush. I have no choice.", Priscilla responded before using her tail on a pole, the pressure of which made her groan.
"Mom!", Pearl shouted.
"Oh, I can't watch!", Jackie winced.
"Hold the line, young ones...", Grime spoke before the carts started to screech and stop with each driver holding onto the other's hand like a chain, stopping with Anne, who held onto the bar of Limbo's cart, which barely knocked the wall.
"Wha...?", Limbo puzzled, his eyes recovering and somewhat red from the blinding powder.
"Phew.", Anne sighed before the carts suddenly zoomed back toward the ring and crashed, though, thankfully, no one was hurt badly.
The only cart intact was Anne's, much to Limbo's chagrin.
"NOOOOOO!", Limbo shouted.
"Hey, you guys okay?", Anne asked.
"Yeah, we're fine.", Priscilla replied as she got up.
"Mop Top wins. Mop Top wins!", the announcer shouted before the crowd chanted "Mop Top!" in celebration.
"Uh, can we not make that a thing?", Anne asked before the announcer went to the teapot and got it out of the podium.
"Here you are, ma'am, just as promised.", the announcer said.
"My mom is gonna love this.", Anne squealed.
"Attention, evewyone! We have a secwet we'd like to shawe with you!", one of the mystery riders spoke up, puzzling the group altogether.
"We'we not actually the mystewy widews! We'we actually...", another added before all three took off their trench coats, revealing themselves to be none other than...
"TWIPWETS!", the triplets shouted.
"WHAT THE WHAT?!", Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, Allison, Max, Sprig, Polly, and Ivy shouted before the rest gasped.
"We'we sowwy we snuck in. We just wanted to have some fun in the dewby.", Lily apologized.
"And help ouw sistews out, too.", Jamie added.
"I thought I recognized that cart maneuver. I still can't believe you all did that. For us. Bring it in, fellas.", Marcy said before the three groups of triplets each hugged Marcy, Sasha, and Anne, much to everyone's joy as they "aw'd" at the moment.
"And weren't you supposed to be watching them, Grime?", Sasha glared.
"Hey, I was watching them! You try stopping them from taking that risk when they have just as much stubbornness as a toad!", Grime responded.
"Well, you're just lucky they didn't get hurt.", Allison retorted.
"Hold on... You mean to tell me that the mystery riders were triplets who had no business being in this derby in the first place?!", Limbo shouted.
"Okay, ouch! But yeah.", Anne said.
"You people are crazy! We're getting out of here.", Limbo said before suddenly, someone threw a wheel at him.
"What the?", Limbo puzzled before an angry mob of beaten racers started tossing things at Limbo.
"Uh-oh. Time to go, honey!", Limbo shouted before he grabbed Jezebel and took off, much to her behest.
"GET AWAY!", Limbo shouted.
"It was nice meeting you all!", Jezebel shouted with a wave.
"Heh. What a crazy couple.", Sasha said.
"Hey, Mop Top. Congratulations. You beat that jerk of an imp and won fair and square.", Priscilla congratulated.
"Oh, uh, thanks.", Anne said.
"It was the least we could do about that cheater.", Marcy added.
"Just make sure you girls take care of that thing, okay? The newt who made it was special. One-of-a-kind.", Priscilla said, handing the teapot to the group.
"One-of-a-kind?", Marcy asked.
"Yeah, the kind who encouraged you to follow your dreams, even if they were wacky and dangerous. The kind who cut the crust off your sandwiches 'cause she knew you didn't like 'em. That teapot was the last piece of art she ever made. So like I said, take care of it.", Priscilla stated fondly.
"Was the artist your mom by any chance?", Anne asked, much to Priscilla's surprise before she gave a sad face.
"Yeah...", Priscilla sighed.
"I was gonna give this to my mom when I got home, but I think she'd want you to have it.", Anne said, offering it back to her.
"No, I-I couldn't.", Priscilla refused.
"Please, I insist.", Anne insisted before Priscilla, I able to refuse any longer, sighed.
"Thank you. This means so much to us. You're not half bad, Mop Top.", Priscilla said.
"Anne. My name's Anne.", Anne said.
"Sasha's the name.", Sasha added.
"I'm Marcy.", Marcy greeted.
"Jackie.", Jackie added.
"I'm Rose.", Rose added.
"Allison.", Allison added.
"Pat.", Pat added.
"Max.", Max added.
"And I'm Alexis. The triplets you met were Lily, Andy, Danny, Rebecca, Abby, Sarah, Adam, Alex, and Jamie.", Alexis added.
"Man. That is a lot of names.", Priscilla commented.
"Hey! Thank you for being so generous. Here. I'd be honored if you gave it to your mom. I'm no famous artist, but I made it myself and it's one-of-a-kind.", Pearl offered, giving her a blue butterfly.
"Aw, really?", Jackie grinned.
"Thank you. It's perfect.", Anne beamed with tears of joy before she hugged Priscilla and Pearl.
"Don't be a stranger, fellas.", Priscilla said as she and Pearl left.
"We won't!", Jackie waved.
"We'll never forget you!", Allison added.
"Bye.", Pearl waved.
"Well, now that that's over, you guys seen Hop Pop and the others?", Polly asked.
"Don't know. They might still be at the store by now.", Max guessed.
"Oh, heya, kids. Yoo-hoo! Eh, just packing a small souvenir, uh, then we can head out.", Hop Pop said nervously as the rumble big chair was being packed.
"Whoa. You got that for two coppers?", Anne asked.
"I sure did. Amazing what you can get for two coppers these days.", Hop Pop chuckled nervously with the gang growing suspicious.
"What did I tell you about haggling, Hop Pop?", Jackie scolded.
"It never works...", Hop Pop sighed.
"And yet you haggled anyway, didn't you?", Jackie asked before Hop Pop eventually broke with a slight yell.
"Okay, fine! I didn't haggle! I used the credit card!", Hop Pop shouted.
"You what?", the gang puzzled.
"I'm so ashamed. But if you could just feel this thing, kids. It's heaven on your rump. Nirvana on your tush. Bliss on your buttocks.", Hop Pop began.
"We got it.", the gang interrupted.
Later, at night, as everyone slept, Sprig suddenly woke up with a gasp.
"I just had the worst dream.". Sprig said before turning to Anne and Jackie.
"You up, Anne? Jackie?", Sprig asked before he went outside on the balcony and joined her as she looked at the sparkly butterfly.
"It's so pretty. I'm sure your mom's gonna love it.", Sprig grinned.
"Hmm. Yeah.", Anne sighed.
"What's she like?
"Our mom? Um, kind... in her own way. But strict too. She wanted me to study more. Thought I goofed off too much.", Anne said.
"That much is true at times.", Jackie added, earning her slight grumble.
"Anyway, we didn't always see eye to eye. She annoyed us sometimes too. Like, in the kitchen, she'd always sing these goofy Thai love songs, and, man, was her singing bad. Woof! That woman was beyond tone-deaf.", Anne said.
"That, we can agree on.", Jackie said before she and Anne giggled, neither one knowing that Marcy woke up and peeped outside while overbearing what they're saying.
"You know, the funny thing is, right now I would give anything just to hear her singing.", Anne said as she started shedding tears.
"Yeah..., me, too.", Jackie agreed, starting to cry as well.
"Aw, girls...", Marcy said, feeling bad for them.
"Whoa! Sorry, sorry. I just, uh, need a moment.", Anne said as she wiped her tears and sighed while she and Jackie sat down.
"It's cool you two know your mom, though.", Sprig said.
"Really?", Jackie asked.
"Yeah. Mine passed away when me and Polly were really young. I don't even remember what she looked like really. Much less the sound of her voice. You know, I've always wondered... can you miss someone you never actually knew?", Sprig asked as Anne and Jackie became touched.
"That's silly. I mean, of course you can't.", Sprig chuckled a bit before he suddenly got hugged by Anne and Jackie, making Sprig start to shed tears himself as they all stood outside, bathed in the red moonlight.
A/N: And that concludes the 9th chapter. Pretty surprising to see Limbo and Jezebel here this time, isn't it? Also, as for Angelle and Maria, the former is voiced by Ashley Olsen and the latter by Mary-Kate Olsen. That's very surprising, isn't it? And yes, I am aware that Mary-Kate is a businesswoman nowadays. As for Little Frogtown, since it had similar, yet different territory from "Mater: Private Eye", which I like, I figured I could come up with something with Mr. Littlepot being the "Big D" of this scenario. And speaking of, for those who are worried that Littlepot's arrest would end his involvement, don't worry. We'll see him again, real soon. :)