Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been a rather long and tiring journey to get back to Newtopia. Certainly not as long as Anne’s journey on snail back a few weeks ago but still it took about two days at least.

Andrias had given Marcy the royal credit card as well as arranged for personal hotel suites for their journey back to the city. Which was very kind of him don’t get her wrong but still, the stops in between only provided a momentary pause of rest. Perhaps a few hours of sleep if she were lucky enough. The majority of the trip was spent with her navigating her bevolved bird Joe Sparrow as the loyal bird carried three humans, three frogs and a toad on his back and one giant robot in his talons. Definitely more passengers than he was use to carrying at one time.

By the time the group actually reached the Newtopian gates the poor thing was so exhausted from the weight that he’d practically face planted into the ocean surrounding the gates of the city. Frobo had (albeit with much strain) rescued them thank frog but Marcy silently promised herself to never do that to him again.

“Ok for Joe’s sake nobody else is allowed to join our party”

Marcy said as she coughed up a bit of water she’d accidentally inhaled from the sudden unprompted swim. The team around her nodded and made noises of agreeance as they all disembarked Joe in their own unique ways. Traits Marcy loved about them. The quirky little ways the did things.

Anne, accompanied by her honorary little siblings Sprig and Polly slid down one of Joe's wings like it was a slide at a festival. Screaming in excitement as they did. Anne laughing her infectious laugh that made Marcy quickly follow suit.

Sasha accompanied by Grime leapt down from the back of Joe with near perfect precision. It was amazing to see how much Sasha had grown as a person in Amphibia and seeing how protective she seemed made her heart trust her even more.

“Whoo! Back to Newtopia”.

Marcy squealed as she ran towards the gates of her temporary home. It was just as pretty as when she’d left it. Blue and green Newtopian Marble plastered on the gates and golden trimmings surrounding it. The walls a pretty aquamarine and polished to near perfection despite its cracks. She’d missed this place.

“Alright let’s go over the plan one more time!. First I’m gonna get us into the city”

She explained gesturing to herself in a very theatrical fashion. A common trait amongst theatre kids like herself. Next she gestured to Anne who was holding her old pink school bag containing the ever sought after music box.

“Anne’s got the music box ready to give to King Andrias”

“Yep”.

Anne pulled out the aforementioned item. The music box was wooden and painted a dark green. With intricately carved designs of frogs around its edges and three gems on top. One pink, one blue and one green. The third of which Marcy felt strangely drawn towards. Though she shrugged it off as a mere rush of nerves and turned her attention to Sasha and Grime.

“And finally Sasha and Grime. Hoods up until after we give the king the music box”

She ordered trying to protect her friend and Sasha’s uh. Father figure? Sure that seemed accurate. Her friend and her friend's father figure. Andrias would surely listen to her right?. She knew Andrias had gotten attached to her as the daughter he never had. Mostly because she had gotten attached to him as the father she wished she had. Luckily that came with its advantages. Advantages like being able to talk her way into a royal pardon for Sasha and Grime.

“Once I tell him how much you helped he’ll clear you for sure!!”.

Sasha and Grime pulled up the hoods of their custom made my Marcy cloaks to hide themselves and smiled at her.

“Copy that”.

“Will do”.

The group followed Marcy up to the gates of Newtopia where she waved up happily to the newt guard at the gate. Recognising her as Tippa, a girl she’d been on a couple of missions with in the night guard before.

“Marcy Wu and crew reporting to King Andrias”.

She proudly announced. Tippa looked at the crowd for a moment and seeing that Marcy had brought back with her the human and frogs she’d met a few weeks ago. A harmless little robot and what looked to be her bodyguards. Probably issued by King Andrias seeing as how protective he was over her. Nodded to her fellow guards as they began to open the gate for them.

The gates opened before them and the travelers entered the beautiful city. Stunning Buildings lined the streets in neat little rows. People haggled with each other at market stalls and others polished stone lined the pavement. Sasha was in absolute awe. That this would soon be all hers. Marcy’s and Anne's too, once she could make them see reason.

She looked up ahead at the two girls talking. Wondering just how much of their journey she’d missed out on.

“What an amazing adventure. Almost makes you wish it could last forever huh?

Marcy commented, smiling at Anne and practically bouncing in excitement on the way to the castle.

“Mmm not sure I’d go that far. But, yeah it was pretty cool“.

Anne replied looking back at her frog family. Happily talking away to each other about how cool the city was and how much stuff they were going to try and buy this time.

Sasha was lost in her thoughts about her upcoming rule. All the power she could ever want right there at her fingertips, her two best friends by her side. Marcy could have all the cool fancy fantasy dresses she desired and she’d even let Anne make her frog family nobels if she wished. Anything for her friends.

There was some kind of commotion up front involving the little pink pollywog. But she paid no mind to it, focusing on her mission, going over the plan again and again in her head.

Her attention was caught by a sentence Sprig uttered. One she hadn’t actually considered yet

“I can’t believe we did it. After all our adventures, this is the end”.

Oh… she hadn’t thought about that part. Not that it mattered now. Soon all of Amphibia would be under their control. Maybe if they could fix up the music box they could take over other worlds too. Maybe even Earth.

“Woah just because the adventures over dosnt mean we can’t see each other”.

Anne said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and offering a comforting smile.

“As long as we’ve got that music box I’ll be able to visit wherever I want”

She assured him. And she had no idea just how right she was. With entire worlds including Amphibia in their control Anne could pay them a visit whenever she wanted. Marcy could visit Olivia, Yunan and Andrias if she so wished to.

“You guys can even come visit me in my world”

Anne gasped as she swung Sprig onto her back with intention to carry him the rest of the way.

“That’ll be awesome”

Sprig replied his eyes filling with joy.

‘It will, especially when we rule it’

Sasha added in her head.

“Right? I’ll take you to fast food”.

“I don’t know what that is but yayy”.

—————————————————————————-

Andrias awaited his (daughter) charge Marcy and her friends to arrive with the precious music box. Finally after 1000 years he’d fulfill his promise, atone for his mistakes. Stop being a screw-up like The Core said he was.

Lady Olivia, his most trusted advisor, who had also become Marcy’s nanny and governess for lack of better words stood loyally next to him. There were two guards to his side, spears and shields in their hands to protect him, Olivia and Marcy from any harm. Though he doubted that would be the case right now it’s not like there was a massive coup about to take place.

“My friends! Wonderful to see you. I trust you were successful”.

His booming voice echoed throughout the room.

His (daughters) charge’s friend pulled out the shining music box. All three gems now illuminated.

“Boom baby!”.

Finally he could make up for what he’d done. He heard The Core cheer in delight. Chatting about how happy they were and how long they’d waited.

“The charged music box. Well done. Well done!”

He exclaimed as the Core continued to cheer and clap in absolute delight.

“Now let’s finally send you girls home”

He didn’t want to part with Marcy; he didn't want her to get possessed by The Core either. But he had to, it's not like he got a choice. So he reached down to claim his prize. The thing that would finally allow him to be accepted into The Core one day. The thing that would prove he was not a failure.

The brunette girl, Anne lifted the glowing thing up to him and he felt his guilt slowly melt away. Perhaps they’d let him adopt Marcy as an heir. Possess one of the other humans, gain strength or heart. Then he would raise her as his own and when he joined The Core she would rule over the worlds they took over. He’d finally be a Leviathan again. He wouldn’t be disowned. He’d have a child of his own and he’d be accepted by his family.

His thoughts of that were crushed when a slimy purple tongue wrapped it around the music box and brought it straight over to the blonde hooded figure's grip. He hadn’t assigned Marcy any guards to go with her to Wartwood? Who was this?.

“Sasha what are you doing!?”

Anne cried as she lifted her face into the light. That was Grimes lieutenant. Sasha was the other human? Not some stray newt Grime had joined forces with?

“Doing what I do best”

Sasha said, smiling smugly as she held the music box tight in her hand. as she flipped the hood off her head revealing an evil smirk and mischievous glint in her eyes as she did.

“Taking control. NOW GRIME!”

Grime flipped his own hood off which caused both Marcy and Andrias to gasp in horror. The night guard had been tracking him for months. Marcy, although she’d never admit it, was terrified of him. Anne quickly shot her look that seemed to say

‘Don’t worry I’ll protect you from them’

But not even that would calm her nerves. Grime lifted up a hammer. Barrels hammer much to Andriases sadness, and smashed it on the ground. The remaining group, including Andrias whose first name was quite literally the scientific name for the GIANT Chinese Salamander. All plummeted to the floor with a scream. Sasha felt a twinge of guilt as she saw Anne’s anger and how Marcy looked at her like she was terrified of her. But it was not enough to stop her plan.

A guard rushed to stop them but she was quickly defeated by both Sasha and Grime. Marcy screamed at that. It was probably someone she knew. They’d be fine though… probably.

“What the heck is going on here?”

Hop Pop demanded as the group looked on in fear and shock. Even the robot looked frightened of her.

“Cut it out you guys”

Anne added reaching out to her for no apparent reason. Perhaps an attempt to calm her down or something. She didn’t need to be calmed down. She was going to rule this dimension and the next.

Sasha’s response however was quickly silenced with a roar from Andrias as he bared his teeth at them snarling like a wild animal. Picking himself up off the floor he walked on all fours as a way to improve his speed and agility. A talent all newts had should they choose to utilise it. And charged towards what looked like a very frightened Grime.

With no hesitation he headbutted him into the wall and he crashed with a groan of pain. Andrias had two thoughts in his mind at that point and two only.

‘Protect The Music Box’.

‘Protect his adopted child’.

He started daggers at the little toad in front of him ready to attack him again if need be. It would be easy enough with his size and the rage currently circulating through him. Just as he was about to tell the toad in front of him to surrender the voice of the toad’s lieutenant piped up behind him.

“Stop!”

She ordered and he turned to face her. The child held the music box in her hand and was holding it over the balcony. The balcony on the highest floor of the castle. If she dropped it they were done for.

“Not another move or I smash it to pieces”

She threatened. The two other humans, his daughter and her friend rushed outside in a panic. He knew she was bluffing. They both did not.

“No! Sasha”

They both cried in worried unison. The blonde only ignored them for now keeping her gaze fixed on Andrias knowing just how much power she had at this moment.

“You wouldn't, that's your only way home!”.

He tried to reason. Keeping up his tough facade despite the fear churning in his stomach to the point he felt sick.

Sasha still holding the music box over the edge of the balcony merely stared at him with some sort of power crazed glee.

“Maybe I don’t want to go home and rule a school. Maybe I wanna stay here and rule a kingdom”

Both Marcy and Anne were holding back tears at this point. Both were terrified of what was going on. Andrias stood his ground however. Despite his legs shaking in fear he could not show it.

“You’re bluffing!”.

“Try me!”.

The teenager reached her hand and thus the music box further outward towards the ground below them. She only had to let go and he’d be disowned from his family forever. He needed to get that box. Now!

In a spur of the moment Grime hit Andrias’s leg with a hammer and he fell to the floor in pain yelping as he struggled to get back up.

“KING ANDRIAS”

Marcy yelled out to him in a voice filled with so much panic that alone nearly made him cry. He tried to turn to her to tell her he was alright. But he couldn’t move enough to do so.

“Both of you stop this”

Anne demanded in a much angrier tone. Fire in her words. Fear in her heart.

“Stop? But we’re just getting started”

Grime taunted. He let out a roar of some kind. A sound no earth toad any of the humans had encountered sounded like. and suddenly throughout Newtopia an army of hidden toads emerged.

The soldiers lead by Tippa raised their weapons to attack. A handful were quickly taken down by the toads but the others were ready to fight.

“Soldiers of Newtopia!”

A voice rang out from upon the castle balcony that overlooked the city as Tippa saw the sickening sight of General Grime of all toads standing upon the trembling king's back. Hammer in hand.

“Put down your arms this instant or the next thing I smash will be your kings head”

The soldiers turned to Tippa who gave a fearful nod and the guards dropped their spears and shields to the ground with a thud and a clink of metal as toads surrounded them.

“Excellent. OPEN THE GATE”

Grime ordered and two toads began to spin the contraption that opened the doors to Newtopia. Two more pushed a piece of metal against it to keep it still and Grime along with several other toad soldiers walked a now handcuffed Andrias back inside.

“So you think you’ve won do you?”

He asked trying to keep up his facade. Trying to convince himself he was going to be ok. That his daughter was going to be ok.

“Sure do”

Grime responded looking up at him smugly.

“And if you think things are bad now, in a couple of hours the rest of our army will be at your doorstep. Take him to the dungeon and find an extra large cell”

He demanded snatching the crown from his head as the toads led Andrias away in ropes and chains, making sure there was no possible way to escape them.

“You’ll never get away with this!”.

He said as he was led towards the dungeons. In a last desperate attempt he gave a nod to Marcy that seemed to tell her this was her fight now. She was In charge. He’d really hoped not to give the throne to her this only even just temporarily. But what choices did they have left?

To his relief she gave him a nod back. Clearly understanding what he was implying. He knew he should have told her about The Core sooner they could have helped her. Now this poor 13 year old child was left alone to deal with this mess.

“Well frogs say hello to the new rulers of Amphibia”

Grime announced as Sasha stood by his side proudly holding up the thankfully still intact music box. Placing the new crown on her head

“Pretty hot right?”

Trying not to laugh at how Grime had just used that teenage slang she had taught him, Sasha walked over to her friends coolly. As if she hadn’t just taken over an entire kingdom and imprisoned Marcy’s honorary father figure in the dungeons.

“Sorry things got a little crazy back there. You guys good?”.

She asked. Swinging her arms over their shoulders like how one would pose for a photo. Marcy was to stunned to move and let Sasha’s hand rest upon her shoulder. Almost paralysed in fear. Anne had a very different approach.

“Good? Are you serious!?”

She spat in anger as she smacked Sasha’s hand away from her. Eyebrows furrowing and eyes narrowing in raw pure fury. For a second both humans swore they saw her eyes flash blue.

“Sheesh don’t be a sore loser”

Sasha said as she gave the still very much freighted Marcy a friendly pat on the back before running up to HER new throne. Throwing the little music box next to her.

“I’m gonna stay and get this toad regime off the ground, but I can totally send you two home if you want”

She was of course lying through her teeth but hey if that fake promise got them to listen to her then.

Marcy was still absolutely frozen in fear. But Anne’s blood boiled with rage. She was so angry that her face turned red.

“Or you can stick around and give me a hand? So what do you say?”

‘Not like you get a choice’ she thought silently to herself

“What do I say?”

Anne repeated as anger swirled inside her mind and heart. She was done. She was done being friends with this manipulator!. Marcy and her were going home with or without her. But not until they’d freed Amphibia from her iron fist.

“After everything you’ve done!? I say your clearly insane if you think I’m going to let you bully me and everyone else just to get what you want”

Sasha kept her cool and looked down upon her friends. Poor Marcy still seemed terrified though she was calming down a faint green and orange glow surrounding her hair. Eh probably just a trick of the light. Anne was the main priority now. Marcy was far easier to coax to her side she could be dealt with later. Anne could not

“Anne I know you’re upset but just-“

“No I’m done listening to you, I’m done trusting you. You’re a horrible person and I’m done being friends with you”

She screamed. Not a hint of regret at her words behind her eyes. Sasha nearly burst into tears. But she stayed strong. One of the frogs said something. She did not register it.

Seemingly having snapped out of her fearful trance Marcy opted for the passive route. Though she was still terrified just slightly calmer than before. As if a voice had mixed with her own in her mind to sooth her. But she couldn’t focus on that right now.

“Anne, you don’t mean that. We can still fix this”.

“No Marcy. We can’t”.

“Fine Well since we’re not friends I guess I’ll just send Anne home”

She said attention drawn to only the brunette. Marcy was filled with a sense of dread and confusion. Was she not going home then? Just Anne?. And if not what did Sasha have planned for her?.

“And you can say goodbye to your little frog family forever. Don’t worry Mar-Mar you’re staying with me and with your newt maids Lady Olive and General Yu- something. But you Anne you’re leaving. Now!”

“You wouldn’t”

Anne said praying it was a bluff. It was not. Sasha only smirked at her.

“My Box. My Rules”.

“Sasha, wait!”.

Marcy cried but she only shushed her as she snapped at two toad guards who seized her.

“It’s for the best Marce I’ve always liked you better anyway.”

Anne gasped as she turned to the three frogs behind her. Hop Pop, Polly and Sprig.

“No”

She cried trying to run to the Plantars as Sasha opened the box and Marcy struggled against her restraints

“Sorry Anne, say hi to your parents for me!”.

She said as the box fully opened. Nothing happened.

“Wha?”

Sasha questioned as she looked out towards the guards.

“The Podium child”

A voice seemed to say in her mind. It spooked her a bit and she jumped. Having no idea where the voices were coming from.

“Calm down. We won’t bring you harm. We are The Core, a collection of Amphibias greatest minds. The crown you took from Andrias, that’s how we communicate with you. We can help eachother out. Here we’ll give you an example. See that circle in the middle of the floor. Go ahead and stand on that.. it should be enough strength to activate it”.

With seemingly no other option she did as she was told and stepped onto the circle. It began to glow around her. A podium arose from it glowing pink, green and blue.

“Perfect, now put the music box on it. The castle will fly up and then the box will be able to open up a portal for you”.

Hesitantly Sasha placed the thing down. A giant roar erupted as the castle floated up into the air. A wave of commotion swept through Newtopia as a rush of energy was sent through the streets and bits and pieces of the castle fell . Nothing that couldn’t be fixed though.

“If you open the box now a portal should appear. Keeping Marcy is wise. She’s smart , we can use her. But send Anne and those frogs through that portal. Get rid of all your enemies. You can always try to convince her to join us when we take over earth, yes?”

‘You’ll help me?’

She asked back in her mind. Confused but hopeful that this thing would guide her through her invasions.

“Of course we will. We want the same thing as you. Control. Now go ahead send that traitor home”

As if she were a clockwork doll without even thinking about it Sasha reached for the box and opened it. A blinding blue light erupted from it and through the distortion was California LA.

“Guards. Keep the raven haired girl. I have plans for her. As for the brunette and frogs, throw them in the portal now!.

Saluting to her the guards did as ordered and seized Anne and the Plantars throwing them through the portal back to Earth. Sasha shut the box with a snap. The blue vanished. Anne was gone. She and the Plantars were trapped in another dimension.

“ANNIE!?”

Marcy screamed, reaching for the box. Sasha walked over and placed an arm over her shoulder once more rubbing her upper back gently with the other in little circles.

“Hey now it’s ok Marcy. Look let’s get you up to your room ok? It’ll have to be locked since you don’t trust me yet but your newt maids can stay with you. I have some things to attend to but then we can paint eachothers nails or something. Whatever you want. Guards escort Crowned Princess Marcy and the pink and blue newt to her chambers please.”

Despite Marcy’s protests Sasha said nothing she walked back to the throne and sat lazily in it smiling triumphantly. For Sasha had won.

Chapter Text

Andrias sat bored in his cell. It was an uncomfortable fit that made his shoulders slouch and head dip; it was not big enough to cage him without discomfort he felt like his sides were being squeezed and he’d had to curl his knees up to fit properly. He doubted Sasha nor Grime cared.

Perhaps the only comfort he received being stuck in this hell was the occasional visits from Marcy whenever she escaped her own gilded cage. The teenager would sneak down and bring him real food. Not the horrid gruel he was fed along with the other prisoners. She hadn’t come back in a while but Andrias understood for the last time she attempted to visit Sasha had caught her. Sasha had softly reprimanded her as not to upset her and told to straight return to her room warning her that next time she wouldn’t be so generous. Security of Marcy increased tenfold after that incident. And she had not returned since.

Until today that is. The teenager wore a cloak over her head to hide her features. Most of the guards in the castle had trouble differentiating between her and Sasha and with the silver collars wrapped around their necks and their eyes a sickening pink they didn’t think to check if the Sasha-shaped figure before them was actually their queen. They didn’t think at all in fact. Only obeyed Sasha and The Core.

“Leave us”

She ordered the guards. Waving her hand at them in dismissal. With a perfectly robotic bow the two soilders patrolling his cell walked out the doors in a synchronised manner that felt just too perfect.

The second the doors shut the hood of the girls falling neatly onto her shoulders reveling the raven haired adolescent underneath it.

“Hello Andrias”

She greeted. Her voice barely above a whisper in order not to attract any attention. If his captor. If her captor knew of this they’d both be in major trouble. Even if he was the only family Marcy felt she had left and he felt the same about her.

Sasha barely let Marcy leave her room without her in tow. Something about keeping her safe. Re-earning her trust. No doubt thoughts The Core had placed in the blondes mind. If she were to find out she’d snuck down here again there was no telling what she’d do.

Marcy offered him a some she’d placed into a paper bag. Half-smiling as she did, his stomach growled with hunger. The gruel he was fed did little more than keep him healthy. It was never filling.

“It’s from lunch Sasha had a banquet to celebrate two months of her rule. I told her I was saving it for later. There’s all kinds of fancy food in here. Please go on take it”

She insisted. Andrias gripped the paper bag with the promised food with his claws and took a peek inside. Dung beetle scones with a side of cream from the royal heard of cowapillars. cheesy flies with extra cheese and a packet of beetle jerky. Marcy had clearly tried to separate the foods from each other as best she could but Andrias was honestly grateful for anything at all.

Still he knew the child couldn’t stay here. She’d already been here dangerously to long. If a Frobot or one of Sasha’s soilders found out she had escaped… she’d be in trouble. She’d be in trouble because of him.

“Thank you my little one but you must go now. Run back to your room before Sasha finds out you're gone alright?”

A sigh escaped the adolescents lips as her eyes darted to the floor beneath them. It was cold and harsh unlike the soft meticulously cleaned carpets of her room that she spoke of. He knew she didn’t want to leave him their alone. He knew she had to for her safety.

“Marceline please. Go before that tyrant finds you”

He practically begged. The child did not budge. As if some kind of force was keeping her here. No no not a force an emotion. Fear. She was scared to leave him. She was scared to leave him alone with Sasha.

“Marceline… Marcy. I need you to listen to me alright little one can you do that?”

She forced met his eyes tears glistening in her own. Heavy breaths of panic erupted from her lungs. She was starting to have a panic attack. Still she gave a tentative nod as the tears in her eyes fell to her cheeks

“Hey little one it’s ok. Take a deep breath in for four hold for one out for four”

Andrias was very accustomed to dealing with Marcy’s panic attacks at this point. She’d had one only a few days after meeting him for the first time. She’d been worried for her friends when they’d been no sight of them and he’d taught her a technique he’d used himself in his younger years. It always seemed to calm her. Even slightly.

After a few repetition of the breaths Marcy’s tears slowly stopped down and her breaths slowed. She looked back at up at him and let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks Drais”

She said as she began to back away from the cell waving him a small goodbye.

“You’re right I should go… enjoy your food Andrias ok?”

And just like that she was gone. Andrias was alone once more
—————————————————————————

Sasha had endured a long boring day of ruling over an entire dimension with an iron fist. She’d been planning a lovely ball for her and Marcy to enjoy but that had required hours of planning just today alone. She sent out Frobots to survey for any areas that may have any sign of a resistance against her and she’d had her daily meeting about earths domination with The Core. Yet another fight about who they would use as a host now that Marcy was out of the picture on account of being Sasha’s soon to be second in command. She kept her safe. She cared for her. If she was going to be a good best friend and get back into Marcy’s good graces she needed to protect her. That was only on top of the other hundred boring things she was forced to do that day.

She had arranged for a lunch with Marcy earlier. She’d had the entire kitchen staff make Marcy’s favourite foods and drinks and set the table up with her favourite flowers. She was even so kind as to let her two newt maids accompany her, Olivia and Yunan. After a particularly close escape attempt from Marcy involving Yunan Sasha had her collared both as a means to ensure that would never happen again and as an unspoken warning they both understood.

Defy her again and Olivia was next.

Marcy had never gone against her again after that. She’d stayed in her room where she belonged. She let Sasha do her makeup and style her hair. She was finally starting to trust her again. They were finally friends again. Marcy was hers. She was Marcy’s.

And now Sasha got to participate in one of her favourite parts of the entire day. Visiting Marcy in her room!!. She had the nail painting set in tow and was excited to see what color Marcy use choose for the nails this month.

“Oh Mar-Mar I’m here to visit”

She called to her. Knocking on the door to the lavishly decorated room she’d made for her. Well she hadn’t made it exactly but she had ordered her servants to.

When no response came She began to grow slightly worried. Sure in the earlier days when her poor Marcy was still brainwashed by Andrias and Anne and almost everyone else they knew except for her she wouldn’t answer the door the first few times she knocked. But these days… these days she’d come running

“Marcy. I’ve unlocked your door. You can open now”

Still nothing. Marcy probably just hadn’t heard her right? Yeah that’s it she was asleep. They were friends weren’t they? Marcy understood that both her and The Core were only looking out for her. This room was safe. That’s what The Core said at least. She’d told it Marcy would be ok that she was in charge now so she’d be safe. The Core had disagreed

“You need her loyal to you”

It had told her in that layered robotic voice.

“Do you really think the resistance lead by those stupid little frogs won’t try to take her from you. Brainwash her into thinking her rightful place is with them and not us”.

She hadn’t believed them at first. Marcy was strong she was the chief ranger in the Newtopian night guard surely she could handle herself. Even if the resistance came to take Marcy from her then she had a mirage of guards and spies in town to ensure her safety. There was no need to keep her locked away in a palace if she was perfectly fine in Newtopia. It was after her first attempt to run off and join the resistance that her thoughts on it had changed.

“See, she'll only run if you allow her outside the palace gates. She’s far safer here don’t you think”.

From that point on she had started listening to The Core more closely. Maybe it did know what it was saying maybe it was right. Maybe it really did know best. It had only taken a week more of ‘encouragement’ from them for her to keep Marcy in her room only allowed out if she was accompanying her. If The Core said that was the best course of action then it was.

She slowly and quietly opened the door as to not wake her clearly just asleep and totally not escaped again best friend Marcy. Her heart dropped when she was met nothing with an empty room. Marcy had left the safety of her room… yet again.

“MARCY!?”

She called in a panic as she slammed the door behind her so hard it shook the very walls it sat between and rushing down the large marble hallway her voice reverberating off the walls as she screamed her name over and over.

“GUARDS GUARDS MARCY IS MISSING FIND HER AND BRING HER TO ME FIND ME MY PRECIOUS RAVEN”

She cried in a terrifying mix of fear and anger. Why did Marcy not trust her?. She understood not trusting The Core yet but not her. How on earth was she going to make the girl understand she was only doing what was best for her.

“Calm now child we will help you locate her alright? Why don’t you think of a way to correct this behaviour of hers in the future hm?”.

“I don’t know how, Core. I thought collaring Yunan would do the trick but she still won’t listen. I’ll have to collar Olivia now too of course but what does it matter. How do I make her understand?. How do I make us friends again?”

She asked it. Desperate for any answer that had any hope in convincing Marcy to just listen to her. She had a duty to protect her The Core had been right. Marcy was far to clumsy and fragile to be outside her room without her. What if she was already hurt.

“Yes, collar Olivia make her useful. As for your little raven, well we believe we have a few options to make her… see things your way we shall put it”

“I’m listening”

Chapter Text

(Another month later)

It had taken three exhausting months to get to where they were now. Three Months of the Plantars living with Anne and her parents in their house. Three months of hiding their true identities, of running from Mr X and his team of government agents trying to capture them, of trying to be normal.

The Plantars and Anne had tried to break into a museum about two weeks into their stay on earth. After a pine green vase with a picture of the music box intricately carved on the front caught their attention. Unfortunately the heist hadn’t gone as planned and they’d been found by the museum’s curator Dr Jan before they could find any clues, and to make matters entirely worse she had seen the Plantars true identity. Dr Jan however was a very eccentric woman, for lack of a better word of course and had been fascinated by the supernatural since she was a child. So, once finding out about their situation she had been more than happy to help them get back to Amphibia.

In a matter of three days later they had acquired their first clue. Under a black light was a secret message. Written in ancient Amphibian runes. Luckily Anne had managed to secure Marcy’s journal before being sent back to earth and double luckily Marcy in all her wisdom had translated ancient Amphibian runes into English. From the countless nights Anne had spent awake learning it she was able to decipher it.

“Seek the Mother of Olms. She will guide you to your destiny.”

True none of them knew what it meant but it was a clue nonetheless. A chance to free Marcy, a chance to stop Sasha, a chance to save Amphibia from her iron fist.

Another week went by searching and hiding and looking for further clues until they finally came across a chance. A string theory expert working on portals to other dimensions. A scientist named Dr Frakes. Who turned out to be a horrible person who tried to experiment on the Plantars and couldn’t even get them back. That adventure needless to say hadn’t turned out so well.

They had, however, gained a new ally from it. A 21 year old university student studying physics at UCLA named Terri. Terri had worked part time with Dr Frakes in order to pay rent for her dorm, but had been promptly fired the minute she betrayed her to help the Plantars. Being the kind person she was she had vowed to use her studies
and resources available to her to help the Plantars and Anne return to Amphibia.

Over the next three and a half weeks they all worked tirelessly to try and rebuild the portal needed to get them back. It had required long nights. It had been hours of research and hours of assembling all the things they needed. All in an abandoned warehouse they’d had to try and fix up the best they could but they were slowly but surely making progress.

Today in particular was a Saturday and Anne had a really good feeling about it. Perfect today was the day they would return. The kids and Hop Pop all taken a small break for lunch and sat together on one of the shipment boxes enjoying some much needed food.

“Oh got to love this avocado roast”

Hop Pop exclaimed, taking a bite out of the sourdough bread topped with the lightly seasoned fruit.

“It’s avocado toast, dude”

Anne corrected, adjusting her posture slightly and trying not to think about how broken Marcy must be at the hands of Sasha. By now she’d be completely under her control, and how Olivia and Yunan must be trapped in the dungeons and how Andrias was trapped and Wartwood was in trouble and-

“In Amphibia the avocados are covered with poisoned barbs that cause blindness”

Hop Pop informed snapping Anne out of her thoughts. A welcomed conversation that led her mind away from the constant what ifs she conjured up. Even it the conversation was about avocados.

“But here there just creamy and delicious”

He concluded, taking another bite out of the toast and smiling. At least he had a small comfort here. At least he was happy.

Unable to wait a second longer Sprig jumped up, quite literally from his place against the box and approached the table where Terri was working on the calculations for the portal.

“How’s the portal going, Terri?”

He asked inquisitively.

“Pretty good. Come over here!”

She motioned for the family (and their honorary family member Anne) to come to see her work and they excitedly rushed over to see what was going on. Curious to know just how far along they were to getting them home.

“When you told me about the calamity box I wondered, why a music box?. Then it hit me.”

She pressed a button on her computer and with a short beep a picture of a pink music note, a quaver to be exact appeared on the screen.

“The musical notes function as coordinates”.

Another click and beep and the screen opened up tabs of different planets and worlds and a picture of the music box with labeled parts in the left corner. To Anne it was a bunch of tech stuff she didn’t understand but was fascinated by. To the Plantars it was something extraordinary. The likes of which they’d never seen before.

“There are countless words in the multiverse. Infinite possibilities. And those ancient Newts discovered a way to pinpoint worlds with music.”

She explained. Earning her a clap from the frogs and human in the corner who were amazed that she. A girl not much older than Anne could figure all that out in a matter of weeks.

“Now, the million-dollar question. Does anyone remember a song playing when they were in a portal between here and Amphibia?.

All four frogs and human standing before her began to hum a song dancing to the music. It seemed rather simple but through the cacophony of voices in her ear she could not pinpoint the correct one.

“One at a time please”

She asked making a stop sign with her hand to signal she needed quiet for this to work.

“I think it was…”

Anne said before humming a relatively simple tune compared to the one she’d been expecting. It was in fact only four notes. Terri silently thanked her mother for forcing her to play piano for the first few years of her teenage years as she played the tune Anne had hummed on the keyboard she plugged into her computers.

She turned up some dials on the amplifier and generator and crossed her fingers. Praying this would work. She did not have a plan b.

“Fingers crossed everyone”

She said as she nervously pressed down on the enter button to activate what she hoped would be the portal back to Amphibia.

Blue electricity crackled between the portals base as the poles surrounding it lit up the same colour. The generators around the room began to buzz and jump. Even the lights above them flickered. This was it. THIS WAS IT they were finally going home. A familiar yet uncomfortable circle of light appeared in the middle (it reminded Anne far too much of Marcy’s current predicament) the portal was actually opening!!.

“Whoa! It’s working”

Hop Pop exclaimed in wonder and the room became engulfed in a blue light.

“That’s as big as I can make it. Do you see anything?”

Terri asked as her computer screen went wild with diagrams and monitors only she could understand.

The four of them looked into the portal. Seeing dragonflies and then. A giant Amphibian mantis. They’d done it! Just a bit more work and they’d be home. The excitement from Anne was quickly replaced with disgust however when it picked up a dead rat as its food.

“Oh gross”

She said pushing down her urge to vomit at the sight. The Plantars however could not have been happier.

“Yay”

“That’s home all right”

“I wonder if the mantis can smell us”

Hop Pop, Polly and Sprig said respectively. Sprig however quickly got his answer when a giant mantis leg stuck out of the portal ready to strike.

“SPRIG!!”

Anne called and he quickly rushed out of the way. Eyes wide in fear. Terri rushed over to the power outlets and tugged with all her might at the plugs connecting it, in a desperate attempt to shut this thing down and stop the mantis. With a final pull she managed to stop it. Feeling slightly bad about the mantis loosing a leg. And she thought spraying spiders with bug spray was bad.

“That’s your world?”

Mr Boonchuy asked. Cowering in fear behind one of the boxes. His expression beyond terrified.

“Home sweet Home”

Hop Pop confirmed. Feeling the first sense of peace he had in months. They were going home. They were really going home. It wasn’t some distant hope. It was reality.

“Nice job Terri”

Anne complimented. As Terri mused over the findings of their experiment. Not even looking up at her to talk. Taking her eyes off this for even a second could prove detrimental to their plans.

“Thanks. I need way more power to make the portal bigger.”

She explained finally finishing up a quick test and assessed it was now safe to turn around and face them to deliver the good news.

“But we’re right on track”

“I don’t believe we're so close to getting back to Amphibia! Next stop, defeat Sasha and save Marcy and the rest of our friends!”

Anne declared. Pushing away the thoughts that Sasha had probably found a way to make Marcy not want to leave. She didn’t know how she didn’t dare to think about how. She just had this sinking feeling that Sasha had somehow used magic to ensure it.

“Wow Anne you are one impressive kid you know that?”

Dr Jan complimented placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Really?”.

“Travelling to another world, Leaving your parents behind again, not knowing when you’ll see them next. That’s brave”

Anne froze at that. She hadn’t considered that she’d be leaving her parents again. And if it was that hard for her the first time she didn’t even want to imagine what it would be like for them. Let alone Sasha and Marcy’s parents.

“Hmm. I hadn’t really thought about that until now.”

She said out loud. Looking over to her mum and dad. Oum and Bee happily talking with the Plantars.

“I would not believe it if i hadn’t just seen it”

“That was incredible”

They both said one after the other as the glanced up at Anne smiling brightly. A huge surge of guilt coursed through Anne’s veins. Could she really leave them like this again?.

“Alright everyone listen up. Dr Jan and I think we can get the portal bigger. But here’s a list of supplies I think we’re gonna need”

Terri informed as she sent a text on the “Save Amphibia Club” group chat. The Boonchuys all checked their phones and all began to panic. There was no way they could get all this in time.

“50,000 kilowatts of power generators, 400 cubic meters of ice, eight gallons of yoghurt covered pretzels”

Mr Boonchuy read aloud. Trying to comprehend how the hell they were going to get all of this. How on earth were the pretzels the easy part?.

“The portal needs yogurt covered pretzels?”

Mrs Boonchuy asked half-suspiciously. She wasn’t a scientist but even she knew enough about teens to know she was asking for a snack.

Sensing she was caught Terri panicked. Still she’d try her act to see if it worked.

“Yes”

“Looks like the only place we’ll find all this is. Spendco”

Mr Boonchuy announced. Happy to finally have an actual solution to their problem.

“Spend wha?”

Hop Pop asked.

“Spendco”

The Boonchuys announced in unison.

—————————————————————————-

One very expensive shopping trip later Anne and her parents loaded the items into the car. Their weekly groceries: a few toys for Sprig. Some tech stuff and DVDs for Polly. A new part for Frobo, about $700 worth of avocado related things for Hop Pop and the ice and pretzels they needed for the portal.

“See I told you it would all fit in right guys?”

Mr Boonchuy said triumphantly as he admired his work. Of course Polly was sat in front of the bread and behind the car door. Sprig was hanging by a thread of the toilet paper package and Hop Pop was squished in between the mango's milk and honey. But it still all fit.

“Snug as a bug Mr Boonchuy”

“Stack more on me I can take it”

Replied Hop Pop and Polly respectively.

Mrs Boonchuy wrapped her arms around her husband and smiled up at him lovingly.

“I knew there was a reason i married you”

She said prompting a laugh from the frogs and humans. They really were the perfect family. Crazy and strange but perfect to them.

The tender moment was interrupted when four screeching black trucks with the letters FBI written on them as well as two helicopters surrounded them. What the frog was going on?.

The vans boot burst open and a gaggle of uniformed spies circled them. Causing a terrified yelp of panic from Polly and a scream from Anne and Sprig. They had no idea what was going on. That however was quickly answered.

The door to one of the cars opened and Mr X strutted out of the car coolly like he had no worries in the world.

“Looks like i caught you at last my little froggies”

He chirped tauntingly. Paying no mind to the terrified teenager nor her confused parents.

“Frogs what frogs?”

Hop Pop tried. Hoping to convince them nothing was wrong. This did not work. He was instead hit by a laser that obliterated his disguise to mere slitherines.

Oum and Bee however had an ace up their sleeve. They were both black belts in Muy Thai. They’d actually met eachother at a class as teens. But no time to reminisce on that now.

With a firm nod to her daughter Oum watched Anne run with the Plantars as far as she could. Which unfortunately turned out to be maybe to meters as she was quickly caught by a binding rope contraption that halted her movement

“ANNE”

They all shouted in unison which quickly shifted to straight up screaming when they were captured by one of the spies!.

“Anne so we finally have a name”

She heard behind her and turned to face Mr X giving him a death glare. Oh if looks could kill.

“I gotta say kid you’ve caused me a lot of grief, but that’s all over now. Pack it up boys.”

“What about the girl and her parents”

One asked and Mr X looked back. Perhaps they could be useful. But she knew the girl wouldn’t talk. There was no point in having them.

“Leave them. There’s nothing they can do now.”

And just like that he sped off. The Plantars were put in an animal crate and then they were off to.

Oh god no. No no no no. No! She was going to save them no matter what!

————————————————————————-
(Meanwhile at the Newtopian Castle)

“Oh MarcyMallow I’m here with your daily potion”

“Coming Sashy!!”

Marcy had been much better since she’d started taking the potions. She’d finally started to see that this was what was best for her and that Sasha was only looking out for her. She hadn’t tried to run once She was excited to see her rather than scared and she actually wanted to be friends again.

Sasha did feel a slight twinge of guilt at first. While Marcy unlike the collared was fully in control of her actions and most of her thoughts the potions did alter her behaviour and how she thought just enough to make her listen to Sasha and believe she was right about everything. The Core had gently coaxed that guilt out of her.

“Shhh we know you may feel bad but it’s what’s best for her isn’t it? Look how happy she is now. Not even a tear when we proposed using Andrias, that weakling as our host hm?. You had no problem collaring Newts how is this any different. It’s better. She’s still herself just better. Anne poisoned her mind with lies about you brainwashed her to think you were the bad guy. You’re just fixing her”

A different variation of that every day for a month and now in her heart and mind it was the truth. Marcy was fine just better. Anne had broken her she was fixing her back up.

The door swung open and there Marcy stood. Smiling up happily at her with no hint of the fear or sadness that once laid in her eyes in sight. Two collared newts behind her. She’d had Olivia collared after she’d found out she’d been relaying information to the resistance. She’d ordered her to along with Yunan care for Marcy as they knew her better than anyone else. Normally it would greatly upset Marcy to see them like that. It still did of course but not to the extent it would have had she’d not been taking her potions.

“Sup Mars Bar, you look nice ready to make your royal debut at the ball tonight?”

“Yes! Im so excited. This happens in Vagabondia chronicles four where the protagonist Zorra finds herself in a new realm with her with her two sisters and they all rule together and-“

Sasha just wanted to sit there for hours and let Marcy talk. She loved her voice it was so pretty and she wished she could sit and listen to it forever. But alas they had a ball to attend and a coronation to plan in a matter of weeks.

“Marcy, you know how I love your stories but the ball is starting any minute, drink your potion and we’ll get going. You can tell me all about your little game after the performances alright?”

“Ok Sashy let’s go”

Marcy quickly drank the potion and then practically bounced down the hallway to the doors to the ballroom.

“Perfect. Everything is perfect.”

The Core said in her mind all thirteen of it’s voices happily content.

“Now all we have to to is squash that rebellion and then we can work on conquering earth. We know we cannot have you nor Marcy as our host as per our deal with you. However we have chosen another. We won’t trouble you with all the details now. Go enjoy your ball and afterwards why don’t you take us to Andrias’s Cell. We wish to have a word with him”.

Chapter Text

Mrs Boonchuy was never a particularly reckless driver. She had never received a parking ticket in her life and probably knew the road rules like the back of her hand. Which is why her chasing after the FBI trucks at the speed of a race car driver nearly put poor Anne into shock.

“Geez, Mom, Where’d you learn to drive like this!?”

Anne screamed as she desperately tried to balance herself. Gripping the back of the car seat for dear life to prevent being tossed forwards.

“This is nothing. Try driving through Bangkok during rush hour”

She replied ignoring, for now her daughters absolutely terrified demeanour at how fast they were going and her husbands loving look of affection towards his wonderful wife.

Hot on their tails they drove towards them at top speed. Until of course the traffic lights flipped from green to yellow. Anne wouldn’t have put it passed her mother to drive through a red light at this point. Mrs Boonchuy had a much more dangerous idea.

“We’re loosing them!”

Her husband cried in a panic. Mrs Boonchuy only smirked

“Not on my watch”

Without so much as putting her blinker on she swerved the car into an alleyway that led to the road the trucks were headed to. Uncaring that she had just both driven over a sidewalk and broken about 15 different road laws in the last five minutes. Honestly that should have been some kind of world record at this point.

As if she’d done it a million times before she swerved around the obstacles in there way and even jumped over an old thrown out mattress in the middle of the road. With nothing less than pure determination on her mind.

“Look out for that dumpster!!”

Anne screeched from the back seat as the trash bin threatened to block their path. Mrs Boonchuy barely reacted. She gave a small laugh and tugged the steering wheel to the right. Driving the car part way up the wall of one of the buildings they drove in between so only two wheels remained on the ground.

Anne and her father screamed in absolute panic as they were practically tossed against the windows and Mr Boonchuy swore he saw a rat shriek at the sight of it. After what felt like an eternity the car landed with a thud back on the road. Anne was actually in shock now as she breathed heavily mildly traumatised by that experience. Her father on the other hand had experienced that several times by now and was mostly unfazed.

“Look”

He shouted. Pointing to a gated factory base looking building where the FBI trucks seemed to be headed for. Much to Anne’s relief her mother parked the car and she let out a sigh she didn’t know she was holding. Then she looked forwards towards the base and her panic rose again.

“Must be their HQ”

Mr Boonchuy concluded.

“Time to scope things out”

His wife replied. They drove up the hill and looked upon the buildings below them. Anne knew from the minute she saw it that all hope was lost… unless.

“Looks pretty secure.”

“Well what now?”

Her parents asked, looking towards her for an answer.

“I think this is more than the three of us can handle. It’s time we called for backup”

She said as she opened her phone sending a group text to the group chat

“Plantars Captured SOS. Meet at Warehouse on Faith Drive”

————————————————————————

A harsh light shone down upon the frogs and pollywog as Mr X, a sinister look lining his face strolled into the room and glared down at them triumphantly. The frogs were held by metal restraints unable to move. Unable to run.

“Geez we thespians love the spotlight, but can you turn this thing down?”

Hop Pop asked rhetorically. He was terrified for his grandchildren. He wasn’t going to lose them. Not like how he lost his daughter Rose and her husband Blue. He’d save them he had to… he had to.

Mr X either did not notice or did not care. He grabbed the light and shone it in the orange frog's face standing over him threateningly.

“Who do you work for!?”

He screeched. He knew they were up to something they were going to take over the world with giant robotics or something.

“No one. I’ve been working for myself since I took over the took over the farm”.

“The farm?. Is that what you call your nefarious alien headquarters”.

“I….what?. No. Say, do you guys have any avocado toast?”.

“Ugh this is a waste of my time!”

Mr X slammed the door behind him and walked to the room that harboured the younger pink alien creature. this one had less power than orange one he guessed. Perhaps a successor or a minion. He’d soon find out.

“Alright, pinkie, I wanna know everything!. Start from the beginning”

He ordered. Leaning down to the smaller frogs level to perhaps give him a very slight sense of safety to encourage him to talk.

“I was born on a humid, swampy evening. Just a tiny, cute tadpole with big dreams.”

The pink frog began. Great another waste of his time.

“Ugh”

He sighed, rolling his eyes as he left. He wasn’t about to sit around and listen to this creature's entire life story. He again slammed the door behind him and walked to the third creature's room. This one was circular in shape, seemingly resembling a pollywog. As she was still young it may not be too late to raise her as an alien soldier or something of the sort. And if his niece was any comparison children were usually not good at withholding information. He just had to approach this carefully.

“Hello my name is Mr X, don’t worry I’m a friend what’s your name? Do you want some juice or a snack?”

He asked as if he were speaking to a toddler. Which in his mind he was. Polly only rolled her eyes and poked out her tongue at him.

“I’m Polly and I’m almost 8 don’t treat me like I’m a four a year old it’s embarrassing”

She snapped back.

“Fine then. What’s your master plan?”

He asked instantly, changing his tactics. Perhaps this tadpole was smarter than he first thought. Especially considering this one acted more like a sassy teenager than a child.

“Duh to eliminate my enemies and take over the world!”

She proudly exclaimed. Bingo. His logic had worked after all.

“Aha! Now we’re getting somewhere!. Tell me more”

“Sheesh we’re gonna be here a while ok so there’s Duckweed, Buck-“

The child began as she produced a list from seemingly nowhere and began to read a bunch of names he didn’t much care for.

“Enough!, Ok what’s this thing? Some kind of bomb?”.

He asked as he held up the robotic car like thing they seized. Some kind of alien technology that could probably. Mind control humans or turn them into robots or something.

“Oh he’s THE BOMB all right. Ain’t ya Frobs?”.

Ugh! This wasn’t working, he needed something else!. Anything. As the robotic car drenched him in petrol he’d had enough. Time for some tests. He was sick of this.

“Enough!. Let’s see how talkative you are when we run some tests!.”

A doctor holding a needle approached her. It was nothing bad, just a bit of anaesthesia so she could sleep through the tests so as to not be traumatised by them. For he was evil but not THAT evil but perhaps it would make her talk. The girl however did not seem scared.

“Oh you're definitely going on my list”

She simply taunted him.

—————————————————————————

The Boonchuys had gathered everyone they knew. Friends new and old to help them. Terri and Dr Jan. Some of Oums friends from the Thai Temple, Polly’s friends Jess and Ally and Molly and Humphry.

They hid back at the Warehouse as Anne explained what was going on.

“And now the Plantars are being held by the FBI in a secret government compound”

And finished explaining looking to the ground in sadness. She’d just lost Marcy to Sasha. She feared Sasha would be too corrupt and Marcy too broken to get them back. The Plantars were the only friends she had left.

“Wait wait wait back up? The Plantars are alien creatures from another world?”

Jess asked, turning to her girlfriend in absolute shock.

“Frogman was a Frog?… actually that checks out”

Molly Jo added.

Oums friends said something in Thai that only they and the Boonchuys understood.

“Yes and we need your help to save them.”

Anne began walking closer to the group. A new found sense of leadership in her heart and mind.

“But this is serious business. If we get caught we’ll be in huge trouble with the feds. So if anyone wants out, no hard feelings.”

She explained. She knew that not everyone would join her. Hell the youngest amongst them was only 9. But she held onto the hope that some of them would be willing.

To her surprise however, all the people in front of her decided then and there. To help them fight.

“We're with ya to the end!”

Humphrey declared.

—————————————————————————

When nightfall came the plan began. Oum and Bee's friends, disguised as workers, brought in Humphry disguised as a frog alien. While the guard was distracted Molly, who had been hiding under the cart slipped past him and placed a robot near the computer which plugged into the mainframe and gave Ally and Jess all the information they needed to do some tech stuff Anne didn’t understand and get them in undetected.

Anne, her parents and the other members of the group slipped through a hole in the fence and were eventually let in by the team that ha

Until finally they were all together and ready to free The Plantars.

“Nice work. And now we find The Plantars and return these rental suits”

‘Then hopefully redeem Sasha and save Marcy’

She added in her head.

As the team rushed forward Terri felt her arm be seized by Dr Jan. who pulled her towards a door. When she realised why, her eyes widened in excitement.

“Terri. Check it out!!”

She exclaimed as they both admired the beautiful giant generator laying in one of the yards. It was perfect.

“That could power the portal all on its own!!”

She exclaimed. Looking to her “boss” mischievously

“Should we grab it?”

“Oh Heck Yes!”.

In front of them the team rushed around looking for any clues. They found one. A room labeled specimens A,B,C

“This must be it!!”

She cried rushing in. In the corner was a tank with a silhouette resembling…

“Hop Pop?”

Anne asked? Walking up to it tentatively. As the lights switched on all was revealed. A normal frog tank with a yellow and green frog and blue tadpole. Not the Plantars. Just someone’s pets…

“What the?”

The door slammed behind them revealing Mr X and two security guards laughing evilly.

“Payback stings. Doesn't it”

He taunted as the guards seized them all. No… it couldn’t end not like this.

—————————————————————————
(Meanwhile in Amphibia)

Marcy hadn’t been back to see Andrias since the last time. Which was good she shouldn’t be down there. It was far, far too dangerous. But it’s just… it left him rather lonely.

He missed her. He missed interaction with anyone at all really and with the whispers he’d heard of Sasha starting her on some kind of customised potion he feared the worst and worried for her.

“Bring me to the prisoner”

He heard from behind his cell, and for a minute he thought it might be his (daughter) former charge. His heart dropped in his chest when he instead saw the teenaged tyrant that had stolen his kingdom from him approaching. Smiling wickedly.

She casually lent against the bars of his cell and snapped her fingers at the toad guards that kept him from running.

“Leave us”

She ordered and with a short bow the two soldiers left the room near robotic precision. Once they had left she turned to him and waved. It wasn’t a friendly one but one meant to taunt him. He did not wave back. He did not acknowledge her. Maybe if he ignored her she’d go away. She did not.

“You won’t be seeing Marcy again. She’s finally seeing things our way.”

Sasha began pointing to the glowing crown on top of her head to indicate she meant both her and The Core. Marcy was listening to The Core too.

Oh frog no!.

Clearly sensing his panic Sasha twisted herself around to face him and gave him a mock look of sympathy.

“Aw don’t worry she’s fine. She’s safely up in her room with Olivia and Yunan. It's not a collar if that’s what you’re worried about, it's just a little potion that… limits her negative thoughts and emotions shall we say… oh and makes her trust me completely. With well everything. Just like it used to be. Just like it should be.”

He only scowled at her. The Core was clearly manipulating her. It was going to use Marcy as its host and it would be easier if she was already on their side. There was nothing he could do to stop it.

“Yes Core?, oh of course right you wanted to speak with him, silly me I got carried away telling him how well my plans are working out. Why don’t you tell him yours?”.

In a swift motion she took the crown off of her head and offered it to Andrias through the bars.

He tentatively took it. A glimmer of hope in his mind would tell him how to escape this mess. He was wrong.

“Long time no speak failure”

They started in all thirteen angry voices

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

He gulped as he looked forwards. Sasha was not paying attention at all; she was in fact painting her nails. Without a care in the world.

“My Lord… I’m so sorry I messed up but I-“

“But nothing Andrias. We lost our host because of you. As per our deal with the new queen of Amphibia we can no longer possess wit nor strength nor heart. So we’ve come up with a little solution. You WILL help us, are we understood?”.

“Yes…”.

“Perfect. See you’ve been so useless for so long. But don’t worry soon we’ll take the wheel. We’ve made a decision our new host is YOU!”.

Chapter Text

Anne stumbled back in shock as the looming shadow of Mr X consumed her. She’d been tricked. They all had. There was no hope of getting back to Amphbia now. Sasha had probably taken over the entire world by now and she dared not thinkof what she’d done to Marcy. She wouldnt put it past her to use magic to keep her at her side.

Before she could comprehend was was happening she was flying through the air into a dimly lit cell of some kind. They had worked fast but Mr X had worked harder andwithin two minutes their entire group of operation save the plantars were locked behind bars. To his credit Mr X had placed Anne with her parents. That however did nothing to quell her anger.

“What have you done with the Plantars? Give them back!”

She demanded gripping onto the bars of her cell with a strength she did’nt know she possessed. For a mere second she swore she saw a flash of blue electricity surge through her palms but she was far to furious to concentrate on that.

Mr X gave an evil chuckle. Clearly unthreatened by Annes outburst of fury.He kept his composure near perfectly and his smug expression did not change once. Anne’s as she realised the information she’d just bestowed on him. He now knew their last name.

“The Plantars, eh? Sorry. Honey but their government property now”

He explained in a taunting tone fist bumping one of his employees as he did so.

“You can’t do this. We have rights!”

Mr X only laughed at her and slowly walked towards the cell he’d trapped her in. Anne did not flinch. Any fear she harboured for the situation she was in any fear she held for her friends in Amphbia any fear she had for Marcy’s current predicament was replaced with the stubborn determination of a thirteen year old girl. A powerful force indeed.

“I can do whatever I want I’m a highly specilised top federal agent and you”

He said bending down to her level and painting his face with a mocked look of sympathy.

“You’re nothing but a child. Heck you wouldn't have even gotten this far without your mommy and daddy”.

Those simple 18 words were all it took to break her. All it took for the fears to come rushing back. All it took for the determination to shatter. She couldnt stop thinking about Marcy. What she must be going through. She wanted to cry and scream at him about how her best friend was trapped, maybe mind controlled (although she tried her best to convince herself that wasn't a very real possibility) and how an entire dimension was under the iron fist of her ex-best friend, and yet… All she could muster was a small and frightened.

“But…I’

“Face it kid. It’s time to stop playing the hero before it gets you all in serious trouble… Oh wait you’re already in serious trouble”.

In defeat Anne let go of the bars sinking back into the darkness of the cell. Mr X tried to taunt her one last time. She did not hear him. She was far to upset. And so she slumped onto the floor hugging her knees to her chest letting her eyes fill up with tears and just allowing herself to simply cry. They could go no further for Mr X was right. She was just a child. She was sure no matter what happened Marcy would be safe under Sasha’s watch, it was time for her to live with that. It was time to finally give up.

“Don’t listen to that guy Anne”

A small voice called from across the room. Anne looked up to see Molly Jo, the youngest on the mission not even 10 years old yet smiling up at her. Childish hope lined her face and Anne could barely stand to look at her. She looked to her in that moment far to much like a younger Sasha almost her spitting image, and although she knew it was her mind playing tricks on her it made her feel sick to her stomach with anxiety.

“But he’s right, I am just a kid”

She said tears now streaming down her face as a million terrible scenarios swarmed her mind. Marcy was being controlled. Marcy had a spell on her. Marcy’s memories had been altered or removed entirely. Sasha had destroyed Wartwood, Sasha found a way to make everyone bow down to her, Sasha was coming for earth next…

“How am I supposed to save my friends, beat the FBI, save Amphibia if I can't even say goodbye to my parents”.
Anne had’nt told anyone that it was Sasha she was saving Amphibia from. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell them, It wasn't that she thought it would hurt them or that they wouldn't believe her. She had come home with three talking frogs after all, No it was none of that. She just simply could not bring herself to say out loud that Sasha had taken over Amphibia because that would make it real and she wouldn't be able to pretend Marcy was ok anymore. So she said nothing. She kept quiet. Not even her parents knew the full story.

“All this time I thought I could do these things… but I was wrong”

She admitted… more to herself than to the others in the room. Tears streamed down her face as the horrifying reality of this situation finally hit. Sasha had won, Sasha had Marcy and there was nothing she or anyone else could do about it. She was just a 13 year old child… what could she do to stop this.

A comforting presence loomed over her and she felt familiar hands ruffling her hair and patting her back. She looked up through her blurry vision and saw the smiling faces of her parents. Oum and Bee the people who she loved more than anything else in the entire multiverse.

“Don’t be silly Anne.”

“If anyone can do this, it’s you”

they comforted, their voices full of confidence. Their daughter had survived for three months in an alternate dimension. Their daughter had defeated three temples to find a way home. Their daughter was determined and stubborn and they both knew that well.

“How do you know?’’

Anne asked wiping the tears from her cheeks. Still not convinced she could pull this off. Still worried to even return.

“Are you kidding just look at what you’ve already done”.

“Survived for months in another world”.

“Made friends, and fought for people who couldnt fight for themselves”.

“Built me that amazing christmas float”.

“ saved the plantars once before!”.

“Twice before.. Technically”.

Bee and Oum reminded her. It brought a smile to Annes face as she remembered all the good times she had in Amphbia and on earth. She had to save Amphbia she had to save her second home. She had to save Marcy

“You have grown so much, you’re not my little girl anymore Anne. You can do this!’.

Oum said looking down with pride at her daughter. She had grown up so much and she was beyond proud of her.

“And no matter where you go or what you’re doing. We’ll be with you the whole way. Right here… I’m pointing to your heart in case you didnt get it”.

Bee added and Anne’s eyes filled with tears for a much much happier reason.

“I got it dad I got it”.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mission report: One missing, four collared, no updates on the humans, possible way to get into the castle detected . We’ll discuss when I get back over”.

Ivy let out a heavy sigh as she figured out the coordinates to send the message hornet to Maddie. At a mere 12 years old she had been forced to take up a leadership position in the resistance.

The children of Wartwood and the towns they had somehow managed to recruit to their cause were usually not sent on the missions. That fell to the adults and if needed the teenagers of the group. But Sasha had eyes and ears everywhere it seemed and when one to many of the older resistance members had been caught, including her own mother it fell to her to lead this mission,

Ivy had started the mission with 5 team members she returned with only herself. She could only imagine how devastated the resistance would be to hear the news once Maddie told them. And although Maddie was tough and brave and often stoic in situations like this. She knew the news would hurt Maddie as much as it had her.

Maddie was tasked with helping out at main base. She along with her father would use the information found on missions to formulate plans and potions and anything else she could to try and find a way to take Sasha down. This time however they she had come home near empty handed after a close encounter with a mind controlled Kill-a-moth there was nothing of note to report. The bad news was that four teenage newts had been captured and mind controlled by one of Sasha’s minions trying to protect the 14 year old toad accompanying them who had escaped seemingly unharmed but terrified into the woods. The god news was Sasha,by throwing that extravagant coronation ball for Marcy had unknowingly given them a way to sneak in undetected. The worst news this chance to stop Sasha may very well be there last.

Ivy knew very well that in a few weeks everything would come crashing down. Sasha’s spies were getting closer and closer to finding and mind controlling them all and there were only so many places the resistance could keep hiding until they did. Then there was the matter of saving Marcy. Maddie had observed that the effects of the potions we’re getting stronger and stronger day by day. If they couldn’t stop it in the next three weeks, they’d likely be no way to reverse it. For the first time on the night they had discovered that Ivy had seen Maddie cry. For the first time ever. The time limit was daunting, a heavy weight that lay on her shoulders during these dark times. But Ivy did not cry. She wouldn’t let herself. She had to stay strong.

Before long Bessie arrived to the base. Ivy gave her a pat on her shell and some spare mushroom treats and lead her back to her makeshift stables.

“You’re a good snail Bessie”

She said, slumping down against the tree the snail was tethered to. Ivy had come to enjoy spending time with Bessie when she needed a quiet moment to think. With everything that was going on those moments became more frequent. It helped her come up with plans and strategies to break into the castle. It helped her ponder over the best secret routes to take through the woods and how to disguise her team in the city’s. Who’d had thought her years of childish surprise attacks and “ambushes” she’d innocently scare her friends with would lead her to become this teams greatest strategist.

“Maddie and I will have to fly on birds back to get to Newtopia in time and undetected”

She said aloud to herself trying to clearly formulate each step of the plan before she presented it to the Flours.

“The Northen woods seem like the safest option I scared Sprig with an “ambush” once or twice hiding in the leaves. It’ll be far easier to hide there. We’ll have to go in disguise of course or risk being collared if Marcy recognises us and tells Sasha. That spell makes her think-“

“Ivy?”

Ivy turned to the voice from behind her, fully ready to attack if it was one of Sasha’s spies or one of those who was under her control. She’d evaded her troops before. She had no doubt she could do it again.

She relaxed however when she saw not a pink eyed soilder behind her or a toad with a mind control device in its hands but one of her best friends in the world. Maddie. Her useal stoic expression had twisted into one of concern and relief and rather uncharacteristically she rushed up to hug her.

“You’re ok! You’re ok! I thought they’d caught you Ivy”

Oh my frog. Ivy hadn’t reported back to the resistance when she’d returned. She’d sent the message and then had not returned. Maddie was worried sick

“I’m sorry Maddie, I completely forgot to come see you”

She admitted sheepishly returning the hug as her own wave of relief washed over her. Maddie, after calming herself down quickly got up and dusted herself off. She produced from her dress pocket a two potions. Golden in colour and glistening ever so slightly in the sun. She looked at them with Pride. Did that mean she’d finally done it.

“Two Frog to Newt potions as requested . It is temporary but it will create the illusion of us being newtlings so we’ll be undetectable in Newtopia. You said you could get us into the castle?”

“I can. Sasha’s throwing a ball tonight.”

Chapter Text

All Marcy had talked about for the last few days was how excited she was to attend the royal ball. She had often daydreamed back on earth (as she had about many fantasy scenarios) about entering a luxury ball room wearing an extravagantly tailored dress and dancing the night away under a soft chandelier. It was a huge element of the fantasy stories she read and one of the main plot lines in The Vagabondia chronicles so to say she was estatic would be a massive.

Olivia softly brushed and braided her hair into quite a beautifully intricate hairstyle and Yunan, as she always did stood guard at her door. Once upon a time their dull emotionless eyes would have greatly upset her. But Sasha had said it was for the best and she trusted Sasha more than anything. So while she still wished to have the real Olivia and Yunan back she knew Sasha knew best.

“Yunan, do you know when Sashy will be here?”

She asked. Looking at the reflection of the door in her mirror. It was almost torture to wait for Sasha to arrive to escort her downstairs. She could only imagine how beautiful the ballroom would with Sasha’s decorations she was the party queen after all and Marcy couldn’t wait a second longer. If she were allowed she would have run down there herself. But Sasha insisted she stay in her room unless she was with her, she told her it was far too dangerous for her to be out alone and Marcy believed her. Marcy believed everything she said.

“Her Majesty shall arrive shortly Lady Marceline”

It was rather strange to her. Hearing Yunan speak in such a formal manner. Useally she’d answer something like that with by messing with her and joking around and finding some way to make her laugh. Today it was straight forward with no hint of emotion.

‘It’s better this way’

Marcy thought to herself as she watched Olivia attach little green butterfly clips to her hair

‘Sashy says so and Sashy knows best’

It wasn’t long before a knock came from Marcy’s door and she practically leapt out of her seat with excitement running over to Yunan and waiting with anticipation for her to open the door.

“Your Majesty”

Yunan said as she allowed Sasha to enter the room giving a small bow as she did so. Without a second thought the excitable raven haired teenager ran into her arms knocking them both over in a fit of laughter.

“Careful now Mar-Mar we can’t have you getting hurt on such an important occasion”

Sasha reminded her offering a hand to help her up which Marcy happily took and got back on her feet.

“Sorry, sorry I’m just so excited!!”

Marcy spun around in her outfit. A beautiful emerald green princess dress fit for royalty with glitter and gemstones lining its base. It was everything she could have hoped for. She laughed and smiled as the fabric swished around her and she landed with a slight tumble in a curtsy. Her eyes lit up with happiness.

“You look fantastic Marce that royal tailor guy really knows his stuff huh?”

“Yes! This stitch work will last me years. Although at first i thought it was an interesting choice with this dress pattern it works better with the silk.. sorry sorry I’m rambling it’s a cosplay thing you wouldn’t understand”

“No it’s alright… I don’t mind listening to your little rants. In fact I love them”

‘Because if your talking to me it means the potions are working and your not upset with me anymore’

She added in her mind.

Marcy despite Sasha’s lack of interest in her hobbies and interests at home did not even question that statement. She trusted and believed whatever Sasha told her. Because Sasha would never lie to her… Sasha had never lied to her. Sasha knew what was best.

“Now are you ready to greet our future subjects?”

“Yes! Ahhh I’m so excited”

Sasha smiled seeing Marcy so full of delight. She was practically bouncing off the walls. It was moments like this where she knew The Core was right, Marcy’s potions took away the fear and sadness she’d once harboured towards this place (and her). With their guidance she had taken over most of Amphbia and would soon take over earth. In that exact moment any hesitation she harboured towards allowing The Core to possess Andrias that very night after the ball behind Marcy’s back completely disappeared. wether because The Core had told her one to many times how perfect this plan was or she wished to see Marcy this happy again she did not know nor did she care. The Core had been right about everything so far. Surely they were right again

‘We knew you’d make the right choice Sasha. Remember its whats best for your friend. He manipulated her. We are protecting her, now go enjoy your ball we shallset everything up while she’s distracted

Sasha gave a small discrete nod and turned with a sense of authority towards Olivia and Yunan her gaze shifting from friendly to commanding in a near instant. They both instantly stood to attention.

“You will stay here and make sure nobody but I and Marcy enter clear?’’

“Yes your Majesty”

They answered in creepy robotic unison bowing in sync as they did. With that sorted out Sasha grabbed Marcy’s hand and lead her out of the room, here yes grew wide in awe as she saw all the little details Sasha had put into redecoration of the castle, she had.nt seen the grand hallways in a while. She did not exit her room often anymore. For Sasha said not to and Sasha knew best.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second the door shut behind them Olivia and Yunan let out a sigh of relief they did not know they were holding and relaxed their posture slightly looking at each other with a sense of both fear and determination in their eyes.

“Do you think the kid knows we’re faking it?”

Yunan asked, an unfamiliar tone of nervousness washing over her voice as she set down her weapon with a soft thud on the carpet.

“I believe Master Marcy’s mind has been so altered by those potions that if she suspected anything she would tell Sasha”

Olivia replied, walking over to the pink newt and laying a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. The pair had been faking the mind control now for a little over a month thanks to Sasha being a mere teenager she had not realised that Olivia’s will was far too strong for a standard control collar and Yunan’s determination far too stubborn If anyone ever found out they were sure Sasha would order one of her minions would adjust them accordingly and their minds would be lost in a sea of pink forced to do whatever that tyrant told them. That was not going to happen.

“Livvy, Babe i know you said not to look around the castle for clues”.

Yunan began breaking the long awkward yet comforting silence between them. Her heart nearly broke when she saw how worried Olivia looked for her.

“Please tell me you weren’t caught. If anything were to happen to you Yunan I-“

“I was not for I am General Yunan scourge of the sand wars, defeated of Rag-“

“Yunan! Sweetheart, Trust me I know and appreciate your accomplishments but if you found something you must tell me what now. There is no telling when they might be back. I have observed Sasha I fear she is working with someone else somone far more dangerous”

Yunan’s eyes widened at that statement and she gave a small nod. It was not often she was scared she was the toughest newt in the whole night guard. Nothing upset her she was far too strong for that. Nothing upset her.. exept for this.

With a swift motion she uncovered a photo she had hidden under a pile of books of a strange glowing black and orange orb. It was almost the size of King Andrias, perhaps larger and had what looked like orange eyes staring into the camera. Underneath seemed to be a list of names most of which bore no meaning to either newt except from the two at the very bottom.

Andrias Lissotriton Leviathan
Sasha Elizabeth Waybright

“She’s working with that thing so was the king. I don’t know what it’s capable of but it hurt my daught- I mean Marcy! So I’ll defeat it if it’s the last thing I do. For I am General Yunan! And I won’t say the rest of it because we don’t have time. We need to find this thing now!”

Olivia took the picture in her hands and studied it. There was something familiar about it she was sure but she did not know what. The one thing she did know this thing was dangerous and they needed to destroy it. To do that however they had to defeat Andrias.

“Yunan, my sweet. Do you know a secret way to get to the dungeons?. We need to speak with the king immediately.

Chapter Text

Nobody in the save the Plantars team would have guessed that the way to their freedom and saving their friends would be because a eccentric scientist and a rebellious university student stole the power generator. Still Anne had been through much much stranger things over the last couple of months and bore no hesitation in fighting her way, Quite literally to where the Plantars were being held by that mad scientist who clearly had no ethics whatsoever.

Oum, Bee Jess and Ally being dubbed the strongest in the group hoisted her up into the vents with a moderate amount of struggle, but whether by stubbornness and determination or sheer luck on their fourth try Anne managed to climb her way up into the vents and wave a short goodbye to her team before crawling her way through the system checking every single opening she could find.

She found test tubes full of chemicals in one room. An expensive looking security system in another and what seemed to be some kind of break room but no sign of the Plantars. She pushed herself further through the maze of metal trying to stay as quiet as possible, her movements as small and as unnoticeable as she could make them. If anyone saw or heard her the entire operation was done for.

And then finally afterwhat felt like an eternity she heard a voice. Mr X’s voice. Bingo she’d found them. Anne crawled up just next to the opening in the roof and did not move until it was time to strike. She held her breath periodically worried it would echo and alert them to her. She waited and waited until she saw the lights flicker.

Mr X let out an annoyed sigh and handed his notes to his assistant.

“I’ll go restart the generator. Dont let them out of youre sight”

He ordered his worker in a huff walking towards the door and slamming it behind him in annoyance. This was her chance. Grabbing a bobby pin out of her hair she manuvered the bolt of the vent cover. Marcy (who she was still extremely worried about) had taught her how magicians picked locks during certain tricks, and she was so grateful that she’d actually paid attention to it. It took a few tries but the cover fell to the floor with a sharp thud and she stuck her head through the opening smiling with relief down at the three frogs and robot.

“What up fam?”

“Anne!!”

She manoeuvred herself to drop down to the floor with near perfect precision, and although she stumbled a little she landed on her feet, silently thanking Marcy for convincing her to do cheerleading with her and Sasha.

“I’m here to rescue you guys.”

She declared posing like a superhero… Marcy would have laughed at that. Would Marcy even remember her? What if Sasha had-.

“Hey! Who are you can’t be in here”

Oh frog. She’d forgotten about the assistant.

Thinking on her feet Anne let out a shocked scream and scanned the room for anything she could fight with. Her eyes landed on Frobro Polly’s uhh.. Robot pet thing? It didn't matter right now, she just needed it’s help. She rushed over to the cage it was trapped in and threw the door up with all her might. As if on cue Frobro launched itself at the assistant using it’s new car accessories to charge at him. Being an AI Frobro scanned all its databases for a solution and in doing so found fast flying objects a suitable distraction. From its projector the frobot launched a disk and watched as the human threatening its family stumbled over and fell. Satisfied with its work it drove back over to Anne smiling clearly pleased with itself.

Anne carefully but quickly untied each Plantar. Knowing that any second Mr X could be back. She had to work fast.

“Anne! Boy are we glad to see you”

Sprig exclaimed standing up after what felt like forever and finally stretching his legs. Frobo untied Polly who fell onto the chair but was, thank frog completely fine.

“Are you guys ok?’

Anne asked feeling the panic in her chest slowly begin to fade and her heart slow down to a normal pace. That had been terrifying after all, even for her.

“Mostly, my dignity is admittedly in shambles”

Hop Pop replied as his grandchildren gathered around him. Sprig behind him Anne in front of him and Polly in her usal spot upon Anne’s shoulder. They would never know but in that moment he was so proud of each of them for all they’d overcome.

“So what’s the plan for getting outta here?”

Polly asked, a refreshing tone of childish determination and stubbornness in her voice. For such a young frog she was clearly ready to do whatever it took to keep her family safe. It was nice to see that even in the darkest hours Hop Pop was right

Family always find each other.

Their heartfelt moment was quickly cut short however as a wall quite literally fell in and a brick was mere inches away from crushing frobros mainframe.Anne coughed and sputtered at the dust in her throat and looked up to see her worst fears.

A black truck clearly labbeled FBI. She braced herself to fight as the doors swung open, getting in a fighting stance and curling her hands into fists. She just got ready to launch herself at the doors swung open to reveal not what she feared but what she loved.

Her family and friends. In the front seats sat Dr Jan at the wheel and Terri with a map on her phone, her Oums friends and Ally in the middle row. And Jess, Molly and Humphry in the back. Which was definitely against the road rules but that was nothing compared to what they'd just done. At the doors were her mum and dad Oum and Bee and Anne rushed to them hugging them both tight.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several heart felt reunions and one stressful car chase later. In which several laws were undoubtedly broken by both parties the team finally arrived back at the abandoned warehouse ready to build the portal and save Amphibia.

Anne however had an uneasy feeling in her chest. She wasnt just going back to save Amphbia from a random newt or toad. She was saving it from Sasha. Sasha who she had onced trusted with her life. Sasha who she had told her deepest darkest secrets to. Sasha who was once her best friend. That's what made it so hard. She didn't have such a deep connection with anyone else except Marcy and she couldn't even bear to think about what had happened to her. At this point Anne wouldn't put it past Sasha to find a way to ensure Marcy never left her side, ethical or not and if she had…could Anne bear to see her like that?

Computers beeped and people chatted around her but she drowned them all ouut in worry. A million thoughts of what was going on in Amphbia consumed her. What if she got there and it was already far too late?. In her panic she didn't even notice her parents putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She yelped and jumped, breaking out of her anxiety induced trance and turned to face them.

“Sorry, theres just… a lot going on you know?”

She admitted still upholding her vow to not tell the entire truth. Oum and Bee looked at eachother with a warm smile and handed Anne a little pink backpack full of her favourite things. Inside was her favourite blue sketchbook complete with her cat themed lead pencil and diary. A power bank to actually charge her phone with this time. Her lucky tennis balls she’d won junior nationals with, her favourite chips and candy. Oums famous homemade cookies that always tasted like home. A brand new pair of yellow shoes that looked like they cost a small fortune, Her childhood plush toy she’d begged Bee to buy because it looked like Domino and finally a chaotic but perfect family photo, the family cat included.

“Guys this amazing”

Anne said hugging the bag to her chest with gratitude. Right then right there she felt her fear melt away and replacing it was her parents' love. For if they believed in her she could believe in herself. She's Survived so much already and facing a power hungry teenager would be nothing compared to fighting a giant mantis or defending her frog family from a Kill-a-Moth. She had to do this but she could. No matter how long it took she could.

“We have had your care package prepared for a while waiting for this very moment”

Oum admitted and the threeembraced in the tightest longest most heartfelt hug any of them had ever had. Anne cried tears of mixed emotions and her parents were not far behind. They stayed like thatfor a good five minutes and not a word was spoken except for a soft and joyful

“I’m so proud of you”

“Now go finish this thing and bring your friends home”
‘Friend’

Anne corrected in her head not daring to say it out loud

‘Sasha lost my friendship the moment I was sent back here’

Still she ran off to try and help and smiled as she saw the Plantars wish her parents farewell. She was ready now.She’d save Amphbia from Sashas wrath redeem her… if she could and save Marcy from whatever Sasha had done to her. So with her backpack on and her frog family behind her she looked to Terri and gave hera decisive nod.

“Everyone ready, got everything”

“We’re ready”

“I’m set I’ve got one avocado left to seed my avocado dynasty”

A push of a button. She beep of a computer. A crackle of blue electricity and a gust of wind. The portal burst to life before them and.. Nothing. After all that effort the portal had grown no larger. They were all crushed.

“All those generators weren't enough”

“That was twice the power we estimated it would need… If that didn't work.. I’m afraid nothing will”

Terri admittedly somewhat hesitantly. She couldn't bare to crush this little girls hope of saving her friends nor this families hope of returning home. She's Tried everything she possibly could. This was it. She’d failed them. The guilt crushed her like a ton of bricks

A hushed silence fell over the room as they gazed at the blue portal before them. Whirring slightly and shining a soft sapphire colour. If they looked closely they could see the world they once belonged to. The world where their friends were trapped. The world they could never return to.

Was this really it?.

See the thing is the universe has a funny way of sorting things out. Perhaps some deity or guardian who had seen them through many universes was watching from above and broke the rules of merely watching and writing their stories and not interfering to help them out of pity.

For just as they were about to give up and return to their homes to cry. A window shattered and several FBI agents surrounded them. How the frog had they found their location?. As more of them burst through the door Anne and the Plantars were cornered and that feeling of fear began to bubble once more in Anne’s chest. Her breath and heartbeat quickened at tears stung at her eyes.

“No!”

She cried to nobody in particular

“We were so close”

She lifted her head to see Mr X walking towards them slow clapping condesidingly as if she were a small child. She despised this man.

“Not bad Anne. Not Bad”

He taunted spinning in some kind of pirotte chaine hybrid and bending down to her level looking her right in the eyes with his trademark evil smirk.

“But you still failed because no matter what you do, you’re still just a kid”

This time however Anne would not back down. She had support fromeveryne around her she had the stubbornness of a 14 year old girl that nothing could stop and she had saving Marcy to drive her forward. So blinded by bravery and a little bit of rage this time she slapped his hand with that disdainful point away with a force she did’nt know she had.

“You’re right X I am just a kid”

She began as a harsh wind that had seemingly come from nowhere began to whip through her hair. Her palms crackled with blue electricity and she began to radiate with heat like some sort of furnace.

“But today taught me with the right people by my side I CAN DO ANYTHING”

Mr X jumped back in shock as Anne’s eyes glowed that same blue and fire seemed to erupt from her pupils. With a single step she sent an energy blast that knocked them all towards the floor. The wind grew larger until her hair was practically levitating underneath it.

Mr X pushed himself up with all his strength and stared at her in disbelief

“What are you?”

Before she had the chance to respond Sprig grabbed her shoulder excitedly and pulled her towards the now much brighter glowing orb

“Anne, Look. The Portal”

Another computer beep, louder this time. A critical error message flashing on the computer screen. A mechanical sort of whirr and finally, the portal began to grow. Filled with a new sense of determination Anne used her powers to send a bolt of electricity straight towards it and lo and behold it finally expanded just enough that all five of them could fit through.

“What is that place.. And woah!! Is that giant praying mantis? MEN SEIZE THEM this is it!”

As the agents rushed towards them Anne remembered something else Marcy had told her. She’d been rambling about the animals of Amphbia and mentioned that mantises seemed to love fruit, sweet or not it didn't matter any type of fruit and that gave Anne an idea.

“HOP POP GIVE ME YOUR AVOCADO”.

“Oh Come on!”.

“DUDE!!”.

Knowing sacrifices must be made Hop Pop tearfully bid his precious avocado goodbye to be used as bait. Marcy had been right. The second the mantis got a whiff of avocado is came running straight towards it. With the precision of a national school tennis league winner she threw the bait at the agent's to distract them and just as she planned the focus was suddenly off them and on the giant man-eating bug.

“Now’s our chance come on!’

Anne screamed and without asecond thought the frogs and robot jumped into the portal. Anne looked back for a moment seeing her parents in the chaos left behind.

“Anne take care”

“We love you”

They yelled pointing a finger to their hearts. With a soft smileand a new sense of purpose she reciprocated the gesture and jumped into the portal after her second family.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Anne’s eyes slowly adjusted to the light she noticed a dirt path beneath her and squealed with joy. They’d done it they were back. Marcy was going to be ok!.

“Hey we made it I can’t believe it this is so!!-”

She stopped herself as she saw the Plantars looking on grimly at the sight before them. Slowly and cautiously she joined them and gasped in horror. Amphbia no longer looked like the pretty little farmlands and rolling hills. Warwood looked almost abandoned except for a giant statue of Sasha in the centre and posters and banners advertising and declaring her new rule. It seemed as if she’d had it transformed into some kind of attraction, a tourist spot dedicated to her.

Further out were what seemed to be watchtowers guards riding pink eyed Kill-a-moths patrolling the area all wearing armour with a crown and either SW or MW embroidered on it. It was their name’s. Sasha Waybright, Marcy Wu. Just how much of Amphibia did she have control over

And more importantly. How were they going to stop her?.

Chapter Text

“Yunan, my sweet do you know a secret way to get to the dungeons”

Olivia asked as she stared out the window at the world below her. A city once full of life and laughter transformed into collared pink-eyed soldiers roaming the streets resigning anyone who stepped a foot out of line to the same fate and the beautiful buildings and pathways being torn apart by mind-controlled newts terraforming the place she swore to protect into that tyrannical teenager's personal playground.

If Andrias had any history with whatever entity Sasha was working with, he may well be their only hope.

“The Dungeons? Absolutely not. there's far to high a chance we’ll be caught!… Livvy if we get collared that’s it Marcy’s done for she'll be that horrid Sasha’s puppet forever!”

Olivia sighed and placed her arms around Yunan's shoulders, embracing her in a tight hug and nuzzling into the small of her back.

Yunan was stressed out, she was stressed out and they both needed a good hug.

“He knows that thing she’s working with. I hate to admit it but if he can give us any information he may be our last chance to free Marcy from her spell before it takes full effect. If anyone can help us it’s him”

Yunan knew her girlfriend was right. They'd tried everything they could to get Marcy back to her normal self.

They’d spent sleepless nights pondering ways to defeat Sasha but they always found a flaw far too large to ignore in their plans and it was back to square one.

Perhaps if she could open the underground tunnels they could free the king and escape into the woods. That way all three of them could formulate a plan.

“Ok maybe we do need Andrias”

She relented, although Olivia could tell she was still hesitant and cautious. She didn't blame her they were still both angry at him for working with whatever the orb in the picture was. But the truth was Olivia wasn't just worried for Marcy alone.

Her mother had been friends with Andrias for years before her passing and he’d helped to raise her when she’d been a little eft. He’d her a job in the palace the second she’d requested it as a young adult and promoted her within the first year. So although she was furious and certainly not as close with him as her mother had been she could sense something was off

“I agree it seems our only option right now”

She replied a hint of sadness and perhaps worry in her voice. She didn't see Andrias as her boss in that moment. He was a long-time family friend who they needed to save.

“I can open the underground tunnels that should lead us to him. No one is allowed down there so we have to be silent. He’s being guarded by several of Sasha's soldiers. Let me handle them I will not let you get hurt”

Yunan knew Olivia could handle herself. She was one tough newt always had been. It was not that she thought she couldn't defend herself in fact she knew she could she’d seen her but Yunan couldn't stand to even think about any harm befalling her girlfriend. If Olivia needed to fight she absolutely could. If she did not Yunan did not want her to.

“Alright if it will make you feel better my sweet, I won’t fight unless I have to”

“Thanks, Livvy… I just care about you so much. Now if you’ll follow me, my lady”

—————————————————————————

For the most part, Ivy and Maddie’s plan had gone perfectly. Almost too perfect.

They’d flown in on one of the resistance’s birds borrowed from Lilly Paddington a neighbouring town to Wartwood who had joined the resistance rather early on providing them with the resources needed to sneak in and out of the now-destroyed Plantar family home undetected by the guards that patrolled Amphibia searching for anyone who dared to step out of line.

They both dared.

Once the bird had safely landed Ivy found a place to hide it within the nearby woods whilst Maddie examined the potions she’d been able to put together with their limited resources and her basic skill level in witchcraft she was slowly improving but could only manage to make some healing potions and a singular invisibility elixir that would last five minutes at most.

If she could she planned to gather additional resources around the palace that may help although she doubted she’d have the time.

To make sure they had the lowest chance possible of being recognised by a guard they wore gloves and masquerade masks and Ivy had designed the ballgowns to cover any distinguishing features that may be used to identify them.

It had somehow worked.

They’d joined the line of party guests and kept silent as they waited worrying anything they might say would give themselves away.

By some miracle, they’d been granted access to the ball and immediately began to search for any information they could get their hands on. Talking to party guests about life in Newtopia and it’s surroundings. Observing the behaviour of Sasha’s mind-controlled soldiers. Looking for any way to free Marcy.

Two hours. Two entire hours was how long it took for either of them to gain any information. It was two hours of small talk with Amphibia's elite about their newest addition to their penthouse or how their daughter just got into Newtopia University. Two hours of watching the pink-eyed guards do nothing but stand there and watch silently monitoring for anyone who went against Sasha’s rules or wishes. Two hours of getting absolutely nowhere.

And then finally. Just as Ivy was about to give up and tell Maddie they were going back to base empty-handed Sasha made a very important announcement.

She noticed Grime hurriedly approach the throne and whisper something in Sasha’s ear. Her expression turned from one of amusement and commanding authority to what almost looked like concern.

Could this finally be their chance?

Sitting upon her custom-made golden throne, Marcy loyally by her side in a throne made of rare corals and emeralds she arose, her expensive-looking silk gown falling to her feet as she gestured for Marcy to do the same who quickly followed suit. A hush fell over the crowd.

“Guards please escort Lady Marcy back to her room at once!”

She commanded snapping her fingers at two of the collared newts in the corner. Marcy was clearly starting to panic if the look in her eyes was any indication. She shuffled her feet uncomfortably and her breath seemed to quicken.

“Sashy, what’s happening?”

She asked, her voice shaky and tremulous. Sasha looked over to her grabbed her hands and mumbled so quietly that neither froglet could hear it. Marcy’s eyes grew wide with fear and tears threatened to spill onto her cheeks. Allowing the newts to usher her back to the “safety” of her gilded cage she didn't even know she was trapped in.

As the guards led her away however Ivy noticed that strange orange glow again. Stronger this time but still not enough to prove it wasn’t a spotlight shining down on her.

Whatever it was it seemed to calm her and by the time the guards had hurriedly led her out the door of the ballroom she seemed almost back to completely normal within a matter of seconds. Was it the potions? Or was something more sinister afoot?

If nothing else they at least had that to share with the resistance when they returned. At least they could come back from their mission with that. Right?

“Citizens of Newtopia”

Sasha began, Once she was sure Marcy was safe.

“It has come to our- to my attention that we have traitors from the resistance in our mix tonight ”

A chorus of mixed reactions erupted from the crowd. Some scared. Some shocked some angry and some almost hopeful.

Both Ivy and Maddie’s hearts sunk into their chests in fear. Had they been caught? Or was it just that Sasha had somehow figured out something was amiss? They both stayed silent praying that the former was true. If they could blend in and stay undetected they may have a fighting chance.

“If the traitors reveal themselves to us now we may consider letting them join our cause in place of the consequences they will receive for defying our kingdom ”

Neither Ivy nor Maddie moved a mussel. Their best bet now was to not be noticed. To morph into the shadow of the guests and stay there until they could run.

Sasha waited a moment or two before her own crown began to glow that very same orange and this time it certainly was not a trick of the light.

Her lips curled into a satisfied and villainous smile and she sat back down on her throne triumphantly. Looking directly at the two terrified froglets. She pointed right at them and snapped at one of the guards.

“Bring them to us”

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After what felt like hours of silently and hurriedly walking through the dark and cold underground tunnels below the palace a crack of light finally appeared in Olivia and Yunans visions. They had made it.

Following after her girlfriend Olivia slipped underneath the doorway connecting the tunnels to the dungeons and with Yunans guidance camouflaged herself, as best she could against the old rickety brick wall covered in bits of moss long forgotten to time. Slowly and carefully they peered around the edge of the collapsing structure to assess their options and formulate an improvised plan.

The hall to the entrance was lined with metallic robots. Each is bigger and more terrifying than the last. Some had weapons, some seemed to be armed with airborne potions, no doubt created by Sasha or whatever he was working with and neither newt had any idea what they would do to them.

Olivia shuddered half in annoyance and half in fear she would never admit she had. She looked to Yunan with an expression the pink salamander could not quite read and sighed.

“We’ll never get past them”

She said, her heart sinking into her chest as she did. This had stopped being about saving The King Of Amphbia a long time ago, It was about saving her late mother's dearest friend to help them save the human she almost considered her child. They couldn't fail. Not now they-

“Not with that attitude we won’t”

“Wha- WAHHH!!”

Olivia was abruptly distracted from her doubting thoughts as she felt Yunans hands wrap tightly around her shoulders for a breif moment.. Before JUMPING FIVE METERS INTO THE AIR WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A WARNING,

Yunan was clearly having the time of her life flying through the air like she was on a rollercoaster,

Olivia felt like she wanted to throw up just from the speed alone..

They landed just above the Frobot's heads and Yunan used her built-in claw contraption to swing them over the metallic soldiers tossing Olivia in the air and catching her very flustered… and very motion-sick girlfriend in her arms her hair frazzled from being disturbed by the forces of gravity.

“And that’s how it’s done”

Yunan said. Trying to impress Olivia

“WILL YOU PUT ME DOWN ALREADY”

She replied. Not angry but very very dizzy. Yunan seriously needed to remember she wasn't as used to wild adventures as her; she wasn't as reckless. In the end however that did not matter for she loved her all the same.

Once Olivia had finally recovered, Yunan sat with her all the while offering whatever she could to make her feel better; it was now her turn to lead them to the dungeons.

Yunan followed her past several marble doorways with hand-carved pictures on them and words neither could understand written in some ancient language. She approached the last one to the left of the hallway. Noticeably more dishevelled and rugged than the rest. With pieces of glass chipped, the picture faded beyond recognition.

“These are the doors to the dungeons. Not many Newts come in. No newts come out. It will be guarded. If you can fight them off I will escort Andrias to Safety. Meet with us outside the castle alright”

“Got it!”

With a shaky breath, she picked the lock with a bobby pin stuck in her bun and the door opened with a crack and a sickening creak. Yunan looked at Olivia in shock trying to comprehend how a newt as proper and refined as her knew how to do something like that.

“When I was a girl.. I would sneak down into the basement on the rare occasion”

Olivia admitted. A soft smile lined her face as she remembered the younger years with her mother and a slightly younger and much kinder King Andrias She twirled her bobby pin in her fingers and looked back up at Yunan.

“My mother caught me once and had a lock installed on the basement door. That didn't stop little Olivia I’m afraid”

So there they walked into the darkness of the dungeons past empty cells fighting off guards should they appear and they were both terrified and they would both never admit it. But it did not matter for they were together and they were going to save Marcy no matter what it took.

————————————————————————
“LET US GO!”

Ivy screamed as she trashed against the guard's firm grip and kicked against her restraints. She didn’t understand how this had happened they’d planned everything perfectly. All the escape routes they’d located had been mysteriously blocked off, the guards seemed to be stationed at every exit and most concerningly of all Sasha had pinpointed them almost instantly.

The pink-eyed guards behind them did not flinch. When Ivy moved to escape they would move with her to keep her in place. No matter how hard she fought they moved forward as if in a trance… which in a way they were.

She looked to Maddie for a sign of reassurance. That maybe just maybe she’d found a way out. The blue froglet looked to the floor and shook her head.

“We can’t reason with them. I’ve seen that type of magic before. It’s a mushroom with some strange properties that allow it to mind control its victim.. a parasite essentially. Sasha must have found a way to modify it into a scent or a spray that emits from that collar and makes the victims obey her.. mindlessly”

Ivy gulped in fear as she felt her stomach twist in knots. She knew as much as anyone else that Sasha had mind-controlled soldiers and subjects. She did not know just how bad it was.

What was rather strange however was a distant lack of guards collared or otherwise in the dungeons. Surely if this is where Sasha kept her prisoners it would not be so easy to escape. Perhaps she had something else in mind for them?. Were they getting those Collars too?

She wouldn’t put it past her. Despite the fact that Maddie was 12 going on 13 and herself only 11 she would not put it past that blonde tyrant to warp their minds to her whims.

They walked in eerily silence through the cold, damp and dark dungeon hallways for several minutes before they stopped in front of a dim-looking cell.

It was barren and the floor was chipped and rough. There were no beds or windows and it would confine them into a room with no light. Before they could even process it the guards harshly threw them in. Maddie laned with a thump again the stone wall and Ivy bruised her shoulder from how she landed on the ground. They were trapped… with no way out and no way to get back to the resistance.

The soldiers left without saying a word returning obediently to their duties and leaving the two girls alone in the darkness and cold.

Chapter Text

Lady Marcy hid underneath the silk covers of her bed. She cuddled the blankets close to her chest and remained as silent and still as she could.

The Core had managed to settle her down some but she was still rightfully terrified. Two members of the resistance had been at that ball and now Olivia and Yunan were missing. Clearly the resistance had gotten in and were planning an attack.

Sasha had warned her about them from the day she’d saved Amphibia from destruction. She told her Andrias was evil and twisted was planning to brainwash her into being his daughter and heir and then have Anne and Sasha “taken care of”. Amphibia would have become a kingdom ruled by a tyrant who would have mind controlled and broken and harmed anyone who did not obey his every command. Pushing Amphibia into a piteous state of penury to keep himself rich and powerful and conditioning all of Amphibia to see the royals as an absolute authority that should be agreed with without question.

The worst part was that all the friends her and Anne had made were in on it. promised they’d live in luxury and riches if they helped with the kings plan. It had started to work to. Marcy saw Andrias like a father before all this had happened. Wether by the mental conditioning she didn’t know her “friends” were putting her through or mind control she did not want to know.

Thank frog Sasha had saved her. Sasha always knew what to do. What was best for her. She had back home and she did here. Sasha was always right. If she just did as she said she’d be fine.

The potions kept her safe and sound and she had Sasha’s eternal protection and friendship. She’d be alright…

Her vision plunged into a room of darkness like a starless sky that flowed into her eyes like pen ink and yet she wasn’t scared. She was relieved for she knew exactly what was happening and where she was going. So as the thirteen orange eyes slowly blinked open staring down at her and engulfing her in an harsh yet comforting ochre light she sat with her legs crossed and looked up at them with a smile.

“Greetings again Wit. We sensed you have a heightened level of anxiety not commonly found in humans. Not to our understanding at least do you require assistance?”

She shook her head as wires zipped down from the top of the void both to monitor and wrap her into a what felt like a warm embrace as she felt an invisible hand softly stroke her hair.

“Ah yes we see the issue. Fear not the resistance can not harm you now little princess. You are under our protection now. We shall alert Sasha to your heightened levels of distress and advise her to meet with you in your quarters. But until that time you have us to comfort you. Relax now young one, we shall not let harm befall you. You are far far to important. Time for you to go back now”

The darkness before her slowly morphed back into her bedroom and she snuggled up peacefully underneath the covers. Peeking out from underneath the duvet with slight hesitation. Before finally emerging from her blanket cocoon. Peaceful as ever.

Blissfully unaware of what her beloved Sashy was up to in the dungeons below her.

—————————————————————————

“LET US OUT”

Ivy screeched as she kicked at the bars of her and Maddies prison. Starting daggers at their captor swinging the key to their freedom mockingly in her fingers.

She reached to grab for it reflexes like lightning from her combat lessons with her mother, but Sasha’s were quicker and she snatched it away laughing at them tauntingly as she did.

“I don’t think so brats. You tried to take my Mar-Mar away from me. Away from the safety only I can provide for her. I’m the only one who knows how to protect her”

The yellow froglet lashed out to attack the tyrannical Queen but she dodged each one of her attempts. It was not a hard feat seeing as she was impaired by the metal rails that kept them confined to this hell.

“You can’t keep Marcy locked away forever!! That’s wrong and you know it!”

She desperately tried to reason, but Sasha only rolled her eyes and gave what Ivy could only describe as a laugh fit for a supervillain.

“It’s for her own good and she knows it. Sure Mar-Mar needs a little… help to understand that’s what’s best for her but now we can keep her safe and happy forever and ever”

For a second… a fleeting second that passed by so quickly that if she’d blinked at that exact moment she would have missed it entirely. Both of Sasha’s ocean blue eyes glowed a bright and sickening orange that took up the entirety of her pupils as an insane smile painted her face.

“The thing is kid, we’ve already won. In just two weeks Marcy will be ours forever. We are on the way to deal with Andrias as we speak and you two brats are to be fitted with collars immediately”

She snapped her fingers at frobot who appeared dutifully at her side holding two new mind control collars in its hands. Swirling with a horrid purple liquid held in glass cases around a black onside base adorned with violet markings.

“Sasha! I know you’re working with something and whatever it’s telling you it’s not true”

Maddie said, contributing to the conversation for the first time. She had been studying her behaviour to see what was wrong.

“I can help you if something is making you do this. If there’s something hurting you but you have to let us out”

She reasoned. A hopeful look in her eyes. Sasha was mean and manipulative and egotistical sure, but this was to far even for her.

Unfortunately it seemed she was too far gone. Whatever had done this to her. Sasha Waybright was beyond the point of no return and soon Marcy would be to.

Sasha said nothing she only laughed with insanity and snapped at the Frobot once more.

The collars fastened around their necks.

And then their minds went blank.

Sasha ordered them to follow.

And they did, without a second thought.