After a several days of nonstop driving, they arrived at the capital of Amphibia... Newtopia. The capital of all of Amphibia, a shining city of culture with massive walls and a shallow lake surrounding it.
"Wow, this place is big." Anne said, "It is big, right? Its not just my eye playing tricks on me?"
"Nope, it's huge! We're approaching the gate now, it's even bigger than that Toad Tower!" Polly shouted as they looked up at the gate!
"I think it's as tall as Wartwood is wide." Sprig said.
'Come on, Marcy... be in there.' Anne thought.
The Fwagon came to a stop as Hop Pop looked up for a gatekeeper to open the gates and let them in but there was nobody.
"Hello?!" he shouted out!
A small window... door... thing... opened and a newt popped out.
"You can't come in."
"What?!" Anne called out, not understanding him.
"I said you can't come in! The city is closed!" The newt shouted so the could hear him.
"What, until when!?" Sprig asked.
"Until the Barbariants are dealt with!" the newt said!
"The what?!" Polly shouted.
"The creatures that made those holes!" The newt said as he pointed to the shallow lake before shutting the tiny door.
"They're afraid of a couple ants?" Sprig asked.
"I don't know, they seem very nervous about it." Anne said, "I think they might be a little more dangerous than the ones I know."
Suddenly, they were surrounded by giant ants.
"Okay, that's bad." Polly said.
"Guys, get behind me." Anne said, shifting into her wolf form.
She was about to attack when she heard a screech... a familiar screech. They all looked up and saw a Golden Eagle. Anne shifted back and watched the bird.
'Marcy.'
The Plantars didn't know what this creature was but they were entranced by it as it dived down towards them! She let go of the bags in her talons and hit the water in front of the ants with oil. She flew over and grabbed a torch from the top of the wall. She dropped it on the oil and it caught fire. The ants hissed in pain from this as the Plantars seemed to be safe instead of catching on fire like the large ants. The bird began to fly down and became a girl when she hit the water. She pointed her wrist and fired an arrow from a mini crossbow attached to her wrist. It hit an ant in the eye and killed it. The rest of the ants began to retreat.
"Ha! Attack pattern 263 is a success!" Marcy said as she pulled out a notebook and pencil.
'Attack pattern 263?' They thought in confusion.
"Another win for the eagle guard!" Marcy said.
Anne took a step forward.
"Marcy."
"Anne?" Marcy asked, looking towards her and gasping.
Not just in shock to see her but in shock at all the injuries she had! Anne ran at Marcy and tackled her with a hug.
"I'm so glad I found you!" Anne said.
"A-A-Anne... your eye.'
'Of course she would notice right off the bat.' Anne thought as Marcy put a hand in her face to look at her eye more.
"It's a long story. I just... we can worry about that later." Anne hugged her tightly, "I can't believe I've found you!"
"Uh... Anne... little tight... I have hollow bones, remember?" Marcy asked, "Being crushed is worse for me than most humans."
"Oh! Sorry!" Anne said as she quickly let go.
Fun fact about people with bird spirit animals, they all possess the trait of hollow bones that allow birds to fly so easily. Even in human form. It also means they can get broken bones quite easily. It's partially the reason Marcy doesn't really participate in Gym Class. But what she lacks in bone strength, she makes up for in speed and intelligence.
"I have so many questions." Anne said, "How long have you been here? Are you preening properly? Do they have your favorite bird seed here?"
"Can you get us into the city?" Sprig asked, seeing as that was the BIG question.
"Answering the important question first, no. Not until the Babariants have been dealt with." Marcy said to Sprig
"That's a problem, we might know a way back home and need to speak with someone about it." Anne said.
"Tell you what, help me get rid the ants, and I'll see if I can get you to speak with the King." Marcy said.
"You want our help?" Hop Pop asked.
"Yeah, like I said, my bones are hollow and I'm more brittle than most people. I could use the back up since most newts aren't very good on missions." Marcy said.
"Not to mention that Anne's wolf has sharp hearing and smelling, and she can hold her own in a fight."
"Don't we know it." Polly mumbled as Anne nodded to them.
"Sounds great to me." Anne said, mostly because she wanted to protect Marcy.
"Don't we know it." Polly mumbled as Anne nodded to them.
"Sounds great to me." Anne said, mostly because she wanted to protect Marcy.
"Great, come on!"
Marcy transformed back into a golden eagle and flew off, making Anne rush after her with the Plantars following.
"Come on guys, try and keep up." Anne said.
"Easy for you to say! I'm old!" Hop Pop shouted.
Anne rolled her eyes. She stopped and changed into a wolf, turning around to scoop up the trio on her back before running after Marcy again!
"Whoa!" Sprig let out, hanging on to Anne's fur.
"YEEHAW!" Polly shouted in glee.
The two animals stopped in front of a hole and turned back.
"This is it. The Barbariants main nest is right down here." Marcy said as she pointed towards the hole.
"Okay, so what's the plan again?" Polly asked.
"We have to get these to the queen's room." Marcy said, holding up a special mushroom.
"Hold on, I think we've seen that kind of mushroom before." Sprig said, pointing to it. "Are those Boomshrooms?"
"They're similar to Boom Shrooms but not quite. These are Stinkshrooms, when they detonate they release a scent that the Babariants can't stand." Marcy said, "We have to get these right in the queens area, drive her out, the ants will follow her."
"And the gas isn't deadly to us?" Anne asked out of caution.
"Well, no. So long as you don't inhale it too long or else it will liquify your organs." Marcy said to them.
"... So yes." Anne said.
"Well, yeah, but as long as we leave quickly, our organs will be fine. The newts are very specific in their research. Now come on." Marcy said, jumping into the hole.
"Marcy, don't just jump in!" Anne shouted, grabbing the Plantars and jumping in after her.
The group landed in the hole and began to look around. The entire tunnel system underground was quiet, and no other ants were in sight, possibly because they needed to expand the system to try to breach Newtopia.
"Alright Anne, I need you." Marcy said, "Birds don't have the ability to smell, so while I can move easily through here, I can't navigate. Not to mention wolves have better eyesight in the dark than me."
"So you need me to sniff the queen out?" Anne asked, "Easy."
She fell onto all fours and shifted midfall. She began sniffing the ground, tracking the queen with ease as she had a rather heavy scent compared to the other ants. Anne began to move quickly through the tunnels. Everyone else rushed to follow her while receiving bundles of Stinkshrooms from Marcy.
"When we reach the queen, move silently and place them around the cave for maximum coverage." Marcy quickly explained, "She's basically blind, but she can hear really well."
"Just like Anne!" Polly said.
Anne looked back at Polly with a blank growl, making her raise her nubs in surrender.
"Sorry, half blind. I meant half blind." Polly said.
"Am I ever going to learn about what happened to her eye?" Marcy asked.
"Well-"
Sprig was cut off when Anne growled at him.
"A-A-Anne will tell you... when she's comfortable with it." Sprig said.
Anne nodded to him before she went back to sniffing out the queen, missing a questioning and worrying look from Marcy.
'What happened to her?' Marcy thought, noticing the scars she didn't notice because of Anne's clothes, 'What did she fight to get like this?'
That was almost all Marcy could think about as they continued walking to the main nest. Marcy felt shame, they ended up here because of her.
'I never wanted Anne to be hurt and if she's like this, I hate to assume how Sasha is doing. Despite having a bear spirit animal, she's not invincible.' Marcy thought, 'I just wanted to be with my friends.'
Unknown to her... her friends may never be friends again. The group had managed to reach the heart of the hive, seeing the queen ant laying the eggs as possible hundreds were around her.
"Alright, time to spread these out." Marcy said, handing out the stinkshrooms.
The group, with Anne turning back to normal, nodded to Marcy as they each took a bundle of mushroom and moved around the cave quietly to plant them. Marcy and Anne were pretty close to each other.
"So... what happened to you?" Marcy asked.
"Now is not the time." Anne said, "And frankly, I don't want to talk about it at all."
"But I do. Seeing you like this, it's scary Anne. It's scary to think about what happened to make someone I care about look like this." Marcy said with a frown.
"Like I said, I don't want to talk about it." Anne said, with a growl, "And I don't want to talk about Sasha either."
"Sasha? What does Sasha have to do with this?" Marcy asked.
"That bitch has everything to do with it." Anne said, "I hope she rots in hell."
"A-A-Anne, what-"
"I said I don't want to talk about it!" Anne yelled.
Not only did this scare Marcy, making her fall back with tears forming a bit, but this alerted the Queen Babariant to them being in her nest! She looked around, looking for what made that noise. The frogs and humans quickly hid, being silent as they could be to not let the queen find them as she moved from her spot. It moved close to Anne and Marcy. Both of them hid behind a large rock and didn't move as the queen approached them.
"Look what you made me do! Now the-" Anne whisper shouted before seeing Marcy face, silently crying as she tried to make it stop.
Anne felt a little guilty.
"Marcy... I'm sorry." Anne said, "I didn't mean to yell at you it's just... what happened was bad, and it honestly changed me. Even thinking about it brings back some bad memories, memories of the person I don't want to be."
"I-I get it but…..this is all my fault! If I didn't show you guys that stupid box, you wouldn't have been hurt like this." Marcy whispered, still crying.
"Marcy, it's not your fault. You had no idea that box would bring us here." Anne whispered.
"But-But-" Marcy whispered before Anne pulled her into a hug.
"But nothing." Anne said to her, "Now come on, let's stop a giant bug."
"O-Okay." Marcy whispered, slowly leaving the hug even if she didn't want to.
'Maybe later, we could hug again. I miss them.' Marcy thought.
"So, Marcy, we can't place anymore as long as she's right next to us, what's the plan?" Anne asked.
"Hmm, one thought comes to mind, but you won't like it." Marcy whispered.
"What?" Anne replied.
"I transform, fly away, and screech to draw the queen away." Marcy quickly said.
"What!" Anne whispered shouted, "That's too dangerous!"
"I know but it's the only way! I'm the best chance at keeping my distance from the queen while you guys finish!" Marcy whispered back.
"I can do it!" Anne whispered back.
"Now with those injuries! Not to mention you're half blind!" Marcy whispered.
"But my hear and smell are amazing." Anne said.
"Anne... I have to do this." Marcy said.
"Marcy, no! Please…..I just got you back. I can't risk losing you when I just found you again." Anne whispered.
"Anne... I promise, I'll be back." Marcy said, "I just have to keep her distracted long enough for you guys to finish planting the stinkshrooms."
Anne bit her lip, trying to think about something to say to talk Marcy out of this but found nothing coming to mind. She could only sight in defeat before nodding to Marcy.
"Okay, but you better come back." Anne whispered to her.
"Hey, who do you think you're talking to?" Marcy asked, "I'm better than an ant, I'm a raptor."
Anne rolled her... eye. Marcy loved to refer to herself as a raptor, AKA, birds of prey consisting of Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, and others.
'A silly raptor.' Anne thought as Marcy jumped into the air and transformed into her eagle form.
Marcy screeched as she fly up to the ceiling of the cave, drawing the attention of the queen as she looked up to the noise. The queen focused on Marcy, giving the others the chance to finish the mission. Anne moved faster than before, wanting to finish the plane and leave before that thing caught Marcy. After, Anne placed the rest of the Stinkshrooms before looking up.
"Marcy, come on!"
She screeched back as she flew towards a wall, flying down to the floor before circling to the queen and flying under her as she crashed! She shifted back and went in front of Anne.
"Alright, time to set them off."
"Got it. And how do we-" Anne asked until Marcy pulls out a match.
"Okay, I wasn't expecting that." Anne said.
"Yeah, you may want to take a head start." Marcy said.
Anne shifted into a wolf and quickly gathered the Plantars, while Marcy flicked the match, letting it land right in the middle of a couple of the shrooms.
"Bombs away!" Marcy shouted as she shifted, flying as fast as she could out of the cave!
The match caused the shrooms to go off, releasing the toxic chemical. The queen screeched as the toxic smell rushed into her nose, making her shake her head before rushing out of the cab as fast as she could. The rest of the soldiers smelt it as well and fled, leaving the eggs laid inside to perish once they hatched. The two animals made it out of the hole and shifted back.
"Alright, I think that's taken care off." Marcy said, "Now let's get into that city!"
"Here here!" Hop Pop shouted.
"Finally!" Sprig said with a smile.
"Are there more stinkshrooms inside?" Polly asked.
Marcy ignored that last one and went over to the gate.
"The ants are gone! Open the gate!"
"They are?!" The gate keeper asked, opening the tiny window.
"Yep! They're all gone!" Marcy shouted to him.
The gate opened and the Plantars were introduced to the beauty and awe of Newtopia. A beautiful city but some things falling apart after so many years.
"Wow, you've been here the entire time?" Anne asked.
"Yep." Marcy said with a smile, "More or less."
They were suddenly surrounded by guards.
"Sprig, what did you do?" Hop Pop asked.
"Don't worry, guys, they're just protection for someone important." Marcy said, as someone came up to them.
"Master Marcy, the Legendary Eagle Guard."
Marcy bowed a bit.
"Lady Olivia."
Being in the presence of a royal newt, Hop Pop went to his knee with a bow as the rest of them bowed like Marcy.
"No need for that, Hop Pop." Marcy said as she gestured to them. "Olivia, this is one of my friends, Anne. And the family she's been staying with, the Plantars."
Lady Olivia decided to ignore the injuries of the new human for now, she knew all too well how some people can get when asked about traumatic events, she learned that after seeing her wife after some of her early missions.
"It's a Pleasure to meet you, Anne." Lady Olivia said, "I take it the mission was a success?"
Marcy pulled out a severed ant head and threw it in front of Olivia.
'Wait, where did she get that?' Anne thought.
"Ah, still fresh I see." Olivia said, "I'll have a servant gather that, in the meantime... King Andrias wishes to speak with you. Why don't you bring your friends with you?"
"The king of Newtopia?!" Hop Pop shouted before fainting.
"I think that's a "yes."" Polly said as Anne and Sprig helped Hop Pop up.
"Sorry about that. I guess meeting the king is a big deal to H.P." Anne said.
"Nonsense. It's understandable, even a few people here still faint." Olivia said as she gestured for them to follow her. "Right this way, and please, be careful with our fair city. As you can tell, time has begun to take it's hold."
Looking around, everyone could see the ancient city was falling apart with natural decay and cracks on nearly every building.
"We'll do our best." Anne said, putting a hand on Sprig to keep him close.
"Great, see you later, mo- I mean! Lady Olivia!" Marcy said, "Guys, come on, now."
Marcy put her hood up and quickly began walking away, embarrassed, while Lady Olivia smiled.
'That girl, if only she understood that I see her as family too.' Olivia thought as she led Anne and the Plantars away.
They arrived at the castle... and their necks hurt because of looking up.
"Ugh, I'm gonna need a neck brace after all this." Hop Pop said, rubbing his neck.
"Why is everything so tall, anyway?" Anne asked Marcy.
"Because it's to fit the king. Trust me when I say this, he's HUGE!" Marcy said with a small giggle.
"Is he compensating for something?" Anne asked with a smirk.
"Damn you and your Shrek quotes." Marcy said with a laugh, "I'm supposed to be that person."
"Hahahahahaha!" Anne laughed with Marcy.
"Who's Shrek?" The Plantars asked, being left out of the loop.
"Not important right now." Anne said, "I'll tell you later."
"Come on, let's go!" Marcy said.
Marcy lead the group inside of the castle, the halls pristine and maintained with care. Murals of previous kings and other royals hung on the walls as they looked around.
"Wow! This is even fancier than fancy!" Polly said in awe.
"This is the fanciest place I've ever seen. I feel like I can't even stand here without getting something dirty." Hop Pop said.
"There are over four thousand servants in charge of cleaning this place, 24/7." Marcy said, "If there is so much as a speck of dust, they'll come and clean it."
"Really?" Polly asked.
"Really." Marcy said with a nod.
Polly smirked before trying to clear her throat before Hop Pop covered her mouth.
"Don't even think about it, young lady. We are guests." Hop Pop scolded her.
Polly crossed her arms.
"Fine." Polly said as they continued towards the throne room.
'I'm still going to test it.' Polly thought as Sprig thought the same thing.
"Alright, now, before we go in, I have to warn you, he gets... excited when he meets new people." Marcy said.
Marcy then pushed the doors opened and led the Plantars and Anne into the throne room, right to where the king sat in an intimidating shadow. Not to mention he was about 30 FEET tall! Marcy bowed.
"King Andrias, the mission was successful." Marcy said.
"We'll done, Eagle Guard!" Andrias said.
Andrias got up and walked to the group, making them even more intimidated by him up close! He gazed down at there and smiled brightly, making the intimidating aura disappear.
"Ahahahahahaha! Welcome to Newtopia!" He said to them in a joyful and boisterous voice, "Come here!"
He scooped up the Plantars and giving them all a hug.
'The Plantars flinched from the sudden embrace, not expecting to be hugged by the large king.
'Is this guy like a real Santa?' Anne thought.
"And you must be Anne." Andrias said, putting the Plantars down, "Marcy has spoken highly of you. You look... a lot different than what she says."
"Yeah, I can assume. Probably more scarred than you expected." Anne said, scratching her head a bit. "Let's just say I've been through a lot since I got here."
"I can see."
"And if you're wondering how she got them, it's best not to talk about it until she's ready." Marcy quickly said.
"Right, I understand." Andrias said with his hand up and a nod.
"Okay, now that we got passed the scarred part, can we figure out how to get home?"
"Oh yes, but for that, we would need the box. It was what brought you here and in turn, can help you return." Andrias said as he walked back to his throne and pulled out a large book from behind. "It says so right here in one of Newtopia's oldest books."
"The music box? Hop Pop, didn't you leave it with some contacts in Amphibia?" Anne asked.
"Uh... yes."
"Well, I have a Photo of it." Anne said, "Would that help?"
"It couldn't hurt." Andrias said.
Anne pulled out her phone and quickly pulled up the picture before showing it to Andrias, who kneeled down to see it.
"Marcy, didn't you say the stones were colored? Look at this, they... they're grey." Andrias said.
Anne looked at it.
"Huh... I never noticed that before." Anne said.
"This will require further study."
"And what about us? Can we do anything to help?" Sprig asked him.
"No, no, you've done more than enough with this new information and dealing with the ants. For that, consider yourselves my guests with all expenses paid!" Andrias said before he pulled out a gold credit card, "Here, take this. It's the royal credit card, unlimited funds. Use it for your stay and anything you'd like. Souvenirs, food, lodging."
"Anything?" Anne asked in surprise, taking the credit card. "I didn't even think this place would have credit cards."
"Me either but that just proves Newtopia really is the more advanced city in Amphibia." Marcy said as she turned to them. "But you better be careful with that. People will do ANYTHING for that card if they know it has unlimited funds."
"Wars have been waged for less, so be vigilant." Andrias added.
"Don't worry, your Highness, I will guard this with my life." Anne said.
"Yeah, she will!" Sprig said with a wave of his hand.
'I can't wait for her to let me use it.' Sprig thought.
'There's not way I'm letting Sprig use this.' Anne thought.
"Splendid." Andrias said, "Marcy, show them to the best hotel in the city, and then come back here to help research."
"Yes, sir." Marcy said with a salute, "Follow me!"
Marcy led the Plantars back into the city, giving them a small tour of the city where their hotel is in. They went inside and unpacked, which made Anne place the card on a nightstand. Doing a lot of moving while on the way here, led to her being able to move easily with one eye, the other advanced senses she has didn't hurt either, she doesn't even need her cane anymore... she still has it, because she liked that Sprig made it.
"You guys are getting the King Suite, best view in the city." Marcy said, "Except for the Ferris wheel here... or when I'm flying."
"Ferris wheel? The hotel has a ferris wheel?!" Sprig asked in excitement!
"Yes it does!" Marcy said, before walking to the window and opening it, "Well, I have some work to do. Enjoy your time in Newtopia. Eagle Guard, out!"
Marcy sat on the windowsill and fell backwards. She shifted into her Spirit Animal and flew away.
"That…was so cool!" Polly shouted.
'And so dangerous!' Anne thought, despite Marcy having an eagle spirit animal.
"Alright, after the adventure we just had, I think we should just rest for the day." Anne said.
"I completely agree." Hop Pop said with a yawn. "I think we should all take a nice long nap and be refreshed for tomorrow."
Sprig reached for the credit card when he heard a growl. He turned and saw a very annoyed wolf.
"Aaah!" Sprig let out, taking some steps back as Anne looked at him.
'Don't even think about it.' Anne thought as she grabbed the card with her teeth and curled up one of the beds with it.
"You shouldn't have done that Sprig." Hop Pop said.
"Man, I'm kind of missing the Anne that first arrived." Sprig said, "She was a lot... happier and rebellious."
"Anne changed, Sprig, she's going to do whatever it takes to keep us safe." Hop Pop said.
"I understand that... I just don't like how that happened."
"None of us do, Sprig." Hop Pop said, looking at the sleeping canine, "None of us do."
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