Like Father, Like Son
Earth was on fire. It was in chaos and all in ruins. All of the humans were running away, screaming in fear, all because of me and my amphibian army.
"You're doing stellar, guys!" I congratulated my soldiers. "Just stellar, terrific work! Now for the final blow! Show them no mercy! Let's show them what we are made of!" My army agreed with me and all did their war cries.
I couldn't believe that I was hesitant about this at first, but Dad was right. This is our legacy. We must conquer other worlds in order to become stronger. This is what we're meant to do. Dad would be so proud!
Then one of the humans started waving a white flag.
"I surrender!" He said. Then one by one, the other humans all followed suit.
"I surrender!"
"I surrender!"
"I surrender!" I beamed. The humans had enough of us, and they finally surrendered! Today was a glorious day to be an amphibian!
But that was just a daydream. It would have been real if Lief hadn't betrayed me and had stolen the music box. Dad warned me about having friends, like Leif and Barrel, and he was right. I should have listened to him. Now it is too late, and we have to suffer the consequences because of it and I only have myself to blame. I was mad at myself. Lief and Barrel were my best friends. How could Lief betray me like that? How could I have been so stupid?! A frog guard came into my chambers then.
"Your father wishes to see you one last time, your Highness." He said.
Wait, one last time? I knew that Dad was sick and was sick for some time, but still couldn't believe he was nearing the end. Was this it? It couldn't be, could it? Maybe I heard wrong. But as soon as I turned around, he was gone. I frowned and walked out of my bed chamber.
Before I entered Dad's bedroom, I turned my frown upside down and looked serious. Dad is on his deathbed. The last thing that my father wanted was seeing his son sad. Plus, it wouldn't be 'manly,'
"You wanted to see me, Father?" I asked him as if I didn't already know. I
"Yes, son." He answered faintly, "Come in." I obeyed and came to his bedside.
After several awkward moments of silence, I spoke up so Dad knew that I was beside him.
"I'm here, Father." Laying in his bed, he looked at me.
"As you can probably already tell, son, my time is wearing thin. The sun is setting for me and pretty soon the sun will rise again for you as the new king."
"I do."
"And you do remember the lessons I have taught you and what I want you as Amphibia's newest king?"
"I do."
"And you will rule it with an iron fist and know what to do once the box and prophecy returns to us?"
"I do, Father. I will make you and all of Amphibia proud."
"Good. That's all I want, son. Don't be a disappointment."
"I won't. You have my word." The light beside him went out. "Father?" Silence. "Father?" I looked at him and knew, even before the medics came in to confirm it. Dad was gone. He was in the Core now. I frowned. "Rest in peace, Father."
I was king now. It was weird. I was used to being called 'Prince Andrias', and 'little Prince,' not 'King Andrias.' I mean, I knew that this day was coming, but it still felt weird. It also felt wrong to be king right after Dad died, but those are the rules. Being king was my responsibility now. I had to do what was best for Newtopia, and I was going to rule it with an iron fist. I promised Dad. My childhood days were over. It was time to get serious. No time to be childish.
And since I was king, I had to make several hard decisions and do stuff that I would normally call 'boring'. But obviously I couldn't complain. I had to man up and do them. It was part of the job and I had to take my duties seriously whether I liked to or not. I also had several leaders visit from different lands and I had to travel more.
Days later was the funeral. I wanted to cry, but I didn't. Dad wouldn't have approved. So I just stayed strong and recited the eulogy with a straight face.
"My dad wasn't the ideal father that a son desires." I admitted with my eulogy, "He surely, without a doubt, wasn't 'father of the year' material, but he was still my father and I loved him and looked up to him. All of my life, he taught me and showed me the ways to become the future king. He trusted me so much that he put me in charge of an invasion of Earth. Unfortunately, I messed up so badly that it didn't happen. He was disappointed. I never made him that disappointed in me before in my entire life and I hated it. That's why I want to undo my horrendous mistake and make him proud, and I will, even if he isn't with us anymore. I just know it. So, if you are listening, Father, I promise to correct my misdeed one day and make you proud." I left the podium after my speech was over. There were no dry eyes for the rest of the day.
After several more days, the big day had arrived. It was Coronation Day. I was both excited and nervous at the same time.
A lot of amphibians were in attendance. I could have sworn it was a lot more compared to Dad's funeral. I shouldn't be surprised though. I have a whole kingdom to run. A lot of Newtopians were counting on me.
After the priest asked me what seemed like a million questions, and I had made my vows, the moment that I was waiting for had come. A frog with my future crown, robe, and scepter came in. I took the scepter and put on my new robe. Lastly, I took the crown and placed it upon my head. I was now officially king. Applause erupted from all around the cathedral.
Afterwards, everyone filed into the dining hall where there were several long tables where each frog sat around to get ready for a feast. I sat in my designated chair, and the appetizers came from the servers. I gave out a toast, and when we all clinked our glasses, the eating commenced.
The day has finally ended. I was pooped! I just wanted to go to bed.
Before I went to bed, I looked at the picture frame of my late father that now hung before my bed. I smiled at it.
"I have finally done it, Father." I said to the picture frame. I knew I wasn't actually talking to him, but I felt his presence all around and felt it throughout the day. He was in the core after all. "I am officially king just like you said that I would be." I then grew determined. "And I promise to be a good king and be one that the citizens expect me to be just like you were. I'll be the king that they can trust to do the right thing through the good and bad days. I won't let them down. And I also promise that once The Calamity Box comes back, I will do whatever it takes to preserve it, and not lose it ever again. I will make you proud." And with that, I went to bed, and got ready for Amphibia's bright future.