Sprig woke up in a nicely decorated room. It was a guest room in the ex-mayor's mansion. He had come here to practice his speech for tonight.
He had gone home to talk to Hop Pop over not telling him about the fall, Hop Pop tried to play it off as just a small trip but Sprig knew it was worse, Polly wouldn't be that distraught over a small trip, the conversation would have to continue later.
After that, he had come to the mansion to start preparing for the speech.
It was the dullest thing he had ever read. A none stop attempt to try and put an audience to sleep.
It talked about Anne and how she came to town. About how she made Amphibia a better place.
There was no mention of the time at the lake or the time she was a celebrity because of her pimples or how the frog of the year party turned into a disaster.
It was a gentrified version of what happened.
Sprig knew it wasn't so bad, nothing in the document was an outright lie but it felt like they were forgetting what made Anne special.
He had eventually drifted to sleep, yet again he had the same dream of Anne calling for him.
That's when Sprig noticed the knocking on the door, Embarrassed he rushed over to the door and opened it, standing there was a neatly dress frog, It was Mayor Toadie.
After ten years it still felt weird to see him as mayor of the town, in all fairness he was great at the job, While he respected his predecessor he had addressed the faults of the previous administration. Partly because the newly reformed previous mayor helped.
"Good afternoon Sprig," said the long-standing mayor, "How is the practice going?"
"Fine" muttered Sprig.
"Anything wrong?" Replied the smaller frog genuinely concerned.
Sprig sighed, "I know I have to do this but it still feels like I'm lying about Anne. Do you know how it feels to lie about someone you care for?."
Toadie looked and him quietly and nodded slowly, I worked for Toadstool since I was thirteen, trust me I know."
Sprig rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh."
"Also, I'm a politician, lying has become a second nature to me."
"Really?"
"Yeah, Watch this, I think Polly isn't a clear and present danger to the town."
Sprig nodded impressed, "Wow."
"Thanks."
"You don't mind if I took a break do you?"
Toadie nodded "Sure just be at the stage for the presentation, We're all counting on you."
Sprig nodded and walked out of the room, he walked down the halls and to the doors of the manor.
Opening the doors he was confronted by a wave of noise and activity.
The celebration was in full swing.
There were stalls selling toys of the three heroes, there were storytellers telling tales of the girls, and there were food stalls selling the foods the girls had introduced to this world.
There were Amphibians from all over the world, Frogs, Toads, Newts, Axtols, Salamanders, and surprisingly Olms, using giant umbrellas.
In a way the sight made Sprig smile. This was what he thought was Anne's legacy.
He continued to walk avoiding the children running around him, watching couples walking hand in hand, just hearing people complain about how this year's celebration was not as good as last year's, other were just dancing in street.
The mood was overall good. Sprig found himself starting to smile.
As started to walk a little bit faster, he wanted to see how things were by the statue.
It was a tradition that on the night of the celebration of the girls their statues would be adorned with flowers. right now Anne's was covered from head to one shoed foot in blue flowers.
There was a ring of flowers on her head which reminded Sprog of the day she departed.
He smiled when he saw the statue, today was a reminder of how much Anne meant to this town, the girl who stood up for her family her town and ultimately saved the world.
It was a statute that showed how a beast could be a hero and become beloved by all.
"She's a monster." said a young voice,
Sprig turned around to see a young frog, with blue skin covered in black spots, she was wearing a green dress, this was Marcy the frog.
"Why do you keep making fun of the savior?" said a voice of a boy, standing next to her was a young toad boy, he looked at her annoyed, he was wearing what most would see as small armor with boots, it was white but it was covered in dirt, his skin was a dull pink. He was the son of those two toads Sprig had briefly seen at the tower.
"You don't know who she was, you just say that because you love the stories," said Marcy taking issue with what she said.
"Show some respect, Maggot breath, You should be grateful for them." said the toad boy.
Sprig shook his head, he was watching this argument somewhat intrigued.
"Yes, every day we should be grateful because three angels came from the sky and saved the world. Like anyone believes that."
The toad boy looked at her annoyed.
"We have stories, we have evidence."
"Stories are not evidence, they're just stories, look at that statue, how can something like that be sentient, it's just a predator, look at those eyes so close together."
Sprig was about to stand up.
"Well even if they're not real, believing thein the hasn't done anything wrong they ended the conflict and hatred between our people."
"That would have happened eventually due to political activism and the changing ideologies."
This argument was getting strange, Sprig decided to intervene.
"Hey, Marcy, What's up?"
The frog girl turned around to see Sprig standing there.
"Sprig," she said a smile appearing on her face.
"Seems you're getting into a fight with this guy." said sprig pointing to the toad boy.
The toad boy was looking at Sprig his eyes wide with excitement, ", You're the Sprig Plantar, best friend to Anne Boonchuy, you were her disciple."
Sprig looked at the kid, it was like he was talking in a different language.
"Don't worry about him, Lucian's a hard-core believer in the So called trio," said Marcy doing finger quotes.
"Least I'm not scared of a statue,"
"I'm not scared of the statue."
Lucian laughed "Remember when you were six you thought the statue was looking at you and was going to eat you."
"It's scary looking okay."
"You almost peed yourself."
"Take that back," growled Marcy.
Okay calm down both of you," said Sprig trying to sound authoritative. "Lucian, stop picking on Marcy, Marcy stops being mean to Lucian."
Sprig felt a little odd. Was this what it felt like when Hop Pop scolded him and Polly?
"But he started it." Said Marcy.
"She was disrespecting the saviors." Said Lucian.
Sprig looked at both of them, and then smiled "Well as someone who knew the heroes I can tell you you're both wrong."
"What." said both children confused.
"Blasphemer," added Lucian,
Sprig shook his head, "They weren't the heroes we tell in the stories, in a way they were better they grew to become those heroes, I just wish you guys-"
"Marcy Yunan," said a voice from behind Sprig, it was one of excitement and adventure, one that had seen a thousand battles, one that had laughed over the bodies of her defeated enemies.
It was none other than Marcy's mother general Yunan."
"Here mom," said Marcy.
A tall orange newt in a white shirt and dark trousers walked up to three from behind the statue, "Ahh there you, Oh, Lucian, your here."
Sprig coughed trying to get the taller newt's attention, The general turned and saw Sprig standing there. "Oh Sprig, you're back how was the continent."
"Cool we made a few discoveries, We were just talking about Anne and the others and…"
"He said they were nothing like the stories," said Lucian trying to snitch on Sprig.
"What?" said Yunan confused.
"No, listen I meant that they were a lot different than what the stories say they were, You know the stories tend to glamorize them a lot."
"Pffft," said Yunan dismissively. " It's not that bad."
"They say Marcy was graceful."
Yunan's eyes widened in disbelief, "What, you Mean Marcy Kluzty Wu?"
Sprig nodded.
"Marcy was clumsy?" said Marcy the frog.
"Yeah," laughed Yunan, "and a total know it all."
"Like you." Said Lucian with a smile.
"I am not I know it all, I'm just really smart." replied the frog pouting.
"What about the brave and even tempered Sasha?" replied Lucian.
"Even Tempered," said Sprig adding a laugh to the end of that, Yunan was smirking, "She was one the angriest person I ever met."
Lucian looked like he had been punched in the face. "What?"
"Oh yeah, she was kind of a royal jerk." said Yunan "Admittedly I was trying to capture her for a corrupt monarch but still."
Lucian fell to the floor broken, Sprig looked at both children and realized maybe he made a mistake, he sighed "Listen The stories embellish the girls a little but they were still heroes, you just need to hear what they were really like."
The frog and the Toad children looked at him, "What?" said Lucian.
"Really?" said Marcy.
Both were looking at him interested,
"Yeah, How about this after the fair meet me at the farm, we can talk about it later."
"I'll be there too, probably with Olivia," said Yunan, putting her hand on Sprig's shoulder, "It's about time Marcy learned about her namesake."
Marcy groaned, "As if I hadn't heard the stories hundreds of times before."
Lucian looked at both of them, his eyes full of wonder.
"Anyway, we need to get going, come on Marcy your other mother wants you in your best dress before the party starts."
"Do I have to, I mean you get to wear your armor,"
"You can wear your armor when you get some," She turned to Lucian "Lucian I'll walk you home to your parents."
"Thank you, General," said Lucian politely.
Yunan then turned to sprig, "Good luck at the speech today Sprig," she said before walking off.
Sprig smiled, and turned to the statue.
"Don't worry Anne I'll tell them about the real you."
He turned away and started to walk to the stage it was almost time for him to give his speech, it was just a dull speech and then he would tell the stories of the Anne he loved.
IT might not be so bad of an evening.
…
When Anne first saw the portal Terri had built ten years ago, she had been amazed, She didn't know exactly how it worked but still, having Terri on her side was the breakthrough she had needed since she had first come to earth, someone who knew what they were doing.
The ex-Lab assistant had become an invaluable ally, after a month of confusion she finally was able to get back to Amphibia. (Despite the initial hiccups.)
This wasn't the same portal from all that time ago, this was a newly constructed one, it was larger and it was made less from what Terri had called Junk and more from newer components.
Despite being more powerful than the previous model, It still couldn't open a portal any bigger than its predecessor.
Anne still remembered the first time they turned it on, just after her eighteenth birthday, she was full of hope and excitement.
The portal had opened for around thirty seconds the same size, in some random part of Amphibia.
After that, the portal just shut down, even with the generator Mr. X gave them it just didn't work.
For the next four years, the Jan's and Mr.X worked on the portal. Mr.X had been keeping the entire thing secret from the F.B.I, claiming he'd prefer if his organization didn't know about any of this, he was all too aware of how bad things would go if they knew they had a working portal on their hands.
Each time that portal failed Anne just accepted it, she just admitted to herself that she might never see that world again.
It hurt to admit but it was true.
Right now the portal was illuminated by multicolored lights. There was a cooler with various cans of drinks from soda to alcohol, currently, k-pop was playing from a sound system, which many of the older parties found odd but Anne was nodding her head to the rhythm of it, in one corner Anne could see Mr. X talking to her father, she was surprised to see that her parents had gotten rather friendly with the government agent who once tried to track her down.
There was popular character actor Humphrey was talking to Molly Jo Otto, a young student teacher she would be leaving early, as much as she wanted to see Sprig again she had a test tomorrow, on the other side Jess and Ally, Dr. Jan and Terri were explaining to Marcy and Saha the science of what they were doing today, Marcy was listening, Sasha was forcing herself to keep her eyes open.
Of course, Anne had talked to everyone in that room that day, everyone excluding her parents, Mostly because she wanted to avoid talking about how her relationships were.
She had no idea what possessed her mother to become focused on such matters but she had become almost relentless in trying to see her daughter with someone.
Anne had so far successfully avoided her this evening by making sure everyone at the party was happy, if anyone needed a drink she was there, anyone needed to talk she would be there to talk, anything to avoid that conversation with her mother.
As Anne stood there making sure everyone had a drink for the sixteenth time already Terri walked up to her.
"Um Anne could you do me a favor, I left a notebook in the office on the other side of the warehouse, Could you go and get it for me."
"On it Terri," said Anne rushing in the direction of the office, She had been coming to this warehouse for years, she had a basic idea of where she was going, she got to the office in a second, it wasn't a big room mostly bare except for an old computer and a desk, there was a closet to the side, However there no notebook, Anne stepped further into the room.
The door closed, Anne turned around to see her mother and father standing there, her father had an apologetic smile on his face, Her mother had a look that she was familiar with since she was thirteen.
Absolute displeasure.
"Hello" Anne her mother said in a stern voice.
"Oh… Hi Mom," said Anne nervously.
"Sorry about this honey." said her father.
"It's okay dad."
"Anne I have something to ask."
The 23-year-old sighed, she knew what was coming.
"Anne…"
Are you seeing anyone? That was the question, it had to be.
"Where you alright last night?"
Anne froze, she didn't expect that question.
"What?"
"Were you alright last night, I mean it's been ten years, and-" her father stopped talking embarrassed.
"We were worried," finished her mother "When you came back…You were, Hurt, we wanted to make sure you were… her mother drifted off just as embarrassed as her father.
The guilt crashed into Anne, her mother hadn't been asking about her relationship status, She remembered the first month she was back, constant crying, days just laying in bed, weeks without showering, and only eating when her parents reminded her.
They were always patient with her, always willing to look after her.
After a few weeks of depression Ane started to attend counseling with Sasha and Marcy, Talking to a therapist helped, Mr.X had been a part of the counseling and credit where it was due to a man who was hunting her down a few days ago, he was generally supportive.
But the biggest help was her parents, they were with her when she woke up after a dream of reuniting with the Plantars, they stood by her when reporters and conspiracy theorists tried to investigate her, They did what they always did look after her.
She felt guilty about avoiding them now.
"I did cry last night, but it's okay," said Anne trying to alieve her parents of their concerns, "But it was okay."
"Really?" asked her mother.
"Yeah, I was with Sasha and Marcy, we talked, it helped."
Oum Boonchoy looked at her daughter for a second before she sighed and smiled, it was a warm smile Anne always loved to see on her mother, "Okay, I'm sorry We were just concerned, ten years ago… Well, we were scared, almost as much as the time you disappeared."
"I'm sorry, I should have told you, you guys have gone through a lot because of me already."
"We're your parents, it's our job to look after you, And considering where you ended up I say we've done a great job."
Anne laughed and then hugged her parents, who hugged her back. She owed them so much and was happy to still have their love,
"So what happened last night with Sasha and Marcy?" asked her mother.
"Not what you're thinking." said Anne trying to drive her mother away from that line of thought,"
"What I had good money on one of them being my Daughter in law one of these days."
The laughter between the Boonchuys was brought to an end by a sneeze coming from the closet.
All three turned to look at the door, all three instincts were prepared for a fight.
Each of them had been trained to deal with any sort of assailant.
Anne gripped the door handle and flung it open.
Standing there a boy with a surprised look on his face at seeing the Boonchuys, that surprised look changed to an awkward smile."Haha," he nervously chuckled, "Can I take your coats?"
Anne looked down at Max just standing there, "Max! What are you doing here?" she said not believing who was standing in front of her.
Max was quiet for a second and then shrugged, "I want to see Amphibia."
The three adults looked at him in shock.
"What?" said Anne.
"I want to see Amphibia," Max repeated, "Not the exhibit, the real one."
Anne's confusion just grew, "How do you know about…"
"Internet, I mean a lot of people blew off Frogvasion as a hoax but if you look in the right places online you'll find a lot of evidence that proves it's real, By the way, I wanted to ask this for some time can you make your hair go blue, that was so cool."
"Anne who is this?" asked her father.
"Um, Mom, Dad this is MAx Doe, he visits the aquarium weekly, And he knows about Amphibia."
Max put his hands up, "I only knew about it a year ago, Honestly, I wasn't stalking you, Though I did check out your Blipper account, Nice frog pictures by the way."
"Young man do your parents know where you are?" asked Mrs. Boonchuy slightly annoyed.
"Yeah they do," said Max calmly.
Whatever feelings Anne and Bee Boonchuy had for Max were replaced by pity the moment the older women in the room gave Max the look.
Max felt something in the glare the older women gave him something that entered him and removed whatever feeling he had with guilt, constant unending guilt.
"No, they don't, I snuck here in Dr. Waybright's car."
The glare stopped.
Max returned to normal, "Woah, that was scary."
Oum Boonchuy nodded, "Never fails."
The door to the office opened and Sasha and Marcy walked in, "Hey Anne, Terri said you were in here and…" Sasha started to say before she saw Max standing there. "Max?"
Max chuckled nervously, "Oh, Hi Doctor Waybright"
"What are you doing here?"
"I want to see Amphibia, I snuck inside the trunk of your car and- By the way drive slower next time, I just want to see Amphibia."
"How do you know…"
"Footage ten years ago, Also remember the time you showed me one of your tattoos."
"I show you those in confidence," said Sasha, "My bosses don't like me showing them off.
"Yeah, a girl was running around with the same swords in armor I'm guessing that's you, and You're Marcy Wu, the other girl who went missing." Max briefly paused to smile "Can I just say I love Amphaland"
Marcy smiled, "Thanks, It's always nice to meet a fan."
"Yeah, By the did Melody get her things trapped there on purpose, I mean I have the feeling she's hiding something."
Marcy froze in a mixture of guilt and embarrassment over the fact that someone had figured out the plot. "Ummm, Wait and see."
"Max, You can't see Amphibia," said Sasha.
"Why not?" whined Max
Anne looked at the kind his disappointed face was kind of hard to ignore, it reminded her of a small pink frog boy whenever he was confronted with disappointment, she looked at Sasha with a smile, but Sasha just gave her a disbelieving glare, Anne then looked at Marcy who pursed her lips, she was conflicted, Anne widened her eyes and quivered her lips and looked at Sasha, Sasha sighed and smiled.
"Okay, Max you can stay but be on your best behavior, No prank, No touching anything, and finally not causing the interdimensional end of the world."
Everyone looked at Sasha confused, Sasha shrugged, "What I'm not taking the risk."
"Yes." said Max happily, "Thank you, I'll behave."
"Call your parents first," said Anne.
Max rushed out of the office down towards the portal.
"Well that was unexpected," said Anne's mother, "I'll go explain things to Xavier."
"Who?" said Marcy.
"Mr. X, it's his first name."
Anne watched as her parents left, "Sorry about that girls but I'm sure Max will be on his best behavior."
"It's okay," said Marcy we just need to keep him away from the beer."
"Yeah, this might be good for him." said Sasha, The two girls looked at her, "What?" said the blonde confused.
"I think you might have just given us a hint towards his mysterious past," said Marcy.
"It was just the wrong word, it would be highly unethical if I revealed anything of one of my patients.." said Sasha exiting through the door.
Anne looked at Marcy, "Well that was interesting,"
"Yeah, Said Marcy distracted, "Hey quick question, should I change the entire story of Amphaland because a fan figured out what happened?"
"No, Just keep it," said Anne, "Your readers will respect you for it.
…
The hall was full of Amphibians hungry to hear the story of the trio.
Amphibians from across Amphibia had traveled to this town home of the hero Anne Boonchuy, just to hear her story of her, about how she had come from small beginnings and ultimately became the greatest hero of all of Amphibia.
From Bittysberg to Newtopia, they had come to hear the story from those who had known the trio.
The story Sprig was going to tell was going to be one that would encapsulate a legend, a hero, and his best friend, It was understandable that he would feel a little bit nervous about this.
Right now however the only thing he could think of was how his stomach felt squiffy, He wouldn't use the word squiffy but that's how he felt.
He was busy looking at his papers and trying to ignore the feeling in his stomach that he didn't hear the found of someone walking up to him.
That someone coughed and Srpig looked up, he saw Hop Pop holding a cup of some brown liquid, he gave his grandfather a slight glare, but he was still annoyed at him for not telling him about the fall.
"Here, I find this helps." he handed it to Sprig, who swallowed the liquid, it tasted like warm fresh mud.
Sprig spat it out "What was that?"
"Fresh mud, It's an old Wartwood Actors tradition, No matter how badly you do out there at least your not drinking warm mud anymore."
Sprig just glared at his grandfather and sat down again.
Hop-Pop joined him, "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry."
Sprig sat there fuming. "Polly was scared, you should have told me."
Hop Pop sighed "I know and I wish it was just me wanting you to take over this but well, I can't do this anymore."
"Why not?" said Sprig, "You know what she meant to me, To us."
Hop Pop was silent was a second, "You know I'm not going to be around for much longer right?"
Sprig's anger abated a little, He always knew this but tried to ignore it, "You've got years left, Don't be ridiculous
"Sprig," said Hop Pop sounding far older "We both know I'm going to be gone soon, I just…" tears started to appear in his eyes now, "I don't think I can tell this story, every time I do I remember how I won't see her again."
The younger toad looked at his grandfather, it only took him a second to hug him, "I'm sorry, You're still in trouble for the whole not telling me about the fall, but I'll do it,"
Hop Pop hugged back, "Fair enough."
The two frogs sat there quietly, "I wish… I wish we could see her, I bet she's doing great."
"She probably owns her parent's restaurant by now, Heck she might work with a farm to get ingredients," said Hopeidah.
Sprig laughed, "Yeah."
All of a sudden a small newt holding a clipboard rushed over to Sprig, "Five minutes Mr. Plantar."
Sprig nodded and stood up, his grandfather followed suit, "Good luck out there boy."
"Thank HP." said Sprig who gave him a brief hug before walking towards the stage, he turned around briefly, "We're going to be telling stories by the campfire tonight, the real stories, telling Marcy and her toad friend Lucian about the girls, you gotta be there."
Hop Pop thought about it for a second and then nodded "I'll be there."
With that Sprig walked off onto the stage.
Grime was just leaving the stage, holding a boutique of flowers, Olivia had already given her speech to great applause, and they had each told the stories of Sasha and Marcy respectively, they told a version of the story that was almost true but one that left out so many facts.
As he stepped out onto the stage he took one look at the crowd, countless Amphiains, Frogs, Toads, Newts, Axtols and a few Olms surrounded him, all watching Sprig as he took the stage.
The squiffy stomach turned to squaffy.
Sprig faced the audience and started to talk.
"Ten years ago, a hero came to Wartwood, one that helped save the world."
Sprig told the story of Anne the hero, Anne the warrior, Anne the girl who never messed up anything.
He wished she was here, she'd be making fun and just laughing at the story, He'd feel so much better if she could be here with him.
The crowd however loved it, they loved the story about a girl who was a hero who did her best to try and fix the world, what they wanted was a hero, and while Sprig could understand that, She was his hero after all, But she was also his friend.
It only took him five minutes to the part he hated.
"So deep was her love for this world, that she ultimately…"
Sprig froze, the memories of this moment still hurt him, he remembered catching her, as she fell, he still remembered her chalky white skin, he still remembered seeing the cracks, he remembered seeing her disintegrate in the wind.
He stood there for a few seconds trying to recompose himself.
"She gave her life to save this world."
He kept quiet for a second, "And then returned to live."
The crowd erupted into cheers, Sprig stood there and looked at them, he could understand, he felt the same way when she returned.
"She left this world, only leaving a legacy of heroism and courage."
The crowd continued to cheer, Sprig stood there for a second, the crowd eventually stopped, Sprig bowled, and the crowd cheered again, it was a celebrational roar of the fact that they had survived.
Sprig smiled a little, he hoped that Anne would be happy.
.…
So far Max was behaving, He said he had called his parents and was currently looking at the various parts of the portal, Terri had tried to explain it to him but she could tell he was getting bored, Anne was keeping an eye on him, she trusted him.
A part of her was also a little hurt, was the reason he didn't prank her because of Amphibia, that annoyed her, was it just because of Amphibia, she was disappointed the kid was just using her ecause of that.
Anne closed her eyes and sighed.
"Anne." said a voice from behind her.
Anne turned around to see Jan standing there watching her.
"It's time, Come on," said the archeologist excitedly motioning her to follow.
Anne smiled, she always loved her mentor could have just as much excitement over something that might not work.
Anne followed her to the portal's console, currently, two women were working on it, Ally and Jess the duo, once known as the I.T Girls were working on the console
Ally had her upper body stuck in an open panel of the machine while Jess was currently working on a keyboard.
Ally and Jess were married now, they had planned on holding back on getting married for a while, they said they waited for Polly to be their flower girl but they couldn't wait forever, they had also stopped making videos, they needed to get stable jobs.
Anne was still glad they were here.
"Hey, girls how's it going."
Ally removed herself from the console's inner workings and looked at Anne with a smile on her face.
"Well good news is that it won't blow up and that is usually considered a win in science."
"Hopefully we'll get the message across to Amphibia," added Jess.
Anne smiled as she saw the two stand up and walk towards the rest of the crowd, and that's when she saw Mr.X walk up to her.
"Dr. Boonchuy," he said politely.
"Mr. X," she replied even more politely.
"I hope this works," said the government agent. "Head up the government knows about this."
Images of the army invading Amphibia flashed through her head, "That sounds a little concerning."
"No trust me, I've got it handled, we passing this off as a communication test, I'm going to fudge the results."
"What really, going against the government?" said Anne laughing slightly.
"Hey I work for them but not even I trust them, it's why I'm only letting you send a message, anything larger, and certain people in certain positions might start to agree with certain giant newt kings."
Anne laughed, "Thanks, Xavier."
"Mr.X please." replied the bald man, who walked back to the rest.
"Attention everyone gets into your positions we're about to turn on the portal, said Terri.
A brief cry of joy from everyone in the warehouse rang out, everyone started to back away from the portal, making sure they were far enough from the portal to be safe.
Terri walked over to the Console and played the tune that opened the portal to Amphibia.
In the middle of the portal a small tear, in reality, opened, inside that tear were green hills and trees, the sun had set in that other world, Anne was hoping that nothing would come through the portal and try and kill them.
To Marcy, the portal was a bittersweet reminder to her of the world she once thrived in, but also of the suffering she had gone through and the suffering she had made her friends go through.
For Sasha, it was Shame over allowing her worst self to thrive but pride in the person she became in the world.
For Anne's parents, it was the fear of what the world had done to their daughter but also the love for the three frogs that had protected her and had become a part of their family.
Others who had barely been in that world wondered what was there and what ould be on the other side, wondering if their Plantar friends were just okay.
Max was the only one who was seeing this world for the first time, his heart beat faster, and continued to think of what to do next.
Anne dialed her old phone number and called hoping that the message would get through, but nothing, she tried again and again and still nothing.
"Come on, Science give me a break, just let me call them, just give me this one," she muttered to herself.
"Anne we've only got three minutes before the generators out of power," said Terri sounding worried.
"I know just, Keep it going," said Anne frustrated.
"Anne, are you okay?" should Sasha concerned for her friend
"I'm fine just-" Anne's plea was interrupted when she heard the sound of a dial tone,
Her heart froze, could it be?
"IT'S RINGING," shouted Anne in joy.
Everyone in the warehouse cheered.
Anne was amazed she was going to call her family after years of being a part, she fought back the tears, all they had to do was to pick up.
Thirty seconds passed, and Anne's confidence took a slight hit.
"This is Anne Boonchuy, if you want to leave a message, Why you could just text me and get the same result." said her younger self, "whatever leave a message, I mean I won't check it but whatever."
Anne thought of a series of curses towards her younger self.
There was a beep on her phone.
What could she say after ten years, what possible words could come to her now, how could she sum up her feelings towards them in a few words?
"Thirty seconds," yelled Terri.
Anne swallowed her fear, "Guys, It's me, I miss you but I'm fine."
The portal started to close.
"Twenty seconds."
"I know you've probably married Ivy now Sprig, Polly keep ruling Amphibia, Hop Pop, I miss you, Just guys, I'm happy so don't worry and-
"Five seconds."
"I'll always love you."
The portal was now the size of a pinhole.
Anne watched it expecting it to vanish at any moment, at least she had gotten a message across, It still hurt, the idea that she might never see them again.
"Um, Everyone we have a problem," said Terri nervously.
"What Problem," said Mister X worried, he didn't want to deal with an end-of-the-world situation.
"We're out of power," replied Terri.
"And?" replied the bald Agent.
"Well, the portals not closing.
Anne stood there confused, she turned to look at Sahsa and Marcy, and they looked at her, Both confused.
All of a sudden the portal started to grow larger and larger, eventually it was the size it had been before, and then even larger, eventually, it stopped by then it had the diameter of a meter.
With its growth the mood in the room changed, for Mr.X it was fear, For Terri, Jan, the I.T Girls, Humphry, Oum, and Bee Boonchuy it was a wonder.
For Max it was hope.
The trio who had spent half a year in that world looked in wonder.
Sasha stood there looking at it, her thoughts went back to the Toad captain who she had come to view as her most loyal friend.
Marcy stood there looking at the world that had exposed her strengths and shown her flaws.
Anne, Anne didn't stand, she ran.
Ignoring the cries from her friends and family she returned to Amphibia.