A/N: This is the 15th overall chapter and the last light chapter as after that, it'd start to get progressively darker along the way. Just thought I'd give you a heads-up.
Amphibia: Secrets of Newtopia
Chapter 15
Act I: Batra-Con
It all started one day at the Wartwood Farmer's Market as Anne, Jackie, and Rose were showing Sasha, Marcy, and their siblings the ropes.
"Oh, wow! So, this is the Farmer's Market?", Marcy asked.
"Yeah. This is where we go to work to help Hop Pop out sometimes.", Anne responded.
"Hey. Could one of you fellas take a look at this here gourd?", Hop Pop asked.
"I'll do it!", Jackie offered, picking up said gourd.
"Like this for example. See, sometimes, the gourd we check are fine. But other times...", Jackie began as she shook the gourd, even knocking on it before splitting it in half, revealing a maggot inside it.
"We wind up finding a gourd maggot. Some of these things just wander around are usually tame. Just ask Rose.", Jackie said, gesturing to Rose.
"I remember when one of those things tickled me.", Rose giggled.
"But at other times...", Anne began before the gourd maggot bit Jackie in the thumb.
"OW! GET OUTTA HERE, YA MAGGOT!", Jackie exclaimed as she yanked it out and then kicked it away into the sky until it shone out like a star.
"They get pretty bitey.", Anne finished as Sasha and Marcy looked on in awe.
"Wow. I didn't know you could even kick that far.", Sasha said in surprise.
"The point is the job may seem thankless, but it's really not.", Jackie assured.
"Are you sure?", Sasha asked, one of her eyebrows raised.
"Well, if I'm lying, I hope to see a big storm coming and be struck by lightning.", Jackie responded just before said storm did arrive, much to the concern of everyone in Wartwood, especially the Plantars, Sundews, toads, and Yunan.
"What? A big storm?", Jackie puzzled.
Then, suddenly a hologram of Ichabod arrived with a flash of 2 lightning bolts and laughed.
"Good evening, Wartwood!", Ichabod smirked.
"Ichabod? You again?!", Jackie shouted incredulously.
"Yes, it is I, the great and powerful, and unfortunately too youthful, Ichabod Neo Batrachia. Here to announce my biggest, most exhuberant plan of all time: I'M RETIRING!", Ichabod announced, surprising everyone.
"Zuhh?!", Anne, Sasha, Marcy and the rest of their siblings puzzled.
"Wait. Say that again?", Jackie puzzled.
"My sweetheart, Katrina...", Ichabod began as a little cockroach-like insect appeared on top of Ichabod's head.
"Hello.", Katrina greeted with a squeak.
"...and I are moving to Newtopia! We hear it's quite nice all-year round.", Ichabod stated as a little cockroach-like insect appeared on top of Ichabod's head and squeaked.
"Your sweetheart?! Okay, hold the phone. You know, the last two couple of times, you never really explained. So, I have to ask. Why were you doing all this?", Jackie asked.
"That, Jacqueline Boonchuy, is a long tale. Which I will tell you now.", Ichabod spoke before it flashed back to a time when Ichabod was a young adult, helping an ill Katrina onto a lab chair.
"You see, I only first met Katrina in school. Over time, we became the best of friends. But one day, she told me about a genetic defect that affected her life-span. So, naturally, I had to do some research to figure out what it is that could help alleviate the disease for good so that the disease would no longer ail her. And that's when I decided to try this experiment.", Ichabod narrated as he held up a blue potion and handed it to Katrina.
"I love you, Ichabod.", past Katrina grinned.
"And I love you, dear Katrina.", past Ichabod responded.
"The goal of this was to eradicate this disease by transforming her into the most resilient insect known in all of Amphibia and revert her back whilst filtering out the disease to prevent any chance of it coming back.", Ichabod explained as when Katrina drank it, a puff of blue smoke erupted and when it cleared, in Katrina's place stood a little bug, much to Ichabod's astonishment once he was able to get a good look at her.
But this bug retained her brown hair and blue eyes. Nevertheless, Katrina was weirded out by the change while Ichabod was cautiously thrilled.
"Okay. This feels weird.", past Katrina admitted, her voice having gotten higher.
"Perhaps. But tell me. Do you still feel sick?", past Ichabod asked.
Katrina thought for a moment, coming to a realization.
"Actually..., no.", past Katrina grinned.
This left past Ichabod excited as he laughed a bit.
"Then Phase 1 is an unmitigated success! All I need do now is proceed to Phase 2: changing you back while the disease that ails you is no more.", past Ichabod grinned.
"And I was so close to doing just that, too! But then Toadstool had to ruin everything by barging in the lab!", Ichabod narrated just as Toadstool arrived.
"Now, I don't know what you think you're doing, Ichabod, but get away from that equipment! Toadie, shut the thing down.", past Toadstool shouted.
"Stop! This is my experiment!", past Ichabod snapped.
"Correction: your unauthorized experiment. I ordered funding suspended weeks ago. I'm already three million short of a mayoral campaign, thanks to you.", past Toadstool sneered.
"But you can't just stop it now. Katrina's disease must be cured!", past Ichabod shouted.
"So bring her over here.", past Toadstool said.
"You can't interrupt the process now! It's her only chance!", past Ichabod shouted.
"You're forgettin' one thing, Mr. Batrachia. This is my equipment! Mine! And I have every legal right to use it or not use it as I see fit, let alone sell it, and I say this project ends now!", past Toadstool spoke angrily as he stepped forward, not knowing that Katrina was crawling out and was under threat of being crushed herself; but past Ichabod noticed.
"No! Stay away from her!", past Ichabod shouted, shoving Toadstool back.
"So, that's how it's gonna be, huh? Well, let's see if you like this!", Toadstool said, shoving him back, prompting Ichabod to retaliate.
As Katrina scampered off, she looked around for a safe way out, away from the battle, at least. For a while, it seemed to work, but then came the tragedy.
"All right, now. You asked for this, Ichabod!", Toadstool shouted before leaping toward Ichabod with a chest thrust.
He may've pushed Ichabod, but when he did, the latter gasped upon seeing where he was about to land.
"Katrina!", past Ichabod gasped just before he landed.
Right afterwards, so did Toadstool, but not before Katrina looked up and saw his foot headed towards her from above!
"Oh, frog...!", past Katrina only squeaked before...
SPLAT!
"Huh? What the...? Did anyone else hear that high voice saying, 'Oh, frog'? More importantly, did I step on anything?", Toadstool asked before looking at his foot that stepped on Katrina.
But when he looked, he was going to wish he hadn't; he saw Katrina flattened on top of his foot (or rather, he saw a bug that had her brown hair).
"Uh, why does that little bug have brown ha...", Toadstool began before realizing what happened.
"Aw, dang...", Toadstool only said, riddled with shock and horror, before peeling Katrina off and setting her down gently.
"NO! KATRINAAAAAAAAA!", past Ichabod shouted in shock and despair.
In the present, Ichabod spoke.
"For you see, my main goal ever since then was to get revenge on Toadstool! But while his greed and need for money was one part of the problem, the main reason was because HE! KILLED! KATRINA!", Ichabod hissed.
As a result, everyone was understandably shocked, angry, and/or upset (as in down-hearted), even Toadstool.
"Ah, frogdarn it, Toadie! If I hadn't started feelin' bad before, I certainly do now.", Toadstool sighed.
"THAT'S why you did all this?! To avenge Katrina?! On one hand, I am so sorry you lost her. But on the other hand, that was no excuse to do what you did!", Jackie reacted.
"First off, you'd retaliate against someone who robbed you of the one person you love the most in a second if that happened to you! And second, it was my goal. But then, something changed. You see, I thought I'd never see her again... But it was then that a miracle happened, Jacqueline! It was only after you thwarted my 2nd plan at which point Barry, Elliott, and I have went our separate ways.", Ichabod began before it flashed back to when he was now all alone, venting his frustrations.
"This cannot be happening! Not only did I fail, again, but I wound up reduced to the age of a helpless Pollywog!", Ichabod growled angrily.
"Is that you, my love?", a familiar, high-pitched voice squeaked, making Ichabod gasp in surprise.
"What...?! Who said that?! Who's there!", Ichabod shouted, frantically looking around before finally noticing a brown-haired bug on a leaf, making his eyes widen and glisten with tears.
"My Amphibious angel...?", Ichabod asked in surprise.
In response, Katrina jumped to Ichabod's face and nuzzled him.
"I missed you so much, Ichabod.", Katrina spoke, making Ichabod give a few tears of joy.
"Oh, how I missed you, too, my love!", Ichabod smiled sweetly to the little bug.
She crawled onto the top of Ichabod's head as he stated his puzzlement.
"But how are you still alive? I saw you get crushed by Toadstool all those years ago.", Ichabod puzzled.
"Well, it kinda went like this...", Katrina began before it flashed back to the past just after Ichabod and Toadstool saw what happened to Katrina, by accident on the latter's part, no less.
"NO! KATRINAAAAAAAAA!", past Ichabod shouted in shock and despair.
"Oh, frog...! Ichabod, I am so sorry. I guess I just lost my temper.", past Toadstool began.
But Ichabod just angrily turned toward Toadstool, madder than he has ever been before.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU BLOATED GRUBHOG RIND?!", past Ichabod snarled.
"Hey, hey, easy now. It doesn't have to come to this. We can talk and...", past Toadstool began.
"NO! THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER!", past Ichabod only snapped angrily before lunging toward past Toadstool, which led to a vengeful, one-sided catfight, which went past the door from which past Toadstool entered the room.
"And as you attacked him, something happened.", Katrina began before her past self sprang back to life with a hop, her big body fixing itself as if it never happened.
"I bounced back. I was hoping to catch up to you so I could let you know I'm all right. But by the time I found Toadstool, I was too late. I thought you were gone.", Katrina explained as she then had to travel out of the lab, which wasn't easy given her current form; unfortunately, by the time she managed to get out, she saw no sign of Ichabod while Toadstool was walking away, although now forced to carry the guilt of his accidental misstep (no pun intended).
Naturally, she was at least half as mad as Ichabod was at Toadstool for what happened. But all the same, she was determined to find Ichabod and reunite with him.
"All I knew was that I had to find you. And I didn't even care what happened along the way. It's been years since I started looking. But I'm glad I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have found you.", Katrina grinned as it flashed back to the present past.
"Although..., how did you get shrunk to a pollywog?", Katrina asked.
"I don't want to talk about it. All that matters is that you're alive! And safe.", Ichabod responded.
"And so are you.", Katrina grinned.
Then, it went back to the actual present.
"So, you see, that's how our happy little reunion, came to be.", Ichabod smiled.
"Aw...", Marcy grinned, tearing up.
"Okay, it's great to see the two of you reunited... And happy, I guess. But is there some kind of catch for your retirement?", Jackie asked.
"Oh, that's why I'm here, Jackie. I am searching for my... replacement!", Ichabod shouted.
"Replacement?", Anne, Sasha, Marcy, and their friends and siblings spoke in surprise.
"Listen up! There are 5 Golden Dragonflies hidden in Wartwood and the 5 citizens who claim them will win a private tour of my lair built in the very place where my first experiment was held with a guest of their choice and a chance to compete and become Jacqueline Boonchuy's next evil nemesis! Ladies and Gentlemen, we bring you... BATRI-CON! Let the games... begin.", Ichabod grinned as it showed a holographic image of 5 golden dragonflies in front of him before they faded.
"Well, that's not suspicious.", Anne spoke sarcastically.
"We'll have to be careful with him. There's no telling what that Ichabod has planned this time.", Hop Pop advised before everyone started going crazy looking for 5 golden dragonflies.
"So, back to Ichabod...", Marcy began.
"What did he do to make you guys this weary?", Sasha added.
"Well, the time he turned me into a giant frog under his control is one thing, but you know how Anne was nearly regressed into non-existence before? Well...", Jackie began before Sasha and Marcy gasped.
"You mean, HE was the one who...?!", Sasha began.
"Yeah. All the more reason to be careful. Who knows what he has in mind?", Anne responded.
"Wow. He really has a thing for transformations, doesn't he?", Marcy commented before realizing something.
"Wait a minute... Guys, Ichabod was doing genetics to try and help Katrina, right?", Marcy asked.
"Uh, yeah.", Anne responded.
"I have an idea. Although, it's only more of a hunch at this point and I'm gonna need some help. Which is where you come in, Jackie. After all, other than what we just learned, you're the only one aside from Anne, Rose, their triplets, and the Plantars and Sundews who knows more about him than any of us.", Marcy responded.
"So, you need me as bait?", Jackie asked.
"No, not really bait so much as a lab partner.", Marcy responded.
"Oh, yeah. Back in school, right?", Jackie realized before it went back to when Marcy and Jackie were lab partners in science class.
"Like with Biology.", Jackie added as back then, she and Marcy were analyzing a frog's body chemistry.
"Thanks for helping out with this. I wasn't sure you'd go for it...", Marcy spoke nervously.
"Well, you're my friend, Marcy. There are at least some things about this I can stomach, all for you. Besides, if it wasn't for the fact that I'd end up like Anne otherwise, I almost would have.", Jackie responded, gesturing to Anne and Sasha.
"Ugh! Frogs are the worst.", Anne groaned.
"Right? Let's get outta here.", Sasha suggested before heaving.
"Mrs. Virk, the sight of blood... I- I'm gonna be sick.", Sasha fibbed.
"Oh, dear. Anne, why don't you take Sasha to the sick room before she desecrates these beautiful frog bodies with her vomit. Thank you.", Mrs. Virk said as Anne then escorted her to the nurse's office before both giggled on their way out.
"Honestly, though, what'd really freak me out is if the heart's still beating.", Jackie added.
"Well, you're not wrong.", Marcy responded before it then went to the Chemistry class.
"Oh! And then, there's chemistry, too.", Marcy added as it then showed her and Jackie doing a fire starter experiment with a bowl, the foil inside, and two components known as Potassium Permanganate and Glycerol.
"Are you sure it's gonna work?", Jackie asked.
"Who's the scientist here?", Marcy asked just before fire burst out from the bowl, much to their amazement before it went back to the present.
"Yeah. Those were good times. The point is, I only have a hunch that he's up to something genetics-based, but we won't know more about it unless we get a closer look.", Marcy responded.
"Yeah, but how?", Jackie asked.
"Well, all I know is, if I'm my own nemesis, no one can touch me! I'd practically be invincible.", Jackie stated.
"Wow. That's actually what I was gonna say.", Anne said, stunned in surprise before Sprig gasped.
"What a twist!", Sprig shouted.
"Right? Imagine having to fight yourself.", Polly added.
"I know. She'd be practically untouchable.", Grime agreed.
"I don't think it's what it means, Polly. What it does mean is that if she's her own nemesis, there isn't any. And if there is no nemesis, there's no dangerous threat.", Hop Pop said.
"Yeah. I think we're all on the same page.", Sasha grinned.
"First things first. We have to find those Golden Dragonflies.", Marcy stated.
And so, the search began. First off, Jackie brought Rose with her as they looked for a golden dragonfly. It was there that Jackie and Rose found it just in the fountain at the center of town and grinned with Rose doing a fist pump.
"Yes!", Rose grinned.
Meanwhile, Marcy and Alexis searched everywhere up until they searched just behind the oven, which had a Golden Dragonfly inside, much to their excitement and a bummed Mr. Flour's surprise and envy. As for Anne and Sprig, they searched toward the last known location of the magpie beetles' love-nado and found it just on the muddy wall.
"Am I the only one who finds it strange and suspicious that the golden dragonfly was found here?", Sprig asked.
"No. No, you're not.", Anne responded.
Meanwhile, Sasha and Polly were looking in the square when they saw a statue, went up to it, and looked at the back at the statue's head where the Golden Dragonfly rested with Sasha picking it up.
"Okay, that's definitely suspicious.", Sasha said.
"True 'dat.", Polly responded.
Then, the 4 pairs reported back, each holding a golden dragonfly.
"Well, guys, looks like 4 out of 5 golden dragonflies are found.", Marcy grinned.
"Yeah. But isn't it a bit suspicious on how easily we found them?", Anne asked.
"You know what? It does sound a bit suspicious.", Sasha responded.
"Yeah. Why would these golden dragonflies be hidden all around Wartwood only to be found just like that in one day?", Marcy agreed.
"If this isn't a sign that Ichabod definitely has something planned, I don't know what is.", Jackie commented.
"That's where our plan comes in. Jackie, Hop Pop, I have a couple of jobs for the two of you.", Marcy grinned, puzzling the two frogs.
Later, at night, Wally was looking around for a golden dragonfly.
"Now, if I were a golden dragonfly, where would I be?", Wally puzzled before bumping into a wall of a building.
"Oop. Definitely not there.", Wally responded upon recovering.
When he did, he went deeper into the forest as meanwhile, Felicia was already in the forest herself.
"That golden dragonfly has got to be here somewhere.", Felicia said. Eventually, she came across a familiar nest.
"What? A love dove nest? That's the same one from when Hopediah and I tried to get Ivy and Sprig to get hitched.", Felicia spoke in incredulous surprise.
After a moment, she gave it some thought.
"Well as long as the love doves aren't here, I might as well look in the nest.", Felicia spoke before she then walked over to it and went in the nest.
Once in the nest, Felicia sat up and saw the last Golden Dragonfly.
"Aha!", Felicia spoke before reaching her hand out to it.
"Gotcha!", Wally and Felicia spoke in unison as they each grabbed a side of the Golden Dragonfly.
When they did, they were surprised to see each other holding onto it.
"So..., uh..., looks like we both got it.", Wally said.
"Well... I guess so.", Felicia responded.
"You wanna be my guest?", Wally asked.
"Only for the day.", Felicia responded.
"I can work with that.", Wally responded.
The next morning, the 5 pairs, comprised of Jackie and Rose, Marcy and Alexis, Anne and Sprig, Sasha and Polly, and Wally and Felicia, gathered outside at the front entrance near the place where Ichabod once tried to cure Katrina's disease.
"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled. This could be a trap.", Jackie warned.
Suddenly, a door opened before out hopped what appeared to be a literally sick and tired Ichabod, who wheezed and coughed a bit as he hopped slowly. Only Sasha snickered at that for a moment. When Ichabod got close enough, he leaned with a groan and then just rolled forward and sat up straight all spick and span.
"So glad you all could make it!", Ichabod beamed, earning the cheers from the audience who was watching.
"Are we ready?! Yes. In we go.", Ichabod spoke, getting out a remote with a button on it before pressing it, which caused 5 panels to open up beneath each pair, making them scream as they all slid down before landing and finding themselves in a sort of lab similar to the armory where frog robots were made in the Ruins of Despair, only this one was surrounded by other bugs looking similar to Katrina, only more natural and generic.
"Wait... Doesn't that look like the robot room?", Anne asked.
"Ah! Not quite, Anne. Welcome to my laboratory. The first, and only rule at this stage of Batri-Con is...no touching. Look around you. My fabulous team of Amphibi-roach henchmen spend countless hours, helping me concoct some of the world's most deadly poisons.", Ichabod spoke, getting a beaker with some fizzing, steaming liquid out, worrying the 5 pairs, although Marcy raised her hand.
"Yes, young newt in the back?", Ichabod asked.
"Hi. I'm Marcy Wu. You probably heard of me. Say, once given the title of Jackie's evil nemesis, does one have a license to go crazy?", Marcy asked.
"Good question. The answer, of course, is...", Ichabod began.
But before he could finish, he saw what really shocked him: Wally, whilst playing his accordion, accidentally stepped on one of the amphibi-roach henchmen, making Ichabod flashback to when Katrina was accidentally crushed.
"NO!", Ichabod shouted.
"Wally!", the other 7 glared while Rose and Felicia grew worried for Wally.
"Uh-oh. Whoops. Sorry about that, everyone! I thought I'd lighten the mood a little.", Wally apologized just before Ichabod hopped over with Katrina in tow and picked up the downed amphibi-roach.
"Aw, and he had only a few days before retirement...", Katrina squeaked sadly with a sigh.
"It'll be all right, kid. I'm just dented up a bit. Nothin' serious.", the amphibi-roach squeaked in assurance to Katrina, weakly.
"Are you sure...?", Katrina asked before the Amphibi-roach
"What have you done, you accordion-playing weirdo!", Ichabod shouted before Felicia jumped in.
"He didn't mean for that to happen, Ichabod. Wally just needs to be careful where he steps.", Felicia advised as Ichabod just walked away, angry and annoyed, before the amphibi-roach recovered suddenly perked up with a bit of a small jump.
"Actually, I'm fine.", the amphibi-roach assured, making Katrina sigh in relief while Ichabod just sighed in annoyance.
"Fortunately for you, not unlike Katrina in her present state, the amphibi-roaches are endurable. Unfortunately, however, you still get this.", Ichabod smirked, crossing his way over to the button and pressing it, causing a sort of pipe to descend down toward just above Wally before sucking up his accordion first and then Wally with Felicia trying to get him back down.
"NO!", Felicia shouted.
It was a bit unsuccessful, but after repeated presses of the button on the wall, Ichabod finally booted Wally and William out as they got sucked in and then taken through the main vents before Ichabod smirked to the 8 remaining.
"I did say no touching, didn't I?", Ichabod grinned before the rest just stared in worry.
Later, they were all in a white room with everyone gathered around in chairs with latches on the ceiling above each contestant, especially with an assortment of food and drinks that Amphibians are fond of, not to mention the chalices and plates, forks, and knives.
"Wow. So, you have this banquet room all to yourself? Check out all this food you have.", Sasha spoke in amazement.
"Hold it. In order to be a true evil villain, you must SA! VOR! THE! MOMENT!", Ichabod stated.
"Come on, dude! We're starving here!", Anne shouted before Ichabod popped up behind her, making her exclaim.
"Savor it, Ms. Boonchuy!", Ichabod spoke before returning to his chair.
"Now, a little test. The first contestant to buckle down and eat... loses.", Ichabod warned.
"Uh, loses what exactly?", Sprig asked.
"You'll just have to wait and see.", Ichabod responded in a sing-songy voice before his chair started to hover into the air with the latch above him opening.
"Savor it!", Ichabod repeated before flying up with the latch closing.
"Well, now what do we do?", Anne asked.
"Come on, guys. It's obviously a test. We all just need to pick up our food and eat it at the same time.", Marcy spoke with a wink.
"That way, no one would...", Marcy began before Rose shouted to Jackie.
"Jackie! Stop it! Ichabod said to wait!", Rose shouted as Jackie was already eating a few grubbles.
"Seriously? I didn't even eat breakfast!", Jackie spoke before suddenly, her stomach growled louder than it should.
This shook the room and everyone in it, worrying them.
"Uh, Jackie? What's going on?", Anne asked.
"Yeah. Does your stomach usually rumble that much?", Sasha asked.
"No... It doesn't!", Jackie spoke in worry before a latch opened above her with Rose getting worried.
"Jackie!", Rose shouted before lurching her tongue at her just as suddenly, she burped herself upward with both Jackie and Rose, who got taken along with her, flying like a rocket for 1 second before falling down.
"Excuse me!", Jackie shouted before she and Rose landed in the trees in the forest near Wartwood, worrying the contestants.
Later that night, Polly yelled in anger and hit the wall.
"I should've known Ichabod would try this! 4 contestants have been ejected already! I'll bet he's just picking us off one by one!", Polly shouted.
"Whoa, there, Polly. Love all the intensity, but I think we can all agree that we need to get out. Fast.", Sasha said.
"Yeah. Before we're Amphibi-roach kibble!", Polly agreed.
At the same time, Anne and Sprig went into their own quarters, which resembled how astronauts oftentimes hunker down when they need to sleep while in space.
"Well, that's gonna fill me with dread later on...", Anne spoke.
"Well, it could've been worse, Anne.", assured Sprig.
"How exactly could it get any worse, Sprig? And if it has anything to do with body functions, do! Not! Say! ANYTHING!", Anne asked incredulously.
"Well, yeah, that. But mostly, we still have Sasha, Polly, Marcy, and Lexy with us. What could go wrong?", Sprig asked.
Meanwhile, Marcy and Alexis were already leaving the lab, looking around for any possible traps or alarm triggers.
"So, you know the plan, right, Lexy?", Marcy asked, earning her nod.
With that, Marcy and Alexis snuck around the field, weary of any traps laid there up until they arrived at the gate at which they find it locked.
"Yep. It's locked.", Alexis responded.
"Good thing I have just the tool for the occasion.", Marcy spoke before getting out a lock-picking tool.
She was about to put it in when suddenly, a spotlight shone on Marcy and Alexis, making them gasp in fear.
"Freeze! Hold it right there!", one of the guards shouted.
"Aw... Already?", Marcy asked before she and Alexis wound up launched toward a force field and wound up zapped.
"MARCY! LEXY!", Anne and Sasha shouted in worry before they landed on the ground.
"Uh..., did you order original recipe or extra crispy?", Marcy asked before laying down with her and Alexis eventually carted out of the place.
"Are you guys okay?", Anne asked with Marcy and Alexis giving a shaky thumbs-up in response.
"Okay, so, we're going to escape a different way, right?", Polly asked while Sasha became angry over what happened.
"Forget that! We can't let Ichabod get away with what he did to Marcy and Lexy!", Sasha only snapped.
"So, we're going to a revenge plot, then? Cool.", Polly grinned.
Meanwhile, once carted outside the Batri-Con, Marcy and Lexy turned to each other and then sat up, revealing that they have electric insulators on their backs to shield them from electrocution.
"We're in.", Marcy spoke.
"All according to plan.", Alexis responded before they both got off and snuck over to where Jackie and Rose are just near the audience chamber and saw vent-like shower heads just above the audience, especially Hop Pop, who saw Jackie, Rose, Marcy, and Alexis before he nodded to them with the 4 nodding back before they snuck along the pipes from which the shower heads extended and gasped in shock at what they saw.
"So, that's what his plan is...!", Jackie gasped in shock.
"Exactly. And now that we know what that is, here's our own plan.", Marcy spoke before whispering into Jackie's ear as well as Alexis'.
The next morning, Ichabod was monitoring the 2 remaining pairs as Katrina went inside, delivering some tea to him on her way up to his head.
"Here's some tea, my love.", Katrina grinned.
"Thank you, dearest Katrina.", Ichabod thanked before drinking some tea with a sip.
"Oh, would you look at that? It's morning already.", Ichabod grinned.
Then, with a pull of his lever, Anne, Sprig, Sasha, and Polly were already placed in tubes and then launched in them toward the inside of a maze with each pair at a corner end with there being a great big orb in the center of the maze. Then, the pods opened up with each pair getting out of the two pods.
"Okay, that is SO not how I wanted to wake up in the morning today!", Sasha shouted crankily before Ichabod's hologram appeared in the center.
"Good morning, friends! Congratulations on becoming Batri-con's final 4 contestants! Just a quick FYI. The only way to win Batri-Con is to survive and get to the center of... the LAB-yrinth!", Ichabod stated.
"Okay, seriously? LAB-yrinth? Use some imagination, dude.", Anne commented before several wasp bots arrived and aimed their laser stingers and pincers at Anne and Sprig.
"I don't think you should've said that, Anne!", Sprig said in worry before he and Anne screamed as they fled from the laser blasting wasp bots.
Meanwhile, Sasha was more than confident that she and Polly can take it on.
"So, all we have to do is survive the LAB-yrinth, huh? Heh. Too easy.", Sasha smirked before cracking her knuckles.
Polly was just as confident, too.
"You think you're tough?! Bring it on, Ichabod!", Polly shouted before a tidal wave of lava emerged from behind them, urging the two to hop away from it up until a rock they were stepping on broke, causing Sasha and Polly to surf said tidal wave of lava, amazing the audience.
Meanwhile, Ichabod laughed as he pressed some buttons and pulled some levers.
"Time for Round 2.", Ichabod stated before Anne and Sprig were seen hopping across mushrooms, which glowed with each one they stepped on as a swarm of wasp drones fired lasers at them and missed.
"Come on, Anne! You can make it!", Jackie shouted.
"So can you, Sprig!", Rose cheered.
At the same time, Sasha and Polly were fighting off several herons with Polly bashing on one of them with her hops and Sasha punching another with her fists.
"Ooooh! With the fists? I like her moxie.", Grime grinned.
Then, Anne and Sprig were now seen dragging themselves across the desert sand while Sasha and Polly were sailing on a ship across a storm with a big wave of water just behind them. Ichabod laughed maniacally, enjoying himself.
"Oh, Katrina. We've got Anne right where we want her.", Ichabod sneered as Anne wound up trapped in quicksand, making her and Sprig panic in worry.
Then, Ichabod continued as he then went to the monitor which showed Sasha and Polly floating in water.
"All I have to do is get rid of that stubby, little pollywog and her toad soldier companion! It's perfect.", Ichabod smirked with a chuckle.
Meanwhile, Polly spoke to Sasha.
"So, any ideas?", Polly asked.
"Okay, look. We all know that it's Ichabod's world. It's fake, so that means everything else is fake, even this ocean. We just need to find a way out.", Sasha strategized.
"Okay. But it's not like we're just gonna find some big drain pipe right under us.", Polly spoke before looking down and then noticing, much to her surprise, a big drain pipe.
"Whoa. Guess I was mistaken.", Polly spoke.
"Well, let's hop to it.", Sasha grinned before swimming under water.
"Ohohoho, you did not just say that. Pretty clever, though.", Polly responded before going under water with her.
While underwater, the two tugged harder and harder at the plug clogging the drain pipe. It was difficult, but as soon as Sasha's mark glowed pink and her hair turned the same color as did her eyes, the plug was pulled off, allowing the water to be drained. It wasn't until 10 seconds afterward that Sasha and Polly were on the ground again. What's more, Sasha noticed where they are.
"Hold on. I think... we're at the center of the maze!", Sasha spoke in awe.
"Whew! We did it!", Polly shouted.
"Come on, Polly. This isn't over yet.", Sasha urged as she opened the door and rushed in.
"On it!", Polly responded as she hopped over to her.
Meanwhile, Sprig became worried for Anne.
"Don't worry, Anne! I'll get you out!", Sprig urged before he tried pulling her out only for it to fail as he landed on his back.
"Well, that didn't work.", Anne said as the audience watched in worry.
"Anne'ww be okay, wight?", Lily asked.
"I don't know, Lily. But I hope so...", Jackie said in worry.
"Okay. There's gotta be a way to get us outta here and you out of that mud pit. After all, Ichabod did build all this from his lab. So, it has to be all mechanical.", Sprig realized.
"But do you see anything remotely mechanical, Sprig?", Anne asked.
Sprig looked around as Anne sunk deeper and the cacti closed in from both sides until he saw a fusebox on a rock wall.
"That's odd. What would a fusebox be doing here on..", Sprig began before he realized something with a gasp.
"Wait a second!", Sprig realized before getting out a plank and a rock.
"You're gonna use that to get me out of here, right?", Anne asked.
"I might as well be.", Sprig responded before he set the plank into the mud near Anne while it rested on a rock before Sprig hopped on the end of the plank that stuck out and then launched himself toward the fusebox and then used his slingshot to destroy the fusebox, making it explode and stopping Anne's descent.
"Sprig! I think it worked!", Anne grinned before the audience cheered.
"I knew he'd learn something someday. I knew it all along.", Hop Pop grinned.
"Well, if we're done celebrating, we gotta get to Ichabod and stop him.", Anne urged before the floor panel opened up below her and Sprig, making them scream as they fell before a mini rocket emerged and then took off to the center of the maze, the orb of which opened up to allow said rocket to enter and descend just as Sasha and Polly entered the center, much to their amazement.
"Anne? Sprig? No way! How come you two get to use the rocket?", Polly asked in surprise.
Just then, a voice gave a chilling laugh. It was Ichabod, entering in his hovering chair with Katrina on top of his head.
"Ichabod...", Sprig glared.
"You might as well give it up, you madman!", Polly shouted.
"Yeah. We made it all the way to the center.", Sasha added.
"It's over.", Anne discouraged in addition.
"I'm afraid it's not over, Anne. Not yet, at least.", Ichabod spoke before pressing a button, causing the orb to raise up, revealed to be a dome, which opened up to allow Anne, Sasha, Sprig, and Polly to see the aerial view of Wartwood.
"Recognize this?", Ichabod asked.
"Wait a second. That's Wartwood.", Sprig realized.
"You've been keeping us away from it this whole time!", Anne realized.
"Correct. Batri-Con, the LAB-yrinth, it was all just a set-up, Anne. A distraction. Soon, I will mutate and enslave ALL of Wartwood while you sit here and watch!", Ichabod shouted as he pressed a button before a giant vat of a dark blue formula arose at the center, forcing the 4 contestants to back away before he laughed maniacally.
Meanwhile, in Wartwood, the audience was becoming restless and panicked.
"Okay, everyone. Calm down. There's no reason to panic.", assured Percy.
"Yeah. Everything's gonna be fine. I hope...", Braddock said in worry.
Meanwhile, Ichabod tapped some keys, prepping the dark blue formula for release on Wartwood.
"Any last words for Wartwood, my dear foes?", Ichabod asked.
"Yeah... we do. Now, Marcy! Hurry! Now's the right time!", Anne shouted as Ichabod then pressed the final button, causing the formula to disperse into pipes leading to Wartwood.
Speaking of which, Jackie and Marcy grinned in hope as they realized what was going on.
"Whatever you're going to do, hurry!", Sasha urged.
"You heard 'em, everyone! That's our cue!", Marcy shouted.
"Everyone, this is not a drill!", Grime urged.
"Take one of these regulators and pass it down.", Bombina added before everyone put their adhesive-like brain regulator on the backs of their heads and activated them with a press of a button before Jackie and Marcy high-fived.
"THIS TRULY IS THE GREATEST RETIREMENT PARTY I COULD HAVE EVER ASKED FOR!", Ichabod shouted gleefully before the formula poured down on the audience like rain; the only ones who hadn't gotten wet were Hop Pop, Mrs. Croaker, and Sylvia, who dodged the formula.
Suddenly, Jackie croaked as first, her belly, chest, and butt puffed out before half her clothes tore and she crouched like an actual frog.
"Yep. It never gets old.", Jackie spoke before suddenly, she grew up to 20 feet in height with her mind feeling hazy and her focus shifting as her face started to morph further.
"MmmmrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRIIIIBIIIT!", Jackie croaked, becoming a frog all the way, similar to a frog at home, but bigger, but this time, she gave a smirk.
Frankly, the rest of wartwood, save for Hop Pop, Mrs. Croaker, and Sylvia, all transformed into giant, primal frogs, toads, and newts. But as a result, the town began to crack apart, leaking water up until it started sinking into the swamp with only the primal amphibians up to their hands and feet in the swamp water as Anne, Sprig, Sasha, and Polly noticed worriedly as Ichabod chuckled.
"What the heck is going on?!", Anne exclaimed.
Back in Wartwood, Hop Pop grew puzzled.
"What the heck is going on?", Hop Pop puzzled.
"Oh, no! The weight! We got too big! The town is sinking into the swamp!", Marcy realized.
"I, for one, refuse to learn anything from this!", Toadstool shouted.
"Wait a second. This water... It actually feels... nice.", Bombina realized.
Then, the rest noticed and got just as fascinated.
"Hey, you're right.", Rose grinned.
"Okay, look. The water does feel nice. But we can't let that distract us. It's time to spring our plan into action and give him what for.", Jackie urged.
With that, Jackie and the mutated Amphibians, with Hop Pop, Sylvia, and Mrs. Croaker in tow, hopped out of Wartwood, not knowing that as soon as they left, the town started to go back up, never to sink again (but Marcy and Alexis noticed), and over toward the maze where the center dome was raised, broadcasting a signal to them as if commanding them.
"You'll never get away with this!", Anne discouraged.
"That is what you fail to realize, Anne. I already have.", Ichabod spoke before Jackie was the first to arrive just right behind Ichabod.
"And look. I already have your dear sister in my grasp yet again.", Ichabod smirked.
"Jackie, no...!", Anne gasped as Sprig, Sasha, and Polly just gasped.
"Jackie, yes...! Seize them.", Ichabod ordered confidently.
"Yes, master...", Jackie began, puzzling Anne and the others for a moment.
"Huh?", Anne asked, raising one eyebrow before realizing something with widened eyes.
"Oh...", Anne realized with her surprised face turning into a sneaky smirk.
"Is that what you thought I'd say?", Jackie glared with one eyebrow raised, revealing Hop Pop, Mrs. Croaker, and Sylvia on top of her, much to Ichabod's shock.
"Looks like you're plum out of luck again, Ichabod!", Mrs. Croaker smirked.
"Wha...?!", Ichabod spoke just before several more mutant amphibians appeared and croaked angrily.
"Get him.", Mr. Flour spoke before the mutants growled.
"All right, guys. You know the drill. Try not to crush Ichabod too hard and PLEASE leave Katrina alone. We may be literal monsters now, but we're not metaphorical monsters. I mean, sheesh.", Marcy spoke.
"Okay, we all get the memo. Now, can we please get on with this?", Toadstool asked.
"With pleasure.", Marcy responded.
Ichabod could only gasp in horror before they all charged toward him with hops.
"NOOOOOOO!", Ichabod shouted before the mutants all piled on him, causing the dome to go all the way back down to the maze.
"Okay, that's enough, everyone. He's pretty flattened enough as is.", Marcy said before everyone backed off away from Ichabod only for Pat to quickly step on Ichabod.
"Pat!", Marcy growled.
"Sorry, Marcy. I just got in the zone. WHOO!", Pat shouted excitedly before Ichabod got back up as best he could before he became panicked.
"What...? Where...? Katrina! Where are you?!", Ichabod shouted.
"See for yourself.", Sasha assured, getting out a jar with Katrina safe and sound inside.
"See? She's all safe and sound.", Sprig added.
Relieved as he is, he was still shocked at how everything could've gone so wrong as Marcy and Jackie turned to each other.
"We did it, Jackie. Total success.", Marcy grinned.
"Yeah. We did.", Jackie responded before Ichabod aired his disbelief.
"How did you foil my most ingenious plan of all TIME?!", Ichabod shouted.
"Oh, that's easy.", Jackie began.
"Yeah. You know how you transformed Jackie, like twice, once per scheme? Well, after Jackie here told me about you, I took some notes.", Marcy began.
Then, it showed several flashback clips of when Ichabod spoke during his 2 previous schemes in a random order.
"Don't worry. You see, Jackie... It is going to be my last... Ingenious... Backup plan... of all time! A giant... vat of... mutagen. Potion! Potion. Potion! Potion...", Ichabod spoke in random scenes from the past before it went to the present.
"You're a genetics kind of guy, Icchy. Everyone knows that by now.", Jackie smirked, making Ichabod gasp, having realized his mistake.
"Still, we didn't know exactly what plan you had in mind for that. So, we had to discuss a few things first beforehand.", Marcy began before it flashed back to the 2nd trial.
"Once we talked some things over, we decided to put our sneaky little plan into action.", Marcy spoke.
"Come on, guys. It's obviously a test. We all just need to pick up our food and eat it at the same time.", Marcy spoke with a wink toward Jackie, who winked back before she started eating right away, worrying Rose.
"Jackie! Stop it! Ichabod said to wait!", Rose shouted as Jackie was already eating a few grubbles.
"Seriously? I didn't even eat breakfast!", Jackie spoke before suddenly, her stomach growled louder than it should.
This shook the room and everyone in it, worrying them before a latch opened above her with Rose getting worried as Jackie explained.
"And it's a good thing I didn't. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to sneak off in the guise of us being eliminated. Although, the method I was forced to use to get eliminated, I could do without.", Jackie added just before Jackie burped herself upward with both Jackie and Rose, who got taken along with her, flying like a rocket for 1 second before falling down.
"Excuse me!", Jackie shouted before she and Rose landed in the trees in the forest near Wartwood, worrying the contestants inside as outside, Jackie and Rose got up and gave a determined look.
"After that, we needed to wait for Marcy and Alexis to join us. It took all night, but it was worth it when we saw what you were going to do.", Jackie began.
"So before sunrise, we tampered with your biggest backup plan of all time with our own biggest backup plan of all time: Neural Nanites. These little babies can cancel out any mind control.", Marcy stated, holding a beaker of what appeared to be clear water, although actually shown to have metallic, spike-like atoms with the tips having circles which flashed blue.
"Between setting our plan up and telling all that to you guys without getting caught, it wasn't easy.", Jackie responded as it showed her, Rose, Marcy, and Lexy sneaking in to their sleeping quarters before leaving a note and slipping one in each for Anne and Sasha, who woke up a bit, puzzled, before opening them, gasping, and then giving determined looks before it went back to the present.
"I can imagine.", Anne responded.
"Looks like you failed again, Ichabod.", Jackie smirked.
"Gotcha! We win!", Marcy grinned.
Then, Ichabod suddenly started to cry and got down on the ground, hugging one of Jackie's frog toes, making Jackie give a sad look as he saw Ichabod finally cry.
"It wasn't supposed to end like this!', Ichabod sobbed.
"Uh, is he gonna be okay?", Jackie asked.
"Why would you ask that? Do you know what he did to us?!", Polly shouted.
"Yeah... But he only did that because he was heart broken over what happened to Katrina. Do I condone him for being evil? No. But no one, not even Ichabod deserves what he's gone through.", Jackie said.
"Oh. Yeah...", Polly said, remembering when her parents died fighting off two herons to save her and Sprig.
"I mean, sure, they're reunited. But we can't just leave Katrina like this. And we still need to fix the town somehow.", Jackie said, worried for Katrina before Marcy grinned.
"I think I know what to do.", Marcy beamed.
Later, the mutated amphibians returned to normal and were already working on fixing the damage caused by their changes from earlier. And as for Jackie and Marcy, they were finishing what Ichabod started for Katrina years ago in the same spot where she was turned into an amphibi-roach. Even Toadstool was there, well, just not inside the room so much as standing just a few inches from the entrance.
"I don't understand... Why would you help me after everything I've done to you?", Ichabod asked.
"For one thing, you were trying to save Katrina in this very room before... all this. The least we could do is help finish the experiment. And secondly, you did retire. I figured we'd at least give your retirement a happy start.", Jackie responded before turning to Marcy.
"How's the other formula coming along?", Jackie asked.
"It's all spick-and-span from here, Jackie.", Marcy responded.
"Good. Well, Katrina, whenever you're ready.", Jackie offered.
After a moment, Katrina took a sip and then poofed turning back to normal, much to everyone's amazement as they gasped.
"So..., how do you feel, my love?", Ichabod asked nervously.
"I... I feel.. great!", Katrina spoke excitedly, her voice now back to normal.
This earned the town's happy cheers while only Toadstool shed a tear and gave a thumbs-up.
Even Ichabod was tearing up joyfully for her, too.
"And here's the other formula for you, Icchy.", Marcy offered, giving the other formula to him.
"Please don't call me that and ruin the moment...", Ichabod sighed.
"Whoop. Sorry.", Marcy apologized.
Then, Ichabod drank it before, in a puff of smoke, he grew back to how he was when he first met Jackie, much to his astonishment.
"It worked... It worked! I am back to my normal my age again!", Ichabod grinned.
"Well, that's good. Because I won't be helping anyone make another for you.", Maddie said.
"Judging by the fact that I've actually grown back to my age again, I doubt it really matters. But noted.", Ichabod said.
"Well, I guess there's only one thing left to do now.", Anne said.
Later, it was sunset with Ichabod and Katrina in their 2-seat airplane.
"Who knew...? After all this time, we'd finally get a happy life together...!", Katrina said, shedding happy tears.
"Oh, Katrina, get over here, you big crybaby.", Ichabod said, lovingly placing his arm behind her.
"Are you going to try and get them next time?", Katrina asked.
"I'm afraid not, my beloved. It is over. No more 'not yet, at leasts'. It's time for us to go.", Ichabod responded as he and Katrina started to set off in their airplane.
"That's right, you crazy kids! Git! Enjoy your retirement vacation!", Toadstool waved happily with everyone else waving goodbye as well.
"Aw... You know... I think I'm gonna miss him.", Rose said.
"I kinda am, too... I just wish we got to know more about him before he turned..., you know, evil.", Jackie said.
"Well, at least they're gonna have their happy lives now.", Anne grinned.
"Yeah. And that counts for something.", Sprig added.
"Who knows? Maybe we might see them again on better terms in Newtopia.", Hop Pop grinned.
Speaking of Newtopia, Melkor and Andrias saw an incoming airplane heading to the castle, though not directly.
"It appears we have... company.", Melkor spoke.
"Well, I guess we could give whoever's on that plane an offer they couldn't refuse.", Andrias smirked.
Act II: Friend or Frobo
It all started one morning as Hop Pop, Sprig, Polly, Marcy, Alexis, Max, Yunan, Anne, Jackie, Rose, Sasha, Allison, Pat, Grime, Bombina, Percy, Braddock, and the 9 triplets were heading to the store in the cart and Stumpy, who Rose rode on.
"This is so great! Our first day in forever with no responsibilities! So, what are we gonna do?", Polly asked.
"Ha! You'll see.", Hop Pop responded before he soon stopped in front of the seed store.
"Oh, no!", Polly groaned.
"Yep!", Hop Pop said.
"Oh, come on! Don't worry, Marcy. We don't have to go into the boring old-", Polly began.
"This is so cool. A store just for seeds? Boy, we could be there for hours!", Marcy grinned.
"Don't tempt me!", Hop Pop said before he and Marcy laughed.
"The humble seed. So much potential for growth!", Alexis grinned.
"One of those seeds might grow into something special for our parents back home. After all, they do have a bit of a thing for flowers. Besides, they might need something to get them through this.", Max added.
"One of the rare things in life where you actually get out what you put in! It's beautiful!", Hop Pop added before laughing as he, Marcy, Max, and Alexis headed to the store.
"Have fun in there!", Anne shouted.
"Good luck!", Jackie added.
"Yeah, we're good here in the wagon.", Sprig assured.
"Oh, and look after Polly you two.", Hop Pop spoke before the door shut.
"Perfect. Now that the nerds are gone, you guys want to go make mischief? Guys?", Polly asked, noticing that they're playing a game, "Robo Ring World Tour" to be exact.
"Hey! Did you hear me?", Polly asked as she pushed the phone down for attention.
"You know, in the past, I would have said yes, but I think I'm getting a little too old for that nonsense.", Anne said.
"See, Anne? I knew you'd come around.", Jackie grinned.
"Yeah, usually, I'd be all in for it, but I'm gonna have to pass on that this time.", Sasha added.
"Sorry, Polly. But me and Anne have changed. We're different now.", Sprig added.
"We all have, actually.", Rose added.
"Some of us even sound different.", Anne responded to herself.
"What?", Sprig puzzled.
"Nothing.", Anne responded.
"Anyway, I think we should focus our energy on more mature activities. Sprig! Use your kitty cat blasters!", Anne urged.
"On it!", Sprig responded before using said kitty cat blasters in the game.
"So no one wants to cause trouble with me?", Polly asked, miffed.
"Sorry, dude. And in case you didn't hear, we're responsible for you.", Anne responded.
"Boo!", Polly booed.
"You'll get it one day, when you have someone to look after.", Anne responded.
"Death first!", Polly snapped.
Coincidentally, Sprig lost the match.
"You're dead!", the game spoke.
"Dang it!", Sprig exclaimed in frustration before Polly turned around, giving a sinister smirk.
"You two are responsible for me, huh? So I guess that means that you're responsible for this!", Polly spoke only for Lily to stop her.
"No!", the 9 triplets shouted profusely.
"Aw, what? You guys, too?", Polly groaned.
"Actuawwy, this is better.", Andy responded before he, Danny, Lily, Rebecca, Abby, Sarah, Adam, Alex, and Jamie leapt off the cart.
"Say whaaaaa?", Polly puzzled before the 9 triplets each landed in a seed bag, causing seeds to be launched out and get sent up into the sky.
"Oh. Clever triplets.", Grime praised.
"What the-", the employee puzzled before the seeds started to fall down like hail, much to his surprise, making him scream before rushing back inside as the seeds pelted the area like hail, much to the distress of everyone caught in a hailstorm of seeds, especially Anne and the others.
"Oh... my... frog! That was awesome!", Polly grinned, impressed.
"Wet's get outta here.", Lily grinned before she and the other 8 triplets rolled away.
"Great idea! Let's roll.", Polly grinned as she rolled away after them just as the employee opened the door and waved his arms once the hailstorm died down.
"Who's responsible for this?", the employee spoke angrily.
"Sorry. We are. We'll clean this up.", Jackie assured as she, Rose, Anne, Sasha, Allison, Pat, and Sprig got over to clean up the mess.
"Well, you darn right, you will.", the employee responded.
Just then, a flock of fly-like birds swooped down, about to peck until Anne glared at them with blue eyes.
"Don't even think about it.", Anne glared, spooking the birds enough to fly away.
Meanwhile, Polly and the 9 triplets arrived at the center of town.
"Aw. It's nice of you guys to come as my posse. I mean, pssh! Who needs those two?", Polly asked.
"Uh-huh.", the 9 triplets nodded in agreement.
"Hmm, now, how can I be rambunctious to the max?", Polly puzzled before turning around to see the fountain nearby with the triplets noticing, too as Polly giggled and hopped over to it.
"People of Wartwood, welcome to the splash zone.", Polly announced.
"Spwash zone!", the 9 triplets shouted in unison before Polly jumped up with the triplets jumping, too.
When they all landed, they managed to splash a frog who was sitting there, getting him wet and surprising him before Polly and the 9 triplets popped up, laughing, making him mumble in frustration as he left.
"Wow! That wasn't bad, you guys! Now, what else can we do? Hmm.", Polly puzzled before turning around to see with a gasp...
"Beetle pie.", Polly grinned excitedly before swimming over to it and hopping over to the wall as the triplets followed her.
Once they arrived there, Polly strained, trying to reach for the pie and failing.
"Argh! Curse these puny arms.", Polly spoke in frustration before the 9 triplets formed a ladder.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks, guys.", Polly spoke before snatching the beetle pie from under the window.
And when they did, Mrs. Flour went to check on the pie only to gasp in shock upon noticing it missing before the 10 each took a 10th of a pie and ate it.
"Great work, guys. You know, we actually make a good team.", Polly grinned.
"Mm-hmm.", the 9 triplets nodded before swallowing.
"Wet's make a stink bomb.", Lily grinned excitedly, heading to the dump to get started.
But before she could touch any of it, it suddenly started to move, puzzling her. When she leaned in closer, what should she see but a couple of eyes looking at her, making her gasp before the eyes hid themselves away.
"Wha?", Lily puzzled before moving in closer, even climbing on top of some garbage bags to do it.
But when she did, a robot head emerged, its eyes shining on Lily, making her scream before she rolled off.
"Wookit!", Lily shouted in horror before the others caught up.
"What's going on?", Polly asked before looking up gasping at what she and the others saw.
"Oh, my frog! A monster! Stay back!", Polly urged, raising her arms to shield herself with the 9 triplets doing so as well.
Surprisingly, the robot did the same thing.
"Huh?", Polly puzzled, moving her arm back as the robot did so, too.
"Wait a minute.", Liliy spoke before she, Andy, and Danny squinted their eyes with the robot doing the same thing.
Next, Abby, Sarah, and Rebecca each scratched their faces with the robot winding up actually scratching his face while copying them, making them, Polly, and the other 6 triplets laugh.
"Ha! You clown. You're copying us.", Polly grinned before she and the triplets laughed.
Suddenly, as soon as the robot started laughing, it came out as creepy and distorted. This made the triplets hide behind each other in fear.
"Whoa, your laugh is horrifying. I love it! You're no monster. You're just a big tadpole. I'm Polly, by the way.", Polly greeted.
"I'm Wiwy.", Lily greeted.
"My name's Andy.", Andy added.
"I'm Danny.", Danny added.
"I'm Becca.", Rebecca responded.
"Abby.", Abby added.
"Sarah.", sarah added.
"I'm Adam.", Adam added.
"Alex.", Alex added.
"And I'm Jamie. What's your name?", Jamie asked.
No answer came from the robot, although its armor did glisten.
"Can't talk, huh? You really are a baby.", Polly responded before she hopped over to the top of the robot's shoulder.
"You look like one of those things from the fighting game on Anne's phone. What was it called? A Robo. Except you're more like a frog. I will call you Frobo.", Polly gasped excitedly.
The robot showed excitement as he spun his head and did a fun pose to show he likes it.
"I know, I know. I'm a genius.", Polly laughed.
"So what ewse can you do?", Lily asked.
In response, the robot picked up the 9 triplets and began juggling them, making them laugh happily. A moment after, he gently tossed them to the ground before they turned back to the robot.
"Anything ewse?", Danny asked as Lily giggled still.
In response, the robot simply turned to the restaurant and then lifted it up all the way to the sky, unaware that Wally and a couple of other customers were inside. As he looked out the window, slurping from his barrel-like mug, he saw a fish with wings squawking before putting it down on the table, gurgling, and spitting the drink out.
"No more for me, thanks.", Wally spoke.
"Whoa!", Polly chuckled in amazement as Frobo set the restaurant back down.
"You'we incwedible!", Adam beamed.
"I don't believe this. We all have our own frog dang sidekick. Frobo, how'd you like to have some fun?", Polly offered.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Croaker was walking over to the bakery with another beetle pie set up and placed on the window.
"Ooh, pie.", Mrs. Croaker grinned, walking inside before seeing Mrs. Flour.
"Hey, Mrs. Flour. That pie smells fresh.", Mrs. Croaker grinned.
"Well, it should. It just came out of the oven.", Mrs. Flour responded, not knowing that Polly, the 9 triplets, and Frobo were watching.
"Hey, Frobo, grab that beetle pie for us.", Polly said.
"Pwease?", the 9 triplets pleaded with their cute eyes.
In response, Frobo tossed his arm toward the pie only to crush it by accident, splattering it all over Mrs. Croaker and Mrs. Flour, both of which screamed.
"Oh, hey, it's cherry.", Mrs. Croaker stated, tasting the splattered remains on herself.
"Why do I keep setting pies out on windows?", Mrs. Flour sighed.
"Run, Frobo!", Polly and the triplets shouted, rolling away before Frobo rolled away, too.
"Hey, check this out.", Polly grinned.
With that, she did parkour on the mailbox and lamppost with "Mallard" and "Minnow" street signs on it with the 9 triplets doing their own parkour and high-fiving Frobo.
"Your turn.", Polly grinned.
Then, Frobo only jumped and landed on a lamppost, crushing it altogether.
"Oh, a bit of, uh, property damage there.", Polly spoke, giggling nervously.
It was then that sirens wailed loudly nearby, alarming Polly and worrying the 9 triplets.
"Oh, shoot! Frobo, it's time to fro-go!", Polly shouted before trying to hop away.
But by then, Frobo had already picked her and the 9 triplets up as he started running, earning her happy laughter. Frobo started swinging from rooftop to rooftop, much to Polly and the triplets' elation.
"Hello?", a villager asked, peeping out of her window.
Meanwhile, the two police officers who saw the damage spoke to one another.
"You thinking what I'm thinking, Larry?", one officer asked.
"On three. One, two, three.", Larry began before he and his partner spoke the answer at the same time.
"Giant octopus!", both shouted in unison before one of the officers dropped his bat.
"Case closed. That's why you and I are partners, best ever.", the officer said as he and his partner walked away.
Meanwhile, Polly and the triplets returned near the fountain.
"Whoo! I don't know what Anne was so worried about. Taking care of someone is easy.", Polly grinned.
"Uh-huh.", the triplets agreed with a nod.
"All right, Frobo. Time to enter the splash zone.", Polly laughed before entering the fountain again.
"Come on, buddy. Your turn.", Adam offered.
Frobo blinked for a moment. And after that, he went into ball form and shot up into the air with a jetpack, making the triplets worried, if not horrified as they looked up and watched him dive.
"Um... Powwy...?", Lily asked nervously.
"Yep. This might've been a mistake.", Polly agreed before Frobo landed, not only splashing the whole town, but also damaging it as one frog got swept away and Ivy had to hop away from the statue, which hit the window, before the flood passed through the statue.
With the damage done, Polly and the triplets recovered before gasping in horror at what befell the town: the damage to most of the town except the barber shop.
"Oh, no!", Polly and the triplets spoke in horror.
"No!", Loggle sobbed.
Just then, who should come out but Toadstool, wearing a sort of Elvis-Presley-like wig.
"Hey! Can't a guy try a new hairstyle in peace?", Toadstool asked before gasping at the sight of Frobo as Toadie popped up behind the mayor.
"Sweet sassy molassy!", Toadstool shouted.
"Finally, done cleaning up.", Anne sighed.
"It would've been worse if the birds started pecking us.", Sasha added.
"Yeah. Now let's go find Polly and those triplets.", Jackie agreed.
Suddenly, Anne, Sasha, and their siblings, let alone with Sprig, Grime, Bombina, Percy, and Braddock all gasped upon seeing Frobo with Polly and the triplets.
"I think we already found them.", Braddock said.
"Wha... What is that thing?", Sprig asked.
"Is that some kind of crazy frog robot?", Sasha asked.
"Uh, maybe.", Polly spoke, grinning nervously.
"What is that?", Toadstool asked as everyone else gathered near him.
"It's some kind of hulking monster. Look at that.", Wally responded.
"Good gravy.", Felicia piped up.
"Well, whatever it is, it destroyed the fountain. Second time this week too.", Toadstool said.
"It's some kind of metal abomination.", Stumpy added.
"No, no! He's not dangerous. He's just a big, sweet dum-dum. Frobo, show them. Do a trick.", Polly urged.
But when Frobo got up, he only aimed at the wind compass on top of one of the houses and blasted it. While it did impress the triplets, however, it frightened everyone else.
"Gadzooks!", Toadstool shouted.
"Quick! We gotta destroy it.", Stumpy urged, holding a box of mob stuff before flinging said mob stuff to the townspeople, who caught each material and clamored with a charge straight toward Frobo, making the triplets gasp in fear for him.
"No!", the triplets shouted in worry.
"No, wait! Stop! I told you he was harmless. Now, back off.", Polly ordered.
Suddenly, one of the townspeople inadvertently pushed her whilst nearly stepping on her.
"Wow, you really kicked me there.", Polly spoke, rubbing her cheek.
"Oh, whoops. Sorry, Polly.", the townsperson apologized.
Unfortunately, all Frobo saw was that Polly was hurt by one of the townspeople. As a result, he got hostile as his eyes turned red before he extended his fingers like claws.
"Welp, that don't look good.", Toadstool said in worry.
Then, Frobo roared and rolled toward the "attackers" like a ball.
"No!", Polly and the triplets shouted.
Everyone fled from an angry Frobo with Ivy about to get caught in his warpath until Felicia got her out of his way. Still angry, Frobo roared and hopped toward the townspeople and landed near them, making them scream as he then used his eye lasers, trying to get them.
"You don't think it could be one of those robots from the ruins of despair on our road trip, do you?", Bombina asked.
"Well, whatever it is, we've got to stop it before it hurts anyone.", Allison said in worry.
"I think you're right.", Sasha agreed.
"Come on, guys! Nobody wants to live forever! I know I said that before, but it still works. Charge!", Percy shouted before he, Anne, and their siblings and friends charged into battle, much to Polly's behest.
"No, wait! Guys!", Polly shouted.
"Fwobo didn't mean it!", Lily shouted.
"He doesn't know any bettew!", Abby added.
But the trembling townspeople didn't think so as Frobo cornered them.
"Hey, you!", Anne shouted after tossing a rock at Frobo, who turned to see them.
"You leave those frogs alone!", Sasha added before they all charged with Sprig and Grime roaring.
When they tried to attack, Frobo only swept with his arm with Anne on top of him before she tried to whack him multiple times only for Frobo to grab her with both arms.
"Anne!", Jackie and Rose shouted in worry.
"Hey! You put her down, you big...!", Sasha shouted before Frobo tossed Anne toward Sasha with both headed towards a haystack.
"Anne!", Jackie and Rose shouted.
"Sasha!", Allison and Pat shouted at the same time before they, Sprig, Grime, Bombina, Percy, and Braddock caught up to them.
"Are you all okay?", Allison asked.
"Tha... That all you got?", Anne groaned.
"Yeah. They're okay.", Pat sighed.
"That was quite a hit you all took.", Percy said.
"Yeah. One more hit like that and you would've all been done for.", Braddock agreed.
Unfortunately for them, Frobo was right behind them, preparing to incinerate them, his eyes glowing bright red.
"Hang in there, kids.", Toadstool shouted as he and the townspeople charged.
"Frobo, no!", Polly and the triplets pleaded.
But the townspeople only roared in rage while Anne and the others gasped in fear, Frobo about to fire at them. All this was too much for the triplets to handle. So much so in fact, that markings developed across their stubby little arms and their hair each glowed a respective blue (for the Boonchuys), pink (for the Waybrights), and green hair color (for the Wus) whilst spiking up with their eyes glowing in the same respective colors.
"ENOUGH!", the 9 triplets shouted before dashing in-between Frobo and their siblings, as well as the townspeople.
"What the...?!", Anne exclaimed.
"It's the triplets...!", Sasha added.
"WE SAID... ENOUGH!", the triplets shouted, launching a shockwave that knocked the townspeople away from Frobo and Frobo away from Anne and the others.
"Probably should've remembered their having powers thing.", Grime said, clearing his throat.
After that, the triplets panted as their powers, and their markings, faded for the time being, allowing Polly to catch up.
"Thanks, you guys. I'll take it from here.", Polly said.
"Okay.", the 9 triplets agreed before Polly hopped over to Frobo, who shook his head and looked toward Polly.
"Frobo, I know you're just trying to protect us. Everything you did today was because we... I asked you to. And now I'm asking you to stop.", Polly requested.
Then, something surprising came from Frobo.
"Po... Po... Polly.", Frobo spoke. This made Polly and the triplets gasp.
"Frobo, your first words!", Polly gasped excitedly.
"Well, now that it's calmed down, LET'S TEAR THIS THING APART!", Toadstool shouted, only to get a rise out of the triplets, making them power up again.
"NEVER!", the triplets shouted.
"Never!", Polly shouted at the same time.
"Come on, Toadstool, isn't there another way?", Anne asked.
"Yeah. It seems like Polly really likes him.", Jackie agreed.
"Anne, Jackie, I know this town is no stranger to crazy at this point...", Stumpy began as he and Toadie appeared.
"But come on.", Toadie added.
"This Frobo thing is a menace.", Felicia added.
"It destroyed my shack. I mean, someone's gotta answer for this mess.", Loggle added.
Then, Polly sighed in agreement.
"You're right. I will. This wasn't Frobo's fault. It was mine. I taught him how to do all of this. I'm sorry about the damage.", Polly apologized.
"Okay, what? Who are you and what have you done with Polly?", Pat asked in surprise.
"Yeah. I never saw you take that much initiative in being responsible before.", Allison added.
"I'll do whatever it takes to fix it all up. But leave Frobo alone. He's innocent. Frobo, say you're sorry.", Polly said.
"So... Sorry.", Frobo apologized.
Fortunately, it assuaged their rage and calmed them down.
"It said sorry and I suppose that's good enough for me, eh.", Larry said.
"We don't even have handcuffs that big anyway.", his partner agreed.
Toadstool, however, only groaned.
"I guess we already accepted three monsters, let alone 18 counting their siblings and those adorable triplets.", Toadstool said.
"Yep. I mean, what's one more at this point?", Loggle said as he and the others walked away.
At this point, Marcy chuckled as she, Max, and Alexis walked out with Hop Pop, carrying tomato plant seeds.
"I can't believe they had tomato plant seeds.", Marcy chuckled.
"I still think you shouldn't have bought those.", Hop Pop responded.
"Well, can she really help it? She's that excited about new stuff she never learned before.", Max responded.
"Yeah. That's how it is with her.", Alexis agreed.
Suddenly, the 4 noticed the damage done to the town.
"Wha... What in tarnation?!", Hop Pop shouted before gasping upon seeing Frobo.
"Hey, Hop Pop.", Polly and the 9 triplets spoke.
Naturally, Marcy was very excited.
"Oh, my gosh! Is that a robot? Where did it come from? What is it made of? Can I have one?", Marcy spoke in surprise as she tossed the bag toward Hop Pop and gleefully examined Frobo.
"What's a robot?", Hop Pop asked.
"Too hard to explain.", Anne, Sasha, and their siblings spoke in unison.
Then, Polly hopped over to Hop Pop as the triplets followed her.
"So, I know this is a lot to take in, but can we please keep him? I'll be his big sister. I'm ready to take care of someone.", Polly said.
"We all are.", the 9 triplets spoke in unison.
"Whoa!", Sprig said in surprise.
"Wow, what a turn around.", Anne added.
"I thought they'd have to be a bit older than that to take care of someone, though...", Jackie said.
"Uh, I'm not sure, Polly. It sure seems dangerous. Besides that, we already have a pet in the underground lab. I mean, can it do anything useful?", Hop Pop asked, gesturing to Stumpy, the pet pumpkin monster.
"Show 'em, Frobo.", Polly responded.
With that, Frobo raked the dirt, set up a fence, and grew flowers with water from his arms, even getting out a watering tin can and showing water on the plants gently.
"Ooh! Welcome to the family, Mr. Frobo. So, do anything else?", Hop Pop asked as Frobo gently carried Hop Pop, who carried Polly as Marcy examined Frobo closely.
In response, Frobo turned his head around and toast came out from the top of his head, exciting Hop Pop and Marcy.
"Don't mind if I do.", Hop Pop grinned.
"Hey! It's multigrain.", Marcy grinned.
"Wow! First underground computers and now a robot?", Rose asked.
"I know. That was awesome!", Pat added.
"Wait a second. Guys, you don't think that thing was what got built in the Ruins of Despair, do you?", Jackie asked.
"No way! And followed us all the way home? That would have been hundreds of miles.", Sprig said.
"Could be.", Percy said.
"It does seem like the only explanation that makes sense.", Grime added with everyone pressing their fingers on their chins in suspicion.
Little did anyone realize that a couple of orc spies were watching this development.
"We must inform Azog about this. This is a very surprising development indeed.", the orc spy notified before the other orc nodded in agreement.
A/N: Looks like things are starting to ramp up now from here on out. And who knows what could happen in the next episode...? Also, in this one, Luci Christian voices Mrs. Flour, Mr. Flour's wife, and Hynden Walch is the actress for Katrina. :)