Tales of Newtopia

The next day, the gang was taking a break from exploring Newtopia into one of the city's smaller squares, resting their feet while tasting some samples of the capital city's cuisine. For the six humans, they were delighted to once again find modern commodities they were accustomed to on Earth.

For example, street food.

"Here ya go, kids!" A light purple axolotl, wearing a stained blue apron over a white shirt, said as she passed them two large portions of freshly made nachos with bright orange juice over them. "Hope you like them!"

"Thanks, Gertie!" Anne smiled back, grabbing the nachos and bringing them to their friends, Sprig, Polly and Ivy immediately dipping into the food. "Man, I can't believe this world has nachos too!"

"I can't believe you actually managed to make so many friends in so little time," Hop Pop replied, looking at Anne with an expression full of pride. "We've been in Newtopia for less than two days, and already it seems like you and James are already friend of all."

"Nah, we're not." The British teen waved his hands, stopping for a moment to eat his own portion of cicada burrito. "We're just friendly, if someone needs help, we give them."

"Hi, James!" An elderly orange newt with a knitting needle going through her hair bun, dressed in a pale olive sweater and pale purple pants with a scarf around her neck saluted as she walked through the way, recognizing him. "Thanks for helping me back with my son Buster. Or was it Dusty? Oh, and Anne!" She turned toward the girl, "The offer to set you with one of my sons stands, if you're going to change idea."

"No issue at all, ol' Doris!"

"Doris, please, stop it!" Anne laughed in embarrassment, her cheeks reddening in response.

"Hey, Anne!" Another newt, this time a young child with a pinkish skin and pigtails, carrying a kill-a-pillar in her arms, saluted too. "You really helped me yesterday! Even Goblin thanks you, right Goblin?"

"Ah, it was nothing!" The girl replied, "Still, be careful not to let him grow up, I already passed through that once!"

"If you find out he's getting white stripes, you'd better bring him away from home, or at least put him under some containment. I doubt your parents would be happy if they found out it ate the neighbors' pets… or the neighbors."

"I'll remember that!"

"Oh, this city is awesome!" Marcy announced, checking how much new content she had been adding non-stop ever since they arrived. "Sash, can you believe they also have a real, actual power plant? It is good, but I already figured out several ways to boost its efficiency and production power! Also, I noticed that the sewage system had several issues that need to be addressed, and the bridge connecting-"

"Looks like someone's eager to prove her worth," Felicia rolled her eyes in amusement, as she drank yet another sip of her Long Leaf Iced Tea, before turning head and focus on her own daughters, both currently busy with a large beetle burger each.

"Frog, these things are delicious!" Ivy commented, taking one moment to drink and sate her thirst before continuing. "Sash, you say that stuffs like this are mainstream in your world?"

"Big time, sis!" The blonde human nodded in response, felling happy that, for once, she found an optimal substitute for one of her favorite Earths' foods. "Damn, it does taste better than beef! I'm eating a burger made off with beetle meat… and I'm not complaining about it?!" She added, amazed of herself.

"Truly an impressive accomplishment, worthy of being noted down in all history books!" Amelia snickered, her bowl of Newtopia's poke with algae and grubs already finished, as she went on checking Akitsu, the large white dragonfly munching her apples with voracity. "What do you say Akitsu., do you like Newtopia?"

"Bri-bri! Bru bru bra!"

"Yeah, that's what I am saying!" The wannabe samurai petted her, before turning her gaze on a small table far from them where Jacob was currently discussing with Bella, the former bellhop of the Hemisphere Hotel that he had decided to hire on the spot, about her new contract. While the reason why he did so were agreed and even approved by them all, she still felt weird every time she looked at them. Maybe because she still couldn't picture Jacob in the role of 'employer'.

And she wasn't the only one.

"So, how are they doing?" Maddie raised an eyebrow, walking to Amelia's side with a small portion of nachos in her hand. "It's been a while since they've moved there."

"I guess they're still discussing the terms of their 'work relationship'…"

(…)

"So, you understand these terms as I explained them to you?" Jacob asked. "As my assistant, you'll have to carry several duties and responsibilities at once: you'll have to accompany me everywhere, you'll have to face the same issues and problems as I do, and probably you will also have to endure the same training and learning lessons as I do."

"Oh, believe me, sir, I think I can face them!" Bella replied, feeling much more self-confident and resolute than before. "Back as a bellhop I already did a lot of various tasks with little to no help, fulfilling whatever request the guest may ask, all for a measly payroll!"

"I told you already, you don't have to keep up with such formalities unless is required. To frog with 'sir, call me Jacob!"

"O-of course sir- I mean, Jacob!"

"Let's proceed then!" The human flipped another page of the contract (written with the help of Sasha). "Now, as you can see, this job is 'on call' 24/7, that means that your assistance may be required at any moment if there is an emergency. Of course, should you get hurt while on duty, you're entitled to receive medical help, up and including healing spells from-"

"Wait, healing spells?" Bella blinked, unsure if she had heard it right. "But… magic doesn't exist!"

"Oh, it does exist!" The boy grinned, as she pointed at Marcy and Maddie with a grin. "Do you see the small frog over there? She's Maddie Flour the best mage and spellcaster of the whole Frog Valley, maybe in all of Amphibia, and the girl next to her is Marcy, her apprentice: they've developed so many new spells together."

"What?!" Bella was now reaching the limit of disbelief, "So, magic is real?" First miracles, now magic, have I been wrong on everything I believed so while working at Hemisphere Hotel?

"Indeed! And of course-"

The conversation was cut short however, as an emp ty confection of nachos, dirty with sauce, flipped next to their table, pulled by the wind.

"Polly, you lost this!" Jacob grabbed the garbage and called out, the tadpole simply resting on the table with her stomach full. "You know the roles, 'who finish it must discharge it'."

"Oh, I'll do it later," she replied with an uncaring expression. "I mean, is not like they're going to arrest us if we wait…"

Once again, the world immediately proved her wrong as the group heard the sound of several boots marching together, all civilian and small street sellers moving away as a dozen or more of newts in Royal Guards insignia surrounded them.

"I was going to throw it, I swear!"

"Hey, what's going on?" James jerked up, as the leader of the Royal Guards detachment took another step forward.

"Humans and families? King Andrias sent us to summon you, he wants to meet you and debrief with you immediately!"

K-King Andrias?! Bella's mind spun, does that mean that these creatures really are friends with the King? Who they are really?

"Does the King have some news about the Box?" Anne's eyes lightened with hope.

"I'm sorry, but the king didn't say anything else. I guess he will explain himself to you once you arrive."

"Well, then let's move guys! We can't let the King wait!"

"Welcome, my dear friends!" King Andrias announced with a jovial expression, as the humans once again walked in his throne room, their Amphibian families and friends just behind them. Trapped between the group and the cordon of guards that prevented her from escaping, Bella was shivering, clearly uncomfortable at the idea of being in this place, especially since she was now seeing the actual King of Amphibia with her own eyes.

"Greetings, your majesty!" James lowered his head, "So, we were told you had news you wanted to share with us. Is this related to the Box?"

"Sadly, no." The giant newt shrugged, one of his hands 'patting' the Calamity Box that the six humans had left with him after their first encounter. "Not yet at least. While the Royal Archives have a collection of all major event and important information about the history of our kingdom, to pinpoint all useful info that may explain more about the Box's technology and how to recharge the Gems is going to take quite some time. However," he added, removing all the sadness he had simulated, "thanks to Lady Olivia's expertise and knowledge of Amphibian laws, we have managed to find a legal loophole in order to allow you to move into the castle."

"For real?!" Anne, Marcy, Amelia, Sasha, Sprig, Ivy, Polly and Maddie all gasped at once

"A loophole?" Felicia murmured, thinking about it. "But, Duke Pyrforian-"

"He doesn't have my own complete knowledge of the kingdom's laws." Lady Olivia quickly shut her up with a smug smirk. " 'Any individual who may have contributed to the benefit of the kingdom, either supporting local infrastructure or by nurturing and protecting the King's subjects, or by assisting in removing any dangerous threat to the King's leadership and authority, may be granted by the King himself, previous acknowledgment of their deeds by recognized representatives of the Newtopia Royal government, the title of Royal Knights'."

"K-knights?!" James repeated, imagining himself into an armor worth of king Arthur himself.

"Your heroic actions can't be left unappreciated." the King continued to explain, carefully trying to appear as much grateful as he could to 'sell' them what the Core wanted. "Thanks to you, Frog Valley is now benefiting from a new economic and social golden age, its towns and villages experiencing new hope for the future due to the renovation of local trading, and new trust in their institutions. Local cases of corruption and malfeasance have been routed, bandits have been repelled or captured, and new defenses against hostile fauna have been implemented. Not only that, but you also managed to take the survivors of the Southern Toad Army and turned them into a militia capable of protecting the region in a much more efficient way than before, and that's without counting all the deeds you have managed to accomplish on your way here, according to our reports."

"Reports?" Hop Pop gasped, as Lady Olivia took out several written papers and began to read them aloud.

"In Bittyburg, you defended the locals against the prevarications of a family of bandits, even offered to train them to defend themselves; at Ribbitvale-"

"You know about that stuff?!" Felicia yelled, unbelieving it. "How?"

"Let's just say we have good informants," the King chuckled, yet his laugh was bitter. "Moreover, our Top Royal Analysts actually vouched for this."

"They did?!" Jacob said, genuinely surprised while, behind him, Bella could barely hide her own emotions. It's been several minutes since the King had greeted the six 'humans', as they were called, yet he had only said good things about them. Could it possibly be that her new 'boss' and his friends were this amazing?

"Yes, and they were quite…vocal in their reports about how much you help made a difference, just like General Yunan and Headmaster Albert did." The King kept explaining, "Just what you did on the battle against the Barbari-Ants would be a triumph big enough to warrant a reward, yet for everything you've done… you are now all worthy of the title. Now, you'll have to excuse me but, I think I'll have to use a much more formal tone…"

The humans stood in attention, some even bending the knee, as King Andrias raised on his own feet and walked toward them, assuming a solemn expression.

"By the honor of Amphibia, by the power of House Leviathan, and with the duty vested upon me as King of Amphibia…" The king took a short break as he drawn a scepter from his belt, quickly transforming it into a massive sword of fire and light, causing reactions of wonder and amazement from everyone watching the rare event. From where they were kneeling, both Jacob and Marcy felt their own excitement grow: the flaming sword, the words Andrias used…they made them feel like they were Jedi padawans about to be promoted.

And the rest of the ceremony didn't disappoint

"I, Andrias Leviathan, Sovereign of Amphibia, Peacekeeper of a Thousand Years and the First of my Name, dubbed thee…" One by one, Andrias symbolically moved his sword (a REAL, flaming sword made of plasma!) above the teen's shoulders, "Royal Knight! May you now serve Amphibia and its people with the same diligence and bravery that grant you such title. Rise now, Knights of our beloved Kingdom! And be proud of everything you have done!"

The Guards around them began to clap, louder and louder, as lady Olivia looked at the six humans with eyes full of approval. Meanwhile, the kids were all gleaming in excitement (Ivy being the most enthusiastic, seeing her sister becoming an official knight) while Hop Pop and Felicia were sharing tears of pride seeing their own kids receive such commendation.

"My grandkids are Royal Knights!" Hop Pop cried of happiness, "They're so young, and yet they've succeeded so much in society already!"

"Every time I believe Sasha managed to make me feel as proud as I could be of her, she surprises me again and again." Nodded Felicia, while showing much more restraint than the old farmer.

"This is so awesome!" Polly yelled, "Sprig, can you see it?"

"I can see, and yet, I'm almost unable to believe it!"

"Happy for you, Mars," Maddie smiled looking at Marcy, her magic apprentice gleaming of enthusiasm.

Royal Knights, and by authority of the King himself! Bella couldn't believe she was witnessing this, And all that King Andrias had said about they assisting the King's own soldiers against the Barbari-Ants…

Just who she had signed a contract with?

"As you're invested with such a title," The King kept explaining, "you are now allowed to move into this castle, where you will receive additional training and comforts to fit your new roles. Moreover, I would like to offer to all of you a chance to gain further social standing and recognition as part of the Newtopian government. Lady Waybright, Sir Matthews, your physical prowess and combat skills have proven themselves to be invaluable and, while yours are still raw and unrefined, I do believe you have the potential to achieve much more. For this reason, I would offer you a chance to work alongside General Yunan as non-commissioned members of the Newtopian Army."

"No way!" Sasha brightened up, "You're offering us a chance to become cadets under Yunan?"

"Believe it, Lady Sasha!" The boisterous voice of the newt General announced her arrival, dressed in a newly refurbished version of her armor, this one too with a full stack of medals appointed over her chest and two large gauntlets where she would hide her blades. "As soon as the King shared the news that he was going to give you such roles, I personally requested for you two to be put under my supervision. You have an excellent tactician mind, you are proficient at dual wielding sword fight, you're stern but also caring for your subordinate, and you're very competent at reaching your goal with as few resources as you have." She then turned toward Jacob, "Meanwhile you, Sir Jacob, while your leadership and tactical skills are still behind compared to Sasha's-"

"Hah!" Sasha smugly said.

"-you have a strong mindset, you're able to face multiple threats at once and make smart decisions under pressure, and your raw power and fighting ability alone makes you a much more powerful adversary in a fight."

"Hah!" Jacob replied in the same exact tone.

"Moreover, you both seems to share desirable qualities and skills that make you look even better to my eyes, such as your willingness to lead your soldiers from the frontline, and fight with them side by side, just like me!" Yunan's smile grew again, clearly showing how proud she felt. "By the Olms, this bring me so many memories of my cadet years, I feel nostalgic!" She looked at lady Olivia with a smile, who blushed in response.

"As cadets of the Newtopia Army," the First Royal Advisor continued, "You're also allowed to take one attendant with you. While-"

"Me!" Ivy immediately jumped forward, putting herself between Yunan and Sasha and hugging her sister dearly. "Whenever Sasha goes, I go! Plus, I have all the knowledge Mom taught me, and I'm an expert on ambushes already!"

"A frog, as cadet?" Lady Olivia asked, surprised by the young Sundew's eagerness. "That's…highly unusual."

"History is not made of usual things, general!" King Andrias spoke again, "Under the same logic, even our esteemed General's promotion track was unusually fast."

"And I never gave anyone reason to doubt me!" The newt General nodded, turning toward Ivy. "Very well. I can see you already have the fire in your eyes: I don't doubt you two will quite impress me."

"Huh, if I'm allowed to choose my attendant too," Jacob raised his hand, "I'd like to propose Bella for this role. I mean, I already hired her to be my assistant, and I think she has what is needed for this role."

Bella felt her throat turn dry as everyone's attention focused on her, realizing that the King, the First Royal Advisor and even the youngest General of Newtopia, plus all the Royal guards were looking at her. Her brain spun into panic, the reflex of running away and never look back growing strong-

No, she though while gritting her teeth, I can't run away from my new job already. Think of your payment, the golden coins you're going to earn-

"Oh?" King Andrias was the first to speak, as she noticed someone among the group that wasn't there the previous time. "I see you gathered a new companion. Who is she?"

"M-my name is Bella, your Majesty!" The former bellhop struggled to speak, kneeling as hard as she could, not even daring to look at the King directly in the eyes. "I'm Sir Jacob's new assistant, after leaving my previous job at the Hemisphere Hotel!"

"You worked at the Hemisphere?" Lady Olivia narrowed her eyes, "And which role, may I ask?"

"Well, I was… a bellhop, Royal Advisor." The other newt said, expecting the glare to get sterner, only for lady Olivia's expression to turn into an approving look.

"Oh, poor dear. Yeah, I see why Sir Jacob decided to take you under his wing, and I why he's so confidant in your capacity. General Yunan, what's your impression?"

Bella felt the knot in her stomach constrict itself even more as General Yunan (THE General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of general in the Newtopian Army) walked up to her and began to inspect her closely.

"Nice built, attentive eyes… yeah, I see a lot of potential in her. Very well, welcome in the Newtopia Army, kiddo!"

"T-thanks? I guess?" Bella could only reply, while her mind tried to assimilate what kind of situation she had just ended in. Did she just got enrolled in the army, and under General Yunan to boot?

Frog, what did I sign up for?

"Well, we surely are grateful for receiving such an honor, great king," James spoke with a tone full of gratitude, "however, I am curious: how is that being Royal Knights entitles us to live in the castle without risk of displeasing Duke Pyrforian?"

"The Royal knights are the king's own retainers and executors," lady Olivia explained, happy to show off her knowledge of royal etiquette. "As such, according to the King's law, they must live under the same roof as their sovereign: this is one of the many laws that the Duke himself proclaims to protect, so he can't publicly denounce this without damaging his own image."

"Does that mean that we can all live in the castle now?" Ivy said with eyes full of excitement.

"Huh, sorry, no. While the title grants a legal loophole to circumvent the Duke's opposition, it works only on those who hold them directly, without extending to their associates."

"Oh…" Sasha spoke in a low voice, taken back by the King's words. Around her, all the other humans felt their enthusiasm cool down: Marcy looked down with a sad expression, Anne looked at Hop Pop, Amelia grimaced, and Jacob gritted his teeth in rebellion. Sure, it would be great to live in such a castle, but…not if they were forced to be divided from their own families!

"Don't worry about us, kids!" The old farmer intervened, You don't have to refuse for our sake. We're not going to be divided, you've just been offered a…different accommodation for the time of your stay."

"He's right, we will still be able to see each other each day!" Felicia rushed to support his argument, "Moreover, it's not like we don't have a place to stay!"

"But it's still the castle!" Ivy lamented, feeling dejected. "And I was so looking forward stay here with Sasha!"

"Oh yeah, boohoo," Polly fake-cried with an obvious mocking tone toward Ivy, "poor little froggies forced to live in an awful five stars hotel without any care in the world! What is going to happened to us?!"

"But still, for us to be divided-"

"Anne," Hop Pop spoke once again, grabbing Anne by her wrist and making her to listen to him, "I know that you feel in need to protest in our steed, and we appreciate it. Truly, we do. But you don't have any reason to do so: as Felicia clearly stated, just because you're moving into the castle it doesn't mean we're not going to see each other ever again. Moreover… we are used to this."

Anne said nothing, but as she looked at Hop Pop and nodded, she felt something gripping on her heart: no matter how she looked at it, the idea of someone 'accepting' being treated as a B-class citizen for their race, species or skin color never felt justified.

By the Olms, the situation got really close to degenerate into something ugly. King Andrias, almost 'grateful' by how easily the humans' caretaker had accepted the separation, I guess I'll do have to treat those frogs well too if I want to win these 'humans' over.

With a small cough, he started once again to take control over the discussion and put it back on track. "However, I also wish to make an offer to every one of you!" King Andrias turned to face the rest of the group, who had been watching with morbid interest. "Lady Wu, Maddie Flour, your spell-making skills make you quite powerful assets, and from what I was able to learn from my own subordinates, you two make quite a team, both in battle and research quests. Moreover, just like your friends, there was someone who was quite vocal about having you in their ranks."

"Oh, and who would that be?" Marcy asked, before noticing the shape of an elderly newt, dressed in a Night Guard Ranger uniform, and accompanied by two younger newts in similar uniforms, appearing next to the King's throne.

"Me." Headmaster Albert said in his usual stern tone, "While I won't hide my own contempt at the idea that a creature such as yourself had been dressing in the uniform of the Night Guards for so long, credit where credit is due, you DID show a level of tactical analysis and versatility that most of our rangers usually reach only after three-four years of service, and your spells did gave us a decisive advantage against the Barbari-Ants. For this reason, on behalf of the Corp of the Night Guard, and on recommendation of our king, I am here today to offer you a chance to join us."

"REALLY?!" Marcy eyes were now shining in excitement.

"Yes. However, before that, we would like to request you to pull one more feat to give us final, concrete proof of your skill, without external assistance, only counting on your own skill and resources. If you manage to accomplish it, we'd offer you an entry as Squad Captain, and you'd be put in charge of a team."

"That…sounds nice," Maddie admitted. "By 'our own skills' does that mean that I'm included?"

"Indeed. While the Night Guard never had non-Newt members before, and the notion itself may sound weird to many of us, the Night Guard' main point was its quickness to adapt to new situations and issues, at least faster compared with those conservative jerks of the Army!"

"Oh, bite off my tail, old fossil!" Yunan replied, while Jacob and Marcy exchanged a glance: they were absolutely NOT going to let this stupid quarrel divide them based on interservice rivalry they didn't belong to.

"Meanwhile for you, lady Boonchuy," King Andrias now referred to Anne, "I have a proposal you'll surely love, to work directly in this palace as-"

"Thanks, but I refuse."

Silence fell onto the throne room, Andrias' eyes widening in surprise at the sudden and unexpected refusal, lady Olivia looking at the human like she had suddenly grown a second head, Yunan and Albert stopping mid-fight and turning head at the same time. Even the Plantars family was taken by surprise by Anne's rejection, and looked at her in shock.

"It…it wasn't a question."

"Oh… still no, thanks."

A murmur began to grow among the guards, while lady Olivia became pale with this upmost disrespect of modicum decorum and etiquette pushing her on the brink of fainting.

"I mean," Anne began to explain, her face reddening as she caught glimpse of everyone's reaction to her words. "I appreciate the offer, and I think it was quite generous to be offered such an opportunity on a silver plate, but… I can't accept it."

"Boonchuy, what do you mean?!" Sasha gasped in shock, unable to understand what her friend was doing. "Why would you refuse such a gift?"

"Why, Sash?" Anne repeated, "Because I had some time to think about it and… I can't help but be reminded of that stuff Principal Murphy told me. You remember, the day she summoned us in her office for the 'whole K-Pop Puppy Party' stuff?

"Puppy Party?" Yunan asked Jacob, the human teen simply rolling her eyes. "What is that?"

"Just a stunt the three of them pulled together. It was quite amusing, though…"

"What about Principal Murphy?" Marcy asked, she too unable to understand what Anne was referring to.

"She summoned me to tell me that she was worried about me."

"Worried?" Sprig murmured, as she kept listening.

"When I entered in her office, she told me I had brain, but I wasn't applying myself, and lamented how I was just floating through life, taking the easy path. She even had me write some stupid essay about what I want to do with my life, and what I was willing to do to make it happen."

"What?" Sasha gasped, "But…neither Marbles nor I were told anything about an essay."

"That's because she didn't give it to you! She said how you would boss your way through life, and Marcy would solve world hunger or stuff like that, but me? I was wandering aimlessly, because I didn't know what do about my life! And turns out, she was right!"

"Uh, your majesty?" Lady Olivia moved to King Andrias' side "What in the Olm's name is going on?"

"I have no idea as well," the large king said, mentally absorbed by Anne's speech, "But it is a better drama than the last ones that came out of our opera house."

"Look, girls," Anne continued, her friends and family carefully listening to her words now, "while we don't agree on the circumstances that led us here, I can agree that our time spent in Amphibia helped us become better persons. Sasha, you're now using your leadership skills to a good use, to inspire rather than to oppress, to lead instead of command! Marcy, you managed to become more responsible and mature, you're stopped avoiding your problems and to think about the consequences of your actions. Jacob, you went from a prankster who refused to submit to any authority to a responsible and honest boy, willing to pull his own weight. And Amelia-"

"What about me?" The girl wearing the cone hat asked, ignoring the glance her cousin/brother was giving her like 'you're really asking?'

"Back when you first arrived with us, I really thought you were nothing more than an obnoxious know-nothing know-it-all, who could only repeat concepts like a parrot without even understanding them. I saw you as a brat, whose only interest was trying to look cool by waving that wooden katana around or snitching on Jacob."

"She got you on that point." Polly commented, as Amelia's eyes widened. Had she been this bad?

"However, like the rest of us, you've grown ever since we arrived in Amphibia, and while I can't say I'm as close with you as I am with Sash or Mar-Mar, I am not afraid to admit that you've proven to be a much more kind and interesting person in these past few months than you ever had in the years since I met you for the first time."

"Huh… thanks, I guess?" Amelia replied, feeling an odd mix of pride and amazement at Anne's words. In truth, she felt like, ever since she arrived in Amphibia, so many things had changed for her: her relationship with Jacob had gotten much better, as well as with the trio; she found a kind, understanding shoulder to lean on with James, a good friend in Polly, an amazing companion in Akitsu, and apprentices in Maddie's sisters and above all, she had her master watching over her.

"My point is," Anne now turned again, and looked at Andrias directly in the eyes, the Newt king able to 'feel' the passion burning through her words, the sentiment blossoming from her 'Heart', "I have grown up so much ever since we arrived here, and I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my life. While I fully intend to find something to do here to help and be useful, I want to fully earn it with my hard work and determination, not just for it to have gifted to me on a silver plate. I appreciate your generosity, great king, but to simply accept… is the easy way. And the easy way, it may be appealing but that doesn't make it right."

"Wow, that was quite a profound thing to say," Felicia quipped to Hop Pop. "So, she is saying that… she wants to prove her worth, but that she also wants to earn her chances?"

"That's my adoptive granddaughter," The old farmer replied, tears of joy dripping from his eyes.

"I understand what you're saying," King Andrias replied, "and while I must admit it did catch me off by surprise, I understand your intention and I promise to respect them. That said, should you change your mind, my offer still stands."

"Thank you, your Majesty!" Anne nodded.

"Your Highness, if I'm allowed to speak…" James took words in turn, taking a step forward. "I believe I share sentiments akin to the ones my friend already showed, and while I once again thank you for your esteem generosity, I'd like for a chance to prove my worth. In that regard, I have plans already I could tell you…"

"Huh-uh. And what about you, Lady Amelia?" The King now looked at the wannabe samurai, "Are you interested into hearing my offer, or should I assume you want to find your own way too?"

"Actually, before that, I would like to …make a request. With your permission, I would like to request a permission to check the Royal Archives."

"The Archives?" Lady Olivia asked, with a baffled expression. "Why? Why would you be interested into spending time in there?"

"That's because I want to look out for a… acquaintance of a friend of mine. I don't know how much time has passed ever since then, so I have no better option that to check it myself."

"That's quite a small thing you're asking, and I see no issue with granting you the permission," The new king almost laughed, amused by how comically small her demand has been. "However, I am curious what kind of acquaintance your friend must had, for you to have to search them into the Archives!"

"That's the issue, so far the only thing I know is her name, Leif."

The humans didn't notice, nor did any of the frogs or the newts currently in the throne room, but as soon as Amelia pronounced that name, Andrias's mind spun, his amusement quickly disappearing as astonishment took its place, those four small insignificant letters bringing back to him the memory of one frog with a bright pink skin, who he called a friend of his before…

…before she betrayed him.

How did this 'human' know that name? Who was this friend she referred to? How could they know about Leif. What-

The King stopped, suppressing his emotions before they could break his facade. He had time, he didn't need to rush things. Get as close to the six of them as possible, THEN start squeezing them for information.

He had time.

(…)

"Well, I guess this is it for today," Anne said as the group walked out of the castle. "Now you three get to spend the rest of their day doing stuff in armor while Amelia is going to dive deep into the unlimited depths of the Archives."

"I still cannot believe you said that to the king, Boonchuy." The blonde human snorted, amused an irritated at the same time by her friend's actions. "I mean, refuse his offer immediately in his face? That takes guts!"

"I told you that I want to find my own way. Besides," the Thai-American girl replied, "If you and Marbles get to be the best versions of yourselves, why can't I do the same?"

"I think you are already the best version of you, Anna-Banana," Marcy replied, scratching her head. "So…what are your plans for the day?"

"We're going to do a tourist tour of the city!" Hop Pop announced, showing off some tickets he had bought earlier. "I was guaranteed it's completely safe!"

"Anne, you're going with an activity Hop Pop choose?" Jacob asked, amused at the idea.

"Well, I do want to spend as much time as possible with my family. Plus, I am intrigued by Newtopia, and I want to learn as much about it as possible."

"James, want to join us?" Sprig asked, jumping in front of the silver-haired human.

"Well, I have no set plan yet for the day. Plus…yeah, I think I should come." Knowing Hop Pop's tastes for amusement, and Anne and Sprig's inability to follow instructions, someone need to go and watch over you, the boy silently added in his mind.

"Well, you will surely have more fun than Amelia," Ivy turned around, looking at the girl in samurai outfit. "Seriously, who want to spend a full day on books?"

"Ahem!" Maddie and Marcy, behind her, reacted accordingly.

"Just so you know, some of the best days were spent at the library, checking out new manga!" The youngest human retorted, "Plus, if there is a concrete chance I could find new hints about Leif, and how she's connected with Aiden, the Box and the Moss Man, I think it's worth a try."

"Just remember to make copies of anything you may find of useful," Marcy suggested, passing her own Journal to her. "Here, these are all my notes to translate Amphibian Runes. You can borrow them until Maddie and I are back, as long as you promise to safeguard them-"

CLICK!

"-or, you can simply make a copy like this, that's a good idea too."

"Come on, guys!" Amelia looked around, noticing the expressions on everyone's face. "Did you forget we have cellphones with camera?"

"W-what in the Olm's name was that?!" Bella gasped, realizing that 'human' had somehow managed to make a perfect copy of the notes by just pressing one finger.

"I'll explain it to you later," Jacob replied, turning to the others. "So…let's all meet us all here by six o'clock? More than enough time for us to have each their own adventure."

"Fine by me."

"Agreed."

"Make sure you have enough cash money for the emergencies!" Hop Pop warned them, "And on that account… Marcy, you and I should have a talk when possible, about your bad savings habits."

"What, why?" The mentioned dark-haired girl replied, "I do pay the correct price when they ask for it."

"Huh, Marbles?" Anne raised her hand. "The price are in coppers, and you keep giving them golden coins. In short, you're giving them one hundred times the money you own them."

"Oh, whoops! I keep making confusion." Marcy once again laughed in nervousness, "Frog, no wonder that smoothie guy wanted to hug me."

Hop Pop and Felicia exchanged a glance. From what they've witnessing so far, the kid must've been ending people's student debts and mortgages without even realizing it.

"Anyway," The old farmer turned to Maddie, giving her a small purse filled with coins. "I think it would be better if you were the one keeping the money. I've added some in case something happens but be mindful about them!

"Do not worry, Mr. Plantar! I'm always watching what happens around me" The young spellcaster replied, her expression turning creepy. "Always watching."

"Have a nice day with the Night Guards, girls!"

"Good luck with Yunan, guys! You'd need it!"

"Same for you, Mars."

"See ya!"

"Let's go, boys!"

"Newtopia, here we come!"

The group quickly split up, Anne, James, Felicia and the Plantars going in one direction, Jacob, Sasha, Ivy and Bella in another, Maddie and Maddie on another one while Amelia walked back inside the Castle, saluted by the guards as she passed next to them, each one already having plans for what to do today.

"Welcome, ladies and gentle-phibians," the vehicle tour guide, a yellow newt with a light red-brown dress and hat, spoke trough the intercom, "to a safe uneventful afternoon of touristy nonsense. It may not be as eventful as other tours, but did I mention it's safe?"

"Ugh," Anne said with a bored expression, sitting between James and Polly, while Felicia, Hop Pop and Sprig were on the aisle, the old farmer wearing a cheese hat. "This blow."

"I remind that you were the one who wanted to spend family time together," James grunted, as he looked outside of the window. The whole situation felt awfully similar: back home, he had seen various tourist groups like this one, 'visiting' London and other great cities of England from behind a glass. And even now that he was on the opposite side of the glass, he found the whole concept tedious.

"Next time, we choose something else."

"Come on, kids," Felicia replied, folding a fan with her hand. "While I do admit it's not the most exciting way to do it, to dedicate time to learn new things is never wasted."

"Plus, I already booked this!" Hop Pop nodded, the two humans and Polly groaning in response.

Yet, as Anne looked outside the window, her attention was completely caught as she realized they were traveling in an area of the city filled with food vendors; many newts of different shapes, colors and sizes were actively discussing the items being sold, and the girls' eyes widened as she looked at the scene. It was all so alien to her and yet…so awkwardly familiar.

"Oh, wow, what's that place?"

"Imminent danger. Look away!" The guide yelled, to the human's surprise and Polly's lament.

"But imminent is the best kind of danger!"

"Now then," the tour guide said, walking back up to the front of the bus, "what's the most important thing to do when visiting Newtopia? Any guesses?"

Anne raised her hand. "Ooh, ooh! Eating like a local? Looking like a local? Partying with the locals?"

"Nope," the guide said. "It's getting to know the city from a safe distance. Like on this bus."

"Such wisdom," said Hop Pop in admiration, Felicia rolling her eyes in response. Sure, it was nice that the old frog always but the safety of his kids first, but… this was ridiculous! Plus, judging by the reaction that Sprig, Polly, James and Anne were showing, she wasn't the only one to find this whole experience absurd.

"To think I've always made fun of the people who visited London by bus," James snorted. "At least British double-decker busses ARE part of British culture and customs!"

"This is just like when I'd go traveling with my mom."

"Huh?" James looked at her, "What do you mean?"

"I did tell you my parents used to bring me with them whenever we went back to Thailand for some event, remember?" The girl took a deep breath, leaning on her seat. "To me, it was a marvelous experience: everything looked so different, and new, and exotic, and anywhere we went, there were stand selling delicious and awesome food that I really wanted to try, but mom kept telling me that my Californian stomach couldn't handle them, so I could only have… carrot sticks and trail mix…"

James' eyes filled with dread as she saw her friend slump down, hands over her face, her voice becoming little more than a whimper, sadness overtaking her. Even Polly and Sprig noticed it, suddenly becoming alarmed.

"Anne, are you crying?"

"I DIDN'T WANT THE BABY CARROT'S, MOM!" Their friend couldn't bear the pressure of the emotion anymore and began to cry, her face on his chest, sobbing at the memory of her mom's unfair decision. "I didn't want 'em! Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?!"

"Anne!" Sprig jumped and hugged her, trying to calm her down, "Please, stop crying!"

"It's ok Anne, you're a teenager now." James awkwardly said with a soothing voice, trying to provide her with emotional support while patting her back as he spoke. "Your stomach has grown up; you don't have to eat baby carrots anymore." What the bloody hell I'm even saying?!

"Huh, what happened?" Hop Pop asked with an alarmed voice, seeing Anne weeping on James' chest, the boy doing the best he could to calm her down, Sprig and Polly hugging her as they tried to empathically connect with her.

"Anne was talking about some previous experience she had with her mother, and she got so much entangled in her own memories she began to cry." Felicia replied. This was going to a looong bus trip…

(…)

"You want us to do what?!"

"As your test to join the Night Guard," Albert repeated, looking at Marcy and Maddie in front of him, "I want you to collect the eggs of a Giant Golden Crab."

Right now, the two spell-casters were at the Night Guards headquarters, carved inside a giant whale skeleton. It was quite comfortable and roomy: There was a large table in the center with a map of the continent and several small figurines, each representing a ranger team, pinned to it. Wooden barrels, leaning against the walls, were used to store the supplied weapons, while metal boxes were used to store the supplied crossbows and darts. Illuminating the room were luminescent coral formations and reddish-colored aromatic candles, which perfumed the air and removed the stale smell. A finely decorated tapestry on the left was embroidered with the full text of the Night Guards' Oath while, at the far end of the room, there was a large blackboard, on which were discrete several important notes, including the week's shifts for various tasks and some important warnings.

And populating the halls were several Newts, all dressed in ranger uniforms with armor, hoods, and cloaks identical to the one Marcy was wearing, who watched with curiosity and interest as these two newcomers spoke with their headmaster.

"We have already faced giant crabs in the past," Marcy said, thinking back on that time Hop Pop brought them on a cruise with Ivy's family (but especially Sylvia) and they ended up with an all-you-can-eat crab buffet thanks to Anne's powers. "However, I must admit I never seen a golden subspecies."

"The Giant Golden Crab is not like any other crab you may have met in the Valley," one of the other Rangers said, taking out a large book and showing them a drawing of the creature. "They're bigger, nastier and extremely territorial. It is said that their claws can cleave iron like a blade slicing paper, and they can also spit flesh-melting acids up from up to 500 feet. They were once believed to be a legend, but …"

"Many years ago, one of such creatures made its own den in Cragmarrow cove, just outside of the city." Albert finished, pointing on another map, this one representing the city of Newtopia and surrounding regions. "The crab presence represents an obvious threat to many merchants and travelers going in or out the city, and since their protection is our business, we already tried to kill it, but… it was much bigger and combative than we assumed, and so many of our comrades ended up hurt or worse. You think you got what's needed to join your rank? Deal with this task, and we'll gladly accept you!"

"And you want us to take on that creature to steal their eggs?" Maddie gasped, realizing the stacks were obviously against them, only for Albert to return her with a humorless smirk.

"You were already able to face creatures much worse than this, weren't you? You don't have to actively defeat it: just bring back one of their eggs, and you will prove, beyond any doubt, your worth and guarantee your spot in the Night Guard."

"He's right!" Marcy said, thinking about it, "We already faced dangerous creatures like that in the past, I'm sure we can work on a strategy. How are we with our spells?"

"We have all the generic ones, but nothing so far that's specialized against the crabs. The glue spell is not waterproof, and its thick shell make it difficult for most of our spells to damage it. We could come up with something new, but… it'll take some time."

"Then, I'll say we should go check and analyze the environment for anything we could use against the crab. Headmaster, Maddie and I will now go, and we will return once the Giant Golden Crab-"

Her attempt to make a dramatic, hero-like speech, however, was cut short as the lovable ranger nerd's feet got tangled into a coil of loose rope in the ground, prompting making her trip once again and make her fall flat on the ground.

"Oh, come on! Who keeps their rope just lying on the ground?!"

(…)

"Bella, everything ok?" Jacob knocked on the door, fully dressed in his metallic blue armor, "I didn't hear you anymore, did something happen?"

"I'm…fine, boss." The young female newt replied from behind the door. "I'm just…having some difficulty with putting on this armor?"

"You don't like it? Yunan said it's just a template, something to wear on the first days to get a general idea how to make a more permanent one. Once we have enough data, I could go and commission another one, one better suited for your measures."

"What? No!" Bella gasped, only to correct herself almost immediately. "I mean- it's not like I'm not grateful for it, quite the opposite in fact, only… you just hired me, it is right you're willing to spend this much just for my own convenience?"

"It's not for my convenience," Jacob grunted, rolling his eyes. "Look, if you work for me, it's only right you're provided with the right equipment for the job. Didn't they provide your bellhop uniform back at the hotel?"

"They surely did, but…" the female newt's voice trembled for a second, "they made me pay for it with a deduction from my pay!"

"Well, I'm not going to do that, if that's what you're afraid of. Just consider it a bonus: I'll pay for the equipment I think you need, and you'll use it, ok? Now come out, Sasha and Ivy already left, we're all waiting for you!"

Bella nodded, her hand moving to the door's handle, sighing as she opened it, Jacob smiling as he saw her, now dressed in a light green shirt with brown pants, under a light iron armor designed for young recruits, the symbol of Newtopia pressed on its chest.

"Hey, you're not too bad! How do you feel it?"

"Sweaty, it pinches, it's too small on some points and too wide in others, and I can tell already it had been worn by many people before," the former bellhop commented, before smiling, "all considered, a neat improvement compared with my bellhop uniform."

"Good, take note of all the issues so we can write them down later. Now, let's go."

The human and the newt walked out from the locker room, and reached a vast earthen plaza, surrounded by high stone walls, each corresponding to a part of the building that made up the giant Newtopia Army barracks on the side of the Castle, the command and training center for the Newts' military force. Here, among various gym instruments and tools, fifty or more newts in light training uniforms, like the one Bella was currently wearing, were currently undertaking several physical exercises under the watchful gaze of their instructors, a couple of newts in light green armors, ranks of sergeant visible over their pauldrons and short swords tied to their waist.

And just in the middle of the square, stood General Yunan in her uniform, accompanied by two other newts of the same rank, Sasha and Ivy standing in front of them, the human dressed in her usual red-and-pink armor while Ivy wore a light armor that, due to the body difference between newts and frogs, was obviously too big for her.

"Oh, looks like our latest guest finally decided to grace us of their presence," one of the other two newts spoke in a harsh, almost scolding tone. "What happened, you weren't able to find the way out?"

"Sir, I was just helping my assistant into wearing her uniform, sir!" Jacob replied before Bella could ever start to apologize.

"So, these are what the creatures you were talking about, General Yunan?" The other newt spoke in disdain, her tone as she referred to Yunan a clear hint he didn't respect Yunan's rank as his peer. "They're gangly…they have huge heads… and you say they have special abilities?"

"Not just me, the King say so," Yunan replied, clearly taking delight into saying that. "And if you had been with me and my men when we fought the Barbari-Ants, you would have witnessed their skills too!"

"Very well, I have no good expectations about them, but the King orders it, so it shall be done." The first other General nodded, his eyes passing over Ivy before setting on Bella. "At least you do have a newt with them."

"Why don't you let our actions speak for ourselves?" Sasha challenged, clearly irked by the demeaning tone and looks of the older newt. "I though the Newtopia's Army was supposed to value actions over words, this is the difference between you and the Night Guards."

"Screw the Night Guards!" Several cadets, and even the two sergeants yelled at once.

"Yeah, those schmucks may look like adventurers, but they head tail and run when they're faced with a real battle!" One of the two generals nodded in resentment, "They've got nothing that true soldiers have!"

"I see like our newest recruits have sharp tongues, and guts to go with them!" The other one smirked with evilness, looking over Sasha. "I like arrogant guys, they're the most satisfying ones to break…"

By the Olms, Bella mused as the general began to explain what he was going to make them do, what had I got myself into?

(…)

"Leilisterre, born in the village of Stony Gulch, year… Leilana Bosh, daughter of Exuma Bosh, one of the most recognized scholars from Newtopia's University…"

Inside the Great Library and Archive of Newtopia's castle, behind a large wooden table with small green glowing mushrooms to provide her with light, surrounded by literal mountains of books and records, Amelia sat on a large pink pillow, her legs crossed in the lotus position, as she kept checking every record available to search possible info about Leif, the friend of the Moss Man whose existence was somehow tied to the ones of the Plantar's Family and Aiden's own presence in Amphibia. Yet, the more she kept searching, the less confidant she felt.

There is nothing! The samurai girl yelled in her own head as she realized even this one book she had checking wouldn't provide her with any worthwhile info, it seems like in all the centuries the kingdom had existed, there hadn't been anyone called with such name! How?!

She remembered the expression the Moss Man had done when she had promised them she would find her friend, the small flower they gifted to her (and that she still kept among her stuff), her surprise when Aiden said that name after so much time lost in fruitless research, how the revelation had hinted there was something more…

Millions of questions crowded in her mind: who was Leif? How long ago she had lived? Did she live in Wartwood, or she was just passing by? What was her connection with Aiden? Was she a relative of the Plantar's family, maybe some kind of ancient ancestor? But then, why there was nothing about her no matter where I looked?

The fact that so far she had been unable to find any kind of information about her had been frustrating, yet the total absence of any kind of hint, including the fact that somehow no one had even been called with that name in over one thousand years since the Box had been lost, according to Hop Pop's book, like…

…like that name was tied to some kind of traumatic event, Amelia realized, stopping for a second as she began to ponder about the issue. Could it possibly be that Leif was tied to the Box's disappearance? And that how she was also connected to Aiden? At the time of the 'Frog of the Year' Party, he himself had spoken like Leif had been some kind of enemy, or rival, unlike any other Amphibian she had seen the mad Prince interact. Like the issue was more personal.

Dots began to connect in her head: could this be why she hadn't been able to find anything so far? Had Leif' existence being removed out from any known record, either for her own protection (or her closest ones') or as some version of damnatio memorie? Something that happened so far in the past that only those beings who were alive back then (like the Moss Man, or Aiden himself) remembered her?

But then…what about Valeriana? And her master?

They too knew that name, and they had spoken fondly of her, like Leif had been a close acquaintance for both. Her master even said Leif had been her 'master' once, so Leif presumably had trained her master like she had done with Amelia herself. But then…how old were Valeriana and Noc? Why-

"Strength, they couldn't join us. As for Wit…"

Amelia's eyes widened, as she remembered the words her master used, when she tried to dig for more information. From what she remembered, Leif had been the late embodiment of Heart, her master had been Respect and her friends Pietari and Unna were Courage and Imagination respectively. Maybe…the absence of Wit and Strength was part of it?

Maybe they had turned rogue, and Leif had been forced to put them down? Was this perhaps related to the reason why the Box ended up on Earth in the first place? But again, how did Aiden end up in this story?

And what was the role of the Prophecy into this?

As the human girl sat down, trying to sort out the whole mess ongoing in her head, she didn't realize that she had been watched.

"This human… is she really connected with the Betrayer?" One of the voices of the Core, once belonging to an affirmed scholar know for having on many occasions during his natural lifetime defended, and on some occasions even endorsed, the Core's aggressive politics toward other worlds, spoke. "She doesn't seem too much dangerous."

"Just because an enemy looks harmless, it doesn't mean she is," another voice, that one belonging to a former military commander, retorted. "Even the Betrayer was only a Gardener, before showing off her true colors. And she managed to ensnare the last Heir of the Leviathan bloodline with her poisonous words, and-"

"ENOUGH!" The voice of King Aldritch resounded trough the Core's mind-space, shutting up everyone else. "What that idiot caused… it's not pertinent as of this moment. What we should focus instead, is to value the threat these humans possess, in particular how much knowledge they have about the Box and the Gems, and how much of their powers-"

"Hey! What is she doing now?" The first voice yelled, recalling everyone's attention. Right now, Amelia was no more checking the books on the table and instead she had got back on her feet and was now walking right next to the room's border, knocking with her knuckles on the wall, almost like she was searching for something.

"You see? You see?!'" the military voice yelled, seeing his own analysis being vindicated. "She is smart enough to check the walls for hidden traps or spying devices! She knows the chance of someone watching over her in secret! If our own devices hadn't been put outside of her reach, she could have found them!"

"That's…disturbing." King Aldrich commented, "Yet, we have no reason to worry! Let her check every square of the library's walls, she won't find anything that may compromise our plans!"

Famous last words, as the Universe was going to prove immediately as Amelia, a bit disappointed she hadn't been able to find any hidden room like in a manga scene she remembered, was going to sit down once again when her hand accidentally slammed against a small drape with the image of some kind of centaur-like hybrid armed with bow and arrows. One with the upper body part of a muscular newt with long black hair and the lower body part of a giant shrimp. Unbeknownst to her, there was a hidden switch under it. One that the pressure of her hand ended up activating it.

"What the-" the girl gasped as the room shook for a few seconds, and then, the wall next to it, with a large painting of a golden door on it, started to open slowly, revealing some darkness-clad passage hidden behind it, a long staircase that ventured in the depths of the castle and partially illuminated by aquamarine glowing coral.

No way, there is a secret passage, the wannabe samurai internally cheered as her lips twitched into the greatest smile ever, wait, this looks just like the entrance of the secret rooms under Hop Pop's house! Could it possibly be…

The various minds of the Core could only stare in shock as they saw the human girl grabbing her 'phone' and turning some kind of light, her sword on her back as she proceeded trough the passage that they weren't planning to reveal yet to the humans, a wave of irritation and anger overtaking them.

"She found the passage for the fake shrine! But… they weren't supposed to find it yet!"

"Is the passage isolated? Could she find out about us?"

"There is no risk about that, but the fake reliquary with the made-up book detailing the fake info about the stones…"

As panic ran unchecked trough the Core, King Aldritch could only seethe in outrage as he saw the lone human proceed fast trough the hidden staircase, the Core's combined processing power giving him an estimate of how many plans and countermeasures had just been ruined by the action of one of those Earth-belonging creatures.

A lesser mind would have mistaken that as a mere coincidence, the ironic twist of fate, but King Aldritch knew better. He knew there was no way such a thing could have happened on its own. That was the human was trying to make them believe.

Did she know that someone had been watching her, or was she pretending 'just in case', properly paranoid not to be alone as it seemed? Either case, King Aldritch knew she was no fool: sure, on the appearance, she looked like a classic simple mind, someone bound to act more with their guts than with her brain, but once you looked deeper…

There is no worse enemy, his own father had once taught him, than the one who pretend to be meek, submissive and harmless. The one that may pretend to be your best friend or your most loyal retainer, the one that's often treated as a joke, the coward, the incompetent, the one that makes you laugh with their failure and ineptitude, while actually building their forces and abilities until they'll strong enough to vanquish you in a single strike. You must watch out all the time, to look out for them, and to root them out as soon as you notice them, before they have the time and opportunity to destroy you first.

Could be this human called 'Amelia' be one of them? A strategically complex adversary, who feigned simplicity and ignorance to make her enemies underestimate her and hit them when they weren't expecting it? Could such elaborate minds exist on other worlds as well?

For now, let's just wait and see, King Aldrich conceded, focusing on spying every move of the girl, if she is one of them, we'll need to be ready.

"Now you're speaking my language!" Anne laughed in excitation, taking a deep breath and let the true, pure air of the city bowels fill her lungs, only to stop mid-breath to caught due to how awful it smelled, James and Polly just behind her. "Man, I'm glad Hop Pop actually gave us his consent, and we hadn't to sneak away like we did back at the Ruins of Despair."

"Well, we did promise him to stay alert for any danger, didn't we?" The British teen quipped in response, "Plus, Felicia gave us some nice insight on how to navigate easily in the city and avoid end up in unnecessary trouble."

"I'm a bit disappointed we had to leave Sprig behind," The girl lamented, thinking back to her closest companion of adventures. "I know that Hop Pop had been keeping him under watch, but to handcuff him together with him?"

"I guess he still remember about what happened back at the Ruins, and his never-ending inclination to pull any lever he comes across to. I mean, can you blame him? Last lever he pulled, we almost ended up crushed by a giant rock!"

"Plus, we three never had a proper solo adventure!" The tadpole nodded, "I mean, we do have adventures, but
never just the three of us!"

"Heck, yeah! We're way overdue. Looks like it's finally time for team Jamannolly to get some deserved screen time!"

"J-Jamanolly?" James grunted, feeling like it was more the name for a mark of tropical-themed drinks. "Ok, first, that's a terrible name! And second… I think you should work something for just the two of you alone."

"Wait, what?!"

"Dude, what the heck!" Anne turned around, "You're not coming with us?"

"Sorry girls, but I have some stuff I need to sort out for myself," the boy tried to come up with a good excuse. "And most of it are…boys' stuff."

"Believe me, we are not interested into know what." Anne rolled her eyes in annoyance, Polly in her arms doing the same. "Fine, I guess Polly and I can have some girls-only nights out. Have fun and stay out of dangers!"

"Likewise. By the way, do you have enough cash with you? From what Felicia told us, many shops in downtown area are cash only, so it would be better to have some ready in case they don't accept the Royal Credit Card."

"Oh, we have more than enough!" Anne proudly showed him a large bag filled with golden coins. "Hop Pop withdrew them early today, and we can do it again if needed. Unlimited funds, baby!"

"Shouldn't you be worried about yourself?" Polly asked to James. "I didn't see you take money before leaving earlier."

"I have my own funds, and I believe I can manage them just fine!" The boy laughed as he slapped on his backpack. "Very well, if you have time, I suggest you go check the parade: looks like today's some kind of festivity in honor of Igor the Barve, some hero from the past. So long you don't do or say something inappropriate, it should be fun and safe."

"Ok, mom!" Anne snorted with a sarcastic tone, before turning around, moving Polly on her hairdo. "Alright, Polly! let's get this authentic experience started! Team P'Anne, let's go!"

"You know, we really should work more on our team names…"

Jerry chuckled as he saw the two girls run away, wondering how long it would be before they ended up in some new crazy mess. A part of him still wished he choose to go with them, to check out on them and make sure they would manage without direct adult supervision.

But he was in Newtopia now, and he had work to do.

Checking his surrounding, the British boy found a small empty alleyway where to hid momentarily and stepped in, the hideous smell making his eyes watery as she opened his handbag and took out what she needed to carry out his mission.

"Hold your Tongue, for knowledge is power, and you must never give your enemies power over to you."

A fake newt tail, bought in a small shop specialized to provide temporary replacement for those newts who lost theirs.

"Always be Watchful, to avoid missing any hidden threat to the ones you protect."

A long, grayish-green cowl to cover his face and disguise his features.

"Show no Face nor Give no Name, for anonymity is your biggest shield and your best weapon"

Several gadgets and equipment to hide under his robes and disguise, that Mrs. Croaker had provided for him, to employ in case of need, including several smoke bombs and a codebreaker.

"Show no Mercy, for your enemies are entitled to destroy you as you are to destroy them."

A hidden stash of golden coins, collected during their journey, to 'grease' the lips of those willing to betray their associates for money, and collect any information they held.

"These are the Four Truths of the Shadows."

The gang had been in Newtopia only for a few days now, but James already heard about some suspicious rumors running wildly. Apparently, some kind of weird crazy cult called 'the Order of the Olm' had been running wild in the last few months, stealing old valuable books to burn them and frequently facing both the Night Guards and the Newtopia Army, the two military branches being unable to capture them. Now that Sasha, Jacob and Marcy were part of such associations, it would be only but a matter of time before they'd end up into running into them as well.

And if they were to defeat this mysterious group, they would need information.

"May the Stars guide me," the disguised human nodded, checking the road outside one more time before stepping outside, none of the locals paying him attention. "Let's get to work."

(…)

"Ok, you two!" Yunan yelled standing right between Jacob and Sasha, the two humans looking at each other, the other cadets (including their own 'assistants' Ivy and Bella) surrounding them with excited expressions in their faces. "King Andrias himself told me he wants me to fully analyze the power of your so-called Calamity Powers, so we're doing a small close combat exercise to check out your skill and start to plan a proper training regime to refine your skills. Your goal is the following: each one of you will activate their own powers to face off their adversary, and then you'll confront each other. Show me everything you've got. Do you understand me?!"

"Ma'am! We do, ma'am!" Sasha and Jacob roared at the same, taking advantage of the few remaining minutes of rest.

"So…" Bella approached Ivy, who seemed to be the most knowledgeable about the situation, "They're going to do it for real? I mean, use real, actual superpowers?"

"Yup! Jacob's sure is skillful and has a lot of raw power, but my sister had her powers for longer and she's the better one trained to fight with them! Plus, Jacob's may be the holder of Courage, but Sasha's power is Strength!"

"Not sure what that means, but whatever happens, I hope your 'sister' doesn't maul my current employer. There is no way I'm going to find someone else willing to pay one golden coin for day plus expenses!"

"One golden coin for day?" One of the other cadets, a young male newt with deep blue skin. "That creatures pay you this much?"

"He does," Bella replied as she glanced to the other newt in uniform, noticing how he kept looking at her. "Is there something you need to ask me?"

"Actually, yes. It's been quite some time since we last had new batches of recruits join us, and my family won't allow me to return home until we reach graduation, so I was thinking, if you need someone to show off the place…"

Bella had to basically stop herself from snorting, realizing what the other cadet was awkwardly trying to do. "Is that an attempt to flirt? My my, you think I'm that attractive?"

"Well, yes!" The other one replied bluntly. "Plus, is not like we get many chances to leave the barracks. All licenses had been suspended indefinitely after that cult started to roam apart, almost lost my own tail on a couple of occasions-"

"Silence there!" Yunan shouted, everyone stopping chatting as their general spoke in harsh tone, before focusing on the two humans once again. "Are you ready?"

"I was born ready, general!" Jacob grinned, looking at Sasha like he was going to beat her to the last potato chip. "Anytime you want, blondie."

"Get ready to have your ass kicked, Viking idiot!" Sasha replied, both humans closing their eyes as they began to summon their energies, Yunan, Ivy, Bella and everyone else looking with interest.

"For everyone who can't stand up and fight;"

"In the struggle of day, in the fear of night,

Many cadets gasped in surprise as the humans began to activate their powers, the pink and yellow energy emerging from their bodies and filling their hair and eyes, Yunan taking a step back cautiously and Bella looking in shock while Ivy simply smirked in approval. This was going to be so much fun.

"For those who are alone and lost in the night.

"Make no enemy escape my sight,"

Sasha's body began to glow, the girl rising on her feet, her ponytail turning in a bright mane of pure energy as the flames spread through all her body up to her hands, condensation into small orbs burning like miniature suns. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, Jacob's yellow energy zapped trough his fingers, the metallic weapons and armors of the closest cadets vibrating due to the electro-magnetic field created.

"By the Olms…" Yunan murmured as he glanced over Jacob, the boy with the Viking hat feeling like he was ready to take a whole army by himself. And since he was going to face Sasha one to one, this was not strictly a hyperbole.

"Never again tyranny on you would befall,"

"Let's remember, to anyone who fight,"

The calamity powers in their bodies fully awakened, Jacob and Sasha stood in front of each other, the blonde queen be of Saint James and hurricane of pinkish power, the former prank-master facing her off like a tornado of lightnings, the various cadets realizing finally how much powerful their superpowers would be and rushing to find cover, only Yunan refusing to move.

"Now I see, why the King is so interested in them," the newt general said with low voice, barely a whisper.

"Strength is here, to protect you all!"

"To never yield hope – for Courage burns bright!"

And the two superpowered humans launched onto each other.

(…)

"Whoah…" Marcy gasped as she lurked behind a large rock with Maddie, the landscape providing the two of them of a reliable hidden observation point to spy on the eponymous Giant Golden Crab, "it's a whopper!"

"A what?" The spellcasting frog asked, hiding next to her.

After a few hours of search and comparing information gathered from their surroundings, they had finally managed to locate the cave that serve as the Giant Golden Crab's hideout. Only to find that the crab was much bigger than any of them suspected. As summed up by Maddie's words when she saw it for the first time: frog, he's as tall as three Marcy!

"That's a slag we use on earth, to say that's something is big, massive!" The dark-haired human replied in a low voice, as they kept spying the humongous crustacean as he was intent on feeding itself on some kind of glowing starfish. "Ok, I guess we do need a good strategy to defeat it."

"You know? A whopper!" The dark-haired human replied in an excited yet low voice, but before the confuse look of her blue friend, she decide to explain herself better and with a small sigh of defeat "It's just a slang from Earth. It means that it's big!"

Maddie opened her mouth in realization, before looking back at the giant crab. "I agree then. This is a real whopper."

They kept looking at it from a distance and in silence. Spying on the humongous crustacean as he was intent on feeding itself on some kind of glowing starfish. "Ok, we're going to need a really good strategy to defeat it." Finally declared Marcy after a short while.

"I think we do have some spells that we could employ, the tricky part is…" Maddie glanced over the surrounding grotto with a nervous look, "I do not trust the resistance of the rock formations around us. If we use some spell with an explosive part, the grotto may fall onto us, same if we use some binding curse to disorientate the crab and he slams onto one of the supporting pillars; we do have some sleeping spells, but the geysers in the area risk reducing their overall effectiveness…."

"Huh, Maddie?" Marcy asked, "It's just an idea, so please don't feel offended, but…what if we don't use any spells to get the egg? The headmaster said we shouldn't rely always on the same stuff, so I think we could earn some extra points if we manage to succeed without magic."

Maddie grimaced, thinking back at Headmaster Albert and his 'recommendations': why the more she repeated his words in her minds, the more she felt like he had been mocking them? 'Magic can't solve any issue' that was a philosophy that she could agree on, but… why had he been repeating it over and over, every time looking at her like she couldn't understand it?

Did headmaster Albert show disdain toward me because I use magic…or simply because I am a frog? She thought with a string of anger. Yeah, she hated the way all those newts looked down on her or the others, just because frogs were 'lower class citizens'.

"Oh yeah?" Maddie raised an eyebrow, trying to banish such thoughts from her mind "And tell me, how do you expect us to take one of its eggs? Do you want to use your ranger skill and crossbow to zip inside and take what we need? Or perhaps you're planning to use your Calamity Power?"

"None of the above." Marcy smiled back, an idea starting to form in her mind. "In fact… Maddie, if the giant crab is no more of an issue, how much time do you think you need to get inside its hideout and grab one of its eggs?"

"Not too much, I hope." The young spellcaster replied, glancing as the giant Golden Crab retreated inside. "Wait, you're not planning to go front and provoke it to follow you, so he'll leave its nest unguarded, right? Nothing against your bravery, Marbles, but…I don't think you'll be able to outrun it long enough."

"Oh, but I won't run at all."

"Marcy, what are you doing?"

"Just putting onto action what Hopediah taught us!"

In contrast to the more chic and luxurious establishments in the upper part of the city, the Red Heron Tavern was certainly not what could be called a high-class place. Run by a former merchant who, according to gossip, was also a moneylender in his spare time, it was a regular haunt for those who had spent their lives in the slums of Newtopia since birth or who, after being born and raised as members of affluent society, had literally been 'kicked out of paradise' because of numerous possible reasons.

The door opened with a creak, and a new figure walked in, under the constant watch of the owner' own guards, up to the large counter where several other clients, most of them newts, a couple axolotls, had been drinking either to try and forget their current issues or hoping to find desperate solutions to solve their economic situations.

"What do you want?" The bartender, an axolotl with long black hair and mustaches, asked as the newcomer sat down. "We have Bog beer, cider of algae and what passes as Ribbitvale whisky these days."

"I am thirsty, but none of your beverages can quell it," the new customer replied in a raw, harsh voice, his hand moving to the counter and dropping a golden coin on it. "I'm here to buy information."

"Oh," The axolotl replied as a smirk began to form on his lips, looking around to make sure no one was listening before continuing. "I don't seem to recognize you, mister. And while I never turn down someone who can pay, I can't sell info to people I don't know."

"I know, Lady Bech told me about it."

The barkeeper stuttered, as he recognized that name. The long-expired fake identity of one of her most frequents patrons, sometimes ally but most of the time a painful stick in his flank.

"Sadie, it was her?" The axolotl hissed, lowering his voice more and more. "I was hoping she would be dead by now!"

"Nope, she's still alive and quite sprightly. And she told me about you, Spiky Herri: whatever happens in Newtopia's downtown, you know it."

"Fine," the axolotl replied, taking the golden coin in its mouth and biting it to make sure it wasn't counterfeited, its aching tooth confirming it was the real deal. "What kind of information do you want? They won't be cheap, you know?"

"What I want to know, is about the Order of the Olm." The newcomer said, Spiky Herri gasping internally.

"Those cultists? Bad for trading, bad for business, bad for our city: ever since they started to appear, the local guards have been harassing us non-stop, thinking we were in league with them. Frogs, why would we even care about those jokes? What do we have to gain from burning books?!"

"Burning?"

"Yeah, those fanatics are hell-bent on burn and destroy all relevant historical records of our city for some unsaid reason. We don't know what they're trying to accomplish by that, but so far, they've only managed to make harder for people like us to earn our money."

"Oh, and tell me, what kind of records they're so determined to destroy?"

"We don't know, they were among those old papers no one ever reads. Frog, I doubt anyone even looked at them for centuries, maybe millennia!"

Under his disguise, James grinned.

(…)

Outside of real live-or-death situations, none of the six humans would use their Calamity Powers outside very specific situations, such as issues and obstacles that could be solved only trough them or casual training to push their limits further or get more affinity with their superpowers. However, now that they were in Newtopia and they were finally allowed to use their powers in front of a 'public' of friendly spectators, both Jacob and Sasha felt adrenaline pumping on their veins as they kept letting themselves go more and more. Was that vain and totally uncalled for? Yes. Was that stupid and potentially dangerous both for them and the ones watching them? Also yes.

But they were both teenagers, and the hormones pumping on their brain cell kept stimulating them into doing crazy, fun and potentially hazardous things.

What they forgot forgot to consider, however, was that, due to the nature of their own powers, the crowd surrounding them had a hard time following their match.

To many of them, it was just a mess of flashy colors, loud sound and dirt flying everywhere; even Ivy, who was the most experienced about the Calamity-powered humans, could barely tell what was going on. Only the most battle-hardened warriors of the bunch (Yunan foremost), managed to clearly see some of the actions. And even then, just some glimpses from time to time.

Partially unaware of their surroundings, Sasha and Jacob kept their mock-fighting going, both throwing punches, kicks and energy-powered blasts at their opponent while moving (almost flying) around the training ground at super speed to avoid being hit in return.

Of the two, Sasha was the most serene during the whole fight, also thanks to her martial artist background, that allowed her to banter during the fight, even take off part of her mind from the fight to think about some theories about her equipment: they had been bashing against each other endlessly ever since the 'training' started, yet no matter how many blows hit their armors, none seemed to even look dented so far. Was perhaps this connected with their own Calamity Powers too, the magic energy rushing trough their bodies also making their own clothes and weapons more durable?

Looks like I'll have to ask Marcy about it later…

Meanwhile, Jacob was far from feeling serene, rather his mind was in full turmoil, doubt growing within him, and nothing seemed able to stop it. What was going on? Why Sasha was still going strong, while he should have been able to defeat her long ago? Why instead Sasha looked more rested and refreshed with every minute, while his body began to feel the soreness of his muscles?

The fight had started like he expected, full-on from the very beginning and, ok, he was a little surprised by how powerful Sasha was in her Calamity form is, but he could manage it, right? He always did!

Then, why did everything feel so different? Why, with every passing second, the fiery blond in front of him only seemed to grow stronger and stronger? Or maybe… was it him that was becoming weaker? It didn't made any sense! It never happened before, so why now? Why did this weird thing had to happened just now, while he was showing off his skill in front of all those soldiers? Those people who would surely judge him and mock him if he wasn't worthy enough. What about Bella? Would she too look at him with contempt? And… what about Marcy, when she'd learn about his pathetic defeat?

The teen didn't have the time to sink deeper into despair, as Sasha went into offensive once again. While she was enjoying the moment (as well the chance to show off to Ivy how a cool big sister she was), the blonde girl too was starting to feel tired for having used her powers too long, and decided it was time to end the fight. As Sasha rushed toward him, Jacob pointed his hand at her and shoot several energy bolts, the girl in armor evading them and launching herself on the ground.

Only after the cloud of dirt settled down, the various spectators could see the two combatants for the first time since the fight had started, locked into a standstill, their hands pressing onto each other, sweat running on their foreheads as they kept glancing onto the adversary's eyes, desperately trying to make the other yield without show how much they were at their limit.

"Just give up, Jacob!" Sasha declared without looking away. "You can stop now! It was a good fight, I'll admit it!"

"Never!" Came the boy's answer, clenching his teeth.

Sasha grunted as she kept on pushing forward, Jacob feeling like he could crumble any second now. He wanted to keep resisting, but he felt his heart beating fast, and his muscles growing weaker that-

"You can do it, Boss!"

Everyone turned to see Bella standing in the open, her fist raised, looking at her new employer with an expression full of determination.

"Don't give up, Mr. Jacob!" She continued "You can win this fight! I believe in you!"

The boy blinked twice: he surely wasn't expecting this kind of cheer just over a mock-up fight. And yet, as her assistant's words resounded in his hear, he felt the flame of his determination burn again in his chest, becoming an inferno, as the soreness of his muscles quickly disappeared, any seed of doubt disappearing as his resolve once again became strong as steel

"Ja-cob! Ja-cob! Ja-cob!" Bella chanted, the other cadets joining her to Sasha's amusement.

"Pretty amateurish way to start a cheers squad." The former captain of Saint James' cheerleaders snorted, "However, I must admit it is a good attempt."

"I'm the power."

Hearing the new tone of voice from Jacob, Sasha immediately turned head, to give the fight all her attention once again.

"I'm Honor"

A golden aura of electric energy engulfed Jacob once again, shining brighter than before, the sweat on his forehead evaporating as a new 'mane' of golden flames formed around his head, the energy of the gem filling his eyes as his lips twitched into a smirk. Seeing the power resurgence, Sasha realized she was now at disadvantage and tried to disengage, only to realize that she was now the one on the brink of the fall.

"I'M COURAGE!"

Jacob screamed at full lung as he released all his energy in one go while charging forward, headbutting Sasha so powerfully that it reasoned within the barrack and the city around, the blonde human landing on the ground, every ounce of strength she had now gone as she couldn't even get back on feet, the newt cadets watching in silence as Jacob towered over as his power aura vanished as well and he fell on his butt, both humans breathing deeply and muttering incoherent words as the crowd surrounding them exploded into cheers, Bella and Ivy (alongside the other cadets) rushing to help them, Yunan laughing as hard as she could

"Now, this is what I'd call a wonderful day!"

(…)

Headmaster Albert, one of the three top military advisors for king Andrias and current leader of the Night Guard, was an old newt, and he liked things to stay as he was familiar with. He wasn't against change, mind you, but he vastly preferred the 'orderly' kind of change, slow and following a precise set of laws and rules, to the 'chaotic' one, devoid of any form of control.

For a millennia before he was born, Newtopia had stood tall and strong, a constant against the ever-changing nature of the continent it ruled, and as he was chosen to be the lead the Night Guard to protect it and keep it safe, the old newt was very keen it would stay this way for another millennia and more.

For Albert, above everything else, was a strenuous defender ad supporter of the order, of things gone by the book. But now his world and view had been threatened with the arrival of these 'humans' (what a weird name, he thought) and the chaos they'd brought into his city. The newt could feel it in his old bones, unless they would be kept on check, those weird creatures would mean trouble for him and everything he knew.

This was also why he pushed for this "Marcy Wu" and her spellcaster frog companion to join the Night Guard's rank: If she is willing to dress as one, she will work as one, he had declared in front of the King the day before, and her little frog friend would help keep her on check with her familiar presence. Above everything, Albert understood the soothing necessity for familiarity.

So here he was now, working on some important reports on his desk as he waited for Marcy and Maddie to return empty-handed, without knowing their failure had already been decided before they even left. To steal an egg from the Giant Golden Crab's den was an impossible task that no one ever accomplished, and whose real objective was to observe how any future Night Guard recruit reacted to failure. It was easy to act like a hero when everything was fine, but it was in face of failure that true heroes would be revealed: for what they were in the dark, when they were at their lowest or when they believed no one was watching them, that defined their true selves.

As his hand moved on the next document of the pile, he heard a polite knock on his door, making him raise his head.

"Come in," he said, and the door opened to reveal yet another of his trusted assistants.

"Sir, if I may… Lady Wu and Lady Flour have returned."

"Ah, thank you for letting me know, Zephen," Albert replied, looking at the clock in the corner of his office. They had returned earlier than I had expected, but nothing too much of the ordinary. "Just follow standard procedure and hand both a hot drink for their trouble. I recall a good chocopede cup always manage to raise the spirit after a failed mission. I'll talk with them once I'm finished with this work."

"Huh, actually sir, I don't think the standard procedure applies for this situation." The other ranger replied, "There has been… an accident, sir."

"What kind of 'accident'?" The Night Guard headmaster raised an eyebrow as he felt cold dread running on his back. While accidents were common in this line of work, the idea that the two of them might have ended up hurt or worse made the old newt feel sick. Plus, considering how much high they were in the King's consideration, the resulting backslash and corrective paperwork would be huge.

"They failed…at failing, sir." Zephen scratched the side of his head, unable to look at his superior right in the eyes. "They succeeded."

For a few seconds, the room stood silent, as Albert looked at his assistant with eyes wide open, unable to acknowledge what he had just said, before a single word, barely a whisper, left his lips.

"What."

"They have managed to bring back multiple Golden Crab eggs, all without suffering a single scratch."

The old newt could only stare in horror as Zephen took something from under his uniform, realizing it was an ACTUAL Golden Crab egg as his assistant placed it on his desk and allowed him to inspect it with a closer look. "And they have many more with them, sir."

Albert didn't know how to react, feeling like the whole situation was a nightmare coming true. The two most unorthodox recruits to ever join the Night Guards had just managed to do the impossible and SUCCEDED to a task that everyone else had failed? Everything was changing fast, too fast for his mind to follow and elaborate, as he felt his head becoming dizzy.

"I-I would like a hot chocoped cup, please" he could only mutter as the weight of the emotion fully dropped on him and he felt unconscious, the last thing he heard was Zephen's voice calling for help

(…)

After the last meet with his master, Andrias's mood had worsened even further. Apparently, while doing her own research, the human called 'Amelia' had managed to stumble upon the fake shrine he had set up by the Core's orders, where the book with all the edited info about the Gems had been placed after he made sure that any other source had been destroyed.

Or at least, after he assumed they all were.

Luckily for him and his master, the human didn't find much else, but now it was only a matter of time before she showed it to the others, much earlier than he was planning to.

The game was still set, but now, he had to speed up his moves if he wanted to remain in control.

"Your Majesty."

The voice of the former Captain of the Night Guards brought him back from his scheming, as Andrias focused on what was once one of the most respected commanders of the Guards rangers but had so readily betrayed everything he fought for once in return for a generous payment.

"Goldmask, or rather, former Captain Ernst." the king spoke in a tired voice, watching the newt in front of him falling into one knee and dropping his head in respect. "While your works as the leader of the Cult of the Olms is a success, the kingdom is still in need of your services..."

Hello everyone, you beautiful people!

First, I would like to thank everyone of you who had read my story so far, especially those who are kind and generous enough to leave me comments of feedback from me to review to keep improving both my writing style and my plot-planning skills. Plus, since I LOVE hearing back from you what do you think of what I write, I can say that write me a comment under the chapter is one of the easiest ways to make me happy.

That said, I am writing you these few lines to inform you that, after today's chapter, I am stopping my writing and publishing to rest and recharge my creativity batteries. This is not a choice I am making lightly: I myself am the first to feel remorse at the idea of having to stop writing, even for a short period, and I wouldn't make such a choice…unless I didn't have any other option.

Currently, to provide one new chapter every two weeks (most of the time brand plot-original), I must write around 2.5k words every day for six days (the rest of the time I don't have my Real-Life work, I am either writing up other stuff either for other fics or for the books I hope to publish someday). This is mine decision, and I don't regret it one bit: sure, it may be tiring sometimes, especially since it leaves me little to no time to rewrite if I need to do fix certain plot holes or errors. That said, my great fear to keep working even when you're tired and exhausted is the risk of lose both plot and text quality, thus giving my readers chapters that do not reach the level of writing quality I pretend from all my stories.

For this reason, I've thus decided to start today my Summer Break to give myself time to rest and relax while I gain new creative energy and ideas for the next chapter. See ya all in September!

PS: If anyone of you want to contact me to share ideas or concept he want to share about new content I may add to my fic, they're free to do it. I would LOVE to hear additional feedback from my readers.