It is another sunny day at the Plantar household. Out in the fields, the kids are pulling weeds out of the ground. It is back breaking work, and the day is hot and humid. Only Hop Pop and Cronaxx are seen lounging in the shade. Out of everyone in the group, Dyllan is seen sweating like a hog. He takes his water, moistens his mouth, and spits on the ground.
"You okay, Dyllan?" asked Tint.
"I'll be fine," replied Dyllan. "I'm just taking extra precautions." He takes some water and rubs it on his face. "I've succumbed to dehydration a few times, back home."
"It's true," said Anne. "He plays very hard on the lacrosse field, even his coaches are impressed."
"What can I say," said Dyllan. "I love playing lacrosse."
"Wait a minute," said Sprig, sweating profusely. "I have an idea. If we're pulling weeds out with our bare hands. Why don't you and Tint use magic to pull them all at once? It'll save us the time."
Dyllan shakes his head, no, and says, "Cronaxx said that magic can't be solved for everything."
"He's right," called out Cronaxx. "Magic is not a shortcut. Besides, if you frogs can't use magic, it would be unfair."
"And," said Hop pop. "If you guys have any other ideas that don't involve magic, the suggestion barrel is over there." He points to the barrel with a sign that says 'Suggestion' next to it. Sprig takes a piece of paper and pencil and writes down a different suggestion.
"I didn't know you guys have a suggestion barrel," said Tint.
"That's because I don't believe Hop pop reads our suggestions," said Polly. "I suggested a swimming pool months ago. After a few days, it never happened, and I stopped writing suggestions."
"Aw, come on, guys," said Sprig. "You have to have faith in Hop pop."
As Sprig slips the suggestion in the barrel, Tint sniffs a familiar smell. "Is something burning around here? I can smell fire."
"That's ridiculous," said Sprig. "The fire is probably in the kitchen."
"No," said Tint. "It smells close by." He walks up to the barrel and touches it. He can feel something heating up from the inside. He pushes it and finds a pit of fire below.
"A pit of fire?!" Anne cried.
"That's the exact opposite of a swimming pool," said Polly.
"Hang on," said Tint. He takes a heavy blanket from the shed and covers up the fire pit snuffing out the flames.
"Why would you do that Hop pop?" asked Dyllan.
"Because all suggestions are ridiculous," said Hop pop. "I mean, building swimming pools lead to attracting pests."
"But what about our suggestions?" Dyllan asked, referring to him and the Tormaks. " Are you just going to assume our suggestions are bad without even reading them?"
"Everyone has a say around the farm, Hopediah," said Cronaxx. "You listen to me most of the time."
"Only because it involves keeping the kids out of crazy shenanigans," said Hop pop. Cronaxx still gives him a displeasing look.
"Hop pop," said Tint. "We're working for you. It's the least you can do for all of us."
"If you won't listen to their suggestions," said Cronaxx. "Then, I will. And since I'm the wisest out of everyone, I will approve of them."
Hop pop groans, "Look, will it make you feel better if I promise to read your suggestions?"
Cronaxx grinned, "Hmm, what do you think kids?"
"Yes," said the kids unanimously.
Hop pop gives in, "Ugh! Fine! Now get back to work, kids."
Dyllan writes a suggestion, reading, 'No more apples in the vending machine please!' "Here's my suggestion Hop pop," he said.
Hop pop takes his suggestion and asks, "What the heck is a vending machine?"
"Just a machine that produces snacks back home," replied Dyllan. "But basically, this is a test that you'll keep your promise."
"Can we agree that this suggestion will never happen?" asked Hop pop.
"So long as vending machine's aren't around in this world, I can agree to that," said Dyllan.
The kids walk back to the fields and pull more weeds from the ground. "Do you ever wonder what would be different if I were in charge?" Sprig asked. "I'd listen to other people's suggestions."
"That may be true, Sprig," said Tint. "But do you know anything about running a farm?"
Sprig thinks for a moment and replies, "You got me there, Tint. I'm just a kid. I don't know squat."
Loyalty Among Worlds Opening Sequence
The opening sequence begins with the calamity box swirling in the darkness. Then faces the readers head on as the box releases a bright light. The bright light vanishes and shows Dyllan falling from the sky and landing in an oozy mud pit below. He pulls his head out to see the strange new world of Amphibia.
With the staff in flying into one hand and Tint and Cronaxx approaching his side, they climb on Clipper and venture through the skies.
The scene changes to the town of Wartwood. The Frogs from the village start their day with dragonflies flying around.
Dyllan's friend, Anne Boonchuy, steps outside, ready to take on the day. But she ducks at the sight of dragonflies.
Clipper lands in the field and Dyllan rushes to Anne's side with his glowing staff. Tint races to the house with his hands glowing with fireballs. And Cronaxx follows behind him, taking a smell of fresh air in the wind.
Up on the side of the house, Sprig takes out a telescope, looking at the horizon. That is until he falls into Polly's bucket and she responds to punching him out of it.
Sprig lands on Anne's head, Dyllan laughs, and Tint points to the distance. The four friends rush into the unknown.
The next scene shows Dyllan, Anne, Sprig, and Clipper running away from a giant chicken monster.
The next scene shows Dyllan, Cronaxx, and Tint, meditating in the center of a lake. Unaware that danger is lurking below the waters.
Another scene shows Tint and Sprig working together to decipher a message written on the walls. Dyllan and Anne enter the room, running for their lives from an oncoming boulder. Then, Tint destroys the boulder using his magic.
In a new scene, the area is red and dark. Anne and Dyllan stand back to back, with mud creatures surrounding them. Anne stands fierce with her tennis racket, while Dyllan shivers in fear with his staff in hand.
In the next scene, Dyllan looks to his faintly glowing hands. Anne steps in giving him a comforting smile, which makes Dyllan smile too. Then, a giant snake pops out of the bushes. Dyllan points his staff, petrifying the serpent and the two make a break for the farm.
The scene changes to a dark rainy night. The photo of the four humans is tangled in a tree branch with a flash of lightning showing a dark mysterious tower in the horizon.
In the final scene, Dyllan and Anne high five each other. Sprig jumps to Anne's side, and Tint closes a book he was reading and smiles at Dyllan. Hop pop, Cronaxx, and Polly join the four friends with smiles on their faces. Then, Dyllan raises his staff in the air and a bright light fills the scene.
The intro ends with a dark cave barely showing a possible mural in the back as the main titles appear from stardust falling from above. Then the scene cuts black as the titles go poof.
Chapter 18: Growing Pains
Later that day, Hop pop is supervising Dyllan and Anne herding the cow-a-pillars into the pasture. Anne takes the lead riding on Bessie, while Dyllan flies on Clipper. "Hit 'em up! Move 'em out!" Dyllan called out.
The herd follows Bessie and Anne smiles at their snail. "You got this, girl," she said. Bessie chirps happily in response and leads them to the open fields.
As Hop pop watches them leave with the heard, Cronaxx appears and calls out to them, "Remember, they tend to wander off easily, unlike the earthworms!" Hop pop groans and walks back to the ranch.
Then, Sprig, Polly, and Tint are seen cleaning up around the house. Tint is sweeping, while Sprig and Polly are clean the windows. He throws Polly into the air to spray with window cleaner. Then, Sprig uses his tongue and a rag, to clean off the cleaner.
Hop pop comes in, seeing mucus covering the windows. "Dang it boy," he cried. "What did I tell you about using your tongue to clean the windows?"
"I thought it was a good idea," replied Sprig.
"Might I suggest using this?" Cronaxx asked. He gives Sprig a fresh clean rag and a squeegee to wipe the windows.
"Let's give it a try," said Sprig. He jumps back and forth in the air, with Polly in his hands. She sprays the windows again with her window cleaner. When she finishes, Sprig jumps to the sprayed windows and wipes them with his squeegee. Tint smiles and points to the two frogs, just as they run out of breath. "Flotsalhaft." He magically levitates them to the other windows around the house, and they clean in record time.
Hop pop is displeased that Tint is using magic in their house, but Cronaxx smiles with approval and nods at him to stop. Tint nods back, and lets Sprig and Polly float back to the ground. "Let's do that again!" cried Polly. The kids laugh, and Tint pushes a pile of dirt with his broom.
At first he wants to hide the dirt under the rug, but Cronaxx catches him in the act and waves his finger, no. So he finds a mouse hole, and pushes the dirt there instead. Just as he finishes sweeping, the pile of dirt gets pushed back by a blue beetle. It chatters its mandibles with anger, and kicks the dirt as it retreats in its hole. Hop pop groans, and retreats in his study.
It's afternoon time, just after lunch, and Dyllan, Tint, and Cronaxx are in Hop Pop's study for their next lesson. The two students are studying herbology today. Cronaxx shows them a seed, beginning to sprout.
"Here's something to keep in mind, my students," he said. "That the magic of creation exists in these little seeds."
Dyllan takes notes in his sketchbook, while adding a few illustrations. A small rock is seen in front of his page.
"So by pretending that this rock is a seed," said Dyllan. "I could see it become anything, from a small flower, to a giant tree?"
"Exactly," replied Cronaxx. "And by judging your skills in magic. You are still a seed, Dralmac."
"I would take this as a compliment," said Tint. "And with the right amount of time, you'll become a sapling. Just like me."
Hop pop enters the room. "Excuse me, boys," he said. "What did I say about magic training inside the house?"
"It's okay Hop pop," said Cronaxx. "We're learning herbology skills by reading the basics, no magic required."
Hop pop looks down at the magic students with a smirk on his face, "They're not using seeds, they're using rocks."
"I know they are rocks," said Dyllan. "Don't you think I know a rock, when I see a rock? I spent most of my first days here around rocks."
Hop pop sighed, "Would you two mind if I talk with Cronaxx alone?"
"Go ahead, boys," said Cronaxx. "We'll put a pin on this lesson."
The two walk out of the study leaving Hop pop and Cronaxx alone. Hop pop crosses his arms and walks around the study. "Cronaxx, while I appreciate the fact that you're looking out for the kids' well being. I have to remind you that you're living on my property." Cronaxx nods, agreeing on his statement. "And you agree that you would look after your own kids. But when it comes to my kids, I won't tolerate you butting in on my parenting."
"I understand that Hop pop," said Cronaxx. "But when my kids are working with your kids, I can't help but treat them all as my students. We salamanders look out for all amphibians."
Hop pop just swipes a sack of seeds from his table and snaps, "Listen Cronaxx. We frogs look out for ourselves just like all the other amphibians on this planet. What I'm trying to say is plainly simple; stay out of my parenting with my kids!" He storms out, knocking down a picture from his desk, and Cronaxx sighs. He walks over to Hop pop's desk and sees a picture frame containing something inside.
Back out on the fields, Anne and Dyllan return the cattle from pasture and help Polly and Tint harvest the crops. "Do you think Hop pop's getting fussy with Cronaxx butting in?" Dyllan asks Anne.
"I think he's pretty jealous," replied Anne. "He's probably used to taking command around here."
"Alright gang," said Hop pop. "Let's start planting the new crops for next season." He takes out the sack of seeds from his study and plants them in the ground. "Now this is something Cronaxx couldn't possibly teach you kids."
"It doesn't hurt to have someone help you," said Dyllan. "I should know." Hop pop just ignores Dyllan and plants the last seed into the ground.
Late that night, under the full red moon, the light shines on the crops and sprouts begin popping out of the ground. The saplings turn into vines and start crawling through the windows of the Plantar house. One of the vines crawls into Hop pop's room and carefully picks him up off the bed without waking him up.
The vines continue to grow until they rip out a portion of the Plantar's farm. The vine carries Hop pop into the air. And on through the night it grew, onward and upward. Then, the large stalk comes to a full stop just as it reaches the cloud line.
The very next morning, Anne and Dyllan start to slowly wake up. Then, they hear Sprig and Tint calling to them, "Dyllan! Anne! Come quick!"
The two spring out of bed and rush outside. They stop in their tracks to see a giant stalk in front of the house, with a piece of the house missing.
"What the heck is that?!" Anne cried.
"It looks like some kind of giant beanstalk," replied Dyllan.
"Not exactly," said Cronaxx, coming out of the house. "That is the work of my magic seeds. Hop pop must have grabbed them from his study by mistake."
"Wait," said Polly. "Where is Hop pop?"
Then, the group hear a faint scream coming from above the clouds. It was Hop pop, who just woke up.
"He's up there!" cried Sprig. "We got to get him down."
Then, Tint spots something big falling from the stalk. "Look out! Take cover!"
The group retreat into the house as the object impacted the ground and the house shook. They slowly exit the house to see that it is a large stick of celery. As tall as they are, the humans marvel at the size of the vegetables.
"Hoopadaboopa!" cried Anne.
"Great Gobbling Galmytes!" cried Dyllan. "That's one big celery stick!"
"It must've come from that stalk," said Tint
Suddenly the ground starts shaking again. Hop pop is heard screaming as the stalk starts turning into a giant tree. Then, they see giant cucumbers sprouting from the stalk, and giant pumpkins growing from the roots.
"This is incredible!" Sprig cheered. "Your magic seeds made giant vegetables instantly growing in our farm!"
Then, a giant tomato falls and rolls across the farm. "Looks like the seeds grow fruits too," said Tint.
"This is bad, really bad," said Cronaxx.
"How is it bad?" asked Anne. "We could feed the valley for months." She takes a bite of the cucumber. "They even taste fresh."
"If there's one thing I've learned," said Cronaxx. "Is that big things, can lead to big problems."
"How bad can these be?" asked Dyllan. He takes a bite of the celery stick, enjoying the nutritional values of the vegetable.
Meanwhile, Hop pop is still clinging onto the stalk for dear life with his eyes closed. "HELP!" he cried. "SOMEBODY GET ME DOWN!"
A light shines from the sun, hitting Hop pop in the eyes. Then, he hears whispers from, 'Shh, it's okay.' To, 'We're only here to provide.' And, 'Take a look.' He blocks the sun with his arms and opens his eyes to a nature paradise. Everywhere he looks he can see flowers and vegetables, a farmer's paradise.
"Well I'll be," he said. "These are some of the most freshest vegetables I've ever seen."
He slowly gets on his feet and walks along the stalk to view the produce up close. 'Take it.' He picks off a tomato and judges it by its firmness and ripeness. "Just the right stage of harvesting," he said. "And in record time too." He slowly walks again, this time with more comfort, knowing how firm the stalk is. "This is mighty impressive.
Back at the farm, Anne, Sprig, and Dyllan, are enjoying more of the fruits and vegetables coming from the stalk-tree. After taking another bite of the celery, Dyllan starts to feel a growling pain in his stomach.
"Ugh," he moaned. "I think I ate too much." Suddenly his face starts to tingle and his head sprouts a couple of inches.
"Uh, Dyllan," said Tint. "I think there's something wrong with the vegetables."
"You think?" Sprig asked with big eyes.
"This is interesting," said Cronaxx. "The magic in these seeds have a strange effect on them. By consuming the vegetables with the magic inside, they give the creatures the same effects as the food."
"So by eating these foods," said Sprig. "They make us grow?" His legs start growing a few inches at a time.
"Most likely," replied Cronaxx. "We've got to destroy this tree before it hurts anyone else."
"But Hop pop is still up there," said Polly. "How are we going to get him down?"
Sprig, Anne, and Dyllan look to each other, seeing themselves growing before their eyes, slowly. Then, Anne comes up with an idea, "We can lift you guys up to the top. The more we eat, the more we grow. It'll be much easier to carry you guys up there and find him."
"Uncle," said Tint. "Think it'll work?"
"It has too," replied Cronaxx. "We don't have that many options."
So Sprig and the humans continue to eat the fruits and vegetables across the field. The more they eat, the more they grow. They grow taller, and taller, and taller, with every passing minute. Just as they are able to touch the clouds, the kids stop eating. Sprig picks up Cronaxx, Polly, and Tint with his giant hand, and the two giant humans give Sprig a boost above the cloudline.
"Now remember," said Cronaxx. "We find Hop pop, then we destroy the tree."
"Should be easy," said Polly.
"Uh, guys," said Dyllan, in a giant booming voice "Somethings happening to me." The trio look down to see Dyllan's legs turning green and roots are sprouting from his feet. The same thing happens to Anne as well.
"I think we're turning into a tree ourselves," said Anne.
"Let's hope we find him fast," said Tint.
They climb past the cloud line and see the end of the giant tree, as big as any other tree they have seen.
"It's beautiful," said Polly.
"Let's get a move on," said Cronaxx. "We may not have a lot of time."
They climb off of Sprig's giant hand just as they reach the nearby branch of the massive tree. Everywhere they look, everywhere they smell, they see fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and live insects all over the place. Tint takes a deep breath and smiles at the scenery.
"It's like a garden of paradise," he said.
"Indeed it is," said Hop pop.
Tint, Cronaxx, and Polly look up to see Hop pop with a corn crown on his head. A few large leaves as a cloak, a branch used as a walking stick, and a tomato necklace wrapped around his neck.
"Welcome family," he said. "Cronaxx, this tree is magnificent." he takes a few beets from his hand and gives it to Cronaxx. "Who would've thought that your magical seeds would bring something this glorious to life. Now we can provide to all the villagers for all time."
"Hop pop," said Cronaxx. "We can't do that. We must get off this tree and destroy it."
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"As beautiful as the produce is," said Cronaxx. "They are not fit for consumption. Remember what I said about magic? That it is not a shortcut to everyday life. Produce like this needs must be planted with care, one at a time."
With a painful look on his face, he looks to the produce and hears his own whispers. 'He's just a salamander. This is your paradise.'
"I don't know if I'm ready to let go of this tree yet," he said. "What if I never see anything like this again?"
"Hop pop," said Polly. "Sprig, Anne, and Dyllan are in trouble. They're being turned into trees because they ate this stuff."
Polly's statement shocks Hop pop back to reality. "Say WHAAAT?!" His crown popped off his head, his cape blew away, and he drops his walking stick. "Let's go save my grandson!"
"Hooray!" cried the group.
"Ugh, hurry up guys!" cried Sprig. "The floral has reached Dyllan and Anne's shoulders!"
"Let's get moving," said Tint.
"Hang in there, boy! Hop pop's a comin'!" he cried.
The four reach Sprig's hand and Sprig gets Cronaxx's signal that they're ready to return to the surface. Just as Sprig jumps down, the ground shook, causing all the citizens of Wartwood to fall on their faces. Luckily, most of the houses remained in tact.
"How do we stop all this?" asked Hop pop.
"The same way we started this," replied Cronaxx. "With magic." He turns to Tint. "Remember our lesson on how to stop vegetation from growing?"
Tint nods and says, "We need to freeze the roots below to stop them from growing."
"Exactly," said Cronaxx. "Follow me."
The four reach the base of the tree, just as the vegetation on Dyllan and Anne reach up to their necks, and Sprig's feet take root as they turn green as well. "Hurry up guys!" he cried.
Cronaxx and Tint plant their hands on the base, and Hop pop looks up to the clouds to see his garden of paradise one last time. "Goodbye tree, good friend," he said silently.
The salamanders chant, repeating the magic words, "Chryo plastoral, unborugh!" These magic words cause ice to appear from their hands and freeze the base of the tree. The roots in the ground below get covered in ice and cause the tree to loose its leaves and wither away. The tree starts shrinking from the sky, back to the ground. And the green floral that's covering Anne, Dyllan and Sprig, went away and returned them back to their regular sizes. The once giant tree became a shrinking stalk, and the stalk withered away. For without the magic of life growing inside, everything dies down back into the seeds Hop pop planted yesterday.
After the spell was over, Cronaxx uses his magic to fix Hop pop's house and fields again, and Tint collects the seeds from the ground.
"I'm sorry I planted your magic seeds," said Hop pop.
"It's okay," said Cronaxx. "It was an honest mistake."
"And as amazing as the salamanders' magic is," said Polly. "We still want you, Hop pop."
"Yeah," said Sprig. "We were so worried when you were carried away, and we thought we lost you."
"You have amazing grandkids who look up to you Hop pop," said Cronaxx. He gives him the picture frame he found in his study, containing a drawing of him, his grandkids, and their farm. "As for me, I've got a relative who needs me more than he realizes."
"Please don't bring me into this squeamishness, Uncle," says and embarrassed Tint.
"Oh, get in here kids," said Hop pop, offering a hug. Sprig and Polly accept the offer and hug their grandfather with tears in their eyes. Dyllan looks to them with a soft smile on his face. Anne smiles at them too.
Later that day, the kids are working in the fields again, this time with more upbeat and more passion. Anne and Dyllan start sweating after plowing the crops. Anne wipes the sweat of her face and asks, "Think we could get some shade around here?"
Hop pop responds by planting a big mushroom over the humans, giving them enough shade to work with. "Great suggestion, Anne," he said. "And Polly, I have a surprise for you."
"Really? What is it?" she asked.
"Ta-dah!" Hop pop reveals a small watering hole, that's big enough for Polly to enjoy. "I know swimming pools attract pests. But I know how much you want one. So I kept it small in size so you could enjoy it."
A small dragonfly enters the watering hole, and Polly jumps in and chomps it down in one bite. "Thanks, Hop pop," she said.
"Hey, Hop pop," said Sprig. "I have other suggestions we can do around the farm," said Sprig.
"Did you put them in the suggestion barrel?" asked Hop pop.
"I sure did," replied Sprig.
"Then, I'll read them tonight," said Hop pop. "But I'm burning the suggestions I don't agree with, understand?"
"Okay, Hop pop," replied Sprig. "I don't think most of my ideas would work anyway. They could cause serious damage to the ecosystem."
"Well, we'll never know unless we try," said Cronaxx. "Oh, sorry, Hop pop."
"It's okay Cronaxx," said Hop pop. "I was thinking the exact same thing."
Later that night, Cronaxx and Hop pop were sitting by the fire place reading Sprig's suggestions. Cronaxx uses his magic to levitate the notes and hand them over to Hop pop.
"Thanks Cronaxx," he said.
"You're welcome, Hop pop," said Cronaxx.
The two read through suggestions all through the night. And any suggestions Hop pop won't agree with, he throws them in the fireplace, or Cronaxx snaps his fingers to make them disappear. And any of the suggestions Hop pop agrees with, he puts them aside in the agreement pile and in the maybe piles.
In the basement, while Anne fell asleep first, Dyllan looks into his backpack and pulls something old and withered out. It is an old kindergarten drawing he made for family day. He drew himself, his mother, his father, and his grandparents. He drew a red house with a smoking chimney, a smiling sunshine, and grass on the ground.
Dyllan smiles softly as he looks to the date of the day he drew that, and a few dry tear stains next to it. His smile turns into a frown and he folds the drawing back in his backpack, carefully. Then, he turns to face the wall as he prepares to sleep.
Keep on Truckin'!