Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Marcy's legs kicked happily over her as she laid on her bed, writing in her journal. She hummed to herself alongside the music in her earbuds, mostly game songs, as she jotted down stories, notes, and drawings of her most recent adventures.

Her writing time was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. She turned her head back to it, pausing her music and pulling one of the earbuds out.

“Come in!” She said with a smile taking up her whole face.

A servant opened the door with a smile as well.

“Master Marcy! How are you?” She said with a small bow.

“I'm doing good, thank you!” Marcy hopped up and sat cross legged facing her.

“I'm glad to hear. I have a message from the king!” The servant continued.

“Oooo!” Marcy clapped excitedly. “Go on!” They leaned forward.

“He says he has some sort of surprise for you, and requests you meet him in his study.”

His study?! Marcy hadn't been in there before! Her eyes lit up as she shut her journal and leapt from the bed.

“Lemme get dressed!” Marcy said, running for their chestplate, boots, cape, and crossbow all tossed across the room.

“I'm sure you don't need all that to meet the king in his study…” The newt said with a confused but amused smile.

“You never know!” Marcy smiled as she adjusted the tightness of the chestplate and shifted its position. “Plus I just like wearing them,” Marcy bashfully admitted.

The newt nodded in understanding.

“Well I must return to my work. I'll see you later Master Marcy,” She bowed once more.

“Thank you! See you later!” Marcy waved, before returning to squeezing into her boots, nearly falling about 3 times.

She could've loosened the straps but that was too much work. She got them on. She tossed her shoulder bag on, still a bit heavy with supplies from her last little adventure, including some snacks and her pajamas, which she probably should empty after this, before slipping her journal in as well, and throwing her cape around her shoulders, securing the shell clasp. She immediately ran out and navigated the giant halls.

She obviously had never been in this room before, but she had been by it a few times and knew where it was! It wasn't a room she passed often as it was pretty out of the way, likely purposefully for privacy, but still. She knew where to look.

She arrived at the giant door, decorated with engravings of newts and Newtopian flora, alongside ornate curled patterns. The door was cracked open just enough for someone her size to come through, but hearing speech inside, Marcy was respectful and waited just outside…although listening in. Andrias stood on the far side with his back turned, hands clasped together behind him.

“Are you sure it must be done now? I-I mean we still haven't found the others, it hasn't been tested, and-” Andrias almost- pleaded to…something…

A strange extremely faint noise replied, that Marcy could only really describe as static or glitching, although that wasn't even fully accurate. Andrias let out a sigh.

“Of course. It will be done.” He spoke, nearly disappointed.

He began to turn, and Marcy flinched, but he was already looking straight at her by the time she could think of moving.

“Ah! Master Marcy!” He said in his normal friendly tone, arms held open wide as he approached with quake causing footsteps.

This…sudden switch was strange. Something felt…wrong, but Marcy couldn't place it…she just shook it off. Probably excitement nerves.

“Hey Andrias!” She replied with a wave.

“Do come in,” The giant king gestured inside. Opening the door a bit more

Marcy nodded and jogged through the large gap.

Andrias began to walk again, slowly.

“So, you heard of my surprise?” He asked with a grin.

“I-I heard you had one! Not what it is!” Marcy said, basically having to run to keep up.

He smiled, crouching down and placing his hand before her.

“We're gonna be doing a lot of walking,” He teased.

Marcy sighed and climbed on carefully. She was lifted as he stood, before he held his hand beside his shoulder. She quickly dismounted, and found a little seat in one of the ‘small’ dents on his pauldron.

He looked to her for confirmation she was set and a little thumbs up gave him all he needed. He made his way to a statue, before pulling the coral torch in their hand, a secret hallway opening from the bookshelves nearby.

“Woah…” Marcy audibly marveled at the sight.

‘More secret passages?! I thought I knew them all!’ Marcy thought as she looked at the path ahead, flinching from the sound of the door shutting behind him.

‘Weird…” Marcy said, the buried nerves slightly resurfacing, but they shoved it down once again.

“You see, this is actually something from my family you know, knowledge passed down for generations…” Andrias recalled fondly as they navigated the cold, damp, basement.

“Really? Then why are you showing me?” Marcy replied with a chuckle, jotting down things about her surroundings.

“Because you are a very important person, Marcy,” He grinned, almost appearing proud.

Marcy warmly smiled, excitedly awaiting this surprise. After a while, they finally arrived at something. A giant round mural, covered in orange eyes and designs like that of some sort of jumbled technological pattern.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

Marcy nodded her whole head hard with a massive grin. She wanted to see this secret! Whatever is going on, she wanted to know!

With something Andrias did just outside of Marcy’s view, the patterns ignited with an orange hue, rings twisting the carvings into a more coherent design.

Her eyes lit up, journal ready in hand as the door slid open. Andrias lifted his hand, allowing Marcy to climb on and be returned to the ground to freely explore. She just wandered a while before finally speaking.

“What is this place?” Marcy looked and jogged towards the center of the room.

“This is the home of the Core.” Andrias said in a sort of presentation voice, gesturing ahead.

There was movement in the dark, as sounds of shifting mechanics echoed out. A strange, giant ball robot supported by many long limbs stepped out, before almost a dozen glowing orange eyes opened on it.

“What- is that thing?” Marcy spoke in a combo of fear and awe, mostly the awe, but this thing was frightening.

“The Core is a collection of Amphibia’s greatest minds in all our history, all together in one place. Many of my ancestors included,” He described, walking next to her.

“It's a hivemind?!” Marcy yelled out, slamming her journal shut and stuffing it away, she ran forward.

Andrias almost seemed to wince, then relax at the lack of movement.

“Does it talk?! I have so many questions!” Marcy excitedly examined it.

“It does not, no. Not yet. But that's where you come in…” He finally began to get to the point.

“Oh? How so?” Marcy slightly glanced back.

“You see, the Core’s current form isn't exactly…adequate,” Andrias chose his words carefully.

Marcy gasped in excitement.

“Do I get to help make it a new body?! Ah, I've always had an interest in robotics but could never find a way to use it!” Marcy cheerfully explained, her hands flapping as she bounced excitedly.

“Not quite. You see, the Core did want the next greatest mind. A genius above all else. The only person that could beat me at Flipwart…” His playful voice suddenly gained a sinister undertone.

“Huh…kinda weird criteria but- oh! That's me right?” Marcy raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms teasingly.

“Unfortunately…yes.”

He snapped his fingers and suddenly, something cold grabbed a hold of Marcy’s limbs and pulled her into the air.

“Wah! Wh- What's happening?!” The girl tried to fight, finding very little success.

A chair began to rise from the ground between her and the Core, before she was thrown into it and restrained down.

“W-What's going on?!” Marcy yelled out as something began to descend over her, more attempts to fight showing no success.

“My lord needs a host, Marcy. I really wish things could've been different but…they've made their choice.”

He looked down on her as a helmet slowly lowered towards her head.

No…this can't happen- no! Sasha...Anne! Sh-She still hadn't found them! She had to find them!

Her heart raced and her mind ran. What could she do, what could she do?! All she could think about was her friends. She needed to find her friends…her breathing began to slow a little.

Memories of her friends replayed in her mind, a strange green tint to them. They were still out there. It was like she could feel them out there…the knowledge of what she did almost made that feeling sting.

She had to find them. To make things right.

Their hands balled into fists, and they grit their teeth, tensing their whole body before letting out a scream, forcing against the restraints that shattered as she was flung forward, tumbling down the support of the chair. 

She lifted her head and shook it, looking at her shaking hands. Her gloves were torn to shreds and deep gashes remained where the restraining bands had been. They both were illuminated by a soft green light, one, coming from her own eyes. 

She turned back to see Andrias in shock, as this Core somehow managed to look furious. Suddenly, all she could think was one thing.

Run.

She scrambled to her feet and took off towards the door, before metal limbs chased after her. She made it a decent distance before one flung around, grabbing her by the face.

“Gah!” They exclaimed, kicking their legs as they were lifted in the air, pulling at the claws that just tried to tighten.

As she continued to fight, a sensation filled her limbs before a shock of green electrical energy escaped her hands, shocking the claw, weakening its grip enough for her to pull.

Unfortunately, not enough to fully deactivate it. As she pulled it off, it grew tighter, trying to close, digging into her skin. She screamed out in struggle and pain as it tore at her face before finally, she dropped to the ground once again, crimson dripping down from above, but she didn't look back. 

She raced as Andrias's voice and the glitch-like nose from before echoed out around her, now muffled by her own heartbeat. She escaped into the basement, then the study, then the halls before she was cornered by guards. She looked, and saw an opportunity.

An open window.

She leapt out immediately before letting out a loud whistle.

And to her luck, who she hoped for heard, as something swooped from below and she landed on a soft bed of Joe's feathers.

“G-Get us away!” Marcy asked, her voice echoing but weak as she crawled higher onto his back.

She lasted just long enough to hear chirps of affirmation before her eyes closed, and the world went dark as she slipped out of consciousness.

Chapter Text

Marcy's eyes began to slowly open, the stinging pain in her face and wrists apparent immediately. She sat up, and looked around as her hands shook gently. There was movement beside her, before something soft was moved off her back.

Joe Sparrow tilted his head as he looked at her, shifting his wing off her, where she hadn't even realized it was.

“H-Hi…thanks buddy,” She cautiously scratched his feathers, as he cooed happily. She carefully made sure the feathers didn't touch her wrists.

Her tired face quickly shifted to a bit of annoyance at the sight of his armor. She quickly reached up, pulling the securing straps off, allowing the large metal plate to fall off. She jumped up onto him and hauled off the helmet and saddle, shoving them to the ground.

“There,” She jumped down. “Better.”

Joe shook himself off, his feathers fluffing up as he chirped happily. Marcy smiled as she spotted the movement of a small river nearby. She jumped down and walked over, sitting on the bank, and leaning over the side to look into the water.

Her face scrunched, leading to more pain, as she saw the giant wound across her nose and cheek. Despite some of the blood being dried, more was still pouring out too. Tears rolled down her cheeks, just stinging more.

She carefully but quickly yanked off the remnants of her gloves, just tossing them off into the grass. They took a deep breath and carefully lowered their wrists into the cold water.

She winced and inhaled sharply as it stung, but she swished them around before yanking them out and shaking them aggressively. She looked back into the water, taking a moment to gather herself, before taking in and holding a huge breath and dunking her face into the water.

She washed as much as she could before pulling her head out and flinging her hair back, face scrunched in pain. She held her lips as she shook her hands, tears flooding her eyes.

“FUCK-!” She screamed for the first time in her life, hand hovering over her cheek.

Joe jumped and looked over, before standing and hopping over, plopping back down beside her. He nuzzled his face against the unharmed side of her own, cooing softly.

Marcy's body gently relaxed as she let her tears fall, wrapping her arms around the bird's head. She winced a bit from the sting of the feathers against her wrists, but didn't seem to care right now. She sobbed quietly, snuggling her face into the soft feathers.

After a few minutes, Joe's head shifted and Marcy moved. He gently messed with something at her side, but due to his size, she couldn't see what that was.

“What are you-” Marcy spoke with a sniff.

Joe held something in his beak that he carefully placed on her lap. Her shoulder bag. Marcy tilted her head in confusion, before Joe tapped at the flap with his beak. She opened it and spotted a cylinder of white buried deep.

Bandages! She had bandages! A wide, relieved smile spread across her face, before shrinking as it reached her wound, still remaining, just small. She walked back over to the river, Joe following and plopping down beside her in the little ‘bird loaf’ he always did. Marcy pet his head.

“Thanks…ya little genius,” Marcy giggled as the sparrow chirped.

Carefully, she wrapped her wrists up, spotting in her bag as well a spare pair of gloves, kept around after one pair had torn after she tried to catch herself while she fell. She slipped them on, helping keep the wrappings tight on her wounds, before leaning over the water and covering her face. In the end, nearly half her face was covered, wrapping around her head leading to it looking awkward as her raven hair was squished tight. She looked in embarrassment, before pulling her hood over her head and sitting back up before slouching over.

Everything she had here was gone. Everything she made, all the people she thought she was close with were gone. Andrias…Andrias did this…he hurt them…he never cared for them…did he-?

“I-I'm alone…”

She grabbed her own arms tight, her lip quivering as she curled up.

A heavy, soft mass curled around her, and she looked over as the giant sparrow scooted closer to her.

After a moment, she smiled again, curling up into his feathers.

He…couldn't talk, but he was someone. He was better than nothing. 

She curled up in his fluff, finally just taking her chance to breathe.

Chapter Text

Anne breathed hard as she flopped down beside the wagon the family would soon use for their trip to Newtopia. She leaned against one of the heavy boxes she had to lug around moments ago.

“Why do I have to do all the heavy lifting?!” She groaned in annoyance.

“Because us frogs ain't exactly strong or big enough to carry em,” Hop Pop said, carrying a much smaller box.

“Then why do we have them-” Anne's brows furrowed in confusion.

“Because we need em! Now quit your whining and-” 

“Hop Pop! We don't have enough boxes!” Polly yelled from the door.

“For frogs sake…alright, you kids head into town and get more,” The old frog spoke, tossing a bag of coppers to Anne.

“Yay!” Sprig exclaimed out, hopping over to Anne.

Anne held up a finger, still slumped over herself catching her breath. Sprig just stood beside her and smiled, bobbing his head back and forth as he waited. Polly bounced up next to him, ready to cross her flippers and complain before Anne's head popped back up.

“Ok I'm good,” She stood, still lost a little breath but not much.

She tossed the bag into her pocket and scooped up Polly, while Sprig hopped right up onto her shoulder. The siblings all made their way into town, looking around at the shops and waving to the town frogs.

“So…where should we get boxes? Loggle’s maybe?” Anne asked as she turned her head towards Sprig.

“Probably the best- woah-” He replied before being distracted by a shadow passing above.

Nearly the whole square looked up as a large bird flew overhead, seemingly headed towards the woods. Mutters echoed out among the people, discussing what was going on.

“Is that a giant sparrow?!” Anne yelled out at the new creature she'd yet to see.

“Yeah! They don't usually come down here though…” Sprig answered before the three exchanged looks as the sparrow descended into the woods.

“We're going to investigate aren't we?” Polly looked up.

“Oh totally,” Sprig nodded.

“Absolutely,” Anne said, already walking towards the woods.

~~《¤》~~

Polly and Sprig both had dismounted, and now looked for clues themselves, wandering the woods for about 10 minutes already.

“Anyone found anything?” Anne yelled back to the frog and tadpole.

“Nope!” Sprig said after spitting out a mouthful of some other kind of feathers.

‘How did- whatever-’

“Nothing,” Polly disappointedly yelled.

“Well maybe-” 

A chirping came from nearby, catching all of their attention. They ran in, finding a red-feathered giant sparrow chirping, who immediately ran up to them. He grabbed some of Anne's curls and pulled carefully.

“Hey! Let her go!” Sprig pulled out his slingshot, shooting between his eyes.

The panicked chirps switched to defensive ones, as he spread his wings blocking them from Anne and making him much bigger.

Sprig went pale while Polly just looked disappointed.

“Aanndd now he's mad,” Polly sighed.

Anne spotted something blue nearby where he was priorly pulling her, tucked behind a tree with a few red and cream feathers near it.

“Is this what you wanted me to see, bud?” She pointed to the thing, as the sparrow's attention was grabbed.

He gave frantic chirps of confirmation as his wings flapped a bit. Sprig and Polly came around to get a better look.

“Is that a body-?!” Sprig's eyes went wide.

“Hehe, creepy,” Polly said with a grin.

“I'm hoping not a dead one-!” Anne said, crouching down to get a good angle to pull it from the bush it was stuck in.

It became more visible as she did, being definitely someone, a blue hood pulled over their head and a green bandana-scarf of sorts over their nose and mouth, together completely obscuring their face. They had long black gloves and pants and poofy blue sleeves, covering all their skin aside from their fingers which were…oddly colored. They appeared a similar size to Anne, but a decent amount thinner. They wore an altered outfit of the ‘Newtopian Nightguard’.

“Are they dead?” Polly squinted

Anne reached down into their bandana, cape and chestplate and pressed two fingers into their lower neck. She felt the gentle pulse against them and pulled them out.

“Nope, they're alive,” Anne sighed with a nod.

“Bummer,” Polly groaned.

Anne rolled her eyes playfully before adjusting her position.

“Alright, let's see what's- up…”

Anne went silent as she pulled down the bandana and shifted the hood, her eyes wide and fearful.

“What's happening?” Sprig hopped on her shoulder.

“How bad is it?” Polly asked with a hint of excitement.

Anne answered neither question as tears welled in her eyes.

“Marcy…?”

~~《¤》~~

“Are you sure this is smart-?” Sprig asked anxiously as he kept pace with his human sister, luckily a bit slower currently.

“I am not leaving her,” Anne said with a look of determination as she hauled the girl on her back.

She- had done this a few times before back home, but Marcy was lighter now. She couldn't tell if she had gotten stronger or they had gotten thinner…or both…the sparrow followed close behind.

“But you saw what happened with Sasha!” Polly argued.

“Marcy isn't Sasha. She won't try to manipulate me like Sasha…she’s- kinder…” Anne said with a warm smile.

“Well, don't come to me for help if Hop Pop doesn't like it!” Polly hopped ahead of the others.

~~《¤》~~

“Fine.” Hop Pop folded, rubbing his eyelids.

He'd been arguing with Anne about this third human for almost 20 minutes. And it didn't appear like she would give up anytime soon.

Anne paused her work of removing layers to make sure she didn't overheat. Her eyes glittered, seemingly not due to her winning the argument, but more the chance to help her friend.

“Thanks dude!” Anne ran over, getting on her knees to give him the biggest hug yet, squishing the poor frog to the point his eyes were nearly popping out of his head.

He exhaled after he was let go and turned back to the stairs.

“Dinner should be soon. If she wakes up, bring her up. Come on kids, let Anne take care of her friend,” Hop Pop said, putting a hand on Sprig's back to have him follow.

“Thanks again HP! Oh, and by the way there's a giant sparrow staying in the barn with Bessie too! I think he's hers!”

“Say WHAAATT?!” The old frog's familiar phrase could be heard as the hatch closed.

Anne chuckled before turning back to her best friend. She couldn't help but smile at them, her cheeks turning warm as she tucked their hair behind their ear. Seeing her was a huge weight off her shoulders, even if she looked…weak. And the scar on her face was intense. She was here. She was alive. They were together again. Everything else would be fixed with time.

Chapter Text

Marcy groaned as she stretched, yet to open her eyes but slowly waking up. She was confused, feeling soft bedding around her, along with being dressed in her pajamas which she didn't at all remember putting on. Last she remembered she was feeling light headed on Joe.

She finally opened her eyes, finding herself in a room with stone walls, some places overgrown with moss, one corner even having part of a tree in it.

‘Huh…’ She thought before looking closer, noticing familiar trinkets scattered across the room. 

But…there was no way. Marcy absolutely was not that lucky. It was impossible.

She carefully climbed out of the bed, stepping over some of the things tossed around to reach the staircase likely out of the room, meaning this was probably a basement as it was the only exit. She climbed to the top and carefully pushed up the hatch, peaking just her eyes out to see what was outside, spotting a small frog family; a pollywog and her likely grandfather, sat around a table in the center of a cute little kitchen.

The pollywog caught a glimpse of her, making her flinch as she visibly got ready to yell.

“Code- …M right? Marcy, she said?” She asked the elder frog.

“Yes, she said her name was Marcy,” The orange frog nodded.

“Code M!” She truly called this time.

Someone's footsteps could be heard as they descended down another set of stairs above. Anne came into view, wrestling a little pink frog in her arms.

“Let me gooooo!” He whined, pushing against her face.

“Dude, what is up with you today! Normally you're up hours before me! What the heck did you do last night?” She said as she continued to fight him.

Marcy missed that voice. As well, Anne looked pretty different. Obviously. Her hair was a bit longer, which suited her, even if it wasn't much. She was kinda…disheveled, with leaves and twigs tangled in her hair, messy clothes, and missing one shoe, but there was almost something charming about that…Marcy grew a bit flush and hid her face further behind the floorboards.

“I- may have had too much sugar before bed-” The frog replied, recentering Marcy's attention, who's head raised back up a bit.

Anne playfully rolled her eyes as she deposited him down into the chair closest to the hatch.

“What'd you yell, Polly? I couldn't hear over Sprig's complaining,” She laughed, giving him a loving glare.

So Polly and Sprig huh? She'd have to keep a mental note of that.

Polly just pointed in their direction. They jumped a bit, letting out a startled ‘eep!’ before squishing down a bit when the whole group turned her way.

Anne's eyes lit up at the girl, a huge smile forming on her face.

“Marbles!” She exclaimed, running to the hatch.

She crouched down, offering her hand to them with the biggest smile. Marcy couldn't hold herself back from smiling too, taking her hand to get help up out of the hatch. Anne immediately pulled her into a bear hug, another of her little things Marcy loved and missed.

“I'm so glad you're ok! I missed you so much!” Anne spoke, her tone showing the fact she was starting to cry.

Marcy blushed ever so slightly, before hugging back, burying her face into Anne's shoulder.

“I-I missed you too,” Her own tears of joy formed slowly.

Anne pushed off, but held Marcy's shoulders as she wiped her eyes before her smile faded. She raised her hand, placing it against the scar over Marcy's check.

“What happened…?” Anne asked sadly, rubbing the scar with her thumb.

Marcy winced, before gently taking Anne's hand off the still healing wound.

“A-A lot,” Marcy replied vaguely, only making her friend's worry worse.

Anne just nodded, planning to ask more later.

“So, how was my bed?” Anne asked, changing the topic as she sniffed.

“Y-Your bed-? Where did you sleep-?!” Marcy went a bit flush again at the thought.

“I-I just took the couch! I did it before when my room flooded! It's pretty comfy!” Anne laughed.

“Look, I know yall are having a moment here but yall should probably wait for a bit,” The old orange frog walked over to the girls.

“Marcy, right?” He checked, despite literally telling Polly that was her name. Probably just a courtesy thing.

“Mhm. Marcy Wu,” They gave a polite head nod. “You?”

“Hopediah Plantar. But you can call me Hop Pop,” He replied with a nod back.

“Or HP!” Anne teased, making the old frog roll his eyes while all the young people giggled.

“Well, it's good to meet you. Have you been taking care of Anne?” She replied with more respect than he expected, crouching down and holding out her hand, the scars on her wrists visible as well.

Hop Pop looked at her wrists with surprise, before moving his eyes back up to her face. She saw the fear in his face and pulled her hand back slightly, her face showing her discomfort.

“Y-Yes! I have!” He anxiously took her hand and shook it.

Marcy gave an awkward smile before returning to her full height and putting her arms behind her back.

“You uh, you hungry? You look kinda thin…”

‘Oh…that bad that he can see huh? Even with baggy PJs…’ Marcy fidgeted with her hands, avoiding all eyes, biting the inside of her lip. She pulled at her shirt, getting it further off her thin torso.

“You do look like you've lost weight…” Anne confirmed, poking at her cheek, not being so squishy anymore.

“Just- Not eating much…”

‘More vague answers-? Oh Marbles…’

“Here!” Anne took Marcy's hand, pulling her to the table and sitting her down in the empty chair across from where Hop Pop had priorly sat. She herself plopped down on the floor between them and Sprig.

“Eat mine, I'm not even hungry!” Anne gestured to the brown dotted pancakes. 

That was a lie, but she'd just snack later. She wasn't starving though! Not like Marcy seemed to be…

“A-Anne, come on,” Marcy tried to push them towards her.

“Nope!” She shoved them back, crossing her arms and closing her eyes.

“I can't take your food!”

“Yes you can, and you're going to!”

“But-”

“Oh hush, I can make more, I prepared enough batter for five people. Eat up kiddo,” Hop Pop jumped in, already headed to the open flame.

Marcy picked up the fork and poked at it a bit. She was used to eating bugs, but was still curious at what these were...they almost looked like chocolate chips!

“What- are these-?” They asked as respectfully as possible.

“Choco-pede pancakes!” Sprig spoke through a mouthful.

“One of the only good things Hop Pop makes!” Polly snickered.

“I've gotten better!” Hop Pop argued.

“Yeah, because of Anne!” Polly shot back.

“He doesn't make these often, but I guess you showing up was a special occasion in his eyes!” Sprig smiled, shoving another fork-full into his mouth.

Marcy cut a bit with the fork and picked it up. It felt like normal…she took the bite and her eyes ignited, glittering with joy, immediately getting more.

“These are so good!” She said with a full mouth, just like the pink frog boy.

“This tastes just like chocolate!” Marcy made gestures to the plate as she spoke.

“I know, right? It's great!” Anne smiled.

“Newtopia had good stuff but it was mostly fancy, this is just like good old comfort food!” They raved on.

“NEWTOPIA?!” The frogs all yelled at once, making Marcy jump and curl into herself.

Anne wrapped her arm around them, patting their shoulder to let them know they're alright.

“How do you look like skin and bones if you were in Newtopia?!” Polly yelled.

“Polly! Be sensitive!” Hop Pop scolded.

“I-I haven't actually been there in…almost a month? Over a month?” Marcy struggled for the exact amount.

“Why not?” Sprig asked.

“W-Well-” Marcy began to fidget with her fork as memories flooded back.

“Isn't that where we're going?” Anne asked.

“Going…?” Marcy went pale.

“Yep, Amphibia's capital city. The best chance at getting you girls home,” Hop Pop nodded.

“Oh! Could we bring Marcy with us?!” Anne leaned forward.

“Ooo, we'll have a guide that knows what they're doing!” Polly smiled.

“Well that would be helpful…” Hop Pop looked contemplative as he rubbed his chin.

“And it'll be easier for us to get home! And I have plenty of time to catch up!” Anne said happily.

“Uh- guys?” Sprig interjected, his face filled with worry. He pointed to the smaller human, the others finally looking back to her.

Marcy appeared on the verge of tears, her lip quivering over her pale face with wide eyes staring into nothing. She was shaking, scratching at her hands with her nails as she pulled her legs tight.

“Mar-Mar-?” Anne reached for her friend's hands.

Marcy jumped, pulling away and just staring at Anne before jumping up and running back to the basement, shutting the hatch behind her.

“Marcy!” Anne called out, standing and starting after her.

The frogs were left in silence, Polly's eyes sliding to the abandoned plate.

“So, can I-”

Anne returned momentarily, grabbing the plate before returning to heading down to her room.

“Nevermind,” Polly sighed.

“Marcy…?” Anne asked, shutting the hatch and reaching the bottom of the stairs.

Marcy was curled in the corner, the cape Anne had found her in pulled tight around her shoulders, hood pulled up over her head.

“Mar-Mar…” Anne sat the plate on her bed and sat gently beside her, leaning forward to peak behind the hood.

Marcy's face was scrunched into a mix of anger, fear, and sadness, avoiding Anne's eyes.

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Anne offered quietly, knowing how Marcy hated loud noises when she got like this.

Their expression and body all softened, the pained look taking over.

“I-I got…hurt, last time I was in Newtopia…badly,” Marcy spoke softly.

“Is that what happened to your face and wrists…?” Anne placed a gentle hand on their shoulder.

Marcy nodded. 

“So…I left. Left alone in the wilderness with major wounds and only Joe Sparrow for company!” They complained, forcing a laugh.

“Oh, so that's his name…” Anne mumbled. “Well, they look fairly well treated!” Anne referred to her wounds.

“I-I got some training in the Night Guard. It was important we could help each other in any situation so I- knew what was best,” Marcy explained.

Anne nodded in understanding.

“It didn't really help the pain…or the mental damage…”

Anne sighed, fully wrapping her arm around Marcy.

“You- don't have to come along if you don't want to. I'm sure I could convince HP to let you stay behind. But…this is our only chance at finding anything about the box and finding a way home…unless, you already know anything?” Anne asked hopefully. Marcy just shook her head.

“We…hadn't gotten to that…”

“Then you don't have to come! We could make the trip ourselves! Me and the Plantars!”

“No! I-I don't wanna leave you again…I-”

“Well, then come!” Anne smiled.

“I-I can't go in the city!”

“Why? What-”

The hatch slammed open and Hop Pop jumped down, the kids in tow. He looked horrified while Sprig looked confused. Polly almost- grinned at Marcy?

“Why is frog’s name were there kingdom soldiers coming by looking for ya with a wanted poster?!” He yelled, throwing her arms up.

“No- please please please tell me you didn't tell them I was here!!” Marcy frantically scrambled around, grabbing him by the shoulders.

“I-I may have panicked and slammed the door shut- but I don't think that's an unusual response in Wartwood-” Sprig said awkwardly.

“Marbles…what did you do?” Anne said, her voice a bit more aggressive, but still kind.

“I did nothing! I left when he tried to hurt me!” She snapped, standing up and gripping at her chest.

“I-I can't go back with Andrias, I won't! I won't let him use me!” They screamed as they tightened their grip, scrunching their eyes closed tight.

“Hey, it's ok, breathe,” Anne yanked her into a hug, Marcy immediately sobbing into her shoulder.

The two lowered to the ground, Marcy holding Anne tight as she carefully rubbed her back, giving her quiet words of comfort.

“Hey, come here,” Anne pushed back gently, once Marcy was breathing nearly normally again.

Marcy sniffed and rubbed her eyes.

“Just take some time to yourself,” She took the plate from the bed and placed it in her lap. “Eat the rest of these, just let yourself breathe. Take a nap if you want, and just take time to decide what you wanna do. It'll be alright, I promise.” 

She grabbed the green hair clip from her stand, securing the loose hair to keep it out of her face. She ruffled with the fluffy, grown out hair on the back of her head, flustering Marcy ever so slightly. 

“No one will hurt you again. Not if I have a say,” She whispered, hugging them tight before standing.

“See ya soon, Mar-Mar,” Anne smiled from the stairs before her and the frogs went up.

Marcy returned the smile before taking a deep breath and taking a bite of the pancakes.

~~《¤》~~

Anne laid on the couch and watched over Sprig's shoulder as he played one of the games on her phone. They all turned to the sounds of the hatch opening as Marcy emerged, wrapped up in her cape, coming and sitting down beside Sprig, watching the phone as well.

“Are you feeling a bit better?” Anne nearly whispered.

“Mhm,” Marcy nodded.

“Good,” Anne smiled, fluffing with her hair.

The group was quiet again for a while, just watching as Sprig played.

“I think I've decided…i-if Hop Pop would let me, I'd wanna come along,” Marcy said with a small smile.

Anne smiled wide.

“Of course! Hey, even if Hop Pop tries to tell you no I'll convince him,” Anne flipped her hand over as she grinned.

And two girls laughed together before Marcy leaned her head against Anne, her face a bit redder than normal. She closed her eyes and smiled softly. Anne warmed up a bit, rubbing her head gently and playing with her hair.

She finally had her Marbles again. And if she was sure about anything, it was one thing.

She wasn't going to let her go. Not again.

Chapter Text

“There ain't enough space for a whole other bed…and I don't think two humans will fit in one frog sized bed,” Hop Pop said, contemplatively rubbing his chin.

Marcy had been fully confirmed to be joining the journey, just having to be careful of where they went and what they did. Luckily, they'd learned her hood and scarf were plenty enough to keep even her best friend from recognizing her. So she'd be alright…until true Newtopia. But, the current plan, act like she didn't exist and keep her in the fwagon until they could work out a resolution that removed her ‘wanted’ status, or at least until they left the city. They had shortly debated the idea of flying on Joe, but that was quickly deemed too risky. Instead, the sparrow would just be trailing along, since Marcy didn't like the idea of leaving him behind.

“Frog…we ain't got enough supplies anymore…” The old frog sighed.

“We can go get more!” Sprig hopped up on Anne's shoulder.

“You just wanna get outta the house don't ya?”

“Maaybbee,”

Anne laughed a bit before sighing.

“Sorry dude, HP needs my help packing things up,” Anne said sadly, grabbing the frog and placing him back down on the ground.

“Awwww…” Sprig looked down sadly.

“We'll just have to ration more and buy stuff sooner. We ain't really got the time to all go and get stuff, we're already behind-”

“I-I could go get stuff,” Marcy chimed in as she climbed out of the basement.

“Wartwood ain't great with newcomers alone…there's very few that I think would turn you in but…” Hop Pop trailed off.

“Oh! I could bring her!” Sprig jumped up onto Marcy this time making her jump and stumble forward.

Unfortunately…she didn't really manage to catch herself.

“Wah!” Marcy exclaimed as she tumbled face first into the wood floor, Sprig falling off face down as well.

“Marcy! Sprig!” Anne jumped, running over and helping them both up.

“Heh- ow-” Marcy giggled, rubbing her nose and cheek as she sat up onto her knees.

“I'm not sure-”

“I'll go with em! I don't really have anything to do at home because well, no legs,” Polly shrugged, bouncing up into Marcy’s hood, the perfect little perch.

Marcy leaned back at the sudden weight, but adjusted pretty quickly.

“Maybe I can dig out what you did…” Polly said with a sinister grin.

“I-I didn't-” Marcy began before Anne jumped in.

“We talked about this. No talking about Marcy's time in Newtopia unless they bring it up!” She flicked her forehead gently.

“Ugghh! Fiinnee!” Polly rolled her eyes.

The room was just quiet.

“So! What stuff do we need-?” Marcy said a bit loudly to break the silence, visibly still a bit uncomfortable.

“Oh, uh, food for sure. Maybe some medical supplies,” Hop Pop thought.

“Oh, I have some medical stuff! I've got bandages and such. Although, restocking may be smart-” 

Marcy recalled the amount of bandages she had to use to keep her face covered for most of the past month. Plus, she was still wrapping her wrists when she put her gloves on. The fabric made them sting.

“Well then that's all. Everything else we should have. But check around Grub & Go for anything that may interest ya. But don't go crazy, I'm only giving you a handful of coppers,” Hop Pop handed her a small sack of coppers.

“I've got my own cash for personal stuff! Haven't really used any in a month-” She rubbed her neck.

“Alright. Don't cause any trouble. We'll be here,” Hop Pop waved them off as he and Anne headed back outside.

“Bye guys! Have fun with Marcy! Believe me, she's awesome!” Anne winked and shot a finger gun at her friend.

Marcy blushed and smiled as she gave a slow little wave. Polly squinted a bit, looking between the two before lots of motion began.

Marcy carefully stood, the pollywog still in her hood, avoiding any fast movements that would fling her out and cause them both to fall. She already felt bad about Sprig, and this was a baby! A- very violent one, but still a baby! She watched as Sprig braced to jump.

“Woah woah woah! Lets uh- not do that right now-” They held their hands out to him.

“I've already got…Polly,” She took a moment to remember. “And I'm- kinda weak- maybe we'll get there but for now, one at a time,” Marcy giggled sheepishly, feeling a little bad.

Sprig just stood back up and shrugged, humming as he led the way out the open door.

‘That's a relief-’ Marcy exhaled a breath she had been holding in and followed the frog’s lead, closing the door behind her.

The group started down the small paths to town, Marcy's eyes immediately lighting up at the small farming village around them, quickly pulling out her journal, practically burying her face in it. Sprig waved to a few frogs who greeted him.

“So, Anne huh?” Polly said with a grin.

“Huh? What about her?” Marcy slightly peaked up.

“She's cool, right?” Polly sat her elbow on Marcy’s neck.

“Mhm! Very,” Marcy giggled sweetly, a bit red again.

Polly sensed this was going nowhere, but still was going to go on until Sprig poked her leg, catching her attention as she blindly walked.

“Hm?” She looked up, only to find herself about to run into a statue. “Oh-”

“Grub and Go is this way,” Sprig pointed to a building with a green, caterpillar shaped wooden sign.

“Heh- thanks-” Marcy sheepishly giggled, stashing her journal away and heading towards the building.

They headed inside and shopped around, Marcy grabbing a pack of bandages and some food before perusing the shelves, once again grabbing her journal to jot some things down, almost stepping on a frog or two as she did.

“Hey Marcy, can I ask you about some stuff?” Sprig smiled up at the shorter, but still really tall to him, human.

“Oh! Sure!” Marcy said with a smile, visibly excited that he was asking.

A grin spread on Sprig's face as his eyes lit up.

“What's your cape made of?! Where'd you get that crossbow?! Does it work?!” He gasped. “What was Anne like back home?!” 

Marcy giggled and kept shopping while she spoke, focusing more on her surroundings now. Extra benefit.

“Well, I'm not sure about the material of the main cloak, but it's lined with skygoat fur, the boots too!” They messed with the fluff over their shoulders, “My crossbow is from the Nightguard and yes, its real,”

“Can I use it?” Polly smiled.

“...No,” Marcy said after a minute of thinking.

“Dang it, you're no fun!” Polly slumped.

“I'd rather not be kicked out of my only current safe haven-” Marcy said awkwardly and quietly.

“Ahem, back to you,” She turned to Sprig, “Anne back home? Man, where do I start?” She giggled.

“She was kind, sweet, goofy, really protective! She kept me out of a lot of trouble! Mainly by my own clumsiness!”

“So, like she is here?” Polly chimed in.

“Yeah…I guess so!” Marcy smiled.

Sprig seemed satisfied with that, giving a smile.

“Oh! What kind of stuff do you like?” He added now, grabbing a few things from the shelf.

“Oh, I love video games! Probably what I spend most of my free time doing!” Marcy made a gesture as she spoke. 

Speaking of…she'd have to see how Anne had charged her phone so she could charge her own, along with her switch.

“Ooo, Anne has some of those on her phone!” Sprig recalled the day prior.

“Mhm! But the kind I like have entire consoles, they are much more complex!”

“Can I see them?” Sprig's eyes sparkled.

“If you can get my switch charged, I'll let you play!” Marcy offered.

Sprig's eyes lit up.

“Zapapedes it is!” Sprig grinned.

Marcy giggled. She'd have to do some research on what that was…

“What else do you have going on in the meantime?” Polly said a little bored.

“I draw and write!” Marcy added, flipping through her journal and showing the frogs a doodle of herself. Before her scar…

“I draw sometimes!” Sprig happily hopped with excitement.

“Really? You've gotta show me what you got some time!” She crouched down to nudge him playfully.

The three of them, although mainly Marcy and Sprig, continued to converse as they checked out and headed out into town.

“Well, well, look what we have here!” A teal toad crossed his arms as he approached, a small cyan frog close behind him.

“Ugh! Not you…” Polly rolled her eyes.

“Hello there-!” Marcy awkwardly waved.

“So there's three?” The toad said, raising a ‘brow.’

“We've known there were three-?” Sprig squinted in confusion.

“Well I wasn't told we found the third!”

“We literally found her like two days ago, Toadstool!” Polly said with an unamused look.

“Well with these creatures I think it'd be important I'm told!”

“Uh- I-I'm Marcy! It's nice to meet you!” Marcy held out her hand to be shook.

Toadstool looked her up and down.

“...Like the one those newt soldiers came lookin’ for?”

“You turn her in, I blow up your house,” Polly said with a straight face and a tone showing she was dead serious.

“Very well! Good day kids! Come on Toady!” Toadstool said, turning on his heels to walk off.

“Yes sir!” The little frog said before following quickly.

Marcy looked back to Polly who just gave a smirk.

“Whatever works I guess-?” Marcy shrugged before sighing.

“Who even was that?” Marcy asked as they began to walk.

“The mayor,” Sprig rolled his eyes.

“A jerk,” Polly added.

“Should I be concerned about that threat-?” Marcy raised a brow. 

“Not as long as he keeps his mouth shut!”

“Come on! The flour bakery is just this way!” Sprig called from a bit away, a very different direction then where she was headed.

Right. Bakery- Marcy jogged to catch up, her nose quickly filling with the amazing scent of fresh baked bread as they approached a stump-like building labeled Flour & Daughters. As they walked in she was greeted by a large blue frog with purple spots and a great array of delicious looking pastries. She just had to pick one up for a snack. But which one…

“Hi Mr. Flour!” Sprig greeted the frog.

“Hey, what are you here for?” He spoke in a relaxed but gruff voice.

“Travel bread! We got a new member for our trip!” 

Sprig gestured to Marcy who was still scanning the area, taking a few notes of Amphibia specific pastries with no known Earth counterpart.

“A friend of Anne's?” Mr. Flour asked, looking her up and down as he seemed to look for something.

“Mhm!” Sprig nodded.

“Alright, coming right up.”

Marcy walked backwards a few steps, focused on her journal before tripping over something behind her and stumbling down.

“Woah-!” She tried to keep herself up but ultimately failed. Of course…Polly jumped out before she went down.

But, she heard a smaller groan, looking up to see a fallen blue frog as well, with pink spotted hair.

“I am so sorry!” Marcy scrambled to help pick up the bag she had knocked down.

“Maybe watch where you're going…” The frog said in a raspy voice with a bit of sass.

“I know, I know, I- wait…” 

She spotted one of the items, a book similar to one's she'd seen about.

“A grimoire-? Do you study the Dark Arts?” Marcy looked up at the frog, their eyes sparkling as they leaned forward.

“You know them?” The frog seemed less upset now.

“Mhm! I read about them in Newtopia and they'd always piqued my interest, especially alchemy, but I could never find an actual curse user! This is so cool!” Marcy pulled their hands into fists and shook them with excitement.

The frog dawned a small smile and grabbed her things.

“I've never met anyone interested in them. Most people run away if they see or hear about it,” She stood, brushing off.

“Hah! If I'm running anywhere it's towards you!” Marcy tried to look cool and cross her arms and a leg as she stood, but nearly fell again.

She giggled awkwardly, returning to her normal ‘t-rex arms’ as Anne called it. The frog snickered.

“Maddie,” She held a hand out.

“Marcy!” She took her hand and shook it.

“The wanted girl?”

“Uh- y-yeah-”

“Heh. Nice.”

‘Huh…ya know this town seems very chill with this-’ Marcy thought to herself as she just blinked in reality.

“You know, I could teach you the basics sometime,” Maddie smiled, seemingly happy to find someone interested.

“I'd love to!” She saw the frog siblings at the counter and her memory jogged. “...But, I can't. I'm headed to Newtopia with the Plantars,”

“Are you gonna turn yourself in?” Maddie seemed confused.

“No! I-I'm gonna hide,” Marcy rubbed her neck.

“Oh. That makes sense. Sometime after you get back?” 

“Well…me and Anne are planning to go home…”

Marcy thought for a second. If that box worked…transport would be easy…

“But maybe when we come visit Amphibia!” Marcy smiled.

Maddie seemed pleased, giving her a nod.

“Marcy! Come on! The sun’s starting to set! We gotta get back!” Polly called from Sprig's arms.

“Oh! I gotta go!” Marcy snatched a warm pastry that looked good, and quickly paid the baker frog.

“Bye Maddie!” She called, waving as she ran out the door.

“Bye!” Maddie replied.

Mr. Flour just smiled at her.

“What?” She asked with a slight glare.

“Just glad you're making friends,” He smiled, continuing to work.

“Whatever,” Maddie slightly laughed as she rolled her eyes.

~~《¤》~~

“Frog, this is good!” Marcy raved through a mouthful, a sleepy Polly curled in her hood while Sprig walked beside her.

“Oh yeah! Mr. Flour makes the best stuff!” Sprig grinned.

“Oh! Could you show me some of your art while we travel?” Sprig asked excitedly. Marcy swallowed.

“Sure! Maybe we can do some little challenges I've seen online!” Marcy happily agreed.

Anne peeked out of the fwagon as she heard familiar voices, excited to see her frog siblings and best friend getting along so well. She couldn't help but smile. She gave them a moment before finally calling out.

“Marcy! Over here!” She waved from the door.

Marcy waved with a giant grin and slightly red cheeks, and went to run over, as Hop Pop cleared his throat. She looked down as he mimed a grabbing motion. Marcy crouched down, allowing him to gently take Polly from her hood. He nodded, and Marcy nodded back, standing and running to Anne.

“Ok, number 1, that was adorable,” Anne smiled, leaning over the bottom half of the door.

Marcy blushed as she giggled.

“She got comfy I guess!” Marcy added.

“2nd, come in, I got a surprise!” She opened the door. “But close your eyes!”

Marcy did as she was told, even covering them with one hand. She warmed up and her heart sped up as she felt Anne's hand wrap around her own, pulling her inside. She heard the sound of mushroom lamps turn on as she attempted to gather herself. Anne turned them to a certain direction, leaning over their shoulder to likely make sure they were looking the right way which- well- didn't help Marcy much as she put her hands on their sides to adjust them and look past.

“Ok, open!” Anne said, stepping to the side.

Marcy opened her eyes, to find a green hammock hung across the corner over a small bookshelf and drawer set. Inside the hammock was a fluffy white pillow, and a comfy looking gray-blue blanket.

“Surprise! I wanted to run by Loggle’s and get a sign that says ‘Marcy's corner’ to hang above it, but HP wouldn't let me,” Anne jumped in front of the display, making a few gestures as she spoke, practically pouting at the end.

“I know it isn't much, but I hope it's better than the pile of blankets on the floor you have now! Oh! And these are yours too-!” Anne began to explain, pointing to the storage below before Marcy flung herself around her.

“Thank you-!” Marcy squeezed out as her eyes flooded with warm tears of joy, tightening her arms.

“Of course, Marbles.” Anne hugged back.

“Now come on,” Anne pushed away gently. “Let's go eat dinner and make sure we're all packed before we leave tomorrow morning,”

Marcy nodded and wiped her eyes, sniffing a bit. Anne offered her hand, and Marcy shyly took it, allowing Anne to lead her inside.

Before they knew it, Marcy was curled up in her bed of blankets for the night, smiling lovingly up at her best friend on the bed above.

But…a pit formed in their stomach, as memories flooded her mind…

Right…she still had to tell her…what would she think-? She- she didn't wanna ruin this but- she can't just hide it forever. But…she can't lose Anne.

‘Maybe should've thought about that before you did this…’ She scolded in her mind.

She curled up tight, holding in her sobs as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Just…bury it down. She was good at that. 

Not long passed, before Marcy finally escaped her own mind, slipping into dreams.

Chapter Text

They had departed about 2 days ago and so far, so good. They'd had a few bumpy roads, but all and all it'd been mostly smooth sailing as Joe Sparrow followed from the skies and woods. They also made a small detour to the Zapapedes to charge some stuff Marcy had after Sprig begged. Hop Pop had some- strict rules, but they'd yet to truly get to the bundle of chaos that was the frog kids. And Anne of course. It upset her a bit too but she was distracted by something else…

Marcy had been- pretty distant lately. She perfectly followed all the rules, likely worried of what came from her getting it trouble, but that's not what Anne was worried about. Anne was worried, because they were really fidgety and anxious. She had thought it was just nerves of going to Newtopia, but it got worse around Anne and they’d give weird looks to her from distances with really worried eyes, that's when Anne grew concerned.

Marcy was struggling to hold this in anymore. She couldn't keep lying like this…as the sun went down, her nerves grew, her heart pounding. The group had stopped for the night, everyone dressed in sleepwear, at least the humans were, a small fire set up that the group sat around as they ate dinner. As they prepared to hang out inside for the night, Marcy hung behind, staring at the flame.

“A-Anne-? Can I talk with you-? Alone…?” Marcy squeezed out, rubbing the fingers on her right hand.

Anne said a few things to the frogs who nodded and headed inside while Anne herself came towards Marcy, sitting right beside her. 

“What's up, Mar-Mar?” Anne smiled.

Marcy scooted away slightly, uping Anne's nerves. 

“I-I just- I need to tell you something- and it's just-” Marcy began to choke on her words as tears formed.

“Hey, it's alright Marbles, you can talk to me,” Anne placed a hand on their shoulder, only for them to pull away.

Marcy took a deep breath and continued to fidget.

“Do you remember the- the day we left, your birthday-? I-I had found the box and wanted to get it for your gift!” Marcy reminded.

Mhm. All checked out. Sasha was the one with the idea to steal it…but, Marcy didn't really argue…Anne remembered she looked nervous too…

“Well…before then, I had found a certain book in the library…” Marcy fumbled with their pocket, pulling their phone out and showing Anne an image.

It was a picture from a book, showing the box. In large, fancy text beside it, ‘travel to other worlds’...

Anne's expression turned cold.

“You…knew?” The anger in her voice stung into Marcy’s skin.

Marcy winced before scrambling, turning to Anne.

“Th-That day my parents said that we were moving, we were going out of state, they said we were going to Massachusetts because my dad got a new job! That- That's the other side of the country!” Marcy turned frantic.

“I-I didn't think it'd work but it did! It actually did!” Marcy grabbed Anne's hands in her own.

“That meant I didn't have to leave you! We could still be friends, I could stay with you! And we could have amazing adventures together!” Tears flooded Marcy's eyes.

Anne just stared on in stunned silence, eyes wide and hurt.

“Marcy, I've been missing home…my cat, my parents, my life?!” Anne replied with pain.

The urge to talk about all she'd gained, how she'd grown, the Plantars, burned at her throat, but was overwhelmed by a stinging I'm her face and wrists, along with the small scars on Anne. Her stance softened as her frantic face turned sad.

“I-I know, and after everything I'm seeing how horribly I messed up…but I just- I couldn't lose you-!” Marcy began to choke on her tears again, tightening her hold on Anne's hands.

Anne pulled her hands out, moving and looking away. Marcy felt alone, on an island of pain miles away from the girl she still called her best friend. But…it was over…wasn't it-? There's no way she'd think the same now. Marcy truly would be alone…

“Look, we- we'll talk.”

The raven haired human looked surprised. Was…was this not it-?”

“I just- I need time. I'm going to bed.”

Anne was still cold as she stood, back turned as she walked away. Marcy nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. She stood and followed moments later, putting out the fire quickly first.

Not a word was spoken as the humans climbed into their respective sleeping arrangements. Anne laid with her back to the hammock, before rolling over. How could Marcy do this-? Why-? She wasn't like this, she- 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound. Repressed sobs escaped the hammock. Upon closer look, Marcy shivered quietly, curled tight, hands over her mouth and nose to hide her cries. 

No matter how mad she was…seeing her friend this way hurt her. Part of her wanted to run over and hug them close, letting them cry into her shoulder like they had a hundred times before. But…she just couldn't talk to her right now. She curled up as a few tears filled her own eyes.

The muffled cries echoed on beyond her own fall into slumber.

~~《¤》~~

Anne sat atop the wagon seat, holding the reins as she stared on, eyes still cold, empty, and tired.

Hop Pop climbed out of the hatch, a worried look on his face. He sat beside his adoptive granddaughter in silence for a few minutes.

“Hey Hop Pop,” Anne finally broke the silence, glancing down at him.

“Hey kiddo…what was last night about-?” Hop Pop said with a voice laced with worry.

“Just- personal issues. Why?”

“Well…Marcy is normally up by now and well…”

Marcy had been still asleep when Anne woke up. Which was…rare. She remembered the sounds as she dozed.

“I don't think she slept well. Just leave her be. She has a lot on her mind,” Anne said with a sigh.

“And you? You don't look too great…”

Anne was silent, before turning her head slightly away. She untucked her tight curled hair from behind her ear to better hide her face.

“I'm fine. Just…thinking.”

Hop Pop nodded. Sprig popped out of the hatch, also looking worried.

“Uh- Anne, you may wanna come down here- Marcy just woke up and her eyes are really red and puffy-”

“And she's not talking! She always talks!” Polly jumped in.

“She just- had a rough night. Give her space,” Anne said with a hint of annoyance in her voice they hadn't heard since Sasha's betrayal.

Hop Pop gave a head nod behind them. The kids hopped out and sat on the back of the fwagon. Their grandfather quickly joined them.

“What happened-?” Sprig slightly quietly asked.

“What, did they like, break up or something?” Polly said.

“I can still hear you!” Anne yelled back.

“My question still stands!” Polly yelled in reply.

Anne shook her head in a way that showed she rolled her eyes.

“Look, we'll just keep an eye on em. It may be wrong, but maybe we'll listen in next time they talk,” Hop Pop actually whispered at a level the humans couldn't hear.

“For now, listen to Anne and give em both space, understand?”

The kids nodded. Hop Pop patted their shoulders signaling their release. They just kept to themselves, keeping a distant eye on the two girls

~~《¤》~~

The day continued to pass, the girls not interacting at all the entire day. It grew dark, and they settled in a small clearing in the woods for the night, although not starting a fire tonight. Marcy sat silently in the breakfast nook, tracing some wood grain with her finger, eyes still red, probably having cried more during the day. 

“Marcy,” Anne said, placing a hand on their shoulder.

The girl jumped and turned to look at her. Anne nodded her head towards the door and Marcy gave a gentle nod. The two walked outside, the frogs just watching before scrambling to the door once it closed, opening just a crack to peak outside.

The girls sat in the grass against a tree, Marcy rubbing at her hands, looking down while Anne stared up at the stars.

“I think…I think talking at night is our best bet. Gives us both time to think,” Anne looked towards the girl.

Marcy just nodded.

It was quiet again, before Anne sighed.

“I have some questions, if you'll answer.”

“...Sure,” Marcy meekly replied.

“Why?” Anne asked.

“I said, I didn't want to lose-”

“Why this? Why didn't you just talk to us?” Anne's voice held a mix of hurt and sympathy.

“I- I guess I didn't think it'd go well…and I was worried we wouldn't be friends anymore if I left…”

“What? Why? Why wouldn't we be?”

“...Because I felt like if I wasn't there in person or didn't talk you both would basically forget I was there…” Marcy said sadly, turning her head away.

Those words stabbed Anne in the heart. They stung deep.

“You basically already did…I'd just trail along while you chat it up with Sash…less so you then Sasha- you tried to talk to me sometimes but she just stole back your attention…”

Marcy hugged her knees close. Anne tried to speak but nothing came out. She…couldn't really argue.

“I just always felt alone. Ignored. Any time I tried to share my interests I was ignored or shut down. Except for the few times you tried…I-I don't think Sasha likes me much, not anymore…but, you both still mean the world to me, I want to fix things…I don't wanna lose you and grow apart by leaving.”

Anne gave no reply, a few tears forming in her eyes. It…really was like that for Marcy…wasn't it-? She gripped the bottom of her shirt as she held her tears back. Frog, Sasha really rubbed off on her before all this…

“Anne-?” Marcy gently reached over.

“I-I think that's enough for tonight,” Anne stood, quickly wiping her eyes to hide her tears. 

She walked into the fwagon, surprisingly unphased at the spying frogs. She just climbed into bed, curling up tight.

Fearing she said something wrong, tears welled in Marcy’s eyes as she went to sleep too.

The frogs watched from the outside as the rest of the week continued a similar trend. The girls wouldn't talk to one another, although talking minimal by the end, during the day and talk through things at night. All the issues they had before Amphibia, why they were the case, how that affected them both, all of it.

Marcy seemed to improve slowly, eyes being less teary by the end. She still denied Sprigs requests to draw or play games, but he didn't push. This was a lot for them based on what they'd eavesdropped on.

Finally, the week was coming to an end, and both girls appeared to be showing progress. As they sat around the fire, the two sat beside each other, still keeping some distance. Marcy for once didn't look on the verge of tears. Although, still visibly exhausted.

Anne gave a look and nod to the Plantars, signaling them to head inside. They listened and stood, Marcy took a deep breath to get herself ready. Instead of watching, the frogs just got ready to sleep. For real this time.

“So…could I sum this all up quickly?” Anne looked over.

Marcy nodded, still messing with her hands, just much more gentle.

“So…your parents were making you move, told you on my birthday, so you freaked out and ran away, ended up at the thrift shop, saw the box you'd seen in the book, and decided to see if that could get you away from your problems,” Anne summarized.

“Mhm…” Marcy slowly nodded.

“And, you did that because you felt neglected by me and Sasha, and worried we'd basically forget you if you moved because we barely acknowledged you and what you cared for?”

“Yeah…that's basically everything,” Marcy forced a giggle and smile.

A cold silence swallowed the two before Anne sighed.

“I'm sorry…” Anne finally said.

“What- why are you sorry?! I messed up!” Marcy jumped to defend her.

“Because of how I treated you. And Sasha. I just followed Sasha's every word and move. I was just a little puppy to her toxic habits. I see that now. You're not the only one her rubbing off on me has affected,” She remembered some of the ways she had acted with Sprig her early days here. Not the greatest…

“And don't get me wrong, you screwed up. Big time. I'm not gonna lie and say that didn't happen, but we all did to some extent.”

Marcy shrunk into themself as they nodded.

“But, I'm glad you were honest. You admitted it. You didn't make me find out for myself. And when I asked for space, you gave it to me. You didn't try to force me to completely forgive you immediately, didn't beg for forgiveness at all. You let me take my time and figure out what I needed to be able to understand. I really appreciate that,” Anne smiled softly to her.

"So..." Marcy continued to avoid Anne's eyes as she fidgeted with her hands

"I think I'd consider this all resolved. Well, we still need to work on a lot, but it's all long term fixing," Anne gave a warm smile, putting her hand on Marcy’s to stop her fidgeting.

Marcy's eyes widened and lit up, her normal sparkle returning for the first time well, since Anne found her in the woods. A smile spread across her face slowly, before she flung her entire self around Anne.

"Thank you, thank you! I-I promise I'll do anything to get us home and fix this!"

Anne's stomach began to flutter, heart racing and her face heating up as Marcy tightened their grasp around her, pressing their head against the side of hers, one hand tight on her torso.

'Oh'

Something seemed to click in Anne's mind, something that had been happening since she'd found them in the woods, heck, since all of being in Amphibia, even a little more, that she never really understood. Well, until now. 

'Marcy huh...'

She exhaled finally, wrapping her own arms around them..

"Of course...I could never hate you," Anne giggled, the warmth and butterflies almost intensifying.

Marcy let out a huge yawn, her lack of sleep the last few days from nerves finally catching up to her.

"Go get some sleep," Anne patted her back, "I'll finish up out here and be inside in a few minutes."

Marcy nodded, rubbing her tired, teary eyes.

"Night Anna-Banana," They gave their friend one last small hug.

"Night Marbles."

Anne watched as she left before exhaling and staring into the still crackling flame.

"So...girls I guess...but- also guys are cute? What was that, bi?" She sighed and rubbed her eyes before looking up at the stars above.

"I am too tired to figure this out..." She spoke quietly to herself.

After a moment more of staring, she finally stood, putting out the fire and moving a few things. She walked into the fwagon, finding her family and friend- well, crush, all fast asleep. She smiled softly, quietly climbing into bed near the frogs to join them in slumber. The biggest weight of the last week finally lifted off her shoulders.

But...a new one sort of added.

Chapter Text

Anne smiled as she watched the sunset beside Marcy, watching as her brown eyes almost sparkled gold in the fading light. She held their hand as they giggled, before turning and smiling wide back at her. Her body filled with warmth as she placed her hand on Marcy’s cheek, both of them leaning in, eyes slowly closing as they grew closer before-

“Anne!” The weight of a tadpole launched onto her stomach, jolting her awake.

“Ough-!” She groaned, sitting up and putting a hand over her stomach, where Polly, very quickly, already wasn't.

“Get up! We're almost to town!” Polly called, quickly climbing the ladder back up with the others.

Anne shook off the delirium of waking up and put the pieces of her dream together. Her eyes widened as her face became burning hot, redder than a tomato.

Yep. Definitely not a sleep deprived thought last night, she was totally crushing on Marcy. You don't have dreams of kissing someone you're not in love with- that- that just doesn't happen-

Anne took a deep breath, fanning herself with her shirt as she slowly regathered her thoughts. Once calm, she got up and changed, grabbing a quick drink before joining everyone else outside. The frogs all sat on the bench while Marcy sat on the wagon roof behind them, legs crossed as she examined a map, perking up at the movement behind her.

“Hi!” She excitedly said, turning around.

Anne tried to hide her face turning a bit red. It was good to see her so happy again.

“Hi,” She replied with a giggle, plopping down and looking over Marcy's shoulder, nearly resting her chin on it.

Her friend jumped slightly and went quiet, almost a little warmer, before snapping back to reality.

“I-I'm just double checking the map! Looking at the route!” Marcy stuttered.

Anne nodded, continuing to watch over her shoulder before standing up and joining the frogs, lifting Polly and sitting her on her lap to make space.

“How far out are we?” Anne asked as Hop Pop drove.

“I'm- not 100% sure...I know I'm going the right way, but-”

“About 6 miles!” Marcy chimed in from behind.

“Thank you Marcy,” Hop Pop nodded.

“Mhm!” Marcy nodded, still reading the map.

The group grew closer, casually chatting as they went. As the town became visible, Anne turned back.

“Marbles, you may wanna hang inside and let us scout things out first. We have no idea how the people here are gonna be,” Anne said, a bit disappointed to have had to say it.

“Oh. Right. Wanted by the crown,” Marcy rubbed the back of her neck.

“I'll just- plan some more of the route and journal a bit,” Marcy replied sadly.

She was hoping to shop around herself, but forgot her status out here…she started to turn to climb inside.

“Aye,” Anne snapped, pulling back Marcy's attention.

She fluffed with their hair, slightly scratching their head.

“I'll see if it's safe for you. If it's not, I'll bring you some goodies,” Anne smiled.

Marcy's heart sped up a little as she gave a sweet smile in reply, before climbing down inside.

‘Man she's adorable,’ Anne giggled to herself, turning back around as they approached.

With Marcy's direction through the window, her sparrow hung back in the woods, flying off to find himself snacks. As they entered town, they found a group of Newtopian Guards, mounting back on their rides and departing from town. Well, that was decent timing…

They walked up to a food stall the guards had just been at.

“What was that about?” Hop Pop asked casually as the large frog shopkeeper cleaned up a few things. If you didn't know better he could maybe be mistaken for a toad.

“The king is after some kid. Some weird creature with long limbs and a face bump. Kinda like you actually,” He glanced to Anne.

“Pppppffttt, whaaa? Nooooo!” Anne made exaggerated gestures as she began to sweat.

“Nah, not you. Hairs too long and not dark enough. And you don't have the scar,” The guy confirmed.

“Aahh, cool-!” Anne said, still nervous.

“Eh, not that I'd care. Kings gotta be crazy if he thinks we'll believe a kid did something bad enough to warrant a price on their head! Even if we saw the kid, I doubt anyone in town would tattle,” The frog laughed and rolled his eyes.

The family just kinda stood and blinked a moment.

“Anne go grab-”

“Already on it!” Anne said, turning on her heels to jog to the wagon.

Anne nearly slammed the door open.

“Marbles!” She called inside.

Marcy squeaked as she looked up from the hammock.

“It's safe! Come on, we're getting lunch!” Anne said with a smile.

Marcy perked up, quickly scrambling out, only to fall face first on the wood floor, her feet still stuck inside the fabric. Anne winced at the thud.

“I am ok!” Marcy hoisted up her torso with her arms, flinging up her head.

“Lemme just-” They rotated and flipped around, wrestling their feet from the fabric.

She finally got them free, quickly standing back up, grabbing her boots, hopping and tumbling around while she got them on, before practically appearing before Anne, hair and clothes an absolute mess.

“Ok! I'm good!” Marcy put her hands on her hips.

Anne chuckled, brushing down her hair and cloak fur with her hands, and readjusting the scarf on her neck.

“There, now you're good,” Anne smiled.

Marcy sheepishly giggled, cheeks a bit red as her hands returned to her t-rex stance. Anne took advantage of the moment, grabbing her hand and running out to join the frogs. Marcy giggled along as she did.

“Took ya long enough! We ordered for you!” Polly called out, crossing her little arms as the girls approached.

“Sorry! Mar-Mar got stuck,” Anne put her arms around their shoulders as Marcy gave an embarrassed smile.

“Order 15!” The frog from the stand called.

“That's us!” Sprig said, jumping to the counter.

The group followed, the girls asking what was theirs and picking up what was. They said their thank yous each, before Marcy froze as the frog stared at her.

“Can I- help you-?” She nervously asked.

“Hah! That's why you freaked out!” He looked to Anne.

Anne awkwardly smiled.

“Don't worry kiddo, you're safe here,” He elbowed Marcy.

Marcy smiled, a small sparkle in her eyes before joining her friends on a bench beside a fountain. They dug into their lunch, happily chowing down.

“So-” Marcy swallowed her bite, “What was that about?”

“A bunch of guards were leaving as we arrived. We asked the shopkeeper, well, exactly what you just said, and he said they were after you, said Anne almost slightly looked like you but not and Anne got nervous, then he said it was fine and Anne went to get you!” Sprig spoke very quickly as he answered.

Marcy nodded while Polly and Hop Pop looked confused. Anne, well, she was still eating.

“You- caught all that?” Hop Pop looked at the human with confusion.

“Mhm! Yeah!” Marcy took another bite.

“Marcy has talked much faster than that before. When you've known her since you were a child, or in her case are her, you learn how to listen to fast talking,” Anne laughed.

“Huh…alright…” Hop Pop said with a slow nod.

He'd basically raised Sprig and didn't understand him if he spoke too fast. Maybe being old had a few more downsides than he thought originally.

The kids finished up and talked together, Marcy telling some of her happy Newtopia stories while waiting for the old orange frog to finish.

Once done, he cleared his throat to reign the kids back in. Shockingly, it worked.

“Alright, yall kids probably have very different wants in town meaning you'll be going different directions. But random towns are high risk. So, we're pairing up! I'll go on my own to not bore you kids, but you all will pair up, and meet back here at sundown,” Hop Pop explained.

“Alright, me and Sprig, and Marcy and Anne. Easy,” Polly shrugged.

“Not exactly…” Hop Pop stepped closer and put his hands between them, splitting the kids as one amphibian with one human.

He looked at the pairings, Sprig and Anne, and Polly and Marcy, He squinted, before walking over, picking up Polly, placing her in Anne's arms, and shifting Sprig over by Marcy.

“There!” He brushed his hands.

“Whaattt? But Marcy is gonna look at the cooler stuufff,” Polly groaned.

“Hey! I look at cool stuff!” Anne gave an offended look.

“Yeah but you don't let me look at weapons, therefore, you're boring!”

“Watch it, keep it up and I'll drop you!”

“You wouldn't drop this cute face~!” Polly fluttered her lashes.

Anne just spread her arms, carefully dropping Polly onto her butt, crossing her arms and smirking over her. Polly glared up at her.

“Can I hop on your shoulder now?” Sprig once again asked a question he had been repeating since Marcy showed up. The human sighed.

“Alright, fine,” Marcy laughed and playfully rolled her eyes.

She crouched down, Sprig quickly hoping into position. She carefully stood up, getting a good balance, making sure not to fall.

“Now, yall get just what's in these, you can't ask for more!” Hop Pop passed each of them a small pouch of coppers.

“Can I use what I already have? I didn't use much back in Wartwood,” Marcy asked, stashing the pouch away.

“Yeah sure, I just don't want these kids begging for money,” Hop Pop rolled his eyes.

“I'll just take it when he's not looking,” Polly whispered with a grin.

“Nope. Not happening,” Anne picked her up and started towards the shops.

“Nooooo,” Polly's voice faded out as they walked off.

“Welp, Imma go get some supplies…and maybe some personal stuff. Yall have fun!” The old frog waved.

“By Hop Pop!” Sprig waved back.

“So, where to?” Marcy looked around town, nothing standing out immediately.

“Uhhh opposite direction of Anne and Polly I guess?” Sprig shrugged.

Marcy shrugged back.

“Sure,” They replied, walking down the pathways.

~~《¤》~~

“Uuuuggghhh, why can't we go to the cool stores!” Polly groaned as they walked past a blacksmith.

“Because I can't trust you! You are one violent baby!” Anne said, keeping Polly in her arms.

“I won't touch anything! I promise!” Polly fluttered her lashes.

Anne raised her eyebrow.

“What?”

“How many times have you broken a promise like that?”

“Uhhhh never?”

“Dude.”

“Oh come on! I won't do it this time!”

“Polly, you-”

“Great oddities from all across Amphibia and beyond! Goodies possibly from other worlds!” A stall running newt called out, waving his arms as a small group formed.

“That's…oddly convenient. Well, you want something interesting. Why don't we see what they got! Maybe something from earth…which will probably be mine or my friends-” Anne said, approaching and joining the crowd.

Polly groaned, rolling her eyes. Just a bunch of boring junk. The shopkeeper seemed intrigued by Anne, a living oddity! Anne grew close and looked at the wares, striking up a conversation, seemingly finding something that caught her eye. Soon enough, she sat Polly down beside her foot. Polly pouted. Of course. Now she couldn't even look at the dumb stuff that could maybe be remotely interesting. 

She waited, flopping down before pieces clicked into place. She rolled a little away. Anne didn't even turn.

A sinister grin spread across Polly's little face.

“Now we're talking…” She rubbed her hands together, before hopping off out of the group.

And just like that, Polly was freely released onto the town. All on her own. Weapons shops here she comes!

~~《¤》~~

“Anything yet?” Sprig rested his head in his hand, elbow on Marcy’s shoulder.

“Mmmm, not yet,” Marcy replied.

“I'm starting to think we chose the wrong direction…” Sprig sighed.

“Maybe…” Marcy replied.

She'd been a bit interested in the architecture, but I mean, it was sort of like Wartwood. So…nothing too new. Plus, right now she and Sprig were looking for shopping, something very-

“Jewelry shop!” Marcy's eyes lit up.

“Heh?” Sprig lifted his head.

“You like shinies?” Marcy asked as she started towards it.

“Shiny?!” Sprig's eyes lit up too.

“There we are!” Marcy smiled, speeding up.

The duo walked inside and started to look around, eyes sparkling at everything they saw. Sprig's memory seemed to be jogged as he looked at a sparkling blue shell.

“Oh! Red Sun Shell!” The frog called out.

“Huh?” Marcy turned back a bit.

“I promised Ivy I'd get her one!”

“That's the little yellow frog girl you like, right?”

Sprig looked all giddy as he blushed, nodding with a silly grin.

‘Aww that's adorable!’ Marcy thought to herself as she giggled.

“Why don't you go talk to the shopkeeper! Maybe they have one! Or at least know where to find one!” Marcy proposed.

“Yeah! I'll go ask!”

Marcy grinned as the pink frog jumped off, and she continued to look, before something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Placed in a black case, glowing against the darkness.

~~《¤》~~

“Thank you so much!” Anne said one last time as she waved to the shopkeeper, holding her prize. 

A Skip-Man, just like her parents had, here in Amphibia! Marcy was gonna go nuts! Plus, maybe somehow they could use it to help them get home…the merchant had been little help, but he apparently found it in the woods. So…guess that makes sense.

“Polly, you won't believe what I got! It's from Earth! It's a- Polly?” She looked around for the tadpole before going pale.

“Oh crud.”

She put her down and didn't pay attention! And now she'd wandered off! Oh frog, HP was going to kill her if she didn't find Polly soon! She pulled her backpack off one shoulder, flung it around and stashed the earth goodie inside, quickly but carefully to not break it. She zipped it up and flung it back on, running to find where the baby had gone.

“Hey!” She finally called after what felt like ages of searching. “Have you seen a little purple tadpole? No legs, big yellow polkadot bow?” Anne mimed a messy outline of her little sister to a random frog.

The frog just pointed to a shop behind her, where a familiar cackling echoed out. Anne realized what the building was. A weapons shop.

“Shoot!” Anne drew out, running inside.

“Thanks dude!” She called back, remembering well, that's polite.

Polly cackled in the center of the room, holding way more knives than her little flippers should've been able to, let alone were supposed to be holding!

“Polly! What are you doing?!” Anne asked in a stern tone.

“Duh! Shopping!” Polly sassed back.

“Well you aren't old enough to be here alone! Plus, I said no! Now come on!” 

She tried to pick Polly up, only for the tadpole to panic, tossing one of her many knives, sticking in the wall right beside the head of a grizzly, eyepatch wearing toad blacksmith that slowly turned to them with angry eyes, before miming a throat slitting motion.

Polly dropped her remaining knives immediately.

“Run?” She looked up to the human holding her.

“Yep,” Anne said almost casually before darting outside, the toad climbing the counter to chase.

~~《¤》~~

Marcy's eyes sparkled, staring at the faintly glowing blue stone, held on a black leather-like necklace with a golden ring. Neatly displayed in a black box lined with dark blue velvet. For some reason, the sight of it just reminded her of Anne.

“Need some help?” A white newt with gold eyes and jet black hair stood behind Marcy.

She was elegantly dressed, pretty out of place in the rural town. But a lot of this store's workers were. Her name tag held Tyla on it.

“Oh! Yes! How much is this?” Marcy asked, expecting an answer she didn't like, a high number, but asking anyway.

“Oh the tag should be…” She reached around the girl, Marcy side stepping out of the way.

She opened the case and flipped up a tag showing the price. Surprisingly, with her own coppers, it was obtainable!

“It's quite a good price actually, no one has bought it so they've marked it down quite a lot. Shocking too, the stone is a rare one, found deep in the aquatic caves of Amphibia. Quite a beautiful sight,” Tyla smiled, taking the small box wielding the stone out to hold it to Marcy.

Marcy put a finger on it gently for a moment, before pulling it away, remembering this probably isn't something she should touch before buying…

“Would you like it? I can bring it to the counter,” Tyla offered, carefully shutting the box.

“Oh, yes! Thank you!” 

Tyla nodded, making her way to a counter as Marcy followed. In the end, she was set up beside Sprig, who talked to another worker who looked at him up and down, almost with disgust, looking down on the poor frog. She rolled her eyes at the stuck up newt before beginning to rummage her bag for her own copper pouch as Tyla patiently waited, preparing a few things herself. They faintly listened to the interaction between the others.

“So, a red sun shell is what you're looking for, right? Quite the rarity you know,” The clerk said with a hint of sass.

“I know! That's why it'd be so special to get! I have a blue moon shell at home so we'd match too!” Sprig bounced slightly with a big smile.

“Really? Where did you get a blue moon shell?” He raised a brow.

“I found it!”

“Huh…well, perhaps I could see if I could find one for you…for a price…” The worker grinned slyly.

Marcy searched more, growing a bit anxious as Sprig plopped his pouch down.

“This enough?” He asked.

The worker looked through the count, before looking up.

“I could work with this…see what I can find. No promises.”

“So…do I get it back if I don't?”

“We'll see-”

“No no no!” Marcy finally spoke, shoving things in her bag aside.

“What's up? Ooo that's pretty!” Sprig looked at the shimmering stone.

Tyla gave a smile and nod.

“I-I can't find my copper pouch! Shoot, I must've left it in the Fwagon!” Marcy called out.

“Sounds like she's just too broke to afford it!” The other worker snickered.

Tyla shot him daggers, whipping his leg with her tail.

“Use what Hop Pop gave you!” Sprig shrugged.

“It’s double what he gave me! I-I was gonna get it for Anne but now…”

“I could hold it while you get your coppers,” Tyla kindly offered.

“I don't believe that's in store policy-”

“Not now Jayson.”

Before Marcy could answer, Sprig shifted his copper pouch beside Marcy's.

“Sprig, I can't-”

“Correct, he can't! He's already paid!” Jayson snatched it back, holding it close.

Tyla snatched it back again and returned it beside Marcy's.

“You cannot take someone's coppers without guaranteed results! That is against policy! So, unless you'd want a meeting with the manager which will wield a result you don't like, I'd step away!” Tyla hissed.

Jayson shrunk into himself and backed off, retreating into the back. Tyla sighed.

“Apologies…he's been causing issues for customers for weeks. I'll be telling the manager either way now,” Tyla gave a smile as she began to count the coppers just to be safe.

“You wanted a red sun shell, correct?” She glanced up to Sprig.

The frog boy nodded.

“Where are you headed? You appear to be traveling.”

“Newtopia! Looking for some info for my sister! Her friend! Who the necklace is for!” Sprig explained happily.

“Quite an extravagant gift for a friend,” Tyla gave a knowing smile.

Marcy blushed with a sheepish smile, fidgeting with her scarf.

“As for you, you're on the right track. I know a few shops in the city that should have one. At affordable prices as well. Try checking out some of these,”

She took out a paper and wrote down the names of a couple stores, handing them over to the frog who grinned at the chance. She put the coppers away, closed the box and turned to Marcy.

“Would you like it wrapped since it's a gift?”

“No, it's alright! Just the box is fine,” Marcy flipped her hand.

Tyla slid the black box across to the human and gave them a smile as they picked it up.

“I'm sure she'll love it,” Tyla kindly smiled.

“Thank you,” Marcy lowered her head.

“Stay safe, Marcy. Be careful around the city!” The newt clerk called one last time, recognizing the girl from the guards that had come by.

Marcy jumped a bit before smiling, chasing after Sprig who was already outside as she stashed the box safely away.

She caught up quickly, scooping Sprig up into a huge hug.

“Thank you so much!” They hugged him tight, although much looser than Anne's bear hugs.

Sprig laughed, wrapping his little arms up around the girl's.

“Of course! I had nothing I really wanted, we're getting close to meeting time, it's for Anne, all that good stuff!” Sprig smiled, as Marcy slowly loosened her arms to allow him to climb up onto her shoulders, Marcy giggling as he did.

“So…the thing she was referencing with how fancy the gift was…” Sprig trailed off.

Marcy stopped in their tracks, face heavily reddened.

“You uh- know what she's implying?” She played with the gloves over her hands.

“Sort of…” He answered quietly.

“Well- You know how you feel about Ivy?” Marcy found a connection he'd get, having been told about it by an excited Anne.

Sprig nodded with red cheeks.

“Yeah, that's me with Anne,” Marcy smiled softly. “Just- please don't tell her. I'll get around to it when I'm ready,”

Sprig mimed, zipping his mouth and tossing something away. Somehow, he felt this was a secret he could keep. For now.

Before conversations could begin again, sounds of familiar chaos came from nearby. 

“Wait is that- Anne screaming?!” Marcy's eyes darted towards the noise.

“And Polly!” Sprig added.

Marcy began to move before the duo weaved through a crowd. Anne buckled over panting once in front of them, holding herself up with one of her hands on her knee, the other arm holding Polly tight against her chest.

“Marbles, you know how to use that crossbow, right?” Anne looked up, still catching her breath.

“Of course!...Why?” Marcy quickly popped out the sides with a click before realizing asking questions was important in this situation.

“Polly may have angered a blacksmith-”

“That one,” Polly pointed to a toad splitting the crowd as he ran, holding so many more weapons than he should've been able to, two smaller assistants following close.

“Oh frog, I can't deal with that alone!” Marcy panicked, jumping back.

“Well, the best weapon I have on me is my tennis racket! Which has been a decent weapon before, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it will do well against that!”

Before things could get worse with the blacksmith situation, Hop Pop practically just materialized from beside them, frantic and exhausted, just like Anne.

“Kids! We gotta get outta here! Someone did tell em about Marcy! The guards are on their way back!” He panickedly flailed his arms about.

The group gasped, before Sprig saw a familiar newt grinning behind a building.

“Jayson! Snitch!” He yelled towards him, the newt quickly retreating.

“Marcy, is Joe close enough to call?” Anne quickly took action for her friend.

Marcy removed Sprig from her shoulders, depositing him on the ground.

“Only one way to find out!”

Marcy took a huge breath in, before letting out the loudest whistle any of them had heard before. They and some townsfolk winced, but before long the sparrow arrived from above, landing beside the group and curiously chirping. Marcy pulled up her hood and scarf, quickly climbing on

“I'll meet you down the road!” She called out, before patting Joe's back, signaling him up.

“You got it!” Anne yelled back as they took off.

The remaining family quickly ran to their wagon, where their trusty purple snail was happily waiting. They got moving and back on the road swiftly, not looking back much at all, a large shadow passing overhead a few times.

Before long, newt voices yelled from behind, calling them to stop.

“What are you frogs…and human, doing out here?” One of the royal guards asked.

“Just travelin’ good sir. Why?” Hop Pop replied casually.

“Well, we heard reports of a fugitive in the area. One wanted by the king. One similar to you,” He gestured to Anne as he unrolled a poster wielding an image of Marcy.

It was actually really accurate, despite the major facial scar being a completely different shape, which was likely not based on any description other than ‘big face scar’ since she got away pretty quick.

“Wait- is that Marcy?!” Anne played up the lie.

“Yes, you know her?”

“Sh-She’s my friend!”

“So you've seen her?”

“Anne hasn't seen her since getting to Amphibia! We were looking for her, but I guess that's not a good idea,” Sprig shrugged.

“I've never seen her in my life,” Polly spoke straight faced as if she wasn't blatantly lying.

“Oh, I think I saw her headed that way, back towards the valley,” Hop Pop replied, pointing behind himself.

“You saw her and didn't tell me?!” Anne whisper yelled, continuing to play along.

“How come they didn't see her but you did?” Another guard chimed in.

“Oh we split up to restock in that town back there. Spotted her when we were apart,” Hop Pop nodded in confirmation.

“Well, alright. You folks have a good trip. I wouldn't be looking so much for her miss,” The first guard finally spoke after a really awkward silence, As he and his friends returned to their wagon, following the goose chase.

The Fwagon began to move as well, getting quickly out of their sight. Once they were, they stopped, Joe Sparrow immediately swooping down beside them, allowing Marcy to climb over, and him to walk beside Bessie who he really seemed to like.

“That was a close one,” Marcy giggled, leaning against the back of the seat.

“Pft! Totally!” Anne laughed in reply.

“Anne, what in frog’s name happened with you and Polly?!” Hop Pop was quick to change subjects.

“I-” Anne sighed and slumped over. “I got distracted and looked away from her…” She said disappointed.

“You left Polly unsupervised?! No wonder she got into trouble!” Sprig flung his arms up, almost smacking Marcy in the face. He gave a quick apology she easily accepted.

“It was me trying to get her that freaked her out…I'm sorry, I-I just found something from home, and-”

“Anne, it's fine. You're gonna screw up. Already have a hundred times! I just don't think you'll be alone with Polly for a while…”

Anne solemnly nodded as Marcy popped up.

“Sorry to interrupt the lesson, did you say from home? Like- Earth home?!” Her eyes lit up.

“Mhm! Look!” Anne cheered up a bit.

Anne pulled around her backpack, pulling out the little device.

“A Skip-Man?! How did that get here?!” Marcy looked incredibly interested.

“I'm not sure. The merchant didn't know either,” Anne looked around at it.

“Maybe something on it has clues? Come here, we can look better inside!” Marcy started towards the ladder.

Anne glanced over to Hop Pop.

“I said you can't be alone with Polly, not you can't be left without being watched,” Hop Pop sighed.

“Oh! Thanks HP!” Anne smiled, climbing over the bench and down the ladder.

Marcy, having allowed Anne down first, was jumpscared by a frog tongue smacking her back. They turned around to see Sprig looking back at her. He patted his chest, Marcy quickly realized he was referencing the necklace. She blushed and nodded before following Anne, already sitting in the breakfast nook. Face ignited with golden light from the setting sun through the window. Marcy's heart sped up, not being able to help herself from smiling. She took off her cape and chestplate, allowing herself to get comfortable for the evening.

“I uh- I-I got you something today,” Marcy said as she slipped into the seat across from Anne.

“Really? What'd you get?” Anne pushed the little device aside for the moment and leaned onto the table.

Marcy opened the bag beside her, the black box still sat on top. They took it out, placing it on the table in front of Anne. 

“What's this?” Anne looked at the box.

“Open it ya goof!” Marcy teased.

Anne chuckled, before opening the box, her eyes widening. She carefully lifted the necklace by the stone, and looked at Marcy in shock.

“How much extra money did you have-?” Anne said in disbelief.

“A-Actually I forgot my stash in here-” She gestured to the pouch still on one of her shelves. “It was only double what Hop Pop gave us! Apparently the price had dropped a bunch since no one wanted it. And, Sprig gave me his!” Marcy explained with a smile.

“Really?” Anne chuckled.

“Mhm! His main idea fell through. But he got clues to where it could be! So, in the long run he got something too!”

“Shell for Ivy?”

Marcy nodded.

“Yeah, I figured,” She giggled.

They sat quietly a moment, Anne gently messing with the stone in her hands.

“So…do you like it-?” Marcy nervously asked.

“Like it? Marbles, it's gorgeous! I love it! Ya know, I never really said it but I really do love blue,” Anne laughed.

“It also glows! The material is from these deep aquatic caves!” Marcy happily ranted on.

“Really? Sweet!” Anne laughed before she stood.

She slid in beside Marcy, holding the necklace to her. Marcy took it confused, as Anne turned her back and lifted her hair.

‘Oh! Put it on! Got it!’

They reached around, pulling it against her neck, securing it and letting it go.

“That good? Not too tight or loose?”

Anne turned back around, pulling out her phone to look at it. The pendant rested perfectly in the gap of her uniform's collar. She pulled Marcy into a tight hug.

“It's perfect,” She smiled.

Marcy's stomach fluttered as she smiled, hugging her back.

“I'm glad you love it.”

Anne reached across the table, grabbing the Skip-Man for the two of them to examine. Marcy pulled out her journal, opening to an empty page.

Time just continued to pass, the girls talking together about both the device and just well, whatever came up! Marcy took it apart, documenting how it went together both to feed her tech interests and to see if there were any hints of how it got here. 

As it grew later, Anne grew quieter, and less and less chatty, eventually leaning onto Marcy’s shoulder, speeding up the raven haired girl’s heart. Marcy just continued to chat quietly, slowly putting the pieces back together.

“I wonder if I can find a way to adapt it to work with our phones…I've got some extra cords I don't have a use for…what do you think? Anne?”

They looked over to find the girl's eyes shut, her breath steady as she rested against their shoulder. She's…asleep. Those same butterflies returned as Marcy's face reddened, a smile creeping onto her face.

The hatch suddenly opened, as Sprig jumped down, his little sister asleep in his arms.

“Hop Pop is driving through the night, just wants to be safe,” The young frog yawned, pulling out the drawer bed and placing his sister inside.

“Hey Sprig? Could- could you grab my cape-? O-Or my blanket, either one,” Marcy stuttered.

Sprig turned to the girl, about to ask why before he spotted his human sister asleep against her shoulder. He smiled warmly.

“You're happy,” he tiredly spoke, hopping across the fwagon to her hammock.

“Yeah…” Marcy said with a smile.

Once he had the blanket, he jumped up, wrapping it around them both for her.

“Thank you,” Marcy nodded slightly.

Sprig poked at the faintly glowing stone on Anne's chest, before snapping back.

“Of course! Night Mar-Mar!” He hopped off.

Marcy looked surprised and happy to hear him call her that.

“Night bud,” She smiled.

He smiled one last time, before turning out the last mushroom lights. 

Marcy leaned her head on Anne's, watching as the stars passed above, slowly drifting off, comfortably cuddled against the love of her life. Her absolute favorite girl.

Chapter Text

Giggling seeped out from the wagon below, as the old orange frog sat driving up top. He sighed, ignoring it for the time being. Until…the laughter turned into yelling. He quickly stopped Bessie and pulled open the hatch, leaning in.

“Hey! What are you kids doin’ in here?!” Hop Pop yelled down.

“Uh- playing?” Polly had a confused look from Anne's arms, as the human laid on the floor, arms up.

“Anne's trying to catch us!” Sprig grinned, hopping down from the wall.

“They are surprisingly slippery!” Anne tossed Polly quickly.

“Well it sounded an awful lot like shouting! Road Rule 21, no shouting! That is unless you wanna lose your skin to marauders!” The frog climbed down and threw his hands up to exaggerate what he was saying.

“Ugh, you and these rules! You're making what's supposed to be the best trip ever so boring!” Polly groaned, jumping out from Anne’s arms, leading the girl to sit up.

“Yeah, I posed on the fwagon and you yelled at me!” Sprig chimed in.

“Road Rule 98! No heroic poses. That kinda hubris invites disaster! Also, Road Rule 345, no complainin’!” He squinted, pointing a finger to the kids.

“Oh come on! You just made that one up to shut us up!” Polly groaned.

“No, fightin’ with the driver is another means for disaster!”

“Well, we literally can't do anything!” Anne stood, flinging out her arms, “We asked to stop at that cool waterfall,”

“Road Rule 243, natural phenomena leads to an unnatural death.”

“Asked to stop at Amphibia's ‘best diner’,”

“Road Rule 193, don't stop anywhere claiming to be ‘the best’.”

“We literally just asked for ice cream-”

“Road Rule 194, no ice cream on the fwagon.”

“Not to mention we're crawling,”

“Road Rule 149, never drive faster than a junebug can fly!”

“Do you see the problem?!”

The three standing kids all stared with upset looks.

"Why can't y'all be more like Marcy? She ain't complained about my rules this whole time!" Hop Pop sighed, rubbing his brows.

Marcy’s head popped up from her journal as she blinked, confused at what was going on, but hearing her name.

"Hop Pop Marcy is scared for her life at like- all times. She's just happy to have some kind of safe space and is scared that if she breaks your rules you'll basically throw her out to the wolves," Anne crossed her arms.

"She's uh- not wrong-" Marcy sheepishly squished into herself.

“Well either way she should be your role model! Perfectly content with things!” Hop Pop held his head high.

“I-I'm not that content- those rainbow waterfalls are actually a place I wanted to visit for a while, a-and I wouldn't mind some food diversity, but I really don't wanna end up caught or struggling in the woods again-” Marcy mumbled, quietly fumbling with her pen.

“See?! Marcy isn't happy, your reference sucks!” Sprig leapt onto the table.

Marcy jumped, grabbing him and anxiously covering his mouth, mumbling at him to be quiet.

“Look, I didn't make the rules, I just enforce em!” The old frog shrugged.

“You literally did make them! They're Hop Pop’s Road Rules!” Anne complained.

“Stand by em too!” He crossed his arms with pride.

“UUGGHH!” Anne groaned, pulling at her bangs.

“Now, sit your behind down in that breakfast nook, and stop worryin’ your big old head! We'll be in Newtopia in no time!” Hop Pop smiled, climbing back up to drive.

“My head isn't big! It's just- my hair is fluffy-!” Anne sheepishly replied, getting no response.

She sighed, slinking into the booth opposite of Marcy and slamming her head on the table. After a minute, she lifted her head and grinned with a chuckle.

“Marbles, your switch is charged, right?”

“Oh, yeah! It is now! Here, let me-” She began to rummage in her bag.

“New rule! No usin’ Marcy’s fancy devices! We don't know what creatures they'd attract!” Hop Pop yelled from above.

“HOP POOOPPP!!” Anne yelled back.

“S-Sorry…” Marcy answered, sadly closing the bag's top flap.

“It's fine Marbles…nothing you can do…” Anne sat up, rubbing the stone of her necklace as she looked out the window, a field of strange stone structures approaching.

“Woah, what's that!” Sprig pressed against the window.

“Off the window, Spring!” Hop Pop yelled.

“Oh, it's a place called the Ruins of Despair. They're some sort of ancient ruins, but their use has been lost to time. I always wanted to explore them, but never had time before I ran away…” Marcy said with a longing sadness.

A sinister smirk spread on Anne's face, one copied by Sprig, seemingly sharing her thoughts.

“I think I have an idea…” Anne sat up.

“Hop Pop! We gotta stop! Marcy's freaking out and I think they need to get out and get some air or they might hurl!” Anne popped out of the fwagon.

“Oh alright…” He came to a stop, “Dang girl and her weak stomach…just be quick and stay close!”

Anne jumped down with a grin, grabbing Marcy's arm and Sprig and rushing out the back door.

“Come on, come on!” She yelled in triumph, tossing Sprig into the grass as he quickly hopped onwards, and adjusting to hold Marcy's hand instead.

A bit nervous, but also flustered, Marcy couldn't help but follow, her mind quickly overwhelmed with fascination, letting out small, sweet, excited giggles that left a little flutter in Anne's stomach, as she couldn't help but smile wider.

“Oh you kids-! Polly! Stay in the fwagon!” Hop Pop yelled, climbing down and after the others.

Polly just blinked, watching as they ran. Marcy's sparrow landed beside the fwagon, letting out a chirp.

“Yeah, I am going to cause so much chaos.”

~~《¤》~~

“Woah…this place is so cool!” Marcy said with excitement, tracing the carved stone designs with one hand, the other still held by Anne.

“Weird and definitely old…” Anne rubbed a bit of moss. “But kinda cool!”

“I don't see why Hop Pop was so freaked out by this! It's just some old carved rocks!” Sprig shrugged, leaning on the front of one of the frog-like stone structures.

Suddenly, something clicked in, and the entire wall moved, sending Sprig tumbling down with a yell.

“Sprig!” Anne yelled, leaning into the now opening.

“Wooaah, these are doors?!” Marcy spoke excitedly.

Without hesitation, Anne leapt inside, pulling Marcy along. But, not having expected this, and well, being Marcy, the raven hair went tumbling down just like the frog.

“WAH-!” Marcy exclaimed before landing face first on the stone floor.

“Are you both ok?!” Anne's gaze darted between them both.

“Yep! I'm totally fine!” Sprig jumped quickly to his feet.

Marcy lifted her torso, shaking her hair up before looking with awe.

“Woah…this place is nuts!” A glimmer of even more excitement lit up in her eyes.

The most light Anne had seen in those soft brown eyes in a while. Not as much as when they worked this out a few nights back, but enough to warm her cheeks and make her smile.

“It's full of buttons and switches~!” Sprig tapped his fingers together with a mischievous grin.

“I wonder what they all do!” Marcy chimed, quickly joining by his side.

“Kids!” The voice of the old frog yelled, followed by noises of sliding.

“Hop Pop, I found levers!” Sprig spoke with a huge smile, stuck to the wall above a large lever.

“Ahp!” Hop Pop pulled out the big book of rules. “Road Rule 68! Never ever pull a lever!”

Eyes popping between the old frog and before them, Marcy slowly pulled their hand away from another level, holding it with their other behind their back, looking away with false innocence.

“Marbles,” Anne snickered.

“Oh come on, Hop Pop!” Sprig jumped onto the lever, “This place is ancient! What could possibly-” 

The level shifted down with his weight.

“...Happen-”

Suddenly the building rumbled, as a variety of lights activated, the head of the central frog statue lifting, revealing a big, glowing teal square. The frogs and Anne looked in terror as Marcy's eyes continued to sparkle.

“What is that-” Sprig started.

“It's like some ancient computer!” Marcy practically squealed, climbing up onto the platform with ease.

“Marbles! Be careful-!” Anne said,  nervously reaching to the other human.

She pulled out her journal, noting things down and glancing all along the screen. Symbols of another language wrote out words on the screen, alongside some kind of weird frog diagram. Sprig climbed up beside her as she thumbed through.

“I'd been working on a translation of ancient Amphibian linguistics, but this looks a bit different…” Marcy held her book up, comparing the two with her tongue stuck out.

“But I think it's close enough to get a general idea…” She grinned, pulling out the small reference sheet and opening a new page.

The frog tried to climb onto the console to get a better look over her book, before his foot click a button in.

“Start-up: Engaged”

“Huh-?” Marcy looked up, before yanking Sprig up, stuffing her journal away.

“The building talks?!” Sprig said, face squished by Marcy.

“It's a computer! And I think you just started something-” Marcy spoke a bit anxiously.

“Assembly line activated. Routine protocols: engaged.”

“Assembly line-? I-I think this is some kind of factory!” Anne called up to the others.

“Yeah, I was starting to get that from the few lines I could translate!” Marcy replied, sitting Sprig beside her. “Don't touch anything I don't tell you to, ok?”

Sprig gave a confirming salute.

“It is impressive…” Hop Pop quietly admitted.

“Did you see what it was making?” Anne asked again.

“No! I didn't get to that! Although there was a weird shaped frog silhouette…”

“Additional materials required. Please place them on the glowing access point.”

“Glowin’ what now- WAH-!” Hop Pop yelled, dropping into a hole opening in the glowing circle around him.

“HOP POP!” The kids yelled at once, as the old frog appeared on a conveyor belt encased with glass. 

“This is why we follow the rules!” He glared, before passing through a laser wall.

He reached the other side fine, before the main layers of his clothes burned up, leaving just his underwear.

Marcy cringed, seeing more of the old frog than she ever really wanted to.

“You guys shut this off! I'll get him out!” Anne yelled, using a bit of…something left behind to shatter the glass, running in after him.

“You got it!” Sprig cracked his fingers.

“If you wish to cancel the operation, please insert new disk.”

Marcy just as Marcy went to pull out their translation key, hoping to get more details of this disk, they heard the sounds of button mashing only to find Sprig randomly making inputs.

“SPRIG!” She yelled, yanking him off once again.

“Hehe-” He nervously laughed.

“Security violation detected.”

The lights all ignited red, as a variety of weapons emerged, a spinning saw shooting right at them. Marcy's eyes widened quickly, leaping to the side quickly, successfully getting them out of the way. The frog in her arms looked up to find her eyes having adopted a glowing verdant hue. 

“Kids-!” Hop Pop yelled in a panic as he grew closer to some crushing mechanism.

“I'm coming, HP!” Anne yelled, running to her, grabbing some kind of metal arm in the process.

She stuck it below the press, putting herself under it as well, trying to push against it as the conveyor belt stopped.

Anne watched Sprig's tongues shoot out, grabbing the big purple rule book and dragging it up with him and Marcy.

“Why do you need that?!” She yelled through the strain, brows furrow

“Maybe it has something to help!” He flipped through.

“Doubt that'll work here!” She hissed.

“Insert disk. Insert disk. Insert disk.”

“Anne, what the heck is a disk?!” Sprig yelled.

“I don't know! I'm from another dimension, not the '90s!” Anne yelled back, before Marcy shot her a disappointed look.

“What?!” She knit her brows before spotting the color in her eyes. “...what-?”

Without another thought, Marcy looked to the slot for said disk, and snatched the book from Sprig, shoving it into the slot. The book was shredded in the process, attempting to pull it in.

“Insert... What the heck? What the heck? What the heck? What the heck?”

The restraints on Hop Pop’s legs release, right as the arm began to give up. She snatched him, rolling out of the way with him just as the thing slammed down. She stood, running back to her entrance before jumping out, just as Marcy got there with Sprig.

“Yes! We got it!” Sprig said, tossing his arms up.

“Not out yet!” Marcy yelled, a bit of echo in her voice.

“Exactly! Road rule 2, Don't celebrate till you're completely out of danger!” Hop Pop crossed his arms.

Anne nodded, following Marcy as they climbed out.

Just as they got outside, the building exploded, sending the humans forward a bit faster, and knocking them off balance. They each curled around the frogs, cushioning their landing.

“Ok, now we're-” Anne started to catch her breath as she heard the crackling of fire.

She scrambled to her feet, stomping out a flame on the corner of Marcy’s cape as the other human breathed heavily, arm over her eyes.

“Now we're safe,” She sighed, putting her hand on her hips.

Sprig jumped and cheered, as Hop Pop caught his breath, and started to partially scold the frog. Marcy didn't budge.

“Mar-Mar? Are you ok-?” Anne said, a bit concerned.

Marcy shifted her arm to her forehead, opening one of her eyes as the green glow faded back to her normal soft brown.

“I- I think so…my head hurts a-and my exhausted, but…ok,” She gave a weak smile, opening her other eye.

Anne smiled, helping them to their feet, pulling their arm over her shoulders.

They returned by the frogs, Sprig holding a guilty look that was actually shared by the elder frog, before he sighed.

“I think I've been too harsh on yall… this all wouldn't have happened if I weren't so strict…”

“Kinda…but you had good reasons. You just wanted to protect us,” Anne smiled. 

“Now, let's go get Polly- where's Polly?”

“WOOOO!” The sounds of the young pollywog echoed out in the distance, as she took the fwagon and Bessie for a joy ride, Joe flying alongside.

She rolled up beside them, staring for a moment.

“Bessie and Joe made me.”

Hop Pop glared, her face dropped with a sigh.

“Sorry Hop Pop…”

He sighed again.

“Alright…we'll put the rules aside a bit. Why don't we make a stop or two?” 

“Oh, what about the Hills of Impalement! I heard they're traumatizing!” Sprig grinned.

“I've had enough experiences doing that already,” Marcy said casually.

“Marcy.” Anne spoke.

“I've got a better idea…”

~~《¤》~~

“How's the crickets and cream ice cream, kids? Oh, and mint chocopeade, Marcy,” Hop Pop smiled as they moved again.

“So good!” Polly exclaimed, face already a mess.

“Thanks Hop Pop!” Sprig grinned.

“I don't even wanna pick out the bugs! …Wow I've been here too long-” Anne looked off into the distance.

Marcy gave a quiet thankful hum, still pretty worn out.

Anne turned, looking to her with worry.

“Hey, Marbles…can I ask about something?” Anne sat beside Marcy behind the seat.

“Mhm,” the raven haired girl licked some green from her lips.

“Back there, your eyes…they- they were glowing. Like- a bright green. What…” Anne's voice trailed off.

“I-I don't really know…it supposedly happened first at some weird castle on a Nightguard mission for a few seconds…” She recalled the accounts of her old teammates. 

“But…it also happened the night in the castle…it- gives me some sort of boost? I-I feel stronger when it happens and more focused…its like I can work out a solution to something in half the time!” They almost seemed excited, before their smile dropped.

“But…last time I passed out after. And now I just feel…bad. Weak, tired, my head is throbbing…” They furrowed their brows.

“So, it's a good and bad thing…but what do you think causes it?”

“It…may be some sort of stress response. Both of the main times it happened was when I, or others today, were in danger…”

“Hm…we could look into it in Newtopia. Either myself or both of us if we figure things for you out,” Anne smiled, putting her arm around Marcy's shoulder.

Marcy leaned her head onto Anne's shoulder, the brown haired girl tensing up as her heart raced. Marcy finished her ice-cream slowly, her eyes growing heavier before finally, once it was gone, she closed her eyes, and cuddled closer, pulling her cape tight. Anne had finished her own ice cream and adjusted how she sat, before Marcy shifted, tucking her head under the girl's chin. Anne held her breath for a solid minute, before finally letting it go, loosening how she sat. She placed a hand on Marcy’s head, rubbing gently at her hair.

Man how she loved this girl…

Chapter Text

“Newtopia here we come!” Sprig bounced around with joy.

“Wooooo!” Polly joined her brother, hopping and rolling beside him.

“Yall kids better not be causing problems!” Hop Pop yelled down from above as Anne climbed down.

“They're not! Nothing is broken!” Anne called back as she arrived.

Marcy was still sitting in her hammock, fully dressed with her hood up, back turned to the rest of the room.

“Hey, you doing alright?” Anne gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Huh?” Marcy turned back. “Yeah, I'm alright.”

Her eyes were cold and empty, her recently regained sparkle stolen away by fears and anxiety, approaching the very place she was hurt most.

“It'll be ok, you know what to do. We'll get whatever happened fixed up and you'll be good to go!” Anne tried to fluff with their hair through their hood.

“This isn't something you can just talk him down from…” Marcy returned to rubbing the scar over her cheek.

“Then we'll be in and out as quickly as possible!” Anne grinned, face showing her determination.

Marcy smiled softly.

“Thank you…for everything.” Marcy replied.

“What do you mean?” Anne also grew nervous.

“For being so patient with everything with me,” Marcy flipped to face Anne, “for being so determined to make sure I'm safe and that I feel safe…and, for not making me share more than I'm comfortable with of what I've been through,” A hint of glimmer returned to her eyes as they grew misty looking at Anne.

Anne gave a sheepish smile with reddened cheeks, placing a hand on Marcy’s head, rubbing it under her hood.

“Always.”

Marcy put their arms up, and Anne laughed, leaning over into the hammock, giving them a tight hug.

“Alright kids, we're about there, let's get all set up,” Hop Pop climbed down, pulling some more blankets from storage.

Anne grabbed a handheld battery fan from her bag, handing it to her friend, as Sprig started to close all the curtains.

“Here, this should help a little in case it gets warm,” Anne's face showing her nerves.

“Thanks Anna-Banana,” Marcy held the fan close, giving Anne a warm smile, one she returned.

“Alright,” Hop Pop hopped onto a stool he dragged over to get above the hammock. “Just stay quiet and still until you don't hear any sound other than general distant city commotion. Once you can move, make sure-”

“Not to leave the fwagon or make too much noise unless you all come tell me I can, and hide if I hear anything. I know,” They gave a gentle nod.

Hop Pop sadly nodded back.

“Hang in there Mar-Mar, I'll work things out,” Anne fluffed with Marcy's hair one last time as they smiled up at her, face almost a bit red as she held back tears.

Anne and Hop Pop pulled the blankets over her, with her aid, tucking them around her to just appear like a bundle of hanging cargo for their trip. Once she was in place and handled, and a few more words were exchanged, the family climbed up to the top, Anne being the last one to go as she looked on at the bundle that held her world. Something felt- wrong deep down. She couldn't place it. Anxiety began to bubble up as she debated unwrapping her, having her call Joe and getting her far from this damn city that so horribly betrayed her. She almost began to move as Sprig peaked down.

“You coming?” He asked curiously.

Anne glanced between the two and sighed. She'd be fine. It would all be fine.

“Yeah, sorry. Spaced out a bit,” Anne made excuses as she climbed up to meet him.

The two hopped into the bench, Polly quickly jumping into Anne's lap as Sprig plopped down beside her.

“There it is yall. Newtopia,” Hop Pop smiled, as the cream stone walls towered before them.

The kids called out in awe at the city, towering over the glittering blue water below.

“It’s beautiful…” Anne said quietly.

“Hehe, oh-” Hop Pop began before being interrupted.

Sprig jumped across his sisters to shake Hop Pop aggressively.

“Hurry up! I wanna see it! I wanna touch everything,” His eyes shimmered at the shinies, textures, and colors this new place had to offer.

“Settle down boy, we got stuff to get done!” Hop Pop pushed Sprig off and Anne sat him back down on her other side as the wagon started to move with a snap of Bessie's reins.

“Once we figure out the Marcy stuff and find us a way home, or- some kind of start, we can have all the fun we want!” Anne promised with a determined smile.

“Yeah! Woohoo! Newtopia, you ain't ready for the Plantars!” Sprig cheered as they approached the water surrounding the city.

The wagon trudged through surprisingly well, having very few hiccups along the way, but they did find the city gates closed, something that according to Hop Pop and Marcy, wasn't always common…

“That's strange…” Hop Pop said as he rubbed his chin.

“Isn't it normally ya know, open?” Polly said with some sass.

“Yeah, it's-”

“Who are you? State your business!” A guard yelled from above.

“We're the Plantars! We're from frog valley!” Hop Pop announced.

“We're hoping to talk to the king!” Anne added.

“Wait, are you a human?” The guard replied, getting a better look at Anne by leaning out the window a little more.

“Uh- yes-?” Anne gave a confused look.

The newt suddenly pulled out a shell, and blew into it, producing a sound like a horn.

“Open the gates! A human has come! Bring them to the castle!” He ordered loudly to people out of sight.

Suddenly, the ornate golden doors began to push open, a few guards waiting inside. A teal newt dressed in a purple and cream gown decorated at the bottom with wave patterns soon approached as well, part of her curled navy hair pulled into a bun.

“It is an honor to have you in our great city, such…rustic individuals,” She picked her words wisely as she curtseyed.

“Glad to be here dude! Or, m’lady,” Anne bowed a little as Hop Pop wrangled the kids.

“Well, I am Lady Olivia. And you are?”

“Anne! Anne Boonchuy!” She stood proudly.

‘I remember Marcy mentioning that name…she truly is one of her friends…’

“Uh- You good?” Anne looked confused as the newt suddenly went quiet.

“AH! Apologies, my thoughts got away from me,” Olivia awkwardly laughed. “And who are you traveling with?”

“Huh? Oh! Ahem- I'm Hopediah Plantar! These here are my grandkids Sprig and Polly! And well, ya met Anne,” Hop Pop placed the youngest grandkids beside their lanky sibling.

“Hello!” Sprig waved.

“Sup,” Polly casually nodded, before being slightly kicked by Hop Pop.

“Ow! Hey!” She hissed.

“Don't be so casual!” He spoke through his teeth.

“But-”

“Ahem, well I believe it's best we go to see the king! So, shall we?” Lady Olivia gestured on into the city.

“Of course! Lead the way ma’am!” Anne nodded.

Olivia nodded in reply and alongside her guards, escorted the family through the streets.

The family took in their surroundings as they got just a glimpse into this city of wonders. Food stalls holding snacks and meals they'd never seen, storefronts with windows of luxurious gems and jewelry, some nearly resembling Anne's own necklace at much higher prices, clothing stores with price tags the frogs could never dream of affording, and newts of all kinds, looking on and whispering about the outsiders, very few even saying hello.

After a while of walking, they finally reached the castle, and a few guards grabbed Bessie's reins.

“Hey-!” Anne began to call out as Hop Pop put a hand on her leg to stop her.

“They'll keep the wagon and snail both safe,” Olivia assured.

“But-”

Hop Pop shook his head. This was part of the plan. It'd be ok. Anne just buried her fears and sighed. Once the wagon was out of sight, on its way to a courtyard for safe holding, they headed inside.

After what felt like ages of walking and wrestling Sprig to not touch everything, they arrived at the giant doors to the throne room.

“Now, remember, you are meeting the king of Newtopia. Be respectful and formal. And-” Lady Olivia looked to Anne with almost sad eyes, the girl giving her a look of confusion in return.

“Be careful what you say,” She sighed, brushing some dirt off Anne's shoulder.

“...I will.” Anne nodded after being silent for a moment, holding the pendant.

Olivia nodded and gestured to the guards to open the doors. The doors were slowly pushed open, revealing the large room, lined with columns wrapped in statues of some almost serpent-like amphibian Anne didn't know. She'd have to ask Marcy later…

Before them, at the end of the corridor, towered a giant blue newt, dressed in regal armor and a crown carved of bone. The way the light shone around him left a menacing shadow over him as he smiled.

So…this was the jerk who hurt Marcy…Maybe this wouldn't be so easy…

“Your highness, I present Anne and the Plantars,” Olivia bowed with a gesture to the family.

“You really ain't gotta separate it, Anne's a Plantar-” Hop Pop attempted to politely correct.

“Well hello!” The giant newt spoke casually as he stood with a grin.

“It’s good to meet you! So you're Anne, right? What about the rest of you?” He knelt down to get a bit closer.

“I'm Hopediah, your highness,” Hop Pop bowed.

“I'm Sprig!” The pink frog stood proudly.

“Polly,” The pollywog seemed almost bored.

“Haha, you're quite the fun bunch!” The king gave a belly laugh in return.

‘How…how can he be so friendly but do something so cruel…’ Anne gave a slight glare.

“You good, kiddo?” The king turned to the human.

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. I'm fine,” Anne dismissively replied.

“Ahem, well Plantars, this is King Andrias Levithan, peacekeeper of a thousand years and the first of his name,” Lady Olivia formally introduced the monarch.

“It’s an honor to meet you, your highness,” Hop Pop lowered his head.

“You as well! But please, just call me Andrias! So, what brings you to the city?”

“Well-” Anne began.

“Can I quickly ask first, why were the gates closed? I didn't think they often were anymore,” Hop Pop interjected.

“You'd be right in that! They've been kept open most of my reign! But we've heard of some…threats nearby that we just wanted to be cautious about,” Andrias gave an awfully vague answer.

“Makes sense,” Hop Pop shrugged.

“Now, you had started to say something?” He turned to Anne.

“Right, well the reason we came was actually to see if I could find a way home,” Anne stood straight.

“AH! Earth right? Well, I've actually been looking a bit, but I will gladly look closer now that you're here! And you came with your two friends, right?” Andrias leaned down towards her.

Anne tensed up slightly, hoping to hide it as best as possible.

“Yes, I did…Sasha and Marcy,” She listed their names after a moment of silence and debate.

“Well, I'm sure you've heard we're searching for Marcy, but we'll keep an eye out for Sasha as well! Although I have some things I'd need from Marcy first,” Andrias gave a friendly smile, the last phrase sounding sort of…off.

“A-About Marcy, I-” Anne began after taking a deep breath.

“Your majesty, there's some nobles here for their meeting,” A servant waited in the hall.

“Sorry, I gotta go do that. Why don't you all take this, and grab yourselves a good room or two in the Hemisphere Hotel? Oh, and get yourselves some nice stuff too,” Andrias held out a small golden card.

Anne grabbed it slowly, before Andrias returned to his true height, walking above the small family and down the halls with this servant.

Anne sighed, stashing the card.

“I should probably follow along to assist, shall I send guards to guide you?” Lady Olivia politely offered.

“N-No, I think we can find it. Thank you,” Anne shook her head.

“Alright, have a good evening Plantar family,” Olivia curtsied.

“You as well,” Anne waved as she left.

“Well, they were cool!” Sprig smiled.

“Yeah…cool,” Anne glared down where the king had gone.

“Anne, are you-”

“I'm fine, HP. Let's just go to the hotel…I'm tired,” Anne coldly replied, beginning down the halls.

The frogs exchanged sad looks before following the human’s lead.

~~《¤》~~

Marcy blinked her eyes slowly open, although it was hard to tell wrapped in blankets.

Surprisingly, it wasn't too warm! It was really cozy actually! Well, obviously, she fell asleep. It was pretty refreshing, she'd struggled to sleep the last few nights, so a nap was nice. She did some tiny stretches before listening to her surroundings.

Quiet. Not a soul close. Perfect.

She pushed off the blankets and sat up, stretching for real. She shook her head, her messy hair falling over her face. She undid the green clip in her hair and detangled the raven mess with her fingers, cleaning it up and returning her clip to its place. She fully removed the blankets and carefully climbed out into the mostly dark fwagon, a few peaks of sunlight creeping in the curtain’s gaps.

Rechecking the quiet status, she peaked slightly out one of the windows. She was positioned in a courtyard, and saw as the sun was slowly beginning to lower down, hints of a golden hue snaking through the city. She smiled, returning back inside, turning on a few small mushroom lights and sitting down in the breakfast nook with her journal. She sat her bag beside her as well, still strapped across her body. She turned on an old downloaded show and got to work writing.

After a few minutes, she was completely in the zone. Just enjoying her time. That was, until there was a click from the door. Their head jolted up and over, as a newt servant opened the door, not paying attention.

Before Marcy could move, beyond grabbing her book and phone and standing, the cleaner looked up, eyes going wide and dropping their mop and bucket. The two stared, wide eyed in silence before Marcy finally broke it.

“Fuck,” She blurted.

The newt darted out, Marcy doing the same, slamming open the back door.

“MARCY! MARCY IS IN THE COURTYARD!” 

The servant scrambled to the castle as Marcy booked it for the streets, stuffing her journal and phone in her shoulder bag. Once close enough, she fired her crossbow, a rope attached, hurling herself onto a wall and climbing to the roof as guards began to pour out.

She ran across the rooftop, leaping to another once that one came to an end. The kingdom's guards followed from below.

Meanwhile, as the frog family headed towards the hotel they'd be in for a while, they were passed by a mass of guards, catching their attention.

“What- what's going on?!” Hop Pop exclaimed with confusion.

Anne looked up, seeing motion on the buildings above before recognizing a familiar cape.

“Shit!” Anne called out, starting to run after the group.

“Lang- wait, hold on!” Hop Pop struggled to get moving as the young frogs chased after their sister.

“What's going on?!” Hop Pop asked a servant running too.

“Marcy was in your wagon! She must have taken it over while you were gone! I found her when I went to clean it!” They yelled in a panic.

“Right-” Hop Pop nervously replied.

In front of them, Sprig had finally caught up with Anne, Polly tight in his arms.

“What's going on?!” Sprig yelled out to his older sister.

“They found her!” Anne replied vaguely, but with wording they'd understand.

“What? How?!” Sprig called out.

“I don't know! But I just- we need to get to her before they do, or at least get her out! I knew this was a terrible idea!”

The frogs nodded, continuing alongside the human as they followed her friend and the guards.

~~《¤》~~

As the cloaked duo approached the city, the taller of which groaned.

“It's about time! My feet are killing me!” She complained.

“That's because you have a thousand knives in your boot!” The other growled.

“I have to be ready for anything!”

The toad groaned and rolled his eyes as they approached the gates. Shockingly, they were open.

“...That's odd. I had heard they had been closed lately,” The toad blinked.

His ally shrugged, before the two entered the gates and walked the streets. Once they had been in for a bit, a while into the city, the gates began to close.

“What's up with that?” The taller of the two asked.

“Ok, this is getting weird-!”

Suddenly, a group of guards rushed past, one stopping beside the two.

“You!” The newt yelled, dressed in nicer armor than the others and not wearing a helmet, letting his pulled back purple hair loose, a few strands falling over his gray face. Likely the lead of the charge.

The duo froze.

“You’re Grime right? The traitor toad Captain that lost his tower?!” The newt asked, obviously angry.

“What if I was?” Grime muttered cryptically.

“If you help us catch her I'll make sure the king clears your name!” The newt pointed to a figure running across rooftops. 

When the angle was right, Sasha got a peek at their face. One she recognized, even from a distance.

“Marcy?!” Sasha yelled.

“Yes! Now, would you rather help or rot in the depths of the dungeon?!” The newt hissed.

The two exchanged looks, before Sasha cracked her neck.

“Say less!” She yelled, beginning towards her friend, eyes locked on her above.

Marcy had to change routes once the gate closed, lengthening her escape route, needing to find a building high enough and close enough to get her over the wall. Their breath was hard and heavy as their heart pounded, but the adrenaline rushing in their veins kept them going as they leapt across a gap, tumbling onto the next building before scrambling back up.

Anne's eyes remained locked on her as she ran the streets, reaching the end of the path, where it met with another. As she entered, she crashed into someone else, both crashing down as they did. Anne checked her necklace, sighing in relief when it held no damage.

“Watch it!” A familiar voice hissed as Anne rubbed her head.

Anne flung her head around as the other adjusted her blonde hair.

“Sasha?” Anne asked, a mix of shock, anger, and confusion.

“Boonchuy?!” Sasha looked confused.

Anne looked around for guards, finding none nearby, she scooted towards the girl.

“Are you helping Marcy?” Anne hopefully asked.

“Helping? I'm trying to catch her to get Grime's name cleared from being a traitor! And maybe I can talk some sense into her after whatever she did!” Sasha rolled her eyes.

Anne's blood began to boil. Her face scrunched.

“Helping…Anne, she obviously- wah!” 

Sasha yelled out as her friend tackled her down.

“What the hell Boonchuy?!” She screamed, trying to wrestle the girl off.

“I can't let you get to Marcy!” Anne glared down at her, pinning her arms down.

Out of everyone in this chase, Sasha was the only one Anne believed had a chance of reaching Marcy. She had to make sure that wouldn't happen.

Sasha's face filled with rage, as she fought, finally getting her legs between her torso and Anne, kicking hard and shoving her off.

Sasha launched herself up, returning to the chase. Anne had to take a second to regather herself, before following the girl.

The frogs and toad stalled behind a bit, exchanging glares but being too focused on their humans to truly engage one another.

The pursuit continued, Anne managing to slow the girl down enough to allow Marcy to keep a good distance from her main real threat. The minute Anne caught up and began to try and get in front of Sasha, she slammed into her, shoving her down, scraping her elbow as she fell into the stone ground. 

Sasha managed to stretch the gap quickly, as the wall grew close in. Anne stood and did her best to catch up.

As Marcy grew close to the end of her escape, she braced herself as her largest leap came up. All she had to do was reach the edge of the wall and pull herself up. She took a few deep breaths, speeding up her racing before pushing herself up off the very edge and stretching her arm out.

Her fingertips caught the edge, before slipping off. 

‘No, no, no!’ Echoed through her mind. 

Her heart raced as she began to plummet, before her fall was slowed as she tumbled down a few buildings on the edge of the city. Something caught her cheek just before she reached the ground, slicing into it just below her eye, opposite of the scar from the claw.

Crimson poured from their nose, minor cuts and injuries, and the gash on their cheek as they struggled to haul up their aching torso as newts quickly surrounded them.

What felt like a thousand eyes looked down on her, weak, alone, in pain, unable to do anything to protect herself. Her only friends in this world probably miles away on the other side of the city. Tears burned her eyes as her lip quivered, heart racing.

The helmetless gray newt stepped forward with a smile, before looking surprised at the face of his prey. So young and innocent, yet scarred and damaged beyond belief. He sighed.

“I'm sorry little one, but the king orders your retrieval,” He spoke, traces of sympathy in his voice.

“No- please- I-I can't go back-” Marcy pleaded, finally weakly lifting her torso from the ground.

“It’s not my choice.” He sighed.

The newts began to close in. 

Marcy's heart raced.

“Please- stay back-”

“No can do, kid.”

Part of Marcy’s fear began to shift to anger, adrenaline flooding her veins once again. She shifted her weight off her arms, lifting her right arm, clicking her crossbow open, an arrow already in place.

“I said, stay back!” Her voice began to echo as she fired the arrow into the crowd.

A shockwave of green energy followed the bolt, knocking down and disorienting the soldiers.

As the other humans grew close, a rush of wind stopped them a moment, before turning to the scene at the wall.

Marcy breathed slowly as she stood, glowing green eyes darting around the group. Her hair was illuminated with the same colors, and as she placed her hand against it, moved on its own, feeling almost like soft feathers to the touch.

“Get her!” The newt yelled from the ground, soldiers beginning to scramble to their feet, snapping Marcy back to reality.

She spun around,lifting her arm towards the wall and fired a bolt of pure energy up, followed by a rope. Just as newts arrived, she hauled herself up the wall, quickly climbing up and pulling herself over the edge. They looked back down below, locking eyes with one specific soul they didn't think they'd see.

Anne looked on the verge of tears, but gave Marcy a look of determination nonetheless, gripping the blue stone over her chest, nodding slightly.

A tiny smile crept across Marcy's face with a hint of warmth in her cheeks, before she took a giant breath in, letting out a nearly ear piercing whistle that could be heard for miles, hurting the ears of her pursuers, making the few slowly scaling the wall stop. Exactly what she needed.

Before long, their sparrow landed beside them. As quickly as this all began, it ended, as she mounted the bird and took off, fading to just a silhouette in the golden hour before disappearing completely.

Anne let out a tiny sigh of relief, cut short as she was slammed into a nearby wall.

Sasha pinned her shoulders again, glaring daggers into her. Anne's relief faded to anger as she tried to fight back, attempting to shove the girl off.

“Enough!” The lead newt yelled to the girls, catching their attention.

“I'm bringing you both to the castle where the king will have a word with you at dawn! Cuff them both! Keeps them from fighting!” He barked at his men, quickly pulling out ropes, and fumbling with them a bit, before restraining their wrists in front of them.

Grime's wrists were tied as well while the frog siblings were carried. Anne realized now Hop Pop had been lost to the crowds long ago, the old frog nowhere in sight.

A soldier shoved their hand onto her back, gesturing her forward, beginning the long escort back to the castle.

~~《¤》~~

“We'll wake you before dawn! Be up or risk worse than the king would otherwise give!” One of the escorts yelled into the room before slamming the door shut.

Anne heard the click of the lock before sighing, standing from the bed. She walked to the window, a full red moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by sparkling stars. She leaned onto the ledge of the window, slightly leaning out into the night breeze.

“Stay safe Marbles. I'll find you.”

She wiped her tears with her hand.

“I promise.”