When Sprig woke up he was surprised to find something heavy leaning on his shoulder.
The room was bright, the light was shining in through the windows, It was morning.
He looked to his left to see Anne leaning on him, the warmth from her body oddly made him feel safe.
The only sound in the basement was the unholy sound of Anne's snoring.
They had stayed up quite late talking about everything, He discovered Anne's job, her home, and the fact that Domino passed away three years ago. He told her about the new continent, the various times he had almost died, and how Polly had gone full into robotics.
There were a few things he didn't tell her like Hop Pop's fall but he didn't want to worry her.
He gently tried to stand, trying to avoid causing Anne to wake, but he failed.
"Five more minutes," Anne muttered, she reached out to try and hold him a bit tighter.
"Anne, it's morning said Sprig.
The now giant human slowly opened her eyes, "Morning" she said a tired smile appearing on her lips.
There was a knock on the basement ceiling, "Kids' breakfasts almost ready."
The word breakfast had a magical effect on Anne, instantly she sat up and ran to the stairs.
"Come on Sprig, Breakfast," she said with joy in her voice.
Sprig looked at her, "Hop Pop's cooking has you excited?" he asked
"Sprig I barely get a breakfast bigger than a granola bar nowadays," with that she ran up the stairs.
Sprig followed her, hopping along.
Upstairs Anne saw Polly and Frobo standing next to Hop Pop.
"You need to use more Chocolate covered Crickets," said Polly.
"I'm using enough," replied Hop Pop.
"Remember you need to cook it for three minutes exactly for best taste," said Frobo.
"I was cooking this long before you Frobo, You don't even eat."
Anne watched this with a smile, she missed the chaos of a Plantar morning.
"Morning everyone,"
"Morning Anne," Said Hop Pop.
"Morning," said Polly
"Good Morning Anne," said Frobo.
Anne took her seat and watched as Polly and Sprig joined her.
Hop Pop walked over carrying two plates of pancakes, Frobo carried the remaining two.
"Here you go kids," said Hop Pop happily. Placed a plate in front of Anne.
Anne started to eat, It had been ten years since Anne had tasted Crickets, She had eaten bugs since Amphibia, it became a habit for a while, but there was no mistaking how good bugs tasted here, maybe it was Hop Pop cooking but it was so good, the fluffiness of the pancakes combined with the chocolate crickets made her feel like she was fourteen again.
"I've missed this," said Anne.
"So, Anne, What have you been doing for the last ten years?" Asked Hop Pop.
Anne smiled, "Well, I'm not in school anymore, Now I'm a herpetologist."
Hop Pop looked at her oddly, "Ohh, That sounds lovely, Um, Does it involve looking at warts?"
Anne almost choked on her pancakes laughing, "No, It means I study Reptiles and Amphibians."
"Basically she's a frog doctor," said Sprig
Anne was about to refute Srpig when Polly turned on the table. "Anne. Uber Frog, How do I become one?"
"No, How do I become a frog?" asked Frobo.
"Kids Back down, Polly sit down."
Polly followed her grandfather's command.
Hop Pop then turned to Anne, "So Anne, let's say there's this older frog who wants to do something with his girlfriend and well he's kind of getting older in years and…"
"Please Stop." said Anne, "I don't think I can help you guys with stuff like that, I worked with Earth Amphibians."
"Oh." said the family disappointed.
"But it's kind of cool that Anne's now a genius about earth frogs," said Sprig.
"At least it probably pays well." Said Hop Pop
Anne laughed awkwardly about that, "Yeah… So Polly what have you been doing?"
Polly gave a laugh "Anne, You're looking at Amphibia's greatest Roboticist."
"It's true she the greatest," said Frobo, "And I'm not just saying that because she reprogramed me to say that."
Polly glared at Frobo.
"She's got a huge warehouse on the outskirts of town, we had to build it after the complaints," said Sprig.
"Eh, the towns full of cowards.." said Polly not that bothered.
Anne laughed, she had missed her crazy frog family, "So any plans today?"
"I've got a meeting with a client, Sorry Anne but this is important," said Hop Pop looking guilty that he's had to spend a moment away from his adopted granddaughter after all this time apart.
"It's cool Hop Pop, I'll look after Sprig, Polly, and Frobes when we go to town,"
The rest of the meal was full of conversation over what had happened over the past ten years, it was probably the best breakfast any of them had in years.
..
The Farm looked different in the sun, Ten years ago Anne looked out at it every morning like it was a challenge that needed to be overcome, looking around her now she saw that there were frogs toads and newts working, some were harvesting, others were planting, all just to harvest fruit from another world.
Following Polly and Sprig, they ran to Bessie's shed, just thinking of the old snail made Anne's heart leap.
"So how is Bessie, she is still the fastest snail in Wartwood."
"Oh, she's not here anymore."
Anne's heart stopped, did that mean? It had been ten years, was it possible that a member of her family was gone?
"What is she…"
"Oh she's alive, it's just she doesn't live here anymore." said Sprig, "she lives with Joe and the Snirds.
Anne's heart continued to beat normally.
"Oh." she said relieved, "So who's in the shed? And what's a Snird?"
"Micro Angelo, I know how to drive him," said Sprig smiling.
As they neared the shed however Polly stopped walking, "Guys, Stop." said Polly who pointed at the shed door.
They stopped and saw what Polly was pointing at, the door was slightly ajar.
"You closed it last night didn't you Polly?" asked Sprig.
"Of course I did, maybe someone snuck in?"
"Someone or something," said Anne, who picked a fallen branch from a tree, Sprig pulled out his catapult, Polly an Axe, Frobo's hand descended into his arms and was replaced by two sharp blades.
"On the count of three," said Anne, "One, Two…"
"THREE." the four shouted as they kicked down the door.
They roared at the target in the room, hoping to scare whatever was in there.
If they had known that their target was a ten-year-old human boy who had been up till that moment sleeping peacefully besides Micro Angelo, they might not have reacted the way they did.
Anne was the first to stop shouting the moment she recognized the intruder, Sprig, and Frobo followed, and Polly continued to do so, she needed to prove her dominance.
"MAX," said Anne shocked.
The ten-year-old looked at Anne, his eye wide in shock.
"What are you doing here?" said Anne sternly.
"I… I talk better when an ax isn't pointed at me." said the boy.
"Polly lower your ax," said Anne.
"But look at him, He's an intruder," said Polly her voice drenched in disappointment.
"He's not an intruder, He's-"
"Your son?" asked Sprig.
Anne turned to Sprig, "NO," she protested.
"Really? Because he kind of looks like…"
"No, he's not, just… Gah, I'm not a mom." said Anne trying to get Sprig's mind off such a thought."
"Then who is it he?" hissed Frobo.
"He's a kid who visits the aquarium a lot," said Anne before adding under her breath, "And a stalker from the looks of it."
"Um, excuse me?" Said Max.
Everyone looked at him, for a brief moment the kid was quiet before he walked up to Sprig, Anne noticed that they were basically the same size. she held back a laugh at the sight.
Max reached out and touched Sprig's head, a trail of slime dripped from his hand as he removed it from the frog's head.
"Mucus," said Max smiling.
"That was extremely weird," said Sprig happily.
Anne smiled a little, it quickly vanished she needed to be tough.
"Max, What are you doing here?"
The boy looked at Anne for a second and smiled, it had no effect on Anne.
"Oh I wanted to see what was in Amphibia, I mean the portal was open, and well… I took a chance."
Anne just looked at him, "Max your parents are…"
"Away," said Max interrupting Anne.
This made no sense. He called his parents last night, Anne had seen him do it, "But…"
"My parents are out of the country and I'm spending time alone so… I need somewhere to stay." said the boy.
Anne didn't like the idea of Max having nowhere to go, but him being here was far more dangerous, she shook her head, "Sorry Max but you can't stay you've gotta go back to earth, You'll be safer there.
Max looked at her his eyes grew wider, lips wobbled, "Pwease Anne, I just want to expwore Amphibia." He looked like a bully had just stolen his lollipop.
The Herbologist just looked at him nonplussed.
"Nice try Max but it's not going to work on me." said Anne determined, "It's aquarium training to ignore the ole puppy eyes."
Said training was conducted with live puppies, Anne had passed the fourth attempt.
Max continued his look, his quivering lips breaking into a smile briefly "Who says I'm using it on you?" his smile returned to a quivering frown.
Anne's eyes widened and she turned to Sprig and Polly, Both of them had tears in their eyes.
"Guys! Come on, don't fall for it."
"I can't," cried Sprig, "It's too sad, JUST LET YOUR SON STAY."
"He's not my… Oh, good grief," said Anne rubbing her temple, she looked at Polly, her adoptive sister used to be stronger than this, "Why are you falling for this, you pulled this stuff all the time when you were younger."
"Yeah but It's really good, Like one of the best I've ever seen, he's a master at manipulating emotions, I just have to cry at seeing such perfect form," Polly said wiping away a tear from her eye.
Anne groaned, "Fine Max you can stay."
"Thank you Doctor Boonchuy." replied the ten-year-old with a smug grin.
"But if you cause any trouble I'm sending you back.."
Max nodded,
Anne had no idea what Max was here for and the more time she spent with him the most started to get the feeling the kid might be a lot more trouble than she originally thought, That made her feel guilty.
"So, Where's he going to stay?" asked Sprig.
"I don't mind sleeping here with Shelly," said Max.
"He's named Micro-Angelo," said Polly Though he's not Micro anymore, More like Macro Angelo."
"Oh," said Max, "What's your name?"
"I'm Polly, Sorry about pointing an Axe in your face, It won't happen again," said overall wearing frog, "Unless you cross me then you're getting it directly in your face."
Max laughed, "Ha, nice joke."
"Oh, I wasn't-"
"And I'm Sprig Plantar, Nice to meet you Anne's son"
"This gag's getting old," said Anne
"Wait you're Sprig," said Max with a mix of shock and excitement, "Your…"
Anne cut Max off. "Hey, how about we go to the town? We can drop Max off with my parents."
Max was about to protest but a quick glance from Anne made him stop talking.
"Yeah, We could all take Micro Angelo," said Polly with a cocky smile, "or we could make things interesting."
"How interesting?" said Anne interested.
"A race," Polly said, slamming her fist into her hand," You can take Micro-Angelo, While I take Frobo."
"Hi, I'm Frobo, I wanted to introduce myself but Anne interrupted me." hissed the frog-looking robot towards Max.
"Oh, There are robots, are you one that attacked L.A. a few years ago or…"
Anne placed her hand underneath her chin, "Hmm, can Fobo go as fast as a snail?"
Polly laughed, "He's faster than any snail in his kart mode,"
The young inventor rushed over to the large snail and hugged him, "I don't mean it, I still love you." she said before releasing him and confronting Anne.
"You in?"
Anne laughed joyfully, "Oh, Polly," Her eyes then Narrowed,
"Bring it."
Polly turned to Frobo. "Frobs Kart Mode!"
The robot just stood there, he crossed his arms and looked at Polly "Please."
His older frog sister sighed, "Kart Mode! Please?"
Frodo's hands turned into wheels, his feet followed, his eyes start in place but his irises moved so he was looking to the sky, with that he got down on all fours, his back opened up, there were two seats contained in the opening, Polly jumped in.
"Who wants to be on my team?" said Polly.
"Pfft, thinking that anyone would…" Started Sprig.
"Shotgun," said Max excitedly raising his hand
"Max?" said Anne, confused.
The boy turned to Anne "What? I have been offered the chance to ride in a real live Transformer, Sorry but a snail will never be able to top that."
Max then ran over and hugged Micro Angelo, "You're amazing and wonderful."
Micro Angel extended his head and wrapped it around Max, chirping happily.
The ten-year-old then jumped into the kart, sitting behind the steering wheel.
"Hey, move over," said Polly who walked over annoyed.
"What, I'm taller than you I can see over the seat."
Polly nodded, "Good point but here's my response," she picked up the ax again.
Max getting the point very quickly nudged over to the other seat.
Polly hopped in next to him and started to press a few buttons beneath the steering wheel, she turned to Anne and Sprig with a cocky grin on her face.
"See you losers at the finish line." With that, she and Max sped off.
Sprig and Anne quickly attached the Seat to Micro-Angelo and boarded him.
"I've missed this," said Anne, she had her driving license now but she still missed the feeling that only snail driving could give.
"What do I need to say to get M.A to go?"
Sprig whispered something into Anne's ear, she looked at him confused.
"Really?" she said.
Sprig shrugged in response.
"Okay then," Anne then couched "Mirco Angelo, Go really, really, really, Fast."
The snail shot out of the shed, with best friends screaming in a mix of joy and terror.
…
Sasha Waybright woke up on the couch.
Grime had insisted she sleep in his bed. The toad had no guest room and only had the moderately sized couch (Sasha could just about fit on it.) Which could double for an extra bed, She turned him down saying that the couch was good enough.
The blonde looked around the room, standing up she made her way to a chair where her discarded leather jacket was, she briefly looked at her arms, noticing all of her tattoos, the crossed swords, a newt footprint, and finally a tattoo of a certain toad captain, she decided to not bother with her jacket to and got out of bed.
As she entered the cottage's dining room she was surprised to see Grime was sitting there with what appeared to be a spread of food on the table.
There were pancakes, bacon from grub hogs, and milk from creatures Sasha continued to believe were cows and no bugs.
"Good morning." Said Grime with a terrifying smile on his face, "Hope this isn't too much."
"Remember that time we were starving on the run and we used to imagine all the food we would eat when we took over Amphibia? This is that times twenty,," said Sasha a smile appearing on her face.
Sasha sat down and grabbed a little bit of everything and started to eat it.
There was nothing more delicious, she briefly stopped to see Grime who was also in the middle of eating.
"So did you make this?"
Grime looked up, "Of course."
The dining room door opened and the toad boy from last night entered carrying another tray of pancakes in his arms.
The toad boy looked tired, "That's the last lot, we're out of eg-" he stopped talking the moment he saw Sasha.
He gave a little gasp, and then stood there like a statue, Sasha reached out and took the play tray from him and placed it on the table.
"Thanks…" Sasha froze for a second trying to think of what the Toad boy's name was, "Lucas."
"Lucian," Grime said under a cough.
"Lucian," said Sasha.
"Yo…Yo…You're welcome," said Lucian, still amazed to see her, like he was sitting with a god.
"He's a fan." said Grime, "Always ask me to tell stories about the trio who saved our world.
"Was it true you fought off a Heron with Grime?" Said the boy, eyes widened.
Sasha snorted, "One Heron? Try two."
Lucian gasped in shock, "And you were the one to discover the true nature of the box.?
"Well in my defense, Andrias has a terrible taste in decoration."
"Ane you were the one to lead an army of three toads to attack the city to stop Andrias plan?"
Sasha was about to respond when she fully registered what the toad had just said.
"Sorry, what was that?"
Grime looked like he would be sweating buckets if he could, "So Sasha, How're things of earth?"
"Oh they're fine I'm…"
"I mean of course they're fine they have you protecting the world," said Grime excitedly.
Sasha's eyes widened, "What?"
"You know the fact that you're in the Army on your world, I bet your in charge of the whole planet now." gushed Grime, proud of his adopted daughter.
Sasha knew what she had to say, all she had to say was, "Well Actually I'm a child psychiatrist," and things would be okay.
"Yes, I'm in charge of defending the whole plant, leading the armies of the world, and protecting it from dangerous threats."
It was probably the dumbest thing she had done in years but Sasha found herself unable to tell Grime the truth, it was the way he looked at her full of pride and admiration, it was the look Luian was giving her, it was the fact that she feared that Grime would never accept the fact that she had chosen a different route in her life.
"Good to hear, you need to tell me some stories one of these days," said Grime smiling with his most friendliest smile, which still caused most babies to cry.
"Ha, yeah," said the blonde, in a desperate attempt to change the conversation, "Hey did you ever find…"
"Um, Lucian, I need to catch up with Sasha bout about things do you mind going shopping for some groceries?"
The toad boy looked at Grime and then at Sasha, his eyes full of disappointment, "But I…"
"Please Lucian, I need to get the freshest fruit and vegetables today and they're sold at the market early."
With a sigh, Lucian lowered his head, "Okay."
Sasha looked at the toad and grinned, "Hey kid."
Lucan looked at her.
"You do this for Grime and I'll tell you stories later."
Sasha watched as his eyes grew wider, he run out of the room, and eventually, the two adults heard a door slam.
Sasha laughed and then turned to Grime, on his face was the look of a man who really didn't want to have this conversation.
"Did you find them? Percy and Braddock where they…"
"I found nothing," said Grime sadness in his voice.
Hundreds of pictures of what could have happened to the two entered Sasha's head.
For years she wondered what happened to them and now…
She thought about the armies of metal, she thought about all the times she had just gotten away with her life, she thought about the wildlife in Amphibia, she remembered how they were two of the most gentle toads, She remembered the last time she saw them, walking away from her, angry and betrayed.
Back during the rebellion, she tried to find them but things fell apart, she once asked Beatrix if any toad had seen them.
She was told no.
Part of her hoped to see them after the war was over, but after Anne had returned from the dead and there were only a few shards of Gems left there was no time to look, she told Grime to look for them, and now…
"Did you try everywhere?" she said fighting back the tears.
"I did but… I'm sorry."
Sasha didn't say a word, she just looked at her knees, the two toads who had stuck by her through everything were gone and she had caused them to go, she cursed herself again for what happened, losing those two should have been the wake-up call to start being better, but no she still did all those terrible things.
She felt guilty about what happened that day. And now she knew it would never.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned to see Grime standing there, on his face was a smile that would set most children screaming, and most adults check under their beds that night, Andrias had once seen this and thought back to the time he had Vizar all who tried to betray him, This was Grimes friendliest smile.
Sasha, I know you blame yourself but trust me when I say that if they were still around they would be proud of you."
"But…"
"No buts Sasha, they would be proud of who you are, you're not the girl who hurt them anymore."
Sasha was quiet for e second and then nodded, she hugged Grime thankful for his friendship.
She failed to notice the look of guilt on his face as he watched Lucian run off to the market.
…
Marcy had a complex relationship with sleep, she barely did it.
In her defense this time she had a very good reason for being restless, She was back in Amphibia.
A part of her still blamed herself for the actions that happened ten years ago, the war, hurting her friends, it had taken so long to forgive herself for that but now, she was fine being here, of course, that meant that sleeping was just as hard.
She did what she always did when she couldn't sleep, She drew.
Right now she was outside drawing the Yunan's house.
It was early morning when she snuck out to start drawing, the house was probably the biggest in Wartwood, It was of Newtopian design which meant there were corals-like designs on the walls, it was two stories tall, last night she had been offered the choice of three rooms, She had chosen a large one with the biggest bed she had ever seen in Amphibia.
After last night, she said goodnight to her two Newt friends and tried to say good night to her frog namesake but the girl just rushed off.
She slept for around four hours and spent the rest of the night just laying in bed.
When the first of the suns rays hit her she jumped out of bed and walked outside, she pulled out her tablet from her jacket, and removed the stylus from its holder, she started to draw the house,
Her Webcomic had started life a couple of years ago, It was just after her parents had agreed to let her go to art school, Any sort of fight was put on hold after the Wu's realized what happened the last time they had fought with their daughter, Marcy felt guilty about that but she couldn't lie it was helpful, she promised when she was rich she would buy them a new house.
She drew for hours and only stopped when she heard a coughing noise from in front of her.
The webcomic artist looked up and saw Lady Olivia standing there.
"Lady Oliva," Marcy stood up and took a bow
Olvia laughed in response, "Relax Marcy, No need to stand on ceremony anymore."
"So you dismantled the monarchy?"
"Yes," said Olivia nodding, "We now have a ruling council, Which I'm a part of."
Marcy nodded, "Okay, And how do they usually get greeted?"
…"Bowing," Olivia raised the palm of her hand, "Please don't."
"Okay Lady O."
Olivia chucked, "Breakfast is being served whenever you want."
Marcy was going to try and keep working when she felt her stomach rumble, She thought back to when she had last eaten, Ten hours ago.
"Okay, let's go."
The human followed the newt into the house, after entering the front room they headed to the dining room, on the wall was a picture of Olivia and Yunan holding a small tadpole, and in the center of the room was an oak table full of food, from toast, Cereal, Bacon, Sausage, everything that one could think of that was associated with breakfast.
Right now Yunan was busily devouring a stack of pancakes, Marcy the frog was currently eating some eggs, slowly and less like a wild animal after a long day hunting.
"MARFY. OOD OU EHE YEW," said Yunan with her mouth full, food flew from her mouth.
"Dear," said Olvia dryly, "What did we say about speaking with our mouthful?"
Yunan swallowed the remains of the pancake, "Sorry Olivia,"
Marcy walked over and sat next to her Frog Namesake who was just looking at her oddly like she was scared.
"Hey," said Marcy in her friendliest voice possible to the young frog.
Marcy the frog just nudged her chair away from her.
"Okay," said Marcy a little put-off.
"So Marcy, what have you been doing with your life?" asked Yunan,
"Well when I got back I had to move, I stayed friends with Marcy ad Sasha, went to school, Went to art school."
"Well you did like drawing, you drew plans for all of your improvement to Newtopia," said Olivia.
"Most of which were destroyed when the castle went flying," added Yunan earning a glare from her wife.
Olivia turned back at Marcy with a smile, "Maybe you could draw us, the family portrait could do with some updating."
"That's a great idea," said Marcy overjoyed, "I know how to paint, Just get me an easel, and… Where's Marcy gone?"
"You're here," said Yunan.
"No I mean You're daughter."
The Yunan's looked for their daughter.
"Sorry about her, She's probably getting used to having you here, We've told her stories about you for years," said Yunan.
"Oh," said Marcy a little worried, "About…?"
"We haven't mentioned that, we don't think it would look good for the heroes of this world to be seen like that," said Olivia.
A part of Marcy was angry at that, They were burying the truth, After all, she had done…
"So any plans?" asked Olivia.
Marcy nodded, "Yeah, see Maddie, visit the Plantars again, Talk to King A, Draw some Amphibians."
"What was that last one?" asked Yunan.
Marcy blinked, "Draw Amphibians, I based my comic on…"
"No she means Andrais." said Olivia.
Marcy was quiet for a second and then sighed, this was going to be hard explaining herself to the two newts who had been just as many victims of him as she was.
"Okay listen, I accept what happened to me, after a lot of time, therapy, and healing I've come to terms with what he did to me," She paused, she didn't look at the two newts also know what they went through, "I need to talk to him about well my comic and…"
"Certainly not." snapped Olivia standing at the table.
"Lady.." Marcy started to plead.
"After everything, he did to you, you want to…"
"Olivia." said Yunan in a surprisingly gentle voice, "Let her."
Marcy and Olivia turned to her shocked.
"What?" said Olivia not believing what she was hearing.
"He's reformed," said the Ex general, "He's changed, As much as I hate it, it's true."
Olivia stood there for a second sighed then sat down, "Fine," she wasn't looking at her wife at the moment.
Marcy felt guilty that she had caused a fight, "Sorry I…"
"Don't blame yourself, She's just being protective," said Yunan, "Just enjoy breakfast."
"The artist then grabbed some bacon, Bug sausages, various sleeves of Fruit, Toast cereal milk, her place had a massive amount of food shoveled on it.
She looked at the shocked faces of Olivia and Yunan.
"What? I'm a starving artist."
After breakfast, Marcy stood up, thanked the Yunans, and walked to the town.
Olivia stood at the door watching the human woman walk off, her wife stood behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to protect her." Said the pink newt.
"I'm not just protecting her." Responded Olivia, sounding tired.
…
Max did not expect to be in a race today.
He also didn't expect to be caught by Doctor Boonchuy but life was full of unexpected turns.
Right now he was holding onto the kart, bumping along, he had screamed quite a lot during their race but tried to brave.
He was failing.
It wasn't that hard, riding alongside a frog just slightly smaller than him, who was currently arguing with the kart.
"Faster Frobo, Faster."
"I'm going as fast as I can."
When he boarded the kart he expected to win against a snail, the problem was that Amphibian snails were faster than regular snails, he looked behind him to see Micro Angelo following them, so far they hadn't been overtaken but that was only a matter of time.
"Do you have any traps, Like Oil Spray or throwing tacks on the road?" the human boy suggested.
"No," said Frobo disgusted, "That's my blood."
Polly rolled her eyes, "It's not, don't be such a big baby."
"I don't want to do it." shouted Frobo."
Polly cursed, Max memorized it for later. (Like all ten-year-olds he knew the majority of swears but he was smart enough to not use them in public.)
"Hey hows it going," said Anne's voice next to them
Polly and Max turned to see Anne and Sprig next to them driving as fast as they were going, They were smiling on their snail.
Max was surprised to see a snail was going this fast.
It was neck and neck, ff in the distance they could see the town up ahead.
Max looked at it, living in the city all his life had left him with no idea what anywhere outside of L.A. was like.
Would they try and kill him if he did anything wrong? How would they react to him? How would they treat a human?
He turned to look at Anne.
On her face was a smile, A true smile on her face one that screamed happiness. Like one was finally coming home.
He thought back to the place he called his home, and fought back a shudder.
They passed the first house and where a blue frog wearing a weird hat and a dancing frog playing the accordion outside, He waved to Anne.
"Hi Anne, good to see you."
"You too Wally."
They passed through more and more houses, where residents of the town called out greetings, others looked with a mix of shock, and joy as they saw their old hero driving through town.
Eventually, they arrived at the center of town, Anne hit the breaks, and started to drift, Max was reminded of an anime he once saw, and had seen countless times reflected in other cartoons, they stopped in front of a statue covered in flowers.
Anne jumped off Micro-Angelo and landed on the floor he raised her hands in victory.
"YEAH BABY, FIRST PLACE!"
Polly swore, but there was a smile on her face.
Various frogs started to rush towards her.
"Anne girl what are you doing back here." asked A large frog who looked like he lived in the wild..
"The portal opened and well I couldn't stay away, Scroogy Joe."
"Is Marcy with you," said a blue frog, she was standing next to two others who looked like her with slightly different shades of blue, Max thought they might be triplets.
"Yeah, Sasha as well, You'll see them around, we're meeting up later."
"Do you like the statue?" said a blue axolotl.
"Statue what statu-" Anne turned around and stopped mid-sentence, behind her was a statue of a girl wearing a skirt and armor, She was holding a chest in one hand and a sword in the other.
Max watched as Anne put her hands to her mouth, he saw the tears start to appear in her eyes, she removed her hands and looked at the townspeople with her lips quivering, "I… Thank you, everyone, Thank you."
An old Frog woman shouted out, "Three cheers for Anne."
The town cheered their hero, The Plantars joined in.
Max stood there watching everything, a part of him couldn't help but smile, During his research, he read many forms that had theories and ideas about what she was doing, many accused her of being part of a conspiracy for the frogs, Max was angry at them for writing it, He might not have the best motivations but he knew that Anne was one of the nicest people he knew.
Now seeing her here getting cheers from everyone made him smile, Whatever really happened during those years he knew that she meant a lot to these frogs.
"Shoe's on the wrong foot though," said Anne casually.
Max was the only one who looked at the axolotl who was screaming in rage.
Anne wiped a tear from her eye, "Thanks Loggle, everyone I'll come and visit later but right now, I have to drop something off."
Max's eyes widened, he knew what that something was, He might be able to sneak away, before they stopped him, as he left the car, he tried to sneak away.
Then heard the noise of metal shifting before he could turn around he felt two metal limbs pick him up and wrap themselves around him, holding him snug to a metal chest, he turned around to see Frobo was the one holding him.
"Sorry Max," said Frobo apologetically.
"How did you know I was going to run?"
"It's what I would have done," said Polly smug, "Your cutesy act, gets a ten but don't think for one minute I'm not already inside your head."
"Oh yeah, what number am I thinking."
"X," said Polly in response.
"Oh Dang," replied Max generally impressed.
…
Oum Boonchuy was shocked to see her daughter standing with the two youngest Plantars and the robot, however, she was confused to see the boy from yesterday being held to the robot's chest.
"Hi, Mom."
"Morning Anne, Why is…"
"Hi, Mom I need you to… You know your hair is disheveled, Right?"
Oum started to work on her hair trying to look normal.
"Oh, We were just… busy with things."
"What thing?" asked Polly.
Oum coughed, "Adult things." She said trying to end this conversation as fast as possible.
Anne sighed she knew why this was, "Mom can I come in for a minute?"
The older human opened the door and Anne entered. She turned back to the others and held a hand up to stop them from following.
"Stay there a minute." She said before closing the door, the cottage looked nice, despite it being a bit on the small side, Anne looked at the bed and noticed how small it was, her parents must have snuggled up last night, there was no other bed, Heck apart from the bathroom in which she could hear her father singing from this was it, She wondered how Sasha could live here with Grime.
How would Max live there?
"Is everything okay Anne?" asked her mother gently.
Anne looked at her mother, she needed to do this.
"Mom, it's… I was going to ask…"
"Is everything okay?" said Oum concerned.
Anne looked around the room and sighed, It was way to small.
"Actually mom, I'm fine, I was going to ask if you guys could look after Max because his parents are away back on earth, but something tells me your rooms to small to do that."
Oum nodded "Yes, Yes it is"
Anne snorted, "Nice to see you agree with me."
"Sorry Anne but look around, this room is way too small… and way too romantic for us"
"Thanks, mom I needed to know that," said Anne shuddering.
"Sorry but well this is the honeymoon suite and Felicia even gave us this nice bottle of wine." Oum picked up the wine and showed it to Anne.
Anne read the label, "Cockroach wine?"
"Yeah, We're not opening but it got us in the romantic mood and.."
"Okay that's enough, " said Anne wanting to end this conversation, "Well That puts me out of place, I could give ask Felicia for a cottage for him but…"
"Don't the Plantars have room?" said Oum.
"I can't just let him stay at the farm, Hop Pop's have other things to do."
"So you're telling me that the people who protected you for five months don't have a couch?"
Anne raised a finger, and lowered it upon realizing that yet again her mother was right, and lowered it, "Fine." she said.
"Anne I get it, it's a problem, but I know you wouldn't leave him alone," said Oum placing a hand on Anne's shoulder.
Anne let out a breath and smiled, "You're right, but I'm going to keep an eye on him, he's kind of a prankster."
"Like you, Sasha and Marcy?"
"He stole a shark."
"Oh."
Anne turned around and walked to the door, "See you mom, I'm going to meet up with Sasha and Marcy.
The elder Boonchuy waved goodbye to Anne as she left. "See you later."
With Anne gone. Bee left the bathroom only wearing a towel across his waist, "Was that Anne?"
"Yes she got a problem but we can discuss that later, "
"Sure let me just get dressed first."
"Eh, Don't rush," Said Oum looking at his towel, "We've got a while."
…
Anne turned to look at Frobo. "Frobo let him go."
The Robot released the boy who landed on his feet.
"So is he staying with them?" asked Sprig.
Anne shook her head, "No, I'm going to see if Hop Pop will let him stay at the farm."
"Pretty sure that means the couch," said Polly.
"Better than the stable, I mean I live Micro-Angelo but that place smelled" replied Max.
Anne placed her hands on Max's shoulders, "Okay Max, Please don't pull the stuff you do at the aquarium, this town doesn't need to suffer, You get me, one mistake and it's back to the earth."
Max groaned "Fine, I'll be good,"
Anne turned to Polly, "Keep an eye on him please, Show him around town and try not to let him out of your sight."
Polly and Frobo saluted, "Yes Mam." the two said in unison.
With that, the three ran off.
"Well that was odd, Why wouldn't they want to spend time with their grandso…"
"SPRIG," said Anne looking at him annoyed.
"I know, I know," said Sprig laughing, "Have you got anyone in your life though."
Anne was wondering if this question would come up, over the past ten years there had been people, men, and women who she had been with, ultimately nothing came from it, She did want to start a relationship but other things came along, Mostly work.
"Not yeah," said Anne a little ashamed. "I mean I have you guys and I've got lots of friends but…"
"Sorry," said Sprig feeling a little embarrassed.
"No, It's not your fault, How about you?"
"Still with Ivy," Sprig briefly stopped to let Anne give off a small squee, "we just came back from the continent together, they've set up a few towns over there, But we keep coming back to visit."
Anne nodded, "So, you guys thinking of settling down, having a few Pollywogs?"
Sprig shook his head. "Not yet. I mean the idea isn't bad but… Well, I have other things to do, I've got adventures to go on."
The Herbtolgist nodded, "Yeah, And I have a popular exhibit to run, I mean there's nothing wrong with not wanting to settle down when we're young."
"Yeah, I'm a badass explorer and you're awesome Frog doctor, We can take our time before we start a family with anyone"
"Hell yeah," said Anne Holding her hand high, Sprig jumped and returned the high five.
"I mean it's not as if something unexpected is going to come along and make me question that."
Anne was about to mention how weird of a sentence that was when something Yellow dropped from the roof of one of the cottages, with a shriek of "AMBUSH."
The yellow object smashed into Sprig after a brief tussle, and they stopped, Sprig was lying on his back, and a yellow frog was sitting on his stomach.
"Hey Sprig," said Ivy.
"Oh hey Ivy," said Sprig casually.
"Hey Ivy, Been a while," said Anne smiling.
Ivy looked at Anne with a wide smile on her face, Maybe a little too wide."Good to see you again, Anne, How are things?"
"Oh you know, Awesome, I'm back in Amphibia, and seeing the best frogs in the world."
"Neat, what were you two talking about," said Ivy interested
"Oh just how settling down to start a family is dumb, at our ages," said Sprig.
"Yeah, Who'd do that," replied Anne, the two started to laugh, Neither noticed Ivy whose eyes grew large.
"Ha, ha," said Ivy nervously, "Who would want that?"
"So did you want something Ivy?"
"No," shot Ivy awkwardly, "Um, I've gotta go and fluff some pillows."
With that, the yellow frog ran away from Sprig.
"Well, that was weird," said Sprig confused.
"Eh, it's probably nothing," said Anne smiling, "Hey We gotta get to town and fast, I promised I'd meet Sasha and Marcy around this time."
"Okay let's go," said Sprig, Who hopped off to the Micro-Angelo.
…
Anne arrived in town to see Sasha and Marcy looking at Anne's statue, Sprig followed.
"Impressed," said Anne with a bit of ego.
"Kinda," said Sahsa, "I have like three different statues."
"Mine was made of Gold.."
Anne ignored their remarks, "He's Grime, Yunan, and Olivia?"
"Fine, He thinks I'm a soldier but I just need to pretend that I am until we leave," said Sasha.
"Sounds risky," said Anne concerned.
"And I promised I'd draw a picture of The Yunan's," said Marcy, who felt guilty about the lie.
"Cool, I was thinking maybe we could stay a few more days," said Anne.
"You sure? " Said Sasha, "I mean we don't know how long the portal going to stay open,"
Anne shrugged, "Eh, let's just take it." she said.
Sasha looked at Anne concerned, and then shrugged, "Okay, I mean we could see how the worlds changed."
All three girls nodded they were back home they could enjoy themselves a little
"So do you two have the day off for something," said Sprig innocently.
The two remaining women's eyes widened.
"Oh crud," said Sasha.
"To Micro-Angelo," said Anne rushing towards the snail to drive to the portal and to inform their employers of their plans.
Sprig turned to Marcy, "and you?"
"Webcomic artist, I don't have a boss."
"Oh that's cool Marcy, what's a webcomic?"