Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Cover art by Tanema123 on Tumblr)

Wartwood. A small town in the swamps of Amphibia, housing a large community of talking frogs. One such family of frogs arrived at the town center in a cart being carried by a slug, where their usual snail was? Who knows, maybe it was a rental. The elderly orange frog grabbed a bag.

"Alright Kids, I'm going to do the shopping, you watch the cart." Hop Pop said.

A young pink frog jumped up.

"Don't worry, Hop Pop, I'll defend this cart with my life!" Sprig said, beating his chest.

"Sprig, I was talking to Polly." Hop Pop said, pointing at the pollywog in a bucket.

"What? Polly's just a baby." Sprig said.

"You're a baby!" Polly said.

"Polly has more responsibility in her little flipper than you do in your entire body!" Hop Pop argued.

"What makes you think I'm not responsible?" Sprig asked.

"Oh, let me think." Hop pop said, "Blowing up dinner after putting in something I said not to. Slamming a Cowapillar through the wall. Leaving the lights on that resulted in giant mosquitos slamming against the house... and that was all just yesterday!"

"Okay so yesterday was a bad day." Sprig said, "But that doesn't mean I'm not responsible."

Hop Pop narrowed his eyes, before hopping off the cart with a grunt.

"Polly, make sure that Sprig stays in the cart." Hop Pop said before turning to go into the store, "Well, how do you do, Mrs. Jonkins?"

Once he was inside the store, Sprig sat back down in the cart with a dejected look.

"I wish there was a way for me to show that I'm not a screw-up."

That's when there was screams that heard throughout the town. Many different citizens turned to the sound of the screams. Out of the forest came a blue frog with one closed eye.

"Monster! Monster!" He said, "There's a monster in the woods!"

The mayor, a large light green toad, arrived.

"Alright, just, settle down Wally, just... just tell us what you saw." Mayor Toadstool said.

"Oh, it was horrifying. It had a huge head, A weird, stubby bump right in the middle of its face and long spindly limbs!" Wally said, making an image from plants, "And it had these glowing white eyes, and large wings... and worst of all... it has this gold glowing venom running down from it's mouth!"

He put two white feathers on the sides of the stick, and some honey for the venom. Many of the town's people were nervous/scared/shocked at the idea of such a horrific beast roaming the woods.

"We better catch this beast before it hurts someone." Mayor Toadstool said, "After all, when it comes to Mayor Toadstool, your safety comes first."

The townsfolk approved of that, as if this wasn't a lie in order to gain more votes for the upcoming election. Sprig, having overhearing this, got an idea.

"Polly, did you hear that?" Sprig asked, "If I catch the beast, then no one will see me as a screw up anymore!"

"Hold it right there." Polly said, "You're not going anywhere."

"Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do to stop me?" Sprig asked with his hands on his hips.

"I'm gonna whoop your butt and make you stay put!" Polly shouted as she flexed her small yet muscular arms. "You KNOW you can't take me!"

Sprig simply reached into his pocket and dropped candy on the ground in front of her.

"... BRIBE ACCEPTED!" Polly shouted, jumping out of the bucket and started to eat the candy.

Sprig jumped out of the cart and ran to the woods.

"Don't die!" Polly said.

(Line Break)

Sprig was running deep into the woods, looking for any sign of the beast. He found footprints and realized this must be where the beast is.

"Looks like the beast roams these parts." He said, standing on a pile of leaves, "Seems like a good place to-"

He was sent into the air by the snare trap around his leg. He then heard footsteps and got nervous. He began to try and bite the rope to get down, but it didn't do much as the sound of a blade hitting the grass could be heard and the beast walked through. He saw her for the first time. Tattered clothes, one shoe missing, bushy hair, white book with a gold cross in one hand, pristine sword in the other.

"Finally." She said, getting close, "I've been waiting for this chance."

Sprig closed his eyes and the beast lifted her sword... she cut the line, making Sprig look up.

"Tell everyone to stay away from me." She said, "I don't mean anyone any harm, but... I can't promise that I can control my... abilities."

"Abilities? Also, you can talk?" Sprig asked, amazed and confused.

"Yes, I can talk and I'm telling you to please stay away. I don't want to hurt anyone." She said sadly as she turned and walked away.

"But... you tried to hurt Wally!" Sprig said, "And he said you had some kind of gold venom!"

"That 'Venom' is my blood, because I tripped and cut my lip open." she said, "And I didn't mean to hurt him, I tried to get him away from me, and some kind of... beam... came out of my hand and vaporized a tree."

"Oh! So he just ran out of misplaced fear! That sounds like Wally." Sprig said with a nod before following her. "But wait! If that's the truth, just come with me and tell everyone! Cuz you don't seem dangerous aside from that cool sword and beamy things!"

"No, it's better if I'm alone and stop following me!" She said as she looked back to Sprig.

The sword began to glow gold and vanished into small gold particles and then she turned around.

"Listen, it is dangerous here, and you shouldn't be here." She said, before opening and looking through her book, "Now leave before-"

There was a growl, making both of them go stiff.

"Oh no…I know that roar." Sprig said with a gulp. "It's a green mantis."

"A mantis? Is it giant like almost everything else here?" She asked, clutching her book tightly.

"Is there any other size? YES!" Sprig said with a nod.

He grabbed her hand and began to rush to safety, making her drop her book in the process.

"Wait! My book!" She said, reaching back.

"No time! We need to hide!" Sprig said back.

He dove into a log with her, while a giant green mantis looked around before looking at the book. It grabbed it in its mandibles and walked away into the woods.

"NO!" Anne yelled, but it was gone.

"Phew! That was close!" Sprig let out as he leaned against the log. "We're safe."

"Safe? SAFE?! I'm not safe without that book, you... Dingus!" She screamed at him.

She then slid to the ground.

"I'm doomed... I am so doomed." She said.

She began to cry as Sprig looked at her awkwardly yet also out of guilt. It was his fault that she lost her book, even if he didn't know how important it was to her.

"Hey…it's gonna be alright." Sprig said, slowly approaching the creature and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Alright? ALRIGHT!?" She yelled, "That book is as old as the universe, and has knowledge that no mortal being should be able to see... and now it's out in the open!"

She stood up.

"I have to get that book back."

"But it's still dangerous out there…..whoever you are! Sprig said before introducing himself. "I'm sorry, I never got your name. I'm Sprig Planter."

She looked down at him, her kind nature getting the better of her.

"I'm Anne. Anne Boonchuy."

Anne and Sprig shook hands, only for Anne to pull her hand back in disgust of the frog mucus on Spirg's skin.

"Ew." Anne said.

(Line Break)

Hop Pop came out of the shop and saw the mob outside.

"Ah, another day, another mob." He said.

He climbed into his wagon and looked back to his grandchildren.

"Alright, kids, let- WHAT THE FROG?!" Hop Pop shouted in shock.

Lying ALONE in the wagon, Polly was next to her bucket with various candy wrappers around her.

"…This isn't what it looks like." Polly said.

"Polly, where's Sprig!?" Hop Pop asked.

"Oh you know, he's around. Probably out looking for the monster like this the rest of the town." Polly said carelessly.

"AFTER A MONSTER?! Oh no!" Hop Pop said in panic.

"Oh if your boy went after the monster, then he's as good as gone." Wally said.

"That's terrible! If we don't stop this beast now, it'll come for all of our children!" The mayor shouted, a large light green toad in a fancy outfit.

"He's not going to die on my watch!" Hop Pop said, grabbing Polly, "Don't worry, Sprig, Hop Pops coming!"

And with that, he ran into the woods.

"FOLLOW HOPEDIAH!" The mayor shouted as he and the angry mob followed the frog grandfather!

(Line Break)

In the woods, Anne and Sprig were getting close to the Mantis... they hoped.

"So, what's the big deal about this book?" Sprig asked.

"It's extremely powerful, and it's meant to help me learn how to handle my powers." Anne said, "Being what I am isn't easy as it turns out."

"What are you?"

"I am... was... I was a human being." Anne said, "Now I'm-"

They heard the Mantis.

"SSSH! Hold that thought! We're close!" Sprig whispered as he got low to the ground, "It's close. Very close."

Anne nodded as she got down low and crawled with Sprig, approaching the mantis slowly.

'Okay, simple, get my book, and then bring this guy back to his town, and then stay in the woods and figure out my next move.' Anne thought.

Nothing could go wrong with that plan so long as nothing interrupts them as they caught the sight of the giant mantis hunting for food while still holding Anne's book in its mandible.

'Okay... just have to get it.' Anne thought.

"Hey, how about I distract it with a rock and you grab your book so you can kill it with your sword?" Sprig whispered to Anne, picking up a rock.

"I can only attack something in the defense of others unless told otherwise by the Lord." Anne said.

"What about when you used the sword before?" Sprig whispered.

"I was cutting you down. Not attacking you." Anne whispered, "Just... distract it so I can get the book."

Sprig nodded and jumped towards a tree. He aimed and fired, hitting the mantis, making it drop the book.

"HISS?!" The mantis let out before another rock hit it in the eye!

Anne rushed out as it hissed in pain, scooping up her book and running towards Sprig.

"I got it, let's go!" Anne yelled.

"But the mantis!" Sprig whined!

"NOW!" Anne shouted.

The two began to run away, thankfully out running the mantis. They ran for a while before stopping.

"Well... that was... unexpected." Anne said, looking through her book to make sure it isn't damaged.

"Yeah, but I still would've been cool to see what else you can do with your book. Like the wings Wally said you had." Sprig said, looking at Anne's back.

"I don't want to bring them out, I can barely fly in a straight line." Anne said, "Besides, I just want to get to my little cave before something worse happens."

"Oh come on, after that mantis, what's the worst that could happen?" Sprig asked.

"SPRIG!" Hop Pop shouted as he and Polly jumped through the foliage.

Followed by the rest of the town.

"Oh dang it." Anne said bluntly.

"THERE IT IS! THAT'S THE MONSTER I SAW LAST NIGHT!" Wally screamed, pointing to Anne.

The town began to move towards her... only for the Mantis to return.

"MANTIS!" The mayor shouted as he pointed to it. "You know the drill everyone, Mantis Formation!"

'What formation?' Anne thought, confused.

The townsfolk began to jump on each other until they were as tall as the Mantis. The Mantis looked at them for a second before turning away. The townsfolk began cheering as they scared it off... until a red Mantis easily twice the size of the green mantis fell down from a tree.

"... Oh no, that makes much more sense." Hop Pop said.

The Mantis began to swipe at the townsfolk, knocking them away, and looking to possibly make an easy meal out of one or two of them. The mantis turned towards the Plantars and swiped at Hop Pop and Polly, as most carnivorous animals will go for the young and old, the easy kills. Sprig pushed them away, but couldn't get up fast enough before the Mantis swiped at him.

"AHHH!" Sprig yelled.

He covered his eyes in preparation for the final blow... until he heard a hiss. He opened his eyes and saw a gold arrow sticking out of the Mantis' eye. He looked over and saw Anne holding a white Bow.

"Sprig, run!" Anne yelled, pulling back the drawstring and manifesting another arrow.

Confused and amazed, Sprig quickly got up and ran away. Anne fired more arrows at the red mantis.

After the fourth arrow, it was clear that there was no kill shot. Its skin was too thick for an arrow to pierce, so she opened her book. Her bow vanished and she pulled out the sword.

'I've got no choice, in order to protect them I have to slay this mantis.' She thought as she closed the book.

She charged at it, letting her wings out and jumping into the air. Her wings, while not very good at flying (Yet), allowed her to get a big boost in her jump. She let gravity do the rest and brought the sword down, slamming right on one of its claws.

CLANG!

The sound was heard by all, making them stop their panic and watch as the red mantis was pushed back from the attack.

"HISSSSSS!" It hissed as Anne held the sword with one hand.

"I am a Guardian Angel and no harm shall come to others when I am around. Otherwise, I shall be forced to take you down." Anne said.

Not understanding or caring, the red mantis hissed loudly as it charged with its mandibles at the ready!

It got close to Anne and tried to attack, only for Anne to put her arms into a cross shape. The mantis slammed its mandibles towards Anne, only for a transparent white orb to shield her.

'... I can't believe that worked.' Anne thought, having not tried that defensive move before.

The mantis kept slamming against the "Holy Orb" as Anne waited for the perfect moment to finish it.

'Wait for it.' Anne thought, as the mantis leaned back, 'NOW!'

She dropped her orb shield and shoved her sword through the Mantis.

"HISSSSSSS!" It hissed loudly before going limp, making Anne pull it off her sword.

"And stay down." She said and before she could put her sword away, Sprig jumped onto her back and hugged Anne from behind.

"That was amazing!" Sprig said in glee.

"You killed that mantis like it was nothing!" Polly screamed in excitement as she and Hop Pop came over. "You are officially cool in my book!"

"Eh, what can I say, it's all in the wrist." Anne said, making her sword disappear.

The mayor hummed as he and the rest of the mob approached Anne, understanding she wasn't a danger anymore but still wary of her.

"Hmm. So you're a guardian instead of a monster? Interesting." The mayor said.

"I'm just someone that's lost in a world that's not my own." Anne said, "I just need to get out of this place and find my friends."

"You mean there's more of you?" Wally asked.

"Yes but hopefully they're not EXACTLY like me." Anne said.

"Well, you're not going to go anywhere for a while." Hop Pop said, pulling out a map from his shirt and showing it. "This Valley is surrounded by mountains that are frozen this time of year."

"The pass should clear up in a couple of months." Sprig said.

"Months? So I'm stuck here?!" Anne said in shock.

"Afraid so but you could try and fly with those wings you have." Sprig said.

"You better be good because if not, you. Will. Die." Polly said to Anne.

"... I don't know how to fly yet." Anne said.

'Plus, I kind of already died but they don't need to know that.' Anne thought.

"Then it appears you're stuck with us as our new town guardian by my decree!" The mayor said as the townspeople cheered. "And I also decree that everyone go back to town, come on."

"But let's get this red mantis first! That's good eats!" Wally said, pointing to the giant dead insect.

"YEAH!" Everyone but Anne said.

'... My life was so normal just 72 hours ago.' Anne thought.

If only Anne hadn't stolen a certain music box from a pawn shop and opened it with her friends, she would still be on Earth….and alive.

After getting her stuff from the cave she slept in, Anne went to Wartwood with the frogs and was brought to the Plantar family farm. After saving Sprig, Hop Pop was more than happy to let Anne stay in the basement that had enough room for her to sleep in.

"Okay, this is a pretty good size basement." Anne said, "At least I think it is. I don't have a basement where I live."

"Well, that's fine because it's yours for as long as you need it." Hop Pop said.

"Plus it's nice and damp so you can stay moisturized." Sprig added, inhaling the damp air. "Feels good."

"Uh, yeah, thanks." Anne said, not really sure how to respond to that.

"Well, we should leave you to get settled. I'll go start on dinner." Hop Pop said as he picked up Polly and left the basement.

"Well, guess I'm stuck here for a while." Anne said to Sprig.

"Yeah but it won't be so bad. You've at least got a roof over your head and a friend." Sprig said with a smile.

"Yeah… I guess so." Anne said, gaining a smile.

"Well, I'll leave you to it!" Sprig said, hopping out of the room.

Once she was alone, Anne then sat down and pulled something out of her backpack. A gold looking music box.

"I really have to figure out something else, because this bag got destroyed when I died." Anne said, putting the bag away and looking at the box, "Come on... please work."

She opened it... nothing happened.

No flash of light like before or music since it was supposed to be a music box.

Anne sighed as she shut the box and set it beside her.

"Dear lord, give me strength. I'm gonna be here for a while." She said as she looked at her holy book.

Chapter Text

Anne opened her eyes and looked around, unsure of what happened or where she was. That's when she heard a voice.

"Anne Boonchuy."

Anne looked and saw what looked like an elderly man in a white suit.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He said, "Welcome to Heaven."

Anne went pale.

"Wait, heaven... like... Afterlife?" Anne asked, "I..."

Anne began hyperventilating.

"Sadly this isn't an uncommon reaction." The man said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Suddenly Anne felt very calm.

"W-w-what did you do?" She asked.

"Simply helped ease you." He said, "Please, allow me to introduce myself. I have gone by many names in my time, but you probably know me mostly as God."

Anne didn't know if it was possible to faint after dying... but she was about to find out. God had to put a hand on her to stop that.

"I feel like we should wait for some of the bigger questions later on, when you become more accustomed to this." God said, "But I will answer the questions you are thinking of. Firstly, no, this is not my true form. My sons and I are capable of taking many forms, and I figured this would be better for you to see than my true form."

"O-o-okay." Anne said, still insanely... emotional for lack of a better word (There are words... but there's too many to talk about), "So... I died?"

"Yes, and that is exactly why I wished to be the first for you to see when you awoken here." God said, "I must say, it is an honor. I have watched humans crawl out of the sea, develop things that once thought impossible, and yet, I always had a plan for everyone on earth, no one had ever managed to stray from the path, until you... tripped and fell down a hill, snapping your neck a solid 78 years before your heart attack is meant to take place."

"Wait you mean I was going to-"

"It's incredible really, the only person to ever live that had their death sneak up on me." God said, strangely giddy about it, "I can't begin to describe this feeling! I've never experienced it!"

Suddenly her confusion was replaced with annoyance as she stared blankly at the creator of all things acting as giddy as a child in a toy store because of her death.

"So glad you liked the surprise." Anne said blankly before looking around. "But aren't there supposed to be some golden gates I need to pass through to get into Heaven? That is how this works with good dead people, right?"

"Usually... but not for you." He said.

"Oh you're not sending me to hell, are you?" Anne asked.

"No... although you probably would get along with my granddaughter." He said, "I'm offering you a deal-"

"Isn't that the devil's thing?" Anne asked.

"Where do you think my son learned it?" God asked, "My soul deals are far kinder than Lucifer's. I will send you back to the moment you died, but I require you to give me your soul in order for that to happen."

"You can't send me back to earth?" Anne asked.

"No, sadly, you are in a realm that is out of my control, so I can only send you back to your physical body." God said, "In exchange... you shall become a Guardian Angel."

"A guardian angel?" Anne asked.

"Contrary to popular belief, not all Guardian Angels are heaven born, sometimes I will find the kindest hearts of the living world to give the job to." God said, "And if you accept, it may help you on your journey to find your friends. What do you say?"

Anne thought about this for a moment and having magic in a dangerous new world COULD be useful in protecting herself, finding her friends, and getting back to Earth without dying…again.

"Well…I guess if it lets me go back and find Marcy and Sasha, how can I say no?" Anne said with a shrug. "It's a deal, God."

"Good." God said, putting a hand on her head, "When you wake up you'll find a book I sent to you, it will help you learn to control your powers."

"Oka-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" Anne shouted as a sudden jolt of magic rushed into her body!

Anne sat up in bed.

"Oh man, guys, I just had the craziest dream!" She said, "I was an angel trapped in a world of frog-"

She looked and saw the Plantars.

"Oh."

'It's all real.' Anne thought, glancing at the angelic book by her sleeping bag.

"Good Morning!" Sprig said.

"Careful boy, it might be hungry." Hop Pop said.

"For your skin!" Polly said.

"Uh... I don't actually have the need to eat." Anne said, "Being dead kinda removed that from me."

"Oh…SO YOU CAN'T ENJOY FOOD AFTER YOU DIE?!" Sprig shouted, horrified by this truth before screaming in horror! "AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Until Anne covered his mouth.

"Stop screaming! And I don't know how it works fully but I haven't needed to eat for a while now. I mean, maybe I could eat just to taste something but I don't need to eat for energy and stuff." Anne explained as best as she could.

Polly hopped up the stairs, before looking at Anne.

"Just give me a reason to use old Dorris." She said, holding a rolling pin.

'... The heck is that going to do? I'm already dead?' Anne thought, but decided to bite her tongue.

"Well…..if you don't need to eat, I guess that puts my fear of you eating to bed. Plus, it'll help save money on food." Hop Pop said as he left the basement too.

"… … … …I think they're coming around to you." Sprig said with a smile.

"Sure they are." Anne said.

"So, Anne, I want to know more about you." Sprig said, "What's your home like?"

"L.A.? It was nice, a bit loud sometimes but I was nice." Anne said with a small smile, remembering Earth. "Tons of stuff to do and to see. Maybe I'll show you some day... If I ever get home."

"Allow me to show you before breakfast!" Sprig said as he pulled Anne to her feet, guiding her out of the basement.

'This is a very nice home.' Anne thought, before looking at the door.

"Uh, is there usually a giant lock on your front door?" Anne asked.

"That's... new." Sprig said.

"THAT... is needed." Hop Pop said, "You see, Anne, you are a strange, weird, TERRIFYING-"

"I got it." Anne said.

"This town is very old fashioned, and isn't very fond of outsiders." Hop Pop said, locking the door with a key, "They just need some time to get used to you... so no going out."

"What? But that's not fair, Hop Pop! You know Anne isn't dangerous!" Sprig said as he gestured to her.

"Yeah, I know that but nobody else does, so a riot is still possible! Now you two find something else to do INSIDE while I go do some light reading." Hop Pop said as he walked to his room.

The door closed and Anne groaned.

"According to the Mayor I'm supposed to be the 'Protector' of this town... how would I be able to do that if I can't even leave the house?" Anne asked, looking at Hop Pop's door.

"Exactly! That's another reason to show you around town, so you can know every inch of it to protect it better." Sprig said.

"Exactly!" Anne said.

"Mmmm, can you use your powers to get us out? Like picking the lock?" Sprig asked.

"Hmm... I have a better idea." Anne said, smirking.

(Line Break)

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sprig asked.

"It'll be easy, we just take the key, go outside for a bit, and then come back and put it in his pocket." Anne said, "He'll never know."

'And it's not stealing, just borrowing. So it's not a sin.' Anne thought.

"Now how do we do this?"

"What about, we use fishing line to lower me down, swipe the key, and bring me out before he even notices! I'll be like a shadow." Sprig said, knocking a vase over that Anne only barely caught.

The two went still, not making a noise. Hop Pop didn't turn around.

"... Shadows make noise." Sprig said.

"Wait a minute." Anne said, hearing... Snoring?

Walking closer, Anne gazed at Hop Pop's front to see he wasn't even reading. He was holding the book up while sleeping… WITH HIS EYES OPEN!

"Sprig…you need to see this." Anne said slowly as Sprig came over to see. "He's asleep."

"Yeah, he does this sometimes." Sprig said.

"… … … …This is honestly really creepy, dude." Anne said as she stared at the frog.

"Oh yeah, definitely." Sprig said before reaching into Hop Pop's jacket and taking out the key. "But it makes getting this all the easier. Let's go."

The two went to the lock and put the key inside. They pushed the door open and the two smirked.

"So, what is there to do around here?" Anne asked.

"Allow me to show you one of the best places in Wartwood, the ruins of the school!" Sprig said with excitement.

"…I like this place more already." Anne said since she was never the best student in school.

The two walked to the old broken school ruins, where several other kids Sprig's age were playing around in the rubble. Playing tag, throwing stones to play catch, and even playing hopscotch. A LONG frog version of hopscotch.

'Huh... okay... this is...'

This place was weird. Anne couldn't find the words, even in her head. She then got an idea.

"Hey, Sprig, you know, I'm thinking maybe going into town may not be the greatest idea." Anne said, "What about we go somewhere outside of the town to check out? Something might be happening out of town."

"Outside of town huh? Hmmmm." Sprig said as he scratched his chin. "Maybe the lake near the town border? It's been closed for a while and not everybody knows why."

"Perfect!"

Sprig led them away from the former school and to the lake.

(Line Break)

They found a suspicious sign that said not to enter the lake.

"Huh... is... this normal?" Anne asked.

"This wasn't here last week." Sprig said.

Curious and cautious, Anne approached the water slowly and kneeled before the gentle waters. Observing the giant lily pads floating on the surface.

"Someone probably just wants this place for them self." Anne said.

"Well, yeah that sounds about right. The mayor means well but he's always been kind of sketchy." Sprig said, scratching his head.

"Well... as my duty of town protector... I must make sure the water is safe." Anne said.

Anne ran and jumped into the water. Yeah, she was going to enjoy the lake, she didn't care about it being dangerous. She swam up and looked at Sprig.

"Hey, Sprig, come on in! The water is fine!"

"Okay! The water is safe then!" Sprig shouted as he threw off his shirt and jumped into the water. "Cannonball!"

"This reminds me of the beach back home!" Anne said, "This place is awesome!"

"What else do you have that we also have? You know, besides water and frogs and stuff." Sprig asked, swimming up to Anne.

"Tons of stuff, dude." Anne said.

"We had these things called Jet Ski's, they're something you ride on water." Anne said.

"Oh! Like giant water spiders?" Sprig asked in surprise.

"Kind of…you don't have those here, do you?" Anne asked.

"Nope, just normal sized water spiders." Sprig said as he flicked the water, making it ripple.

"Well, it was worth a shot."

Anne leaned back with her eyes closed, sighing softly as she enjoyed the warm sun on her face.

"So, what else is there to do in this lake?"

"Not much other than fish, water insects, and maybe some water snakes too but I've never seen one." Sprig said.

Anne thought about it, thinking about a tiny snake.

'Hm... cute.' Anne thought, 'Maybe I'll see one later.'

Unfortunately for Anne, she got her wish sooner than later as something slowly rose to the surface behind them.

"... Please tell me that's a cloud causing that shadow." Anne said.

"…Nope. The sky was clear when we came out." Sprig said, nearly freezing in the water.

Both of them slowly turned around and saw a GIANT water snake looming over them. Which was the exact reason the lake was closed in the first place.

"... Run?" Sprig asked.

"That would be a good idea." Anne said.

"ROOOOOAH!" The giant snake roared as they began swimming to shore, dodging the giant bite!

"Go! Go! Go!" Anne said.

"I'm going! In going!" Sprig said as he swam faster than Anne.

'He's a frog, right! Forgot that!' Anne thought as she focused in making herself swim faster!

"Dumb non webbed hands!" Anne said, as the snake got closer.

It bit down on her, stabbing her right through the chest and stomach with its massive teeth. Gold blood hit the water as Anne yelled in pain.

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

"ANNE!" Sprig shouted as he makes a U-turn and swam back to her.

The snake threw her into the water. Anne skipped across the surface before flopping onto a large lily pad, holding the holes in her chest and stomach.

'W-Why aren't I healing?! I always healed before, why not now?!' She thought, hissing in pain.

The snake came towards her and she tried to make a cross with her arms in order to activate the shield…. It didn't work.

"Look out!" Sprig shouted as he hopped and grabbed Anne, dragging her back into the water as the snake bit into the lily pad!

It hissed in anger as Sprig pulled Anne onto another lily pad, one a bit further from the shore but out of the snake's sight.

"Well... good news... I've still got my immortality." Anne said, "Bad news... I can't use any of my powers... and my healing isn't working."

Anne lifted her hand off her wounds and saw that it was still bleeding, as evident by the amount of blood staining her clothes and hand.

"What? Why?! A guardian can't just bleed out right?!" Sprig asked, trying not to panic.

"I don't know, Sprig." Anne said, "Still… pretty new to this!"

"Well is there a way to fix your healing powers or what before the snake finds us?!" Sprig asked, being on the lockout.

"I can't summon my book, so I don't know."

'Why can't I summon my book either? If there was a time to do some guardian stuff, now is the time!' Anne thought as she tried to think of why her powers weren't working.

"Sprig, you have to get out of here." Anne said.

"What? No! I'm not leaving you!" Sprig said to her.

"Just go! This is my fault! And it's still my job to protect the town, including you!" Anne said, pushing herself to sit up.

"Besides... I'm still immortal... you're not." Anne said.

"I don't care if I die! Friends don't abandon friends!" Sprig said, shaking his head.

He grabbed Anne and tried to pull her.

"Sprig stop! I'm staying!" Anne said.

"And I said no! Come on, we're leaving together!" Sprig said.

He pulled Anne off, just as the snake slammed into the lily pad. It was back on them, following the trail of golden blood in the water to get to Anne!

"Hsssssssss!" The giant snake hissed as its hunt continued.

'Please, powers! Work! I need you to work so I can save my friend! Please!' Anne thought.

The snake kept coming and Anne put her hands together.

'I'm sorry I stole, please!' Anne prayed, 'Please give me my strength back!'

"Hsssssssssss!" The snake hissed as it was about to strike again, ready to eat them both!

"Aaaaaah!" Sprig screamed as he looked away!

He waited… and waited… and death really liked to take its time apparently. Sprig looked up and saw that Anne was standing there, her arms in the shape of a cross, and a barrier of holy energy between them and the snake. Anne pushed back and uncrossed her arms, letting the barrier vanish.

"Let's try this again." Anne said, her body healing.

Holding her hand out, Anne's holy book appeared in a flash of light and she draw her sword from it and prepared her wings.

'I may not be able to fly properly, but they should at least help me get a boost!'

With a boosted jumped, Anne took to the air and raised her sword above as the water snake bared its fangs to eat her! She put her foot out and landed on its nose, forcing its mouth clothes. Anne swing her sword, hitting it in the eye. The water snake couldn't roar or hiss in pain as it began thrashing around to get Anne off its face! She pushed the sword deeper into its eye, before pulling it out and kicking the snake in the mouth, knocking a tooth out of it as it slid across the water.

"Awesome!" Sprig cheered firm the lily pad.

"Sprig, shore! Now!" Anne shouted, gliding in the air with her still wings.

"Right!" He said.

Without needing to worry anymore, Sprig swam to the shore as Anne landed on the lily pad.

Its left eye is useless. That's good but he's not down for the count.' Anne thought, keeping her eyes on the snake.

She opened her book and looked through it for a weapon that could help.

'A sword isn't enough, maybe a crossbow or chains could help.' Anne thought.

She pulled out a chain.

"Holy chains, show me what you can do!" Anne shouted as the water snake rose from behind her!

"HSSSSSSSSSSS!" It hissed at her.

She swung the chains at the snake.

The snake dodged the chains and went to attack but the chains magically swung back around and wrapped around the snake!

"HSSSS!" The snake hissed it tried to break free of the chains.

Suddenly, Anne felt the chains pulse with some sort of energy, forcing the snake to calm down. Almost lulling it to sleep with as its thrashing slowed.

'They're taking away its will to fight?' Anne thought.

Anne pulled the chains down, causing the snake to hit the ground. She let the chains disappear and then the snake looked scared. Like Anne would finish it off or she would gouge out its other eye. She sensed this and approached the creature slowly, making it shiver in fear as she reached out towards it. She ran a hand over its missing eye, slowly healing it.

"Leave." Anne said, "It's better if you stay away, for both your sake and everyone that comes here. In my world, when one creature kills a human, humans will kill thousands in response."

The snake with both eyes gazed at Anne, seeing no hostility or ill will towards it even after it bite her and tried to eat her. Somehow understanding, the large water snake pulled back into the lake and swam away from Wartwood. Never forgetting this kindness and never showing itself in this town again. Anne pulled her wings back in and started to walk back to shore.

"... Yep..." She said, realizing she was walking on water, "That's not even the strangest thing that's happened to me today."

Once she arrived to shore, she could only sigh in relief for a second before Sprig tackled her to the sand!

"You're okay! You're okay!" Sprig said happily.

"We're heading back to the farm." Anne said, "I don't want to risk anything else happening."

"Oh yes, definitely. Even if the snake is gone, I might never come back to this lake again." Sprig said, a little traumatized from this experience.

"…Want me to carry you, dude?" Anne asked.

"Yes, please." Sprig said before climbing on top of Anne's bushy hair.

(Line Break)

The two got back to the farm. Shortly afterwards, Hop Pop woke up.

"Huh! I'm awake!" He shouted, waking up and dropping his book. "Wait…it's quiet, too quiet! Oh no, they got out!"

He rushed out of his room and saw…Anne and Sprig playing board games in the den?

"Huh? You kids are still here?" He said in surprise.

"Well yeah, you did lock the door." Sprig said.

Anne had her book opened next to her and was looking through it while playing the game. She sighed and stood up. She couldn't do this, she couldn't lie.

"Hop Pop... we snuck out." Anne said, pulling the key out, "I'm sorry, we shouldn't have done that, and I won't do that ever again. We came across a giant snake and it almost got the better of us."

"You what?! Why?!" Hop Pop screamed in shock.

"Because I thought you were being paranoid but you were right. I let becoming a guardian angel think I could ignore the rules and do what I please. I was wrong and it almost cost me a friend." Anne said as she gave the key back to Hop Pop. "I promise, it won't happen again."

Hop Pop looked at Anne, deciding that whatever happened out there was enough of a punishment.

"I think today's lesson was enough punishment. I just want you kids to be safe, guardians or not. Remember that, alright?" Hop Pop said as he put the key in his pocket.

"Don't worry, Hop Pop, we'll remember." Anne said.

"Especially since I will not be going back to that lake." Sprig said, still traumatized.

Hop Pop nodded and took the key back to his room.

"Why did you tell him?" Sprig asked.

Anne closed her book and stood up.

"... It's time I start being an angel." She said, walking to the basement.

She looked at her book, remembering what she just read, and how messed up it will be if she doesn't listen from now on.

'Any sins committed will prevent you from using your powers.'

She closed her eyes.

"If I want to find my friends and get home, I have to try and at least try and be holy."

Chapter Text

A few days later, things had calmed down around the Plantar farm. Anne was currently reading more of her holy book, just in case something like what happened at the lake happened before.

"Huh, so, the royal family of the underworld is not to be touched." Anne said, reading the page about what is and isn't allowed by angels, "Good thing there's pictures, I don't want to get both heaven and hell after me."

'And the antichrist is a girl? I did not see that coming.' Anne thought, looking at the picture of Lucifer's daughter.

Most people would assume the Antichrist would be a boy but a girl can be just as apocalyptic. Sometimes even more bur back to the subject at hand.

"Didn't think Lucifer would marry a human woman but good for her I guess." Anne said.

The images showed (one of) Lucifer's human form, a woman with dark skin and glasses, and a young girl. Said girl was pulling her eyelids down with her middle fingers while sticking her tongue out. Clearly, she did NOT want her picture taken.

'... Yeah, I can relate to that a bit.' Anne thought, thinking of all the pictures she's had taken in her life.

It was then that Sprig came in.

"Anne! Anne! Anne!"

"What? What? What?" Anne asked.

"You gotta come up here and see this!" Sprig said, gesturing to Anne to come out of the basement. "You're not gonna believe it!"

Anne rolled her eyes playfully and put the book down.

Exiting the basement and walking into the den, Anne saw Sprig gesturing to something on the table that got him excited in the first place.

"A cooking contest?" Anne asked.

"Not just any cooking contest, a yearly event that-"

"We always lose." Polly said, hopping towards them.

"Lose?" Anne asked.

"Afraid so, Anne. The Planatars have a long tradition of losing the town cooking contest, despite using the best my family's recipes have to offer." Hop Pop said with a small sigh.

"And every year, the losers are locked in a cage and have rotten things thrown at them." Polly said.

"Okay... well... what if I try and help?" Anne suggested, "My parents own a restaurant back home, so I could put my skills to good use."

"That's a great idea! With your help, this year we come be in the shame cage!" Sprig said.

'I just thought her being the town guardian would prevent us from being put in the cage but this is better!' Sprig thought.

"So, what are you making, Hop Pop?" Anne asked.

"I was thinking of making an old Plantar recipe." Hop Pop said, walking towards a cookbook in the kitchen and flipping to the page. "Some good old Swamp Belly Stew."

Anne learned right there that even angels had a gag reflex.

Hop Pop decided to cook the dish for her to show how "wonderful" his cooking was and the reason why the Plantar family lost every year.

"And enjoy." Hop Pop said, setting a bowl of Swamp Belly Stew in front of Anne.

'I know lying will affect my powers but I REALLY don't want to tell him this smells and looks horrible.' Anne thought, glancing at Sprig and Polly as they tried not to gag from the smell. 'How they survived here living on this is a miracle.'

"H.P., I promised myself I would be honest with you since the lake incident, and I'll keep that promise." Anne said before politely pushing the stew away. "I hate to hurt your feelings but this smells bad, like REALLY bad. Like... I'm dead... and this thing smells worse than death."

"Well, while I appreciate your honesty, that was rude and uncalled for, these recipe has been loved by my family for years. It's delicious." Hop Pop said as he took a bite of the stew.

Anne had her doubts.

And they were confirmed when Anne saw Sprig and Polly shake their heads to confirm they didn't like the food either.

"Well, regardless if you like it Hop Pop, not everyone will like it." Anne said as she picked up the cooking book and looked through it. "If you guys want to win or at least not get last place, you're gonna need to find a dish everybody will like."

'No. No. Nope… I'm fairly certain this one is alive.'

"I'm sorry, H.P. But none of these are going to help you win." Anne said as she put the cookbook down. "Which means, we'll have to come up with something new that will blow the judge's tastebuds out of his mouth!"

"And what do you think could do that?" Sprig asked.

"Hmmm, well I know a few dishes from my family's restaurant by heart but I don't know if we have all the ingredients for them." Anne said as she pulled out her phone. "And if we don't, maybe there's something else from Earth we could try like pizza."

"What's... Piz... za?" Sprig asked.

"Is it good?" Polly asked.

"Is it dangerous?" Hop Pop asked.

"Pizza is good but not dangerous. Well, if you don't let it cool." Anne said as she found a photo of pizza on her phone, showing the Plantars. "It's somewhat easy to make and the ingredients are just dough, sauce, cheese, and your choice of toppings. Though given the fact that most things here could kill you… maybe we should stick with just cheese."

"What about fruit? Fruit isn't that dangerous, so maybe we can put that in the pizza." Sprig said.

"… … … …Sprig, I respect your suggestion but I will kindly have to decline that idea. Fruit DOES NOT go with pizza." Anne said, TRYING not to strange Sprig for saying fruit can go on pizza.

Fruit should NEVER be on pizza.

'I can't kill without reason, and I'm fairly certain this wouldn't be a good reason.' Anne thought.

"Well, we can talk about toppings later. I'm not fully behind this "pizza" idea but we might as well try it." Hop Pop said work his arms crossed.

"That's all I ask. Now let's go, I know where our first stop should be for the dough." Anne said.

They arrived at the bakery.

A nice little shop run by a rather nice family, with the exception of a scary daughter.

'Why does being near her make me feel threatened?' Anne thought.

"So you want some dough, eh?" Mr. Flour asked.

"Yeah we need it for our dish for the town cooking contest. Anne suggested we make something new." Sprig said as the daughter came out from behind her father.

"What are you willing to give us for it?" Maddie asked, looking between Anne and Sprig.

'Let's see… I guess…'

"Do you accept blood payments? Angel blood is extremely expensive… and apparently can be used to make holy bread… why is that a thing?!"

"Holy bread? Interesting." Mr. Frog said as he rubbed his chin.

"Can we use the angel blood for OTHER things?" Maddie asked, grinning as she stared at Anne.

"Uh... it can be used in potions." Anne said, reading the book.

"Let me get the bucket." Maddie said, rushing off to get a bucket.

"Bucket?! You can't take that much! It could kill Anne…again!" Hop Pop said.

'Would it?' Anne thought.

"Yeah a bucket fulls sounds like too much just for some dough. How about a jar full each for me and my daughter?" Mr. Flour said as Maddie came back with a bucket.

"That's sounds fair. Two jars of angel blood for some dough." Sprig said with a nod.

"Yeah... this might be a bit annoying." Anne said, pulling out a knife from the book.

"And painful. Don't forget painful." Polly said, paying attention as she gazed at the heavenly knife. "And can I keep that knife?"

"No." Anne said as Mr. Flour pulled out two 32 oz sized jars.

Anne let her blood spill into the jar.

And she was right, it did hurt. Not just the cut but forcing her blood to pour into the jar until it was full.

Make felt light headed for just a moment before her healing power kick in and restore her so she could fill up the second jar.

"Wow. It's gold." Maddie said in awe, grabbing the first jar and sealing it.

"Yeah, that's kinda how angel blood works." Anne said.

"Fascinating. Does it glow in the dark? My younger kids need a new nightlight." Mr. Floor said, thinking of keeping a small bit of angel blood once he made holy bread.

"I do not know or want to find out actually." Anne said as she finished filling the second jar.

She handed Maddie the jar and was given the dough.

"Step one is done. Now for step two, cheese." Anne said as the dough was placing in her book for storage so it would stay fresh.

'I have no idea how that worked.' Anne thought.

"Okay, so where do we get the cheese?" Polly asked.

"I know the perfect place." Hop Pop said.

They arrived at Mrs. Croaker's cowapillar farm.

"So you need cheese, huh? What will you guys give me in exchange?" Mrs. Croaker said as she gazed at Anne. "Especially you, Ms. guardian angel?"

"You wouldn't want some angel blood, wouldn't you?" Anne asked.

Mrs. Croaker waved her off.

"I have enough blood on my hands, I don't need anymore."

"Come again?" Hop Pop said in surprise.

"Don't worry about it, Hopediah." Mrs. Croaker said to him.

'Okay, that is very concerning.' Anne thought with wide eyes.

"Well... is there anything you need done?" Anne asked, "I am pretty strong."

Anne walked over and lifted a massive boulder with one hand.

"WHOA!" Sprig and Polly said in awe.

"Now that is useful." Mrs. Croaker said, rubbing her chin.

"There might be something you can help me with." Mrs. Croaker said.

"Great. Anything to get us the cheese." Anne said as she gently put the massive boulder down.

"You see, a few of the pillars need to be moved, but they're a bit... unpredictable."

"Unpredictable how? Are they faster than they look?" Anne asked, glancing at the cowapillars eating grass.

"Something like that." Mrs. Croaker said, "Why don't you try and move them."

"Okay." Anne said.

She walked over and attempted to move them... they began growling and trying to bite her. Anne cartwheeled away.

'They're feral... okay, that makes a lot of sense.' Anne thought.

"My, they are stubborn." Hop Pop said.

"That they are. Which makes it nearly impossible to move them to pasture. If you can help me with that, I'll give you the best cheese I got." Mrs. Croaker said.

"Okay." Anne said, cracking her neck, "Bet."

From that point, Anne began to mow the cowapillars as best as she could without getting bitten. Not that it would have mattered if she did, but she'd prefer to keep the blood IN her body.

'I need to see if there is a spell to make my skin indestructible later.' Anne thought, flinching from another bite from a cowapillar.

One bit down on her and she wrapped her arms around it.

"You want to wrestle? Fine!"

'Please lord forgive me for harming this innocent creature!' Anne quickly prayed before slamming the giant bug/bovine into the ground!

nne began to drag the cowapillar to the corral.

"Go Anne! Show that cow who's boss!" Polly cheered from the side.

Anne dodged a bite and threw it into the pen.

"And stay there!" Anne said as Mrs. Croaker approached her.

"Hehehehe, nice job. Abby is usually the most difficult but you handled her well." She said.

"Yeah, I have a bit of a rowdy pet myself." Anne said.

"Really? How big were they?" Mrs. Crocker asked.

"She was small but fierce. When it was time for her check up, she clawed me and parents up GOOD." Anne said with a phantom wince.

'Domino, you are a force of nature.' She thought.

"Hope she's doing okay without me."

"If she's as tough as you say, I'm sure she's fine. Now, onto your payment for helping me." Mrs. Croaker said.

Mrs. Croaker went inside and came back with a wheel of cheese.

'Wow, that's more than we need but nothing wrong with leftovers.' Anne thought as she took the cheese and put it in her magic storage. 'Just one ingredient left.'

"So... where do you get tomatoes?" Anne asked.

"I don't know, no one really sells them." Sprig said.

"There's a reason for that." Hop Pop said, pulling out the book and opening a page.

On the page was what they needed but not what Anne expected.

The Carnivorous Tomato Plant, a Venus flytrap-like plant with three heads atop long red stems joined at the base of the plant, where bunches of tomatoes are located. Each head possesses a large mouth and rows of sharp, white teeth and a green flower-like stalk. Their stomach appears to be conjoined and their nourishment shared between one another.

"Once again, I wonder why everything in Amphiba has to be deadly." Anne said blankly as she reads the page. "Located in Northern Amphibia, these plants are highly aggrieved and extremely protective of the tomatoes at their base."

Anne thought about it.

"I mean… I'm immortal, so I could probably do this myself." Anne said.

"What? No way! I want to see this thing up close! Dangerous or not, it looks cool!" Polly said with a grin.

"You are not getting close to this! It could eat you in one bite, Polly!" Hop Pop said.

"It could eat ALL of us in one bite." Anne said.

"Exactly, which is why I think only Anne and I should go. I can guide her and she can get the tomato." Hop Pop said, closing the book.

Anne still didn't like the idea of one of them going with her. Her job was to protect everyone, not let them walk into danger!

'Maybe I can convince him to let me go alone?' Anne thought as Hop Pop went to gather some supplies they would need.

Anne began to think. She could just take the book and use the map inside to find the tomato but theft is a sin and inane wouldn't get far before her powers refused to work.

'Ugh, being an angel is hard!' Anne thought.

"Say Anne, after we get the tomatoes, how do we make that with the cheese and dough into pizza?" Sprig asked.

"Huh? Oh, it's easy. You roll the dough out into a flat circle, spin it in the air like a disk a few times, spread the grounded up tomato sauce on top, then add cheese and maybe some spices on top before baking it in the oven." Anne quickly explained.

"I've made a lot, I can handle that." Anne said.

"Really? Can you make some extra for us after the competition? I want to try this pizza." Polly said.

"There will be plenty of time for that later." Hop Pop said as he came back with a traveling bag of supplies. "Right now, Anne and I need to go. Polly, you're in charge until we get back."

'... I don't know if that a good idea or not.' Anne thought.

But against her gut, Anne left the farm with Hop Pop as Polly turned to Sprig.

"Go to your room!" Polly shouted with a grin.

Hop Pop was looking at the map. Just like from the book but with warning signs of danger they would need to avoid or have avoided along the way. Anne had a sword ready. Ready to defend Hop Pop from any of the potential threats.

"Are we getting close?" Anne asked.

"Hmmm, yeah. It should be in this next clearing." Hop Pop said, reading the map and looking ahead.

"Okay, the sooner we do this the better."

'For both the pizza and your safety.' Anne thought, keeping an eye on Hop Pop.

"Anne, stop!" He said, "There it is."

The guardian angel stopped as she looked up, seeing the carnivorous tomato plant sitting in the middle of a clearing. Seemingly sleeping with nothing to disturb it…YET.

"Okay, so, we move slowly and pray nothing goes wrong?" Anne whispered.

"That's about it, yeah. Then, we start cooking and hopefully win the contest." Hop Pop whispered, putting the map away.

"Here, I got it. I can cut it with my sword." Anne said.

'And since I'm protecting Hop Pop from this monster plant, I should be allowed to kill it.' Anne thought, slowly approaching the tomato plant.

'Careful. Careful.' She thought.

Anne stepped carefully around every twig and stray leaf to not wake up the tomato plant, coming within a few feet of it and seeing the plump ripe tomatoes within arms reach.

'Okay, nothing can-'

a grubhog stepped on a stick.

'Crud.' Anne thought.

The plant woke up. Seeing Anne so close to its tomatoes, it sent the plant into a frenzy.

"ROOOOOOOOAH!" It roars at Anne.

"Great." Anne said, raising her sword.

"LOOK OUT!" Hop Pop shouted as the monster plant chomped at Anne!

CHOMP!

She barely dodged it.

'Dear lord, give me strength and guide my blade to slay this vegetable!' Anne thought with a quick prayer.

Anne's eyes started glowing and moved in a rush of speed. The vines of the tomato plant ripped from the ground and lashed at Anne, making her dodge and slash through them as she went for the neck/main stem of the plant!

"YAAH!" Anne shouted as she swung her sword.

Sadly the plant had better reach than her and knocked her away before she could do anything.

'The sword won't work, I need something with reach.' Anne thought, opening her book and looking through it, 'Yep! That'll do!'

She pulled out a spear. Pristine and strong hand with a golden blade head in the shape of a sharp cross. Anne spun the weapon in her hands before charging at the tomato plant again, stabbing and slashing away any vines.

'I just need a good opening!' Anne thought, tossing the spear up a bit and catching it in her hand, 'Like now!'

She threw the spear.

"ROOO-" the tomato plant was impaled through the mouth and forced to the ground!

Restraining it as its red plant juice/blood was spilling out.

'Oh that looks a lot like blood.' Anne thought.

It continued to struggle against the spear, slowly losing its strength before becoming limp on the forest floor. Anne let go of the spear and it disappeared.

"... Okay, it's dead." Anne said.

"And that means we can get the tomatoes. I'm actually surprised you managed to kill it, most have been eaten trying." Hop Pop said as he approached the tomatoes.

"And that's why it pays to have someone that's immortal to help." Anne said.

Hop Pop nodded in agreement as he grabbed two tomatoes from the dead plant, thinking that even if they don't win, a rare ingredient would make a delicious family dinner later.

Now all they needed to do was make the pizza and enter the contest.

The two returned to the farm. And they were met with Sprig and Polly in mid fight, the frog boy being on the floor with his sister about to punch him.

"…Hey guys." Sprig said with a wave.

"Kids, enough playing, we have work to do." Hop Pop said.

"You got the tomatoes?" Polly asked, hopping off Sprig.

"We got two of them!" Hop Pop said as Anne brought all of the ingredients out of her book.

"Now, watch and learn." Anne said.

The trio followed Anne to the kitchen as she began rolling the dough into a flat circle, then she began to toss it into the air a bit to make it float before she caught it. Twice more over before she laid it flat. Anne then began to pound the tomato into a paste, barely worrying about the seeds and could just remove them later.

"Whoa this is how you make this... Pizza thing?" Polly asked, "There's... a lot of punching and throwing. I like it!"

"It's called Kneading." Anne said.

"I don't care, show me more of it." Polly said.

"Hahahaha, okay fine. How about you take this pounding tool and help me grind the tomato into paste?" Anne asked, handing Polly a big spoon.

"Gladly!" Polly said, taking the spoon.

"Sprig, Hop Pop, shred the cheese into little sprinkles." Anne said.

"You got it, Anne!" Sprig said.

"I think I got something that can help." Hop Pop said.

"I'm almost afraid of what that is." Anne said.

But she just kept focusing on the tomato as Polly got REALLY into pounding the tomato as she got a crazy look in her eyes as the red began covering her face.

Making her look like a crazed killer.

'... I'm worried about her.' Anne thought, really hoping that she doesn't become a serial killer one day.

But Anne did her best to focus on the pizza as she looked around for some sort of strainer to get the sauce separated from the seeds.

'Would it be wrong to use angel magic for this?' Anne thought.

Of course she is technically helping her adopted frog family. But at the same time... she really wants to just see if she could. So, with a wave of her hand, Anne summoned her book and reached inside like it was a drawer.

"Okay, here goes nothing." Anne said as she pulled her hand out along with what looked like a strainer?

It would do the job.

'Guess I can create tools when I need them.' Anne thought before she grabbed a larger bowl.

"Okay, that's enough pounding the tomato, Polly. Now we gotta separate the seeds from the sauce." Anne said as Polly stopped "killing" the fruit.

She looked disappointed.

"Awww, but this was fun." Polly said.

"I get that but we can smash something else later. Maybe when you're…helping me defend the town." Anne said, not really lying but promising.

"Deal!"

Polly threw the wooden spoon away and helped Anne dump the tomato sauce into the strainer above the larger bowl.

'Better destroy these seeds too so Hop Pop doesn't try to plant them.' Anne thought.

This world didn't need anymore demon fruit... vegetable... whatever it counts as.

'Best not to think about that.' Anne thought as they finished pouring the tomato and checking the strainer for the seeds.

Once all of the seeds were accounted for, Anne took them towards the fireplace. Without a word she threw them in. The flames burned the seeds to bits as Anne turned to Sprig and Hop Pop, who now had a bowl of shredded cheese.

"How's it looking?" Anne asked.

"The cheese is ready to go!" Sprig said.

"Mighty tasty too." Hop Pop said as he ate some.

"Great. Now we put it all together." Anne said.

Anne grabbed the sauce and poured it on the dough. Making sure to spread it around evenly before taking the cheese to sprinkle a thick layer over it.

"Now we put this in the oven and wait for perfection." Anne said.

"How long do we wait?" Sprig asked.

"Couple hours, 2 or 3 maybe?" Anne said, not quite sure herself, "All depends on the strength of an oven."

'Which we don't have, just a sort of fire pit.' Anne thought, glancing at the fire pit. 'Okay, I can make this work but I might have to abuse my angel magic again.'

Anne was debating on whether or not she should.

'A strainer is one thing but using holy fire to speed up cooking a pizza? That seems like a stupid abuse of power.' Anne thought, showing a level of responsibility she never had on Earth, 'I just... need to try and not use the powers to not possibly ruin this. I just... need to wait.'

Once it was done, Anne took the pizza out of the oven. All three Plantars were in awe of how delicious it looked and smelled as they inhaled for almost 10 full seconds.

"THIS is pizza?! It smells amazing!" Sprig shouted.

"And I'll bet it'll blow that judge's socks off!" Anne said.

The Plantars walked back into the farm after the competition.

"That wasn't so bad." Sprig said.

"I'm upset." Anne said, "Second place? Come on, how could you not like pizza!?"

"I think second place is great! The best award the Plantar family has gotten in ages." Hop Pop said as he held their second place trophy.

"Please we can keep the rest of the pizza!" Polly said as she was eating some of the pizza herself.

"Sure." Anne said.

"I'd still like to try it with pineapple on it. I think that would taste really good." Sprig said.

Anne turned to look at him with fury in her eyes.

"Sprig, I value your personal opinion on toppings but PLEASE! Stop mentioning putting fruit on pizza." Anne said while gritting her teeth.

Anne quickly went to the basement.

"Wow, she just really hate pineapple to react like that." Hop Pop comments.

"Eh, I don't like pineapple that much either." Polly said, eating more pizza. "But we can put other stuff in this, right? I kind of want to try some dung beetles on it."

"Oh, dung nettles are good too." Sprig said with a nod.

"I think we have some shredded grasshoppers too." Hop Pop said as they went into the kitchen.

Anne pulled out her book and began reading it. It not only helped her calm down but also remind her that her powers were never meant to be used selfishly. Only in the service and protection of others. Preventing the Plantars from being put in the loser cage for losing a cooking contest luckily fell under that category.

'I need to know more about my abilities.' Anne thought, 'Let's see if there's something in this that I can learn to do.'

Two things that could come in handy are creating familiars to help in her duties and healing powers to treat injured. But she wouldn't be upset if she could manage one good spell before the end of the day.

"Alright, let's see how to heal someone." Anne said as she focused on the "easier" spell.

She could learn to create familiars later, healing magic would be more useful as a guardian angel…or just making sure Sprig doesn't kill himself trying to have fun again.

Either way works out in the end.

Chapter Text

It was a calm day, and Anne and Sprig were in the woods playing... Well, it looked like Baseball, but with a scythe instead of a bat.

"Alright, you ready Sprig?" Anne asked.

"Ready, Anne!" Spring said, preparing the wind up.

"Then let it rip!"

Sprig threw the ball, but Anne missed, accidentally letting go of the scythe.

"Sprig, duck!"

"Aaaaah!" Sprig screamed as he quickly laid flat, dodging the scythe!

The scythe went into the woods.

"Sprig, are you okay!?" Anne asked, "And since when did you have hair!?"

"Hair?" Sprig said, feeling his head as his orange hair was out. "Oh that? I've always had hair. Just didn't show you. What? You thought I was bald?"

"I mean, most of the frogs here are." Anne said as Sprig picked up his hat.

"That's a fashion choice, Anne. Some people make it look good." Sprig said.

Anne shook her head.

"Well, might as well go look for the scythe." Anne said.

Anne walked towards the woods where the scythe flew, following all of the slash marks on the surrounding plant life. She found it stuck in the trunk of a tree.

"Hey, Sprig, I found it!" Anne said, before hearing what sounded like a cat, "Huh?"

'A cat? Here?' Anne thought, looking for the source of the noise.

"Meow." The "cat" let out again.

Anne, being a cat person, had to go see for herself. And what she found after pushing past a few trees, made her gasp in shock and awe as her eyes went wide!

'Dear god, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost; thank you for this adorable creation.' Anne thought as what she found was sitting on a tree stump.

A fusion of a cat and a caterpillar with black fur, white stripes on her body and chest, two big yellow eyes, and six legs and two ear-like tufts of fur. It looked exactly like the cat she had back in Earth, Domino!

"Meow." The second "Domino" meowed cutely.

Anne went over to it.

"Well hello you little cutie!" Anne said, petting it on the head.

"Prrrrr." The domino copy purred, enjoying Anne's petting.

"Oh I like you." Anne said.

'I wonder if Hop Pop would mind if I brought this little one back? Assuming she's not dangerous but how can something this cute be dangerous?' Anne thought.

"Hey, Anne, what did you find?"

Anne looked behind her and saw Sprig approaching her, completely unaware of the cat like bug in front of her.

"Oh, I just found the scythe but then I found this little cutie." Anne said, picking up the cat bug and turning to him.

"Huh... never seen something like that before." Sprig said.

"Really? So Hop Pop can't say it's dangerous if I bring it back with us, right?" Anne asked.

"Well no. But you know what he says about pets." Sprig said.

"What does he say?" Anne asked.

"…I don't know. I just said it without thinking." Sprig said, shrugging.

"Well, I've heard all I needed to hear!" Anne said, "I'm bringing this little cutie with me!"

"Meow." The cat bug said.

"And I'll name you Domino 2, after Domino 1 on Earth." Anne said, "You like that name, little one?"

"Meow! Prrrrrrrrr." Domino 2 purred as it nuzzled Anne's cheek.

Making her coo and love it even more as Sprig follows her home.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Sprig said.

And that feeling grew worse as Domino 2 glanced at Sprig, changing its eyes to slits of a predator and licking its lips.

"…I REALLY have a bad feeling about this." Sprig said.

Anne and Sprig looked inside and saw Hop Pop in the kitchen.

"Alright, so, Hop Pop won't let us bring D2 in the house, so we'll have to sneak her in." Anne said, "... Not sure how morally right this is to be honest."

"Well, maybe I can sneak D2 in instead while you go "talk" to him so he doesn't notice me? That way, you're not technically sinning." Sprig said.

"Uh... one second."

Anne pulled her book out and looked through it.

"I... don't see anything about that, so... sure!" Anne said.

Anne handed Domino 2 to Sprig, who held her calmly, before she walked towards the front door.

"Hey, HP, I was looking through my phone and found a picture of my cat back home and got to thinking. Did Sprig and Polly ever have any of their own pets?"

"Actually, yes we did. His name was "Charlie Big Bottom." He was the most adorable spider you have ever seen." Hop Pop said, chopping a large centipede with a cleaver and a fond smile before frowning. "But Sprig and Polly did nothing to take care of him. No walks, no feeding, and NO cleaning up after him! Just around for the hugging and playing!"

"Oh…so did you guys ever get another pet after Charlie or-"

"NO! No more pets in this house because I always have to be the one to take care of it! And I swear to frog, the next person to bring a pet into this house, will be on dung clean up duty for a MONTH!" Hop Pop shouted as he stabbed the cleaver into the chopping board.

Anne went a bit pale at that. She looked behind her and saw Sprig slowly moving in with Domino 2.

"Okay…I understand I'm sorry to bring up a bad subject." Anne said, looking back at Hop Pop.

"It's fine, you didn't know Anne. Now run along, I'm fixing dinner." Hop Pop said, going back to chopping centipede.

"Okay." Anne said, "I'm just... going to go look through my book in the basement, so if you hear anything don't come down!"

Anne booked it and rushed to Sprig. Who was struggling to stay quiet as Domino 2 was biting his hand after he tried to keep her quiet. She quickly rushed him to the basement while shutting the door behind her.

"Did it go well?" He asked softly, mainly to not scream in pain.

"Well, we're in the basement, with a pet... so I'd say so."

"Great…can you help me now? She is a very PAINFUL biter." Sprig said, gesturing to Domino 2.

"Oh sure, I got you." Anne said, reaching over and tickling Domino 2's chin.

It caused her to put a bit as she stopped biting Sprig, allowing Anne to hold her.

"Oh who's a good baby?" Anne asked, scratching Domino 2's stomach.

"Purrrrrrr." Domino 2 let out as she wiggled under Anne's touch.

'Even if she looks like she wants to kill me, she's still adorable.' Sprig thought with a smile.

"So, now what?" Sprig asked.

"Now we take care of her in secret. Hop Pop doesn't need to know, plus if we prove you can take care of a pet, he might let Domino 2 stay for good." Anne said.

"Okay."

Domino 2 turned to Sprig when Anne didn't look, gaining predatory-like eyes again as she licked her lips.

'… … …This is going to be a nightmare.' Sprig thought.

They had successfully hidden the Caterpillar for three days, and Anne had never been happier. All the stress of being an angel, protecting Wartwood, and doing her best to be sinless was so stressful on her. And Domino 2 was the perfect cure after a hard day's work.

"Well, I think today was a good day." Anne said, cleaning a sword from the book.

As she did, she was leaning against her bed while Domino 2 played with a toy.

"Meow." Domino 2 let out, batting her toy back and forth.

"Oh, who's a good little baby?" Anne asked putting the sword down to scratching Domino 2's chin.

Domino 2 loved the scratches as she rolled over, wanting Anne to scratch her belly too, before Sprig came down with dinner for Anne.

"Hey, Sprig. Thanks for grabbing dinner for me." Anne said as she took the tray.

"You're welcome but I couldn't grab some for Domino 2…though I think she'll eat just about anything." Sprig said, having seen Domino 2 eating smaller bugs around the basement/Anne's room.

'Even more if she gets the chance.' Sprig thought, still on guard about the cat-erpillar.

Domino 2 ate the toy and then made a cocoon with some kind of silk from her mouth.

"Oh, look! She's making a cocoon! So adorable!" Anne said.

"Come on, let's leave her."

Anne began to push Sprig out of the basement.

'I have a bad feeling about this.' Sprig thought.

After crawling out of the basement, Anne walked over to the couch and pulled out her phone.

'Still mad that there's a crack from when I fell and died.'

Anne was lucky that her phone still worked, even if she had no way to charge it anymore. Hop Pop came into the living room.

"Morning, kids!" Hop Pop said.

"Morning, Hop Pop." Anne and Sprig said as the latter was sitting on the back of the couch.

"Yep, today seems like a nice calming day, where nothing could go wrong." Hop Pop said.

BANG!

Hop Pop looked at the ground.

"What was that?"

"Uh... basement ghosts?" Anne lied.

'Do ghost actually exist?' Anne thought, 'Hadn't thought of that before.'

"Don't be ridiculous." hop Pop said, "Basement ghost don't sound anything like that."

"Wait, what?" Anne said in surprise.

'Basement ghosts are real?' Anne thought as Hop Pop went towards the basement/Anne's room, 'Oh crap!'

Anne followed.

"I had a feeling this would happen!" Sprig said quickly as he followed them.

They went down to the basement where the cocoon was and saw that it was empty. Which was very concerning since everyone knew that a bug only sheds a cocoon when they've OUTGROWN it.

"Anne, why is this in your room?" Hop Pop asked.

"Um….Can I choose not to answer that?" Anne asked with a gulp.

"No." Hop Pop said, unaware of the giant shadow behind him.

"Hop Pop, look out!" Anne said, pushing Hop Pop out of the way.

Anne took a swing that was meant for him and felt her back get clawed.

"AHHHH!"

"ANNE!" Sprig and Hop Pop shouted as Anne's skid across the floor.

Staining it with her golden blood.

'W-Was that Domino 2?' Anne thought, painfully turning her head to the source of the slash.

What she saw was a giant moth looking creature.

"W-w-what the heck is that?" Anne asked, feeling the pain of the claws, 'And why am I not-'

"What was that?"

"Uh... basement ghosts?" Anne lied.

'Oh you have to be kidding me!' Anne thought, 'No powers, great!'

"It's a coastal kill-a-moth!" Hop Pop said, "But how did it get here?"

"What do we-"

Hop Pop put a hand over Sprig's mouth.

"Hush, boy! These animals rely on sound!" He whisper-shouted, "Don't make a sound and move slowly."

"What about Anne?" Sprig asked.

"I'll… I'll be fine." Anne said, "I just… I need a second to-"

The door suddenly opened, revealing Polly.

"Hey, family! What's happening in here!?" Polly asked, loudly.

Domino 2 looked at Polly and screeched, making Polly scream in fear, which caused Hop Pop and Sprig to run up the stairs as well. This only resulted in Domino two rushing towards them. Anne saw this and ignored her pain for a bit as she picked herself up. She grabbed her sword and started to run up the stairs, blood trailing behind her.

When she got up there, she saw Domino two bouncing them like they were toys. If there was one thing Anne knew about cats, it was how they acted, and this was bad. Anne went to attack, but the pain started to come back and she could barely swing the sword. She fell to her knees and screamed in pain.

'NO! I have to stop this, I can't deal with pain right now! She's playing with them!' Anne thought, 'Which means when she's done she's going to eat them!'

That's when she got an idea. She reached into her hair and pulled out a cat toy, one she happened to use to play with Domino Two yesterday. A small mouse toy with a bell.

'If I can't fight her as an angel, I might be able to distract her as a cat person.'

She shook the toy.

"Hey, Domino 2, look what I got!" Anne said.

Domino 2 looked at the toy and her eyes went wide like a cat on catnip.

'God, please give me the strength to run.' Anne thought, before running out the door.

Domino 2 chased after her, leaving the Plantars alone.

Anne ran to a cliff that… she had no idea was that close to the farm.

'Focus, girl.' Anne thought, turning to Domino 2.

"I shouldn't have brought you here… not just for the Plantars sake… but for yours as well." Anne said, looking at her, "If you get found, you'll probably get killed… it's time for you to go."

Anne threw the toy off the cliff and into the woods, Domino 2 followed it, flying away. Anne looked at the spot she flew to for a couple minutes before walking back to the farm.

'... I'm not a very good angel.'

Anne walked back into the house, seeing Hop Pop looking very mad.

"... Yeah, I'm in trouble." Anne said, "I'm sorry, I never should've brought a wild animal here."

"You're darn right you shouldn't have!" Hop Pop said, "Look at the mess you caused!"

Most of the living room was destroyed.

"I can fix it." Anne said, "I promise I'll fix it."

"You better! This is why I forbid pets! It's just like with Charlie Bigbottom! All the chaos, the destruction, the… cuddling… the love… oh Frog, I miss him so much!" Hop Pop said, crying.

Anne put a hand on his shoulder.

"That's how pets are, aren't they? They cause nothing but trouble, and still find a way to worm their way into our hearts." Anne said, with a sigh, "Guess being here was just making me miss mine more. I guess I figured I was just kinda owed something nice because I've tried to be such a good angel… that I failed to see that you should do something because it's right, not for a reward."

Anne then got up and started cleaning.

'... Wonder if I'll ever see her again.'