I apologize for the really long wait. Blame a combination of procrastination and me working on other projects. And it would've been an even longer wait if I didn't split this into three chapters instead of two.

Oh well.

It was a dark and stormy day outside the South Tower. Many would consider this to be nothing more than a bout of bad weather. Those who enjoy dark humor would say it's nature's way of washing away the bodily remains left over from New Amphibia's takeover. But really, it was sort of a prophetic sign of the metaphorical storm that's soon to come.

Bog gathered his top soldiers into a meeting room for the first weekly meeting, where New Amphibia would review what they've accomplished so far and outline what's soon to come.

"So, it's been a week since we took this tower and began our journey toward ruling the entire world," Bog began. "I wanna know how things are going before we take the East Tower tomorrow."

Most of the people at the table glanced at each other uneasily. "Tomorrow?" asked Fens. "I do not think that's a good idea, Master. Seriously."

Bog frowned and gave the green toad a calculating glare. "And why do you say that?"

"Well, I and my fellow New Amphibians think it would be more resourceful to strengthen our holds on various towns before we attempt to storm another tower," said Fens. "And so far the number of towns that have capitulated to our demands is… less than one."

"You're saying no one has given into us!?" shouted Bog, incredulous.

"That's not what I said," Fens noted. "We just feel that it's unfair to count Bittyburg equally with the other towns. Not when it could be easily obliterated by a single person by accident."

"Yeah, that place is like 5% of a town at best," said a Marauder named Roger.

Bog's anger only increased. "We haven't even taken Wartwood!? Is a small farm town really too much for trained soldiers to handle!?"

"The Wartwoodians are surprisingly crafty," said Fens begrudgingly. "And Mayor Toadstool hasn't accepted any of our bribes. Apparently he doesn't do that anymore."

"Plus, some Newtopian soldiers have been dispatched to the area," added another toad. "They're not overly effective, since apparently all the good newt soldiers are busy finding robots, whatever that means, but it's probably significant."

"This is unacceptable!" Bog slammed his hands on the table, clattering all the paperwork. "This army is supposed to be filled with competent soldiers, not worthless fools!"

"Have you ever considered that it's not our fault?" exclaimed a pink toad who seemed to have made it his job to question Bog's decisions.

"Excuse me?" Bog gave the pink toad a look of utter contempt.

Everyone else at the table scooted back a bit, not wanting to get in the way of what's about to happen.

"Well, you're not exactly doing a great job at being a commander," said the pink toad, oblivious to the danger he put himself into. "You haven't exactly been strategizing, or giving us any orders other than 'attack' and 'conquer.' It seems clear to me that our initial victory here made you overconfident in this army's strength, and furthermore—"

Those were the pink toad's last words before Bog flung a spear through his skull.

"Now that he's been silenced, here's what we're gonna do," said Bog as if he hadn't casually killed someone. "I want Wartwood under our control as soon as possible— that's our top priority right now. Recall all our troops from the valley and get them back here by tonight. Tomorrow we will unleash the full might of New Amphibia onto that town and pulverize their resistance!"

"But that would mean we'd lose Bittyburg and leave this tower vulnerable!" protested another toad. "Surely we should—"

Another spear. Another skull. Another burst of blood.

Bog seethed with rage. "Does anyone else have any opinions they want to share?"

Everyone wisely shook their heads.

"Good. Tomorrow, Wartwood and its puny inhabitants will be ours! For New Amphibia!"

"For New Amphibia!" The battle cry echoed throughout the tower, especially toward the mole listening in from outside the room.

"I need to warn everyone as fast as possible," they muttered before scampering off.

We're having another fight

We're having another fight

We're having another fight

And I won't be flattened by the temple heat thingy this time

"Polly, this is serious," said Sprig, interrupting his sister's song from atop Joe Sparrow.

"Don't act like you're not thinking the same thing," Polly retorted.

"Yeah, well…" Sprig stopped for a moment before admitting defeat. "Okay, you're right."

"This isn't a fun matter," said Grime in disapproval. "This is an armed conflict that has the potential to grow into a full-blown revolution! Good thing Beatrix had someone secretly join the defectors from her tower. Otherwise this could've grown too big to stop too soon."

"This is so dumb," said Sasha. "We literally just finished our quest to charge the box. Don't we get a break?"

"Let's think of it as our Metroid escape sequence," said Marcy excitedly. "We completed the game's main objective but we still have to finish this task if we wanna reach the end credits."

"Real life isn't a video game, Mar-Mar," said Anne.

"Hold on there, Anne," said Hop Pop. "I admit I don't know too much about your world's 'videos game' but it sounds like Marcy has a point. Unexpected things always happen— I mean, who would've expected the three of you? Aside from everyone who knew that prophecy, I guess."

Marcy shrugged. "That's not what I meant at all, but sure."

"See, this is more like it!" exclaimed Polly. "Logic says a 6-year-old shouldn't face an army of violent adults, but if the unexpected is gonna happen then I'll win!" Then she started singing again.

I'm gonna whack some dumb toad in the face

All of his teeth are gonna fall out

I'll take his stuff as trophies

"I like these kids but I really should've asked for a pay raise," said Karina quietly so no one else could hear. She guided Joe Sparrow toward Wartwood's nearby gates.

"Rise and shine, Wartwood! Get ready for another day of being attacked 'cause that's what our lives have come to apparently." Mayor Toadstool sighed as he stepped away from the crowd that gathered in the center of town. "Being a good mayor sure is hard work."

"Yes, but at least everyone in town likes you," said Toadie.

"That's a good point." The mayor stopped when he noticed his assistant's hair was now in a spiky Mohawk. "Toadie, what have you done with your hair?"

"You like it, sir? It's part of my new battle look."

Toadstool stood there for several seconds before he began tearing up. "It's perfect…"

…

"Weapons! Get your weapons here! Can't fight invading bandits without some fresh weapons." Leopold Loggle had seriously reinvented himself. Not only did he start crafting wooden weapons, he's also buff as shit.

Still, the visiting Newtopian soldiers scoffed. "Why should we spend our money on a wooden sword when our handcrafted metal ones are far superior?" asked one of them.

"It's simple," said Loggle. "In just three days I've gone from the local wood freak to the strongest individual in a 40 mile radius. My pure awesomeness has reached such great levels that you're compelled to listen to me whether you want to or not."

"Wow, he's right," said another newt. "I have to buy those wooden swords right now."

"Yeah, me too," said the first soldier. The two of them quickly handed over some coins and got their new weapons.

Loggle smiled. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

…

Soggy Joe stood with some toads loyal to Beatrix who had just arrived in town. "So, have any of you got some extreme scar stories? I know I do!"

"Define extreme," said one toad. "Because I'm guessing what counts as 'extreme' in this town ain't much."

Joe chuckled. "Don't underestimate what a frog can handle. One time I caught a little scorpion near a river— it wasn't much but it would make a good snack. I whacked it against a rock a few times, figuring that was enough to kill it. But I was wrong– when I put it in my mouth the little shit took a nice bite right out of my tongue." He stuck his tongue out, showing that a decently sized chunk of it was missing.

"Holy crap…" said another toad. "That is pretty extreme."

"Yeah, and it hurt a lot," Joe continued. "But of course I wouldn't just accept that loss. I crushed that asshole so good it's brain started leaking out! I pretty much ruined its usability as food but I still came out on top! No one can defeat a buff frog! Not toads, not bugs, not lizards wearing fancy suits, nothing!" He paused, remembering his initial question. "So what about you guys?

"I don't think the two of us can compete with that," said the first toad, "but Mike can— he has a way more extreme injury than your tongue bite. Hey Mike, get over here!"

A toad wearing a face-concealing helmet (like Mire's) walked over.

"Show this frog why you hide your face all the time."

Mike slowly removed the faceplate and showed Soggy Joe his visage. It was such an extreme sight that it simply cannot be described.

All Joe could say was "Ouch."

…

Meanwhile, Ivy was running all around the Tea Shoppe full of energy.

"Woo! Fight!"

"Oh, you're not doing any more fighting…" said Felicia.

Ivy turned around and angrily frowned.

"…without Mama by your side!" The tea shop owner tore off her dress, revealing her martial arts outfit underneath.

Ivy's frown turned upside-down. "Yeah! Fight, fight, fight!"

The two of them ran outside, with Ivy splitting off to join Maddie, who was busy brewing potions.

"You still working on the upgraded explosion pouches?" asked Ivy.

"Uh huh, they should be armor piercing now," said the witchy frog. "I'm ready to see some serious carnage! On the enemy's side of course, not ours."

"Yeah, let's clobber those guys!" exclaimed Ivy. "If only my BOYFRIEND was here to fight alongside me! That would make things better."

Maddie gave Ivy an unimpressed look. "You really think that if you scream into the sky, you'll miraculously summon him?"

Ivy shrugged. "A girl can dream, can't she?"

"Ca-Caw!"

The two frogs looked up and saw Joe Sparrow about to land.

"Ha!" shouted Ivy smugly.

Maddie frowned. "Ugh, whatever." She and Ivy ran toward where the bird was soon to be.

…

A big crowd gathered around the main group and asked so many questions it was impossible to focus on any of them.

"What happened at the castle? Why'd it float all of a sudden?"

"Did you find a way back to Earth?"

"Does Newtopia have good weather?"

"Did you miss me? I missed you!"

"Did you get my gift? I'm secretly rich!"

"I just moved here yesterday! What even are you kids!?"

"People of Wartwood!" announced Grime to the crowd, silencing them. "We will answer your questions about our adventure later. Right now we're going to deal with the recent invaders."

"Actually, before we do that I have a question," said Sprig. He took a deep breath before screaming as loud as he could."WHAT HAPPENED TO LOGGLE!? HOW'D YOU GET SO BIG!? WHO DID YOU EAT AND AM I NEXT!?"

Anne peered into the crowd. "What are you talking abou— oh my frog, he's enormous."

"No eating, just lots of bench pressing," said the blue axolotl.

"Let's go back to the last temple and steal the gym stuff there," said Sasha. "I need muscles like that one day."

"Oh, you would definitely rock that look, girl," said Marcy happily.

"Thanks, Mar-Mar."

"Where is he!? Where is that poor excuse of a Toad Lord!?" The crowd parted to reveal Beatrix, looking absolutely apoplectic.

"Aunt Beatrix!" Sasha jumped off the sparrow, weights forgotten for now. Beatrix was getting a hug.

"Hey there, kiddo." Beatrix wrapped one arm around Sasha and went back to yelling at Grime. "You've really done it this time, Grimothy. You leave the tower for a few weeks and now a rebel army is getting ready to take over the world! You should've dealt with Bog long before he took your tower from the two fools you left in charge."

"Hey, don't insult Percy and Braddock!" Sasha yelled. "They're doing their best!"

Beatrix blushed a little in embarrassment over being scolded by a little kid. "Okay, that was uncalled for, I admit it, but that doesn't excuse your father. This crap was completely avoidable!"

"You're right," Grime replied.

"No, you—" Beatrix paused. "Oh, I assumed you were gonna argue against that, leading to one of our usual fights."

"I do disagree with you putting all the blame on me specifically," said Grime, "but this could've been avoided entirely if the system was different in the first place."

Beatrix looked at her brother like he was spouting nonsense. "What are you going on about?"

"The whole damn system is wrong!" shouted Grime. "What we had in the towers encouraged cruelty and punished decency! That's no way to live!"

"Blame the damn newts for sticking us there in the first place!"

"Hey!" shouted one of the newts.

"The crown is making efforts to fix things," said Grime. "But we can't ignore our part in being part of this. I used to be like Bog before I met Sasha, and deep down I'm sure there's a part of you that wants to overthrow the monarchy as well."

"Maybe a little bit…" said Beatrix quietly.

"Exactly. I'll try to talk Bog down from the attack. If he focuses his fire on me then maybe he'll spare Wartwood."

"You really think you can reason with those guys?" asked one frog suspiciously.

"Probably not," admitted Grime truthfully, "but it would be wrong for me to not try, even if it means endangering myself."

"Dad!"

Grime gave his daughter a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sasha. I'll be fine."

"Yeah you will, because we're gonna fight the whole army! Not whatever you just planned!" Ivy raised her hand in the air. "Who's with me!?"

"YEAH!" shouted the Wartwoodians.

"This place really has changed," Hop Pop noted. "I gotta go cook something." He began walking back to the Plantar house.

"Grandpa-hop! Now's not the time for cooking!" Anne yelled.

"Don't worry, Anne! I've got a plan!" Hop Pop passed by Chuck, who was still maintaining the farm. "Hey."

"Tulips." Chuck tipped his hat in respect.

There was a moment of awkward silence.

"You have any idea what he's doing?" asked Marcy eventually.

"I do," said Sprig. "And if I'm right then this army will regret setting foot in Wartwood for the rest of their lives…"

"Ominous, I like it!" said Polly happily.

"But seriously, people," said Grime. "Don't start fighting until after I attempt to reason with Bog."

Ivy grumbled. "Ugh, fine."

RING-RING-RING-RING-RING-RING-RING

"They're comiiiiiiiiiiing!"

Yet again, Wally rang the town bell, alerting everyone of impending danger. Everyone ceased their discussions and peered out of the gate. There were a lot more invaders coming today than the last few days.

"My frog, how many of them are there!?" exclaimed Mrs. Croaker.

Wally shrugged. "I dunno, maybe 150?"

Croaker smiled. "Good, more to destroy." She and the Wartwoodians all got their battle gear ready. This was gonna be the big one.

After a couple of minutes, everyone in Wartwood (sans Hop Pop) gathered outside the town gates and waited as the Army of New Amphibia arrived with Bog front and center.

"Packed crowd, I see," said the red toad with a chuckle. "And Grime, how nice of you to join us. I can take care of two problems at the same time."

"But that won't solve your biggest problem!" Beatrix shouted. "I know all about your recent failures, and that's because you're not fit to be a leader!"

Bog's expression darkened instantly. "I wasn't talking to you!"

"But I wasn't wrong, was I? Just surrender now before you embarrass yourself further." Beatrix's smugness was probably tangible.

Bog grumbled. "Maintaining control in this valley has been… more difficult than expected, but that ends today. When the other towns see what we do to this miserable place, they'll have no choice but to surrender."

"Damn it, Bog! It doesn't have to be this way!" Grime pleased. "You're angry at me and I recognize that, but you can't just take your anger out on innocent towns. Toads, frogs, newts— we're meant to be united!"

"Yes, that's the problem exactly! The Grime I knew wouldn't hesitate to destroy these pathetic frogs and newts and wipe them off the face of the planet! You can't just indoctrinate us into your system and just abandon us when you change the way you think, you hypocrite! You were like an older brother to me once, but that wasn't as important to you as it was for me, was it!?"

Grime was filled with a huge amount of shame because he knew Bog was right. "I'm sorry…" he said in a somber tone. "You're right. It was wrong for me to completely change the way the tower operates and just expect everyone to accept that without issue."

Bog was clearly done with this conversation. "I'm not here for apologies, I'm here to destroy! Let's do this! For New Amphibia!"

"For New Amphibia!"

This was gonna be a battle for the ages…

So yeah, if you couldn't tell by the chapter title and the little discussion the main group has, this whole scenario was inspired by The Scourging of the Shire from LOTR, in the sense that it's a final challenge the heroes have to face after the main quest is completed.