Lucian plunged into the pot, the hot water wasn't that bad yet the water. It wasn't boiling yet, it just felt like a lukewarm bath, he couldn't see anything underneath the surface, when he opened his mouth he tasted the water, It tasted of dirt, mud and sweat, it was like a sweaty sock had liquefied.

His head erupted from the water, the first thing his saw were the two elderly frogs standing in from of him, two sickly sweet smiles on their faces.

"How does it taste?" Said Teddy, his voice still keeping that grandfatherly tone.

"Awful," Lucian said, it was stupid, but it was the first thing that entered his mind.

It was as if he had uttered a spell on the crowd, the terrifying glares of the three frogs were turned towards the two standing in front of the pot, That's when Lucian had an idea.

"Don't listen to him," said Teddy trying to get back control, "It's fine."

"It tastes like dirty laundry," said Lucian, he put on an apologetic look and looked around the clearing, "I'm sorry, but I refuse to die like this."

Everyone cannibals, and soon to be cooked toads looked at him like he was crazy, it was not usual that the food was the critic.

"Well what would you suggest?" Asked Martha politely with a hint of panic in her voice.

"Well for starters where's the vegetables? Those enhance the flavor."

Teddy stood there blushing, "Well we're cannibals vegetables isn't something we do."

Lucian dove beneath the water again, before quickly rising, his eyes squinted shut, "When was the last time you washed this pot?" he said showing his finger to the crowd, it was covered in dirt.

The gathered cannibals looked at him and the other toads, a little worried, the food never really complained like this, usually it was nothing but screams of terror this made them feel self-conscious

"Well what do you suggest?" asked Teddy.

"Firstly you need to use some other ingredients, I mean cooking without any sort of preparation? Are you mad," he turned to the other toads "Seriously can you believe this"

The other toads had looked of fright and confusion on their faces, Bog himself looked like he was going to have an accident. (though he might have already, that would explain the taste of the water.)

Before they could respond, Lucian mouthed "Play along."

The three toads nodded, "Oh yeah utter madness," Said Bog.

"Yeah I mean no effort at all, might as well just serve it in swill," added Fens.

Mire just gave a thumbs down.

"Can you suggest anything to fix it?" said a cannibal in a tree.

"Well yeah," said Lucian, "Firstly the food needs to be washed, and the pot, and we need some more ingredients, I thought I saw a field of newtstruf, that can liven up any meal, I could go get it for you?"

There were mutterings around the tree tops, the cannibals were impressed by the boys' suggestions, Teddy wasn't, but Martha seemed interested.

"Honey, maybe we should listen," said Martha sweetly.

Teddy would have argued with her but if there was one constant thing in his world it was his love for his wife, the moment he looked at her his objections faded away.

"Ohhhh, alright honey." He said using all his will power to not snuggled with her then and there, he turned to Lucian and lifted him out of the pot, "Okay kid. What do we need to do?"

"Firstly someone needs to clean the pot, and wash the prisoners, just leave them in their underwear.

"WHAT!" Shouted Bog, trying to jump out of the pot, two mud projectiles

"Next I need a tent, I have a special way of preparing these things, I don't want you to see it."

"Fine but there will be some guards with you."

"Fine, lastly I need to get some ingredients, the newtstruf would be good, but there's we passed some tomatoes and-"

"So you want to get us killed?" Said Teddy terrified.

"No, there's a way we can harvest them for food, just give me some guys and we'll get them for you."

Teddy looked at him for a while, for a minute Lucian was terrified that he wouldn't buy it, his confidence was restored the moment he looked at the trees.

"Could four of you please go with this kid and make sure he doesn't run away?"

Four figures dropped from the trees and ran over quickly, they were tall and covered in mud, from the way they moved and their long hands, Lucian knew they'd catch him if he tried to run.

Before he could say anything one of the mud figures motioned him to walk, Lucian obeyed, he briefly turned back to see the others being led away.

He hoped this would work.
…

Sasha kept an eye on the trees surrounding the road, she still remembered Grime's advice about things being too quiet, and they were better than the alternative, Small talk with Percy and Braddock was not something she'd be able to deal with at the moment.

As she made a quick scan of the forest she caught them in the corner of her eyes, They were sitting down looking worried, she could see them holding hands.

She briefly smiled, she remembered that they use to do that all the time when scared. It was nice to know that they had found happiness without her, She turned to Grime, frowning.

"Can this thing more any faster?"

"Destroyer ran all the way here," said Grime offended, "She needs a rest."

"Okay, fine, but I remember you saying tarantulas were the fastest rides in Amphibia."

"They are, but Destroyer isn't a tarantula."

"Which brings me to me second point, The name destroyer implies something impressive, dangerous, badass."

"Yes it does." said Grime pridefully

Sasha nodded, "True but here's the thing, It's not a good name for a ladybug."

Destroyer was a black ladybug, with red dots, she was covered in light armor and was chirping merrily along the road.

"She's a valuable creature and one that would lay down her live for mine." said Grime defensively.

Sasha would have to admit that yes, the ladybug was beautiful, but it was moving way too slow. By the time they got to Lucian, it could be too late.

Sighing she turned to Percy and Braddock, hoping to continue the ride in silence.

She looked at her old friends, they were trying to avoid looking at her, eventually the silence became too awkward.

"So, Where did you guys go?"

Percy and Braddock looked at each other awkwardly, Sasha didn't expect an answer from them, she was about to return to looking at the trees when Percy spoke up.

"At first we tried to go to Newtopia not to warn them, but well…" He trailed off.

"The castle was already in the sky." continued Braddock.

"You were there? But-"

"The robots came, and we tried to run away." said Braddock

"Yeah but there were some newts who didn't want to go with the robots, and we remembered how you treated us."

Sasha felt a pang of guilt.

"So I distracted the robots and while they were busy laughing at my jokes, Braddock got everyone away."

Sasha looked at them, You guys, helped people?"

Braddock nodded, "Yes, We heard about your resistance and…we tried to meet up with you."

The blonde jar fell slightly they actually tried to find her?

"It's just… There were others who needed help, There were refugee camps that needed an entertainer, Crops needed to be regrown, Heck we saved a few prisoners."

Sasha just sat there stunned, for years she had wondered if she had failed to protect them. However, they were protecting others, she felt a bit of pride remembering discovering how brave they had been.

"I tried looking for you." said Sasha quietly.

"Well," said Percy, "We heard there were frogs looking for us, but we thought it was a trap, we were causing a lot of trouble for the king.

Sasha looked at them, and nodded, "Yeah I get that."

Looking at them, she felt herself wanting to say the words she had been holding on to for so long, even if they rejected them she needed them to hear it.

As she opened her mouth, the ladybug came to a stop.

"We're here," said Grime.

Sasha looked at the two toads, still quivering, she as about to tell them to stay with destroyer. However, they shakily stood up, Percy knees were knocking and Braddock eyes were closed they held onto each other, trying to keep each other brave.

Seeing them like this reminded Sasha where she was ten years ago.

"You guys can…"

"We're coming with you," said Percy.

Sasha looked at them for a second and nodded, she jumped off the ladybug, her three toad friends didn't do it with such grace, Percy was the first to jump off but instantly fell in the mud, picking himself up he offered his hand to Braddock, she took it and stepped down gently.

Grime took a while to secure Destroyer which was a lot harder with one arm.

The more Sasha looked at it the more she realized that maybe they should have gotten more people, They had no idea how Bog would react when they confronted him, if he didn't let them take him back… They'd have to fight three toads, who were probably a lot better at it than two terrified toads, and one missing an arm, hell she hadn't fought anything outside of fencing for years.

"Maybe you guys should, wait back at the Ladybug." she said to Percy and Braddock.

Percy's eyes were already wide due to fright but to Sasha amazement they widened even larger, "N…N….N…No." he said.

"We're coming with you," said Braddock, trying to be brave, though anyone could see that she was holding on to her husband's hand tighter.

Sasha watched as they walked forwards.

She turned to Grime, who just shrugged, "Do you want to…"

"And what stay out of a fight, Lucian needs help, let's go."

In a few minutes, they had arrived at a clearing, the perfect place to set a trap, Sasha looked around trying to spot anything.

Sasha, look over there." said Grime pointing to some disturbed earth, the former captain and his former lieutenant walked over and looked at it, The earth looked like something had sunken through it.

"There's footprints over here," shouted Percy.

Sasha turned to look in his direction, the two parents were looking at the ground, Sasha rushed over and looked at the footprints, there were three sets, one pair was small, but the other two were large, larger than any toads.

"Someone must have taken him," said Braddock, "We have to find them."

"Let's go." said Sasha who then started to run in the direction of the footprints, followed by the three toads.

…

Lucian walked between four mud covered frogs, he tried to keep calm, his captors had been with him the whole time, even when one of them was eaten by a tomato, they barely reacted as they eat their way out of its stomach.

He had hoped that this would cause theme to convert to vegetarians but sadly no.

Reentering the clearing he saw that they had a pot in front of them, Teddy and Martha were standing there looking a little bit tired, he felt a little bad for them.

A tent had been set up during his away, he guessed both pot and Bog's trio weer in there.

His grip on his bag tightened a little bit harder, he hoped this would work.

"I've got the newtstruf.

"Okay dearie." said Martha nodding, "now get to work."

Lucian entered the tent, in the center was the pot, just next to the pot was Bog, Mire and Fen, tied up in their underwear, terrified looks were on two of their faces, Mire still had his helmet on, next to them were a pile of bowls and a few knives and forks.

Lucian swallowed his fear, he watched as his Mud frog guards threw the tomato slice into the water, they looked at him with their glowing eyes, he swallowed and walked forwards.

Opening the bag he poured the contents (Green leaves with Yellow edges) into the cauldron.

The mud frog walked over to pick up the bound Bog, the large toad look terrified as he neared the bubbling liquid.

"WAIT!" shouted Lucian.

The four frogs looked at him, he couldn't see their faces, but they didn't seem pleased to interpreted in their food preparation.

"Um… you just should try the sauce, it's superb," said Lucian trying to keep his cool.

The frog's eyes narrowed at him.

"Hey, I get it," said Lucian sweating, "You guys have a lot to deal with, heck as cannibals I guess you're always fed up with people."

For a few seconds there was deafening silence, then a sniffle from the second frog on the right, then another frog laughed.

Lucian smiled to himself, "Yeah, I mean I've seen the prices in your restaurants, 50 gold pieces a head?"

Now all the cannibals were laughing, Lucian couldn't help but smile, His dad used to perform material to him, he had to admit he had found those jokes funnier when he was younger but one of the things he taught him in comedy was that he should always try playing for the crowd.

"Oh and being late for a meal must suck, I mean the other cannibals must give you a cold shoulder."

The tallest and most frightening of the frogs walked to him.

"Kid," he said in a high-pitched voice, "You're hilarious."

Lucian nodded taking pride in the compliment, "Thanks, but I really mean it the sauce is wonderful, you should taste it before they get in," he said gesturing to the three tied up toads.

The muddy frogs looked at each other and shrugged, "Sure," said the leader.

They dropped Bod on the ground and grabbed their bowls, they walked to the pot, each dipped their bowls in the pots and took a swig.

The effect was almost instantaneous.

The four frogs fell down dead to the world.

Now waiting Lucian picked up one of the knives and ran to Bog, the toad eyes were wide in fear, but that vanished when he realized the boy was cutting rope, in a minute Bog was free.

"What happened?" he said confused.

"newtstruf can improve any food, but it also is usually confused with a similar looking plant, Sleepstruf, it's used in a few sedatives."

"How did you know that?"

"My mom use to grow them in her garden with Newtstuff, she told me that the difference is the rim of the leaves is a different color, Green for eating, Yellow for sleeping."

In a few seconds the group was free though the older toads were still embarrassed.

Okay kid," said Fen, "what next?"

In response to her question mud projective hit her face, she glared at Lucian.

These guys are covered in mud, it's the perfect disguise."

"Okay, you notice they're taller than us right?" Said Bog.

Lucian nodded, "yeah, you guys are like one third their size."

"You see the problem with that right?"

"Yes and I see the solution to it."

…

Five minutes later Lucian and a mud covered 'frog' (who seemed to have problems with standing straight and basic balance) exited the tent, both were carrying trays full of soup.

Teddy walked up to the boy, "Where are the others?" He asked.

"Oh they're having seconds, we got a lot of meat from those guys," said Lucian casually.

Teddy just stood there looking at him, if he could sweat he'd probably have filled three buckets already.

"Why not try it yourself?" said Lucian shoving the bowl in front of the bullfrog.

Teddy looked at it for a second then took the bowl, he put it to his lips and swallowed.

He smiled, "This is pretty good," he said.

Lucian inwardly smiled, Martha then walked along and took another bowl, she drank it and put on a smile, Lucian was shocked at the pride he felt at seeing them smile.

In seconds all the other frogs had come over, and we're in the middle of drinking the soup.

In just five minutes every cannibal was unconscious.

Lucian smiled, he turned to the 'frog', "Okay let's go."

The top third of the frog Separated from the body and landed on the floor with a grunt, followed by the middle

The three toads ran away, Lucian let out a breath, he should be smiling, he had saved Bog and company, and they had taken down a group of dangerous frogs.

Thanks to the knowledge his parents had taught him

Lucian sighed, he was being stupid, he should be running, but he couldn't shake the feeling of confusion he had, his parents were cowards but what they taught him had saved his life.

Maybe he was wrong.

He started to run, moving past all the bodies, he could just see the edge of the forest when he felt something grab his foot, he fell to the floor breaking his fall with his hands, he turned to see one of the mud frogs holding on to him.

"Well, well, look at what we've got, an escape attempt" said the frog in a deep yet feminine voice.

"Such a shame he almost got away." Said another mud frog slowly rising.

"It was a good plan," said the gentile voice of Teddy, who was helping Martha standing, "sadly he didn't know that we've taken enough in small doses over the years to become immune to it."

'Mithridatism' Lucian thought, both terrified but impressed that he remembered that word.

"It was a good plan," said Martha sweetly, "great job catching them Juniper."

The frog holding onto Lucian stood up, lifting him up by his foot, she wiped the mud from her face revealing a similar face to Martha only with lipstick, she turned the kid to the other mud frog to reveal a similar face.

"These are my sisters," said Martha, "Juniper and Juliet."

"Why were you disguised as mud frogs, was it to trap me?"

"Not really," said Juliet shrugging, "we just like running around in our underwear covered in mud, trapping you was just an added benefit."

Teddy and Martha took down the tent, they turned to Lucian and smiled.

"You were right kid, that sauce was pretty good," said Teddy, "You'll taste delightful in it."

"Heck we get an even bigger portion now thanks to you." Juliet

"Look on the plus side, you would be awake to feel yourself being boiled." said Martha.

Lucian tried to free himself however Juniper held on, he squirmed her kicked, but the older toad wouldn't let go.

He was panicking now, this was how he was going to die, in a pot eaten by elderly cannibals, he felt the tears appear in his eyes, he was stupid, he should have listened to Marcy, He should have listened to Max, he would never be a hero, her briefly through about his parents and to his surprise missed them.

He closed his eyes, hoping the pain would end quickly.

All of a sudden he heard something a yell, not a terrified yell, or a brave yell, but an awkward yell of like a sick tarantula.

Something grabbed Juniper and turned her around, Lucian opened his eyes, he couldn't see them but could just make out their boots.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM," said a voice he knew so well.

He heard the noise of a fist hitting a stomach and the groan of pain from an old frog, the next thing he knew he was on the floor.

Looking up he saw his mother standing there, looking at the frogs, the fury in her eyes quickly vanishing being replaced with fear, She was quickie joined by his father, he picked Lucian up.

"Luci, Are you okay?"

Before Lucian could say anything, the clearing filled with laughter, evil laughter

He tried to look at the Bullfrogs, but his father placed himself in front of him trying to prevent the cannibals from seeing him.

"Well this gets even better, We lost three toads, and we've regained them." chuckled Martha.

"Better, yet we can have those two for dinner, and the little one for leftovers."

Lucian felt another wave of guilt hit him.

This was all his fault, his parents were going to die because of him, he had thought they were cowards, and yet they still came to save him.

"Mom?" he said tearfully, "Dad?"

"Lucian, don't worry," said his mother said trying to sound brave.

"We won't let them hurt you." said his father.

Lucian closed his eyes, this was all his fault they were going to die.

All of a sudden there was a rustling of the trees, and the sound of something dropping from a great height.

"Who are…" said Juliet, only for her to be cut off by the noise of something slamming into her face, she fell to the ground

Standing above her was a blond human wearing white armor, rubbing her fist, she took the sword from her and held it with both her hands.

"It's been a while since I've done this." said Sasha Waybright, "But you guys are going pretty good practice."

...

Yatee27: Honestly I knew when i planned this fic I just had to bring them back, but honestly I love them as villains, Also you're right it's just one more chapter then the Polly arc begins.