Our second chance is called Amphibia - Road to Newtopia (Season 2)

by JokerandHarley4Ever

Two months have passed ever since the six humans ended up trapped in Amphibia, and they are now ready to set on a new journey out of the Valley in search of a way to return home. On their journey, they will face old and new enemies, uncover hidden secrets and conspiracies, make new friends and allies and experience shocking revelations.

21. Life's a Drama

Life's a Drama

---

"You know, when my subordinate first told me that a stranger who looked just like our King wanted to see me, I assumed it was King Andrias' rumored son and heir, coming to relieve me of command or to use the Navy as his personal playground." Admiral Blueocean, Commander-in-Chief of the Newtopian Navy and Green Cross of the Crown, said as his assistant poured him a coup of red, fragrant tea, adding two spoons of sugars and one of honey before moving to his guest.

"I apologize for having misled you in such a manner," James replied with a nervous chuckle. "As I've already told you, the cause of my… Amphibian appearance was a magical spell developed by both my friend and associate Marcy Wu, and her magic teacher and friend Maddie Flour. I had no control over the transformation, beside knowing it would eventually fade away after some time. Moreover, without that small ruse we wouldn't have been able to meet."

"That's for sure," the Admiral nodded, taking a small sip out of his cup. "However, I am still quite surprised someone close to the King would waste their time with me or the Newtopia Navy, instead of taking their chance with someone more deserving their attention. The Newtopia Navy isn't…"

The newt admiral stopped talking for a little while. Slowly stirring his cup of tea and looking into the void, like he was searching for the best words to use in what he considered a very delicate topic. He let a slight sigh escape his mouth before talking once again.

"I have dedicated my whole life to it, yet I am not blind to the truth that we're long past our glorious days. Nowadays, we've mostly known as a joke, a dumping ground for misfits rejected either by the Army or by the Night Guard. Not that they are unfit, or unworthy to service, of course," he hastened to add, "But we've always had a larger share of slightly damaged goods than both the Army and the Night Guard combined."

Blueocean took a small sip of his cup before giving a list of every profile now serving within the Navy. "Oddballs and one-offs, raw recruits and backwoods hicks, scruffy types from bad backgrounds or transferred from remote posts, even sons of noble families and known household who had been reassigned there because of some mishap in their past… or because they're third or fourth sons and whatsoever."

"So, a lot of your personnel have a checkered past, you're saying?"

"Essentially, yes." The Admirals' expression turned into a humorless grin. "Though I shouldn't talk much I suppose, as I come from the dent and scratch sale myself." His hand ran to the black path covering his missing left eye. "They're loyal to a fault, resourceful and creative! But they do not look like the cream of the crop, and they know it."

"I remember you also talk about how low funds from the crown have been for the last years." The British boy looked around, to the room that was Blueocean's office.

Although small, the room was superbly furnished and decorated. The admiral's workstation was a white ivory desk, carved from the bones of some ancient sea beast, trimmed with gold. And for light source, a black coral lamp. On the right of the room, leaning against the wall, was a tall bookcase with several books, models of sailing ships, plus a locked section behind glass, from where James could glimpse an unopened bottle of red liquid and several crystal glasses.

On the opposite side of the room was a wooden filing cabinet for paperwork that had already been hurried and was just waiting to be taken to its respective recipients. Finally, the walls of the office, long from being empty and bare, were decorated with numerous oil paintings representing vessels and scenes of naval battles, portraits of mermen in uniform, or trophies of strange and unknown aquatic creatures.

"Surely, it doesn't look that way."

"Oh, this office had been passed for generations, each new Admiral making sure to keep what was inside in pristine conditions and when possible, adding some of their own memorabilia, so it's less than an office and more like an unofficial museum of the Navy's history." The Admiral replied, "Same as our ships. We try to preserve them for as long as possible, because we know we can't replace them."

"Why is that? Are wooden ships and cloth sails that expensive?"

"Oh, they sure are, and they're slow to be built too. It takes up to a full year between when a ship is planned and when it can officially join the fleet. Yet, their price is worth it… that is, if you need it. But it has been so long since the Navy's own role had been neglected, and we have found ourselves devoid of purpose."

"Why? Aren't there any more pirates to fight?"

"I wish it was, rather the opposite. But the main purpose of the Navy is not simply to fight pirates or sea monster, but to secure crucial sea trading routes and allow transfer of resources between Newtopia and other regions of Amphibia. However, our request for supplies are always postponed or ignored, we have to make trough with the little supply we receive and thus we're unable to help the kingdom and its citizen as we wish we could, and we can't even train our sailors properly to save resources!"

"That's…quite a surprising story to know." James quipped, looking at the old newt as he realized his cup was empty.

"All the while the Army and the Night Guard keep showing off how THEY are so important because they are the ones maintaining order and the king's law both inside and outside the walls. Protect its newt population from any threat that may arose, as well as clean-up the region whenever something big comes too close. Just like those Barbari-Ants you and your friends already met. Us? We're supposed go to hunting krakens and narwhal worms, and yet we can't even leave our own dockyard without a three-week approval in triplicate! A ship confined in the harbor is safe from any storm, but ships are not made to stay in the harbor."

"Indeed, they aren't." The boy put down his cup and got on his feet, walking toward the Admiral. "That said, I do want to help, as much as I can do. My friends are already living their own adventures with the Army and the Guard, so… why the Newtopia Navy couldn't get their own 'gangly mammal creature from another world' coming to assist?"

The admiral turned his head to look at the teen like he had grown a second ugly (in his opinion) head, "You're really determined to assist us, lad? Your life, your choice. But if you ever got a change of heart, don't come to say I didn't warn you."

"Trust me, I rarely come to regret my choices."

(…)

"Lady Boonchuy, you're here!" The Royal Advisor Lady Olivia said with a happy smile as Anne walked into her office, accompanied by the Plantar, plus Felicia. "Mr. Plantar, Lady Sundew, Good day to you as well."

"I do admit, I was a bit… worried when your messenger came to tell us to meet you," the human girl replied, looking around. "Plus, weren't we supposed to be the other too? Where are Sasha, Marcy, Jacob-"

"Both Ser Jacob and Lady Sasha have already left with General Yunan to fulfill their daily obligations with the Newtopia Army, and they brought miss Sundew and miss Bella with them." Lady Olivia quickly replied, almost as she was expecting Anne's question. "Lady Marcy and the Court Wizard have previous commitments with the Night Guard. Ser James had received a special permission from the King and left as well a couple of hours ago. As for Lady Amelia-"

(…)

"Ok Akitsu, let's do this again! But this time, I'll use my gliding suit to try and land on your back without you needing to catch me. Just fly on a straight line once the loop is over and lower your speed. You're ready?!"

"Bri Brin Briba Bran-bang!"

"Zattenayo!"

(…)

"Anyway, she should be unavailable as well for quite some time. And, I really wanted to have a private chat with you and your adoptive granddaughter, Mr. Plantar."

"Is this about to the whole 'indoor tsunami' from the other day? We weren't even there!" Anne began to protest, while still trying to figure out what has she done to warrant being called by the Royal Advisor without any of her friends. "Wait, did the Royal Chef had sent some complaint-"

"No, the Royal Chef hadn't sent me any kind of comment related to your work efficiency, and there isn't any reason for me to reprimand you…yet." The experienced politician added with a stern look, the silent warning having the intended effect as Anne felt her eyes gaze trough her. "The reason why I have summoned here is to give you…these."

Hop Pop's eyes widened, as lady Olivia took out something from under her writing desk and moved it in front of them, the old frog taking a couple of seconds to recognize them, while Polly and Sprig all gasped in awe.

"These-these are-"

"Royal-issued VIP passes for the Newtopia Palace of Opera," the female newt smiled. "It has come to my attention that, while surely well-meant, you and your family seem to lack proper lessons of etiquette and decorum." She grimaced as her eyes fell on Sprig, the young frog scratching his back in a very unpolite posture. "And from what Sir James had told me, you're quite a fan of theatrical plays, Mr. Plantar."

"I suppose you could say that." The old farmer nodded, scratching his head with a nervous expression, clearly not being used to receive compliments from a member of the king's government. "I always had a great passion for theater and plays, even tried to become part of a troupe back in my youth, and I almost got the lead role! And while I had other…things to take care of," he looked aside to Sprig, Polly, and Anne, the words 'worth it' escaping his lips as he did, "I never lost my spark. I once believed it was too late, but James changed my ideas."

"Well, that's a lovely story to heart." Lady Olivia chuckled, amused by also impressed by the old frog's behavior, before turning head to face Anne. "And, from what lady Marcy shared with me personally, lady Boonchuy, you were quite a socialite back in your world."

"'Socialite' isn't the term I would use, but I was quite popular back…home." Anne replied, thinking back to her life with Sasha and Marcy before ending up in Amphibia, either at Saint James or in her favorite spots in LA. "Most of the time, I usually spent my time with Sasha and Marcy, either doing fun things together or… assisting them into providing hard-delivered messages to former romance relationship partners or wannabe suitors who couldn't be dissuaded with a simple no. "

"So. In short, you helped them by doing breakups in their steed," Lady Olivia nodded, having seen the truth beyond Anne's words. "That's okay, I had other people provide me with the same kind of service back on my younger days. Still, according from that, and all the good things I've heard ever since you arrived in Newtopia, I would like to…request your assistance for a project of mine."

"What kind of project?" Sprig asked, holding Polly on his hands.

"Yeah! And how does that relate to Anne?!"

"Allow me to explain," the Royal Advisor got on her feet and walked toward the window, gazing upon the city's landscape. "After your arrival, the conflict between the Crown and the various households that compose the Noble's faction had dramatically worsened, especially after words got around that someone attempted to hire an assassin on you, and that among your companions there is a young frog very well-versed into the Dark arts of spell-making."

"Maddie is not a threat, if that's what they are worried about!" Sprig felt in need to protest, "She uses her magic to help, not to hurt!"

"That may be true, but still, your recent stunt in your tower left quite an impression. And nobles had always been obtuse, paranoid and dangerous, especially confronted with the very real possibility of losing their power and say in how the kingdom's managed." Lady Olivia huffed, "The good news is that only a minority among the nobles are part of the faction hostile to the King and you, and so far, the king's allies had been much more numerous. Of course, the great majority of the households, as well as those with voting privileges, are strictly neutral with the day-to-day politics within the capital. Only now the issue is-"

"Let me guess," Anne interrupted, voicing her thought aloud. "You're worried that our whole shenanigans may end up scare the other nobles so much they'll end up siding with the ones who don't like us and the King. So now you're going to ask my help instead to entice them and win them to your side!"

"Substantially correct," the Royal Advisor smirked. "At first I was planning to have lady Marcy assist me, but after a short chat with her, I recognized she doesn't…has the skills needed to participate at social events nor meet diplomat and dignitaries coming from all over Amphibia."

"I know, Mar-Mar had never been the most social kind of person," Anne admitted, "excluding myself, Sasha and Jacob are her only friends she had before we ended up here. And sometimes she still had difficulties into watching other people in the eyes."

"And this is why she recommended you, Lady Boonchuy." Lady Olivia spoke, her grin now fully blossomed in a visible smile. "I need someone who will be able to conquer the heart and minds of our citizen, to earn their trust and their support, to dispel any rumor circling around you and your friend and to show the good you humans can offer to this world. Someone who can just as easily look innocent yet play hard, counter any kind of verbal aggression thrown at her and respond in kind, conquer everyone's attention simply by being present and demonstrate, through their words, their action and generally their behavior that humans are worthy of attention and of being treated as equals. Our kingdom is changing, yet so many of those snotty nobles still treat other species besides Newts like dirt, so it is time that such prejudice gets destroyed. Will you help me?"

Anne at first said nothing, her eyes moving between lady Olivia and her 'frog family'. Sprig looking at her with eyes fill with wonder, Polly slowly moving with a nod, Hop Pop holding her hand and smiling at her. Could she really pull it off? Sure, lady Olivia said she would help her, but the idea of facing so many nobles, to be on the frontline of such a thing-

She shook her head, kicking away all those fears. She wasn't going to let them down, she wasn't going to refuse only because it was scary. So many things had changed ever since she arrived in Amphibia: she stood up to Sasha and eventually made her see reason; she found a sense of growth and responsibility unlike anything she had ever felt before; she faced any challenge she had found on her path, eventually growing a strength and power she never believed she could reach before. And she was no more letting anyone else but her make decisions in her steed.

"I agree!" Anne finally said, looking at lady Olivia with an expression full of resolve, "I can't promise I'll be flawless, but if there is a good chance to make a good impression and win their hearts, I'm willing to put all of myself int this. And I won't be alone."

"No, you won't." the Royal Advisor smiled at her and her found family. "This is one of the main reasons I provided you all with tickets for tonight's opening at the opera house. Many members of local nobility will be there, and it will be a golden chance to make an unofficial first introduction of one of you humans to their eyes-"

---

"All right lads!" A newt with dark orange skin, dressed in light armor harboring the colors of the Newtopia Army, shouted to the cadets gathered in front of him. Sasha and Jacob where within their ranks as well while Bella and Ivy stood next to them. "Good morning, shut up and listen! In the months that have passed since you've chosen to enlist, you went through many trials and training to mold your weak, pathetic former selves into true soldiers worthy of such name! But don't believe that just because you look tougher, you are now invincible! Arrogance and excessive self-confidence could spell the end for any soldier who isn't fast enough to react to their surrounding!" The newt stopped for a few second before adding with an evil toothy grin "As many of you will completely understand after today."

"Bear in mind cadets! That this is not a usual situation! For there is no way babies as yourself, with barely any training could be fit for on-job training, let alone be parts of an actual coordinated operation! However, many of our forces are currently deployed on missions away from the city, and it would take too much time to recall them; this is why you all kids are going to suffice."

A shiver ran among the cadets, some smiling with enthusiasm, other looking around with nervous expressions. While many saw the recent news as an opportunity to get on-field promotions and show off their skills in front of their superiors, a number almost twice as that was worried (legitimately) for they never had taken part of an actual military operation of the Newtopia Army before now. Moreover, against an actual, credible threat such as the Order of the Olms.

"According to what intel our… 'special services' had been able to gather," the officer continued, a grimace on his lips, "the Order of the Olms had been expanding their control over the criminal underworld of the city both to gain steady sources of incomes for their plans as well as establishing a supportive web of criminals and unaffiliated accomplices to communicate through one terrorist cell to another. For this reason! The Newtopia Army is planning a coordinated strike against many known criminal holdout and syndicates, both to cut off the Order's funding and communications as well as to identify their members, in particular their leader and pseudo-religious authority, Gold Mask. Furthermore-"

"Move aside, sergeant." Another voice interrupted, the orange newt almost jumping aside as a familiar face (at least, for the humans and their friends) walked on sight, the cadets all murmuring in respect. "I'll take it from there now."

"S-sure General Yunan!" the sergeant quickly replied as he took a couple of steps behind, listening in silence as the young General took over the speech.

"As many of you may already learn from the rumors," Yunan spoke with a tone full of concern, "the Order of the Olms are a much severe threat than we have imagined so far. As much as we've tried to ignore the truth, the fact stands that the Order has managed to impose their own order into Newtopia's downtown districts, without us noticing. As a general of the Army, and a trusted servant of His Highness King Andrias Leviathan, this cannot stand. There is one true order in this city, and is one order made of honor and rule, not of mystic fanaticism and terrors. Today, the Army, alongside its allies, will demonstrate its strength once again to the Order of the Olms, and to any nefarious threat that may try to subvert our way of life; today, we strike at the very heart of the corruption that these criminals had been fostering to hide themselves. Today, we will take our city back! For the King and for Newtopia!"

"FOR THE KING AND FOR NEWTOPIA!" The cadets all roared at one, their confidence and battle-eagerness boosted by Yunan's arousing words. Even Jacob, Ivy and Bella, from where they were listening, couldn't help but cheer as well; Sasha however had noticed something in the words of the newt, and was determined to find out.

"Now, before we move to explain your deployment for the operation, does anyone has questions?" Yunan stopped for a second, and immediately, one hand rose up. "Yes, cadet Waybright?"

"Excuse me," the blonde human spoke, as she felt the eyes of everyone focusing onto her, "but… who are these 'allies' you refer to? You said this is a coordinated operation, so, the Army won't be acting alone. Who will be working with? It's important to know, so we can prepare ourselves to work together at best of our capabilities."

A new murmur ran among the cadets, as they pondered about Sasha's words, Jacob raising an eyebrow while Ivy and Bella widened their eyes. From the podium behind which she had been talking, Yunan's smile grew once again, as the human girl proved to be savvier and keener to details that many other cadets had ever proved themselves to be.

"This is true," the young general conceded. "In fact, the Army won't be alone in the fight against the Order, but we will fight side to side with the rangers of the Night Guard-"

A wave of groans, muffed protests and exasperated expressions ran through the troops once again, as the interservice rivalry who had grown uncheckered for so long resurfaced, once again showing its ugly head.

"Us, working with the Night Guard?"

"Those showoffs don't have what it takes to be true soldiers!"

"Without their cheap off tricks, they're nothing but over-spoiled drama queens!"

"Plus, their commander is a fossil!"

(…)

"Us, working with the Army?"

"Highly skilled protectors of the city, working side by side with those grunts? They'll stomp over any useful clue like Elephant ticks in a crystal's shop!"

"I agree, the Army break anything they touches! Plus, their main general is a reckless youngster!"

In a large conference room that was once a whale's stomach, Headmaster Albert was explaining the details of today's operation to all squads who would be present to take part into it. Among them, Marcy's squad. The human girl taking notes on a small piece of paper, Maddie listening in attention to the old newt's words while their three squad companions, Femur, Kettle and Javi were all sitting next to them.

"ENOUGH!" The headmaster shouted, shutting everyone but himself as the other Night Guard rangers felt his cold, experienced eyes glare at them. "I know some… all of us have mixed feelings about the upcoming operation and our role with the Army, and I won't punish anyone of your for sharing such feelings. However, I remind to you, to all of you, that this operation is pivotal for the security of the kingdom and the safety of every n- of all its citizens!" He glanced over Maddie, the light blue frog looking back at him, internally happy to have caught himself before he could say 'newt citizens.' "We have received order, from the king himself, to work together with the army against the Order of the Olms. We have one duty, and that duty is to serve the king and protect the city's inhabitants. Personal feelings, leave them at home."

"Yes sir."

"Understood, sir!"

"We apologize for the outburst."

Albert waited for one more minute before continuing. "We will start with delineate the overall situation. As you can see from the map," he tapped on the chalkboard drawing just behind him, "the Army had instituted checkpoints and roadblock in all the main roads connecting the downtown districts with the upper parts of the city, as well as reinforcing the garrisons currently defending the walls and the gates. This means that, until the situation is cleared up, any would-be traveler moving from or to the crime-ridden areas will be filed."

"Isn't that going to have some serious repercussions about the whole trading system within the city, sir?" One of rangers, a young captain who was recently promoted to replace their retiring former commander, questioned. "If the army is stopping all travelers going through the poorer part of the cities, it won't be long before the merchants and peddlers start to change their travel plans."

"And this is why both I and the Army agree that this operation isn't supposed to last long," the headmaster replied with a dry smile. "Now that we know where the Order of the Olms' informants and allies hide, we have a golden chance to capture as many of them as we can and squeeze them for information that could be invaluable into thwarting this terrible threat to our city. Thus, the army will hold the perimeter and support us as best as they can, while we will strike into the very heart of the viper's nest-"

As the Headmaster kept on explaining the plan (with emphasis on how the Night Guard would get all the most important and reward-worthy tasks) Marcy started to think about it. Even ignoring the chance to find new valuable information about the Order of the Olms and cut off their money flow, the chance to capture so many criminals and round them up at the same time didn't have to be discounted. That was something she once had seen happen back in LA too: the police and other agencies would do a massive and arrest many criminals and low-level crooks at the same time, ensuring that the streets would be cleaner and people would be less fearful about walking out in the open… at least, until a new batch of criminals would take their place.

Yet, there was something nagging into her mind, as her focus once again moved to the mentioned 'roadblock' the Army had put both on the wall's gates and the border with other areas of the city. Sure, the enemy couldn't leave by there, and as far as she knew, spells able to teleport or to move without being seen were still unheard into this world, so it was hard for the Order to have them, but… if there was another way for the Order to move through the city, hidden even from the light of the Sun itself?

An underground way?

"I'm sorry, Headmaster," Marcy raised her hand, "but… what if the Order has another way to move without being seen through the city? They could use Newtopia's vast network of sewage system, tunnels or expanded foundations that have all grown without control nor regulation in over the thousands of years of the city existence. Even the Royal advisor's office doesn't have a full map of the situation." This is also part of the reason why they couldn't rework their sewage system yet, she added mentally. "Still, I heard some rumors that sometimes, smugglers and bootleggers use them to move from and into the city to avoid controls at the main gates and pay taxes about their earnings. If the Order of the Olms does have strong ties with the criminal world, they could very well use it to avoid the Army's blocks and still going wherever they want. Possibly taking anything incriminating about their operations with them."

"We…are already aware of this issue." The headmaster replied, his hand moving to his chin as he pondered how to explain it. "Indeed, the unexplored foundations under the city can be used to move while avoiding the Army's roadblocks and patrols, this is something we are painfully aware. And if small time smugglers and criminals know about it, then the Order does so almost certainly. The problem is, as you just said, the tunnel network under the city is too big and wildly grown to be kept under a vigilant check, let alone move soldiers under there to control all of it at the same time. Thus, our best chances are to locate all the main entrances from the district as soon as-"

"Sir!" Marcy announced jumping on her feet. "That won't be enough. As squad commander and member of the Night Guard, my squad and I volunteer to move into the tunnels and inspect them to avoid members of the cult of the Olms or their allies use them to run away."

For almost a full minute, no one said anything, the gazes of the whole Night Guard ranger corp focused on the human, the headmaster looking half like he was trying to convince himself he had heard wrong… and the other half wondering if 'extraordinary abilities to pull off de-facto impossible skills' and 'reckless attitude for desperate, high-risk plan' was a common feature among humans.

"Wait, what?"

"Is she serious?!"

"Captain Marcy!" One of the members of her squad (Javi, that was his name), protested. "While I do…convene that cutting off the Order's ability to use the tunnels to move would be invaluable, we don't have enough strength alone to do it with just one squad! Even if the Army was to provide us with support-"

"It's doable." Maddie simply replied, and immediately, the attention of everyone shifted to her. "Yeah, it will be impossible to hold the full underground area under the district while our surface squads strike into the criminals' hideouts. But even with just one squad," she looked over her fellow comrade Javi, Kettle and Femur, the large newt raising an eyebrow in response, "we should be able to do it. If we maximize our current advantages and use spell-making to mitigate the enemy's numerical advantage and avoid them joining forces, it could, and it can, be doable. Difficult, but doable."

Now it was Maddie's turn to be left under the astonished silent gaze of all the Night Guard's personal. With an ever so slightly noticeable blush on her face, the azure frog decided to react, to fill the awkward silence of the room. "What?" She pointed at her human comrade before adding "I may be her magic teacher, but I learn from her too you know?"

The headmaster nodded, turning his full attention once again on their regular human. "Captain Marcy, while I do acknowledge that you and your teammates had managed to pull out the impossible several times already, this is indeed an hard and extremely dangerous task: you'll have to take control of the underground area under the district and hold it as our troops on the surface make progresses, with little chance of reinforcements while facing an enemy that is vicious, cruel and moved by desperation. I won't hide it, it could turn pretty ugly very soon. Are you sure you want to volunteer for such task?"

"I-I do, Headmaster!" Marcy nodded, her own determination supporting her from the inside. "As much dangerous it may be, the benefits will greatly outnumber our disadvantages." And I won't run from responsibilities, ever again.

"And what about your teammates?" The old newt scanned with his eyes the other four members of the squad. "You can talk freely; you won't violate any regulations for doing so. If anyone of you wishes to contest Captain Marcy's affirmation, or simply doesn't feel like being part of such risky operation, you may do so, now."

For a couple of seconds, no one said anything, waiting for what the three recruits (since Maddie had already spoken her opinion earlier) would say. Then, Javi got on his feet and answered:

"Headmaster Albert, if I am allowed to speak freely… I'm standing with my captain and her partner, the Royal Spellcaster." The young newt nodded, "The odds may be fully against us, but isn't this what makes us Night Guard rangers? To be taught that there are no situations where we can't triumph? A good part of our training revolves about be put into simulation of training of 'no-win situations' and told to win it anyway. Then, when we do find a solution, the test is suspended, the option we took is removed, and we must do it again, and again, and again. By the King, the whole graduation system of the corp is determined by how many times we beats the odds! Night Guard rangers do not believe in situation where they cannot triumph, this is what makes us different from the Army!"

"Indeed!" Kettle rushed to the side of his comrade, Javi suppressing a blush as she did. "You see many enemies and be outnumbered, I see target-rich environment!"

Femur said nothing (obviously) but he did join his teammates and gave his thump up, an expression full of determination and eagerness on his face. Even the other squad members and captains, seeing how resolved and connected they were, started to feel an odd sense of courage and comradery, some rangers complimenting them, while the old Headmaster could barely suppress a tear of joy coming from his right eye.

It was moments like this, that give him joy for his career and life.

"Very well then, captain Marcy, you and your squad will be tasked with going into the district underground entrance area and restrain any criminal elements we will miss BEFORE they can escape into the unexplored depths of the city's underground. I can't ask other squads to join you, since we will need all manpower available and we are already stretched thin, however, with my authority of current Commander-in-chief of the Night Guard, I'll authorize you, for this mission alone, to recruit any external resource or non-ranger volunteer you may be able to gather. While this is usually against the protocol," the old newt looked aside for a moment, "as long as you are sure they're trustful and skilled enough, and it won't cost the Guard money, you have free rein on how to micromanage your side of the operation."

The other captains gasped, hearing such words: it was very unusual for a squad captain to be given free rein on something, let alone part of an operation of such scale.

"I won't disappoint you, sir!" Marcy nodded, her voice refilled with enthusiasm as her hand ran to her forehead, giving the Headmaster a military-style salute while her brain already started to elaborate, thinking on who or what she could employ to better their odds.

I think I already know someone who could be very useful for this…

(…)

Meanwhile, back at Newtopia's seaside district, a strange occurrence had happened. For many years, most of the ships who had composed the Newtopia Navy (at least, what was left of it) had never left their own constricting dockyards. Cirripeds and other mollusks, now growing over the old weary hulls due to the absence of proper care. In fact, everyone who lived or worked in the districts, or who often had to visit it for any reason, had come to accept the unmoving shapes of the ships as a permanent fixture of the skyline.

For this reason, a quite large crowd of passerby, inhabitants and harbor workers were looking in shock, marvel and amazement as they saw the dockyard gates opening slowly. The rusty metal of the chains creaking and squeaking with every movement until the passage was open, allowing the tall wooden ships to leave their overgrown nests and move out, first in the stagnant, smelly water of the harbor, and then out of the city's water borders, while the crew onboard was seen run from one side to another, the (few) officers on deck shouting orders.

And on the Pride of the Leviathan, the command ship of the fleet, first-class full-rigged ship of the line armed with over 17 naval ballistae, under direct command of Admiral Blueocean himself, a gangly critter with a bump on his face and large round head was directing the crew of newts dressed in sailor uniforms, taking part in their efforts with strength of his body and his heart.

"Muscles lads, muscles!" James said once again as he pressed on, pulling so hard his arm and upper torso begin to ache as they kept pulling the old sails into proper position. "Don't tell me you're afraid of some wind!"

Slowly but constantly, the crew worked itself to put the ship into cruise condition, the salted air of the ocean spraying foam and salt as the ship's bow cut among the waves, like it had done for the last time a long time ago.

"Admiral!" One of the ship's officers, a newt missing his tail and dressed in an old, patched up uniform, walked to Blueocean, "the other ships confirm we are now moving together at cruise speed, direction 3-3-2. Now, what are your orders?"

"Set direction to the south," the admiral replied, taking one moment to breath a batch of stingy sea air. It feels so good to be back into the blue. "We have a long list of naval exercises and crew training to do, and we are long overdue with them. Plus, we need to see how the sailors are going to react to our…newest addition." His gaze fell onto James, the human patting other newts and encouraging them with words full of charisma, unaware (or maybe simply uncaring) that he was being watched.

"I'd say, sir, this fellow has quite the enthusiasm, don't you agree?" The officer snorted, "It's been quite a rare sight, to see someone this enthusiastic to be part of the Navy. And even then, they end up bitter up after one month or two."

"If what was this kid told me about his adventure before reaching Newtopia are true, then he already underwent much nastier situations and dangers that many of us will ever be in our whole lives. Plus, he really seems like he wants to help- what is that?" He pointed to a piece of paper the officer was holding.

"Huh, this is… actually related to him, sir. You see, Sir James asked to read some of the files about the ships various crew and while doing so, he went over and underlined some…suggestions who he says it would greatly benefit the ship's performance with a simple reassignment of the sailors' roles."

"Let's see… move Pauldry Goyson to the night watch shift? That fellow is barely awake the whole day, let alone the night!"

"That's the same reaction I had, sir, until Ser James pointed out that Pauldry's family lineage, due to their…characteristic way of business, they're used to stay awake at night, and sleep during the day. All Pauldry's bunkmates also confirm he never sleeps well at night. If our good Ser is right, he would sleep just fine during the day and be fully awake during evening and night, making him an invaluable sailor for a shift where we can hardly find volunteers."

"I must admit, this is a good suggestion." The Admiral pondered about the notion, "is there some other suggestion he gave us? What about our most…problematic ensigns?"

"Oh, he has plenty of recommendations on that front too, sir." The officer took out another paper, "Here is a list of some other 'transfer' he suggested. Thought of course he isn't done yet."

The Admiral said nothing, simply taking the piece of paper and scanning it for a few seconds, as his eye widened in surprise. "These- these are-"

"-most of our problematic crewmen. Those who often can't go a full week without causing some kind of accident. Two third of them ended up joining the Navy either to hide after some kind of scandal or were forced to do so by their families. If you look closely, you'll see even the name of the son of the former Royal Advisor and two nephews of Duke Pyrforian in it."

"Wait, Zephun and Zeyzan? The idiots who almost ended up destroying the whole Newtopia due to their never-ending bickering? Remind me, how have we managed to keep them on check until now?

"Well, we took special care to keep them divided until now, assigning them different shifts on different vessels, so we've been able to avoid nasty surprises as this late."

"And what kind of recommendations Ser James suggested for them?"

"Well, he has written down some noes about 'constructive rivalry'-"

(…)

"I don't understand!" Sprig protested as Hop Pop moved on to fix his costume, the young frog now dressed in a white-and-black dress resembling a tuxedo, with a back papillon around his neck and his hair greased together. "Lady Olivia said the event is not due for other three hours, so why do we have to get ready this soon?!"

"The opera is not just some kind of event where you got to watch a play like a theater," the old farmer grunted, he too dressed in a fancy dark outfit that was much more expensive than he could usually afford. "It's a great social gathering where people go to show themselves and built a reputation in high society. And, according to both what Felicia and Lady Olivia told us, it is common courtesy among Newtopia's high society to arrive at least one hour before the play starts and socialize with the other people."

"This is not fair; I already took a bath this week!" Polly lamented, from the bowl where she currently was swimming into soap-filled water. "Why do I have to take another?!"

"Polly Petunia Plantar, people living in Newtopia have available tap water and it is expected to clean yourself each day, or as much as possible. Besides, we are going also to support Anne and her attempt to win back the crowd, and it surely would be a hindrance if her little tadpole sister comes all muddy and dirty, would it?"

"Hugh, Fine! I guess that make it more bearable." The tadpole groaned, "Of course, we are doing this only for Anne!"

"Guys, is everything alright in there?" Anne's voice called out from the hotel's room, as the frog family heard knocking on the door. "I… I have finished changing."

"Come in, Anne!" Hop Pop welcomed her adoptive granddaughter with a smile, once he was satisfied with how Sprig looked. "Did Felicia helped you put on your dress."

"Well, she surely… did." The door opened and the teenager human girl walked inside, Hop Pop and his family turning around at the same time… and being left with expression of full surprise, their mouth wide open. Anne was dressed into a crystalline dress of light blue color, the light from above making it shine and gleam like a refined diamond, she had white gloves and shoes, a necklace of pure white diadems around her neck with matched earrings on both sides. She had a small white purse on her right side, a blue-and-white fan in her left hand and a small tiara of white pale crystal over her head.

"Wow, Anne!" Sprig said with a smile, looking over her dress. "You look…fabulous! Is this the dress lady Olivia sent you?"

"Indeed, I told her I had my own thanks to out adventures back in Ribbitvale, or that fancy stuff we wore back at Wartwood before the Toads came, but apparently in Newtopia's high society, it is quite disgraceful to wear the same dress for two different gatherings."

"That's the noble's way of thinking. To show off their wealth and implicitly insult all of those who can't afford a shiny new dress for themselves and their families whenever there is some big stuff going on." Hop Pop rolled his eyes. "You know, I used to know a guy who knew a guy who used to work for a tailor here in Newtopia once, he offered small discounts for nobles who brought used dresses who were still in good conditions. He usually resold them either in the Valley or other places in Amphibia."

"Not that you look bad in that dress, of course." Polly interjected, finally leaving her bath and trying to dry herself up with a piece of cloth. "In fact, I must agree with Sprig, you are stunning! I bet even those blowhard nobles at the opera will think the same once they see you."

"Well, thanks, this is the… objective of today." Anne murmured, looking herself into the closets mirror. For a moment, it was like she was back at Ribbitvale, among all those nobles with so much money they didn't know what to do, and then, even back earlier, back to Wartwood and Hop Pop's 'Frog of the Year' party. Every time, a big celebration that ended up abruptly cut off, both of times by Aiden actions. She could still remember when she saw his face for the first time. His smiling, yet threatening expression as he knelt in front of them, his words sounding so sweet yet poisonous, like a muffin filled with arsenic, as he asked them to marry him and leave-

She could barely restrain a grimace of disgust as the whole scene played in front of her eyes. Marry him? She'd rather die!

"Anne, are you ok?" Sprig called out, noticing the shadow passing over her eyes. "Look, if you don'0t feel like it, we can still tell lady Olivia-"

"No, I am not…worried about the fact that we are going to meet a good chunk of Newtopia's nobility," Anne lied. "I was more…focused on other things."

"Does these other things include a certain frog-hating human still out there?"

Anne stuttered, as Sprig's words hit her, almost losing her balance for one second before she regained the equilibrium, taking deep breaths. "I-I can still feel his gaze upon me, I can still hear his voice, as he said how he wanted to take us as his brides, how he wanted to-to…" she looked over Sprig, her emotion running wild as she hugged him, almost afraid he would be gone if she left him for just one second. "What if we meet him again in the future? What if King Andrias' soldiers aren't up to the task, and he manages to capture us? What if…he forces us to wed him?" The usually easy-going girl felt her blood turn cold, as she imagined herself chained to some kind of black throne, Aiden sitting on it and laughing wildly as she and her female friends stood all around him.

It took Hop Pop's firm voice to bring her back to reality.

"Anne Boonchuy Plantar!" The old farmer yelped, "Look into my eyes: he will never get his hands on you! I've never been a big fan of violence, but if that monster does try to lay just one finger on you… I'm gonna murder him, and that's a promise!"

"You mean we will murder him!" Polly couldn't agree fast enough, an unholy mix of glee and bloodlust shining through her eyes. "No way I'm going to let him do anything to our adoptive sister!"

"That make three of us!" Sprig nodded, "If he wants to try anything he'll have to walk over our dead, cold bodies!"

That's exactly what I am afraid of, Anne added mentally, trying not to let her inner fear control her. "Well, thanks, I guess. But… aren't you afraid of him too? I mean, when we did face him, he made it clear that he wants to hurt you the most, because of your supposed…ties with that Leif."

"Anne," Hop Pop pressed on, "you think I'm not afraid? That we are not afraid? I know the threat looming over us, and believe me, there is nothing that scares me the most that that freak hurting any of my kids. Listen, Anne, you can't get rid of fear in your life, is like life: you can't beat it or outrun it,
but you can surely get through it. You can either let your fear control you, as I admit I ended up doing for most of my life… or you can control it and keep it in check. To experience fear, is mandatory, to suffer through it is not!"

"Wow, those were… quite insightful words." The lone human gasped, a part of her feeling proud of the words Hop Pop had just shared with her. "Thanks HP, I needed that."

"Don't- actually, yeah, you can call me HP if you like it, I guess I have grown rather found of that nickname."

"Anne? Are you still inside?" The voice of Felicia came from behind the room's door. "Sorry to bump in, but I just came to tell that you'd better get a move on. Have you finished dressing?"

"We are, at least some of us!" Anne replied as he looked Hop Pop check the last details of Sprig's outfit before moving to Polly, the small tadpole grimacing as he saw what her dressing options were. Somewhat, it reminded her of when she was a toddler, and mom made her wear all those baby dresses when she brought her to the Temple.

Mom… whatever you are doing right now… I hope you're okay.

(…)

"Jacob? Sasha!"

"Marcy!" The two Newtopia Army humans gasped at the same time, recognizing their longtime friend. "So, it is your squad the one we're supposed to assist?"

"You're our reinforcements?!" Maddie gasped, her eyes looking beyond the two humans and on the small group of NA soldiers (plus Ivy and Bella) all dressed in recently repainted cadet armors, swords tied to their waists, spears in their hands. While Ivy reacted with a sheepish, embarrassed smile and Bella was trying to ignore how fun the three humans' expression looked like, the cadets all gazed upon her and the other three members of their squad, and in turn were gazed by Javi, Kettle and Femur. A couple of them looked sincerely surprised, clearly not expecting this turn of events, but most of them, judging by the looks they were giving, clearly showed great disdain for the rangers of the Night Guard, almost as the mere sight of their outfit was an insult to them.

A sentiment that she was quick to reciprocate.

"Well, let me be the first to say it, this is quite embarrassing." Marcy chuckled with a nervous expression on her face. "While I did send a message to your barracks requesting if they could spare some manpower to lend us, I wasn't expecting they would send us help of any kind. Let alone…well, you."

"Yeah, some of Yunan's colleagues also believed it was a prank of some kind, when that message arrived." Her blonde friend roller her eyes. "I know because we all were there. To tell the truth, Yunan wanted to deploy us in some rear-guard position, but since the message arrived, we volunteered to come and provide assistance, and we brought all the unassigned cadets we could gather. Of course, since it wasn't signed, we didn't know it was you… until now!"

"So, she is your colleague and friend, Ser Jacob?" One of the Newtopia Army soldiers, a newt with bright red skin, asked. "Lady Marcy, the brightest mind of Saint James?"

"Indeed! And while I admit I'm quite surprised, I am also grateful you all came here!" The dark-haired girl nodded, taking one step forward and offering her hand for a handshake. "We have a big task ahead of us, and we'll require all possible resource available."

"Then I guess it is a good thing you had the foresight to call for some real muscles." He looked at Javi with a glare full of challenge.

"Hey! Be grateful you're allowed to speak with our captain, you brute!"

"And be grateful your captain actually got a brain, because you shadow really didn't deserve it!"

"Hey, calm down-" Bella tried to speak, only to be ignored as her comrades started to speak more and more anti-Night Guard rhetoric, leading to Marcy's squad to reply in kind, while the three humans (and Ivy) futilely tried to stop them, to no avail.

"You Army mooks take anyone who's got a pulse!"

"And you Night Guards are nothing but showoffs! All show, no real action!"

"You stomp flat over anything!"

"And are led by a fossil!"

"Better a fossil that a reckless fool-"

"ENOUGH!" Marcy couldn't hold her own emotions anymore and yelled, as hard as her lungs allowed her to, the quarreling among rangers and soldiers stopping immediately. "I'd say you're all acting as tadpoles, but I can't, because I know some tadpoles and not even them are this litigious! The reason why we are gathered here is to work together against a common enemy threatening the city's order and the live of its citizen. Today's operation is one the King himself ordered the Army and Night Guard to work together for. And it will be all for naught if the acolytes of the cult manage to escape our grasp! So, I don't care what the issues between Newtopia Army or Night Guard may be, but this ends now! I am King Andrias' protégé, and every order I'll give is to be considered as an order of his! And my first order of business is, shut your mouths!" She vented more and more, "From now on, and until this whole operation is over, you're all going to behave, not say anything that may sound offensive or rude, and follow my instructions just as I say! Is that clear?"

"H-huh-"

"IS. THAT. CLEAR?" Marcy repeated, and this time, something in her eyes snapped, as the various newts looking at her felt all their self-confidence and arrogance turn into ash as they felt that cold, disappointed glare cut through them, stare into their very souls. Even Jacob, Sasha and Maddie, who had been the closest to Marcy felt intimidated by the stare she was giving right now.

"Crystal clear, lady Marcy. I mean, ma'am!" Javi whimpered, the other news all agreeing at once, whatever discord among them now dead and buried.

"Good." The fiery gaze of judgment faded as Marcy reassumed all her previous cute, adorable cheerfulness. "now, we only have to wait-"

"Banzai!" A new voice rang up, and the group turned to see Amelia, dressed in her samurai armor and outfit, her katana on her back, emerging from the shadow. "It's here the party?"

"Amelia!" Marcy rushed to greet her, as Jacob and Sasha spoke to each other in low tone.

"W-was that…?"

"'The StareTM ?" Sasha replied with shock. "Yup! First time I'm under it tho..."

(…)

In that exact moment, far away from Newtopia and Amphibia (and even further away from Earth) in a completely different dimension with its own rules and attributes, where the power of magic was so strong it could be literally used to move celestial bodies, a pale yellow alicorn with pink mane and tail, three pink butterflies on her flank, slept without fear in her living quarter of her own airship, the Nature's Child, protected 24/7 by a group of animal-versed guards, all too eager to protect their young princess from any kind of threat. Yet, without previous warning, she suddenly got up and looked around, feeling disoriented.

"Ebbeh?"

"Flutts?" Her adorable little brother murmured, woke up by her movement as well. "What happened?"

"I-I don't know, Bishi." The Alicorn of Kindness replied, still feeling an irk in the back of her mind. "Suddenly, I just felt like something was wrong. Like I had been…challenged." (1)

---

"Welp, the sailors all worked together as one, that for sure." James said as he walked once again in Blueocean's office, his face now redder due to the exposition to the sun and his clothes and armor covered on a slight veneer of salt. "I guess this is how it feels to travel into the sea like Horatio Nelson or Hornblower."

"It's quite amazing, isn't it?" the Admiral replied, still looking outside the window. The Newtopia Navy Fleet had returned into their dockyard for less than an hour, and yet, the more he watched, the more he felt like his life was beginning to make sense once again. "This is the reason why I choose to take the way of the sea, back when I was as young as you."

"So…" the British teen asked, sitting once again on the chair in front of Blueocean's desk. "Why did you call me, sir? It is perhaps related to the list? Look, I am sorry if my suggestions sounded a little too much provocative, but I can guarantee-"

"It's not about the list," the admiral was quick to counter, "thought I do admit that you have me a lot of stuff to think about for the next few days. To tell the truth, the reason why I asked you to come and see me again, ser James, is related to… another issue." He glanced to the side, James following in the same direction until he found a long and wide white case, hinges on one side and an old, now almost completely rusty lock on the other side. "Open it."

"You mean the box? What it does it contain?"

"Just open it."

Dumfounded, and a little weirded out, James walked to the case and, after undoing the old lock, he opened it slowly. As he did, and he could see the content of the case, his heart began to go faster and faster, his eyes widening for he recognized such shapes and fabrics, turning around and looking at Blueocean, the old newt smiling at him like his father sometimes used to be on his kid birthday parties.

"That is the uniform of a former famous officer of the fleet, Perengev the Tailless, first mate of the legendary Fleet Captain and Commander Erebus. Perengev was quite known among the Fleet, even before ascending through the ranks and meeting Erebus. It was thanks to the fact that, due to rare genetic disease, he was born completely devoid of tail. Even as mockery turned into respect, and he became as legendary as his commander, he often had to require expressed tailored clothes and outfits from various shops, since he always refused to wear a fake tail to hide his deformity. 'If they can't accept the absence of my tail, they I can as well refuse their half-hearted flatteries', he often was heard saying to his sailors. And… after his death, he explicitly asked that his personal belongings of his military service among the fleet, that is, his uniform, was to be treasured until the day another officer, born with his same body condition, would join the Navy 'so at least he can dress sharp even if he was born as a commoner.'" The Admiral rolled his eyes, almost delighted by his own storytelling. "You don't have a tail, don't you?"

James could only shake his head in response, too focused on what was in his hands. "But do you think is okay for me to have… this? I mean, it was once the property of such renown Navy officer, plus it looks so good-"

"I bet he would look even better once properly worn by someone." The Admiral insisted, "Come on lad, just allow this old military newt to see if it fits. I promise I won't turn until you say you're done." He turned around, eyes closed, standing almost motionlessly and leaving James with his surprise.

At first, the human teen didn't do nothing, simply staring at the old uniform like it was an artifact of some kind, but eventually, his curiosity took over, and slowly, being extra careful not to pull any thread of cloth or dirty some part of the metallic features, he began to wear the uniform. Deep blue pants covering his leg up to the ankles; pitch black boots in place of his usual shoes, with strong, sturdy soles; a bright white shirt with golden buttons to tie it together; a blue jacket over the shirt, this one too with golden-looking buttons; reinforced shoulder pads with trinkets to signal or change the rank represented; and finally, the most glamorous of all the items of the uniform; a dark blue bicorn hat with golden stripes and decorations, a tripe of red running vertically on the middle of it, the letters N and N (as for Newtopia Navy) crossing together with the sketch of a military sail ship.

And once James was done dressing up and could see his own reflection into the nearest mirror, he felt like he had walked right into one of the old 'iron men on wooden ships' stories his father introduced him to.

By golly, I DO look like Hornblower!

"You do quite fit in, huh?" Blueocean nodded in approval, "You just need to fix it a little bit, so it actually fits your size, but apart from that-"

"Admiral, admiral!" The office's door opened with a slam and in walked one of the officers, gesticulating wildly as he held a piece of paper in his hand. "Urgent news from- Ser James, I mean, Lieutenant!"

"Oh?" James blinked, before realizing it was a reference to the rank on the uniform he was currently wearing. "Long story, no need to salute."

"What happens, Coral Herder?" The Admiral focused on the interruption with a glaze of disapproval. "What kind of urgent news are you talking about?"

"Here, sir!" The lower-level officer nodded, passing him the paper. "A messenger fly arrived with a letter from the Night Guard. They and the Newtopia Army are going to launch some kind of big counter-terrorism operation against the Order of the Olms, and they fear they might use the underground tunnel network to escape. They're asking us if we could spare some help."

James quipped, coming closer to Blueocean's desk and looking into the message as well. There was no sign, so it was impossible to determine who had sent it, but the seal on the bottom and the type of paper were proof enough that the request was legitimate.

"The underground tunnel network…" Blueocean repeated as he focused on the issue. "There is an abandoned dockyard area in there, used to host both civilian and military ships on the harshest climates. The Order could use it as temporary headquarter, or whatever purpose they choose."

"Sir, what do we do?" The officer asked, his voice starting to fill with resentment. "The Army and the Night Guard have always looked down unto us, and now they expect us to come to their assistance?"

"Don't you recognize the seal? This is a royal approval, it means the orders written on it have full approval by the King himself, or at least from one of his trusted assistants. Plus, I think this is an excellent opportunity to prove to these overrated egos that the Navy is still doing its part."

"Sir, I volunteer!" James shouted suddenly. "Allow me to take a squad and go support our allies. We won't disappoint you; I swear!"

The older newt looked at the human teen for a brief second before nodding in approval "That's exactly the words I was hoping to hear you say, Lieutenant.," the Admiral smiled again, as he felt pride fill him once again…

(…)

The Newtopia Palace of Opera had a majestic and imposing appearance, towering over all the buildings around it. It had an elongated round shape, whose undulating walls resembled waves of stone. The entrance was surrounded by several columns carved from coral with Ionic capitals and was finely decorated with numerous marble ornaments and statues. A small square with two large fountains and many plants opened in front of the entrance, and in this small square many carriages belonging to the various noble families of the city were stationed.

Past the entrance, there was a large party hall, also superbly decorated and illuminated, with numerous stained glass windows and heroic scenes carved into the walls. A long buffet table snaked through the room, and wherever one looked, numerous individuals in dazzlingly expensive-looking robes, all mermen, were intent on discussing various topics with each other, or showing off their opulence.

"Attention, attention!" One of the royal guards at the entrance announced loudly. "Enter now the Royal Advisor Lady Olivia, Royal Knight Lady Anne Boonchuy, Mrs. Felicia Sundew also known as lady Felis the Red, Mr. Hopediah Plantar and his family."

Anne felt his own level of nervousness rise as the six of them walked into the sight, all the nobles and servants stopping whatever they were doing just a moment ago and looking at them like they were weird exotic beasts at the zoo. Since she was human and the Plantar and Felicia were frogs, while the vast majority of the people already inside were newts, it was an apt comparison.

Only Lady Olivia, who had long since been used to deal with nobles, and Felicia, who still remembered the various gala she was invited during her last presence in Newtopia, were able to keep their neutral facades.

"Greetings, citizens of Newtopia." Lady Olivia, always the consummate politician, spoke first. "It is with great joy that I salute all of you. Today we mark a date in the story of our beloved city, as well as for the whole of Amphibia. For we salute the brave and extraordinary explorers from another world, guests of King Andrias Leviathan himself. Let me introduce to you all lady Anne Savisa Boonchuy from Earth, one of the six 'humans', and her companions."

Anne gritted her teeth as she forced herself to smile, waving her fan to try and dissimulate her own panic, a small chuckle leaving her lips.

Time to face the music!

(…)

"Reinforce the flank!" Jacob shouted as he kept moving his hammer, pushing back a couple of would-be attackers with long knives in their hands. "Form the ranks! Use your shield to defend yourself!"

"We are the only thing stopping these criminals from escaping justice!" Sasha yelled in turn, "Don't let anyone pass!"

On the underground area under the 'quarantined' district, a small battle was now taking place between the members of the Newtopia Army and the Night Guard (plus Amelia) and the various felon, smugglers and wannabe criminals who were now trying to escape the claws of justice, either by their own volition or unwittingly 'persuaded' to do so by the members of the cult of the Order of the Olms. And while the villain lacked the discipline and the military proficiency of professional soldiers, they were many, and they kept coming.

For this reason, Marcy had planned a strategy to advantage herself and her allies as much as possible, while at the same time negate or reduce any advantage the 'escapees' could try to use.

On the narrowest connection point stood Jacob, Sasha and the other cadets of the Newtopia Army, protecting each other with their shields, the blonde girl defeating the left flank with both her Heron Swords while Jacob did the same on the right flank with his hammer.

Their high visibility was planned too, so the incoming enemy would focus unto them and not notice neither Marcy nor the other Night Guard rangers. Waiting in position for the perfect opportunity to strike. Maddie will be the first to join the action, using smoke bombs and hallucinogens spells to create havoc within the criminals' lines, allowing Javi, Kettle and Femur to drop unnoticed and restrain the lone individuals. All of this to make it easier for the NA cadets to repel them, wave after wave.

Hidden in plain sight, leaving her cover only to strike and retreating before anyone else could realize she was even there, Amelia fought as well. Jumping from one shadow to another, most of her preys not realizing they had been targeted until they saw their own weapons cut in half or they were struck on neuralgic points of their bodies, dropping on the floor and left unable to keep fighting.

Yet the fight, who had been almost too easy at first, kept becoming harder and harder as more wannabe escapees rushed from the surface. Each new wave appearing quicker than the previous one, while new weapons appeared on the enemy's side. A couple of axolotl dressed in pitch black robes (probably assassins or some kind of black market guild, judging by their movements and arsenals) had crossbows with them, and they began to shoot with them forcing Marcy to use her own crossbow to counter and protect her allies while the criminals fought by the force of desperation, knowing well what would happen if they couldn't escape in time.

Please, Yunan, Headmaster, Marcy though as she threw her last spell bag, taking cover as she hurried to recharge her crossbow, we are holding the line, but I don't know how long we will be able to last yet…

(…)

"I'd say, I used to travel all over Amphibia back when I was younger, yet I never had a chance to see something exotic as you, lady Boonchuy," spoke one of Newtopian nobles, who the human girl recognized as Marquess Lerane. Earlier, lady Olivia had described him as extravagant and with quite a reputation of a ladykiller, and before she would let Anne's comment on the matter, the royal advisor quickly added'But! he is one of the main non-aligned nobles. Try to win his sympathy, as long as you don't let him get too close'. "The rumors about you and your…friends don't make you proper justice, milady. How could anyone believe you to be some kind of monster?"

"Indeed, how could anyone believe that?" Anne repeated, doing a chuckle and moving her fan, playing the part that lady Olivia had entrusted her with, as she scanned the expression of the nobles all gathered around her. Much sympathy and curiosity, as they kept asking her questions about her and her friends, or how 'different' her world was compared to Amphibia. So far, the fact that birds were much smaller and less dangerous in her world had been the most shocking reveal.

"I'd say, once you and your friends eventually manage to find a way to return to your world, could the other humans be interested into establishing proper communication and trade channels?" Another noble, who from lady Olivia's resume was one of the newest members of nobility, having bought his title as viscount trough money and trading experience, asked with clear interest within his eyes. "I mean, while the idea of trading into a different world may sound weird-"

"Oh, believe me, that's something worth of discussing." Anne replied, doing the best she could to sound diplomatic and reject him without him noticing he was being rejected. "The thing is… we still don't know much about how we ended up in this world in the first place. And with the recent new wave of attacks by the Order of the Olms, even if permanent contact his open among our two worlds, our leaders may probably consider the idea of establishing trading agreements with Newtopia too risky… that is, if the Order is still there by the time we leave."

Anne could barely repress her smirk, as he saw the expression of the noble: now that the idea of becoming richer by trading with Earth had been made contrasting, in his mind, with the Order of the Olm's existence, he would feel less inclined to support them and more inclined instead, to support King Andrias against them.

"Lady Boonchuy, if I am allowed to ask," one of the female nobles, this one a young-looking newt dressed in a deep blue dress decorates with sapphires, "What is your relationship with Mr. Plantar and his family? I mean, we heard some rumors that they came with you, but… are they your travel companions, or something more?"

"Actually, they're my family," the human girl confessed, generating a wave of swooning and commotion among the various ladies present, all too eager to listen to good, heartwarming story. "Hopediah, or 'Hop Pop' as we call him, had kindly accept us within his house. Making me his adoptive granddaughter."

Call the following reaction to her words a 'bombshell' hardly did it justice.

(…)

Far away from where Anne, lady Olivia or Felicia were sitting and chatting, all three ladies surrounded by a large crowd of nobles, admirers or just plain curious who wanted to hear more about the humans, their companions and their exploits, Hop Pop gazed close to the buffet table, a large dish with several delicious-looking appetizers in one hand while he kept looking for more delicacy. Never in his life the old farmer had believed he would be able to participate to such events. Yet ever since they had met the six humans and he took them under his wing, gave them a place to stay in the family house, so many things had changed for the better.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Hopediah Plantar?" A voice called from behind him, the old frog turning to see an old newt with light green skin and a beard, dressed in a ruby red jacket with a purple undershirt and pants. From his tone of voice, and the look on his eyes, the newt didn't look like he had bad intentions toward him.

"Himself, and who is asking?"

"Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself already." The newt replied with a gentle reverence, almost as he considered Hop Pop someone of equal rank to him, even as a frog. "My name's Count Geri Dulock, owner of the Dulock Processed Manufactures." Hop Pop's almost gasped as he heard that. "I was… hoping we could have a chat, you know, business related?"

"I guess we could, but what business could have the Count of Kulipe Manor with a humble fa-… landowner like myself." That wasn't a lie. Technically.

"To tell the truth, I and my group of business-related friends were hoping we could ask your opinion on some… questions who had been hanging over own business, becoming an increasing threat over our heads. We heard you are the owner of quite a prosperous and successful farm, so maybe you could kindly provide us with some insight?"

"That, depends on the nature of the question." Hop Pop replied, as he finally gave a look at Count Geri's friends, all of them rich-looking newts who Hop Pop had learn being owner of large farms and plantations. "Though I can assume, both from your words and from what I learned since our arrival, that the focus of this conversation is related to the increasingly drop of productivity currently plaguing the region surrounding Newtopia."

"You see, I did tell you he had a smart look." One of Geri's associates commented with a smirk, before turning bitter. "Yeah, as you know, our crop results have experienced ever-increasing falls both in the overall quantity of what we can usually produce and in the quality of our products. The resulting drop of our revenue would be bad enough, but if we can't figure out how to stop and reverse this, for Newtopia it may mean hunger and starvation!"

"I can't understand what's wrong with my family fields!" One of them yelped, "We have planted them for generations and everything was fine, but suddenly my fields and crops had become infested with those disgusting vermin!"

"Vermin?!" Hop Pop's eyebrow raised once again. "You mean you've been infested by some kind of parasite?"

"Indeed!" Count Geri quipped, taking out a sheet of paper with the drawing of a very familiar big and showing it to Hop Pop. "We have tried anything to get rid of these unknown calamities, yet-!"

"Unknown calamities, the Yellow Burrowbugs?" Hop Pop almost laughed. "You're kiddin; dure, they are nasty fellow back in the Valley, but as long as you can recognize the early signs-"

He stopped, noticing the looks the Count and his friends were giving to him, and immediately felt shame for his own behavior. It was clear, from the way they were talking and by their expressions, they had probably never seen a Yellow Burrowbug before in their life. And while they were nobles, they had great love and pride into taking care of their fields and their crops. Their suit said 'posh', but their gaze said 'farmers'.

Farmer's rule n.1, Hop Pop reminded himself, always be there to help each other.

"Mr. Plantar, do you… know what these things are?"

"Unfortunately, I do." The old frog nodded, trying to sound as professional as possible. "They are quite common in the Frog Valley, especially around Wartwood. By doing regular preening you can repeal lone specimens before they start reproducing, but if an infestation takes place the field's crop and quality will greatly suffer. Though I had no idea such nasty little buggers existed in the region surrounding Newtopia too."

"Oh, and tell us," Now it was Count Geri to ask, looking at Hop Pop with eyes filled with interest. "When such destructive infestations DO take place, what is the…standard procedure to get rid of it?"

"I won't lie to you, it won't be fast not won't be easy, and it may take quite some time before your fields manage to return to their previous yields." This is why farmers always do their best to prevent such things to happen to their own farms, he added mentally. "Still, it would be better than what you have so far. First, you'll need to gather a sizable herd of cow-pillars and led them stampede into any field currently infested, so they can eat any plant infected and use their manure to sanitize the ground. Then-"

(…)

"I can barely restrain myself, seeing what is happening today." One of the newt nobles scoffed, his eyes darting glances full of hate and scorn toward Anne, the human girl completely unaware of the hostility aimed toward her by the group of newts all gathered in one side of the large room. "The royal advisor… bringing one of such freaks, gangly beast here? And treating like it is somehow worthy of our attention and respect? What times are we living in?"

From under the table Sprig was currently hiding, the pastry he had originally planned to retrieve laying forgotten on the cold floor, the young frog gritted his teeth, sick of hearing such disparaging comments toward her adoptive sister and his family, wanting more than anything else to jump out of hiding and call them out for their narrow views. Yet, he didn't, instead, standing almost motionless and listening to what they were saying.

"I know, it gives me such a stomachache to see the Royal Advisor herself introducing them into such events. Our king had officially gone senile, to allow such things to happen!"

"That's not all! I heard from my sister, whose one of her servants work in the Palace, he even appointed one of those frogs who came with them as Royal Spellcaster! The fact that a frog had been allowed into the castle is already an insult toward Newtopia, but…for her to practice magic! What a freak!"

"Someone should clearly do something, to bring back the King to his senses and stop him for his own good!"

"Hey, be careful of what you say aloud! Didn't you hear about the Baron of Pyrminian? He was the one who sent one of his assassins into the palace to target such creatures! Not only the assassin was found and executed, he himself vanished after this!"

"I bet my family's mansion the King's Royal Advisor is behind this, seeing how close she is to that upstart general, Yunan! That is, if those monsters aren't the one responsible."

"What's worst is see how many of us are being easily swayed by their words!" One of them with a gruff voice pointed at the many nobles surrounding Olivia, Anne, Felicia and the two other members of the Plantar's family. "That one is a tadpole, yet she managed to put a spell on them all!"

"And the so called Felis the Red, nothing more than a cheap commoner seductress! Do you know she had a daughter but apparently she isn't even married?"

"Scandalous indeed!"

With every new empty accusation and prejudiced opinion he heard, Sprig's mind filled with scorn and resolve, realizing they were the kind of nobles who were trying so hard to oppose their friends and the king, whose opposition had been the reason why Andrias had been forced to use a loophole to allow the humans in the castle (and why he and his family couldn't) and who, from what he had just heard, had tried to hurt Anne and the others. Maybe he could report them to Hop Pop and lady Olivia-

No, that wasn't good. If he accuses them without clear proof, he would only play into their little game. He needed to do something better, to ruin their standing and make the other nobles laugh against them-

Suddenly, his eyes widened, as he remembered one of the 'human plays' James had told Hop Pop, back in the Valley, about some masked musician playing the ghost to woo the woman he was enamored of. He still had his fiddle, and growing in Wartwood had taught him some skill with prank-making.

His lips twitched into a smile, the gear of his brain began to connect the dots, an idea blossoming on his mind…

---

"You've fought well, but even the most resistant soldiers can't fight forever without rest nor pause." The member of the Order of the Olms, a cowl covering his face but his mouth, said as the four humans and their comrades, newts and frogs, stood their ground, holding on their weapons, their muscles aching in pain, while the crowd of unruly criminals and felons gathered around the members of the cult, seven newts all dressed in hoodies and disguises that hid their identities, a couple holding long knives. "Move aside and let us pass, Ranger, and I promise you that these criminals won't hurt you and you will live to see the glorious reckoning upon us."

"Fat chance!" Javi spat, some blood dropping for his mouth, knowing he wasn't in any condition to keep fighting yet refusing to show it, Kettle to his side and pressing on his wound, even as she too had trouble just standing on her feet. "We are the Night Guards, we always protect Newtopia and its citizens!"

"Oh yes, we do know how your Guards operate, that's how we have been able to avoid your attention for so long! But guess what, you're alone!"

"They're not!" Bella took a step forward, and so did all the other cadets, side to side, even as wound and tiredness kept clinching on their state of mind. "We fought together, side by side, and we'll do it again!"

"You heard her?" Jacob murmured with a hint of pride, too tired to raise his hammer one more time, yet refusing to part from it. "Throw your weapons and raise your hands, and we-we promise we'll have mercy upon you."

"You hoo-muns surely are dumb! Just look around! Your spellcaster ran out of spells a while ago, you are surrounded, we outnumber you five-to-one, you are all badly worn out and bruised, and no one is coming to help you in time!"

"I beg to differ!" Another voice suddenly called out, the criminals and their opponents turning head to see a slender figure in a Newtopia Navy officer uniform, down to the bicorn hat over his head, strolled into the light from a lateral tunnel, the humans all cheering as they recognized his voice and his features.

"James!"

"Bro, you're late for the party!"

"Sorry, I had to get dressed for the show." The British teen nodded, turning head to face the criminals and the members of the Order among them. "My friend already made you an offer: drop your weapons and raise your hands, and we promise we won't hurt you too much."

"Oh, and what if we don't agree?" The Cult's spokenewt replied, with a smug expression.

"Yeah!" One of the criminals pointed his finger at the human, looking at him like he wanted to kill him personally. "In case you haven't noticed, you're all alone!"

"Then you won't have issue, if I let some friends help me." James chuckled as more and more figures appeared behind him, revealing themselves to be sailors of the Newtopian Navy, all looking tall and bulky, and ready for a fistfight. And all sharing grins that were rarely seen only in the sea and accompanied by fin on top of them.

In a matter of second, the resolve of the criminals vanished, and an awful sense of imminent dread took its place.

"Welp."

"Oh-oh."

"Urg."

(…)

"Hey, anyone has seen Sprig?" Anne asked, looking around on the small box where she was sitting, alongside Hop Pop, Felicia and Polly, right next to the royal box where lady Olivia, as the king's representative, currently was. "It's been since the buffet started that I haven't seen him."

"Oh, he said he needed to go to the bathroom." Polly rolled her eyes. "That's just my brother, miss the begin of a show-"

"Polly, please, lower your tone." Hop Pop advised. "The show is starting."

All around the opera's interior, any chat stopped as the music began to play. The music conductor's hand moving wildly as he led the music higher and higher, while on the stage, the lead artist began to sing her song. But the show had barely started for a few minutes, when suddenly…

A new, unannounced, wave of music came from the opera's entrance (2), the singer stopping, the director turning head as did many of the musicians and the nobles spectators, as a short figure, nicely dressed in a pitch black dress with a cowl to hide his back (thus making it impossible to see if he had a tail or not) and wearing a pale white mask to hide his feature walked in, playing a fiddle with both hands, the headband moving fast as he slowly moved through the chair, the audience mesmerized by his appearance and the fluidity of his melody, some of the closest female newts even beginning to cheer, trying to touch him, the figure not paying them any attention and continuing his march toward the stage.

From where they were sitting, Anne began to suddenly sweat, Hop Pop's eyes widened so much that for a moment he looked like he was going to have a heart attack, Felicia grimaced and used her own fan to cover her mortified expression, while Polly could barely hold her laughter. They all, while they couldn't see the mysterious musician's face, had recognized him already. Even the song he was playing was a song they all knew well, for it was a song they first head Marcy play, on the months they were in Wartwood.

Looking toward the royal box's, Anne saw lady Olivia cringing her teeth together very hard: she too, like them, had already realized who was under those garments.

Sprig (for it couldn't be anyone else but Sprig) walked on the stand, the director, the other musicians and the singer deciding to play along, so much that the audience, at first, thought it was all planned.

And then, Anne saw Sprig take something into his fiddling hand, as his music began to play faster and faster, using his fiddle's own cord as a sling to hit several nobles among the audience with slugs of unidentified nature.

"Hey!" One of the targets, who unknown to Anne and the others had been part of the clique Sprig had overheard talking trash about them, protested. "What are you-"

Sprig didn't stop, nor he said anything as he kept playing his music and target each one of time, every time his strikes hitting the nobles who had said such bad things and covering them with paint and glue, making them look like clowns (sometime, literally) to the other newts who were part of the audience. The laugh and ridiculous they were forced to endure, being much more denigratory and humiliating than being called out could have even resulted.

In their Box, Polly couldn't hold anymore and began to laugh, while Hop Pop and Felicia closed their eyes, as Sprig, having finish his denigratory attack, quickly disappeared with a smoke explosion hiding his traces. Among the public, those who hadn't been targeted started an impromptu ovation while the few nobles who had 'suffered' the consequence of his pettiness shouted, to anyone willing to listen to them, to stop the 'dangerous terrorist'. They were struggling to make the laugh against themselves stop, yet they only managed to strengthen the ridicule they were put under.

"Lady Olivia!" Anne hissed, looking in direction of the royal advisor as she started to apologize. "I just-"

The veteran politician said nothing, her hand gesture signaling she wasn't mad at what had just happened, nor was she looking for apologies. In fact, in her head plans were already being made, as she analyzed the consequences of the situation: the nobles the young frog had targeted, were all hardliners of the anti-royalist faction, nobles who she deemed as a lost cause, and whose influence could have caused so much trouble in the future, if not contained. And now, judging by the reactions their 'pelting' had caused…

On the downside, the anti-royalist faction will probably harden their stand after today, the newt nodded, on the upside, it will be quite harder for them to make allies from now on. Something tells me the young lad of the Plantar household had given us quite some help today…

(…)

"These are the ones who we have managed to restrain," Bella nodded, pointing at the two cultists lying on the ground and tied together, as all around them, the criminals who had been restrained earlier carried away to be handed over to their surface forces while those who had been hurt the most were receiving proper medical care. "Unfortunately, during the last fight, the majority of the cultist and a couple of criminals managed to break through our ranks."

"And we are in no shape to follow them," Sasha groaned, her eyes gazing upon the large tunnel entrance that led to the rest of Newtopia's underground. "So, in the end, we failed."

"Hey, that's not true!" Ivy replied, trying to cheer up her older sister. "We have stood our ground and stopped a lot of them from running away! That count as a victory in my book!"

"She's right!" Marcy agreed, "plus, with all these criminal scums we've managed to capture, Newtopia's crime world had suffered a drastic blow. Even in the worst possible outcomes, it means two or three months of clean streets. Moreover" she glanced at Femur, her silent comrade interrogating the cultist with Maddie, the small frog doing the talking while the large newt gave the prisoner a cold stare to make him unnerved and thus easier to get info from, "who knows, even these small 'fishes' will be able to yield good results."

"Ok, guys," Jacob walked in, still feeling tired and worn out by the whole battle, yet happy they had lived through it. "Amelia's stable. Other than multiple small cut all over her bodies, the medics say she just overworked herself. She should be back in shape in a couple of weeks. And even less, once Maddie can make a new batch of healing spells."

"I guess we should thank you, James," Marcy turned toward the other human boy of the group, the British teen nodding one last time to his fellow sailors before turning toward them, "we weren't expecting the Navy to send help at all, but I'm glad they did, and you were with them. You have saved our lives, literally."

"Think nothing of it, Marbles," he nodded. "You requested for help, and we came. Though I wasn't expecting to find you here." He looked upon his friends, "What do you think, this uniform looks good on me?"

"You're making it in reverse, it's you that looks good in that uniform bro!" Jacob high-fived him. "Man, I can't believe it; Newtopia Army, Night Guard and Newtopia Navy, we are making careers, guys. Now we just need for Anne or Amelia to join the Royal Guards-"

"SCREW THE ROYAL GUARDS!" All Army soldiers, Night Guards Rangers and Navy Sailors who were in range and still had the breath to speak shouted at once, for the first time in years united, not only by the battle they had fought together against a common enemy and the bonds they had formed fight by side, but also by their mutual hate for the one branch of Newtopia military they shared the same opinion for.

---

(1) Fluttershy and Breezy Shy/Bishi both are from RHJunior's fanfiction 'The Great Alicorn Hunt' who I personally loved (WAY better than Canon) and who I greatly recommend. I added links originally to the text (still visible on AO3) but unfortunately doesn't allow me to add links to textes.

(2) Again, I added a link here but it's not visible here. The music Sprig is playing, in case you're wondeirng, is Paganini's Caprice No. 2.