Meeting an Old Friend

Just as the frobot was about to launch into the air a spear suddenly protruded from its chest. Polly and Troy struggled to free themselves as it started to fall forward.

"What the frog was that?" Polly asked, looking around for the source. An old toad emerged from the shadows brandishing another spear. He was blind in one eye and had the beginnings of a cataract in the other.

"Sasha?" The old toad croaked hopefully as he spotted Troy. Another frobot landed behind Troy and Polly. The toad roared as he charged it. Seconds later it lay broken at his feet. He turned to the two of them. He reached around his belt and withdrew a silver heron sword. He pushed it into Troy's hands. "I've waited so long to return this to you Lieutenant." Two more frobots appeared and Grime held his arm out. "Back to the tower Lieutenant! Rally the other toads and I'll meet you there." Polly grabbed Troy's hand and started in the direction of Toad Tower.

"Who was that? Why did he call me Lieutenant?" He asked as they ran.

"Less questions, more running!" Polly said as they heard more frobots in the distance. They finally reached the ruins of an old crumbling tower and dove inside. Polly peaked her head out to see a few frobots flying overhead. She pulled back quickly, "Put that down!" Polly scolded as Troy examined the sword and swung it experimentally.

"But the toad gave it to me." He argued.

"Yeah, the mostly blind senile old toad." Polly countered as she pushed him further away from the door.

"He believes I can help unlike some-" He started but Polly shushed him. A frobot had landed in the courtyard and started to scan the area.

"He thought you were someone else!" Polly hissed quietly.

"Wait, did he think I was your human friend?" Troy asked quickly. The frobot turned towards the direction of the tower entrance. Polly pushed Troy back into the shadows.

"Let me handle this." She said as the frobot approached. She reached into her pockets for a handful of boomshrooms. The frobot stepped across the threshold and Troy ran at it with his sword raised. "Kid!" Polly cursed running after him. Troy swung at the frobot who easily stopped him. It grabbed the sword by the blade and lifted him with it. There was a sudden explosion behind it and it turned. Polly raised another boomshroom in her hand threateningly. "Put him down, now." She growled. The frobot tossed him aside and turned to Polly. Polly watched as he hit the wall and slid down it into a crumpled heap.

"Polly!" Grime called as he reached them. The frobot turned and Polly took advantage of the distraction to leap on top of it. She shoved a boomshroom in the small opening between its head and body. She hopped out of harm's way as the frobot imploded and slumped forward. "Where's Sasha?" Grime asked as he looked around. "Why hasn't she summoned the rest of the army?"

"Because she isn't here!" Polly said, running over to check on Troy.

"Lieutenant!" He choked as he saw Troy passed out against the wall. He hurried over to lift him over his shoulder with his one arm. "The tower has been compromised. We need to find someplace to lay low. Is the resistance headquarters-?"

"There is no resistance anymore, Grime! That was years ago!" Polly said in exasperation as she ran a hand through her hair.

"But King Andrias's invasion-!" He started in confusion, "Where are the others?" Polly was pulling her hair out as she tried to figure out the next steps to take.

"Grime! Where did you and Sasha hide after Toad Tower fell?" She asked, thinking quickly.

"Oh that's easy. It was-" He recalled fondly.

"Great, can you take us there now?" Polly demanded. Grime squinted down at her.

"You seem taller." Grime remarked curiously.

"I don't have time for this!" She said and whistled sharply. MicroAngelo made his way towards them. Polly pushed Grime towards him. "Get on the snail and lead the way." She hopped on behind him.

"Where are we going?" Grime said, scratching his beard. He looked over his shoulder at Troy. "Lieutenant!" He cried and snatched the reins. He cracked them and they sped off towards the mountains. A few hours later they arrived at an old logging mill. Polly climbed down and scanned the area. An old wanted poster of Grime was stuck to the front door with a handful of daggers. Polly cautiously pushed it open and glanced inside. It was mostly empty save for a few cobwebs. Grime followed in after her and lay Troy down on a bed of dusty straw. "Rest up." He said softly before turning to Polly. "We need provisions if we plan to hole up here for the time being."

"I'll go look for something. I think I'll draw less attention than, well-" She shrugged and headed back out the door. She paused and put a hand on the doorframe before glancing back, "Keep the kid safe will you?" Grime grinned widely.

"Nothing will make it past the fearsome Captain Grime." He said proudly. Polly nodded and stepped out into the midday sun. She was exhausted but knew she had to keep going.

"Anne would be so disappointed if I let anything happen to him." She told herself as she pressed on. Another thought struck her, "And Sasha would probably kill me." She said as she increased the pace.

A few moments later Troy began to stir. He rubbed the back of his head as he sat up. He looked around his surroundings in confusion. Grime watched him from the corner of the room.

"Ah, Lieutenant, I was wondering when you would wake up." He said as he glanced out the windows before stepping forward.

"Oh, you're the toad from earlier." Troy said as he recognized him, "What happened? Where are we?" Grime blinked.

"Don't you remember? We escaped Toad Tower after your friend-" He began then stopped, "No, that was before. We're hiding out because King Andrias…" He trailed off.

"Are you okay?" Troy asked concerned as he got up. Grime closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

"I, we, we were," He looked around confused, "Lieutenant, yes, now I remember. We were hiding out because-"

"Of the robots." Troy completed.

"Yes, that's right." Grime said, stroking his beard and looking out the window again. Troy hesitated before asking a question that was burning in the back of his mind.

"I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name earlier. What was it?" He asked tentatively.

"Ha! Funny joke Lieutenant!" He said leaning against the window.

"Why do you keep calling me that? Lieutenant?" Troy said, taking a step closer.

"What do you mean?" Grime asked, disconcerted as he tried to look at him properly, "I don't understand."

"Do you mean Sprig and Polly's human friend?" He pressed. Grime frowned.

"What? Her? No. You're my friend, remember?" Grime said in an apprehensive voice, "We are still friends after all these years, right?" Tears started to roll down his face. Troy took a step back and Grime looked scared. "We're still friends, right?" He pleaded desperately as his voice shook.

"I," He hesitated. He didn't want to lie but he also didn't want to hurt this old and confused toad, "Of course we're still friends." Grime sobbed and pulled him into a hug.

"Please don't scare me like that Lieutenant." He said as he squeezed him. Troy patted him on the back gently.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm just a little confused from the, uh, battle from earlier." He said quickly.

"Of course, of course." He said wiping his eyes, "I know you're upset after that fight you had with your other human friends. Don't worry, we'll get the music box back and send you three home."