A/N: Thanks for waiting. The next chapter is finally here! But I'll warn you: the second part of this episode may as well be a big tearjerker. I won't say why, though.
Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia
Chapter 13
Act I: The Way of the Sundew
One morning, a rooster-like fly crowed from nearby before Ivy, now back to her normal frog form, went over to Jackie as she stirred awake with a groan.
"Ambush!", Ivy shouted, shocking Jackie awake as she exclaimed.
"I'M AWAKE!", Jackie exclaimed before she noticed Ivy.
"Ivy...!", Jackie groaned.
"Sorry. I couldn't resist.", Ivy blushed as Jackie sat up, holding onto her forehead.
"Ugh...! My head... What happened last night?", Jackie groaned.
"You mean you don't remember? What we all did together last night?", Ivy asked before Jackie remembered as she gasped a bit and widened her eyes, remembering the time when she turned into a giant frog and bested the Nine-Dra with Polly's help before everyone else followed suit and drove the orcs away before prowling the town and then going up to the mountain before going back to the present.
"Oh, yeah... That was really fun.", Jackie grinned before growing puzzled with something.
"Wait. How long have you been awake for?", Jackie asked.
"For hours.", Ivy responded.
"Well, that's not good.", Jackie said, worried, before Anne, Sasha, and Marcy woke up next with groans as did their siblings and the whole rest of the town.
"Ugh... What happened last night...?", Anne groaned.
"I feel like a giblet...", Marcy groaned.
"Yeah... I feel like I've been up all night...", Sasha groaned.
"Well, that's because you have. We all have, actually.", Jackie responded.
"Really...?! Oh, yeah. I remember now.", Anne realized.
"Me, too. Who knew that it could be so much fun.", Sasha added.
"Whew...! Last night really was something, huh?", Allison commented as she sat up.
"All right, everyone! Listen up! Taking into account last night's events, we were able to drive away the orcs as giant monster frogs! And, let's face it: we all had a lot more fun than we ever thought possible! Certainly better than the last shut-ins. So, from now on, the Annual Shut-In is now an annual Blue Moon Celebration!", Toadstool announced before everyone cheered.
"Looks like your idea's starting to catch on now, Sash.", Jackie grinned.
"All right, everyone, let's all head back down the way we came and head back to town. We got daylight to burn!", Toadstool spoke before he led the way with everyone heading back down.
Later, as soon as everyone was back home, at Felicia's tea shoppe, Ivy's alarm clock rang out before Ivy fell down and smashed it.
"Hi-yah! Think you can sneak up on me, alarm bug? I've been awake for hours!", Ivy exclaimed before jumping past the training rack with which she blocked the arm rings and picked up her hat, and a butterfly net, before opening the door.
"Boom!", Ivy shouted before running down only for Felicia to stop her.
"Excuse me, young lady. Where do you think you're going?", Felicia asked.
"I'm meetin' Sprig for some Glitter Bug huntin'. I told you last night, remember?", Ivy responded.
"I remember saying you had to finish your chores first.", Felicia responded.
"Aww.", Ivy groaned as she dragged her by the net toward the dishes.
"Now let's see how good a job you did. Aha! What's this?", Felicia exclaimed, showing her a dish with nary but a small spot on it.
"A plate?", Ivy guessed.
"A filthy plate! And just look at these napkin swans. Their necks are looking pretty sad.", Felicia stated, holding a magnifying glass in front of the spot and then holding up one of said napkin swans, which drooped down a bit.
"Aw, come on, Mom. They're good enough.", Ivy groaned.
"They most certainly are not! Now fix your shoddy work or you aren't goin' anywhere, young lady.", Felicia threatened.
"But, Mom, I'm gonna be late!", Ivy groaned.
"Up, bup, bup. Should have thought of that before you rushed your chores.", Felicia scolded.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Heavens! That'll be the morning rush! Come on in, everyone!", Felicia greeted as she rushed over and opened the door.
"Tea time. My favorite time of day.", an old frog spoke.
"Oh, Mr. Patterson, is that a new scarf?", Felicia asked.
Meanwhile, Ivy groaned, not knowing that Felicia spotted this and showed concern for her as Ivy went to fixing what was considered shoddy work just as Sylvia came in and saw Felicia.
"I see you're in the middle of a morning rush.", Sylvia grinned.
"Yeah... That's right, Mom...", Felicia sighed, turning to her.
Sylvia could tell that Felicia was most troubled.
"So, tell me. Why do you look upset?", Sylvia asked.
For a moment, Felicia was puzzled at how she figured that out. But just as quickly, she sighed, realizing that it should come as no surprise from her own mother to figure stuff like that out.
"I just don't get it. I mean... I know that I'm only doing this to prepare Ivy for our next adventure, but now...? I'm not sure if I'm going about this the right way with those tea lessons anymore.", Felicia responded.
Sylvia only looked at her for a moment.
"Prepare, don't prepare. Tea lessons, don't tea lessons.", Sylvia spoke, confusing he.
"Huh?", Felicia puzzled.
"Oh, honey, you're just too concerned with what was and what will be. There's a saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it's called the present.", Sylvia responded, handing her some tea before walking away.
Felicia smiled as she watched her mother leave. Outside, Sprig practiced greeting Ivy.
"Hello, Ivy. Uh, how's it hanging, Ivy? Hmm. Oh, Ivy. Sorry, didn't see you there.", Sprig spoke before suddenly, he was lifted up from under the tree stump, which had an apparent lid that Ivy pushed up from below.
"Ambush!", Ivy shouted before Sprig landed with both the lid and Ivy landing on him.
"Hey, Ivy. I wasn't here talking to myself. That's for sure.", Sprig chuckled.
"Uh-huh. Well, sorry I'm late. My mom was on my case again. It's so annoying!", Ivy vented as she lifted the lid off Sprig.
"I'm sure she's got her reasons.", Sprig assured.
"I guess.", Ivy concurred.
Then, the two heard Anne, Rose, Sasha, Pat, Allison, Marcy, Percy, Braddock, and even Yunan chanting from nearby.
"Muay Thai! Muay Thai! Muay Thai! Muay Thai! Muay Thai! Muay Thai!", the group (excluding Max, Alexis, Jackie, Grime, and Bombina) chanted.
"Okay, what are we doing again?", Grime asked.
"We're Muay Thai-ing!", Polly shouted.
"Yeah, so get with the program!", Yunan added.
"You're what?", Ivy and Sprig puzzled.
"It's a form of traditional Thai martial arts. Jackie and my mom enrolled me in a class when she realized how high-spirited I was.", Anne responded.
"You mean when she noticed how you wouldn't stop banging our pots in the kitchen like a drum set?", Jackie asked before it showed a flashback of young Anne playing pots like drums.
"I'll tell you what I need What I really, really need.", Anne sang.
"You know what Mommy really needs? You. Out of her kitchen! ตอนนี้! (Now!)", Anne's mother exclaimed before it went back to the present.
"She was really steamed. Even I was ticked off by your antics. That's why I took up Muay Thai in the first place long before you even got enrolled. But enough about that. The point is, we decided to show the guys some Muay Thai spirit.", Jackie added.
"Yep. Sasha suggested that we take part in this.", Percy added.
"Quite an unpredictable method of fighting, too.", Braddock concurred.
"And while I may be new to this Muay Thai, I, General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of General in the great Newtopian army, will dominate you!", Yunan vowed.
"Is that a challenge?", Grime sneered.
"You bet it is!", Yunan exclaimed.
"We'll get to that later. But first, Anne's gonna teach us some sweet moves. You guys wanna join?", Sasha asked.
"Aw, man, that sounds awesome. But Sprig and I can't. We're about to go glitter-bug hunting.", Ivy responded.
"Okay. Suit yourselves.", Sasha shrugged before she and the others left.
"Muay Thai! Muay Thai! Muay Thai!", the group shouted as they left.
"Now, let's catch some bugs.", Ivy grinned.
"Okay!", Sprig agreed eagerly.
Later, Ivy caught a glittery beetle.
"Gotcha.", Ivy grinned.
"Nice one.", Sprig grinned before Ivy noticed something nearby.
"Check it out.", Ivy beamed giddily at the sight of a white beetle with multi-colored stripes.
"All right, Sprig. Time for the super net.", Ivy spoke as she and Sprig got up on the branches above the beetle from behind and combined their net to make said super net.
"Aha! Ready? One, Two, three...", Sprig and Ivy began.
Unfortunately, a bee with a megaphone-like mouth flew over and blared out in Felicia's voice.
"Ivy Sundew!", Felicia shouted, shocking the two enough for Ivy to fall off the tree.
And when she landed, it caused the white beetle to fly away.
"No! Come back!", Ivy pleaded before the bee flew down to her.
"Ivy, you're late for your tea ceremony lessons.", Felicia stated.
"But, Mom, me and Sprig just got started!", Ivy groaned.
"You did, huh? Didn't know that. Well, all right. But remember to come home in 10 minutes.", Felicia responded.
"Really? Uh..., sure thing, Mom!", Ivy agreed, slightly surprised as she is.
"Remember: 10 minutes!", Felicia urged fairly but sternly before hanging up.
Then, the bee flew away as Ivy sighed.
"Okay. That glittery bug couldn't have gone far. Come on, Sprig. We don't want to lose it.", Ivy said before she took off.
"She's so cool.", Sprig spoke dreamily.
Meanwhile, Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, Allison, Max, Rose, Pat, Alexis, Polly, Grime, Bombina, Percy, Braddock, and Yunan were gathered around with Jackie and Polly facing each other as everyone else watched.
"Okay, listen well, my young pollywog. Muay Thai is all about...", Jackie began before Polly interrupted.
"Enough talk.", Polly shouted before charging in to attack with a yell.
But Jackie only blocked Polly and knocked her back.
"Ow. Wha... How did you...?", Polly began.
"You're too eager. That's why you failed. My instructor always used to tell me, and Anne when she enrolled: 'Jai yen yen.' It means to have patience and a cool heart.", Jackie explained.
"Hi-yah!", Polly only shouted before trying again only for Jackie to dodge this time with Polly landing right on top of someone.
"Ouch!", Wally exclaimed.
"Wait. Did that bush just talk?", Sasha asked.
"No, I don't think bushes can do that.", Max responded.
"He's right. Someone was watching us.", Allison agreed.
"Is that...?", Rose puzzled before Wally popped out.
"Wally?! What are you doing here?", Rose asked excitedly.
"Uh... totally wasn't watching. Nothing creepy going on here.", Wally responded.
"Uh-huh...", Sasha glared.
"Say, that looks like fun. Mind if I give it a try?", Wally asked.
"Ha. You? Good luck, Wallers.", Polly sneered as Wally stepped forward.
All of a sudden, though, Wally was suddenly sparring on par with Jackie, much to everyone's surprise.
"No way, Wally! For a beginner, you're pretty good at this! You see this right here, Polly? This is what you should be doing.", Jackie grinned.
"Hoopa de Boopa!", Sasha exclaimed before Polly grumbled.
"Aw, don't worry, Polly. You'll get your chance.", Rose assured.
Meanwhile, Ivy was finally back at home.
"So, how were things today?", Felicia asked.
"Well, it was great. I managed to get this cutie before it could fly away. Again.", Ivy responded.
"Oh. Well, that must've been difficult.", Felicia guessed.
"You have no idea... But seriously, though. What's going on here?", Ivy asked.
"Ah, ah, ah. We'll talk more about this later. First things first. We need to evaluate your attention to detail. Now, this was my table setting from this morning. And this was yours.", Felicia spoke, gesturing to her table, which was perfect, and then gesturing to Ivy's table, which is near perfect by comparison, save for the teapot lid being a little out of place.
"What's wrong with it? There's almost no difference!", Ivy puzzled.
"Emphasis on 'almost'. You're just missing that extra something-something. It's the details that count, Ivy. Now, I'll demonstrate. Then you follow. We'll start with folding the swan napkins.", Felicia spoke before she folded her Swan Napkin, which had its neck held high with which when Ivy did hers next, it was almost the same, but its neck was down before Felicia held the neck up.
"We all have our off days, I suppose.", Felicia sighed before Ivy only growled.
"Next, let's steep the tea.", Felicia spoke before she then quickly did so, as did Ivy, who inadvertently nicked one of the teacups, although not by much.
"Careful. Don't break my frog china.", Felicia warned before Ivy growled again, literally steaming.
"Oh, shoot, did I leave a kettle on?", Felicia puzzled before noticing Ivy getting angry.
"Oh, wait. Never mind. Now for my favorite part: Changin' the tablecloth!", Felicia said as she twirled around and laid her tablecloth on the table.
Then, Ivy twirled around, too, and laid her tablecloth on another table exactly like Felicia's.
"Ah, there we go. That's more like it.", Felica grinned.
"YES! Finally...!", Ivy shouted with relief before lying down.
But in doing so, she inadvertently knocked down the tea china with Felicia managing to grab the plates with her right hand, the teapot with her head, and the cups with her lap.
"Whoa. How did you do that?", Ivy asked.
"Well, normally, tea ceremonies don't require much effort, but maybe a break for the night is in order.", Felicia suggested.
"Yes! A break is just what I need right now.", Ivy sighed.
"Here. A nice cup of oolong will cure that right up.", Felicia suggested, moving it closer to Ivy, who only sighed for a moment.
"Yeah.", Ivy agreed after a moment before standing up.
"But seriously. What is all this about?", Ivy asked.
"Well, I've noticed how unhappy you were getting about how tedious these ceremonies are recently.", Felicia responded.
"You have?", Ivy asked.
"Yes. And what if I were to tell you that those ceremonies were in preparation for something other than the Tea Shoppe routine?", Felicia asked.
"I'd say, 'A-whaaa'?!", Ivy responded.
"Yes. And your grandmother and I are going to show you what I mean starting tomorrow.", Felicia assured.
"Cool. Wait. Why not now?', Ivy puzzled.
"Because it's already past sunset.", Felicia responded, gesturing to the sun seen from the window.
"Oh. So, where are we meeting?", Ivy responded.
The next day, Sprig was tossing pebbles at the target on his door when a pebble suddenly flew out and hit Sprig in the back of his head.
"Whoa. How'd I do that?", Sprig puzzled.
Then, another hit him from behind again. It was Ivy.
"Huh? Ivy? Sylvia? And your mom, too?", Sprig asked.
"Come along now, Sprig. My daughter and I have much to discuss.", Felicia spoke up.
Meanwhile, Jackie was standing still as everyone else watched when suddenly, Yunan pounced out, trying to get to Jackie, who dodged and blocked her strikes twice.
"Not bad, Yunan. But you still lack...", Jackie began before she then swept Yunan's legs from underneath and then grabbed her before she could land on the mud.
"...patience.", Jackie spoke.
"Tsk, tsk. Shouldn't have rushed in.", Anne commented.
"I don't understand. Why did you not use this arsenal when we fought?", Yunan asked.
"You didn't exactly give us much time to think about doing that when we fought last.", Sasha responded.
"You're darn right I didn't, and I'll learn how to fly before I even...", Yunan began before suddenly, Felicia shouted.
"You!", Felicia spoke up before Yunan turned to see Felicia, Ivy, and Sprig.
"Gah! Oh. It's you three. What brings you here?", Yunan asked.
"We're going to be using that.", Felicia said.
"Okay, Mom, what's up?", Ivy puzzled.
"This will be our first official martial arts spar, Ivy. Three rounds. And you only need to win one.", Felicia responded.
"Wha... Seriously? Me against you?", Ivy asked as Felicia noticed a twig in her hair, supposedly from last night's first Blue Moon Festival, and pulled it out.
"This is gonna be easy.", Ivy laughed.
"It might as well be for you, assuming you don't let it go to your head.", Felicia warned.
Later, the two Sundews were now wearing knots around their foreheads with Ivy wearing a blue knot and Felicia wearing not only a red knot, but also wearing a fighting suit with bandages wrapped on her hands.
"Looks like this is going to be a good fight.", Percy spoke before the bell rang.
"Begin!", Jackie shouted.
Then, Ivy charged toward Felicia, who just jumped up and touched her head with her foot before landing on the ground just behind Ivy and turned around.
"Whoa.", the group spoke in awe.
"Dang, she's good.", Yunan commented.
"Huh, must've been a lucky dodge. Here I come!", Ivy shouted before screaming as she tried to attack again only to miss, get blocked, and get moved back.
Once Felicia posed, Ivy jumped up to the air only for Felicia to catch up and then boop Ivy in the cheek with the two landing.
"Huh?", Ivy puzzled.
"And Felicia gets the boop! Round one to Felicia!", Braddock announced as she rang the bell.
"Whoa. Where'd you learn those moves?", Marcy asked.
"Oh, picked them up on my travels.", Felicia responded.
"Say what?", Ivy puzzled before she then charged and tried to attack only to get blocked once before missing with Felicia catching her and booping her in the nose this time.
"Two for Felicia!", Percy shouted as Braddock rang the bell.
"It's the third and final round. Whoever wins this, wins it all.", Sprig stated worriedly.
"You can beat her, Ivy!", Rose cheered.
"She may be good, but you can still turn the tide of this fight yet!", Jackie added.
"She's right, Ivy. Just remember your training and you can win this.", Felicia warned.
"Training? What training?", Ivy asked.
"Well, what did you think those tea ceremonies were for?", Felicia asked, making Ivy gasp a bit in remembrance, regarding the talk last night.
"Oh, yeah.", Ivy realized before she then ran for her again.
But this time, rather than try to attack, the moment Felicia posed with Ivy jumping, when she struck, Ivy was ready. She had caught her wrist before she could hit her.
"Looks like I got you.", Ivy grinned.
"Fold the swan napkin.", Felicia only glared slightly before she then shook her hands and swat her wrist off with one hit.
"Now sift the tea.", Felicia spoke before she and Ivy started striking each other's hands.
"What?", Ivy puzzled.
"Sift... the... tea!", Felicia responded.
As everyone watched in awe, Grime gasped in a way that sounds like an excited squeal. Then, the two held each other's hands tightly in a circle.
"Now, Ivy, change the tablecloth.", Felicia urged before Ivy nodded, lifted her up, spun her around, and then slammed her into the ground and then booping her in the mouth.
"Boop!", Ivy spoke before the bell rang.
"Round three to Ivy! Ivy wins!", Sprig shouted.
"Whoo!", Polly cheered.
"Way to go, Ivy!", Rose cheered.
"That was a solid combo execution!', Grime added.
"Mom, where did you learn those moves?", Ivy asked.
"You see, I wanted to tell you before: I was a little bit of an adventurer myself back in the day. Where do you think my exotic selection of teas comes from? Or my frog china?", Felicia explained.
"I-I had no idea.", Ivy said, in disbelief.
"Ivy, you think I don't see you, but I do. You want to travel the world, and I get it. But you have to be patient, because it's dangerous out there, and I just want you to be ready before we go.", Felicia explained, making Ivy gasp.
"You don't mean...", Ivy began.
"Mm-hmm. All of these tea exercises were to prepare you for when I take you on my next tea-gathering adventure.", Felicia grinned before Ivy excitedly hugged her mother.
"You're the best mom ever! Mmm. I still can't believe you used to be some kind of world traveler.", Ivy grinned as she hugged her mother.
"Oh, honey. Where do you think I met your father?", Felicia asked.
"Mom, please!", Ivy groaned.
"Well, that was surprising to say the least.", Allison sighed.
"To be honest, I have no idea what's going on.", Wally responded.
"I don't think any of us do.", Alexis responded just as Sasha noticed that Polly is now missing.
"Hey, have you guys seen Polly?", Sasha asked.
"Gotcha!", Polly shouted as she zoomed across the air.
"Hit the deck!", Jackie shouted as she and everyone else ducked under her.
"You what?", Wally asked before groaning as he wound up hit by the cheek, knocking him out cold.
"That was technically your fault.", Polly blamed.
"I have done literally nothing wrong today...!", Jackie growled.
"Eh, there's a good chance he won't remember this.", Anne assured.
Act II: After the Rain
One morning, everyone was eating breakfast when Marcy stormed in, ecstatic.
"Yo guys! Check it out! I got a Mail-Fly message! Look how cute he is.", Marcy beamed, gesturing to the Mail-Fly.
He buzzed as he tipped his hat.
"Aw... He does look cute!", Rose beamed.
"Jealous, I never get mail.", Polly commented, giving a raspberry.
"Well, what are you waiting for, Mar-Mar? Open it!", Sasha egged before Marcy opened the letter and pulled it out of the envelope.
"Guys, it's from King Andrias! He says we're ready to travel to the first temple.", Marcy grinned before everyone cheered.
"Ooh. He even included a checklist of things to bring.", Marcy grinned, no one knowing that Cotton just appeared at the Plantar's home and flew to the window to see Anne and the others.
"Ooh, a checklist! What do we need to bring?", Alexis beamed.
"Let's see here. 'Food. Weapons.'", Marcy replied before Sprig then held out his food bowl.
"Check!", Sprig confirmed.
"Double check!", Polly added, getting out her mace, which Sprig narrowly dodged.
"Jumpy little fella.", Polly commented.
"A mace?! Heh. I like this one already.", Yunan grinned.
"Cool, what else?", Anne asked.
"The next item on the list is... 'Armor.'", Marcy read.
"Armor?", everyone puzzled.
"Oh, yeah. The toads and I already have ours on.", Sasha realized.
"And I have no intention of shedding this one.", Yunan added.
"And that's really good and all, but what about the rest of us?", Jackie asked.
"Got it covered! Believe it or not, Grime and I made each of the rest of you your very own suit of armor.", Hop Pop responded before everyone voiced their surprise.
"Seriously?", Sprig asked in amazement.
A moment later, the rest of the group that weren't wearing armor were now wearing it with armored plating on the shoulder pads, the abdomen, and even the knee pads with a cloth underneath.
"Okay, I'll admit. This amor isn't too bad. You didn't strike me as an armory kind of guy.", Jackie commented.
"Well, Grime did most of the work on that one.", Hop Pop explained before Grime clicked his tongue with a wink and a point.
"I did, however, add something extra. You see that lever over there on your armor from behind you?", Hop Pop asked, pointing to the lever from behind.
"Huh? You mean this lever?", Anne asked as she pulled it before suddenly, she started to bloat up (or rather, the cloth under the armor plates, which fell off), surprising almost everyone.
"What the heck?!", Sasha exclaimed before Anne tumbled down and landed on the couch from behind.
"I'm down! Anne's down!", Anne exclaimed before Cotton giggled to herself.
"Me-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee!", Cotton giggled.
"Hop Pop! This is the opposite of a suit of armor.", Polly groaned.
"Yep... That makes sense.", Jackie sighed.
"Exactly. Less mobility means less trouble.", Hop Pop stated.
"Of course, it's best to use that only in emergencies when you're in a river, or maybe even a love-nado dance from the magpie beetles.", Grime stated.
"Magpie beetles?", Jackie asked.
"That's right. And let's just say I know how bothersome those little thieves can be well enough without their ritual.", Grime responded.
"That sounds rough, Grimesy.", Sasha responded.
"You have no idea.", Bombina responded.
"Yeah, yeah. Hey, Mar Mar. Anything else on that list?", Anne asked.
"Oh, yeah. Just one more thing. 'The Music Box!'", Marcy beamed.
But Hop Pop got shocked for a second, realizing what he's hiding about the music box before Cotton became puzzled from hearing this.
"Mew. Me-ew?", Cotton puzzled.
"Uh, right, the music box. No problem. My contacts will have it ready by tomorrow.", Hop Pop assured.
"Great! You're the best.", Anne grinned, giving a thumbs up before Hop Pop gave a light chuckle nervously.
"Me-we? Mew!", Cotton squeaked before flying away from the window.
Later that night, Anne, Jackie, Rose, and her siblings were in bed.
"All packed and ready to go. Ah! Too excited to sleep!", Anne exclaimed as she tried to sleep but failed.
"Gaah...! Can't sleep either.", Jackie responded with a slight grin.
All of a sudden, the two sisters heard footsteps.
"Sounds like someone else can't sleep either.", Anne said.
"But who could it be?", Jackie asked.
"Wanna find out?", Anne asked.
"Yes.", Jackie responded before the two got out with Rose opening her eyes a bit.
Meanwhile, Hop Pop went outside, trying to be sure that no one was following him, unaware that he woke Sasha up as she happened to be sleeping on the sofa, before she saw Anne and Jackie coming out.
"Couldn't sleep?", Sasha asked.
"Nah, too excited.", Anne responded.
"And it looks like someone was just as eager, too.", Jackie whispered before Sasha turned to Marcy, got out of bed and whispered to her.
"Hey, Mar Mar. You awake?", Sasha whispered, shaking Marcy awake.
"Huh? Sasha? Couldn't sleep, huh?", Marcy asked.
"No. And neither could they.", Sasha whispered.
"There was one more who's wide awake, too. But we need to find out who.", Jackie explained.
A moment afterward, the 4 girls got out the front door and saw Hop Pop digging a hole under the tree.
"Is that Hop Pop?", Marcy asked.
"Wonder what he's doing out here?", Sasha puzzled.
"Classic old Hop Pop bein' a freak. I'm gonna give that nerd a little scare.", Anne giggled.
"Count me in.", Sasha agreed before the two crept up behind him.
"Guys, wait.", Marcy whispered as she and Jackie followed them, not knowing that Rose was following them, just as Hop Pop noticed something very wrong.
"I-it can't be. The music box. It's gone!", Hop Pop gasped.
"What?", the four girls spoke in unison.
Then, Hop Pop turned, saw that Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and Jackie, who were behind him, and screamed.
"Girls, what are you doin' here?", Hop Pop asked.
"That's what we wanted to ask you.", Sasha glared.
"Did you just say...the music box is gone?", Anne asked in disbelief.
Try as he might, Hop Pop could no longer keep his secret a truth and had to come clean.
"I can't lie anymore! I buried the box here. And now it's missing!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"Wait, what!? But you said your contacts were gonna-", Anne exclaimed.
"There were no contacts! And even if there were, I don't even rightly know if Cotton was one of them. I read that the box was dangerous. I didn't know what to do! I panicked! You gotta understand. I was just trying to protect Sprig and Polly!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"So you've been lying to us? This whole time?!", Jackie shouted.
"No! Well, yes, but... it's complicated! You understand, right?!", Hop Pop exclaimed.
"Understand?! The only thing I understand is that you hid the music box under a tree and lied about it! Now, how are we supposed to go on adventures across the multiverse?!", Marcy snapped before realizing her mistake and squeaked, covering her mouth, shocking Anne and Sasha.
"What?!", Anne gasped.
"You've got to be kidding me.", Sasha glared.
"Marcy...? What are YOU hiding from us?", Jackie glared before it was Marcy's turn to come clean as she sighed.
"The day we left, your birthday, they told me my dad got a new job out of state. They're making me move away, they were gonna tear us apart!", Marcy explained.
"Marcy...", Anne began.
"I... I found the box. I had no idea it would actually work, but it did. It sent us to a place where we'd never have to grow apart, where the three of us could friends forever together!", Marcy added desperately, tearing up with a nervous smile, approaching them, and taking their hands only for Sasha to back away furiously.
"How could you?! We've been missing our parents, our lives!", Anne shouted, disgusted.
"What're you trying to do, keep us here forever?!", Jackie shouted before gasping.
"That's it, isn't it? You sicko!", Jackie shouted.
"No, no! I-it's not like that. I-it's just...look at how much fun we've had. Look at how much you've both grown. Look at Sprig. I gave you this, I gave you everything!", Marcy shouted before Anne only backed away.
"I can't believe you did this...!", Anne teared up, betrayed.
"WELL, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU WEREN'T SUCH A WET BLANKET AND STOLE THE BOX FROM THE PAWN SHOP IN THE FIRST PLACE!", Jackie shouted to Anne.
"What...?!", Rose spoke up, making Jackie gasp in shock before she, Anne, Sasha, and Marcy turned to a now sad Rose.
"Y-You said they retrieved it... Did you... tell a lie...?!", Rose asked as she teared up.
"Uh..., before I answer that..., I'd like to know how much you heard...", Jackie said nervously.
But Rose only got sadder and sadder as she backed away.
"Jackie...! I HATE YOU!", Rose shouted as she slapped Jackie, much to everyone's shock, including Jackie's before Rose turned away from her, sobbing.
"Rose...please, let me explain...", Jackie explained tearfully while placing her hand on her little sister's shoulder, but Rose pushed her arm aside, turned to face Jackie, and said to her...
"DON'T TOUCH ME! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!, Rose tearfully shouted at Jackie before heading off, much to everyone's despair, even Jackie's as she tried to get to her.
"Rose, wait! Stop! Come back!", Jackie shouted sadly as Rose only ran further and further away before Jackie only collapsed sadly.
"Please...! Come back...!", Jackie sobbed.
Saddened by the scene, Marcy cautiously went to Jackie.
"Oh, no... Jackie, I am so sorry that th...", Marcy began.
But before she could finish, Jackie lividly turned toward Marcy as her hair turned blue and went up while her eyes turned blue.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!", Jackie shouted before firing a blast at Marcy, sending her crashing into a tree with sadness in her eyes as Jackie stomped toward her.
"EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT! IT'S YOUR FAULT ROSE RAN AWAY, IT'S YOUR FAULT WE GOT SEPARATED FROM OUR FAMILIES! AND WORST OF ALL..., IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT MY FAMILY IS NOW BEING TORN APART!", Jackie shouted as she prepared to blast Marcy into ashes for what happened.
"No, please.", Marcy cried.
"Jackie, stop! I know how angry you are with her. Heck, even I'm mad at her, now, but she's not worth it!", Anne shouted.
"SHUT UP!", Jackie shouted, trying to send Anne back only for her to recover.
"Well, hey, now!", Anne glared.
Jackie growled lividly before Sasha shouted to her.
"Seriously?! She tries to help you and you attack her?", Sasha exclaimed, making Jackie gasp from realizing what she almost did just now before powering down and going limp.
"Okay.. That's a bit better. I think...", Sasha said.
"All of you...! Please...! Just stay away from me!", Jackie shouted sadly before running away.
"Jackie!", Sasha shouted, trying to reach for her.
"Please... Come back...!", Sasha said sadly, collapsing on her knees herself.
"Oh, this is just awful...! I never meant for any of this to happen. I-it's just...I've lost so much already and-", Hop Pop began before Anne interrupted.
"Stop. Look, I can't be here right now. Sasha and I need to find them and get this all straightened out.", Anne sighed with a sniff as she, too left, but in the same direction Jackie and Rose took off, though not without helping Sasha up.
"Anne!", Hop Pop called.
"Don't follow me. Don't! I see you!", Anne exclaimed as Hop Pop was stopped a few times before Anne took off with Hop Pop sighing.
But he wasn't the only one who felt bad. In fact, considering what just happened, she felt even worse, both emotionally and physically.
"I just... didn't want to be alone...", Marcy said sadly before falling on her knees and sobbing as Yunan burst through the doors.
"Okay, guys, what is going on here? I heard blasts from outside! Was there a big fight?! Did I miss it?", Yunan asked a bit excitedly before seeing a downtrodden Hop Pop and a sobbing Marcy.
"Oh... Dang it.", Yunan responded in worry.
Meanwhile, Cotton reappeared in a forest with the calamity box in her paws before entering a nearby cave. But when she entered the cave, there was nothing inside except several insects crawling around. Seeing this mess, Cotton gave a glare before setting the Calamity Box down on the ground and then lifting said insects up in the air, moving them out of the cave, and flinging them all toward the buzzards, who ate them and gulped them down.
"Mew.", Cotton huffed with a nod before going inside.
But then, Cotton heard panting from nearby and peeped out in time to see Rose tripping and falling down into the ground before sobbing.
"Why, Jackie...?! Why did you lie to me...?", Rose sobbed.
"Rose! Please! Come back!", Jackie shouted from nearby, not only puzzling Rose enough for her to turn to see her from far away, but also prompting Cotton to turn to notice Jackie now covered in mud, probably due to her running away so fast moments ago the way she has.
"Me-we?", Cotton squeaked puzzledly.
"Jackie...?", Rose puzzled, still unsure of whether or not to trust her again.
"I'm so sorry I lied to you! I just couldn't let you find out that our sister's a thief and a wet blanket. She was supposed to be your role model. I didn't want to know what kind of impact it'd have on you if you knew! Oh, Rose...! I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you!", Jackie sobbed loudly as Cotton watched sadly with Rose watching just as sadly.
"Meeeeewwww...", Cotton squeaked sadly.
"Jackie!", Anne and Sasha shouted before Jackie turned to see Anne and Sasha.
"Anne...?! Sasha?! What are you two...? I told you to...", Jackie began, still sobbing a bit.
"Come on, Jackie, get real. Did you really think we'd leave you alone out here?", Sasha asked.
"Any more than you'd leave Rose out there? She's my sister, too. Besides, it's... kinda my fault for being a thief and such a wet blanket in the first place. I'm sorry you had to keep that a secret up until now. Honestly, I had no idea you were hiding that from her. Guess I really was a wet blanket.", Anne responded as Rose gasped, her eyes tearing up.
"Well, I couldn't let her find out what you did back then. She looks up to you. It would've broken her heart if she found out. But it doesn't matter anyway… She doesn't even want to see my face again…! But I don't blame her… I'd hate me, too. If only I could really tell her how sorry I am for lying to her all this time…", Jackie sniffed sadly, not knowing that Rose was not only feeling sad for her, but also feeling bad for the way she ran off.
"Hey. You'll get your chance, Jackie.", Anne assured.
"Yeah. It's not too late to make up.", Sasha assured.
"Girls...", Jackie spoke.
"Now, come on. Let's go find that adorable toddler.", Sasha said.
But then, all of a sudden, Rose hopped on top of Sasha.
"Ambush!", Rose shouted, taking the red toad aback before landing on the ground.
"Hey!", Sasha exclaimed.
"Rose! You're okay!", Jackie sobbed a bit in joy, hugging her, making her giggle
"Jackie? What happened to you?", Rose asked.
"Never mind me. What about you? Are you okay?", Jackie asked before Rose nodded.
"What are you doing here, anyway?", Rose asked.
"Well, we couldn't just leave you all alone like this.", Sasha responded.
"And I have something I need to say to you. Rose, I…", Jackie began before Rose interrupted.
"Stop. I know. I heard every word you said.", Rose assured.
"Y-You did?", Jackie asked.
"Mm-hmm. And I'm sorry I said something terrible to you. And ran off. I understand why you tried to hide it from me now. Guess I should've been more understanding.", Rose apologized.
"Oh, Rose… I could never be mad at you.", Jackie assured, hugging her little sister.
"No more secrets, okay? You have to promise me, Jackie.", Rose assured.
"I promise…", Jackie grinned, making Anne and Sasha beam for a bit as Cotton peeped out from the scene.
"Mew… Mew. Mew.", Cotton grinned before vanishing just as Sasha sighed and spoke up.
"Well, the two of us still got some beef to settle with Hop Pop and Marcy. So, for now, we'll stay together. Do you know someplace where we could sleep for the night?", Sasha asked.
"Well, we could try sleeping in there.", Anne suggested, pointing to the cave.
"There better not be any bugs in here.", Rose said a bit nervously.
"If there are, I'll take care of them for you.", Jackie assured.
"We all will.", Sasha assured, making Jackie grin.
"Yeah…", Jackie nodded.
Later, Sprig and Polly were awake and eager to do their activities.
"Quest, quest, quest!", the duo shouted in chants as they got out of their rooms and went down the stairs.
"Hold up.", Sprig spoke as he stopped Polly before noticing that both Hop Pop and Marcy now look overslept and miserable with a coffee mug in his right hand, looking at the window.
Even Sylvia, who just entered, and Grime were creeped out.
"Yikes. What happened here?", Grime asked.
"They look very dismal.", Sylvia added.
"Well, some messed up stuff happened last night. I think it bothered him.", Yunan explained.
"Huh? What kind of messed up stuff?", Allison asked before Marcy only sighed sadly to herself.
"And what's with you, Marcy? You've never been that sad since...", Alexis puzzled before realizing something.
"Wait… Marcy, what did you do?", Alexis asked before Marcy and Hop Pop turned around.
"We really mucked it up this time, everyone.", Hop Pop sighed.
"What's wong?", Lily asked.
"And whewe awe Anne, Jackie, and Wose?", Danny asked.
"And where's Sasha?", Pat asked before Hop Pop took a deep breath.
"I lied to them about the music box and I buried it under the tree out front.", Hop Pop sighed.
"And I was the one who stranded you all in Amphibia in the first place...!", Marcy added.
"What!?", everyone shouted before Hop Pop explained further.
"Oh, it gets worse. When I went to dig it up last night, it was gone! Anne, Sasha, Marcy, Jackie, and Rose saw the whole thing, got ballistic, went into some crazy fight over crazy revelations, and ran off.", Hop Pop said.
"We've been waiting all night for them to come back. But they never did...! Who could blame them after what I did...?", Marcy guessed sadly.
"Okay, that just crossed the line!", Grime glared.
"Yeah, that's really messed up. Only I could strand my worst enemies in random locations.", Yunan added.
"You mean lure them into a trap?", Allison asked.
"You know what I'm about!", Yunan retorted.
"See? What'd I tell ya...? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to put myself out of my misery...", Marcy spoke, walking away dejectedly, making Sprig and Polly gasp in horror before Sylvia stopped her.
"Wait! Look, Marcy, Hop Pop, I don't know why you two did what you did, but you both have to fix it.", Sylvia urged.
"Yeah! You two gotta get out there and bring 'em back!", Polly added.
"Why bother...? Even if I could do that, I tore them away from their families and hurt them too much! They clearly want nothing to do with me! Not anymore...!", Marcy retorted sadly.
"Okay, look. We may all be mad at you for what you did now, but that doesn't mean you can just kill yourself. It's my job to make sure you're safe no matter what.", Max responded.
"Yeah. Think about how Mom and Dad would feel if they found out you were dead.", Alexis added.
"I'd bet they would probably be thrilled that a horrible mistake like me no longer exists.", Marcy sadly sighed.
"No, Marcy! You didn't think this through enough! They'd be miserable without you!", Max snapped.
"Like how I'm miserable without my best friends?!", Marcy snapped back, making Max gasped before she gasped herself.
"Sorry, Max. I don't know what came over me... It's not your guys' fault. I don't blame you guys one iota for hating me... When people hate someone like you so much for what they've done, one thing's already clear: I can't make up for what I've done to all of you... It's too late...", Marcy said sadly before closing the door on her way out.
"That's not true and you know it, Marcy...", Max sighed, looking out the window to see Marcy leaving.
"Poor kid...", Hop Pop sighed before looking into his cup of coffee and seeing his reflection, making him realize something.
"You're right, kids. Marcy might as well have given up on her life the way things are for her now, but I haven't. I caused this mess, so dang it, I'm gonna clean it up!", Hop Pop vowed, not knowing that Marcy heard this and stopped walking, before he slurped the cup and broke it.
"And then I'm gonna clean that up.", Hop Pop added before walking out and closing the door with Marcy, having noticed and/or over heard Hop Pop deciding to try and patch things up.
"You know what...? Maybe he's right... Maybe it really ISN'T too late... If Hop Pop's going to fix his mess, then I am, too. Besides, I'm just overthinking this. I don't know how, but somehow, someway, I will make this right. And I don't care how long it takes!", Marcy vowed before leaving and then returning quickly.
"Oh. But first, a little note.", Marcy added before taking out a piece of paper and a quail's pen to write with, unbeknownst to the gang with which Sprig and Polly sighed.
"Well, that's a bummer.", Polly sighed.
"What's wrong?", Yunan asked.
"I thought you'd be in high spirits from seeing him out of that funk.", Grime added.
"Well, yeah, but we gotta find that music box or Anne and the others'll never forgive him and Marcy. And for all we know, Marcy could...", Sprig began before making a slicing sound as she moved his finger across his neck.
"Fair point. Death in battle is one thing, but death by suicide?! Oh, I wouldn't wish that on even my own worst enemy.", Yunan said as Max looked outside to see Marcy placing her note on the door and boldly setting off.
"I'ma coming, Hop Pop!", Marcy shouted as she left before Max opened the door and then saw the note on the door before pulling it out and reading the note.
"Guys? I don't think that's it.", Max said.
"Why not? Isn't she devastated?", Grime asked.
"WAS devastated. But something must've gotten her to shape up, because she swore to find Hop Pop, help him, and somehow 'right the wrongs she has committed'. It even says so in her note.", Max responded, showing him the note.
"Oh, my. Then it's decided. Sprig, Polly, you try to find the music box with Yunan, Bombina, and I. The rest of you will stay behind and try to help Max and Alexis make certain that Marcy doesn't kill herself while trying to help Hopediah. We'll even get Ivy on board along the way, if you want, Sprig.", Grime ordered.
"Aye, aye, Captain!", Pat saluted.
"Right on! Let's motor, bro-bro!", Polly agreed before she did a spin dash with Sprig rolling on top of her.
Meanwhile, Hop Pop was looking around for some clues.
"Hmm. If there was only some clue as to which way they went-", Hop Pop began before stepping on something with his foot and lifting it up to see what it was.
"A bobby pin? And hairbrush, mascara, sunglasses, teen magazine. I think I'm on the right track.", Hop Pop spoke, putting on the sunglasses.
"Hey, Hopediah... Room for one more?", Marcy asked, surprising her.
"Marcy? What are you doing here?", Hop Pop asked.
"Look. You're not the only one who made a terrible mistake here. I don't even care if they hate me anymore. I don't even blame them. I just want to make this up to them.", Marcy responded.
"Hm... We'll talk more about how to do that later.", Hop Pop assured.
Meanwhile, Anne, Jackie, Sasha, and Rose woke up in the cave and noticed how clean it looked.
"Never thought we'd be sleepin' in this cave again. Not since the Plantars took me in. Still, I don't know how, but it's actually cleaner than last time.", Anne puzzled.
"Are you sure this is the same cave you told me about, Boonchuy?", Sasha asked as Cotton suddenly reappeared.
"Me-we-ew!", Cotton squeaked as she flew toward Anne, Sasha, Jackie, and Rose and blinked, surprising the four.
"Cotton?!", the four shouted.
"It's good to see you! How have you been?", Rose asked happily.
"Mew-ew?", Cotton squeaked as she got out the Calamity Box.
"It's the music Box!", Anne shouted in surprise.
"Me-ew... Mew!", Cotton squeaked before setting the box down.
"Wait... You mean you were the one who took it earlier?", Anne asked in a bit of surprise.
"Me-ee! Me-we! Me-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ew!", Cotton giggled, astonishing the trio of four as they grinned.
Meanwhile, back at Wartwood, Sprig, Polly, Ivy, Grime, Yunan, and Bombina burst out into the entrance to town.
"All right, maybe someone in town has seen the music box.", Sprig guessed before noticing an apparent mess.
"Whoa.", the two exclaimed.
"What a mess...!", Ivy exclaimed.
"My veggies!", the townsperson spoke in shock.
"Well, there goes the school money, Toadie.", Mayor Toadstool stated.
"Archie?", Mrs. Croaker called.
"Uh-oh. This doesn't sound good.", Yunan said.
"Hey Maddie, what's going on?", Sprig asked.
"Someone dug a bunch of holes and stole stuff from everyone in town. I even lost a talisman that, if it fell into the wrong hands, would bring an end to all...living-I've said too much.", Maddie replied, becoming worried, before walking away.
"Who would dig a bunch of holes in the ground?", Polly asked.
"Not who, Polly. What. I'll bet that those magpie beetles have had something to do with it.", Grime responded.
"Ah, so you know about them, too, eh?", Soggy joe asked in surprise, surprising everyone else behind him.
"Oh. Hey, Soggy Joe.", Bombina greeted.
"Hello, there. How have you been?", Soggy Joe greeted.
"You two met?", Yunan asked.
"Yes. During my travels at one point before I joined Toad Tower, actually.", Bombina said.
"All right, you. What do you know about 'em?", Yunan asked.
"The Magpie beetle is a rare breed of insect that lives underground. Every 20 years it burrows to the surface and steals junk to make its shell. It presents that shell to prospective mates in a ritual called the 'love-nado dance.'", Soggy Joe explained.
"Ew.", Polly and Ivy groaned.
"A spectacle much too dangerous to observe-You really should hear the rest of this!", Soggy Joe urged as the others started leaving.
"On a mission!", Polly shouted.
"Thanks, Joe!", Sprig added.
"We'll keep a good eye on them out here!", Grime added.
Meanwhile, Max, Alexis, Allison, Pat, and their triplets as well as Anne's and Sasha's were looking around for Marcy at the forest.
"Marcy?! Marcy! Where are you?!", Max shouted.
"Anne! Sasha! Rose!", Allison shouted.
"Where are you?! Come out, come out wherever you are!", Pat shouted.
"You don't think she could've gotten far, do you?", Alexis asked before Max noticed a trail.
"Not too far, I hope.", Max responded as he and the others continued on.
With that, the rain started to fall as the chicken fly and its chicks ran for cover as everyone else ran toward a tree with a hole up front back home.
"I still can't believe this. I mean, this is nuts. Why would Marcy do that?", Ivy asked.
"I know, right?", Sprig asked.
"Look, can we talk about this later, guys?", Bombina asked.
"Sprig, look! Soggy Joe was right. There's a burrow off to the side. Come on!", Polly urged before she hopped off him and landed with the group looking toward where the water was headed.
"And so, it leads us back here where the mess began.
"Think this'll lead us to the box?", Sprig asked.
"There's only one way to find out.", Polly responded.
"Very well, but by all means, be careful. If we're going down, the rain would make it slippery.", Grime warned before he, Yunan, Bombina, Sprig, Ivy, and Polly crawled through only to fall through an apparent slide before popping out of the hole with Yunan grabbing the three frogs and the two toads pressing their claws against the dirt wall.
"Where are we?", Sprig asked.
"Unless I miss my guess, I think we're right smack dab in the middle of the love-nado.", Bombina guessed as several magpie beetles were circling around.
"Maybe we should've listened to the end of Soggy Joe's thing.", Polly spoke.
"Yep. That's our B.", Ivy agreed before another magpie beetle popped out and landed on Polly's head, making her and Sprig fall down.
"Sprig! Polly! Ivy!", Grime, Bombina, and Yunan shouted before the three landed on a crate below.
"Okay, the music box has to be here somewhere. Whoa! We have to find it!", Sprig urged, barely able to balance himself.
Unfortunately, he and Polly were toppled over to another area of the love-nado dance before Sprig put on his goggles and tried to find the box, but it wasn't here.
"I can't see the box!", Sprig shouted.
"I don't think it's there, Sprig!", Ivy shouted.
"We've got to do something to save them!", Grime urged.
"I know, but we might risk getting caught on their love-nado!", Yunan shouted before Grime gave a worried whimper.
"There has to be something we can do…", Bombina spoke in worry.
Meanwhile, back at the cave…
"I thought we knew them, you know? But they were lying to us the whole time. I mean, I know why Hop Pop did it but why? Why did he do it, really?", Anne explained to Cotton.
"And that's not the worst part. Marcy stranded us all in Amphibia! On purpose!", Sasha added, just as vehemently.
"Wait. I bet that's why you took the box, isn't it? To keep Marcy from taking us anywhere but home?", Anne guessed.
"Mew…", Cotton squeaked, shaking her head in response.
"What? But what other reason is there?", Jackie asked.
"Mew…! Meeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww.", Cotton squeaked as she gave off pulses of magic in the cave.
Soon, magic pictures formed, showing in detail how she used to be, and still is, a woman's best companion in Newtopia alongside said woman's boyfriend, both of which were great companions to a pink frog, a toad in armor, and a big, familiar nest. They also detailed how, after Leif received her vision, had tried to warn a newt bigger than Andrias about the situation only to be dismissed. Left with no other choice, Leif had to steal the box away from the castle and hide it with Cotton's help along with the man and woman's, not to mention a familiar girl and a ragtag band of witches. The images ended with Cotton's assistance in stopping Melkor once before, splitting his soul from his body altogether, and apparently dividing the 3 realms before the glow ceased.
"Whoa. This really happened a long time ago?", Anne asked.
"Mew…", Cotton sadly nodded.
"Well, thank goodness the box is safe. For now.", Hop Pop spoke up, surprising the group.
"Me-we!", Cotton squeaked.
"Yeah… I honestly had no idea…", Marcy agreed.
"Who knew that music box actually had such a long history?", Alexis asked as she, Max, Allison, Pat, and the triplets had also caught up some time ago.
"Oh. It's you. Go away.", Anne scoffed.
"Please, Anne. Just let me explain.", Hop Pop pleaded.
"Not you, Hop Pop. I'm talking to her.", Anne responded.
"Oh…", Marcy groaned.
"I need you to know why I hid the music box. It's dangerous. I wasn't trying to trick you. I was just trying to protect the family.", Hop Pop assured.
"Then why did you lie?", Jackie asked.
"Well, because...there's something I've never told you. Something hard to talk about.", Hop Pop explained before Sasha spoke up.
"Whatever it is, this had better be a good reason.", Sasha glared with one eyebrow raised.
"The truth is... the reason I hid it was because it's dangerous, as you know, and the last time something dangerous came here, it killed Sprig and Polly's parents.", Hop Pop explained.
Anne, Sasha, Rose, Cotton, and Jackie were shocked.
"What?", Anne asked.
"It was a few years ago. I was on a journey when the herons attacked Wartwood. Sprig and Polly survived. But their parents... weren't so lucky.", Hop Pop explained as it showed a flashback of two herons attacking Wartwood as Sprig and Polly were younger and hidden with a frog couple swallowed up by one of them, which screeched as Hop Pop arrived, shocked and in despair, which turned into rage before he got out a spear and tossed it at one of the herons, leaving a scar as it screeched before it then went to the present.
"I arrived too late to save their parents, but not too late to fight back. If I just had been there... I know things would've been different! Ever since then, I swore I'd never let my family down again. That I'd do anything to protect them. So when I found out the box was dangerous, I lied to you and hid it away. I thought I was protecting my family. But now I realize how foolish it was. You're my family too. And I've let you down. I let us all down. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I'm just so sorry!", Hop Pop spoke as he knelt down and started breaking down in tears.
"Okay… That was pretty good.", Sasha said, drying her tears.
"Hop Pop... I...", Anne began.
But before she could continue any further, the moment stopped as Anne and the others heard Polly and Sprig screaming.
"That sounds like-", Anne began.
"Sprig! Polly!", Hop Pop shouted.
Then, everyone ran to see what's going on.
"What the heck is this?!", Anne shouted.
"It's some kind of love monsoon.", Hop Pop stated.
"Anne! Sasha! Marcy! Thank goodness you're all here! We have a big problem!", Grime shouted, gesturing to Sprig, Polly, and Ivy down below.
"Help! Help!", the trio shouted.
Concerned, Cotton flew closer and then closed her eyes. Suddenly, Sprig, Ivy, and Polly got lifted up from the magpie beetles and back into the ground, much to their amazement and everyone else's relief.
"Woo-hoo!", the trio cheered.
"That was amazing!", Polly grinned.
"I can't believe we made it!", Sprig added.
"You kidding? I can't believe we got to meet this little cutie again.", Ivy added as Cotton giggled again.
"Me-ew?", Cotton squeaked in puzzlement.
"Yeah, we did. And now...", Anne began before she then hugged Hop Pop just as the rain started dying down.
"Hop Pop, I forgive you.", Anne assured before the clouds parted with the sun shining again as the two embraced.
"Reconciliation!", Sprig shouted.
"Frog pile!", Polly and Ivy shouted with everyone joining in and laughing, all except Marcy, who gave a sad smile.
Back at home, it was nighttime when Hop Pop showed everyone his book outside.
"This book has been in our family for as long as I can remember. And look.", Hop Pop spoke, turning the page over to show the Calamity Box, surprising them.
"Whoa.", Sprig stated.
"Cool.", Polly added.
"Those gems look pretty.", Ivy added.
"'Calamity Box'? Eesh. That does sound bad.", Anne commented.
"Yeah. Not exactly comforting.", Hop Pop responded.
"And the whole story we learned from Cotton doesn't do it any Justice.", Marcy commented.
"Uh, who asked you?", Sasha glared, making Marcy look down.
"Okay, look. We may no longer have any reason to trust Marcy, but we still might need her help with the first temple.", Grime said.
"Yeah. You're probably right…", Sasha sighed.
"Guys, I hate to say it, but this temple quest may be more dangerous than we thought.", Anne agreed.
"Well, some help is better than none.", Jackie sighed.
"Well, Anne, think this gang can handle it?", Hop Pop asked.
"After today, I'm pretty sure this gang can handle anything. Well, almost anything.", Anne said before she and most of the gang embraced.
"Awww.", Polly spoke.
"As for you, Marcy? Listen the frog up. Anne, the others, and I are getting off this place and going back home. Anyone who'd like to really help can follow us. EVERYONE ELSE CAN JUST STAY THERE ALONE!", Sasha shouted as she went inside before closing the door, making Marcy feel worse.
"I can get behind that plan.", Jackie said with a hint of resentment towards Marcy.
Max then went to his older sister and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"At least we tried.", Max said before walking away with the others.
"Okay… I guess I'll just… go to the staple, then…", Marcy said sadly before walking away toward said stable as Anne, Sasha, Jackie, Rose, Allison, Pat, Max, and Alexis all looked outside as Marcy sadly cloistered herself inside.
"Do you think we ever could forgive her, Sasha?", Anne asked before Sasha sighed.
"I don't know, Boonchuy… Maybe someday, we can…", Sasha responded.
"You kids sure you don't wanna wear the puffy suits?", Hop Pop asked.
"Hop Pop.", everyone glared.
"Okay, okay, just had to ask.", Hop Pop assured.
Back in the stable, Marcy sadly sat down on the hay with Bessie turning to her with a puzzled purr before Cotton appeared and flew over to Marcy.
"Mew?", Cotton squeaked.
Then, Marcy started to burst into tears before she grabbed Cotton and held her tightly, in need of comfort as she sobbed softly and sadly.
"Mew…", Cotton squeaked sadly as Marcy held her tightly like a stuffed animal…
A/N: Poor Marcy... I guess now that her secret's out, everyone hates her (though the level of hatred varies, as you can see; either way, they see no reason to trust her). Hopefully, this mess would be resolved in the 14th chapter. Here's hoping that Marcy can be forgiven in the next chapter... :(