Max stood there unable to act, how could things have gone so wrong, he looked at Nicole and Lucian who were standing there embarrassed.
The director newt had a polite smile on her face, clearly one that was planted on her face in some sort of act.
"Hi we're here to see Hopediah Plantar, according to these two," she gestured to Nicole and Lucian's who looked even more ashamed, "he comes here, so could you point me on his direction, please?"
Max swallowed, "Um, Sure."
He started to walk towards Hop-Pop, he knew they wouldn't attack him in the open, but that didn't mean this encounter wouldn't cause him more health problems,
Marcy noticed that they were walking towards Mr. Plantar, she rolled her eyes, quickly walked towards Hop-Pop and Sylvia and started talking to them
As they got nearer he started to hear them.
"Hop-Pop you have to leave now!" said the Panicked frog.
"What?" said Mr Plantar, "Marcy what's…"
That's when Mr Plantar saw the newt walking up and his face hardened, a stern look was on his face, he looked braver than anything Max had ever seen before, However his panic about Mr Plantars health taking a downturn increased.
"Hopediah Plantar," said the Director newt, in a sassy tone.
"Renee Frogeres," said Mr. Plantar, in one of righteousness defiance.
They just stood there looking at each other for a second before they started to do something unexpected.
They laughed, then hugged.
"How my favorite charity case going." said Mr. Plantar.
"Fine, thanks to your donations we've been able to rehabilitate more ex-convicts than ever."
Max just stood there his mouth open "Wha?" he turned to Nicole and Lucian who were now smiling.
"Sorry, Max She made us promise not to say anything."
"She's Renee Fordgers, she used to know Hop-Pop."
"Use to know, Used as a cover to rob banks around the desert, same difference." said Renee with an effortless charm.
"Renee Frodgers?" said Marcy confused, "I know that name."
"Remember the time Hop-Pop told us about that journey they want on with Anne, She's the director/Bank robber."
Marcy eyes widened, "Oh… Her."
"Well." said Renee flipping her hair in a way that many amphibians would find attractive, "I don't steal from banks anymore, Just the audience's hearts."
The room was quiet, "Yeah sorry couldn't help it." she said in a rare showcase of meekness.
Max was stunned, Hop-Pop wasn't in any danger, "But you said you were going to Kapow Mr. Plantar."
"We wanted to give him this," said Renee, who produced from her shirt a tube.
Mr. Plantar took the tube, and opened it, there was a painting, of Mr. Plantar, his arms were in chains, but somehow he still looked hopeful, on a banner at the top was the title, "The Dreamer."
Max had no idea what this was, but just looking at Mr. Plantars face could tell it was something important.
"Oh, My Frog it's beautiful." said Hop-Pop in joy.
"It was drawn by Tommy two knifes, who is now known as Tommy two brushes," said one of the frog thugs.
"Well I love it."
"Sorry," said Max shaking his head, "What's going on here?"
"Simple," said Mr. Plantar, "Years back I met Renee when she robbed banks, after the war Renee decided to turn over a new leaf."
"And thanks to Hopediah, I founded a charity that helps Ex-con's get legitimate work in acting," said Renee.
"His big heart is one of the many reasons I love him," said Sylvia, who leaned into her boyfriend resulting in him blushing.
Max stood there feeling like an idiot.
"Well," said Marcy sarcastically, "Looks like we were wasting our time, Thanks Max."
Max blushed, he felt like an idiot.
"What are they talking about?" said Mr. Plantar.
"These knuckleheads thought that I wanted to hurt you and were trying to keep me away, and keep you safe," said Renee.
Mr. Plantar laughed, "Really? Well that's kind of sweat, thanks kids."
Max felt even worse, Not only had he wasted his time, but the old frog was being nice about it, maybe it was the guilt for the money or just how nice Mr. Plantar was, but it was becoming unbearable
Worse was that Mr. Plantar used that money to help people, and he was just taking it from him to hide the fact hat the old guy was sick.
"How about you kids join us for some cakes." suggested Sylvia.
There were cries of joy from the three young Amphibians and a weak nod from the one human.
Five minutes later they were all eating cakes and drinking tea or coffee.
Max just sat there somehow feeling worse, He sighed again.
"Excuse me folks, I have to use the bathroom," said Mr Plantar.
The table muttered their okays.
Max just sighed, his mood was at an all-time low, he looked around the table and saw that Marcy was talking to Sylvia, she briefly gave him the stink eye and went back to talking to Sylvia.
He didn't know why he cared about that, She was an annoying girl just this morning, was it something about how they both orphans, that shouldn't be enough to make him change his mind on someone.
"Hey what's with the long face." said a sassy voice next to him.
Max turned to see Renee looking at him with a smile full of sass.
Signed Max laid his head back, "I got problems."
"Don't we all kid."
Max scoffed, "Not my problems, I have a friend who did something stupid today and well the more I think about it, I think he made the worst decision ever."
"Oh, Yeah tell me about it?"
Max looked at her for a second, part of him was skeptical, but he decided to lay if you on the next.
"A friend of his had an accident and well… he agreed to keep it a secret only when he offered me…him money, and my friend said yes"
"Is it that toad kid?"
"No," said Max shaking his head, "this friend he's starting to feel like he did the wrong thing, when someone found out about they thought he was horrible, Worse is that another friend who he was being nice to, now hates him."
Renee nodded, "Huh, Sound rough, Good moral dilemma, would make a good play."
Max sighed, this was a bad idea.
"So how's it going to end?"
Max looked at her confused, "What?"
The ending" said Renee, "How's it going to end?"
He shrugged, "I don't know, he just accepts it."
"That'a terrible ending, personally I'd go for the redemption angle."
"What?"
"Maybe he doesn't realize he can fix it."
"Really?"
"Yeah take me and my boys for example, before the war we were perfect fine with stealing from folks, afterwards stealing didn't seem as enjoyable, but it was hard for a criminal to turn a new leaf, so I turned to the person who was responsible for taking me down."
"What happened?" asked Max.
"As it turned out he was willing to help, and because of it, I got a new life."
Max nodded, "Huh."
Renee Frodgers chuckled, "Kid I don't know what your problem is but whatever it is I'm sure you can fix it, You just have to try."
Max sat there, this whole thing was complicated, he couldn't do anything without betraying Mr Plantar, He had been nice to him, but was taking the money just because Mr. Plantar was willing to pay him to keep quiet the right thing? He remembered the moment he saw him fall, on the stairs no less, and worse he was lying about someone health.
"Why bother" said the voice of someone who he thought loved him, "They have money, and they're willing to give it to you for a service, Just take it."
That's what they'd say, and with that Max knew he was doing the wrong thing, stood up and turned to Renee.
"Ms. Frodgers?"
"Yeah kid?"
Max pulled out the bag of coins and put it on the desk.
"Take this as a donation for your group, I have to fix a mistake."
He turned to Lucian who was having a pleasant conversation with the two frog thugs, "Lucian, What lake would Sprig and Anne go to?"
"Froggy bottom lake, it's a twenty-minute run west, Why?"
"I gotta go, Bye everyone."
Max ran out the door not noticing the smile on Renee face.
As he burst through the door, he heard a voice behind him.
"And who are you going to con this time."
Max turned to see Marcy standing there, looking disgusted, Max couldn't blame her for that, but he wasn't doing this just for her.
"No one." said Max,""I'm going to do what I should have done in the first place."
The look on Marcy's face changed to confusion, She didn't expect this, "What?"
"I'm telling Anne and the Plantars the truth," with that he ran off.
Marcy was joined by Lucian and Nicole, What's he doing?" asked Nicole.
Marcy explained everything.
Lucian looked at her, "He'll never get there in time, Hop-Pop has a snail."
The frog girl pondered for a few seconds before turning to Nicole, "You worked at a vet a month back right Nicole?"
She nodded, "Yeah, Why?"
…
Hopediah rushed out of the café's doors fast as possible, the moment he saw the bag of money on the table and Renee told him about her conversion with Max, he knew what Max was trying to do, he cursed the boy's late moral decision.
He knew that he wasn't in the best of health, but he also knew that if they discovered how bad it really was his family would stop living their lives and start to look after him, Sprig was enjoying himself exploring the continent, Polly was a brilliant roboticist, and Anne, after being away so long… He couldn't have her worry about him.
As he reached the snail park he jumped on Micro-Angelo back, "Micro-Angelo Go really really fast."
The snail didn't move.
Hopediah looked down to see the snail's head, it was lying on the ground, snoring noises escaping its mouth. On the floor were several green leaves with purple edges, Sleeping nettles, Micro-Angelo would be out for hours, did Max do this? He had only been here for a few days, how would he know what to feed him.
He didn't notice the three children hiding behind a three snail across the lot.
This wouldn't stop him, Hopediah jumped off his snail and started to run towards the lake hoping that he would get there before Max ruined everything.
…
Anne had to be honest with herself, this was what she wanted most of all in Amphibia.
Just spending a day relaxing with her best friend at the lake.
Right now she was wearing a Blue Bikini top and Black Bikini bottoms. Next to her was Sprig wearing his shorts and his hat.
"This is everything I've ever wanted." she said relaxed.
"Really?"
She nodded "Yeah sun bathing in Amphibia with my best friend, even if there's one thing that ruins it."
Sprig sat up, "I don't think Polly's ruining anything she's just having fun, we banned her from using canons"
"I wasn't talking about Polly, I was talking about this disaster," she said, reaching out for his chin.
Sprig slapped her hand away, "Leave Kevin alone."
"HE'S NAMED IT NOW?" said Polly from the shore, she was currently working on Frobo, who was currently laying on his back, a large platform on his back, she was currently wearing a sailor's hat, mostly to fit the theme, and secondly she looked cool in a sailors hat.
"Frobo congrats, the first use of boat form will be to sail over to that lily pad and shave Sprig's chin."
He then turned to Anne again, "But seriously, this is what you wanted?"
Anne laughed, "Yeah, I mean I always wanted a beach day with you. Though looking back on it, I don't know if you guys and the salty ocean would go together."
"Why?" said Sprig.
"Well Salt burns Amphibians… Wait I remember you guys have salt?"
"Yeah, We need it for the annual Wartwood salt eating contest."
Before Anne could say anything she heard something from the shore.
"ANNE" said a familiar voice, she turned to see a small brown speck on the shore, she could recognize the voice and the shape.
"MAX," she yelled back.
…
"I NEED TO TALK TO YOU."
Max heard Anne yell in response, but he could hardly hear her, He needed to get closer.
"Why don't just take off your shirt and shoes and swim," said Polly next to him.
Max looked at her and then the water for a second and then shuddered, "No… I… don't want to get my shorts wet, these are my only set of clothes while I'm here.
Polly looked at him incredulously.
"Why not ride on me? We were doing a buoyancy test aren't we?" said Frobo.
Polly nodded, "You're right, Max how do you feel about testing a brand-new boat."
Max took one look and Frobo in his aquatic mode and swallowed, "Okay." he said stepping aboard, Polly stood next to him and pointed towards Anne and Sprig's Lilly pad.
Frobo's legs had combined into a propeller, and started to sail in the direction of the other Plantars.
Max held on the railing trying to control his breathing. He was safe nothing bad was going to happen, he was safe on this boat, he would not fall into the water, he kept thinking this to stay safe.
After a few minutes they arrived next to the lily pad.
"Hey Max, I thought you were going to stay in town today?" said Sprig.
"I was going to but… Well…."
Max was used to sweet-talking people, able to charm his was a lot of the time, he could usually lie pretty well.
However today he met his kryptonite,
Anne Boonchy wearing a bikini.
Now Max was past the age where he found girls icky but not the point where he was neither interested nor disinterested in girls, He did like girls, there were girls he got along with, but none he would call a friend, (there were not many boys he would consider friends either.)
So suffice to say the only reason because it was odd to see her wearing something like that, he was used to seeing her in green shirt and tan shorts, So a bikini was a little surprising.
Take it like this if you saw your fourth grade math teacher dressed a chicken down at the supermarket you'd be rightfully confused, however as with Anne bikini they had a right to wear it, and there should be nothing considered weird about it.
Though if your teacher starts throwing eggs at people screaming about how they're an emissary of the dark one, You might want to start calling the police.
Max closed his eyes, that seemed to help.
"Mr. Plantar almost fell today."
"WHAT?" said the three Plantars.
"When?" said Sprig whose face was a mix of guilt and fear.
Polly was griping Frobo railings, "Not again," she muttered.
"Again, What do you mean again," said Anne looking at Sprig and Polly.
"It was the on the stairs," started Max, "He was walking up them and…"
"He fell on the stairs." said Polly sounding more scared than her siblings had ever seen her.
"Don't worry I caught him,"
Upon hearing this the other human and two frogs sighed.
"And then he offered me money to keep quiet about it."
"HE WHAT?" shouted Anne angry at him, then she looked at Max, her eyes narrowed, "What did you say."
Max felt the pressure of what he did on his shoulders, "I took it,"
The look on Anne face filled Max with shame, there is nothing more damaging than a ten-year-old boy who realized just how much he messed up, The looks on the other two Plantars were Disappointment on Sprig, and pure rage on Polly's, Frobo was also disappointed, but Max couldn't see his face.
He knew that this was the right thing to do, but he knew he was going to be in a lot of trouble for this.
"WAAAAIIIITTTTTT." said a voice from the bank.
The Plantars and Max turned around to see, an Orange shape swimming towards them, eventually it stopped next to the five.
It was Mr Plantar, "Whatever he's saying he's lying."
Max felt a knife enter his back, he knew that he messed up, but he didn't expect the old frog to accuse him like that.
"Hop-Pop, Is it true?"
"Of course not, He's just a liar, he wants to start trouble and…"
"He's lying," said Polly, "He had a fall a few days ago and wanted to cover it up."
"POLLY!" shouted Hop-Pop.
"He wanted to keep is secret from even me." said Sprig, "He…"
"It's really nothing, we don't have to worry about it, just…" said Mr Plantar."
"Hop-Pop this is horrible you lied to use and tried to use Max…" said Anne.
"I don't want to lose anyone else, Hop-Pop How could…" Polly said fighting back the tears.
Max watched as they fought, he wanted to help, but he didn't he just caused more problems, He just caused more people to suffer, He walked to the other side of Frobo and looked at the lake surface.
Looking back at him was a large face, the head was a different shape. It was brown but not his skin tone, his reflection's skin was smooth, his tongue popped out of his mouth like it was tasting something, it was also missing A nose, ears and hair.
"This is the monster I feel like," he said at the peak of melodrama, Then common sense hit him, "Wait what?"
All of a sudden he realized what was going on.
He ran to Polly, and grabbed her sailor's hat.
"HEY!" she called out.
Ignoring her Max threw it where his reflection was.
All of a sudden a Giant head swallowed the hat. It was the same head that Max had mistaken for his reflection, it was followed by a massive long body, it towered above all of them, Max looked at it terrified, Hop-Pop Polly and Frobo were just ordinarily variety shocked, Anne and Sprig were just surprised.
"Woah, Déjà vu," said Anne.
"Yeah, it is pretty nostalgic."
The snake just roared and lunged towards them.
