Amphibia: Calamity Warriors
Chapter Fifty: Back for Blood
"Clara! Listen carefully! Jump out the window out back and keep running! Don't look back!"
"Mother?"
"Just go! Mommy and daddy will be right behind you!"
"Mother?!"
"No, please, have mercy!"
"MOTHERRRR!"
Clarissa sat up with a gasp, breathing hard before checking her surroundings, being the cave that she decided to take shelter in.
'That nightmare again.' She thought to herself bitterly. 'It's never the moments I'd walk with mother through the meadow, or training with father in magic…but that horrid day the Black Wolf robbed me of everything.'
Steeling her nerves, the salamander gathered her things and began her trek through the valley. Her objective was clear; to find any whereabouts of the Black Wolf. The only problem? She had no idea where to start her search.
As she trekked through the forest, she took notice of a loud chatter coming from deep within the brush. Curious, the salamander took careful steps closer to the source before coming upon a toad encampment, hidden from view. From the look of these toads, they were likely remnants of the forces from the Southern Toad Tower after it collapsed. She took notice of the red toad with a scar resembling four claw marks on his face.
"It's simple, everyone." He announced. "Once we take the town, the Black Wolf will have to come out of hiding."
"But won't that be a problem?" Fens asked with concern. "I mean, this is Wartwood we're talking about."
"That won't be a problem." Bog assured. "We've got the element of surprise on our side and a special tool to keep him down."
Clarissa thought about it for a moment, having heard of the farming town and its closed-minded community, as well as the rumor of a shadowy recluse that supposedly dwelled there. There's no way the monster would hide out there, right?
"Wouldn't hurt to check." She mumbled to herself before departing.
A few days after the incident involving Frobo and Echo, the group mostly decided to use the time to relax, with some bits of training mixed in. However, they noticed Anne getting more fatigued with each session. And to make matters worse was that the mark was slowly expanding across her chest like a web.
Desperate for answers, Shadow decided to make another trip to the archives, to see if there was something they had missed, with Apollo and Marcy tagging along, as well as Kaemon. Anne wanted to go as well, but Shadow insisted on her staying home and not risking worsening her condition. While it bothered Anne with how doting her boyfriend was becoming, she decided not to argue.
"Oh my gosh, this is the town archives?!" Marcy exclaimed as she and the boys arrived at the archives.
"Not as big as the Newtopian archives, but still." Kaemon said. "You find almost anything ancient to read about here."
"Remember, we need to find information about the mark." Shadow said. "Arcane, witchcraft, anything to do with bizarre markings."
"I'm surprised the frogs could afford such a place." Apollo remarked. "I honestly thought these frogs would forsake the value of knowledge."
"They value it when it comes to farming." Kaemon shrugged.
"At any rate, grab a book and start reading." Shadow said. "The answer has to be here somewhere."
The group got busy, each grabbing several books to find the answers they seek, all unaware of the purple salamander outside, watching the entrance from a distance, hidden from sight, waiting for the Black Wolf to reemerge.
Back at the Swampview Manor, Valor and Ina were looking over the mech part they had salvaged from the Temple of Wit. Sadly, they didn't find much, or they didn't seem to.
"Ugh, no matter how much we search, there's nothing of value here!" Valor groaned, throwing another piece of metal.
"Looking through these data logs, there's nothing of value besides the abundance of metal." Ina added with a sigh, throwing another small computer to the side.
Valor sighed as he picked up the empty glasses on a nearby table. "I'm gonna get us some more of those swamp slushies. I don't know what they put in them, but man, they taste good!" He said.
"Make sure you get me a blue raspberry!" Ina called.
Just as the red-head was about to head out when he took notice of Anne sitting nearby on a wooden chair, a forlorn expression on her face.
"Hey, Anne, you okay?" He asked with concern. "You've been sitting there all day."
Anne let out a sad sigh before saying, "Guys, be honest with me." She looked up at them, a scared look on her face. "Am I dying?"
This question shocked the two, both practically dropping what they were doing and rushed over.
"Anne, why on Amphibia would you think that?!" Ina demanded.
"This mark is making me feel worse." Anne said, her hands shaking as she held them over her chest. "Not only that, but I feel like there's something dark growing within…" Tears started to form in her eyes. "I'm…I'm scared…"
Ina and Valor looked to each other before moving to the Thai girl's side, kneeling next to her.
"Anne, we may not know what this mark is or what it's doing, but we're gonna figure this out." Ina told her, taking her hands into hers. "No matter how impossible it seems, we're not gonna let you expire!"
"Yeah, we're in this together." Valor added. "We're gonna help you through this, no matter how hard it seems!"
Anne looked at them and smiled, her heart warming from their passion and kindness, when the main door swung open, Sprig and Polly barging in, Frobo and Echo following behind.
"Guys, we've got trouble!" Sprig yelled. "Big trouble in Wartwood!"
"Toads! They're rounding everyone up!" Polly added. "We managed to slip away, but Hop Pop…"
Valor and Ina gasped at this, but Anne jerked her head up at the sound of the news, her mind racing with emotions, specifically anger.
Without a second thought, Anne ran out the door, ignoring the yells of her friends as she ran toward town, determined to protect the citizens who accepted her.
Back at the archives, the group had once again gotten nowhere, finding nothing in reference to the mark. In the end, the group exited the archives, mounted Bessie and Ironhide and decided to return to the manor.
"Well, that went completely nowhere." Kaemon said, his arms crossed and a frustrated look on his face.
"Yeah, but there's so much lore stored away there!" Marcy said, full of glee despite their dead end.
"This does little to help us find answers to Anne's curse, Mars." Apollo told her.
"Right, my bad." Marcy said with a nervous chuckle, before noticing Kaemon holding a familiar egg. "Hey, Kaemon, isn't that…"
"Yup, the egg rewarded from the barbariant queen." The swordnewt nodded. "Figured I'd take the little guy to get some air."
"Actually, the babies require a soothing gel that thew queen makes." Marcy chimed in before pulling out a vial. "Here, I managed to save a sample."
"On another note, we may need more help." Apollo said. "Mars, did you send the letter like I asked?"
"Yup!" Marcy nodded. "Even included a sketch for reference!"
All the while, Shadow remained silent, his eyes glued on the road and his mind racing with panic. It felt like fate was somehow mocking him, denying him the answers he needed to help his beloved, as some sick punishment for his past actions.
'No, I can't let this get to me.' He thought to himself. 'I need to stay strong, for Anne's sake.'
Suddenly, he felt an unfamiliar presence nearby before bringing Ironhide to a halt.
"What's wrong, Shadow?" Marcy asked, bringing Bessie to a stop.
"I sense we're not alone." He said, carefully scanning the surrounding area.
So far, it was mostly plains combined with the swamp with several large flowers. At first, Shadow thought his mind was playing tricks on him…
…until he saw a sizable fireball flying in their direction!
"Everybody, move!"
Quickly, the group got their snails out of the way before the fireball collided, creating an explosion that sent fire everywhere, frightening the snails as the flames surrounded them.
"The hell was that!" Kaemon yelled, holding tightly to his egg.
Shadow quickly jumped off Ironhide and grabbed the handle of his sword, waiting and watching, until someone walked through the fire until they became more visible. It was a female salamander with purple skin, dressed in violet, her yellow eyes staring dead at the boy in black, filled with hatred.
"Whoa, is that a salamander?" Marcy asked. "And was that actual MAGIC?!"
"It would seem so, Marcy." Apollo nodded. "But they haven't been seen in five years."
"Who are you?" Kaemon demanded, not taking too kindly to the ambush.
Clarissa didn't answer, her attention completely focused on the boy in black.
"Azazel Leviathan!" She suddenly shouted. "Black Wolf of Newtopia! For your crimes against my people, in the name of the Gods," She then held out a hand, a ball of energy forming. "I sentence you to DEATH!"
Shadow's eyes widened as the energy orb grew bigger before she suddenly chucked it at them.
"MOVE!"
The group moved out of the way, along with their snails, the orb exploding upon impact, startling the snails, Kaemon doing his best to keep his hold on them. Shadow kept his gaze on the female salamander, his hand moving to draw his katana, before he stopped himself. Looking in the salamander's eyes, he could see it; a strong desire for revenge, something that consumed him five years ago.
The desire that led him to nearly driving an entire species to extinction.
"Everyone, stay back." Shadow instructed. "I'll handle this."
The three watched Shadow step forward as the salamander pulled out her sword and took a stance, ready for the boy in black to draw his. She was expecting him to draw his katana and ready for battle.
But to her confusion, he didn't, and instead, he stood in a neutral stance with his hands behind his back.
"I will not fight you." He said calmly. "But I will resist you."
'Is he trying to insult me?' She thought bitterly to herself. 'I'll make him regret underestimating me!'
She charged in and swung her sword, aiming to cleave the boy in half, only for him to swiftly sidestep her attack, the blade hitting dirt. She looked over her shoulder at the boy, who didn't take the opportunity to counter, only standing there facing her with a neutral expression. Her blood boiling, Clarissa charged forward and swung again, this time in a horizontal arc, Shadow leaning to the side to dodge then ducking under a tail whip from the salamander and rolling out of the way to avoid a sword swing.
Enraged, Clarissa swung wildly at him, swinging in various arcs, and yet Shadow dodged every single one and not once raising a hand in defense, the others watching in amazement.
Shortly, Clarissa began to grow tired, breathing heavily and her eyes glaring at the boy, who was completely unfazed. She soon fell to her knees, trying to catch her breath.
"You…creature…" She seethed, her eyes never leaving the boy.
Shadow stared back, slightly confused, and yet familiar.
"I do not know you." He calmly said.
"I know who YOU are." Clarissa seethed, backing up. "I REMEMBER you, what you've done."
Images flashed in Shadow's mind, the fires, the screaming, the salamanders he was tricked into cutting down out of blind fury.
"Monster!" Clarissa spat as she got up.
"Wait." Shadow said, reaching a hand out.
"Stay back!" The salamander yelled in anger, swinging her sword and making him retract his hand. "This isn't over!"
She then ran off, Shadow watching with a heavy heart.
"Who was that?" Apollo asked.
"I'm not sure, but man, this is interesting, I won't lie." Marcy said, quickly scribbling in her journal. "A ferocious salamander, seeking revenge! Another good trope!"
"But vengeance for what exactly?" Apollo questioned.
Shadow and Kaemon already knew and had an idea for why the salamander sought the boy in black out, but decided not to say anything.
"Master, what was that fighting style there?" The swordnewt questioned. "The whole time, you didn't retaliate at all."
"The Way of the Silent Fist." Shadow explained. "A means to fight without touching your opponent and making them exhaust themselves. A fighting style I created on my own."
"I've never seen you use this Way before." Kaemon pointed out.
"This salamander reminds me of my younger self." He said vaguely.
Before Kaemon could question further, they were approached by a frantic Polly with Frobo.
"Guys, we've got a problem!" She exclaimed. "Bog and his toad gang is invading Wartwood!"
"What?!" Kaemon gasped.
"Oh, that doesn't sound good." Marcy said.
"It gets worse!" Polly went on. "Anne ran off to stop it!"
Shadow's face paled at the thought, feeling a familiar deathly chill running down his spine and grip on his heart. Something's happened to Anne.
Just then, Valor and Ina rush to the scene.
"Shad-OW!" Both of them barely saying before an ebon streak of light flew past them and towards Wartwood. "Okay. We'll see you back in Wartwood then." Valor barely said, raising his hand before he lost consciousness.
For Toadstool, it was all about the money. Ever since he became mayor, the only thing that mattered was how much money he could line his pockets with while trying to keep the public from kicking him out of office.
That all changed, however, when Shadow was brought into his town.
From the get-go, he was behind the get-outta-our-town-monster bandwagon with the rest of the townsfolk, especially after the rampage the boy made after the heron attack five years ago. Even after everything the boy did for the town, even going out of his way to protect it from the Toad Tower toads, Toadstool was bitterly unhappy with his presence.
That once again changed after the events of Toad Tower.
After Shadow stood up for them and defeated Grime and his soldiers, the mayor had developed a newfound respect for the boy in black, and in addition, a new love for the town and its citizens, wanting to use the money more wisely to improve the town. Then an emissary arrived offering him the job of his dreams; head of Toad Tower. Between his dream and his newfound love for Wartwood, Toadstool had begun to wonder if he truly wanted it.
So, with help from the Plantars, he did his best to make himself seem unfit, but it had the opposite effect, making him seem fit for the position. And the worst part? Toadie wasn't even allowed to accompany the mayor. Having had enough, Toadstool was about to give the emissary a piece of his mind, when a war horn sounded, and the town was surrounded by toads.
At this moment, the townsfolk were rounded up and dragged into town square, with Bog leading the gang, Fens and Mire at his side.
"Greetings, Wartwood. You miss me?" He declared, his body giving off a disgusting odor.
"Oh, man. You stink." Ivy said, covering her nostrils while Wally passed out at the smell.
"And whose fault is that?" Bog growled. "Since the tower fell, we've had to live as bandits."
"What do you want, Bog?" Toadstool demanded.
"Nothing much." Bog smirked. "Just everything valuable you frogs got. As well as the head of the Black Wolf."
"And if we refuse?"
"Then we'll have ourselves a little cookout," Bog said with malice. "burn this whole place to the ground."
The frogs let out a gasp.
"You're outta your gourd, Bog." Stumpy snapped. "The Black Wolf will not take kindly to your threats."
"Yeah, and we all know how that ended when you pissed him off." Maddie added. "And if you even think of burning this town or doing harm to us, Shadow will make you wish you were never born!"
"That's where you're wrong, runt." Bog smirked. "We want him to show up, and we have exactly what we need to keep him grounded."
Hop Pop raised a brow in confusion at first, before his face changed to dread, remembering how Shadow and the others dropped to their knees from the frequency emitted from the devices Siwang used.
'Oh no. Don't tell me he…' The old frog thought to himself with dread.
"So, what'll it be, Mayor?" Bog said. "Which is more important; the Wolf or your town?"
Toadstool looked conflicted. Sure, Shadow might have brought trouble, but he and his friends were quick to fix it and done so much for the town in ways the mayor could only dream of.
In the end, he could never dream of betraying the boy.
"Leave. The frogs. Alone, Bog."
Before the mayor could say anything, everyone heard a familiar voice speak, all heads turning to see Anne standing near the statue, her face riddled with anger, and her eyes glowing. But rather than the usual light blue color, they were glowing a dark blue.
"Well, if it ain't our old pal Anne Boonchuy." Bog chuckled darkly. "How've ya been?"
Anne only glared in response before taking a step forward, her fists clenched tightly, and her eyes filled with venom.
"I'll put it plainly for you, Bog." She said venomously. "I made it clear last time that I don't want you harassing these frogs ever again."
"Well, what did you expect, when you destroy our tower and kill our superior?" Bog retorted. "Did you expect to go by without consequences?"
Pow!
Bog was sent flying from where he stood by a powerful punch from Anne, sending him crashing into the dirt, much to the surprise of the townsfolk.
Getting up, Bog growled in anger before pointing a finger at the Thai girl, "Get her."
Play Won't Back Down by Sam Elliott
The gang toads began approaching, weapons in hand, and surrounding the human girl, who simply put her hands up in a fighter stance.
'Muay Thai, don't fail me now!' She thought to herself.
The first toad rushed in with a mace, only for Anne to hit him with a jab to the face before sending him into the air with an uppercut before he came back down to earth, knocked out cold. A second rushed in with a pair of two shortswords, the Thai girl weaving side to side before delivering a roundhouse kick, followed by two jabs to the chest before finishing up with a jump kick. A third charged in with two maces, Anne ducking under the first swing then sidestepping the second before delivering several hooks to the head before finishing her combo with a roundhouse kick to the head, knocking the toad down.
Bog watched with anger mixed with astonishment. How could his men be having this much trouble with a single young girl?
Watching her take down more of his men, Bog moved along with his group before moving in from behind out of Anne's line of sight, hammer in hand, all the while, Anne focused her attention on the toads in front of her, the red toad getting closer from behind.
Song ends
Seeing his chance, Bog swung his hammer and nailing her right in her leg, causing her to scream in pain before the toads dogpiled her, beating her down with either weapons or fists, much to the horror of the crowd.
"Anne!" Hop Pop shouted with worry.
Smirking, Bog watched his men beat down on the Thai girl before he spoke, "Hold her up."
Some of the toads backed off, leaving Mire and Fens to hold Anne by her arms and keeping her on her knees, her face covered in bruises, before Bog moved in with a sinister chuckle, then punching her right in the face.
"This is your champion, frogs?!" He yelled before punching her again, breaking her nose. "This is your protector?! Pathetic!" He then punched her again, giving her a black eye.
"Stop it, you brute!" Hop Pop yelled. "Leave her alone!"
"You heartless bully!" Wally yelled, waving a fist.
"All of you QUIET!" Bog roared as he faced the crowd. "Unless one of you brings the Wolf out, we're gonna start executing you worthless frogs!" He then pulled Ivy from the crowd. "Starting with THIS runt!"
"Mom!" Ivy yelled, struggling to break free and failing.
"Ivy!" Felicia screamed, trying to break through the toads. "Get your hands off my daughter, you monsters!"
Anne watched the scene in horror, her mind racing as Bog held the young frog girl to the ground, before raising an ax over his head, about to bring it down on Ivy's neck.
"Bring out the Wolf, NOW!" Bog yelled.
Anne's heart raced before her teeth ached from how tight they grind together, her fists clenching so hard that her palms bled, her eyes glowing dark blue and screaming bloody murder.
At that moment…something inside the Thai girl snapped.
"GRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Play Hell to Pay by Miracle of Sound
Exploding with rage and letting out a shout, she grabbed the heads of Mire and Fens and slammed them into the ground before speeding forward, and just as Bog turned his head, he was met with a powered fist to the face, sending him flying and crashing into a building.
Everyone in attendance looked to see Anne breathing heavy with a look of pure rage. Her wounds had healed up thanks to her Calamity Trigger, but the aura was a darker blue, her eyes glowing with veins popping out around her eyes and glowing the same color, reaching her neck like a web and her hair a flickering flame. Not only that, but the mark on her chest was glowing a pitch-black color, the eyes glowing a deep red color and seeming to burn through the chest of her shirt and tunic. Even Ivy, who was known for being the most adventurous, was in shock at the sight of her friend.
It was almost like the same fury that Shadow showed before he killed Charon. Not nearly as animalistic, but not calm either.
"I am Anne Boonchuy!" She roared, an echo in her voice, filled with rage. "Protector of Wartwood! Look upon me in FEAR!"
The toads readied themselves before some of them charged forward, which proved to be a big mistake as Anne dashed in with incredible speed and sucker punched the first toad that dared to charge at her, then kicking away a second before uppercutting a third, then struck a fourth with an elbow strike to the head, ducking under a sword before throwing a left hook, sending him into the dirt.
Another toad swung an axe at her, only for Anne to duck and slide under it, breaking into a mad dash towards the first toad she saw, murder in her eyes. The poor toad screamed in terror before attempting to run away, only for Anne to grab him by the legs before hoisting him over her head and slamming him into the ground several times before tossing him into the previous toad, hard.
She whipped her head around, teeth grinding and eyes full of hate as a toad tried firing several arrows at her, only for the powered-up Thai girl to dodge every single one, moving as though she was teleporting, before rushing in and delivering a strong kick to the gut. Several more charged in, weapons in hand, the enraged Anne punching the shield of a toad so hard that it shattered into pieces, sending the toad colliding with several of his comrades. Another came swinging with a mace, only for her to grab the weapon by the handle and landing an elbow strike to the face, then proceeded to hit several toads with it before a toad came charging in screaming a battle cry, only for her to shove the mace into his mouth then sending him flying with a kick to the chin, sending him flying into a large group of his friends.
Song ends
Slowly, Bog got up from where he was with a groan before seeing the scene before him. Many of his comrades, if not all, were beaten and lying on the ground in agony and unable to get up. He rubbed his eyes several times, hoping what he had seen wasn't real, but it was the same.
Anne, meanwhile, was breathing heavily, her blue aura flickering between it and her natural color before she fell to her knees, her Calamity Form slowly fading from her exhaustion.
Something Bog took notice of, which brought sinister glee.
"So much for your bravado, Anne." The red toad chuckled, picking up his hammer, the remnants of his gang joining his side, along with Fens and Mire.
Before he could even move a foot to approach, there was a thunderous force that landed in between, kicking up a dust cloud, making everyone present brace. Watching the cloud fade, everyone gasped, the townsfolk with relief while the toads with dread, as Shadow stepped forward from the cloud, his eyes glowing pitch black, all the while his expression remained blank and seemed calm, it contained a barely restrained rage.
"Shadow!" The townsfolk cheered, happy to see their protector.
Anne looked up at the boy she loved, seeing the rage in his eyes.
"Shadow…" She groaned, barely getting breath in.
Bog blinked several times, feeling the fear rise at the sight of the Black Wolf, but quickly pushed that fear to the back of his mind.
"Well, look who decided to show up." He chuckled. "The Black Wolf himself!"
Shadow remained silent, only staring blankly at the invaders.
"You seem to be living it up, huh?" Bog said, pacing in place. "Especially after you killed Charon and toppled our tower." His face twisted with anger. "Because of you, we've been living like bandits, forced to live off scrap!"
Again, Shadow remained silent with that deathly stare.
"What? Got nothing to say?" Bog growled. "Nothing in regard to how you ruined our way of life?!" He then pointed to his scarred face. "The mark you left, both figurative and literal?!"
Shadow's glare hardened, those dark eyes staring at the toad before dark veins started popping out around his face and neck, before he said a single statement.
"Leave this town and never harass these frogs again," He said in a dark, warning tone. "or you WILL see the Wolf I once was."
The townsfolk watched in anticipation, the toad bandits stepping back in fear, and for a moment, Bog almost stepped back but quickly composed himself and stood his ground.
"If you think you can intimidate us like before, you better think again, boy." He said before addressing his men. "Bring it out, boys!"
Two toad soldiers brought out a machine that looked like a loudspeaker, Hop Pop, Maddie and Ivy gasped at the sight, Shadow's eyes nearly widening at the sight.
"Recognize this contraption?" Bog chuckled. "Thanks to some 'benefactors', we have just what we need to put you down!"
Shadow kept his glare on them before he saw something hidden behind one of the buildings; it was Apollo and Marcy, both hidden from view and Marcy readying her crossbow with two bolts.
Smirking, he powered down, his hair and face returning to normal and his eyes reverting to green. "Well, too bad for you, you won't get to use it."
Bog raised a brow before her heard something damaged behind him. Whipping his head around, he saw two arrow bolts lodged into the contraptions, rendering them useless.
"What?!" He exclaimed loudly.
"A good thing I wasn't alone." Shadow said as Apollo, Marcy and Kaemon stepped out from behind their hiding spots, all sporting their weapons and ready for a fight.
The human and two newts weren't the only allies, as Sprig and Polly arrived on the scene, along with Echo and Frobo, both frog robots armed and ready.
If Bog didn't look enraged by this turn of events, he certainly was now. Suddenly, he heard what sounded like the revving of an engine, prompting him to look where it was coming from.
"Something tells me you might wanna take a few steps back." Hop Pop stated with a smirk.
Looking towards that direction, Bog's face was riddled with confusion.
Suddenly, ramping off a wheelbarrow, Ina and Valor were riding on Bessie and Ironhide, the snails chirping with courage, the blue and red duo cheering with determination.
"Yippee ki-yay, mother frogger!" Valor yelled.
"Cowabunga!" Ina added with a shout.
The two humans sped the snails into the fray, knocking over one toad after another, all the while Bog was backing off from the action, angry from how things were falling apart.
Polly let out a battle cry as Frobo charged in and punched some of the toads, the whole time Echo had his back by appearing and disappearing with his cloaking to sneak up on any toads trying to sneak up on his robo brother. Finally parking the snails, Ina and Valor jumped into the fray, using their elemental powers to knock the toads back. Kaemon drew his four swords and charged in, running with great speed to knock the toads off their feet.
Marcy and Apollo stood back to back as several toads surrounded them, although the Newtopian couple didn't seem worried at all.
"Oh dear," Apollo said with mock concern. "Whatever will I do?"
With great speed, he darted forward and kicked each one in the head, knocking them out cold, leaving only two, quivering in fear while hugging one another.
"Oh, don't you two worry." Marcy said with a mischievous grin. "We've got something special for you."
Human and newt snapped their fingers, the sound echoing through the town, the two toads looking up to see Joe Sparrow and Skye flying in with a shriek. Screaming in terror at the sight of the giant birds, the two tried running, only to be caught by the two birds. Apollo and Marcy watched as the birds sent the toads flying into their comrades like bowling balls, Apollo letting out a chuckle.
"I love those birds."
While the fighting was going on, Bog watched with shock before his eyes laid upon Shadow, who was knocking away several toads. Seeing his chance, the red toad picked up his hammer and charged at him, hoping to get the jump on the boy in black, only for Anne to appear in a dark blue blur, grabbing the toad by the neck and lifting him off his feet.
"Big mistake."
She then slammed the toad into a wall, her hand wrapped around his throat before rearing a fist back, the red toad bracing himself for what might be the end, the Thai girl making to slam her fist into his head, only for Shadow to grab her arm, stopping her.
"Enough." He said sternly, the girl he loved spinning her head towards him. "He's beaten, no longer a threat."
Anne looked at him, considering his words, before she powered down, giving Bog a deathly look and baring her teeth.
"Never. Come. Back."
With that, she dropped the toad, said toad running off with the rest of his lackey's scattering.
The townsfolk cheered as they walked up to the couple, with Apollo, Marcy, Kaemon, the Plantars, Ina, Valor, Echo and Frobo joining them.
"We did it!" Sprig declared from atop Echo's head. "We sent them running!"
"We sure did." Toadstool nodded.
A sharp cough drew their attention, Shadow recognizing it to be an emissary from Newtopia.
Knowing what this meant, Toadstool sighed. "I know. It's time to go to Toad Tower." He said. "Just give me a minute to say goodbye."
"What do you mean goodbye?" Shadow asked with a raised brow.
"I was selected to be the new head of Toad Tower." Toadstool told him, eyes on the verge of leaking tears. "So, I'm afraid that this is the last you'll see me."
Shadow and the some of the others were surprised by this, but the emissary had other intentions.
"All this time, I thought you were the right toad for this job." She said. "But it looks like I was wrong."
"Huh?" Toadstool blinked in confusion.
"You're soft, Toadstool. Way too soft." The emissary said, patting the mayor's face. "You love this town, and any moron can see it. I'm afraid we need someone cutthroat, someone ruthless." She pointed at Anne. "Someone just like her."
"Huh?" Anne did a double take, the townsfolk gasping.
"Uh, you pointing at the right person?" Valor asked, earning an elbow from Ina.
"You were seconds away from slaughtering every toad that was invading." The emissary declared. "We could use that kind of resolve, that kind of backbone, that kind of ambition." She held out a hand to the Thai girl. "So, how 'bout it, creature? Wanna rule this valley together?"
Anne stared at the offered hand, then looking to Shadow then at the hand before swatting it away, "No way, dude."
"What?!" The emissary said in shock.
"I'm not interested in becoming an oppressor to these frogs, especially after all the good they've done for me." She declared. "If your meaning of watching over the valley is just being a bully and preying on the weak, then I don't want it." She then leaned against Shadow. "I learned that from a better person."
Shadow smiled warmly at this.
"Well, that's disappointing." The emissary said. "Very well, we'll simply look for someone else." She turned to Toadstool. "Sorry, Froderick, but a heart is the one thing the Head of Toad Tower can't have."
And with that, the emissary and her guard left the town.
"Well, that went well." Ina said.
Toadstool turned to the townsfolk. "Everyone, about what I said back there..." He said, feeling genuine guilt for his actions.
"Ah, shove off, you big galoot." Sadie said, waving it off.
"We knew you were just looking out for the town." Loggle said. "You may be a corrupt, no-good, money-grabbing louse..."
"But you're our money-grabbing louse." Sadie finished.
Toadstool sniffed, wiping the tears from his eyes, touched by their words. "I don't know what to say." He said.
"Just keep doing the right thing." Shadow said, stepping forward and placing a hand on the mayor's shoulder. "Keep going down this road to redemption and be better than you were."
Toadstool looked at the boy in black with admiration before smiling. "Thank you, Shadow."
Just then, Toadie woke up with a gasp before jumping towards the mayor, tears in his eyes.
"Don't leave me!" He cried, jumping in the mayors' arms.
"I won't, Toadie. I won't." The mayor said, snuggling little Toadie against his chin. "Who's that snuggly little baby?"
Watching the scene, Anne blinked several times. "Uh, should we be watching this?" She asked.
"More importantly," Shadow turned to her. "What were you thinking, running off on your own?"
"Yeah, you could've gotten hurt!" Valor exclaimed. "Case in point!"
"Especially with that mark on you getting worse." Ina added.
Anne looked at them for a moment, she sighed. "I just…wanted to pull my own weight." She said. "Ever since I got this mark, you guys have been dotting over me as if I was that fragile. I wanted to prove that I can still keep up." She looked up at Shadow. "And I wanted to repay you for everything you've done for me."
Shadow looked at her in surprise.
"This town has been so good to us, so I wanted to help it, worsening mark or not." She said, tears threatening to fall. "I…didn't want to slow you down."
Shadow considered her words before pulling her into a hug.
"I told you once before, you were never a burden to me." He said. "And I swear, I'll have more faith in you. I only ask that you don't push yourself."
Anne nodded before hugging him the two embracing as the townsfolk watching, awing at the sight.
"Get a room, you two!" Polly yelled.
If Bog wasn't boiling with anger right now, he certainly was now. The first time, he got over it quick. Sure, Charon was killed, but Grime had a plan, thanks to Sasha. But then the tower fell, and Bog and his gang were forced to live as bandits. And finally, this moment where the townsfolk of Wartwood had sent him running for the hills.
All because of the Black Wolf.
"Curse him!" Bog roared in frustration, punching a tree. "Curse that dog and his band of misfits! Curse that whole town!" He let out a huff. "If only I could crush them."
"Fuhuhu… I can grant you that power, if you so desire.~"
Upon hearing that voice, the red toad spun around and was met with a somewhat familiar figure, a red hood covering her face.
"Who the heck are you?!" Bog demanded, but upon taking a closer look at the stranger's face, his eyes widened. "Sasha? Is that you?"
'Sasha' let out a soft chuckle, a malicious grin on her face. "I'll let it slide, since this is technically the first time we've met, Bog." She said, an echo in her voice. "Besides, that name is dead to me."
Bog took notice of her darkened, pink hair with bits of blonde still there, her eyes glowing a dark pink color and a scar over her right eye, as well as several spots of blood on her face.
"Who are you then, if you're not her?" He asked.
"The answer to all your problems." She said. "You crave power, yes? A means to claim vengeance against the ones who deny what is rightfully yours?"
Bog listened to this stranger, "I can grant you exactly what you want. All I ask is that you aid me, and unlimited power will be yours." She held a hand out to him. "What say you, Bog?"
The red toad looked at the hand before taking it, a sinister grin on his face.
"I don't care what it takes." He said. "So long as the Wolf pays, and the Valley is under my heel."
The Sasha lookalike chuckled darkly. "Why stop there? Why not rule Amphibia as a whole? The newts and frogs had their chances to rule. Why not let the toads have a swing?"
That grin never left his face.
"How soon do we start?"
Meanwhile, in Newtopia, Cody sat in his office, sorting through his mountain of paperwork that didn't seem to get any smaller. It was something he had gotten used to over the years, although paperwork was the last thing he'd do. Still, he was allowed to train some new recruits, so he didn't complain.
Just then, a mail fly entered through his window, the older man looking up and taking the envelop and seeing that it was from Marcy. Curious, he tore it open and read the letter, reading a greeting from Marcy, before it seemed like the pen was taken before several colored writings, assuming to be written by Valor and Ina, making the old trainer chuckle. He then read about the mysterious mark, and Marcy writing about including a sketch for reference. Curious, he found the second sheet of paper and took a look.
His eyes widened upon seeing the sketch of the wolf's face mark, a look of dread on the older man's face.
"This can't be…" He said under his breath.
Just then, he felt eyes on him, the older man looking around, but saw no one. He looked out the window; nothing. Sitting back in his chair, he let out a sigh.
"I'm gonna need a professional's help with this."
If only he had paid more careful attention, he would have seen the heterochromatic pair of green and orange eyes, Regina watching from the darkness before vanishing.
It was nighttime and thew townsfolk of Wartwood had already gone to sleep. After the events regarding the toads invading Wartwood, the townsfolk deserved the rest.
And while the Plantars, Kaemon, Ina, Valor, Apollo and Marcy were able to get a well-deserved rest, the only two that didn't sleep well we Shadow and Anne. At first, they simply struggled to keep their eyes closed long enough to properly fall asleep. Next, it was the voices echoing in their minds, preventing them from drifting off to sleep properly.
And finally, then came the nightmares.
Anne opened her eyes, the scene before her blurry at first, before it became much clearer. Her eyes then widened at the sight.
She was back in her own room, at her home, in Los Angeles.
"What the…?" She blurted out. "How is this possible?!"
She looked around, her room the exact way it was before she was transported to Amphibia. All of her belongings, her clothes, her TV, everything was there.
Getting up from her bed, she rushed downstairs.
"Mom! Dad!" She called out, eager to see her parents, who no doubt missed her sick.
But she found no one in the living room, much to her confusion.
She turned towards the front door and pushed it open, her eyes widening in shock at what she saw.
The city of Los Angeles was in ruins, fire burning around her, so many people laid dead, the sky red like blood and a massive structure was floating above.
"No…this can't be…"
She fell to her knees, paralyzed from the shock, before a dark figure approached, wearing all black armor and donning what looked like a horned helmet, Anne staring up in shock as it leaned forward, its face seeming familiar.
"Shadow?" She choked out.
The figure stared at her with multi-orange eyes, and spoke in a deep, dark tone.
"The end is coming."
Anne wasn't the only one having bad dreams, as Shadow found himself waking up in a field outside Wartwood, letting out a groan as he sat up, looking about. The field itself was composed of beautiful flowers and the occasional stalks of sunflowers.
It was enough to bring his mind to ease.
"Shadow."
His head immediately jerked up at the sounds of the familiar voice. It belonged to Anne, the girl he had become so infatuated with. Getting up, he began his walk towards the source.
"Shadow~"
He heard her call out again, this time a bit more affectionate, before he broke into a jog.
"SHADOOOOOW!"
Suddenly, he heard her scream in terror, before breaking into a full sprint, desperate to save his beloved.
When he arrived, his eyes widened in shock.
Wartwood had been completely devastated. The buildings were destroyed, various frog bodies lied in the streets, some he didn't know, others he knew.
Hoping he wasn't too late, he made a run for the Plantar homestead, only to find the home in ruin.
"No…" He said, running to the front door. "No, no, no, no!"
Stopping at the doorway, his heart dropped at the sight.
"NOOOOOOOO!"
The Plantar family laid dead at his feet, his student cut into pieces, Valor and Ina missing their heads and Apollo's head cut in half.
Shadow fell to his knees, before looking down in shock, his own hands covered in blood.
"What the…?" He said, staring at his blood-soaked hands. "No…it can't be…"
"Just couldn't be helped, could it?"
He looked up, his eyes widening at the familiar figure standing before him, her blacked eyes with dark blue iris' staring at him and her skin pale like the moon.
"Anne?!" He gasped.
"It was nice, isn't it?" She asked, almost mockingly. "Finally, after so long, you can finally let loose! No longer acting like a goody two-shoes trying to play hero! Finally, you can let the animal out!"
Shadow stared at his beloved, blinking several times in disbelief, his heart pounding in his chest and his mind racing.
"No, Anne!" He finally spoke, making to get up. "Anne, listen to me-"
Suddenly, just as he reached his arm out, a skeletal arm shot up from the ground and grabbed hold, pulling him back to the floor, much to his shock. He tried to pull himself free, only for more skeletal hands to shoot out of the ground, each grabbing onto him and pulling him to his knees and preventing him from moving.
"Oh, I've already listened plenty." The Anne lookalike said in a sinister tone. "Through rock, and metal, and time. Now I will talk, and you will listen."
Shadow stared at his beloved's corrupted form in horror, tears threatening to fall. "What the hell are you?"
'Anne' leaned forward, so close that their noses were touching, her darkened eyes staring back into his bright green, before speaking in a low, dark tone.
"I am a monument to all your sins."
Both Shadow and Anne sat up in bed with a scream, panting heavily and drenched in sweat.
"That was no nightmare." They both said, somehow in complete unison. They turned to each other in confusion. "Ruins of our hometowns, corpses of our friends and loved ones, you standing beside me in a corrupted form?" They asked, once again in unison. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
Shadow then covered Anne's mouth. "This is not about turn into a thing." He said sternly.
Deciding that neither could sleep, they decided to sit in the dining hall of the manor, Shadow pouring some herbal tea for both of them.
"So that wasn't just a dream, was it?" Anne asked. "That felt so…real."
"More like an omen for what's to come." Shadow said, pouring him a cup of tea before sitting across from her. "And it seems to be getting worse with each passing day."
Both lovers sat in silence for a moment, unsure of what to say, before Anne spoke.
"Is there any way to fix this?" She asked. "Breaking this curse, I mean."
"I'm honestly not sure." Shadow sighed. "It seems we've reached a dead end…"
Suddenly, the door swung open, the two looking in surprise, the visitor being Maddie.
"Maybe I can be of help."
I had a lot of fun with this chapter! First off, the past has come to haunt Shadow in the form of Clarissa Fintail, a salamander who survived the Black Purge and is now out for blood. She wasn't the only one, however, as Bog returns and makes a deadly deal with the devil.
I really like how I wrote Anne in this scene. Besides the events of Toad Tower, this really shows how close she's become to the people of Wartwood and how she's willing to do anything to protect them. And of course, the symptoms of the mark on her. More will be revealed, so you'll just have to wait. But from the looks of it, it seems to be amplifying her power to some degree. But at what cost?
And then Shadow and the others dotting over her. I hope it wasn't too out of character for them, but given how close they've become, I figured they'd be a tad worried that their friend was marked by a mysterious assailant. Emphasis on tad.
Man, I am so excited! Only one more before we reach the Second Temple! And after that, an original chapter; Haunted by the Past, or something like that. But let's just say that it involves the Ruination.
And with that, I hope to see you guys in the next chapter, Growing Pains. Reviews are greatly appreciated!