I know it's been a while, but I had a really hectic schedule this fall. This'll end up finished by winter 2024 at the earliest.

This chapter is just like the last one— something I envisioned as a small segment of a larger chapter but I'm now giving it more depth on its own. This idea actually spawned as something my mom suggested to me right after I posted the first chapter, and I decided to save it for near the end. Thanks, Mom!

Also, for the first time since the very early chapters I'm directly referencing the a_drawship artworks this fic is based on (check chapter 1 for the links).

1 Year, 3 Months Earlier………

"So here's the basement," said Hop Pop. "I know it ain't much, but make yourself at home."

Anne stepped down and nervously looked around the empty room. "Thank you for letting me stay in your house, Mr. Plantar."

"You're welcome," said the older frog. "I don't want you sleeping outside where the birds could get ya. And please, feel free to call me Hop Pop."

"Okay, Hop Pop."

Hop Pop laid out a cushion on the rocky floor. "I'm sure this doesn't compare to your bed back home, but it's better than nothing."

"I guess…"

Anne didn't look particularly happy about the situation, but Hop Pop didn't notice. He just walked back up the stairs.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. I'm gonna write letters from some out-of-town friends and see if anyone's seen your friends. G'night, Anne!"

But right as Hop Pop was about to close the door…

"Wait! Don't go!"

Hop Pop stopped in his tracks. "Huh? What's the matter, do you want a glass of water?"

"I don't wanna be alone in the dark, Mr. Hop Pop!" Anne yelled. "Please let me sleep upstairs!"

"Dang it, Hopediah. What were you thinking?" the old frog said out loud before turning around and removing the cushion. "Alright, let's forget about the basement. Sprig should be willing to bunk with you."

Anne's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Sure!" said Hop Pop. "Polly wouldn't but Sprig would."

The two of them walked upstairs to Sprigs room, and Hop Pop knocked on the door.

"Sprig? You still awake?"

"I think so," Sprig relief from within. "But for all I know this is a realistic dream."

"Haha, real funny." Hop Pop opened the door and walked in with Anne. "Sprig, can Anne sleep in your room? The basement's too lonely for her."

Sprig gasped and raised his fists in the air. "Sleepover!" He paused. "I think so. I've never had one."

"I have! We're gonna have so much fun!" Anne grabbed the cushion and placed it next to Sprig's bed.

For the first time since arriving in Amphibia, Anne was happy.

"C'mon, maggot!" yelled Bog, dragging Sasha toward one of the South Tower's back rooms

"No! Let me go!" Sasha struggled, but couldn't escape the red toad's grip.

"I'm the one who gives orders around here, child!" shouted Grime, opening a cage. "You'll be staying in here for the time being, so you might as well stop complaining."

Bog picked Sasha up and tossed her inside the cage, which Grime quickly locked.

"You guys are meanies!" Sasha yelled.

"That's the way it is," said Grime in a matter-of-fact way. With that, he and Bog left Sasha to her own devices.

"Why did I have to show up somewhere worse than home?" Sasha complained. Seeing nothing better to do, she repeatedly kicked the bars of the cage. "This is so stupid!"

Unbeknownst to Sasha, a powerful energy built up in her for the first time, supercharging her next kick.

"Hah!"

One of the bars broke off at the bottom, leaving a gap large enough for a small child to escape.

"What the?" Sasha looked at the broken bar with confusion. "Did I do that?"

She crouched down and tried to see if she could crawl out of the gap. It was a tight fight, but sure enough, she squeezed her way out.

"Yes! I'm free!" She smirked. If these toads thought they could keep her locked up, they'll have another thing coming.

………

"I propose we keep her here permanently," said Grime to the other toads in the mess hall. "We've never seen anything like her before— it would be a shame to let her go."

"That's assuming she stays alive." Bog chuckled. "She's such a small thing."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Captain?" asked Percy. "I understand that we have no idea what she is, but deep down I think she's scared. We should show her some positivity."

"Plus, we'll learn more about her if she isn't locked up at the time," Braddock chimed in.

Grime frowned. Who were they to question his decisions? "I think you two—"

"Hey!" Suddenly Sasha was there, banging on the table.

"What the!?" exclaimed one toad.

"How the hell did you get out of your cage, brat!?" yelled Grime.

"Who cares!?" Sasha replied. "I'm hungry, I haven't eaten since breakfast! I want waffles!"

"What!? No!"

"I! Want! Waffles!"

"Ugh, for the love of…" Grime sighed and facepalmed. "Someone, get some worm waffles. Just so she stops asking for it."

A blue toad scurried off toward the galley, eager to fulfill Grime's wishes.

"Seriously, Captain," Percy spoke once more. "If she broke out so easily, then it wouldn't be productive to lock her up again."

"Not if we put her in a stronger cage!" said Bog. "Or lock her downstairs, she'd never break out!"

"I'm right here, you know!" Sasha yelled. "I'm not gonna be in a cage again!"

Grime hummed. "You may have a point, Percy."

Just then, the blue toad returned. "Food's here!" He handed the plate to Grime, who plopped it in front of Sasha.

"Here you go, now eat."

Sasha cringed. "Blech! Worms!"

"Hey, you asked for these, now eat it!" yelled Bog. "Maybe it's poison to her, who knows…" he muttered under his breath.

Sasha took a fork and reluctantly took a bite of the gray waffles. To her surprise, she loved the taste! "Ooh, these are good!" She downed the whole plate within a minute, and shortly after passed out.

"Looks like I was right," said Bog with a chuckle. Then he heard Sasha snore rather loudly. "Oh, guess not."

"Here you are, young Marcy," said Lady Olivia. "I offer my sincerest apologies for the meager accommodations."

But Marcy didn't mind. She ran into her new room and marveled at all the fancy decor.

"Are you kidding!? This is amazing! I'm in an actual royal palace!" She jumped right onto the bed that was even larger than her parents' at home. "It's like I got sucked into an RPG world!"

"I don't know what that means but I hope it's a good thing," said Olivia.

"It IS good! It's better than good!" Marcy giggled in excitement. "Anne and Sasha are gonna love this once they get here!"

"I hope they will, but that does assume they're here in Amphibia as well," Olivia pointed out.

Marcy looked at the newt confused. "Why wouldn't they be here?"

"Well, you said you were the one who opened that music box. What if holding onto it is necessary for transport."

Marcy's confusion was quickly replaced with sadness. "Oh… I didn't think of that…"

Olivia mentally panicked. This was no way to talk to a child! "Forget what I just said!" She walked over and placed a comforting hand on Marcy's shoulder. "I won't pretend I understand how the music box works. I bet my guess is completely wrong— your friends are here and we will find them soon."

"You think so?" Marcy asked quietly.

"I do."

Marcy suddenly yawned. "Ooh, I'm tired."

"Yes, I imagine it's been a long day for you." Olivia tucked Marcy under the covers and gave Marcy a small kiss on the forehead. "Have pleasant dreams."

Marcy yawned. "You too, Lady Olivia." She closed her eyes and began her journey into dreamland.

Olivia slowly walked out of the room, closed the door, and immediately came face-to-face with Yunan.

"Is the child asleep!?" the general yelled.

Olivia frowned. "When you're yelling like that? I highly doubt it."

Morning glow, morning glow

Starts to glimmer when you know

Winds of change are set to blow

And sweep this whole land through

Morning glow is long past due